[Rossoneri]

I just finished watching the 3rd segment of the Finals of the above-mentioned event and I was rather disappointed with the commentators.

The standard of the play was far from perfect, but in my opinion, so was the commentary. One pair gave a wrong stayman response on board 4, and the commentators kept harping on that mistake all the way even till board 10.

I could list many other examples, but the overall impression I got from the commentators was that they had very little respect for the players. Maybe I might be over-sensitive, but the general tone that was impressed to me was rather sarcastic.

I do not see this happening when the particular few commentators (mostly European) in question are commenting on European/American events. I do not see such comments being made when players in these events make such mistakes.

[Walddk]

Since I am responsible for inviting commentators, I would like to make a few comments.

I was there (open room) for about half of the match in question: boards 13, 14, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and I was also among the commentators. When I left the following had been commentating:

Liz McGowan (cuttysark), David Greenwood (jtr), Richie Reisig (reisig), Jim Hay (ahh), Arifin Halim (ahalim) and Liliek Sudirahardjo (westjava). After I left Henri Schweitzer (ritong) joined at some point.

I am obviously familiar with the comments that were made while I was there, and after I read your post I have been through the commentary for all 14 boards.

My overall judgement is that the commentary was relaxed, humorous and sometimes ironic, perhaps even sarcastic as you point out. It is obviously inappropriate for any commentator to be disrespectful to a player. BBO does not condone that, and if I think a commentator has been rude, I will let him or her know.

I think it's fair to say that the bridge shown during that particular match was a great deal below the usual standard on BBO vugraph, and I don't think it is disrepectful to make that point. When a pair gets a response to Stayman wrong, or when the 2♣ bidder forgets their agreement (we don't know which), I think it's perfectly legitimate to comment.

We are all humans, and sometimes we say something we should not have said. BBO vugraph commentators are no different from other people around the world. I honestly don't think that rudeness was part of the commentary, and it has definitely nothing to do with where in the world we are and where the commentators come from.

To the best of our ability we treat everyone with the respect he/she deserves.

However, I can also understand your disappointment if you think that the commentators did not show respect for the players. You are entitled to your opinion, and if that is the case I am prepared to take the full responsibility and apologise.

I trust everyone I invite to join as a commentator. I can't control what people type, but if a commentator oversteps the line (let me repeat that I don't think it happened here) I am the one to blame. You have to take the rough with the smooth when you are in my position.

I am truly sorry if we disappointed you and perhaps other spectators. We will do all we can to do a better job next time.

Roland
(Walddk2)

[ahh]

as one the commentators involved i can assure you that certainly no disrespect was intended to any of the players after all they are good enough to play in these events and i am just a mere commentator. however all commentators have their own style mine tends towards the more flippant humerous approach and i have learnt over the years of commentating that my sense of humour is not universally shared and from time to time jokes fall flat or there are language problems or whatever. i take on board all criticism and hope to learn from it. if you are watching and this applies to anybody watching and you think i have overstepped the mark message me with your concerns . I can also assure you that if i am commentating onplay from anywhere i will not sit on the fence. if the standard is not good . it doesnt matter to me where the players are from if they play well they get praise and if they play badly they do not and they will be criticised if they make blatant errors. I feel our job is to entertain educate and inform but not always in that order . as a gesture of goodwill i will forgo my fee for that session

[skjaeran]

ahh, on Aug 12 2007, 12:55 PM, said:

as a gesture of goodwill i will forgo my fee for that session

What's your fee then, Jim?
One or two virtual cokes per session?

[Rossoneri]

ahh, on Aug 12 2007, 06:55 PM, said:

as one the commentators involved i can assure you that certainly no disrespect was intended to any of the players after all they are good enough to play in these events and i am just a mere commentator. however all commentators have their own style mine tends towards the more flippant humerous approach and i have learnt over the years of commentating that my sense of humour is not universally shared and from time to time jokes fall flat or there are language problems or whatever. i take on board all criticism and hope to learn from it. if you are watching and this applies to anybody watching and you think i have overstepped the mark message me with your concerns . I can also assure you that if i am commentating onplay from anywhere i will not sit on the fence. if the standard is not good . it doesnt matter to me where the players are from if they play well they get praise and if they play badly they do not and they will be criticised if they make blatant errors. I feel our job is to entertain educate and inform but not always in that order . as a gesture of goodwill i will forgo my fee for that session

Nope, as far as I remembered you were okay...I actually privately messaged one of the commentators whom I felt was overdoing things a bit.

I think yesterday (Sunday) the same group covered the final session and that was fine. Thanks for all the hard work!