"We" and "Us" in Broadcasts

#79
#79
every now and then, driving home from work, I listen to vandy's games and it is comical/disgusting how joe fisher and tim thompson use we and us. fisher even calls the players by their first names and nicknames; as if they are his boys. I just shake my head. thanks for letting me vent.
 
#80
#80
I really don't mind for the color guy to be more homerish or use "we" or "us." No one noticed when Ward did the bball broadcasts because he had no color guy. Let me tell you that it was very impressive for him to do the whole game solo. I think that part of radio is entertainment and trying to give the listener a picture of the game and the feel. I think that the vast majority of listeners to the Vol network would rather Bert err on the side of too much of a homer than not enough.
 
#81
#81
It doesn't bother me a bit. In fact, it would bother me if they didn't use "we" and "us". They aren't doing broadcasts for a national broadcast where they are supposed to be impartial. They are broadcasting for the Vols. I know some don't like him, but I love Bert's color commentary.
 
#82
#82
Even with the "we" and "us", Bob and Bert's broadcasts are usually a lot less biased than some broadcasters on national t.v.. Watch a Duke game on t.v. if you want a good example of bias.
 
#83
#83
I have John Ward's video the Voice where he plainly states the importance of an objective broadcast. No announcer was more loyal to UT and wanted them to win, but he kept his bias in check. He says on the video about the NC game in 98 that he regretted not making more of the game but was afraid it would affect his objectivity in broadcasting the game. Just a true professional who certainly made it exciting to follow the Vols. Bob is okay at basketball, terrible at football, and a great interviewer. Bert has improved spending more time blasting our poor play instead of the other teams. As a high school play by play announcer for 15 years I try to refrain from the we/us terms but I certainly want the team I broadcast to do well. WE have to keep in mind there are no more John Wards out there. In comparison Bob holds up well which tells us not to think too negatively about OUR Vol Network.
 
#84
#84
fergie said:
I have John Ward's video the Voice where he plainly states the importance of an objective broadcast. No announcer was more loyal to UT and wanted them to win, but he kept his bias in check. He says on the video about the NC game in 98 that he regretted not making more of the game but was afraid it would affect his objectivity in broadcasting the game. Just a true professional who certainly made it exciting to follow the Vols. Bob is okay at basketball, terrible at football, and a great interviewer. Bert has improved spending more time blasting our poor play instead of the other teams. As a high school play by play announcer for 15 years I try to refrain from the we/us terms but I certainly want the team I broadcast to do well. WE have to keep in mind there are no more John Wards out there. In comparison Bob holds up well which tells us not to think too negatively about OUR Vol Network.
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John Ward may have not said we/us - but I would hardly call him objective or without bias. Lol.
 
#85
#85
fergie said:
I have John Ward's video the Voice where he plainly states the importance of an objective broadcast. No announcer was more loyal to UT and wanted them to win, but he kept his bias in check. He says on the video about the NC game in 98 that he regretted not making more of the game but was afraid it would affect his objectivity in broadcasting the game. Just a true professional who certainly made it exciting to follow the Vols. Bob is okay at basketball, terrible at football, and a great interviewer. Bert has improved spending more time blasting our poor play instead of the other teams. As a high school play by play announcer for 15 years I try to refrain from the we/us terms but I certainly want the team I broadcast to do well. WE have to keep in mind there are no more John Wards out there. In comparison Bob holds up well which tells us not to think too negatively about OUR Vol Network.
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This captures the essence of what I was trying to say all along. Based on the responses in this thread, few listeners share Ward's view however. They seem to prefer a little more "advocacy" on the part of the broadcast team. Maybe I'm older than the average fan here and didn't grow with 24 hour cable news, MTV, and agenda-oriented talk radio.

I do agree Bob is more professional (according to your definition and mine) than Bert. I've got no beef with Bob on this issue. And for the record, I love Bert- just wish he wouldn't . . . well you all know by now.
 
#86
#86
Bassmanbruno said:
John Ward may have not said we/us - but I would hardly call him objective or without bias. Lol.
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People keep missing the point over and over again. I don't expect a university affiliated broadcaster to be free from bias. That's impossible.

Just like a judge cannot be free from bias in many cases, but the rules require him or her to "avoid the appearance of impropriety."

That's all we are saying. They should strive to be as unbiased as possible, and some of us think that requires dispensing with "we" and "us".
 
