NBC getting rave reviews

[SPTO]

The last couple days i've been hearing nothing but rave reviews from the media here about how well NBC did with the hockey game. Many in the media felt it was a lot better then the CBC call which as Canadians is tough on us to actually acknowledge. They're basically saying that NBC provided much more energy, cogent analysis and excitement while CBC was stale and didn't really do much. Greg Millen who does the colour for CBC was said to be dull and didn't add very much while Ed Olcyck (ARGH! well you know who i'm talking about) gave great insight while people got the lowdown on what was going on from Pierre Maguirre.

Here's an article from the Toronto Star's sports media columnist that highlights some of the differences

Article

[olliethebum85]

It blows away any other U.S. sports broadcast. Unlike ESPN, they focus on the game and not the story lines that appeal to the bandwagon fan.

[bad_philanthropy]

As a HNIC lifer I have to say I have been really impressed with what NBC has been doing, it was a great broadcast, I think that "classic" style for CBC is just stale, and it's not like the NBC guys were over the top they were just solid. And even though I guess it's kind of gimmicky I really enjoy Maguire's insights into what's going on on the benches, like how he said Sykora turned to him and said he was going to score.

[Vince]

Eddie O is a great great analyst in my opinion...

And Mike Emrick always has great calls.

[allBthere]

I enjoy Bob Cole's play by play more than any other hockey guy though. Nobody comes close to his "SCORES!"

but yeah the colour is weak I've never liked him and I often disagree completely with what he's saying. eg. fleury getting hit and refs calling interference imo was totally justified, while greg was saying it was bs. - if the goalie is trying to smother the puck, you can't bump him off.

The cbc also has great camera work, but much of it is unusued...it would be nice to see more close ups and changes live rather than just the replay.

I really like Don, and Kelly Rhudey, and doubt another program would do better during the 'breaks' for me.

[CoRruPt-]

IMO Bob Cole sucks. The guy's getting senile. Sometimes he'd get all excited for nothing. Such as:

"The ref's raising his hand! Is it a penalty? Who's it being called against?"
Millen: "It's just icing, Bob."

Thank goodness he'll be doing much much less # of games next season and the much superior Jim Hughson is doing most of the PBP. Once you listen to enough Hughson, Cole is just weak in comparison.

But yes I love CBC's camerawork. I mean you have guys that are dedicated to covering hockey all season long, unlike the NBC where you pull camera guys off NASCAR or something. The replay work is weak on NBC, and sometimes during game action they don't follow the puck well.

[Vince]

Hughson is the best...

"GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT SAAAAAAAAAVE LUONNNNNNNNNNNNGO!!!!"

[LetsGoPitt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vince

Hughson is the best... "GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT SAAAAAAAAAVE LUONNNNNNNNNNNNGO!!!!"

I'm glad someone else thinks so. Maybe I'm just used to Jim Hughson from the circa NHL '98
days, but I really liked listening to him call the early Penguins' series. Bob Cole is just....so....boring...in comparison. Unfortunately, I've never really liked Mike Emrick either, so I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Boy, I really miss the good ol' days of Gary Thorne and Bill Clement!

[DrJones]

It's not been HNIC's finest hour, that's for sure. Bob Cole has always had a great voice for making excited calls (and still does). Unfortunately, he's been senile for about a decade now and should be put out to pasture, although he's still the best when it comes to unintentional comic relief. Millen's an unlikeable dud, the only guy worse than him is Glenn Healy.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by CoRruPt-

"The ref's raising his hand! Is it a penalty? Who's it being called against?" Millen: "It's just icing, Bob."

Come on, that's comedic gold! It was even better when Harry Neale was there, because NEITHER of them had any idea what was going on.

Quote: Originally Posted by CoRruPt-

Thank goodness he'll be doing much much less # of games next season and the much superior Jim Hughson is doing most of the PBP.

Link for this? Does this mean Hughson's the #1 PBP next year (ie, calling Leafs games)?