[Rumour] Ron Maclean to replace George Stromboulopoulos on HNIC - Page 19 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Erick Estrada · 09-20-2016, 11:42 AM

Not a fan of Ron MacLean. He was fantastic when he started out west doing Flames games on 2&7 and early on with HNIC but he changed in the 90's. He forgot about where he came from and went all in on the Leafs and Toronto as HNIC started to completely alienate fans of western Canada. HNIC became all about Ron, Don, and the Leafs and I feel a lot of younger people that love Ron have never known HNIC that wasn't dominated by his overbearing ego. HNIC was much better when it was about hockey and not Ron, Don, and the Leafs. I have had a lifetimes fill of the guy so obviously I am not a fan of him dominating the show once again and IMO this is simply a bandaid on a bigger problem.

Isikiz · 09-20-2016, 11:51 AM

I think it was unreasonable for both the HNIC audience and George to expect him to fill in Ron MacLean's shoes, especially as quickly as it was. I agree with Calgary4LIfe's point about transitioning George slower - starting as a personality/interviewer and then transitioning him into the role. I think the George's lack of success can be attributed to his previous lack of background in hockey as well as trying to do *too much, too soon". I do also think that there needs to be a change from Ron MacLean - just a slower and better planned one.

I think George is a great interviewer and a decent personality - but he's still just that "hipster young guy from Much Music" until he establishes himself in the hockey world.

Bingo · 09-20-2016, 11:56 AM

I think Maclean is very talented, tells a good story, and has a tremendous ease about being in front of the camera. He's a talented guy.

But his anti-Bettman, anti-owner views during lockouts really got on my nerves. Then I read his book and his anti-CBC stuff was more of the same.

Started to wear thin ...

GreenLantern2814 · 09-20-2016, 12:05 PM

Ron MacLean is great at what he does. You can tell the panel has a ton more respect for him, which isn't necessarily a slight on Strombo. It's just, that's Ron MacLean. The man knows what he's doing. So the rest of the panelists can relax and be themselves.

As an aside, Hrudey is just a terrific analyst. He called the Russian victory in the first intermission so matter-of-factly, and then damned if the Reds didn't go out and hang four on the board.

Street Pharmacist · 09-20-2016, 12:08 PM

How can you tell that?

GreenLantern2814 · 09-20-2016, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

How can you tell that?

Feel, I guess. It's tough to articulate. The panel is working with someone they know can do the job, with a vast, encyclopedic knowledge of the game and its history. Ron has been doing this for 30+ years. With this job, you can't just replace that experience with the guy who used to host The Hour.

It's a different job. And Ron is better at it than anyone in this country. So that's why I think the panel respects him more. I believe they respect George as a colleague and a broadcaster. But Ron MacLean is Ron MacLean.

nik- · 09-20-2016, 12:28 PM

Ron MacLean is definitely Ron MacLean. It's just that Ron MacLean is annoying and schlocky.

GreenLantern2814 · 09-20-2016, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

Ron MacLean is definitely Ron MacLean. It's just that Ron MacLean is annoying and schlocky.

Welcome to Canada.

nik- · 09-20-2016, 12:31 PM

Yeah that's probably a good way to put it. Ron MacLean is the Tim Horton's of broadcasters. Unabashedly pandering and low quality but everyone claims it's awesome because "it's ours".

bzoo02 · 09-20-2016, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

Yeah that's probably a good way to put it. Ron MacLean is the Tim Horton's of broadcasters. Unabashedly pandering and low quality but everyone claims it's awesome because "it's ours".

Exactly. This.

GreenLantern2814 · 09-20-2016, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

Yeah that's probably a good way to put it. Ron MacLean is the Tim Horton's of broadcasters. Unabashedly pandering and low quality but everyone claims it's awesome because "it's ours".

What sports broadcaster does this not apply to? Have you seen an NFL telecast?

Erick Estrada · 09-20-2016, 12:55 PM

NFL coverage is always evolving and decade to decade all the NFL shows turn over the shows and personalities to keep things fresh as could you imagine John Madden still doing broadcasts? I just don't understand the prevailing mentality that there has to be tradition in the broadcasting of HNIC. The tradition is the game as at the end of the day that's what we tune in for and the NHL has made plenty of changes over the decades to improve the product so trotting out Ron and Don once again is akin to spinning a quarter century presentation rerun.

