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The worst thing any tv programme can do is insult their viewers intelligence, this the morning line do with their "fixed" Guest Test and no doubt "nearest the pin". If anyone’s in any doubt watch Walter Swinburn when he was on the Guest Test.
I reckon this discussion is getting better viewing figures than the Morning Line itself.
I reckon this discussion is getting better viewing figures than the Morning Line itself.
Phil, you previously suggested in reference to the Morning Line:
"They should make it something like "Mark Your Card" that Racing UK does every Saturday."I think the present shower would be better trying their hands at Bruce Forsyth’s Play Your Cards Right.
"Higher than a monkey, you say — a score."
"If you like things that come in pairs, just look at Nick’s two croupiers."
But, on second thoughts, Play Your Cards Right is probably a weightier and more informative programme than the present sorry, dumbed-down Morning Line.
Don’t touch the pack — we’ll be right back.I wouldn’t care if they presented it in togas during an orgy AS LONG AS THEY JUST TALK ABOUT THE BLOODY RACES!!
You’re not seriously telling me that you’re not bothered that world famous trainer David Simcock is now joint top of the Guest Test leaders board. He did get an "astonishing" 10 questions right today, you know. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. David Simcock — joint top. Do you hear me? JOINT TOP.
So …. what I don’t care less about some pointless quiz. All I want to see is the racing
I’ve just returned from more than a week’s holiday and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Tom Lee apparently moonlighting by serving at the bar, complete with a dickie bow, in a five-star hotel in Madeira. That boy certainly works hard.
Didn’t get chance to speak to him but he looked to be busy on "the machines" working out the prices for the drinks.
Half expected Tanya Stevenson to be one of the chambermaids, folding a pile of bedding and sheets for the rooms. Looking forward to looking at the videos for the last couple of Saturdays for the Morning Line and Channel 4 to hear the latest from the real bedding ring. Tanya was much improved last time I heard. Can it (sorry, id) possibly have continued or was id a bid of a flash in the pan?Tanya may be able to pick a winner or two, but she is terrible viewing. She was fine in her supporting role to Big Mac, but with the extra responsibilty she has been found out. The morning line is getting worse, at least the afternoon programme is getting better and we are even getting racing after 4pm now.
In my opinion there is too much emphasis in the betting market made by all TV channels (though less so RUK). Most of the time it’s just telling you what WAS over-priced and what WAS under-priced. It is NOT telling you what WILL and WON’T win.
Something at 15/2 a couple of days before the race, is backed down to 4/1 on Saturday morning. Then, when it drifts to 11/2 SP described as "the betting tells you it won’t win". Rubbish! All that has happened is…. It was over-priced, then backed down to shorter than it should be, before finding what is (probably) its rightful price.
I’d love to know whether 11/2 shots who’ve been "weak" in the market, have done any/much worse than those "strong" in the market. Suspect there’s little difference.
Having said that, at least Tanya doesn’t over-egg the pudding like Big Mac. Think she does a pretty good job over all. It’s better with Tanya on her own.
The person who’s got a vast knowledge of the game, who (imo) is under-used by both C4 and RUK is Richard Hoiles. Supreme commentator who also knows the form book. I’d much rather hear his opinions on any race than (for example) John Francome.
Value Is EverythingThe person who’s got a vast knowledge of the game, who (imo) is under-used by both C4 and RUK is Richard Hoiles. Supreme commentator who also knows the form book. I’d much rather hear his opinions on any race than (for example) John Francome.
If he is indeed the ‘supreme commentator’ as you suggest doesn’t he earn a living from that job? There are so many in racing with fingers in every possible pie – personally I would like to see a few new faces – even Claude Duval might retire one day!
If he is indeed the ‘supreme commentator’ as you suggest doesn’t he earn a living from that job? There are so many in racing with fingers in every possible pie – personally I would like to see a few new faces – even Claude Duval might retire one day!
I wonder if the apparent ubiquity of many in the racing media is driven by nothing more than a need to account for the eventuality of any of their engagements coming to an abrupt end. There’s some virtue in that approach, given the massive loading of such media posts towards freelance rather than permanent employment.
Richard mentioned in a thread on here three years back that all Racetech commentators are freelancers, and I’d venture that most (and probably all) his work for Channel 4, RUK and
Racing Plus
is undertaken in a similar capacity. I’m not sure how many Racetech bookings per annum the top commentators are currently allocated, but even if it’s as many as 90 days that still leaves three-quarters of the year free to pursue other engagements.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Not a fan of tongue tied Tanya. My wife thinks she gets her clothes from an Oxfam shop and then gets dressed in the dark. I much prefer Big Mac in the ring.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Don’t shed too many tears for the poor Channel 4 race commentators limping on with "only" a freelance contract.
