"Take that Calgary Puck!" — SN960 and Calgary sports media discussion

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

How much is a push in broadcasting, and how much is it that formal training of broadcasters as a career has completely cratered? It isn’t just sports broadcasting where standards have changed. Listen to CBC radio; half the new broadcasters on the air today wouldn’t have been allowed near a microphone 20 or 30 years ago.

In the early 90s, when I was in journalism school, broadcasting students learned very quickly who had a potential career path on-air and who was destined for production. The elocution classes (or whatever they were called) could improve someone’s delivery, but only marginally. They were mainly a sorting mechanism.

But that’s when journalism programs were popular and led to a decent middle-class career. Now that the profession has cratered, and enrolment in broadcasting fallen off a cliff as a consequence, I don’t imagine employers can be choosy about the vocal qualities of on-air talent the way they used to.

A factor for sure. Both I guess is the answer.

[GioforPM]

I think people here like Bieksa because he doesn't drool over the Oilers. Though you know he'd love to say something more about McDrai and their dirty/flopping play (though an ex-Canuck really doesn't have the high ground there).

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Yes. I remain sceptical that Mega Mikkelson has such a grating, distracting voice quality that it is going to turn most listeners off. I suspect that most listeners are just fine with her colour.

I think it took her a while to realize she can let the microphone and related systems amplify her voice. She is yelling less now, I think that’s an improvement and her vocal cords will thank her in a few years.

She’s great, much better than Hrudey IMO. But not quite Mullen yet.

[hah]

Originally Posted by sch19lks

The highest level? Dude those Canadian national teams regularly lost to Midget AAA teams in Calgary

A few years ago, my son's AA team won against her team, which Brianna Decker was a part of. The girls were very fast and had excellent systems, while the boys were not as skilled but still managed to win. It was a great experience for the boys, and the girls even showed them their medals.
However, during the game, Brianna Decker "accidentally" speared one of the boys in the private parts with her stick.

[Toonage]

Talk about how long it takes people to find their way in a new field, or broadcasting, its been about 20 some years now and I'm just finally finding Millen palatable.

[The Yen Man]

I really like Mik, she's got great insights. You can tell she does her homework.

If her voice grates on you, I guess there's nothing that can really be done, as you're not going to enjoy her commentary, no matter how good it is. Personally, I find it fine.

And I'll be the first to admit, I also had to get over the unconscious bias initially with female pbp and colour commentators. Male commentary had been so ingrained in us, it took a bit getting used to initially. Hell, Loubo's voice took me a bit to get used to, but once you get over that, you'll find the insights are fantastic.

If people can tolerate Scott Ferrall's voice, they can certainly tolerate Mikkelson's.

[jlh2640]

I think she is fantastic, so far. very hard to replace Lou. 1000 times better than someone smug like Pinder or Boomer.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Talk about how long it takes people to find their way in a new field, or broadcasting, its been about 20 some years now and I'm just finally finding Millen palatable.

I really like him as my “home broadcaster”. He focuses on the Flames without cheering. I don’t remember him being this good and Hrudey isn’t really even in his class in terms of preparation and insights.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I really like him as my “home broadcaster”. He focuses on the Flames without cheering. I don’t remember him being this good and Hrudey isn’t really even in his class in terms of preparation and insights.

He's gotten so much better these past few years. I also enjoy him more than Hrudey of late but it wasn't always that way. I used to depise Millen. Just awful takes in years past. Not sure what changed with him, or with me, but its a night and day difference.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Talk about how long it takes people to find their way in a new field, or broadcasting, its been about 20 some years now and I'm just finally finding Millen palatable.

I just had this conversation about Millen this weekend with someone on the weekend. I didn't like him at all back in the day but he's improved a lot over the years. He traded in the excitable, hot takes for calmer, more informative commentary.

[iggyloob12]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

People just really love to #### on sports media.

Fixed. Is there anyone besides Duhatschek who gets a consistent pass around these parts? (Thinking of sports media who focus primarily on the Flames, now or in the past). Everyone is biased, anti-Flames, pro-Oilers, or has a terrible delivery on air based on what I read here.

I don't listen to the games on radio but I've enjoyed Mikkelson's analysis on Flames Talk panels. She brings knowledge and something different.

[Enoch Root]

Meaghan Mikkelson is great!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by iggyloob12

Fixed. Is there anyone besides Duhatschek who gets a consistent pass around these parts? (Thinking of sports media who focus primarily on the Flames, now or in the past). Everyone is biased, anti-Flames, pro-Oilers, or has a terrible delivery on air based on what I read here.

I don't listen to the games on radio but I've enjoyed Mikkelson's analysis on Flames Talk panels. She brings knowledge and something different.

Rick Ball? It's not really a pass - the dude is just really good.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Steve Armitage

[chummer]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I just had this conversation about Millen this weekend with someone on the weekend. I didn't like him at all back in the day but he's improved a lot over the years. He traded in the excitable, hot takes for calmer, more informative commentary.

I remember him working with Don Whitman during the 04 playoff run, he certainly wasn't very popular here then.

But I agree with you, really enjoy his work.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by chummer

I remember him working with Don Whitman during the 04 playoff run, he certainly wasn't very popular here then.

But I agree with you, really enjoy his work.

I remember him talking about how the Flames had the long shift in the 2nd period because they were the visiting team and then he went on about how being the visiting team was a disadvantage because you have the long shift due to the bench being farther away from the zone you're defending... a few stoppages later he clarified that both teams have the same disadvantage. Oops!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Buff

I remember him talking about how the Flames had the long shift in the 2nd period because they were the visiting team and then he went on about how being the visiting team was a disadvantage because you have the long shift due to the bench being farther away from the zone you're defending... a few stoppages later he clarified that both teams have the same disadvantage. Oops!

[Reggie Dunlop]

Also: Hi to Derek Wills, who lurks here.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by MacFlame

Wills was criticized heavily when he first started. Rob Kerr was criticized heavily. Loubo was fired from his job on tv in part because people disliked him so much. Even hrudey is disliked by many on here.

Broadcasters are consistently targets. Male or female. This doesnt need to get into a gender argument.

My experience at a community radio station - our female and queer programmers receive 10x the attacks, criticisms, mansplaining and harassment, than the male programmers.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Not sure a position gets more open scrutiny.

Lashback is sometimes earned (i.e. Francis), but a lot of times it's exacerbated by pre-existing prejudices.

Like what happened to Loubardias makes me a little sad because it kept him out of the job he really wanted ever since. That was frankly completely unfair.