What the heck happened during the Southwick TV broadcast?
Monday, August 29, 2011 | 8:50 AM
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A brief explanation for those of you who watched the second 450 moto broadcast from Southwick on television Saturday, and wondered, “How the heck did the announcers not know the race had started? Are they really that dumb?”
Well, two answers. Yes, the announcers are really, really dumb.
But the bigger problem was a technical one. Due to hurricane conditions at the track, our monitors kept flickering on and off, so there were portions of each race where Emig and I couldn’t see anything. Nothing. We announce the races from inside a semi truck. There are no windows. The walls are soundproofed. For half of the first 250 moto, we couldn’t see a thing and just had to call the race based on the timing and scoring screen. You probably couldn’t tell because we adapted and made it work.
The worst case scenario broke out during 450 moto 2. We were watching the Suzuki team wrench on Ryan Dungey’s bike when our monitors went blank again. So from that point on, we had no idea when the race was going to start. Our producer was yelling into the headsets “Stay on Dungey, stay on Dungey,” which we took as instruction to keep talking about the Dungey scenario while we waited for the race to begin. So we figured that must have meant the parade lap had begun. But apparently, he was saying that as instructions for the crew to keep a camera on Dungey to catch his reaction. The race had started without him.
Emig and I didn’t know. We couldn't hear or see anything. Looking at my watch, I knew the race was scheduled to start soon, give or take a minute. Usually, though, there’s a backup plan. If we lose everything, our producer will quickly tell us what’s happening so we can talk through it anyway. But when the race began, he was communicating with race control to figure out if Dungey was legal to enter the race late. When Emig and I asked for an update, no one could hear us.
We eventually saw a lap logged on the timing and scoring screen. But even on the parade lap, the timing and scoring screen logs the entire field. So we weren’t sure. The quick lap time provided a clue, however, lap times at Southwick vary wildly, (the fastest qualifying lap was a 1:55, and the fastest lap of the second moto was a 2:20) so that was still only a guess. It was only when I noticed Justin Barcia had completed two laps that I realized the race had begun. Again, we didn’t have a monitor, we didn’t have sound, we don’t have windows. We were in a truck away from the track staring at blank TV screens.
But most of all, usually when we miss something, the producers tells us. But this time, he was communicating with officials to get a ruling on Dungey, so he didn’t hear us.
Our monitors came back on during lap three, when the crew patched us into a different (and very blurry) backup signal. While it’s true the race didn’t air live on SPEED, the show does air live internationally in a variety of countries. That feed is beamed up on satellite, and that’s what we have. What’s done is done.
Also, motocross tracks don’t really have the right facilities to build an announcer’s booth for TV with windows, and even in supercross, the guys announce by watching the screen, not looking out the window. The key is to always call what’s on the screen and not by looking out the window.
And that works, unless the screen doesn’t.
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Weege, ignore all the haters, you and Fro do a superb job of announcing the races! If anyone can sympathize with technical difficulties I think Dungey would have your back.
One of the worst broadcast ever! We watched 15 and 16th place while the leaders battled. Screen blackouts during the race. Interview of Reedy during the race, then lets follow him around with the camera instead of watching the action. And comericals during the race, I know there is no stop in the action, but you sure can plan it better!
No Problem, I figured there must be a logical explanation....and there was. We're just happy to have same day coverage. Thanks.
In the second 250 moto, I thought they were going to keep the camera on Sipes until he puked, but luckily they finally cut back to racing. Same day coverage is still great even with the occasional hiccup.
Weege you do an amazing job commentating but you need to be paired with someone like David Bailey or anyone else who can speak fluently. I love Jeff E E E Em Emig as a racer but commentating just isnt his thing.
Weege and Emig are a great team , but i sure do miss hearing larry meyers voice !
Regardless of the technical difficulty encountered at a venue like this there should be basic communication link between the outside and the trailer in which they are sitting. The "producer" should have simple voice contact with the two in the booth. A simple "the race has started" would have prevented this embarassment of a broadcast. It also would have been good to have an explanation during the broadcast of what happened instead of the vague comment about technical difficulties. That would have been better than some of the "filler" they use to entertain the listening audience. Can one imagine any other racing event where the announcers do not know that the race has started?
I have to admit I was a bit confused at the commentary for the first lap, thinking , This has to be the most aggressive parade lap I've ever witnessed . That being said I'm grateful for the same day coverage and immediate results being posted on this website . It sure beats the good old days of waiting 4 days before you could read about it in Cycle News. And don't get me started about the 6 month delay for the airing of the Carlsbad Grand Prix on ABC. Things are better these days , But not perfect...
