[slarceSelia]

Sure, Murray was entertaining - I suspect that's what his employers wanted and liked about him - and that's a part of making sport enjoyable and interesting for viewers, casual or knowledgeable ones.

I don't for a moment doubt that Murray was, and remains, both an enthusiast and very knowledgeable about motor sport, but I don't think he was every likely to convey the full extent of his knowledge in his commentary. For one thing he wouldn't have had time left to describe what was going on, which was his main job after all, and also he invariably had an 'expert' (Hunt, Palmer, Brundle) alongside him to provide analysis and the drivers-eye view of what we were watching.

Spot on. Murray was the commentator, not the technical expert or whatever. Nonetheless, the features he's done for the BBC F1 website this year have been excellent.

I suppose a lot of it is nostalgia, he has been F1's main commentator in the UK to date. Most people know Murray Walker whether they're F1 fans or not. And personally, I find him far less annoying to listen to than James Allen or Jonathan Legard.

[exiceJetLip]

That list is bogus. 'Best Commentators of All Time' ??!? Should be UK's Best, but the article does not mention that.
I don't see Danny Gallivan or Pat Sumerall or Howard Cosell, etc., or for racing, Chris Economaki.

Most people have no idea who 95% of the commentators on that list are!

[obegeLype]

That list is bogus. 'Best Commentators of All Time' ??!? Should be UK's Best, but the article does not mention that.
I don't see Danny Gallivan or Pat Sumerall or Howard Cosell, etc., or for racing, Chris Economaki.

Most people have no idea who 95% of the commentators on that list are!

The article was published in a British newspaper, and voted for by British citizens. The title was 'Best Commentators of All Time', and every name on there is linked with British broadcasting. It doesn't claim to a worldwide comparison or it would be titled "Best commentators in the WORLD ever"..

I would expect a Canadian newspaper to have a list of all time great Canadian commentators, and it wouldn't bother me...

[KinicsBonee]

Murray Walker may be an F1 Icon and probably knows a lot about F1, but he really was not a competent race day commentator. Perhaps if he stuck to writing reports, delivering interviews and behind the scenes pieces, and generally became a leading authority in the F1 press/media world then he would be held in higher esteem. But all his knowledge and inside work could not save him from being utterly terrible behind the mic on Sundays. It was painful to watch and listen. He deserves his awards and recognition for his longevity and commitment to the betterment & promotion of F1 for decades. But there is no doubt that he would be a leading candidate in the hall of shame for actual broadcast performance on race day.

[exiceJetLip]

I would expect a Canadian newspaper to have a list of all time great Canadian commentators, and it wouldn't bother me...

I am sure it WOULD bother you, however, if the title of the Canadian version was 'Best Commentators of All Time', as this one does.

[KinicsBonee]

Murray and the idea of his constant gaffes have to be one of the biggest myths of all time. Probably because they are compiled and distilled down into video montages, books of quotes, whatever.

If you actually watch old tapes of Murray's commentary, 99% of the time he is insightful, had enormous background knowledge, and also kept the viewers up to speed with what was happening in the race off-camera (who was pitting, who was battling for 6th place, time gaps between positions, stuff like that). All while being enthusiastic and confident, with a distinctive voice that you would subconsciously associate with the sport in a split-second. Everything you'd want from a sports commentator basically.

His "gaffes" would generally be the result of a burst of pure enthusiasm or excitement, not senility or incompetence. And let's face it, those occasional mistakes just showed his human side and endeared him to us more. Who wants a word-perfect robot commentating? Yes he'll be remembered mostly for them but they tend to overshadow the fact he was a bloody good commentator.

that is not true, there is a wonderful channel on a website the broadcasts F1 races 24/7 and MW's gaffes and terrible commentary are on full display for all to see and hear. It was never about the occasional gaffe here and there compiled over 30 years. It was much more about the unbearable nature of his poor broadcasting skills on display each and every Sunday that was so painful and which left many people with a distinct opinion of the man.

He is like your endearing crazy uncle. You like him because he is family, but you are clearly aware that he is nuts.

[KinicsBonee]

Spot on. Murray was the commentator, not the technical expert or whatever. Nonetheless, the features he's done for the BBC F1 website this year have been excellent.

I suppose a lot of it is nostalgia, he has been F1's main commentator in the UK to date. Most people know Murray Walker whether they're F1 fans or not. And personally, I find him far less annoying to listen to than James Allen or Jonathan Legard.

you are right, but even in that capacity he was terrible. and in-fact it only makes matters worse in my eyes. As you folks say he, he was only charged with commenting on the race at hand while leaving the color commentary to the experts alongside. But he was so bad at that job I remember hundreds of times when his broadcast partners had to correct him on some of the most basic things. Sometimes I wondered if he was drunk or something because he would often get basic stuff wrong that the most casual fan would have not mistaken. Half the time, brundle would be embarrassingly correcting him on very basic race stuff....every race.

[obegeLype]

I am sure it WOULD bother you, however, if the title of the Canadian version was 'Best Commentators of All Time', as this one does.

Why would it bother me? If this particular poll was put out to a worldwide audience then I would expect the outcome to be different. The title is very brief in the way it does not state any boundaries. The fact that it was published in a British newspaper suggests it is biased to my nation. Had it been an American or Canadian commentator, I very much doubt it would not have been published in a British newspaper because its alien to its readers. The Daily Mail have a different version:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/art...tors-time.html
1st Richie Benaud
2nd Peter Alliss
3rd David Coleman

I've never even heard of the number one on this list.. But guess what, I don't care and I can't complain because I didn't vote....

