The Cult of James Allen

[Just_a_fan]

I like Charlie Cox. He is enthusiastic (almost to an annoying level at times) and usually gets things right. The fact that he raced at a reasonably high level (British Touring Cars in the mid-90s) means he understands racing too which is good.

There is a lot to be said for having commentators that have at least a basic experience of the sport they're reporting on. Their BS filter tends to be more effective for a start.

[horse]

Their BS filter tends to be more effective for a start.

How quiet the world would be if someone could invent one of those!

[Belatti]

You all complain because you dont have to stand THIS moron:



He keeps saying F1 cars are aeroplanes upsidedown in every race since I can remember.

[gibells]

The curious thing about Charlie Cox and Steve Parrish is that in many people's opinion (including mine) they are both bloody awful MotoGP commentators. Always seem to be watching a different race to me. It astounds me how commentators are in the habit of being amateur psychologists, trying to delve into the mind of the racer, when in fact, all the guy is usually thinking is 'how the bleeding heck can I get around the bloke in front?'

Maybe Cox would make a better job of commentating on cars.

[marcush.]

John Watson and Ben Edwards , nough said.
any price these two would ask is a bargain ..I will never ever get used to what is on offer at RTl or Premiere... just useless crap since day one .Sorry Christian D.but your driving is much better than your talking niki is at least entertaining with his opinionating uninformed style.

[andrew]

The only downside to the BBC MotoGP commentary team is the woman who replaced Suzi Perry. She is so darn annoying!

[Just_a_fan]

It astounds me how commentators are in the habit of being amateur psychologists, trying to delve into the mind of the racer, when in fact, all the guy is usually thinking is 'how the bleeding heck can I get around the bloke in front?'

Maybe Cox would make a better job of commentating on cars.

Don't forget that both Cox and Parish have both raced at a high level so they probably have a better idea of what racers are thinking than the majority of the audience.

People who do something to a high level tend not to think the seemingly obvious things that those who watch might expect. I'd bet that professional racers never think "how am I going to get by this guy" at all. They'll be thinking about tyre wear, fuel useage, laps to run, where their title rivals are relative to them on track, managing equipment issues etc. The back markers might be thinking "how do I get by" but the top guys won't be. Thinking about the other things is one of the things that makes them better.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

The only downside to the BBC MotoGP commentary team is the woman who replaced Suzi Perry. She is so darn annoying!

I actually quite like her, not for her job credentials though!

[andrew]

Yeah, but she's no Suzi Perry no matter which way you look at it.

[WhiteBlue]

John Watson and Ben Edwards , nough said.
any price these two would ask is a bargain ..I will never ever get used to what is on offer at RTl or Premiere... just useless crap since day one .Sorry Christian D.but your driving is much better than your talking niki is at least entertaining with his opinionating uninformed style.

big +1 for John Watson and Ben Edwards, their Eurosport F1 coverage was the best ever I have seen
Marc Surer is another good commentator on Sky Germany

[andrew]

This poses me a dilema.

I can't stand Legard and I can't stand Brundle.

But...

I like the Radio 5 commentary with David Croft and Anthony Davidson and/or Karun Chandhok.

I like Charlie Cox.

What do I do? The choice is simple at the moment but it will be ruddy impossible soon if this is true!

[rich1701]

James Allen was an awful commentator, It is not the place for opinion or objective well formed analysis which he is good at. He is a good Journalist and he was great down in the pitlane as a reporter. But as a commentator? he sucked.

[Ray]

I like the Speed guys alot. Yeah, they have to pander to the new guys, and I highly doubt there are that many watching at 3 in the morning, but they don't lose any charm or chemistry from it. Every race I watched that had James Allen I was gritting my teeth the whole time. If Lewis so much as turned the steering wheel he would start screaming. I hated that man as a broadcaster and I don't particularly like his website. If he is that articulate and fair on paper, wtf was his problem as a broadcaster?

[andrew]

Any one think that Al Murray's Pub Landlord would be a good commentator?

[Giblet]

I like the Speed guys alot. Yeah, they have to pander to the new guys, and I highly doubt there are that many watching at 3 in the morning, but they don't lose any charm or chemistry from it. Every race I watched that had James Allen I was gritting my teeth the whole time. If Lewis so much as turned the steering wheel he would start screaming. I hated that man as a broadcaster and I don't particularly like his website. If he is that articulate and fair on paper, wtf was his problem as a broadcaster?

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