Weege I wouldnt sweat it too much! Im pretty sure you guys did an excellent job given the circumstances, Fro needs to loosen up and stop all that stammering around with his words that gets old fast. Id like to make it clear I think you guys are a great team maybe Emig needs a couple beers to just relax and talk moto? :)
NP,...knew something was amiss,...I usually mentally tune out Emig after he gets hung up on his 1st sentance anyways. Just a rib Fro relax. :O Whats worse than that? something like the whole damned factory suzuki motocross effort can't make a bike ruin for 45 mins? err something? maybe it was the gas?
that was a perfect burn for teasing erin about the hair-meter, sometimes talking smack just comes back to bite us in the arse. Cant wait till next week, keep it up
I do believe this is the first time a hurricane has interfeared with a race... Good Job considering...
I tuned in a couple minutes late and was totally confused. I couldn't imagine what was going on. You guys get a mulligan once in a while too.
Still, this is the best year of racing, commentating, and broadcasting I can remember.
Although it was a bit confusing at first, I figured out what was going on and in the end it was not a big deal.
"Slash": In case you missed it, Barcia was about 20 seconds out front, so there was no battle to see.
I think you guys did/do a great job and I am extremely grateful to have any TV coverage at all.
Having been in TV for 20 odd years now I've got to say that was pretty much the biggest cluster F**k of a broadcast I have seen.
If I didn't know any better, I'd say that all the OB vans/crews got commandeered for the Hurricane & you got left with at best a skeleton crew & an inexperienced one ( being kind ) at that.
Tough day at the office.
weege nice job!! Weege was on point while emig was talking about parade lap LOL!! I just chaulked it up to emig having a brain fart from all those drugs he did back in the 90s LOL!! Still love Fro though!!
Hilarious! Thanks for the explanation. It was actually pretty funny.
Weege and Fro do an outstanding job. I was just glad there was a race and broadcast at all given the weather.
Ignore the vocal minority that complains about the broadcasts... and everything else for that matter.
I do believe this is the first time a hurricane has interfeared with a race... Good Job considering...
Hurricane Hugo, 1989 Broome Tioga! The "Beast" took the 125 win.
WOW!!! CAN'T IMAGINE THE STRESS YOU GUYS WERE GOING THROUGH WHEN THE SCREEN WENT BLANK. SITTING IN A ROOM WITH NO WINDOWS
AND NO SOUNDS AND A RACE GOING ON AND KNOWING YOU HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING WOULD HAVE MADE ME SCREAM!!! ALL THINGS CONSIDERING, YOU GUYS DID AN AWESOME JOB!!! TAKE THIS AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND THE NEXT TIME NOBODY WILL EVER KNOW YOU GUYS HAD TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES!!! I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS FUNNY WHEN I SAW REEDY CRASH ON A PARADE LAP!!!
I admit i was slightly confused at first but quickly realized that the race had begun. Don't sweat it guys. It honestly wasn't a big deal.
And guys, are we really going to trash Weege and Emig?! This is motocross boys, we don't talk crap about guys like that. If you honestly have that big of a problem with the broadcast, you should understand that a freaking HURRICANE was happening! Grow up.
Don't worry about that guys. Ignore everyone who was busting on you about it. I admit, I had no idea what was going on when I saw it but now that you explained, I am super impressed with how you both adapted. I had no clue that you were calling the lites from only lap times on a screen. Nice work.
I was wondering.. Great job, that must have been really tough. As for Emig, I loved DB and Fro is every bit his equal.
Its funny about 90% of posters on here are so easy to start whining about things when they don't know the whole story. They even announced during the broadcast several times apologizing about the technical difficulties they were having. I think they both do a great job. Not only do they have to catch as much as they can from a small monitor, but they also have to not stot talking so there is no dead air, that not easy to do. Also, considering that Fro has overcome a real bad stuttering problem that he had makes it all that more impressive that he now commentates. And with all of the technical difficulties they had they did a great job. But, most people on here are armchair commentators and of course would do a much better job than they. Its just the same as people saying riders suck when they themselves would never have the speed to qualify for a national.
No problems with the mess up, Most of us mute the volume anyway so we do not have to listen to Fro talk about himself... haha
In a trailer with no windows. Come on, your guys run the show at the races. They should have you guys announce from the best seats in the house. Your there a day early. Have them take one of those big trax and grade a primo spot near the track to park the trailer. Cut a frickin hole in side. Have you announce the parts of the race you can see and check the monitors for parts of the track you can't. You guys still do great job, but your bosses should be required to use a little more common sense. You guys should of been able to watch Dungey come through the pack and keep us updated. Not looking at the inside wall of a stupid TV trailer.
