Comments on: Allen On The Beeb?

By: BRIAN

BRIAN — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 23:25:31 +0000

Hi,. is there any way I can watch the F1 in the USA through ITV? the USA commentary is rubbish and I really need to watch the UK coverage!!
heklp!!

By: Desmond Elmes

Desmond Elmes — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:51:05 +0000

I’ve been to America and watched Formula 1 on the Speed Channel, and I have to agree with Ben, the coverage is not all that good. What particularly bugs me about it is how the commentators (one of whom sounds like Peter Alliss) perform at the start of a race. As the lights are coming on they say something like “Enjoy the start of the Grand Prix” very calmly, then don’t speak again until about three seconds after the lights have gone out and the cars are racing. Even in the US Grand Prix they do this. James Allen may irk too at the start of a race, but at least he speaks when the lights go out and his voice is raised in some way. What’s more, I don’t believe that there is a lady in Speed’s presentation team.

By: doctorvee

doctorvee — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 15:04:15 +0000

I actually agree with that. I dislike James Allen and obviously I would rather not have the adverts. But you have to admit that overall, ITV’s F1 coverage is very good.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 01:53:24 +0000

I’ve no opinion on James Allen one way or the other, but your question about BBC coverage is interesting to me because I am both a massive F1 fan (try to visit at least one non-European race per year) and until recently a BBC employee. To this day I’m a big supporter — gernerally — of the BBC.

So here’s the point: despite being a big fan of the BBC I think it’s right that the ITV has the coverage and not BBC. The BBC would not be able to justify the money needed to not only just buy the rights but also to put on the level of coverage we have grown to expect here in the UK (and those who watch the syndicated feed).

Bearing in mind the actual race sesions are directed by Bernie’s media company - the “world feed”, good coverage for me is essentially “everything else”. And includes:
* Top, experienced commentators
* Top name experts
* Pre/post coverage actually from the paddock (not London based studio)
* Good, indepth pre race coverage - both in terms of time and the quality of the features

Now, the BBC sure had Muzza, but it was light on any other experts. And F1 coverage consisted of Grandstand’s “and now we take you to the F1 race” moment before the parade lap. Very little pre-race coverage from what I remember.

I just came back from a trip to the States where I had the miss-fortunie to have to watch the F1 on the Speed channel. Despite having fairly big names like Peter Windsor (F1 Racing magazine sub editor and the guy who does the post-race press conferences) commentating, the coverage was appaling. Similar kind of thing - the main commentators (American baseball commentators I belive) knew nothing and there was no pre or post interviews or features. The lack of “Luise Goodman”-types also was very apparent. The presenter got an exlcusive post-crash interview with Scott Speed, but that was about it.

The presenters were not as clued up as ITV’s — even J Allen.

I think the BBC’s coverage would be like this — they just can’t justify the expense, in the same way that they can’t justify paying for premiership football.

I’m pleased coverage is with ITV, and I hope it stays there. I can see Rupert Murdoch potentially doing something interesting with F1 on Sky, but I think taking F1 one off the Free-To-Air channels would be severley detrimental to the sport here in the UK

By: Keith

Keith — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 11:05:08 +0000

The adverts offend me more than James Allen does. In that respect, F1 on BBC would be way better than ITV,

By: Desmond Elmes

Desmond Elmes — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 01:18:13 +0000

Speaking of James’s mistake with simple arithmetic, I’d be very interested to know what Carol Vorderman would make of it…

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 23:59:10 +0000

Brundle is just a true and honest guy. He asks the questions but understands if the drivers don’t want to answer them.

And he does the explainy technical features, (which to be fair I don’t always understand), and is never patronising about it.

By: Oliver White

Oliver White — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 23:47:13 +0000

As a driver? Erm, a bit like Montoya. Never quite got there. Talented for sure, but maybe never made that right decision at that right time.

As a commentator? Bland and uninteresting. BUT, I feel I need to explain this before people jump on me.

Brundle is great. The reason why is because I feel I can trust him. He is old(ish - sorry Martin!) and he has had experience. In fact, a fair bit. He also asks the difficult questions at the right time. These moments are worth their weight in gold.

Blundell just does the crappy bits at the start and end of the show. Maybe if they made Mark do something that was featured more, or differently to what he currently does, I would respect him more. But just giving his opinion at the start and end of the race in a rather dull and uninspired tone - doesn’t do it for me. I thought he did okay when he covered for Brundle when he raced in Le Mans (or whatever), but currently, I feel he is wasted and undertrained - as in, he could be more of a commentator, just as long as I didn’t have to watch his motionless face. Hell, he’s better than Allen at any rate…

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 23:42:15 +0000

My favourite recent James Allen moment was Raikkonen in the pits at Canada and he was held up with a bit of a problem. Allen went: “Oh, Martin, he’s got a problem.” Fair enough. Except the “Oh Martin,” was in such a Pauline Fowler/girly/gay voice that you couldn’t possibly take it seriously. I know there was laughter in our household for pretty much the rest of the race, god knows how Martin managed to keep a straight face, let alone comment on the situation.

I imagine he is a handful to work with.

By: k

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 23:37:47 +0000

ollie, how do you rate marky b?