#87
#87
I see twice as much bias from Ward's broadcasts than I do with Bob's. Even if Bob were to say we all the time it still wouldn't be anything as close to as biased as John's calls.
 
#88
#88
dsbyrd said:
This captures the essence of what I was trying to say all along. Based on the responses in this thread, few listeners share Ward's view however. They seem to prefer a little more "advocacy" on the part of the broadcast team. Maybe I'm older than the average fan here and didn't grow with 24 hour cable news, MTV, and agenda-oriented talk radio.

I do agree Bob is more professional (according to your definition and mine) than Bert. I've got no beef with Bob on this issue. And for the record, I love Bert- just wish he wouldn't . . . well you all know by now.
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Your point is absolutely correct. John Ward certainly was pro UT but it was done in an exciting and professional manner and not in a way to take away from the other team. Today's announcers come across as being involved in the game instead of describing the game as they see it. Radio announcers are the eyes for the listener and Ward is as good as there has ever been and Bob will always struggle because he is a TV guy.
 
#89
#89
Bassmanbruno said:
I see twice as much bias from Ward's broadcasts than I do with Bob's. Even if Bob were to say we all the time it still wouldn't be anything as close to as biased as John's calls.
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I'm trying but I just don't see this at all.

Do you have any specific examples?
 
#90
#90
dsbyrd said:
I'm trying but I just don't see this at all.

Do you have any specific examples?
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I think what he is getting at is that sometimes Kessling doesn't get quite as excited as Ward used to.
 
#91
#91
GAVol said:
I think what he is getting at is that sometimes Kessling doesn't get quite as excited as Ward used to.
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I can agree with your comparison. And I can also see where to some people, evidencing excitement about a play is as much an overt display of bias as using first person pronouns. I could tell when Ward would get excited, but I could always sense him trying to stifle it and put his professional hat back on.

Bob is as objective as can be reasonably expected in my opinion. But then again, my beef has never been with him.

Bill Anderson is the only other color guy with whom I am familiar enough to make a comparison to Bert, although I know we are talking two different sports. I don't recall Bill doing the "we" or "us" thing. I do recall Bill being a little more willing to criticize officiating, while Ward would usually demure.

I guess in some ways this just boils down to the fact that I miss John Ward. I remember my Dad having similar feelings when Ward replaced Mooney.

Time marches on.
 
#92
#92
In all seriousness, I am almost positive I heard Bill Anderson say "us" or "we" some, though it's been over 10 years now so maybe I'm just "misremembering" as Roger Clemens says. I know he could be straight up blunt sometimes. One of the funniest memories I have of him is during the Orange Bowl against Nebraska, Nebraska scored and went up 14 or so and it was apparent the rout was about to be on. Ward gave the score and it was going to commercial, and Anderson must have thought they'd already cut away and he said "It's about to get ugly boys".

And I agree about missing Ward. Kesling is ok and probably not as bad as he's made out to be, and it was pretty much a given he'd never mearure up to Ward, but Ward was just a master of painting the picture.
 
#93
#93
I love it when they show they are partial to Tennessee -- I really love it when I can tell by their voice that we are doing something good. Ooops, did I say "we"?
 
#95
#95
On a related note, I know a former FSU football player who, when he hears fans talk aobut "us" or "we" in relation to their teams, corrects them by asking "What position do you play?"

It was funny the first two times he did it, but now it comes across as sort of arrogant. I mean, if a university is going to spend millions and millions of dollars every year trying to get students and alumni to identify with the school's athletic teams, then people are going to refer to themselves as part of it.
 
#96
#96
lawgator1 said:
On a related note, I know a former FSU football player who, when he hears fans talk aobut "us" or "we" in relation to their teams, corrects them by asking "What position do you play?"

It was funny the first two times he did it, but now it comes across as sort of arrogant. I mean, if a university is going to spend millions and millions of dollars every year trying to get students and alumni to identify with the school's athletic teams, then people are going to refer to themselves as part of it.
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I'd reply "I played the position that helped pay for your scholarship."
 
#97
#97
I listened to the Gator Radio Network on XM and they were partial to Florida and said we and us the whole game. I think most teams do it. The Florida commentators also complained and called it a bad call on every foul called on Florida and every foul they thought should have been called on us.
 
#98
#98
All I can say is Ward knew when to use it. I think back to how many times he said 'bottoms' and it was always good as the last time he used it. Like 'Give him six'. Or the first game of the year in football, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, It's football time in Tennessee!!!'.
 
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