TUNING IN
BY: ARDITH STEPHANSON
FOR RODPEDERSEN.COM
If I had a dollar for every Facebook post or Tweet related to cold weather this week, I would be a wealthy person.
With the brutal weather rolling across the province, I was feeling some sports withdrawal. We went from the CFL season to playoffs to the Grey Cup, with the NFL overlapping and then its playoffs and Super Bowl, followed by the viewing marathon of the Olympics. When the closing ceremony signed off there was suddenly a lull in televised sports. And then the ultimate couch potato event arrived.
With cold weather penning me in the house, basically unable to do anything (at least that’s what I told myself), what to watch while lying on the couch for an entire weekend? Why, Canada’s sport, the roaring game…curling.
Yep, the Canadian men’s curling championship began this weekend, with the Brier continuing the “season of champions” on TSN. Curling is like golf, great for relaxing in front of on a day off.
There was more than curling on, but it was an ideal time for the Brier to start.
LET THE CURLERS DO THE TALKING
One thing I appreciate about TSN’s coverage is the quiet. By that, I mean the announcers let the curlers be heard on the telecast. When there is a timeout, or a lengthy discussion, Vic, Linda and Russ stay off the microphones and let us hear the discussion, and then come back to provide explanation and show us on the telestrator. Nothing drives me crazier than announcers who don’t shut up, preferring to hear themselves talk, whether they’re adding value or not.
OUTDOORS AGAIN?
So, does a game remain a “Classic” when there seems to be one held every weekend?
The number of outdoor games in the NHL this year is ridiculous. What started as one game billed as an annual Winter Classic became seven games this season. A Winter Classic, a Heritage Classic, a Stadium Series Los Angeles (two games), Stadium series New York (two games), and Stadium Series Chicago.
Pardon me if I missed one, my memory only goes so far.
I guess this is the latest in generating popularity in the United States, but it starts to feel like a spectacle when it happens this often.
Add to that dropping the puck in Chicago at 7 p.m. on March 1, when it is almost guaranteed to be lousy weather. As described on NBC: “A snow globe with action figures.”
Followed by Sunday’s “Heritage” Classic. I’m hard pressed to find the “heritage” in this Classic. The Canucks are an expansion team that joined the league in 1970. The most recent version of the Senators joined in 1992. And they played in a covered football stadium. This is heritage?
OK, I am being a bit negative and cynical. The games probably cause a lot of excitement in the host cities, as witnessed by the 61,000+ people in Chicago, and the players (I think) look forward to playing in them. But too much of a good thing takes the excitement and novelty out of a good idea.
THIS IS HERITAGE
The true heritage game was Saturday night when the Maple Leafs played the Canadiens in a good old original six game, with Bob Cole calling the action. Bob has been around a long time, but he still generates excitement and this matchup remains an NHL classic. It was also an entertaining game to watch.
SPEAKING OF BOB AND CURLING
Cole was also a successful curler, playing in the 1971 and 1975 Briers as the skip for the Newfoundland team. He also played in the 1965 and 1973 Canadian mixed championships.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD?
Cole and Don Cherry are both 80, and in fact Cole will be 81 in June. One has to wonder when their broadcasting days will be over, and particularly with the change in the television contract, their days are probably numbered.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
I realize this is a broadcasting focused column, but I can’t finish off without a rant about the Brier’s new format following this year’s event. The 2015 Brier will have a Team Canada and the addition of a “relegation round.” A team could win their province, but based on the province’s record the year before, they may have to play off again for the right to get to the Brier. To get the details, read here by Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun. (link is http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/02/28/new-look-tim-hortons-brier-about-to-descend-into-madness-of-relegation) This would be called fixing something that isn’t broken. As even my mother said: “Who thinks of this stuff?” They better not call it a Heritage Classic.
Follow Ardith on Twitter at @Ardith_S
(For sponsorship opportunities for Tuning In, email ridervoice@yahoo.ca)
Totally agree. The Canuck/Senator game was a joke. Heritage classic by 2 teams most people could care less about and they play it in a covered stadium. No comparison to the game in Chicago. None.
As for Cherry/Cole. Hope they both disappear. Way way past there due date. Way past.
It's not a Classic anymore. These guys make tons of money with huge crowds, and that will continue for our multi millionaires.
As far as Cole and Cherry. Cole is still one of the best TV play by play announcers, while Cherry is still the most sickening man on CBC HNIC.
But , yes it is time for youth to take over.
Ummmm Vancouver won the Stanley Cup in 1915, beating Ottawa. Are you serious, nobody knows that…really, in Saskatchewan? Probably do not know where the first artificial ice was made in Canada….
Cherry and Cole are both beauties, hope they both stay on tv for at least a few more years!!
Cherry and Cole are beauties alright , bathing beauties that should soon be soaking in a tub at Extendicare maybe.
Actually it was not a joke, it was awesome. Great atmosphere, pregame and mid game entertainment was fantastic. I sense a little Green with envy, Yep….53,000 plus fans would probably disagree with you and to previous anon that would be Denman arena in Vancouver!
To anon 5, you sound like a disgruntled NDP supporter, perhaps an Obama lap dog.
Both Cherry and Cole are icons.
You on the other hand, are probably a weak individual who failed at gym curling.
A bit cynical? You got that right, ma'am. These are great events that the entire sports world has picked up on and is helping to make the NHL relevant again, especially in the big cities. It turns a game into a festival, a big event that people want to be at and will remember for years to come. I understand the overkill argument but you can't tell me that if the speculation is true and Winnipeg hosts an outdoor game in 2015/16 that you wouldn't want to be there. It would be amazing. And I know a lot of SK… Read more »
Dubya, Well said! Cole and Cherry are legends and we are lucky to still be able to listen to them. Any real hockey fan and purist of the game listens to Cherry and can see what he says majority of the time is correct. Ya, he can be loud and a character, however, the words he speaks to better the game should be heard by the masses. Just venture out to a minor hockey or Junior A/B game and you will see what are future looks like…..we're in trouble people…and 10 years from now we could play re-runs of Coaches… Read more »
The 'Heritage" tag is to celebrate "hockeys" heritage, no? The Oilers were part of the 1st one. Doesn't mean they had to play in 1905.
People rag on Bob Cole for missing names and being a bit behind the play. I still love listening to him. Brings me back a lot of years. And I can't imagine listening to an 81 year old Jim Houghson….
Cole and Cherry. 2 reasons NOT to watch CBC hockey. Then throw idiot Maclean in the mix and never tune in. Cole behind the play and only kmows Leaf players….sometimes. Cherry is just a blowhard.
Somewhat similar to you!!
Aw, someone at TSN a little bitter cause they lost national broadcasting rights? Wah wah wah.
I don't know what the CCA is thinking changing the format and having a relegation round? As you say if it's not broken don’t fix it. The TSN ratings for curling are huge and they (CCA) are trying to make a change just to accommodate Nunavut and have a distinct difference between Yukon and NWT…..ridiculous! If I am a fan of one of the provinces relegated why would I book a trip to go watch when I don’t even know if my team, i.e.; province, will be playing until the day before the Brier/Scotties starts. Also now they are adding… Read more »
Here is a link to a Terry Jones article from the Edmonton Sun with a heading "New-look Tim Hortons Brier about to descend into madness of relegation".
What is the CCA thinking?