Phil on Kirsten Gumm

"John Rees" wrote in message
. com...
FootBall 'Super Bowl' decided to
have the usual commentators, plus bring in someone like, Martha Stewart or
Barbara Walters? "

Can you say Leslie Visser?

Time Cop wrote:

It's only the biggest bicycle race in the world and I don't know of any
reputable television network that would put a neophyte like that on
camera when its reputation is on the line.

OLN can do better - especially since it already has Phil and Paul.


She's obviously not being cast as an expert. She's there as an
attractive, enthusiastic newby who acts as a foil for the knowledgeable
commentators, asking the mostly dumb questions that such people ask, and
providing a little comic relief. Unlike her predecessors on OLN,
Karsten Yellow Hair and Bob Varsha, she seems to know her limitations
quite well and refrains from posing as an instant expert and doesn't
take herself too seriuosly. Consequently, also unlike her predecessors,
she seems to be not just tolerated, but genuinely liked by the OLN boys.
(Bobke positively melts.)

I also suspect that she's been cast by OLN as someone newbys and non
cyclist significant others can identify with (or lust after) when they
are dragged through 2 hours of coverage every day by their fanatical
cycle junkies. That's why OLN has that other babe touring all the
picturesque sites. It's hard to fill two hours on a flat stage, even
with Phil's motor mouth.

If OLN can build their demographic beyond the dregs you find in RBR
without straying too far from the core sport, they just might keep doing
this for years to come - and they still are miles ahead of that mix of
garbage CBS pumps out every Sunday.

OK by me,

Zeno

Like it or not she represents a HUGE portion of the US population and
may actually connect with them more than us who know that she hasn't a
clue.

OLN has to be trying to use the pre-race show to attract additional
viewers. She can ask the questions that that Bob, Phil, and Paul would
look stupid asking, which helps put the entire race into context for
people who know nothing about cycling and may be turning it on for the
first time.

If newbies were to turn on the pre-race show now it might connect to
them and generate more interest in bicycle racing and potentially
cycling as a hobby/sport.

DON'T GET ME WRONG - I am not advocating that it is working, but isn't
worth a shot to try? Maybe we get a few more considerate drivers out
it - wouldn't that be worthwhile? If we don't, at least she is much
more attractive to watch than Bob's gap tooth grin.

Corey



"KBH" wrote in message et...
She's not just a cycling newbie, she's just plain bad - acts like a
teenager. The guys the past few years didn't know squat about cycling, but
they were professional - introducing each segment in a businesslike manner -
not commenting how something is "awesome!".


"Jamce1" wrote in message
...
why do you give a ****? she is good to look at, and she does not do "play
by
play" so why does it matter?

what gives with all of the irritation?

chris

Subject: Phil on Kirsten Gumm
From: (John Henderson)
Date: 7/10/03 1:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time
Message-id:

Phil Liggett, telling us what we already suspected:

"Kirsten Gumm, who presents our preview show, had never seen a cycle
race before. She loves the Tour and has a great feel for it already
with her enthusiasm. It is so hard to come in cold, but I hope you
think as I do."

From tdf.olntv.com


John Henderson, New York City, USA
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Let's roll!" -- Todd Beamer, 9/11/01
"After five and weekends" -- 711th SOS
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I'm just glad she unbuttoned her shirt for the second half hour. WHO LET THE
DOGS OUT! WHOOF! WOOF WHHOOOOFFF! Unleash the lions!

I also suspect that she's been cast by OLN as someone newbys and non
cyclist significant others can identify with (or lust after) when they
are dragged through 2 hours of coverage every day by their fanatical
cycle junkies. That's why OLN has that other babe touring all the
picturesque sites. It's hard to fill two hours on a flat stage, even
with Phil's motor mouth.

If OLN can build their demographic beyond the dregs you find in RBR
without straying too far from the core sport, they just might keep
doing this for years to come - and they still are miles ahead of that
mix of garbage CBS pumps out every Sunday.


Well said.

Too often, in American broadcasting, it seems they think it's OK to bring in
some neophyte to cover the event. If it isn't a big three sport, they lump
the sport (whatever it happens to be) as one of those 'other' sports..


I think in this case it's quite justified since a large portion of the
fans are attracted to the coverage because they heard about that Lance
guy who had cancer. Football, basketball, baseball etc. are pretty
straightforward to follow (ball over line/in basket good) and most
Americans have played or watched it before. 99% of americans haven't
seen a bike race or ever raced a bike, so they need someone up there
who's dumber than they are. It helps them identify.

zeno wrote in message ...
Time Cop wrote:

It's only the biggest bicycle race in the world and I don't know of any
reputable television network that would put a neophyte like that on
camera when its reputation is on the line.