This may sound like an incredibly stooopid question but why in the world don't you guys move the broadcast booth close to the track and have a window to look through in cases where the worst happens?
It must truly suck to be in a sealed box during the races. I mean why even be AT the race?
Definitely not a hater, you guys are MUCH better then some 'pretty-boy' (or girl) commentators that don't know jack about MX! But it does seem inconceivable that someone couldn't give you a clue that the race had started! But the production crew does need to set some better priorities on what the camera is showing during a live race. As stated earlier, following Reed back to his truck and waiting for Sipes to puke is really pretty lame, when there is some good racing going on!
MANY THANKS for the explanation Weege! Dont worry you guys normally kill it and this one was well beyond your control! Thanks for all you and FRO do!
I love all the new coverage!! Regardless of what happened this weekend, which was a bit of a freak incident, I think JW talks to much. I get especially frustrated when Enig offers some race-based insight and JW cuts his off and screams. 'someone passed someone!!!!!!' as we already see it. Boo. Otherwise nice work. No more captain obvious, please
Thanks for the explanation Weege. I really enjoy Jeff's racing insight, and I don't notice the stammering? others are talking about. You and Fro make a great team, humor, insight, and ribbing eachother make it very enjoyable
I didnt watch it until late at night, I was out riding some moto during the day. Man some of these comments remind me of whiny little 2 year old's.
I agree with stantdm. Why do the producers put the announcers away from the track in some trailer anyway? At least put them somewhere so they can SEE the tack first hand. I don't blame weege and emig (although emig can't speak the English language better than a 3 year old). The producers are to blame on this cluster f#ck. They should have edited before the broadcast.
That's what happens when you follow one racer too much, and not the big overall picture. The producers really f'd up.
With all the racing action and drama going on. The first four or five minutes of the race commentary was an after thought. If you really couldn't tell what was going on. You were obviously lost. I Thought the race coverage was great and so was the announcing. Weege and Fro need to stop pandering to these complainers.
Ya it me again lol... Hey I dont have tv nor Sattalite . I use the AMA live scoring to keep track of the races. I do whatch ALI Sports live on the puter though. From my pint of view they did a heck of a good job using live timing as I did to figure out what was happening also the Racer x tweets helped also.
I would think that they should be able to build a booth where tey can see what is happening? You also have to understand that there is a whole lot of equipment insid that trailer. It is a lot of work.
Note to DC even though you know I am deaf I think I could help you with the electronics and manegment need to set up stuff for the National's. Before I went deqf I was incharge of Mililtary devepment instalations. Hey you cant do anythibng half as whith what I did? Ya want may resume? It is pretty far fetched that is why I had to go on dissability when I went deaf. I can fix these problems. and make it all work.
So anyhow this off season I might try to contact you about this and the idiots will quit complaining..
I am just so happy to have same day anything and remember when I used to wait 6 months to whatch the USGP on WW of Sporsts we have came a very long way!!!
Anyone with half a brain could figure out that the race had started and obviously something was wrong with the broadcast. If you couldnt follow what was going on without having an announcer telling you, maybe you should watch a different sport. Anyone whining about it is an idiot and doesnt deserve to watch live Motocross. Shut up you tools!
These guys are getting paid. They are supposed to be professionals. It's not like they just do this for fun.
We should expect the best out of them and nothing less. That was the biggest fart I ever smelled. The producers really should make it so the announcers have multiple ways to be able to see what is going on.
One thing that really gets me, is that, you guys (the announcers), treat us like it is the first time we have ever seen a motocross race, or for that matter a dirt bike, get off of explaining what is arm pump, or what a berm is, we know this, and if they are a first time watcher I am sure there buddy (who is probably sitting right there watching with him) can explain it to him, in other pro sports they do not treat the fans like they are stupid and can not retain information given. we need more technical stuff like what suspension set up(like what happens when you move the fork tube up or down in the triple tree, sag?) and the different seat set ups and bar raise triple camp set up, foot peg placement, I would like some more info on the difference between the bikes, frame geometry, how the different motors are placed in the different manufactures frames, and why, head pipe choice is it different at for the different tracks, jetting, well should I say engine mapping setup from the riders and how they differ, swing arm set up(do some riders have the rear wheel as far foreword as possible, or as far back as possible, do they even think of this stuff or is too big of a secret, we need to start exposing the big or little secrets these guys think are so precious, which is probably not much of a secret.
rider position when doing a certain section of the track, the differences between the riders and there positions on the bike in the same section of track, when are they get on the brake how soon back on the throttle, you do a good job when it comes to choosing lines and talking about that.
