Who was Bryn Griffiths?

[prizefighterinferno]

Originally Posted by rmillions

Guys. I have to tell you something. I really try to be supportive of your concepts. Sure, I make the occasional mistake. I just want to say when you ask for broadcasters to be terminated, you are really hurting people and their families. Of course, you are entitled to your opinion. I know all about that. Many people ripped me apart when I was calling games. None of you had the where with all to tell me to my face. Bryn I can assure you is a great guy. Maybe he isn't your cup of tea, but he has more experience than any other daily announcer at Sportsnet Fan 960. To ask for someone to be fired just isn't fair. CP is much better than that. I have met many of you and think this kind of stuff isn't right. That is one tough job he has. Especially since Pat is young and really just learning. I got it off my chest. It has been bugging me for a while. All I can say is when you are asking for people in this business to be released, try and picture yourself with the responsibility and task of working with young men and women learning the business. I have been in this game 35 years. Hired over 100 broadcasters and fired a few as well. It ain't pleasant that part. Think before you speak and be considerate. That is all I ask. As always, Rog

I'm sure Bryn is a great guy. Unfortunately, it's not Bryn's likeability as a human being that is the issue. Although I don't necessarily want to see Bryn released for his faults, as a listener, I do wish he would better inform himself of current events so that his commentary provided some measure of relevant analysis.

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by Robbob

There is a difference between critiquing and wanting someone fired.

I don't care if he gets fired or not. Make him a producer. Mop the floors. Anything.

And Roger, I couldn't disagree with your 'protect the media' argument. That's the exact opposite of what we need to do, especially more broadly, in society.

Bryn is an example of a lazy journalist. He never brings insight, fresh arguments (or well researched arguments), and cannot carry a show as the main presenter. He's lazy. In over a year on air at 960, he hasn't improved at all. There are thousands of clock punching jobs out there, Bryn, if you want one, don't make the rest of Calgary listen to you coast through it.

[moon]

Hard to say you want a guy fired and I doubt people here want bad things to happen to Bryn or especially his family but he is in the public eye and unfortunately is going to get more critique from the public than the average joe would at their job.

If Bryn is as valuable as you say perhaps there is another role that can he fill at the FAN that will help out because it seems that being on air is rubbing his target audience (I imagine CP posters are a group the FAN would be very interested in targeting) the wrong way.

I don't think people want Bryn fired so much as they just want a better product to listen to and perhaps firing is the only way they see that happening.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by rmillions

Again, easy critiques in anonymity. I would love to meet you Mike and Taco in person to discuss. In fact, lets go on camera. Roger

You want to do a story about radio listeners not liking a radio host? Sounds kinda boring...

As for being anonymous, it isn't hard to figure out who I am from my posts. Google 'mikephoen' and you should be able to find out my full name, store name, look at my photobucket pics etc.

I respect your right to defend your buddy. I wish Bryn a long, happy life and a successful career. I just wish it was in news radio.

[Magnum PEI]

He puts his foot in his mouth a lot, but he has a really good on-air presence. I think he's more suited for hosting the pre-game and intermissions. Him and Steinberg just have no chemistry, which I think is 90% of the problem. Split them up and have Bryn host the Hitmen and (hopefully) Flames games.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by rmillions

Again, easy critiques in anonymity. I would love to meet you Mike and Taco in person to discuss. In fact, lets go on camera. Roger

This thread has absolutely nothing to do with you Roger so what exactly is there to discuss with you in person?

Bryn is a great guy, he sounds nice, but when you come on air and even after Pat mentions several times that Armstrong has not owned up to doping and then you STILL are confused about the subject you're paid to talk about then there is absolutely no professionalism being shown.

[puckluck2]

Also, Roger you obviously listen to the Fan960, so can't you hear the frustration in Pat's voice when having to correct Bryn over and over? He seemed pretty annoyed today when Bryn would just not get the point of what he was saying in regards to Armstrong and his cancer work.

If your own radio host partner is showing frustration on air then I'm sure you can imagine the frustration of the listeners.

[Vinny01]

On the flip side I really think Pat has been coming into his own since Kerr left and I think he carries the big show.

[4X4]

I wish that there was an alternative to listen to for sports (hockey in particular) radio in Calgary. I pretty much stopped listening to 960 almost a year ago, and every time I figure I'll give it another try, it only takes a few minutes before I remember why I stopped listening. It's simply frustrating to listen to someone that is downright scared to table an opinion without a handful of qualifiers just to make sure he's not wrong. It's like he knows that he doesn't know, so he keeps adding other reasons why he said what he said, and then keeps taking away from it by saying that what he really meant was something else.

If it's wrong to be un-entertained by that, so be it. I'm not saying I want him fired... I just wish there was another channel to listen to for sports, because I simply can't stand listening to 960 in the afternoon.

I'm not really sorry about my dislike of Bryn, either. My job isn't easy. I doubt Bryn can show up and do my job, so why do I have to be able to do his before I'm allowed to say that he's not a good radio personality?

[j_j]

This thread is relevant because if you get past the personal criticism, the message is exactly the same: the quality of the product isn't there. It's causing a substantial number of listeners to tune out, and that's going to eventually cause someone to lose their job, whether it's an on air guy or behind the scenes. A drop in listeners = a drop in revenue.