OLN can do better - especially since it already has Phil and Paul.


She's obviously not being cast as an expert. She's there as an
attractive, enthusiastic newby who acts as a foil for the knowledgeable
commentators, asking the mostly dumb questions that such people ask, and
providing a little comic relief. Unlike her predecessors on OLN,
Karsten Yellow Hair and Bob Varsha, she seems to know her limitations
quite well and refrains from posing as an instant expert and doesn't
take herself too seriuosly. Consequently, also unlike her predecessors,
she seems to be not just tolerated, but genuinely liked by the OLN boys.
(Bobke positively melts.)

I also suspect that she's been cast by OLN as someone newbys and non
cyclist significant others can identify with (or lust after) when they
are dragged through 2 hours of coverage every day by their fanatical
cycle junkies. That's why OLN has that other babe touring all the
picturesque sites. It's hard to fill two hours on a flat stage, even
with Phil's motor mouth.

If OLN can build their demographic beyond the dregs you find in RBR
without straying too far from the core sport, they just might keep doing
this for years to come - and they still are miles ahead of that mix of
garbage CBS pumps out every Sunday.

OK by me,

Zeno

ZENO, You are right on with the CBS comment. But its not her lack of
Cycling knowledge that is the problem, its her lack of broadcasting
professionalism. How many times do we need her to remind us that she
is "Your Host", and now she is referring to Bob Roll as the "co-host".
She is evening having a hard time going to break - these are 101
broadcasting skills. I wish they would get that girl from the RUnning
with the Bulls - same cycling experience but much more professional.

James Cagney wrote:
zeno wrote in message ...

Time Cop wrote:

OLN can do better - especially since it already has Phil and Paul.


She's obviously not being cast as an expert. She's there as an
attractive, enthusiastic newby who acts as a foil for the knowledgeable
commentators, asking the mostly dumb questions that such people ask, and
providing a little comic relief. Unlike her predecessors on OLN,
Karsten Yellow Hair and Bob Varsha, she seems to know her limitations
quite well and refrains from posing as an instant expert and doesn't
take herself too seriuosly. Consequently, also unlike her predecessors,
she seems to be not just tolerated, but genuinely liked by the OLN boys.
(Bobke positively melts.)

I also suspect that she's been cast by OLN as someone newbys and non
cyclist significant others can identify with (or lust after) when they
are dragged through 2 hours of coverage every day by their fanatical
cycle junkies. That's why OLN has that other babe touring all the
picturesque sites. It's hard to fill two hours on a flat stage, even
with Phil's motor mouth.

If OLN can build their demographic beyond the dregs you find in RBR
without straying too far from the core sport, they just might keep doing
this for years to come - and they still are miles ahead of that mix of
garbage CBS pumps out every Sunday.

OK by me,

Zeno


ZENO, You are right on with the CBS comment. But its not her lack of
Cycling knowledge that is the problem, its her lack of broadcasting
professionalism. How many times do we need her to remind us that she
is "Your Host", and now she is referring to Bob Roll as the "co-host".
She is evening having a hard time going to break - these are 101
broadcasting skills. I wish they would get that girl from the RUnning
with the Bulls - same cycling experience but much more professional.

The occasional botched segues during the live broadcasts and references
to Bobke as a "co host" haven't bothered me at all. I suspect her
contract describes her as the host. Broadcast people are funny about
titles. BTW, the Running of the Bulls is canned, so there is plenty of
time for pick ups to make the "hosts" look good.

Adrian Karsten had the slick broadcast lingo down cold, but he was a
horse's ass who must have spent all his time off camera looking for the
best restaurant in town because it was obvious he wasn't really paying
any attention at all to the race. Ms Gum is doing her homework, even if
her perspective is that of a naive new comer, which is the role she was
hired for.

If you want wall to wall broadcast 101 etiquette, I'm afraid that
eliminates most of cable sports most of the time. You will still find
it on CBS though -- every Sunday.

If you want to nit pick about embarrassing performances, how about
Phil's constant simpering like an aging drag queen over David Millar? Or
his obsession with the activities of even the most obscure British
Commonwealth riders at the expense of spending time on the French,
Spaniards, or Italians? Or his penchant for ridiculous hyperbole and
misidentifying riders? Is that "professional?" And he is on the air most
of the time.

But all that doesn't really bother me either. These guys aren't
perfect, and I have seen the alternative. Plus, I am too busy enjoying
the race to care.

Zeno