Peter Maher back on the air...

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Loubardias calls a good game. He's a good broadcaster. He actually had to call a few moments of the game last night and I was stunned how much more enjoyable it was.

Still can't believe they replaced him with Rob Kerr on the TV. Loubo is just such a great play-by-play guy. Really creative, eloquent.

[streetglide]

I look at this forum daily but I never post. I saw this and can't keep my mouth shut this time.

Between Derek Wills and Steinberg I can hardly listen to the fan anymore. I've listened to the games since 1980 when they came to Calgary and I was sad to see Maher go. But this guy is beyond terrible. Anyone who tries to compare the two isn't listening. On his worst day Peter Maher was 100 times the professional this guy is. You can call Peter a lot of things but he was never a "homer". I think that's what really separated him from other PBP guys in the league.

I know there's a lot of Steinberg fans on here but, seriously, why is he always yelling? I appreciate his love for the team and the city, and his knowledge of all the sports, but his voice is just very grating. I kinda wish Rob Kerr was the Flames radio host (he was not good at PBP either, good radio guy though).

On TV I sure do like Rick Ball and Hrudey, best they've had in a while. Certainly better than Romanuk and the x CFL host guy, can't even remember his name right now.

Hey by the way, awesome place to keep up with news around the Flames, I really do enjoy reading this forum every day Thanks for all your efforts!

[Cecil Terwilliger]

It never ceases to amaze me how insane people's expectations are for free radio. Like a lot of things in life I feel like people just can't help but rip these guys.

I agree with Table5 about Wills and I think they really need to dump him as an insider. But as others have mentioned Maher was always the weak spot when he did the morning show.

I actually have a hard time imagining what people must expect from most of these radio and tv guys. I guess this is one of those things where the people who complain are the only ones you ever hear speak up. No one ever starts media personality appreciation threads.

I'm not even saying that you have to love everything every guy does. I'm just surprised that with so many options out there people would continue to listen to and then complain about radio tv personalities that they hate so much.

I'll say what I've said before, I like pretty much every tv and radio personality except a select few like Healy, but more so because he's an actual dick. And while they may have some weak areas I'm overall happy with 90% of the pbp guys and media personalities on tv and radio. Healy, Cox, Strombo being the other 10%. Actually lets just get rid of all of the SN studio people. They almost all suck. See now I'm one of the haters.

[calgaryblood]

Oh please. Get the violin out.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

It never ceases to amaze me how insane people's expectations are for free radio. Like a lot of things in life I feel like people just can't help but rip these guys.

I agree with Table5 about Wills and I think they really need to dump him as an insider. But as others have mentioned Maher was always the weak spot when he did the morning show.

I actually have a hard time imagining what people must expect from most of these radio and tv guys. I guess this is one of those things where the people who complain are the only ones you ever hear speak up. No one ever starts media personality appreciation threads.

I'm not even saying that you have to love everything every guy does. I'm just surprised that with so many options out there people would continue to listen to and then complain about radio tv personalities that they hate so much.

I'll say what I've said before, I like pretty much every tv and radio personality except a select few like Healy, but more so because he's an actual dick. And while they may have some weak areas I'm overall happy with 90% of the pbp guys and media personalities on tv and radio. Healy, Cox, Strombo being the other 10%. Actually lets just get rid of all of the SN studio people. They almost all suck. See now I'm one of the haters.

The problem is there aren't so many options out there. One radio station broadcasts Flames games. It's literally the only reason 960 exists.

Sometimes it's baseless, but the major whipping boys in broadcasting don't stick around. Remember Brynn Griffiths? We all remember the days of Rob Kerr and Charlie Simmer, and I think many would rather see the return of a National Energy Program.

If Sportsnet keeps Wills passed his contract, they truly enjoy showing contempt for their audience.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

The problem is there aren't so many options out there. One radio station broadcasts Flames games. It's literally the only reason 960 exists.

Sometimes it's baseless, but the major whipping boys in broadcasting don't stick around. Remember Brynn Griffiths? We all remember the days of Rob Kerr and Charlie Simmer, and I think many would rather see the return of a National Energy Program.

If Sportsnet keeps Wills passed his contract, they truly enjoy showing contempt for their audience.

No, it's only ok for Cecil to hate guys like Healy, Cox and Strombo because only his reasons for hating those guys are legitimate. Other people hating other guys are clearly just haters and not on his level to decipher which guys are worthy of hating.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

No, it's only ok for Cecil to hate guys like Healy, Cox and Strombo because only his reasons for hating those guys are legitimate. Other people hating other guys are clearly just haters and not on his level to decipher which guys are worthy of hating.