The product needs to improve or needs to change.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by rmillions

Guys. I have to tell you something. I really try to be supportive of your concepts. Sure, I make the occasional mistake. I just want to say when you ask for broadcasters to be terminated, you are really hurting people and their families. Of course, you are entitled to your opinion. I know all about that. Many people ripped me apart when I was calling games. None of you had the where with all to tell me to my face. Bryn I can assure you is a great guy. Maybe he isn't your cup of tea, but he has more experience than any other daily announcer at Sportsnet Fan 960. To ask for someone to be fired just isn't fair. CP is much better than that. I have met many of you and think this kind of stuff isn't right. That is one tough job he has. Especially since Pat is young and really just learning. I got it off my chest. It has been bugging me for a while. All I can say is when you are asking for people in this business to be released, try and picture yourself with the responsibility and task of working with young men and women learning the business. I have been in this game 35 years. Hired over 100 broadcasters and fired a few as well. It ain't pleasant that part. Think before you speak and be considerate. That is all I ask. As always, Rog

Mike Rogers used to forget that he was on a sports show spending multiple segments on non-sport skits. He lacked hockey knowledge in general. But he was a rock star and was enjoyable to listen to. He also got some great guests.

Kerr got hung up making the same point (that nobody cared about) over and over again. He failed to take the tough stances. And he and Boomer went on like giggling school girls every few segments. But he was well prepared, had some good insight, and was generally on point.

Boomer struggled taking on the morning show. Seemed unprepared at times. Still lacks the hockey knowledge of other analysts. But he is funny and interesting to listen to.

Walker is an opinionated ass without the analysis to back it up. But he has found his niche on the morning show.

Warrener is lazy and absent for entire sessions. But he brings a perspective not many have and has settled in to the radio thing.

Steinberg ends up in 20-minute run on sentences connected by a never ending series of 'ands'. But he is a great analyst and is constantly improving. He also engages the fans through blogs and the after hours show.

The bottom line is fans are incredibly critical of public figures. And despite the faults (subjective) nobody is perfect and all of the above guys do an outstanding job. I listen to all of them routinely.

But I can't say the same for Griffiths. At his best he is barely passable. He is lazy, inconsistent, lacks articulation, doesn't recognize when he is in a hole and rather keeps digging, isn't entertaining, displays a poor knowledge of the Flames and the sport, relies on gross assumption, lacks chemistry with everyone I have heard him interview of host with, he misses the points more often then he gets them (and he rarely if ever actually makes them), the list goes on.

He has a good voice. At times he has an interesting perspective based on his history. He appears to be an incredibly nice guy. I held hope for the first six months and actually defended him. I attributed it to a lack of chemistry with Pat (and Pat constantly pointing out how wrong he was) and a learning curve with the team.

But it has been a year and it hasn't got better. He is buy far the worst host on the 960 despite his prime time spot. I have to turn the radio off for entire segments.

No offense, but there are bigger things to shed tears over then a media personality losing his job for not doing his job well. And when you have this many haters and so few defenders (with the biggest ones saying "meh") there is a problem.

[rmillions]

Well. That is an overwhelming response. I'm just a friend.

[SportsJunky]

I don't really listen to 960 anymore but if this many people don't enjoy listening to Griffiths, the station should take note. I don't want to see anyone lose their job but if you ain't good at it then you are supposed to be sent packing. That's how the world works. Good luck in your future endeavors Bryn. Nothing personal.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Mike Rogers used to forget that he was on a sports show spending multiple segments on non-sport skits. He lacked hockey knowledge in general. But he was a rock star and was enjoyable to listen to. He also got some great guests. <snip>

Mike Richards, I assume you mean.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

On the flip side I really think Pat has been coming into his own since Kerr left and I think he carries the big show.

Pat just needs to learn when to shut up....his leading questions are friggin brutal.

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

The problem is it is never magical. He never provides excellent analysis or insight into any issue. The problem is that we had Kerr before who actually was insightful. The problem is we get guests like Elliot Friedman and Eric Duhatschek who actually are insightful. In comparison he is completely outclassed and literally painful to listen to. Get him off the air if they want to retain customers. I've stopped listening to the Fan960 during the afternoons because of him. I use to be a pretty loyal consumer of their in house sports talk content.

You're making the mistake of thinking that you are the customer. The customers are the ones that buy the commercials. This station is always at the bottom of the ratings pile..regardless of who the talent is. This is an AM niche station. If people want to hear about the Flames, they will listen regardless of the talent. If the advertisers are happy, management is happy.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

Pat just needs to learn when to shut up....his leading questions are friggin brutal.

What time is it in Sweden?

[united]

Originally Posted by rmillions

Again, easy critiques in anonymity. I would love to meet you Mike and Taco in person to discuss. In fact, lets go on camera. Roger

Can you explain what this would accomplish? If my memory serves me correctly you've suggested people meet you to discuss on camera in the past after they've criticized a media person. I don't understand what the point would be.

[hah]

Originally Posted by united

Can you explain what this would accomplish? If my memory serves me correctly you've suggested people meet you to discuss on camera in the past after they've criticized a media person. I don't understand what the point would be.

Mr. Billions using his celebrity status to bully anonymous internet message board members. While I respect him for defending a friend, the XXXX storm that follows is never positive. Most message boarders that like, Bryn, J BO, Stajan, et al usually get beaten down by the vocal message boarders.

[nik-]

Pat can't stop talking in circles and is a pretty poor interviewer, but at least he really knows his stuff when it comes to the games he talks about and the teams.