The thin red line: Play-by-Play vs Color

What I think a lot of people seem to forget is the fact about the noble art of commentating is the importance of silence.

Commentating is supposed to explain simple, yet fairly obvious, things such as X has the ball and passes to Y or Fighter A kicks Fighter B in the head. This might seem like a simple task, but lo and behold, a lot of commentators fail in this area. I would like to make a list of areas in which they may fail...

For the Play-by-Play:

Timing:

Usually cause they talk to much about other things than what`s happening NOW! It`s all about timing. In other words, say something now, or be forever silent. I do not want to hear "20 seconds ago Ronaldo passed the ball to Berbatov I waited a while and checked the replay to be sure." and in the meantime see the oppposing team score. Same thing with fights. It`s now or never.

Choice of words:

This is simple. If you`re p-b-p, use as few and as short ones as possible. Grammar? I don`t care. Using the right words?? Don`t care. Four syllables or more? Please don`t!

Emotions:

I`d much rather hear someone scream "What a SHOT!" or "And he SCOOOOOOORES!!" Thus reflecting the emotions in the moment,  than hearing "bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla.....", while I`m jumping up and down like a madman trying to celebrate.

A p-b-p is suppose to enhance the feel of the fight or the game. I want him (or her) to make me more enthused or enraged. I watch sports because I care about what`s happening. Ever tried watching a fight without sound? Not as exciting, is it? Is that because you don´t understand what`s happening??? Or is is something else?

Voice:

This is an often overlooked part of commentating. I would compare tone-of-voice to smell. You just "like" or "dislike". Some most agree on, with other`s it varies. If you don´t like the voice your hearing, chances are that you won`t like what it has to say. I like Goldberg`s voice, I like Randy Couture`s voice, I like Forrest Griffin`s voice. I tolerate Kenny Florian`s voice and I tolerate `Dan Henderson´s voice. BJ Penn`s makes my skin crawl and Mauro Ranallo`s make me wanna punch something. I can`t explain it. I.. just.. don`t .. like.. the .. sound.

Color-commentator

A bit different demands on this one. 

Timing:

Wait. Wait. Wait. Choose your moments with care. Don`t talk all the time! ( I can see you Jens Pulver!!)

What to say (wording):

Explain what just happened, or even better, make me see something that MAY be about to happen. The further into the future the better. I can see that he may throw elbows, but what I may not see is when he`s baiting someone to pass his guard in order to get a triangle.

Emotions:

Don`t get all analytical in an emotional moment. If I see a great knock-out or a super-submission, please don`t choose that exact moment to tell me that he dropped his right hand or that he should`t have gone to the ground in the first place. Wait until I`m emotionally ready for it.

And last, but not least... for both Color and Play-by-Play...

BALANCE AND HARMONY!

I cannot stress this enough. If you have  a p-b-p that talks a lot, the other one has to be quiet, and vice versa. The P-b-P should be loud and semi-stupid, the Color must be at least as clever as yourself. And they have to LIKE eachother. There`s nothing more painful than to listen to a pair of commentators that don`t like or respect eachother.

And now to my point. NEITHER Goldberg or Rogan is perfect, but they are a very enjoyable team. I`m not to fond of Rogan (Say "Gun`s blazing" or "He`s a machine!" one more time and I´ll..) as color, but he`ll do. As a pair though? None is better!

So here was the P-b-P, fell free to Color me Badd.