Most of them often get two fees for one race meeting.
Channel 4 has arranged for its "own" commentators to be covering most of the Saturday meetings as the duty course commentator, thereby giving the impression that its own race commentators are covering the meeting.
Richard Hoiles will often apparently be the Channel 4 commentator at, say, Newbury or Ascot when in actual fact he is the course commentator and Channel 4 are merely taking the course commentary feed.
If Richard Hoiles, Stewart Machin or even Simon Holt are the course commentator for a meeting on Channel 4, they will often also pop up on the Morning List as a pundit there that day (Simon Holt complete with his pink shirt). Two fees — one from their employers as course commentators and one from Channel 4.
Channel 4 likes to try to pretend to viewers that the race commentator is actually its own commentator when really they are just taking the course commentary, helpfully provided by making sure their "own" commentator is on course.
The pretence is made worse by having Mike Cattermole or Emma Spencer say: "Let’s say a very good afternoon to our race commentator, Richard Hoiles", only for there to be a long pregnant pause and no acknowledgement or thank you by the commentator for the kind, personal and cheery hand-over. That’s because he is already commentating on course.
Simon Holt has been the course commentator on an increasing number of Channel 4 Saturday meetings.
I realise, of course, that increased use of the course commentary is a consequence of the cuts that Channel 4 has had to find in continuing to cover racing. We really don’t mind that the course commentary is used — just don’t try to treat us like idiots and pretend that the race commentator is a separate TV-only commentator. Of course, for the big meetings, Channel 4 uses its own commentator.
Stewart Machin can, when he is commentating for the course (and therefore also by default for Channel 4) at, say Wetherby, also pop up as a pundit on the Morning Line from that course. Two fees for the price of one meeting. Not forgetting the lucrative newspaper columns and other media interests of these people, so don’t pity their supposed lack of job security.
Even Nick Luck no doubts doubles his money by presenting the Morning Line and then swiftly clocking up another fee by switching to hosting the meeting for Racing UK in the afternoon.
Even Tanya Stevenson seems to have no shortage of other employers, including her newspaper and online columns.
Channel 4 definitely don’t like Tommo any more, though. Not only have he and Lesley Graham been cut drastically from presenting duties but Tommo is hardly ever used for course commentaries taken by Channel 4 these days. I can only remember one Newmarket Saturday this year when he has been the course commentator used by Channel 4. Channel 4 have obviously asked for him not to be allocated as the course commentator for meetings they are covering. It’s a shame because I like Tommo’s commentaries.
Lee McKenzie seems to have taken Graham Goode’s place for Channel 4 course commentary feeds. But to prove the point, when Channel 4 took Mark Johnson’s course commentary for a Saturday Goodwood meeting a couple of years ago, who should pop up with Emma Spencer on the Morning Line but Mark Johnson? Two fees for the price of one and he’s not even heard that often on Channel 4.
When the Flat finishes, expect to hear Mike Cattermole commentating on Channel 4 races via the course commentary feed, especially in January when Simon Holt goes on his annual lengthy foreign jaunt.Paul, in recognition of your outstanding stamina in the face of adversity, I can offer the following special prizes to you:
Ist prize — an all-expenses-paid day out with Tanya Stevenson in a bedding ring of your choice.
2nd prize — a no-expenses-paid week out with Tanya Stevenson in a bedding ring not of your choice.
3rd prize — a signed copy of "Sheets, pillowcases and bedding. My life in laundry" by Tanya Stevenson.
Booby prize — two signed copies of my new one-page book, "Why I should get a life" (abridged version) by CrustyPatch.Paul, in recognition of your outstanding stamina in the face of adversity, I can offer the following special prizes to you:
Ist prize — an all-expenses-paid day out with Tanya Stevenson in a bedding ring of your choice.
2nd prize — a no-expenses-paid week out with Tanya Stevenson in a bedding ring not of your choice.
3rd prize — a signed copy of "Sheets, pillowcases and bedding. My life in laundry" by Tanya Stevenson.
Booby prize — two signed copies of my new one-page book, "Why I should get a life" (abridged version) by CrustyPatch.As I already see Tanya most Saturday’s I think I would be only fair to let somebody else have the prize, you see I was wondering if there was a prize for the first person to highlight all the factual errors in your post, I stopped counting once I reached double figures.
Although the booby prize does sound interesting – as long as it is not presented by the real Booby
BTW I pointed out your post to one of those you mentioned in it and their response was "if only"
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