Critique CBS' Coverage of the Masters

[zubady]

Each year I wait with great anticipation for the Masters. I even take time off from work to watch all four rounds. While I applaud CBS and the sponsors for hours of nearly uninterruped coverage, I have two nits that maybe you agree with or maybe you don't, or maybe you have more:

First, Jim Nance is nasueating as an announcer. His desire to say the magical phrase that will be repeated for years to come results in him making many of these phrases throughout the telecast; and they are just overdone rhetoric. That coupled with his overbaked lead in pieces, when we only really want to see golf is also irritating.

Second, while I enjoy knowing what the leaders are doing, there certainly has to be other great golf being played around the course. Many years there have been references to someone shooting up the leader board, but you don't see any of that action.

What do you think.

[flanagan]

I think you are a moral hypocrite. Based on your "stand" regarding the immorality of Augusta National on another thread, which "stand" appears to be in quicksand, you shouldn't even be watching the broadcast and supporting the practices you decry so loudly.

As for Nance, he's not my favorite, and CBS has it's own philosophy, started with Chirkanian, about how to broadcast a golf tournament, that I don't agree with, but part of it is necessary pandering by CBS to keep Augusta National happy. I do appreciate the very limited commercial interruptions.

[beachbreak]

Outstanding coverage. Magical.

[zubady]

I think you are a moral hypocrite. Based on your "stand" regarding the immorality of Augusta National on another thread, which "stand" appears to be in quicksand, you shouldn't even be watching the broadcast and supporting the practices you decry so loudly.

Yes, let's keep Augusta National happy; in the end, that's what it is all about as lots of folks who have replied to my inputs have so eloquently stated.

[flanagan]

The simple fact is that if they were as immoral as you say they are you wouldn't support them by watching the broadcast.

I don't think they are immoral, hence, I watch the broadcast free of any inner conflict.

Back to the topic, I never really liked ABC's golf coverage back in the day, and I would put CBS on an "ABC" level at this point, behind both TGC and NBC overall (although I am as lukewarm toward Hicks as I am toward Nance). I view Faldo as a TGC announcer, so CBS doesn't get "full credit" for him in my book.

[iacas]

Could the both of you at least spell Nantz properly?

[Prairie Golfer]

I'd rate it as the best sports telecast of the year, every year since 1977.

[RocketSauce]

Each year I wait with great anticipation for the Masters. I even take time off from work to watch all four rounds. While I applaud CBS and the sponsors for hours of nearly uninterruped coverage, I have two nits that maybe you agree with or maybe you don't, or maybe you have more:

i have no problem with the Masters coverage. nor do i have any problem with Nantz (johnny Miller is another story)... and i would much rather watch the leaders coming down the stretch than the guys who just barely made the cut.

[golf hungry]

Didn't directv have bonus coverage last year? On the par three's and a couple of "big" pairings?

[Prairie Golfer]

Didn't directv have bonus coverage last year? On the par three's and a couple of "big" pairings?

Yes and it's back again this year.

[flanagan]

Could the both of you at least spell Nantz properly?

Thank you, always think of NBA's Larry Nance.

[goblue107501]

It is the best coverage of the year thanks to the limited commercials. A few years ago with no commercials was great. Thank you Martha Burke.

[Iowa Hawkeye]

It's better than NBC. They show 2 shots and a putt, then 5 minutes of commericals.

[paperclip]

...First, Jim Nance is nasueating as an announcer. His desire to say the magical phrase that will be repeated for years to come results in him making many of these phrases throughout the telecast; and they are just overdone rhetoric. That coupled with his overbaked lead in pieces, when we only really want to see golf is also irritating....

But, but, Nance isn't really

that bad is he, I mean ".......ahhhhhhhhh (cue in the soft piano music).........the splendor (show shots of azaleas and dogwoods)...........amen corner (show the picture of the bridge)............the history (show a Jack Nicklaus winning putt)............the tradition.........the Masters............." I can't wait!

[flanagan]

After listening to Dan Hicks yesterday, I stand corrected. I'm still lukewarm on Jim, but rather he was doing the Masters than Dan Hicks.

[zubady]

But, but, Nance isn't really

That's exactlly what I hate, the self-indulgent Jim stealing precious time when most viewers can easily repeat the history of the tournament. Really, it's not about the golf, it's about Jim trying to be a part of the history of the tournament. You nailed it. Thanks.

[flanagan]

That's exactlly what I hate, the self-indulgent Jim stealing precious time when most viewers can easily repeat the history of the tournament. Really, it's not about the golf, it's about Jim trying to be a part of the history of the tournament. You nailed it. Thanks.

He's not my favorite, but I disagree Nantz tries to be the story, he always tried to draw things out of Venturi and I think does so with the others, there's the occasional poetry, but I still think he knows his role and is respectful of where he is and "the moment", so to speak.

Of course, YOU aren't supposed to be watching The Masters, so if you are intellectually and morally consistent, he won't bother you because you won't support Augusta National by watching the broadcast. It is still my favorite broadcast, period. Second, BBC coverage of the Open.

[paperclip]

That's exactlly what I hate, the self-indulgent Jim stealing precious time when most viewers can easily repeat the history of the tournament. Really, it's not about the golf, it's about Jim trying to be a part of the history of the tournament. You nailed it. Thanks.

Thanks Zubady, but I still have to chuckle over Jim's gratuitous and gracious eloquence, even though it seems that the burghers at CBS are making him say that stuff in their commercials and Jim may not have any say at all in this (although somehow I doubt it)