Which TSN curling crew?
One of our favourite Canadian sport Tweeters is Peter James, who works for Canwest News. He keeps his eyes on The Roaring Game, so it’s only natural that he is one of our faves.
Some of his Tweet Peeps recently suggested that the TSN curling “morning draw” twosome of Brian Mudryk and Russ Howard are now the preferred commentators, over the old faithful threesome of Vic Rauter, Ray Turnbull and Linda Moore (seen in this Anil Mungal photo at left, along with stat/font wizard Dino Bavaro).
This was a most unscientific “poll”, as the numbers came in at four for the AM crew and one for the Old Faithfuls.
Then again, when a completely unscientific poll from the Moncton Worlds (conducted in two parts, here and here and with the results revealed here) is quoted as law by a British newspaper (!?) then who is to say that a quick Twitter query isn’t a semi-accurate gauge of the public’s feelings?
Certainly not us.
So we throw the question(s) open to you. Mudryk/Howard (who are on the air at 10:30am ET this morning for their last STOH draw) or the Old Faithfuls? Whom do you prefer… and most importantly, why?
Are the new guys a breath of fresh air? Is the threesome just like your favourite warm blanket?
Has Howard ramped up his monotone delivery? Has Linda dropped the overuse of statistics? Do you agree/disagree? Do you care?
Are the Old Faithfuls tired, and showing it? Are they simply weary of this error-prone Scotties event, and waiting eagerly for the Olympic Games? How did they do at the Trials, the Juniors, the Skins? How did they do last season?
We wanna know. So let’s hear it. While you wait for the next installment of What is this? … coming later today …
[click on photo to increase size]
Cindy Said,
February 4, 2010 @ 10:10 AM
Mudryk/Howard… hands down!
Cheryl21 Said,
February 4, 2010 @ 12:50 PM
Definitely Mudryk/Howard, I find the commentary better/more useful, with less focus on stats & ice times and fewer bad jokes/less useless chatter…
Leah Said,
February 4, 2010 @ 2:08 PM
Mudryk/Howard 150%
Please more Russ!
Sorry Ray, Linda and Vic
scott johnson Said,
February 4, 2010 @ 2:40 PM
brian and russ for sure! need them in afternoons too
Pete Said,
February 4, 2010 @ 3:34 PM
I don’t know, Brian makes more than his share of bad jokes. I definitely like what Russ brings to the table, but I’ve always liked Vic doing the games and I happen to like Linda’s stats heavy perspective. My preference would be a Vic, Russ and Linda team, which we might get next year anyway.
Paul Peacock Said,
February 4, 2010 @ 5:27 PM
Turnbull drives me insane:his favouritism (is he related to Kelly Scott?) is blatant. Ideal situation,lose him and replace him with Howard on the “A” team.Right now,the morning duo is easier to listen to.
Brent Said,
February 4, 2010 @ 6:04 PM
You can put me down as another vote for Howard. It’s always nice to hear his analysis on the shots.
Personally, I don’t find that there’s all that much focus on stats… in fact, I often time a few shots myself just to see how the ice is doing (as well as seeing how fast those heavy shots really are).
Tara Said,
February 4, 2010 @ 6:18 PM
I’m all for Brian and Russ! I find Vic, Ray and Linda are just a bunch of Debbie Downers these days-only focusing on the negative aspects of each shot.
Brad Said,
February 4, 2010 @ 7:46 PM
I prefer Howard and Mudryk as well!
Leah Said,
February 4, 2010 @ 8:27 PM
Mudryk/Howard all the way!
Ray, Linda and Vic’s time has come and gone!
Russ is so much more knowledgeable then all of the threesome put together and a lot nicer to listen to
I sometimes have to mute my television so i don’t have to listen to that threesome anymore.
GO RUSS!!!
GS Said,
February 4, 2010 @ 8:29 PM
I still like the old crew. Howard is good for analysis but he talks too much and bores me a bit, and Mudryk just doesn’t do it for me. Vic’s enthusiasm draws me right in, and while Linda does overdo the stats a bit and Ray’s gotten a bit cranky over the years, their banter and rapport makes it more entertaining. Unlike Cheryl21, I love the bad jokes and useless chatter.
Either way, both teams beat the old CBC broadcasting teams hands down.
Rant Said,
February 5, 2010 @ 1:50 PM
Time for a change – tired of comments re fudge, bottles of red wine, what Kevin Martin would do, and meaningless stats that are often compiled by non-competitive curlers(paper they are printed on can be used as wall paper).
Look for new voices and new prospective analysts – there are some excellent people who should be considered.
Pete Said,
February 9, 2010 @ 6:39 AM
The problem with the Ray/Linda team is that you just dont learn much.
Russ is the man, a genius of the game, with so many insightful comments that only a world class skip can make CBS’s Harris is good too).
Sorry Guys, time to pass the baton, PLEASE.
Janice Said,
February 16, 2010 @ 1:04 PM
I prefer Russ Howard’s colour and insight. Right now I’m actually watching the GBR vs SWE game instead of Canada vs. Norway so I don’t have to listen to the “A” team. I agree with Pete though I like CBC’s Mike Harris’s commentary too but they didn’t get the Olympics!!
Desmond Power Said,
February 19, 2010 @ 11:21 PM
Russ is great – a breath of fresh air (and fresh brains) for TSN. Vic is absolutely clueless. And everytime someone throws a rock, Ray and Linda blather on and on about ANYTHING but the shot being played. It is time TSN dropped the three stoozes and got someone behind the microphone who can talk curling. Maybe CBC will fire Mike Harris (they fire every good commentator apparently) so that TSN could pick him up to make a good match for Russ. If only!!!
Brian Said,
March 8, 2010 @ 6:22 PM
Make the game better and more exciting for the fans by: when a team steals an end they also get the hammer for the next end and not just the score. Prevents letting the team with the hammer just give up a point in order to maintain the hammer. This will make the steal much more exciting and the team with the hammer will be more creative with there shots in order to get the steal. We fans deserve a more exciting game as it is starting yo be mundane. Same old, same old stuff game in an game out, we deserve a change to make it more exciting. What do you think???
ross murray Said,
March 8, 2010 @ 8:05 PM
Russ .. I love listening to you .. you are the best analyst/comentator for curling. I have learned a lot.
More on TSN, and a prediction | The Curling News Said,
March 9, 2010 @ 10:49 AM
[...] has also been much debate, and lots of it right here on this blog, about the TSN TV curling commentators. The feedback thus far suggests that the newfangled team of [...]
Joyce Tonks Said,
March 10, 2010 @ 2:32 PM
I think Russ is a good commentator but when his brother is playing he really shows his favortism. He is worse than a Hockey Mom at times. Glen isn’t a tin god.
Joyce Heinrichs Said,
March 13, 2010 @ 8:34 PM
A Question???? Why does Nunavet not have a team in the Brier or the Scotties?
Deb Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 11:17 AM
I cant stand Linda and Ray, I have never heard two people say the word “mistake” so many times in a game as i did the Brier final. After just two ends of play I swear they said it 100 times. All they do is focus on mistakes instead of anything positive. Get rid of them.
Lora Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 5:53 PM
I enjoyed the change with Russ as commentator. Linda and Ray definitely have their biases with teams and how to play the game…..it has gotten old. Thanks to TSN for giving us the coverage, I love watching the game.
Leslie Said,
April 11, 2010 @ 1:34 PM
I enjoy Howard but Brian seems to find a favorite story, especially if he’s part of it, and never lets it go. Love the Oldtimers.