I'm glad you've been able to finally see the light. If you require my approval on any other opinions I'd be happy to help. I'm only a pm away. Or just mention me in a post. I run daily searches on my username to see if I've been mentioned.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

If Sportsnet keeps Wills passed his contract, they truly enjoy showing contempt for their audience.

That, or there really is not a better available replacement.

Calling a good hockey game is HARD. How many truly great hockey radio voices are there in the business today? I think you could count them on one hand, which tells us all something about Wills' job and how tough it really is.

He is no Peter Maher by any stretch of the imagination, but I have little doubt that he was among the best available replacements.

[Slanter]

I'm kind of surprised by this thread... Don't really know what to make of it. My suspicion is that it's being dominated by a relatively small number of people who just don't like Wills (fair enough, not gonna please everybody) or really miss Maher, and want to be vocal about it.

I think Wills is good. I listen to probably 50% of the games on the radio, and I enjoy them start to finish.

[Petros]

I think the announcers sound good when the Flames are winning.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

That, or there really is not a better available replacement.

Calling a good hockey game is HARD. How many truly great hockey radio voices are there in the business today? I think you could count them on one hand, which tells us all something about Wills' job and how tough it really is.

He is no Peter Maher by any stretch of the imagination, but I have little doubt that he was among the best available replacements.

I have no doubt he was one of the cheapest available replacements.

[RedHot25]

Reading the current content of this thread, wow.

Apparently I am in the minority, but I quite like Derek's call of the game. I thought it turned out to be a pretty good pick, all things considered. Is he perfect? Nope, but I think he's pretty good. And like whoever else it was that said it I really like the flames are on the left side of your radio, the other team on the right...

Its play-by-play of a hockey game. I didn't realize people could get so worked up over it.

Is he a horrible insider on the morning or afternoon or whenever that is? Yup. But so was Maher; he was just as bad. But I expect that to be honest. They are play-by-play guys, not breaking news insiders or whatever.

Originally Posted by Weitz

It's kind of funny reading through this thread, but the Oilers went through something similar. When Rod Phillips retired he was replaced by Jack Micheals who I think is just awful in comparison.

Oh, this X a million. I lived in Edmonton for ~3 yrs and when I would first tune in to games on the radio I thought it was a joke. I know I'm biased as a non-oilers fan, but if you guys think Wills is a homer, watch out for this guy. And if I had to listen one more time to "this is the OILERS..........................Radio NetWORK" I was going to lose it...

(ok I guess with the above I am now one of the people that I decry, but still, I can't believe how wound up people get to a radio broadcast).

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

That, or there really is not a better available replacement.

Calling a good hockey game is HARD. How many truly great hockey radio voices are there in the business today? I think you could count them on one hand, which tells us all something about Wills' job and how tough it really is.

He is no Peter Maher by any stretch of the imagination, but I have little doubt that he was among the best available replacements.

Why, do you spend your time tuning into 29 other NHL radio broadcasts to know how many hands you'd need?

[PepsiFree]

Wills is not great but I'm not tuning into Calgary AM radio and expecting greatness. I'm not even expecting that from our FM radio.

As someone who missed the wonder years of Maher, I can also tell you that without the benefit of nostalgia he wasn't very good either.

Calgary is not the big-time. Calgary was lucky to have Maher in his prime but for the most part it's going to be average pickings. And I agree Wills was probably the best candidate, who exactly do you think is applying for PBP jobs at 960 that is anything more than a minor league PBP guy from a smaller town?

[BowIsland]

I'll be quick and to the point. All radio play by play guys are homers. Peter Maher is a legend. If you don't respect and appreciate his play calling you are far a very young flames fan and have terrible taste. I'll finish with this way, Dersk Wils is awful, the worst.

[Street Pharmacist]

Dersk Wils. Just the worst

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Still can't believe they replaced him with Rob Kerr on the TV. Loubo is just such a great play-by-play guy. Really creative, eloquent.

Just like your favorite player choice, your choice in play by play guy is also terrible. Loubordios is awful at everything.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

That, or there really is not a better available replacement.

Calling a good hockey game is HARD. How many truly great hockey radio voices are there in the business today? I think you could count them on one hand, which tells us all something about Wills' job and how tough it really is.

He is no Peter Maher by any stretch of the imagination, but I have little doubt that he was among the best available replacements.

So if a job is hard, it's okay to suck at it? (Phrasing, boom)

I don't need greatness from Derek Wills. But if I'm switching off his segments before they start, that's not on me. He is not a good radio personality, and when you're meant to be THE star of the station, that's a big problem.

[Erick Estrada]

I don't mind Wills. He's miles better than Kerr or Loubardias.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Wrong thread