I am not a hater I love what you do just like to see and hear more in-depth info,
thank you for all your hard work it is appreciated
a lot of people complaining or rating the quality of the broadcast......fro and weege and erin do a good job in my opinion....could it be better at times yes could it be worse absolutely....and let me ask the question do u watch the telecast of the races to see how good commentators do or tune in to see the races?????enjoy the races because soon it will probably be like the nfl and nba u will have to order it at extra cost or each race u will have to pay for individually and have "bad commentating" but for now enjoy it before it changes
Weedge and Fro....... go back a couple years and check out the Canadien tv coverage- AWESOME.... perhaps you should ask to get out of the truck and announce from somehwere else....... also- let's get Erin Bates into some of the Rockstar or Monster girl gear to do her thing.
It would have been better if Emig would have just stfu anyway. The guy is always about me me me. He says "okay" about a million times, sense of urgency about 10,000 times, and doesn't know is tenses. Love when he says "them guys."
McGrath is much more classy and speaks so much better. Plus, he was a better rider too. Put McGrath in the booth!!!
@McGrath! .. Agree to some extent regarding MC's ability to commentate.. However, it's not his thing... However, Emig is doing a great job...
As for the repetitive words... Common thing among commentators... You get used to it.
be thankful at least we get live coverage of the race something we didn t get a few years ago..people are ungrateful that complain and complain be happy with what u got...fro, weege, erin, speed tv fuel tv lucas oil thank u and keep up the great work....i am one person that is thankful for the live race coverage...thank u once again
You guys did a great job with the on the fly broadcasting... What REALLY gets on my nerves are the interviews during the racing!!!! We all tune during race time to see RACING, and we all come to RacerX monday mornings to see the interviews etc.. Let's keep the very little time we have each week set aside for moto with some real moto action and not silly interviews, watching ready walk to his semi, and battles for 15th place when there is a points lead battle with 2 races left! All in all, good job guys and I know most of this is out of your hands anyways.
Emig rocks, stuff happens, get over it. You whiney little brats need to go back 30 years when the wide world of sports took 6 months to broadcast the race.
Johnny O just said it again Be happy with what you got. I am!
not even a big deal. long as the video is rolling... im good!
how can anybody be upset with live/same day/next day coverage.
I'm grateful to have same day coverage of the races. Unlike NASCAR and most other sports, motocross races in ALL conditions. That has to present some challenges for the TV crews when you end up essentially on the fringes of a Hurricane. I remember back in the day waiting a week to read about the races in Cycle News. That was it. There was NO race coverage on TV. Thanks for bringing us the races and doing a great job.
While my expectations are pretty high for these broadcasts, in my eye you and Emig get a total pass here, and your producer to. Not only was the hurricane moving in during the broadcast (which puts the entire TV production team in a constant state of adjustment) but the whole situation with Dungey was a story that needed to be told. I'm glad the camera spent as much time on the Suzuki mechanics as they did. At that moment it was the story. It must have been total kaos for all involved with TV effort.
As far as those of you beating on Emig for a little stammering, give the guy some credit for what he has overcome. If more people realized how bad his stutter was in the past he would get more kudos. .... My vote would be for Emig and Weigandt to also be the Supercross team. Even better, add Bailey as a 3rd member!
-Weege and Emig are two of the most talented, most legitimate persons we can have announcing for us on live TV. Would you rather have someone who doesn't ride or has no knowledge of the sport?
-Weather happens, mistakes happen, the unforseeen happens.
-The broadcast team got back on track as soon as they could, given the circumstances.
I for one am just glad we have same-day coverege of every race!
I appreciate the coverage of the battles for any place, good racing is good watching. im not a fan of just the top 5 guys only. There are plenty of riders i enjoy watching that don't break the top 20.
too all of you poor people complaing read the posts above. Gosh I am ashamed of you people that complain!
Nigel and Slash, you two have got to be the two dumbest a$$holes on the planet. The broadcast was a cluster and the announcer gets on here to explain why it was a cluster, and your response is that the broadcast was a cluster and it sucked. F**k off!
wow... all you fro haters really suk. show some respect for a man that has multi AMA CHAMPIONSHIPS. JW & FRO do a great job and i really do appreciate the work they do. keep crying and we will end up with Erin Bates in the booth. ya that just happened !
I've bombed in front of a big crowd due to electronic SNAFUs caused by somebody else, and it's so embarrassing. I feel for you guys. It wasn't your fault, but your heads are on the chopping block and you have to take the heat.
Hey, the best thing you can do is change the system of how it's currently being done so that this never happens again. I'd suggest three redundant ways to know what's going on out there. When the screen went blank, you only had one way out, and that guy was multitasking.
