CBC commentators accomplishing more than personal bests

by WILLIAM HOUSTON
Globe & Mail Sports Media Specialist
whouston@globeandmail.com

August 15, 2008

It's time to reward the Olympic broadcasters.

After a week of Beijing television coverage, the medals have been minted and are ready to be handed out. The losing broadcasters will be sent home and replaced with more attractive people who will lip-sync their words.

Gold medals

CBC morning co-hosts Scott Russell and Diana Swain. Good chemistry, well informed and smooth. When a camera caught Microsoft boss Bill Gates in the crowd after James Blake's upset of Roger Federer, Swain said, "Even Bill Gates didn't compute that one."

Soccer analyst Jason de Vos. Outspoken and smart, he criticized Canadian women's coach Even Pellerud for using the "outdated" long-ball system rather than a possession game. "Against the best teams in the world, it doesn't work," he said.

Swimming analyst Byron MacDonald. He goes on and on, but there is nothing about swimming he doesn't know.

Scott Oake. He was an 11th-hour replacement to call rowing after Bruce Rainnie became ill. He confidently stepped in and has provided good information.

Ian Hanomansing, late-night host (Pacific prime time). Hanomansing, who, like Swain, works for CBC News, has handled the sports assignment very well.

Australia's Channel 7, which is producing the host broadcast coverage at the pool. The pictures inside the Water Cube have been spectacular, particularly the underwater and overhead shots.

Silver medals

Ron MacLean. The CBC's prime-time host is slipping into potty-mouth mode. Swimmer Mike Brown was "a helluva story." Of swimmer Brent Hayden, "[Teammate] Rick Say gave him hell." But, oh hell, his work was generally good.

Swimming play-by-play voice Steve Armitage. The big guy brought his A-game to the pool.

Swimming reporter Elliotte Friedman. Avoids platitudes and asks questions that advance the story and coverage.

Rowing analyst Barney Williams. He took Scott Frandsen of men's pairs to task for saying he will treat Saturday's final like a time trial. "That's a dangerous attitude," he said.

Paul Romanuk. Hockey announcer moves effectively to the court to call basketball.

Water polo analyst George Gross Jr. Long involved in Canadian water polo, he hasn't pulled his punches. Called Canada's effort in the second half against Australia "lacklustre and sloppy."

Bronze medals

Swimming commentator Mark Tewksbury. Feel-good commentary clashed with reality of Canada's weak results, but he got tougher later in the week.

Baseball voices Jim Van Horne and Warren Sawkiw. A few minor inaccuracies by Van Horne in the Canada-Cuba game, but he has a great voice, uses humour and is doing fine. Sawkiw has prepared well.

Boxing analyst Russ Anber. Animated, informed and entertaining.

Cycling analyst Clara Hughes. Working hard and bursting with information.

Off The Podium

Basketball analyst Jay Triano. His work in the opening telecast, United States-China, was disappointing. Boilerplate stuff. Couldn't enlighten us on the Chinese team.

Peter Mansbridge of CBC News. Sombre presentation of the opening ceremony was a downer.

Gymnastics analyst Lori Strong-Ballard. Had difficulty explaining where the competitors, particularly Kyle Shewfelt, were going wrong.

NBC's excessive coverage of Phelps - not Michael, the swimming star, but his mother, Debbie, who has never met a camera she doesn't love.

NHL schedule

The NHL television schedules were released yesterday, with some significant changes to the Canadian network coverage.

The CBC's 69-game regular-season schedule will feature three fewer Toronto Maple Leafs telecasts than in 2007-08.

On three Saturdays, Dec. 13 and 27 and Jan. 17, the Leafs will not appear. TSN's 70-game schedule will have more Canadian content: Leafs games, 17; Montreal Canadiens, 15; 10 each for the Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers. As well, TSN has added six exhibition games.

Donovan's digs

Canadian broadcasters at Beijing are talking about Donovan Bailey's stormy arrival last week.

Bailey, Canada's star at the Atlanta Games in 1996, is working for the CBC as a track analyst. But he was less than enthusiastic about his accommodations.

He demanded to be relocated to a hotel of higher quality and wasn't amused by the inconvenience.

I'd say I watch The Olympics 75% of the time because of the broadcasters.

There's just something about The CBC's production that I find attractive.

And just to keep the ball rolling, I miss Williams & Cuthbert!

CTV in 2010. Just spare us the long Dan Matheson-laced intervals.

My own 2 cents - Van Horne has been brutal on his baseball PBP, Donovan Bailey has provided good insight on track coverage, and Hayley Wickenheiser has been a pleasant surprise as colour commentator  on softball coverage.

I have to agree with Van Horne being brutal.  I don't understandy why Hughson isn't doing the games.  You'd think with his new deal with CBC they would use him for the baseball coverage.

Russell has been a pleasant surprise.  MacLean is just too smug, too often.

For any fellow westerners wondering where the very capable Diana Swain comes from, she has been news anchor for CBC Toronto since 2004.
                              
She started at CHWK Chilliwack in 1983, moving to Kamloops & Prince George before joining the CBC in Winnipeg in 1990.