Saville saw it all—and televised it
Curtis Saville, the longtime but now-former producer of Sportsnet’s curling coverage, is still in the storytelling stage of his career.
He’s got some good behind-the-scenes tales.
“Live TV is never easy,” said Saville. “Challenges come at you left and right, at all hours of the day or night.
Curtis Saville was honoured last spring“Last January in Red Deer, we awoke on our first broadcast day to a generator breakdown and a TV truck that was literally frozen. I called our boss to explain we likely wouldn’t be ready for air.
“However, our top-notch crew came together and miraculously had us ready for broadcast with only minutes to spare.”
Saville served on day one of Sportsnet’s curling coverage, which took place on Oct. 11 1998, just days after the channel debuted on Canada’s cable airwaves.
It was a final of a World Curling Tour event at Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club, which saw Kerry Burtnyk defeat Jeff Stoughton.
Sportsnet’s WCT coverage was a precursor to the creation of the Grand Slam of Curling series, which launched in the fall of 2001.
“The early Slam days were a lot of fun,” said Saville. “Covering a group of 18 teams that believed in making sacrifices for the greater good of curling was exciting.
“Our original analysts, Ed Lukowich and Marilyn Bodogh, were full of stories and character. And they were curling legends.
“In the early days our goal was to entertain, and push the envelope. No one had more fun with Rock Talk than Marilyn!”
Jordan Fontaine now sits in Sportsnet’s curling producer’s chair.
“I’ve worked with Curtis on the Grand Slam of Curling since 2012,” said Fontaine. “As our leader, Curtis always maintained a calm persona.
Saville (left), Tom Richardson and Jordan Fontaine“In live TV, the crew sort of adopts the energy of the producer, and having that ability, was a key trait for success. Producing live sports is very difficult, and the viewer at home would never know all that goes into it.
“Those that do it well, never yell... and that is Curtis.”
The Curling News asked Saville about some of his favourite memories.
“Looking back, it’s always the times we showcased the curler’s greatest moments that stick out,” he replied.
Tirinzoni in the fog • Anil Mungal-The Curling Group“The raw emotion from (Matt) Dunstone after winning his first Slam.
“(Silvana) Tirinzoni upsetting (Rachel) Homan in the fog in Paradise, Newfoundland and the wild celebration that followed.
“Covering the final games and goodbyes of curling legends Kevin Martin, Jennifer Jones and others.
Kevin Martin leaves the ice for the last time • Anil Mungal-The Curling Group“These and so many other great moments that we were a small part of was such a privilege.”
While he’s done with the day-to-day workload, Saville still consults on this year’s Sportsnet curling shows.
“Working with such talented and dedicated people is what I will miss the most,” he said.
Another pre-game for Team Edin • Anil Mungal-The Curling Group