There is a fundamental problem with MX & SX racing on TV & it's not with Weigand & Emig. The problem is the announcers follow the monitors & adapt the play-by-play based on changing screens. Both do VG & must have great quick minds to do so.
Why can't the producers follow a cue from action that the announcers are seeing as different stories happen on the track. This would place the announcers outside in (SX) media booths or at key visual view points at MX tracks.
Or the producers & announcers do a combination of both.
Weigand & Emig have great potential because both treat this gig as the best opportunity in broadcasting & are enthusiastic every week.
GLD YL
Thanks for the explanation. Everything turned out fine and people complaining about broadcast coverage for an MX race during a storm like that need to get a life. SX/MX coverage doesn't get an NFL type of broadcasting budget!
I didn't know the first lap was called the Parade lap though. I thought the parade lap was something like in Supercross where they slowly ride around the track checking lines ets. So that part had me confused because they were haulin :-). I also thought something was odd when I saw Weege basically sitting behine Emig in what looked to be some pretty cramped conditions.
You don't have to explain anything...it was O B V I O U S to anyone with a brain there was problems........just like the Suzuki. s*it happens with electronics in bad weather. And as for Fro he probably has more knowledge in his little finger about MX than 90% of the illiterate whining rookies on here.make that 98%....you guys do a great job and thanks for the FREE coverage of ALL the races..@falcon thank you ,well put.........whiney bit*hes--"don't look a gift horse in the mouth" and please keep showing ALL the racers and races happening on the track..everybody out there trying deserves it.
Yup, it was obvious that the gate dropped and the race was on. Anyone who knows anything about racing knew it wasn't a parade lap. I bet you guys will learn from this and have contingencys in place if/when it happens next time. Not a big deal. I will agree with some of the criticism about showing the unimportant and uninteresting battles on the track. Makes me wonder what the producer is thinking and wether weege/fro have any input.
Big deal, so things got a little goofed up for one race. You slackers need to shut the hell up. EMIG does an awesome job! He calls a good race and his experience allows him to offer technical insight about the tracks and riders. Nice job guys. Keep up the great coverage!
You guys don't need to explain. That's technology! Keep up the good work
You guys did a helluva job IMO, especially now that the facts are known. Keep up the good work :) I wasn't able to watch dirt bikes race on tv when I was a kid, now as and adult I am. No complaining here!
Jason Weigandt, You give a decent effort. I dont like the information you provide. Its obvious you favor certain riders. I (Viewers) dont like that. If were stuck with you, just say whats happening. Let Emig give his professional view. Sorry bud, but the viewers need the announcer who assisted Emig in supercross, that dude gets the crowd going like Larry Naston and Huffman used too. Maybe they need an announcer in offroad trucks circuit.
Weege and Fro do a great job. If you want to see bad, check out Greg White broadcasting the Superbike races.
Back in the 70's we got the Cralsbad Grand Prix ONCE A YEAR, 6 months after the race had been run , quit your sniveling you whiney little brats, Weege and Fro GREAT JOB !
awesome job fro! weege and you are turning into a great pair. it's very cool that fro takes the time to explain arm pump and goggle tear-offs and ruts and why we use them, there are alot of newbies and channel surfers watching that get a real understanding of our sport...that's very important.
as for cutting each other off mid-sentence, that's what it's all about! i love when the GOAT guest spots- he loves his sport and totally gets in to it!
coverage will always blow! as an ex privateer owner/ mechanic you really get chumped by the factorys, as far as race coverage and it's almost impossible to get big sponsors with little to no exposure (take a note from the canadians!)
huge props to RD for keeping his cool!! as fellow racers- could we have done what he did with such grace!
OK Weege, you guys are forgiven, shit happens! But I gotta go back to what MX Bob was saying. Watching Erin putting the mike into Ryan Sipe's face as he is about to" HURL". Ok boys, keep the cameras rolling on this! Good thing they cut back to the races. lol
A gig like yours is thought to be so easy..., by those who could never do it.
The mismatch of your 'call' of the parade lap (oops!) when the race had actually begun came off pretty funny initially -but you knew something was wrong up in the 'booth'. Hurricane Irene messing with us on Saturday.
Great job making the best of it, Weege & Fro. Thanks for making it informative & entertaining as usual.
They should have had a camera on the boss at suzuki that axed the MX budget and almost cost Dungey a DNS!!
And another camera on Chad Reed's insurance policy guy, who was buying everybody in the bar drinks now that they don't have to pay out on his championship winning policy...
Why was the producer more worried about whether or not Dungey could get back into the race than his own production?
"are you kidding me? ref to Wege
YOU GUYS DID FINE WITH WHAT YOU HAD TO WORK WITH
MY PROBLEM THIS YEAR IS THE LIVE FIRST MOTOS AND GOOD LUCK FINDING THE SECOND MOTOS WHICH TIME WHICH CHANNEL ECT...
