Well, no he's not.

He's getting paid to fill the time between commercials in a way that doesn't scare off the viewers. Nothing more, nothing less, networks are in the business of selling viewers to advertisers. Apparently he doesn't scare off enough viewers so the advertisers keep paying CBS and CBS keeps paying him.

Pretty simple when you think about it.

Re: Re: Waaaaay off base
 

Juulie - I am in absolute agreement with you. Packer belongs in the same category as Dizzy Dean, who was chastised for saying things like "He slud into third base". At least Dean was funny. Packer isn't.

Bottom line, I can't imagine CBS losing a single viewer if Packer was replaced - except maybe Mrs. Packer and all the ACC fans.

Guys - I think I have some credibility here since I seem to be the only one on the board who has been both a basketball announcer and a basketball official.

Yea, I think you're right. I'm giving him way too much credit? Of course he's a cretin. He doesn't even floss! What was I thinking...

Credit?

Would you give a goldfish credit for eating the crumbs you drop in the water?

I've seen him floss. He puts the string in one ear and pulls it out the other.

Re: Re: Re: Waaaaay off base
 

Uh, one of two... I did it for 2 years for a D-1 school.

Keep in mind that these announcers have to learn jersey numbers and player names for up to 30 to 40 players. AND be able to recite those on the fly instantaneously as the action unfolds. It's a daunting task, and you can't blame them for stumbling every now and then. Sheesh, I mispronounced things many times, but always tried to never do it more than once.

I'll tell you, the one thing that irritates me to no end, is the term "Tobacco Road" anytime Duke, NC State, Carolina or Wake Forest play each other. NO ONE in North Carolina uses that term; they are trying to be hip cool and with it, and they are anything BUT that.

phil

Regardless of the play by play announcing, it was some pretty damned exciting basketball this past weekend.

AMEN!

ph

I guess if I have to explain that it was a joke, it wasn't a very good one.

I thought I might get some more items in the list of color commentary hardships, but instead I got a serious discussion. I guess I'll have to add more smileys next time.

If we are going to dress down Billy Packer for his grasp of the English language and how it puts out the wrong mmessage then how do we feel about Dickie V , Phil Rizzuto , John Madden and the like ?
Note that I am not comparing their rules knowledge nor their expertise of the game .
I just want to know if they should be taken off the air because of the way they talk .
Juulie - you are a good egg !
Yes it is a little slow at work...