The Cult of James Allen

[Pandamasque]

I listened to BBC radio5 today during the race (with TV on mute). While Davidson was busy winning 1000km of Silverstone Crofty was accompanied by Karun Chandhok. Blimey! He was actually very good. He even managed some Murray-esque overexcited shouting without sounding stupid. Once again I'm clueless why on earth they keep Legard. It's not like we wouldn't know when it's crucial?

[andrew]

My honest answer is, I have no idea. He is just an overpaid word strangler/hack who blurts out whatever is popular at the time. I have no time for the guy.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

I know Legard has a livelihood and all that, but surely the Beeb should let him go from sheer weight of fan disapproval? The guy is a shadow of James allen let alone Murray walker.

He is actually an irritant more than a commentator. Nothing personal Mr Legard but you cant go on screwing up the way you have. Martin Brundle's job of late has been to correct Legard, which wouldnt be so bad if not for the very fake excited tones the guy rams into my ears at the advent of a yellow flag or race start or pitstop.

James Allen did this too but at least he got the driver right first time!

Bring him back, lesser of the two evils IMO

[jonathan189]

They need to get David Croft doing the TV commentary. He's so much better than Legard it's embarrassing.

[andrew]

The Radio 5 commentary team is excelent. Brundle and Leggard are just terrible.

[segedunum]

Ah yes, Martin 'The Trees Talk to Me' Legard. Did anyone hear that crap.....and then the long pause from Brundle?

[forty-two]

The Radio 5 commentary team is excelent. Brundle and Leggard are just terrible.

Partly agree, partly disagree. On both counts actually.

Brundle is, in my opinion excellent.

R5L team are excellent, but it annoys the c&*p out of me every time Ant Davidson uses the word "What" when he means "That".

[gibells]

On topic I like James Allen because of his articles and insights, but agree with some of you that he wasn't the best on air.

Off topic, I'll put my 2 pence in and say give Julian Ryder and Toby Moody a crack. They're the MotoGP commentators for Eurosport, and have been doing it together for about 10 years. They have an amazing rapport with each other and it comes over on air. And they used to be joined in the pits by one Randy Mamola, which is where I'd put Brundle. Their inside knowledge of the sport is great and would be better than the current roving girl they have. Ryder and Moody have fantastic motorsport knowledge which would easily translate over to F1. Either that or find a pairing with that kind of rapport.

[raymondu999]

Put Brundle and Crofty together. All in favor of this motion?

[andrew]

Put Brundle and Crofty together. All in favor of this motion?

The only motion I can think of in that response is terribaly vulgar.

Let's start a petition to force Murray Walker out of retirement!!

[Gary]

Let's start a petition to force Murray Walker out of retirement!!

Let's not! I'm sure Murray is a very nice man but as a commentator he was utterly excruciating. His gaffs rapidly became unfunny. He missed sooo much of the action. He was cringingly sycophantic with drivers he interviewed. His 'enthusiasm' always came across to me as exaggerated. His jingoism was of Bertie Wooster proportions. His way over the top shows of emotion were just downright embarrassing.

Frankly, I always found it most bewildering that so many British fans were taken in by this totally fifth rate level of commentating incompetence.

[raymondu999]

The one most memorable is when he asked Bernie about his memories of buying McLaren

[andrew]

For me it's probably because I grew up listening to Murray Walker commentate.

[Gary]

By jingo Andrew. Whilst your critical faculties may be questionable, your honesty is beyond question. =D>

[axle]

Brundle wants Charlie Cox from the MotoGP team...

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/3213/6376 ... ng-Legard-

I think he'd be fantastic, enthusuastic and a real fan.

Legard is rubbish, gets confused in quali and never seems to get what's going on. Seems to focus on Schumi far too much and generally doesn't "get" the sport.