KEEP UP THE GREAT COVERAGE ANY COVERAGE IS GOOD!!!
ONE MORE THOUGHT AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT THINKS THAT THE AMA SHOULD HAVE HELD UP THAT RACE FOR ANOTHER MOMENT OR SO??? THEY DID ONCE FOR R.C.#4 I FORGET THE RACE MAY HAVE BEEN SX
You mentioned technical issues during the race but never explained. Why not just say, "our monitors are out! we're flying blind!"
I'm just glad to see same day coverage. I figured it wasn't a Parade Lap when Reed went down in the first turn, lol. I like Fro and Weege no matter what the F-Tards say here. I'm just glad Dungey scored some solid points and with 8 points seperating #1 & #2 the last 2 races are still in play for the championship. Come on Dungey and shut the haters up.
@ fan of the sport please don't try to speak for the (viewers) as i (the viewer) don't like the information you provide.
Somewhere, Guiseppe Luongo is drinking beer and telling everyone "We'd never let that happen in Europe."
Weege, Jeff:
I say for next year you guys hold out for a nice, air conditioned, portable, broadcast booth with windows that can be positioned on a scissor lift any place at a national track for the best viewing possible from both your monitors and by just looking out the windows.
Thaks for explanation! I (along with thousands of others) was totally confused by that.
Just goes to prove live tv on Nationals is not that easy to pull off but you guys do a wonderful job. Many thanks!
Figured everybody and their sister chimmed in I should also......really. Until these butt sniffs walk a mile in yours and Jeff's shoes in the exact same situation....they should shut their PIE HOLES!
Sounds like Weege and Fro need to ream their producers @ss...for making them look STUPID! There is NO EXCUSE ON THE PRODUCERS PART!!!!
figure how they broadcast motocross in Canada and copy their production!
I too was confused and definitely in a "WTF??" mode when the race started..but I appreciate the explanation. I think you and fro do an awesome job! Ignore all the haters and keep up the good work. The live coverage is great!..my only wish would be to get all 4 motos live...but I am definitely not complaining.
@tompound There do it like that because it may be someone' first time watching Motocross and they have to explain what is happening.
I'm just thankful Ralph Sheheen is gone.
Temporary announcers towers get built for golf tournament broadcasts, maybe it's time to build them for MX events as well.
I wasn't confused at all. I mute the broadcast so I don't have to listen to you guys anyway. Seriously though, THANK YOU guys for the coverage period. We should all just be thankfull we all don't have to sit and watch the live timing screen. I don't care if you two are talking about giving each other manicures. I get to WATCH a mx race.
who cares about the race?
the only reason this sport is on tv is to sell lifestyle related products.duh.
Get the producer a cheap intern. And we're sorry, Weege... We're sorry that you are so stupid.
And another thing... I love it when Erin gets all wet and out of breath. There should be a segment where she does a dance, like at the end of the broadcast. White t-shirt and a thong would have been perfect for this last race.
Well spoken, Jason. I think everyone can understand what was going on now. I can only imagine how bad I could have screwed up the telecast.
Unlike you sheep that are just thankful for any coverage I think it plain sucks. I don't get this for free pal I pay for it and it is not even in HD. I am sick of watching dudes that cannot win a local pro class run around in 15th place when there is a real race at the front. Motocross is like a 3rd world type sport in its presentation and coverage. I don't bother to watch it anymore just check on cycle news for the story.
Jeff Emig, some of us true fans (and decent human beings) know how hard you've worked to overcome your (former) speech impediment...God bless you for that. Way, way back in the day it may have slowed you down a bit on the podium, but it sure as heck never slowed you down on the track!!! Perhaps just the opposite? Great job to you AND Weege. There was no explanation necessary. Weege, you give these clowns too much clout, and that's why they act the way they do. Screw 'em all. You guys keep up the GREAT work.
Thanks, Weege. You're doing a great job. So what happend with Bailey? He came back a couple of years ago and it was a thing of beauty. Then Emig started showing up more and more, and now it's just Weege and Emig all the time. Did Bailey want too much money? Is he too busy? I know for a fact that Emig works his ass off to do a good job. He's stuttered for years and has been seeing speech therapists and coaches in order to do the best job he can. I think we were all just spoiled by Bailey and Eckman (don't even get me started on The Heener), but Emig just seems to constantly struggle with putting his thoughts into words and the show suffers for it.
That's an OK explanation for the live broadcast, but its hard to take for a broadcast hours later. There was plenty of time to do the voice over again. You only would have missed one round at the bar.