This whole arguement is completely pointless really as its just the opinion of a group of people.

[PoideAdelereX]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richie_Benaud

I agree that he is, or rather was now he's retired, the best sports commentator of all time.

Retired?

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment...-1225797766576
YOU know how Richie Benaud is retiring this summer? Well, he's not.
...his new contract will take him through to April 1, 2013.

Richie was on the Triple M this morning having a chat to Michael Slater and Chris Gayle.

[ftqwhbvxlcfop]

Another Murray bashing thread. Really? Yawn!

[Attaniuri]

Well, those emotions and passion are a very good trait of a commentator, no doubt... but it was also Murray's weakness, forcing him to make too many mistakes. I have watched a fair amount of old races with Walker commentating and too often he gets overexcited ("Is it ? Is it ? Oh my god, this would be an incredible turnaround!! This will blow the race wide open!!") without concentrating, what really happened, and co-commentator correcting him moments later as a result. Passion and emotions are very good, but it would be better if they were controlled and canalized in the correct way. In fact, while watching any sports, it's a bit annoying, when commentator gets something completely wrong, while every casual TV viewer can comprehend immediately, what really happened.

[DrunkMans]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richie_Benaud

I agree that he is, or rather was now he's retired, the best sports commentator of all time. But, then, he was also a former pro who played at the very top level.

I agree, he is quite fantastic.

[EzekelEnzino]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mot...-all-time.html




A guy with no understanding of F1, who spent his whole time making a fool of himself and they rate him so high. What comedy.

Can anyone explain to me the phenomenon of Murray? Since the first time I heard him, I considered him an idiot and rather would mute the TV than listen to his nonsense.

As I often said more than 90% of the F1 'fans' know close to nothing about F1 so for them Murray sounded like a knowledgeable F1 commentator.

[ignonsoli]

Murray and the idea of his constant gaffes have to be one of the biggest myths of all time. Probably because they are compiled and distilled down into video montages, books of quotes, whatever.

If you actually watch old tapes of Murray's commentary, 99% of the time he is insightful, had enormous background knowledge, and also kept the viewers up to speed with what was happening in the race off-camera (who was pitting, who was battling for 6th place, time gaps between positions, stuff like that). All while being enthusiastic and confident, with a distinctive voice that you would subconsciously associate with the sport in a split-second. Everything you'd want from a sports commentator basically.

His "gaffes" would generally be the result of a burst of pure enthusiasm or excitement, not senility or incompetence. And let's face it, those occasional mistakes just showed his human side and endeared him to us more. Who wants a word-perfect robot commentating? Yes he'll be remembered mostly for them but they tend to overshadow the fact he was a bloody good commentator.

Murray knew his F1, no question. And I just loved his gaffes - they were just so entertaining that it made me laugh instead of fall asleep. There are websites dedicated to his gaffes, and I just love them. He made Bunsen immortal. I do miss him, that's for sure.

[ignonsoli]

Retired?

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment...-1225797766576
YOU know how Richie Benaud is retiring this summer? Well, he's not.
...his new contract will take him through to April 1, 2013.

Richie was on the Triple M this morning having a chat to Michael Slater and Chris Gayle.

Tru dat!!

[KinicsBonee]

Well, those emotions and passion are a very good trait of a commentator, no doubt... but it was also Murray's weakness, forcing him to make too many mistakes. I have watched a fair amount of old races with Walker commentating and too often he gets overexcited ("Is it ? Is it ? Oh my god, this would be an incredible turnaround!! This will blow the race wide open!!") without concentrating, what really happened, and co-commentator correcting him moments later as a result. Passion and emotions are very good, but it would be better if they were controlled and canalized in the correct way. In fact, while watching any sports, it's a bit annoying, when commentator gets something completely wrong, while every casual TV viewer can comprehend immediately, what really happened.

very well said

[KinicsBonee]

Murray knew his F1, no question. And I just loved his gaffes - they were just so entertaining that it made me laugh instead of fall asleep. There are websites dedicated to his gaffes, and I just love them. He made Bunsen immortal. I do miss him, that's for sure.

yeah, but would you give him an award for outstanding broadcasting?

[Paybeskf]

I loved old Murray immensely. But I draw the line at calling him the best of all time

[MrGunjMan_]

Murray twinned with James was priceless. When James was sober, he was the perfect foil for Murray's unbounded enthusiasm.

I did also like Murray's commentary of the BTCC during the Hoy/Cleland era.

Very amusing but informative.

[ElenaEvgeevnaa]

Murray and the idea of his constant gaffes have to be one of the biggest myths of all time. Probably because they are compiled and distilled down into video montages, books of quotes, whatever.

If you actually watch old tapes of Murray's commentary, 99% of the time he is insightful, had enormous background knowledge, and also kept the viewers up to speed with what was happening in the race off-camera (who was pitting, who was battling for 6th place, time gaps between positions, stuff like that). All while being enthusiastic and confident, with a distinctive voice that you would subconsciously associate with the sport in a split-second. Everything you'd want from a sports commentator basically.

His "gaffes" would generally be the result of a burst of pure enthusiasm or excitement, not senility or incompetence. And let's face it, those occasional mistakes just showed his human side and endeared him to us more. Who wants a word-perfect robot commentating? Yes he'll be remembered mostly for them but they tend to overshadow the fact he was a bloody good commentator.

An excellent post. Many in the commentary business would surely agree. But then the internet gives a lot of people whose views deserve no credence the ability to express them, doesn't it? Wonderful thing.