[News] Jon Abbott named new Flames TV play-by-play voice

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

This is it for me. I find his tone totally flat in exciting moments to the point where it’s kind of off putting. Don’t even know if there’s a word for it, it’s like nothing changes outside the volume of his voice. I like the PBP/colour style that sounds excited/interested/passionate about what they’re calling so he just doesn’t do it for me at all.

I don’t listen to the radio often so it would have been a bigger deal to me if he got the TV job. But Jon did. And I like Jon’s style the more I hear it.

Yeah, Wills seems like a really nice guy, but it would be nice to have goal calls somewhere between the Oilers' crew screaming like the Grease had won the cup or something every time the team scores a goal to reduce the deficit to 6-2, and a goal call that sounds like an announcer in a game of darts ("one hundred and forty").

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

This is it for me. I find his tone totally flat in exciting moments to the point where it’s kind of off putting. Don’t even know if there’s a word for it, it’s like nothing changes outside the volume of his voice. I like the PBP/colour style that sounds excited/interested/passionate about what they’re calling so he just doesn’t do it for me at all.

I don’t listen to the radio often so it would have been a bigger deal to me if he got the TV job. But Jon did. And I like Jon’s style the more I hear it.

Monotone is probably the best way to describe it. It’s like someone reading a script with zero emotion.

I don’t listen to the radio either really, but you want the pbp guy to kind of paint a picture for you. Calling every play and goal the exact same way doesn’t cut it.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Analyzing more deeply, the play calling sounds solid but the goal call on that GWG clip was a little underwhelming. Hopefully on future game deciding plays he can elevate his intensity more to give gravity to the moment.

Very small sample size though and I'm sure he will bring his best to the role.

I thought that too but he's re recording over old clips, so it would be hard to fake real in game emotions.
I think being in the moment of an intense game will bring out something different.
Also, I'd rather he starts a little basic and can add more emotion/personality as he settles into the job. Don't want too much of that being forced on too soon.

[bluejays]

He sounds like a local hockey guy. Funny thing about anyone who doesn't sound familiar is there's a tendency to not like it (myself included in that bunch). But after a season or so anyone who's there becomes more familiar and you warm up to them. PBP to me is super hard - from having to memorize the players names, to filling time, so not bumble a call, it's hard. Every PBP guys gets critiqued to no end, in every sport. It's a tough gig. I hope the best for the guy.

[dino7c]

I try not to be too harsh on these guys because PBP is ridiculously hard...don't believe me? try it and record yourself

[browna]

Excellent.A fresh voice, paid his dues other places while gaining experience. PBP is hard and takes years of practice to perfect timing, conveying emotion and temperature of the game...providing stats and insight without ignoring what's going on, on the ice.

Singh and more locally Kerr just got thrown the keys and then them learn as they go, and it shows, painfully.

Ball will be of course a very hard replacement, but glad SNet didn't take the super easy route with candidates previously discussed.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Kerr was fun. In a clown car flying off a bridge in slow motion kind of way, if it was stretched out over a full season.

Poor #####d had to be saddled with captain monotone himself, Charlie Simmer.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Macindoc

Yeah, Wills seems like a really nice guy, but it would be nice to have goal calls somewhere between the Oilers' crew screaming like the Grease had won the cup or something every time the team scores a goal to reduce the deficit to 6-2, and a goal call that sounds like an announcer in a game of darts ("one hundred and forty").

I was going to say nothing of Wills but I'll say he's dedicated and does the job just fine.

Basically he's good when he just stays in his lane.

They just need to stop bringing him on to ask for his opinions on what ails the team. I've never heard a guy make optimism so insufferable. That's a special talent. The takes are just so against the grain and the guy hangs off the organization's teat like it's his life force.

But the play calling with him and Mikkelson is more than passable. The important part is conveying what's happening in the game effectively and they do that.

See Derek, I was (almost) nice towards you this time.

[Rhett44]

This guy sounds great doing play by play.

When the alternative is the guy who can't pronounce "Kadri" correctly, this is a big win! I don't need to mute the TV, except for some national games.

[nieuwy-89]

Excited for a fresh new voice on Flames telecasts. I think this is a great move by Sportsnet and appreciate bringing in someone without “baggage” in this market.

Now the only thing I ask is:
- give us at least a 5 minute post-game show before cutting away to Sportsnet Cental
- bring back the 3 Stars!

[memphusk]

This is a great outcome. The game is now so soft that Singh was expected. He calls an Oiler game to code. Calgary wins! Thanks Jon.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I used to own a beautiful historic home in Aylmer. Nice little town. I even had Cheese visit me there back in the day.

Nice, my mom is from Aylmer. I spent a lot of time there as a kid visiting my grandparents. I have a lot of relatives around there and Tillsonburg too.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I try not to be too harsh on these guys because PBP is ridiculously hard...don't believe me? try it and record yourself

Yeah these days I applaud anyone that tries to make a career in Canadian sports broadcasting given the pay and the fact that making it big in Canada means they have to work for Rogers or Bell. This new guy seems pretty good to me.

[dino7c]

exactly, these aren't the million dollar athletes we scream at from the stands...its regular guys and gals doing what they have a passion for and putting in TONS of hours for honestly little pay.

No need to trash them online

[Locke]

Originally Posted by dino7c

exactly, these aren't the million dollar athletes we scream at from the stands...its regular guys and gals doing what they have a passion for and putting in TONS of hours for honestly little pay.

No need to trash them online

I more or less agree, but at the end of the day they are still Professionals and subject to some criticism.

We just need to give them a little time to grow into their roles.

Otherwise I'll toss them from the Press Level and replace them Mango!

[D as in David]

Probably blasphemous to say but Maher would also toe the party line and didn't exactly provide many insightful takes outside of games. Hall of fame pbp, though.

I'm pleased with the new guy and shocked that Sportsnet might have got it right.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by D as in David

Probably blasphemous to say but Maher would also toe the party line and didn't exactly provide many insightful takes outside of games. Hall of fame pbp, though.

I thought Maher in the Morning on 66 CFR had the most insightful Flames tidbits we ever had from any media member in Calgary.