I'd stick with the announcers are stupid excuse.
No complaints from Maui!!! Great job!!!! The whole parade lap mistake made the broadcast more interesting hahaha!!!
U guyz are awesome, no matter what!!!
I haven't heard this much complaining since Ralph Sheheen.
Any motocross commentary sans JAIME BESTWICK is good in my book. He drives me nuts! Is it the english accent they are after?...What else would it be?
Jason and Jeff are great. Jeff's english is comical at times, but he does a wonderful job.
it was southwick, during a hurricane , EVERYTHING SEEMED PERFECT FROM HERE 37 FLOORS UP ON SOUTH BEACH, toasted up with the babes, for those of you who complained, get off the couch and go see it LIVE !!!!!
LONG LIVE AMERICAN MX RACING
Hey Weege, why don't you and Fro try doing a race from the announcers tower rather than the truck. It might be interesting. Worth a try!
Bloody Hell man! that was a superb splanation!!!! just glad no one got hurt!!! :-)
I agree on that, the 1st moto webcasts have lots of blank screens. Everyone should know that there is a hurricane that makes it difficult for transmitting signals. On sunny day, the broadcast is awesome. That's what you call a DNS for the announcers. LOL... Move on and try again for Fro and Weege...
I agree on that, the 1st moto webcasts have lots of blank screens. Everyone should know that there is a hurricane that makes it difficult for transmitting signals. On sunny day, the broadcast is awesome. That's what you call a DNS for the announcers. LOL... Move on and try again for Fro and Weege...
Get J-Law in the booth. Kick Emig to the curb along with Erin Bates.
My thoughts based on 25+ years in tv production and a life long mx fan.
Any coverage is better than no coverage, but it could and should be better.
The producers and directors don't follow the flow of the race or many things that are developing (race battles) within the race. I can figure out more that is happening by watching the live timing along with the video feed.
There is way too much time (audio and video) spent on unimportant "stuff". I have seen way too many camera shots of mid-pack riders exiting the track while there hasn't been a shot of the leaders in minutes.
The announcers need to spend less time on speculation and report the facts and battles that are developing. Wilson's bike blowing smoke is important. The impact of a DNF is significant. Speculating a points tally while he is still on the track is a waste of time.
Again; Any coverage is better than no coverage.
I think Weege and Emig do a pretty darn good job actually. I do get tired of seeing stuff like Reed walking around the pits or Sipes sitting on his bike. We want to see racing so that could be better and I'm not just referring to this race (although this one was the worst by far). Hearing a little more "good information" about the bikes and riding technigues like someone mentioned above, is a good idea I think. As for Emig, I don't know him personally but I knew he used to have a bad studdering problem. So, he has done a lot to overcome that. My biggest complaint with Emig is his grammer. Sorry Jeff. I can't stand to hear someone say "I seen" and he says that all the time. Someone should really tell him about it. It just makes him sound so....uneducated. My 2 cents.
BUT! Having same day or day after coverage is awesome. I should say that.
I didn't mean to be a jerk, you guys do well and I love all the coverage. Also, I forgot to mention Erin. Every week I comment on how professional she is and how open the riders are with her to my friends. Erin is an excellent member of the team.
Lucky that we have coverage at all. Thanks to the powers at be, the sponsors, and to Weege & Fro. You guys bring us racing right in our own living rooms ! Your connection and experience give the inside scoop. Great to see and hear motocross & supercross getting the exposure that he riders and the sport deserves. Thanks a million, and keep up the good work !
The ANOUNCERS are some of the worst in the business. Every race all they do is talk like no one has ever seen a race. Sure it's okay once in awhile to fill in the T.V. audience about the sport but the majority of the people watching the brodcast are already well intuned with the sport. Just try for once to anounce a race like they do in other sports such as the NHL, NFL, etc...
Shouldn't be to hard especially for someone like EMIG who's a 3 time national champion. Maybe it would be easier for him instead of pausing every couple of words to try and figure out what to say while trying to explain something we already know.
I'm pretty damn sure i'm not the only one who would like to see this change.
Something I would like to see change is all you whiners shut the hell up. Some of you douchebags get on here everyday and piss and moan about remedial crap. It always seems to be the same losers by the way. Get a life a holes. Anouncers, your email is f-ing retarded, before you post garbage like that take this quote: Tis best to thought a fool then to speak and remove all doubt. Its called spell check bro. In regards to the incident at hand, thanks for the explanation Weege. As most of the people on here with half a brain have mentioned I was confused at first but figured it out rather quickly. Barcia's riding made it pretty easy to figure out. Great work by the announcing crew as usual especially under the circumstances.
