Helmingham commentary
Discussion
As this show improves year on year it seems to me that the annual commentator also needs to improve. Altho no doubt the fella works for no charge, as it a charity do, I'm sure I'm not the only one to get fed up with the number of mistakes in commentary and the very obvious bias toward sporting machinery. Also his announcement that Pistonheads is only for outright speed and horsepower, which is completely wrong. New commentator please, or am I way off.
I thought he did all right. I did get the impression that maybe cars were not his thing, as in he might have been more at home judging a few heifers 
. He made the odd faux pas, but all in all not too bad. You are probably right in the fact that he was doing it for free, but it was for charideee after all. 
. He made the odd faux pas, but all in all not too bad. You are probably right in the fact that he was doing it for free, but it was for charideee after all. The best he (Charles) can do is read what people give him - he can't know every detail of every car, many of which he's never seen before.
Pistonheads may be open to all, but its over-riding image is definitely sportscars - even you, Dave, don't show your Swallow on the PH stand even though you're welcome to do so. Neither is a Gordon Keeble a 'stereotype PH' car - so apart from fluffed lines, I think Charles did a decent job. And it's all a bit of fun, and in teh big scheme of things it doesn't really matter if he gets the BHP wrong.
Pistonheads may be open to all, but its over-riding image is definitely sportscars - even you, Dave, don't show your Swallow on the PH stand even though you're welcome to do so. Neither is a Gordon Keeble a 'stereotype PH' car - so apart from fluffed lines, I think Charles did a decent job. And it's all a bit of fun, and in teh big scheme of things it doesn't really matter if he gets the BHP wrong.
crankedup said:
......... but would'nt it be great? if they could ask a celeb' from the motoring world to commentate?
When I showed my car at Dunton in July (Ford day bring your car to work) they had 'Johnny' from Fifth Gear there and to be honest he wasn't the best when it came to the prizes, it seems that if these people have a script then they are ok but ask them to ad lib and they go blank.....ok I can appreiciate that 'they' can't know about all the cars but it would be nice if they made the effort...I doubt if he did it for free....All he could come up with was '...there are no losers here'!!! when handing out the certs..............Graham
Clarkson or Hammond could pull it off, but I'm struggling to think of anyone else. You'd need a heck of lot of knowledge about cars, and be able to present to a crowd, and also as-lib as well. Some show presenters have areas of knowledge - the guy who does Lavenham is very good at vintage cars, but of course he can't be good at everything.
When I first did the Runway Blat I seem to recall Charles pushed the microphone into the cockpit and I said my piece directly.
When I first did the Runway Blat I seem to recall Charles pushed the microphone into the cockpit and I said my piece directly.
I will email Helmingham, come on guys be positive there must be a whole load of motoring celebs willing to offer a day in aid of EACH. A few good suggestions from EAPH is bound to carry some wieght following the stand this year. Ex racers maybe, they would still have an script to read regarding the concourse car runs. Or perhaps a local celeb not associated with cars so much, we had a thread on local celebs living in our patch recently. I reckon Helmingham deserve the extra support these people could bring. Go on give me a list.
Perhaps I should make it clear that if I write to Helmingham it will be in my name (not EAPH)as I do not represent EAPH. However should the idea gather momentom then perhaps EAPH may wish to write.
Perhaps I should make it clear that if I write to Helmingham it will be in my name (not EAPH)as I do not represent EAPH. However should the idea gather momentom then perhaps EAPH may wish to write.
Edited by crankedup on Sunday 9th August 20:59
Trying to think hard of celebs that have a motoring knowledge and struggling...
These would be ok but not going to do it for free..
Jay Kay (Can talk all day about cars but not to everyones liking (shame..))
Rowan Atkinson (IIRC is very shy in public)
Mark Evans (TV Vet and DIY Car builder...very pasionate and vocal about motors)
Nick Mason
ermmmmm....
Simpo Two said:
Clarkson or Hammond could pull it off, but I'm struggling to think of anyone else. You'd need a heck of lot of knowledge about cars, and be able to present to a crowd, and also as-lib as well. Some show presenters have areas of knowledge - the guy who does Lavenham is very good at vintage cars, but of course he can't be good at everything.
When I first did the Runway Blat I seem to recall Charles pushed the microphone into the cockpit and I said my piece directly.
I can't comment on the the guy at Helmingham as I didn't go this year, but agree with John that finding someone who is both entertaining and knowledgeable about all sorts of vehicles will be a tough job, let alone asking them to do it for free as well (you don't want to know what Clarkson et al ask to do a personal appearance!). AFAIK Tiff Needell appeared for free at Wilton House yesterday, but I think one of the organisers knows him, so unless the organisers of Helmingham have similar contacts they won't get him or someone similar without paying.When I first did the Runway Blat I seem to recall Charles pushed the microphone into the cockpit and I said my piece directly.
I think the trick therefore, is to get a good commentator who is good at building a rapport with the audience and make sure that they have all the relevant facts to chat about. And IMO some of the cockups are rather entertaining, even adding to some of the charm of the event, as I remember the chap at Lavenham announcing that Patrick's FGT cost three million pounds - which got quite a reaction!
and forget about it all as far as commentary is concerned anyway.dirty boy said:
When you speak to Helmingham, tell them i'll do it.
I'm almost a celebrity, I have my own website and am well known in Las Vegas, I could sing "My Name Is Michael" if things get quiet.
Sorry Dirty Boy you've missed your big opportunity, I've dropped the idea now. Back to the underground for you I'm almost a celebrity, I have my own website and am well known in Las Vegas, I could sing "My Name Is Michael" if things get quiet.
Hi guys! Chaz would be devastated if he knew you were dissing his comentary! Charles loves the car rally - it was his idea 13 years ago and he gets excited just at the mention of it!
I did look into Clarkson as Charles is a massive Top Gear fan but he wont get out of bed for less than £30,000!
I'd love to build this show and if I'm here next year then I'd really like to get more involved with your club and hear all your ideas - love this forum please keep up the good work!
Jo
xxx
I did look into Clarkson as Charles is a massive Top Gear fan but he wont get out of bed for less than £30,000!
I'd love to build this show and if I'm here next year then I'd really like to get more involved with your club and hear all your ideas - love this forum please keep up the good work!
Jo
xxx
Helmingham Hall said:
Hi guys! Chaz would be devastated if he knew you were dissing his comentary!
'Chaz' 
I'll try that next time I see him: 'Yo Chaz man like wikkid innit'. I expect I should be roundly thrown out, and rightly so!ETA: Jo, why not come along to the Lavenham Show on 31 August and relax while somebody else stresses? It's a nice day out.
Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 13th August 18:41
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