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Q. Who the hell is Lee McKenzie??
He is a horrible, horrible commentator. The way he called the 3.15 at York was embarassing. The eventual winner was all over the field from a long way out but yet not mentioned until close home? He named about 10 horses who were mid-division but yet no mention of horses near the rear? But the most embarassing thing was the small pauses between horses names like he didn’t even know who was running!! Get him to call the lesser meetings and leave the big races to the professionals!!!!
I’ve noticed when he commentates there seems to be a delay. You can see the action happening in front of you and he seems to take a while to react to it.
Maybe this is due to his radio background when it didn’t matter then, or wouldn’t be noticed ?
Needs to reign it in a touch, IMO.
He does tend to see things rather late, too – maybe trying a little too hard to cover the field, rather than whats happening where it matters at times. Apart from that, I like his calling…
My gripe is this cringeworthy dramatical music we’re subjected too as horse’s are led in. What on earth is all that about? It had my other half in stitches, though, so not all bad.
What on earth is all that about?
It’s what going to take racing into the main stream and attract the yoof.
Anyway could be worse, could be "I Feel Good" which I am subjected to occasionally if my football team choose to score a goal.
If occasional contributor ‘leemac’ still looks in on the forum maybe he can put his side of the story…
Hey, leave the little guy alone! Lee has long been my favourite commentator because he’s sensible and not afraid to join in with the excitement, especially in jump races.
I didn’t see the racing today, so missed him on Ch4, but he was bound to be nervous on this step up to network TV.
Onthesteal, I couldn’t agree more about the Newmarket music. I could actually feel myself blushing yesterday – the idea is lowbrow, juvenile and excruciating. I think the person who came up with this idea should be identified. And sacked.
Just watched the rerun on RUK, picture is clear as a whistle, yet the Ch4 pictures this afternoon had bright sun making it impossibile for a second or two to see. I presume Lee’s monitor would have been the RUK feed. However, too much use these days of technology and not enough of the bins.
I’ve always rated Leemac as one of the best commentators around.
He can be forgiven this lapse-ette.
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However, too much use these days of technology and not enough of the bins.
You make a very good point. Too often recently the likes of Simon Holt and "Aussie" Jim McGrath have been missing pretty obvious wide-course manoeuvres because they’re off the edge of their monitors. It’s pretty obvious that they’re getting too reliant on the screens for their own professional good – or (more worryingly) getting directives to concentrate on what the viewers can see, rather than what they might see for themselves through the bins.
It makes me laugh on the BBC every time Jim McGrath is shown he’s stood next to a massive pair of old battered bins as though they are an important tool of his trade. It’s quite obvious from his commentaries he rarely if ever uses them.
Tommo is quite open about it, he says he never uses bins as he wants to commentate on what viewers are seeing
I know this York meeting has always been one of Lee’s favourite’s of the year to commentate on.I think Lee messed up at York, but everyone has an off day. In my opinion he’s one of the best commentators around. Certainly in my top 5 and does not get the gigs he should.
Lee’s commentary of Long Run’s King George was outstanding.
We are blessed with an exceptional group of commentators at the moment. Hoiles and Holt out in front with several tracking the pace.
Value Is EverythingI wouldn’t say Lee McKenzie ‘messed up’ although he did notice Green Destiny late, granted.
But he generally has an accurate, up-beat style I like.
I would say that course commentary asks for something different than TV commentary.
The course commentator has to create a bit of an atmosphere on course, in the stands, something the TV commentator has to do but in a different way.
Sometimes the on-course lads resort to something like ‘and here comes the favourite’ (insert whatever horse is appropriate) and you can hear the cheer from the crowd. Often the ‘favourite’ is coming with the same run that half a dozen others are but is singled out for a namecheck because it does add to the atmosphere (obviously most of the crowd will have backed that one). Pekan Star was an example during Lee’s call yesterday. When you are on -course there is nothing wrong with that, it adds to the excitement and creates a buzz. At home it is often irritating.
That’s not meant as a criticism, for me Lee McKenzie is as good an on-course commentator as we have, just that TV commentating requires a slightly different approach.
I wouldn’t say Lee McKenzie ‘messed up’ although he did notice Green Destiny late, granted.
"Messed up" is probably over stating the "mistake" Corm, granted. However, I doubt if Lee himself would be pleased with his commentary in this case.
Agree he’s one of the best.
Value Is Everything
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