@Anouncers
Shut the hell up you moronic clown. Take your scooter and go back to the circus you wussie (part wimp, part p*ssy). It's easy to sit behind your laptop and bag on the announcers. Emig does an awesome job! As several people have mentioned, he had a stuttering problem when he was younger. I never knew that until it was mentioned on this blog. But you know what? I don't care because I never even picked up on it. It takes a lot of courage to do something like that you insensitive fool. I'm pretty damn sure you ARE the only one who wants to see a change. Keep rawkin' Emig and Weege!
OK!! If that's your story
Am I the only one that read in the above article that the announcers need to be in an enclosed area away from the actual race watching what is on the screen and only what is on the screen so that is what they comment on? And don't mistakenly make a comment about what they see rather than what is on the screen for the world to see. It makes sense to me. And I watch the race more than listen to the announcers. I tune in on thier comments occasionally, but don't pay enough attention to them to even notice any flaws. I think they do a fine job. But then again I'm not a whiner.
Quit your crying. If you have to rely on the announcers to know the race started then i'm guessing you've never lined up to a starting gate and actually raced. Go play your video games and shut up! Weege anfd Emig do a great job. thats like you haters trying to play your HALO without electricity. they made it work, you would've been crying to your mommies. Quit Hatin!!
Sad that this is the most commented on thread, much negative and ignorant. Anyone who thinks Fro doesn't know what he's talking about doesn't know motocross. He may not be a 100% perfect announcer, but I'd rather have the perspective of a multi-time national champion than some rah-rah never-was or some cross-over guy.
And Jason knows more about the sport than any play-by-play guy I can remember. Maybe he could kick it old school now and then and say "he's on him like a Hari Krishna in the Atlanta Airport" or other Larry Myerisms. Or maybe a few from that one British guy that does the WSB races.
Quicherbichen! I thought it was funny. I was like, what the hell, when I saw Barcia throwin a block pass on what I thought was the parade lap. Classic.
I for one would love to hear Larry Huffman say "AND HE'S ON HIM LIKE A DOG AFTER A PEICE OF MEAT" Classic words from the old broadcaster Larry Huffman I think? hey its been a while lol......
You are correct. I had the wrong Larry. Larry Huffman was the one with all the one-liners.
@CantWeAllGetAlong,
I agree...I loved the Larry Huffman one liners. I liked "He's all over him like Russian Radiation" or "He's on him like a dog on a piece of meat." And one of my favorites...when he was talking about the racing action..he said something like, "These guys are battling through the mud, the blood, and the brew!" My buddy and I still say those lines to this day! Larry was great!
I definitely thought the commentators were lagging or something but come on guys.. anyone who has been to a race knows they dont drop a gate on 40 riders for a parade lap.
I also have tons of respect for Jeff Emig. its a great benefit for us to have someone announcing who has actually not only raced motocross but was a champion. he knows what he is talking about. plus Jeff and Jimmy are great guys and very friendly and approachable.
Erin on the other hand reminds me of a papparazzi vulture. when riders are having the worst race of their lives she will run up to them hoping to see them crying in their goggles. the ryan sipes vomit incident is an example.
What a country. We don't care about no stinking Hurricane. We don't care about no stinking starting gate. Just race when you're good and ready. We don't need no stinking windows, no producer, no screen, no nothing. We call our races by Braille. What a country.
All kidding aside, I was just amazed the race even (started) at all, let alone the second set of moto's run to completion. When the gate dropped on the 2nd 450 moto and you two were caught by surprise, (referring to a parade lap) I was a little confused but, after a few seconds realized something must be happening in your broadcast booth beyond your control. All in all, I'd say you tap danced your way through Irene pretty well, considering.
Just think of the times ahead when you, Emig, your producer and crew are knocking a few back, and someone says, Hey, what about that time in Southwick when Irene came to visit and turned out the lights and we had to call the race based on a Abbott & Costello, "Who's on 1st, Format" Definitely one to remember when you need a good laugh...Hey, it builds character!!!
PS Thanks for the explanation, none the less. It's nice to know you two are, "Only Human."
Everyone should quit whining, without Emig Weigant would be lost. Be happy we still have moto to watch the same day, alot better then a few years ago.
When I saw what I thought was the "parade lap" I thought to myself that all of these factory guys are going to get reemed for letting it hangout on a parade lap!
LOL Shit Happens
YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!! HOPE SPEED, ABC, alli and who ever else Gives you guys a raise!! Thanks For The HRS AND HRS!! of GREAT MOTOCROSS!! It would be nothing without you two!!
SORRY!!! YOU THREE!
Erin is Great too in many ways and she covers things in ways the J/J's just can't (shes hot).