A sound check first

 

I wonder if people who comment on social media show their true colours there or if they are simply posturing - trying to be the one who says the most outrageous thing?

Back in the day, we had newspapers who actually reported news. They were read and the articles were discussed, usually, among people who knew each other. Today newspapers have no news to report as it is all broadcast 24 hours a day on tv and via our phones, so the editors resort to promoting dispute wherever they can. This weekend newspapers, via social media,  are making hay out of the BBC changes with tennis commentators. 

Who knew there was such huge disagreement over who the public want to commentate on their tennis matches? Personally I like Andrew Castle. His voice is pleasantly suited to the job and he talks equally about the tennis  and the people watching.  This last week I have missed him telling me who the camera was focussing on in the crowd because I recognised very few of them.

The American crew (McEnroe, Austin) came in for huge criticism for their nasal tones and their bias towards American players to the detriment of the British contestants.  Why they approached Eugenie Bouchard I shall never know except that she represents Canada and that will persuade Canada to buy the rights to showing tv coverage there, as American commentators help sell to America. 

Then there are the people who want Sue Barker to return. Much loved as she is, Sue was born in 1956 and is now 70.  There is much work involved in keeping up with players and their losses and wins and Sue deserves to enjoy her retirement. 

And then there is Andre Agassi. A great player, certainly and knowledgeable about tennis and I am sure his books are very readable but   - and it is a huge but - a speaker he is not. It is hard to understand the closed mouth delivery, the monotone level, and initially he talked over the play on the court below. He was not popular. 

Where the Wimbledon committee go after this is difficult to predict. Cultivate home-grown commentators? Bring on some of the younger British ex-players such as Anne Keothavong? She does well. Give them a sound check first and see if they can actually commentate  sensibly and most importantly, that their voices are pleasant to listen to for three hours at a time. That would be a good idea.