[News] Rob Kerr and Charlie Simmer let go by Sportsnet, Rob Kerr to Return to FAN 960

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Maher's not on top of his game anymore, he's starting to lose the play and forget names and all that. He's a hall of famer, but the Flames should hire a first rate, fresh commentator crew. We deserve that.

We've been saying that for 10 years now, ha. He's not even that old either (64). Yeah, he does screw up the names more and more, but I feel like the call of the game makes up for it.

Also, Radio play by play is designed to be different than TV. They need to paint a more clear picture for listeners, and it tends to be a little overbearing if you're already watching the play in front of you.

I don't necessarily disagree, but I still find his calls extremely entertaining and thought they worked great with tv. I'd much rather have a radio guy describing the play, than someone going on and on about something that has nothing to do with the action.

[FurnaceFace]

Whoever they pick I hope they find someone with a good non-abrasive/grating voice. Listening to Gord on TSN right now is a contrast to Kerr or even Peter "oh my GOODNESS, it's GOT to be Panago!" Just find someone with a good even call and a solid baritone voice. Tough to do when the broadcast isn't national but we can hope.

[Resolute 14]

Replacing Kerr as PBP is probably best from a television quality perspective, but I would really like to see him return to his previous role as a host with Fan960. Particularly given how thin on talent the station already is.

[Wolfman]

It's tough when someone loses their job. But, I am looking forward to a new team of PBP for Flames games. Good luck to both of them but it was time for a change. Hope they find work, and Kerr was good on the radio.

[Alberta_Beef]

I hope this is true and Ryan Pinder gets a shot!!

[YYC in LAX]

And again, we still don't have an official announcement from Sportsnet. WHERE IS IT!?!?!

[Coach]

Here Rogers, I'll save you some money.


Just say no to commentators in general.

[pylon]

It's never good news to hear an honest, hard working guy lost his job. I had no issues with Kerr, or Simmer. Were they the best of the best? No. But for regional guys they were a solid tandem, and Kerr had great enthusiasm.

I can totally see why this happened though. You are going to have some heavy hitters from TSN and CBC available now, and I can see us getting a marquee guy as our regional PBP guy. Maybe Cuthbert?

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by pylon

It's never good news to hear an honest, hard working guy lost his job. I had no issues with Kerr, or Simmer. Were they the best of the best? No. Bt for regional guys they were a solid tandem, and Kerr had great enthusiasm.

I can totally see why this happened though. You are going to have some heavy hitters from TSN and CBC available now, and I can see us getting a marquee guy as our regional PBP guy. Maybe Cuthbert?

Yes please

[JiriHrdina]

Few people work as hard as Kerr. He will be ok

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Yes please

I will admit it would be awesome. But I am pretty sure he would demand a huge amount of money. If I recall correctly, he had/has a very lucrative deal with TSN.

[The Fonz]

I can't say I agree with the idea of bring back Loubo, or that I understand this movement even. When he was doing the pbp, it was constant complaining about the guy on here. Remember the name 'Peter La-boring-ass'?

Sportsnet needs a new direction, and they should try to emulate what TSN has accomplished the last few years. They should not go with the Edmonton Oilers business model of bringing back guys they fired years ago.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by pylon

I will admit it would be awesome. But I am pretty sure he would demand a huge amount of money. If I recall correctly, he had/has a very lucrative deal with TSN.

That's right, he just signed a new deal with TSN to continue to do CFL on TSN. It won't be Cuthbert...but I could see Gord Miller jumping ship to Sportsnet. We will see a lot of turnover in TV talent. Could be some CBC talent as well.

[Bezer]

I am gonna reiterate what most posters have to say, I really thought Kerr was terrible as a PBP but I have always loved him on the radio. I hope comes back to the Big Show with Pat Steinberg or finds something else soon.

Dave Randorf would be a great replacement.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Before anyone gets too crazy and because I've been a harsh critic I hope Rob Kerr lands on his feet soon somewhere else and you know what, I'm sure he will. Kerr is a fantastic host, very good on the radio but he was totally and completely out of his depth as a play-by-play guy for an NHL team on TV.

Hoping this is a trend towards Sportsnet raising the quality for the Flames.

Agree all around. As much as I didn't like Kerr's PBP, I'm not going to cheers for guys losing their jobs, particularly not when they were likely just let go from their dream jobs.

I am waiting anxiously for the announcement of the new crew, however, and am hoping that will be something to cheer about. As I said before, my preferred choice would be to steal Rick Ball from Team 1040.

[The Fonz]

Someone I'd like Sportsnet to get their hands on (not for pbp) is that Mike Johnson from TSN. He's likeable, well spoken, and seems to do an overall good job. I'm not sure if he was one of the few given contract extensions by TSN about 6 months back.

[troutman]

Cuthbert re-signed with TSN for 6 years.

https://mobile.twitter.com/SunDoniB/...50101796323328

[pylon]

If only Don Whitman was still around. Outside of Ed Whalen, nobody sounded better calling Flames games on the tube. IIRC, he called most of our games through the '04 run as well, except for the final.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Someone I'd like Sportsnet to get their hands on (not for pbp) is that Mike Johnson from TSN. He's likeable, well spoken, and seems to do an overall good job. I'm not sure if he was one of the few given contract extensions by TSN about 6 months back.

I can't stand Mike Johnson. He thinks he was the best player to ever play in the NHL.

NO THANK YOU!!!!

[HotHotHeat]

Hell of a lot of respect for Kerr, didn't enjoy his PBP but wow does the FAN miss him.