James Allen (again!)

joe rossi · 3 Apr 2005, 16:15 (Ref:1268903)

Much as it pains me to admit it..I think he's getting better. He seems to be curbing the worst excesses of his commentary, and today I hardly noticed him, which is a good thing. The "heading for Saudi" comment was also genuinely funny..lets hope he can keep it up all season!

Knowlesy · 3 Apr 2005, 16:18 (Ref:1268907)

He always seems less noticeable during good races. He also seems to make less stupid comments. But maybe that's because you're not listening to him.

He is still in desperate need of being replaced by Ben Edwards!

luke · 3 Apr 2005, 16:19 (Ref:1268911)

I know he was never going to be better than Murray, and quite right to.
But to be fair to him, he is a nice person, and loves F1, he's a fan like us.
I'm sure if we were to go and commentate, we would be no better, probably much worse.

Knowlesy · 3 Apr 2005, 16:20 (Ref:1268914)

It's not about whether we'd do a good job though.

It's about the fact there are better trained commentators around.

luke · 3 Apr 2005, 16:23 (Ref:1268917)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

It's not about whether we'd do a good job though.

It's about the fact there are better trained commentators around.

Maybe, and I take it you would want Ben Edwards to take his place, well when he did the F1 season review I found he made it boring. Although he was doing it on his own, it never quite geeled in right.
But that's my opinon.

Knowlesy · 3 Apr 2005, 16:24 (Ref:1268918)

Season reviews are scripted though.

**Adam43** · 3 Apr 2005, 16:24 (Ref:1268919)

Martin talked a lot today. All James did was repeat what Martin did, but in a more long winded and tedious manner. Apart from one comment, which sounded scripted beforehand, he said nothing of value or note.

In addition, why was the Q2 round up so short? It hardly gave an indication about the grid or the events. Terrible. I think the build-up was shorter due to the news about the Pope's death, but there was still 40 minutes of build-up. Couldn't they have cut Louise's pointless "there are more nice carpets in Bahrain this year article" instead?

**Adam43** · 3 Apr 2005, 16:25 (Ref:1268920)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

Season reviews are scripted though.

Yes, Ben's real talent is live coverage. His season review stuff is still good though, although Clive James did the best reviews. There is also the '82 (I think) one with the bloke and his wife!

Silk Cut Jaguar · 3 Apr 2005, 16:38 (Ref:1268932)

He commentates better during the races with lots going on (like today) because it doesn't give him time to drift off and start commenting on whatever brand of shoe laces Schumacher is favouring this season.

I will give credit where it's due though, he didn't annoy me once during the race which must be a first.

santori · 3 Apr 2005, 16:46 (Ref:1268940)

Yes, I was talking about him with someone else and we agreed that he seems to have improved a lot over the last year. I suppose he's feeling more comfortable, not always comparing himself to Murray in the back of his mind.
The Saudi comment was funny (as was Nick's to Louise about the champagne).

joe rossi · 3 Apr 2005, 16:48 (Ref:1268944)

Quote:

Originally Posted by santori

The Saudi comment was funny (as was Nick's to Louise about the champagne).

yes! I'd forgotten that.. A German driver with a sense of humour..thats a first!

santori · 3 Apr 2005, 16:52 (Ref:1268950)

Ahem. Heinz-Harald Frentzen...?

joe rossi · 3 Apr 2005, 16:55 (Ref:1268956)

Quote:

Originally Posted by santori

Ahem. Heinz-Harald Frentzen...?

I must have missed his standup routine..was he on the Paramount Comedy channel?

ralf fan · 3 Apr 2005, 17:01 (Ref:1268959)

Maybe the lack of Ferrari domination has taken away some of his more cringe worthy comments...

but yeah i did have a bit of a chuckle on the "Saudi" line...

luke · 3 Apr 2005, 17:01 (Ref:1268961)

Quote:

Originally Posted by santori

Ahem. Heinz-Harald Frentzen...?

I take it you were joking, but he races in the DTM, and I take it, that the rounds would clash.

Does Niki Lauda commentate for RTL?!!

BootsOntheSide · 3 Apr 2005, 22:24 (Ref:1269294)

Sadly, I'm anal enough to have wondered whether Saudi Arabia is in the direction the car was heading when it left the road, but it was a clever and amusing remark. It probably was planned in advance, but then so were some of Murray and Martin's respective classics (I bet Murray waited years to say "the car upside down is a Toyota" or similar).

James has improved this year (more o than any driver bar Klien), and I haven't cringed at his commentary mcuh at all. He's still a long way off offering knowledgable viewers anything useful, but I can see his merit now.

Logrence · 11 Apr 2005, 14:35 (Ref:1275543)

Niki Lauda is a pundit for RTL, and ex-F1 driver (apparently) Christian Danner does the commentary...Niki Lauda is a humourless goat, likes to hear himself talk.

I'll tell you who is funny, though - Michael Schumacher. In German he comes across a millions times wittier and ready for a laugh than auf English. Ralf is worse.

**garcon** · 11 Apr 2005, 14:42 (Ref:1275553)

There's a thought - I nominate Logrence to translate Michael's German press conferences!

I'm glad others have noticed that James Allen seems to be improving. I thought he had a 'great race', so to speak, last time.

As for Ben Edwards, and slightly off topic, I felt truly sorry for him yesterday covering TOCA at Donny. Tim Harvey must be the most cringeworthy co-commentator out there!

Steve Wilkinson · 11 Apr 2005, 15:02 (Ref:1275569)

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcon

As for Ben Edwards, and slightly off topic, I felt truly sorry for him yesterday covering TOCA at Donny. Tim Harvey must be the most cringeworthy co-commentator out there!

Glad someone else has noticed how blithering awful Tim Harvey is. I think John Clelland would be a lot better choice.

Harvey is so patronising and out of touch with reality!

Knowlesy · 11 Apr 2005, 16:03 (Ref:1275627)

Harvey can be OK.....but he ain't Martin Brundles class. Let's face it, nobody is.

And he's better than Kelvin Burt.

Great to hear Ben screaming with excitement again yesterday though! hehehe...he's so enthusiastic!

BootsOntheSide · 11 Apr 2005, 16:23 (Ref:1275655)

Tim Harvey's comments are often pretty anodyne, and he seems to get basic facts wrong quite a lot as well. It's a shame, because Will Hoy was really good, and Ben deserves someone good working alongside him.

Knowlesy · 11 Apr 2005, 16:48 (Ref:1275675)

Reunite him with Jeremy Shaw?

Formula Juan · 11 Apr 2005, 17:13 (Ref:1275697)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

Reunite him with Jeremy Shaw?

We said ''someone good''

As for James - he is not any better IMO. An improvement on Murray who I did not rate at all, but Allen should still be replaced.

ralf fan · 11 Apr 2005, 18:38 (Ref:1275740)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formula Juan

An improvement on Murray who I did not rate at all, but Allen should still be replaced.

... i really hope that was a crude joke....

but everyone has their opinions...

Ian Sowman · 11 Apr 2005, 19:07 (Ref:1275772)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Sadly, I'm anal enough to have wondered whether Saudi Arabia is in the direction the car was heading when it left the road, but it was a clever and amusing remark.

No it wasn't - it is a cliche that some club commentators trot out week in, week out. But now you reckon it is clever and amusing, I'll try it

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