Rosenthal - "Allen the new voice of F1"
Discussion
crash net said:
www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=104885
ITV F1 presenter Jim Rosenthal reckons that James Allen has what it takes to become the 'new voice of Formula One', despite the legendary status of Murray Walker.
Rosenthal, who freely admits he is far from an F1 expert, and who is, perhaps, more associated with football and athletics, added that, in time, Allen would 'grow into Murray's shoes.'
Asked if the public still miss Murray, Rosenthal replied: "First of all, I'd like to say he was fantastic with me, when I came literally from nowhere into his sport. He helped me immensely, especially in those early days, and I will always, always be very grateful to him for that.
"We took Murray over [when ITV got the F1 deal] and that was the best single thing we could have done.
"Following Murray is not something that many people would want to do, because he's a legend. He's one of the last of the breed really, where one man will be associated with one sport. These days, the way sports are done, you will not get someone like that. The Richie Benauds in cricket and the Peter O'Sullivans in [horse] racing - those characters are not going to exist anymore. Murray was one of those characters.
"Any sort of change is a jolt, and it is tough for James to follow Murray. He has a very different style and has a very different way of doing things. Martin [Brundle], of course, was the consistent factor. I think, as things go on, James will grow into Murray shoes and will become the voice of Formula One."
As for his own role in F1, Rosenthal, admitted that his job really is as good as it sounds.
"I've enjoyed it from day one, to be quite honest, right from when I got thrown in it back in Melbourne 1997," he noted.
"I came from nowhere and, obviously, it's fair to say - and I would accept it even now - that I am not a Formula One expert. But I have had terrific enjoyment out of every grand prix.
"I think we have done close to 140 of them now on ITV, and I have been lucky enough to present every one of them. It has been a very successful gig as far as ITV is concerned - in every way. Chris Evans once said about me that I 'had the best job on television' and I am not arguing about it. It really is a very enjoyable gig.
"I think I came to the sport relatively green, I learnt the sport with the ITV public and it is well appreciated now. I always judge how we are doing when I come to things like Autosport International and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, and the reaction of people to me and it is overwhelmingly friendly and appreciative. I think that shows that the public, the motoring public, quite appreciate what we do with the sport."
So do you agree - will James Allen become the new voice of F1?
Register your thoughts in the F1 comments section.
Nows your chance to let them know what a feckwit we all think he is.
crash net said:
"I think I came to the sport relatively green, I learnt the sport with the ITV public and it is well appreciated now.
What complete and utter garbage and just shows how out of touch he and ITV are, the viewers didn't learn with him because the viewers were the same ones that had been following F1 on the BBC for years and knew all about it already. In fact I'm sure as one we all cringe everytime Jimbo opens his mouth or uses yet another football analogy
What ITV have done better than the Beeb did, is to bring F1 to a mass market.
As an enthusiast, I prefered the Beeb because they always assumed the audience had a reater grasp of the intricacies of the sport than do ITV.
Walker's appeal was that he understood the balance of teaching one how to suck eggs and providing considered insight - in an entertaining way.
ITV's remit is more commercially focused. They have to capture and retain non-fans and to do that, they have to describe things that we already know, in a way that to us, seems patronising.
In other words:
BBC = Considered, insightful coverage
ITV = Entertainment
The single best thing to come from ITV is without a doubt, Martin Brundle (and possibly Tony Jardine)
There endeth today's media lesson.
Next week; Commentator Idol......100s of hopefulls try to win over the public by saying "gooooo" a lot!
As an enthusiast, I prefered the Beeb because they always assumed the audience had a reater grasp of the intricacies of the sport than do ITV.
Walker's appeal was that he understood the balance of teaching one how to suck eggs and providing considered insight - in an entertaining way.
ITV's remit is more commercially focused. They have to capture and retain non-fans and to do that, they have to describe things that we already know, in a way that to us, seems patronising.
In other words:
BBC = Considered, insightful coverage
ITV = Entertainment
The single best thing to come from ITV is without a doubt, Martin Brundle (and possibly Tony Jardine)
There endeth today's media lesson.
Next week; Commentator Idol......100s of hopefulls try to win over the public by saying "gooooo" a lot!
This makes me so mad. No-one with any interest in F1 think s Allen is anything other than a complete numpty.
People watch F1 INSPITE of ITV, not because of it.
ITV destroy value through wrotten coverage and embarrassingly awful commentary from Allen.
Brundle is the only thing that saves the day...
Maybe someone should have a go at Bernie - he'd sort it out and get Ben Edwards in !
People watch F1 INSPITE of ITV, not because of it.
ITV destroy value through wrotten coverage and embarrassingly awful commentary from Allen.
Brundle is the only thing that saves the day...
Maybe someone should have a go at Bernie - he'd sort it out and get Ben Edwards in !
Ben Edwards is definitely the best com on TV IMO. Not that I particularly dislike James Allen, but the SHOUTING does get a tad wearing after a while. Totally agree with the comments on Brundle though. Top man.
If you want to hear really good informed commentary, get to Silverstone and listen to Ian Titchmarsh and Paul Truswell. They are a real class act. David Addison is good too and can be heard talking on various national race progs in the middle of the night.
If you want to hear really good informed commentary, get to Silverstone and listen to Ian Titchmarsh and Paul Truswell. They are a real class act. David Addison is good too and can be heard talking on various national race progs in the middle of the night.
). One of them's an ex-racer and does the Brundle stuff, the other blok (I'm guessing) is a presenter... he's great, someone like that should be with Brundle in the commentary box...FourWheelDrift said:
Toby Moody & Julian Ryder. Or are you thinking of Jack Burnacle & Jim Whitham.
Both very good.
Agreed. That's what I miss about not having Eurosport at the moment. Both pairs are really knowledgable and entertaining, but where Moody & Ryder give exciting commentary, Burnicle & Whitham sound like they're sat in armchairs, with a few cans of beer and selection of Ginsters' products, chatting about what's on telly.
There was a WSBK race last year where Chili beat Laconi on the last lap on a drying track, but Burnicle & Whitham were laughing in appreciation of Laconi's sideways antics on knackered wets just like I was at home, which made me chuckle even more.
Hmm, really must get satellite.
On topic - Allen? Tosser. Replace him with anyone, please. Even my mother could do a better job. Ben Edwards would be very good.
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