Quote:
Originally posted by WeekendRef
Juulie ,
I usually really enjoy reading what you have to write but you are so completely off base here . I think the only reason you have not had more pushback to your posts (and there have been a couple) is because of your usually right on and express yourself in a respectful manner .
For you to take Billy Packer or any other BASKETBALL ANALYST to task for his use of language or mis-pronunciation of words (I do agree they should get players names right or if they can't just call them by their uni number ) is absolutely ridiculous . He was not hired because he speaks proper (according to you) english he was hired and remains employed because he knows the game of basketball (Or so his boss thinks) .
Please understand that 95% of the audience that listens to a basketball broadcast is not concerned with the "basketball analysts" grasp of the English language . He/she is concerned with the game and occasionally wants someone to explain strategy or rules to them.....or in Packers case what the rules aren't . In other words speak to your audience....and while it is probably not intentional Packer is doing just that .
BTW if Packer is on TV I turn down the sound becasue I don't like his analysis .
PLEASE do not take out a red pen and mark me for my many writing errors
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Well, I'm sorry that you disagree. I usually appreciate what you say, too, and I don't like disagreeing.
Don't worry about me marking you down for any writing errors. You're not getting paid for your English as Packer is. Yes, he is getting paid for his "baskeball analysis" but that thought process (however flawed!) is conveyed and depicted by his language. He is getting paid for communicating. When he doesn't use communication well, he's putting forward a disrespect for the "game" (ie the rules, structure and boundaries) of language in general. Is it any surprise, then, that he also has such a blatant disregard for the rules of basketball? His flawed thinking about basketball is a metaphor in a way for his flawed thinking about basketball.
You are right that he appeals to the pre-adolescent viewers who like that chip-on-the-shoulder attitude. He confirms their childish desire to put one right in the face of the authorities. CBS pays him for this, because their only value is the bottom line, and they pander to their audience.
I just can't respect or even feel neutral about that. I don't lose a lot of sleep over it, since that whole view of life is so prevalent in our society that it's a nearly hopeless battle. But I can't keep from pointing out, in a thread called, "Defending the ANnouncers" that Packer's whole routine is indefensible.