Erick Estrada · 09-20-2016, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

Yeah that's probably a good way to put it. Ron MacLean is the Tim Horton's of broadcasters. Unabashedly pandering and low quality but everyone claims it's awesome because "it's ours".

I like Tim Hortons but you nailed it here. Well done!

gunnner · 09-20-2016, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

NFL coverage is always evolving and decade to decade all the NFL shows turn over the shows and personalities to keep things fresh as could you imagine John Madden still doing broadcasts? I just don't understand the prevailing mentality that there has to be tradition in the broadcasting of HNIC. The tradition is the game as at the end of the day that's what we tune in for and the NHL has made plenty of changes over the decades to improve the product so trotting out Ron and Don once again is akin to spinning a quarter century presentation rerun.

Great point, for 15 years I have been watching 2 hours every sunday morning of NFL countdown. I dont watch 2 seconds of sportsnet pre game shows and go out of my way to not hear eric francis's 30 seconds of wisdom in between periods.

Also a big talent gap between NFL panelists and NHL panelists. Hall of famers vs...errr whatever it is Sportsnet has.

Young_Guns · 09-20-2016, 01:08 PM

^ a former pro athlete, be it a hall of famer or not, does not necessarily make you a good analyst or broadcaster.

JiriHrdina · 09-20-2016, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think Maclean is very talented, tells a good story, and has a tremendous ease about being in front of the camera. He's a talented guy.

But his anti-Bettman, anti-owner views during lockouts really got on my nerves. Then I read his book and his anti-CBC stuff was more of the same.

Started to wear thin ...

My opinion of him worsened after reading his book as well. He came off as quite arrogant and self-centered.

polak · 09-20-2016, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Feel, I guess. It's tough to articulate. The panel is working with someone they know can do the job, with a vast, encyclopedic knowledge of the game and its history. Ron has been doing this for 30+ years. With this job, you can't just replace that experience with the guy who used to host The Hour.

Sure you can, you just have to give him a few years to establish familiarity and get his feet under him with a new show and a new direction. George is a lot better at his job, a broadcaster and host, than Ron is or ever was.

James Duffy would have been better than both though.

CliffFletcher · 09-20-2016, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

NFL coverage is always evolving and decade to decade all the NFL shows turn over the shows and personalities to keep things fresh as could you imagine John Madden still doing broadcasts? I just don't understand the prevailing mentality that there has to be tradition in the broadcasting of HNIC. The tradition is the game as at the end of the day that's what we tune in for and the NHL has made plenty of changes over the decades to improve the product so trotting out Ron and Don once again is akin to spinning a quarter century presentation rerun.

The typical Hockey Night in Canada viewer is presumed to be a 58 year old dude from Brampton. Why the CBC aims for a much older audience than the networks that broadcast the NFL is anyone's guess.

nik- · 09-20-2016, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The typical Hockey Night in Canada viewer is presumed to be a 58 year old dude from Brampton. Why the CBC aims for a much older audience than the networks that broadcast the NFL is anyone's guess.

I think their presumed viewer is someone who has no idea why they like hockey and must be constantly reminded that they like hockey not because of the action or gameplay, but because it's Canadian.

No other sport/broadcaster tandem on the planet is as insecure as Hockey/Sportsnet

Sainters7 · 09-20-2016, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think Maclean is very talented, tells a good story, and has a tremendous ease about being in front of the camera. He's a talented guy.

But his anti-Bettman, anti-owner views during lockouts really got on my nerves. Then I read his book and his anti-CBC stuff was more of the same.

Started to wear thin ...

I think he's just becoming a grumpy old man. He was great when I was growing up, but there seems to be a certain edge to him in recent years. Seems almost as grumpy as Don these days. It happens in old age I suppose.

Put me in the camp who didn't see the issue with Strombo. I'm not gonna pin it on his style, but rather him coming from a non-sports background that many had trouble seeing past methinks. I think it's a rather unnecessary change, as 2016 Ron is not 1996 or even 2006 Ron, but whatever, he's still good. I don't really have strong feelings one way or the other on Strombo or MacLean.