Duffers is rubbish

miffedcp · June 2007

Ive always thought people on this forum were harsh in their critisism of David Duffield but today was the first time I actually sat down a watch Eurosport Coverage.

Im sure he's a nice guy and really cares about cycling but surly times have moved on...

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by miffed

Ive always thought people on this forum were harsh in their critisism of David Duffield but today was the first time I actually sat down a watch Eurosport Coverage.

Im sure he's a nice guy and really cares about cycling but surly times have moved on...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, we're living in more taciturn times now. Won't be long before the times are downright grumpy[:D]

You are right about Duffers tho.

Did you get planning permission for that sense of humour bypass?

PeteinSQ · June 2007

I like him. He comes out with some great little sayings, the "suitcase of courage" being my particular favourite.

Unknown · June 2007

He drove me mad on the Dauphine prologue coverage yesterday........screaming about how Zabriskie had just set a fantastic time............and he hadn't even crossed the finish line!!

I got all excited 'cos Dave Z was my PTP pick.

Time to put the old boy out to grass Eurosport.

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Unknown · June 2007

He's not that bad. It seems the media like someone charismatic to commentate on sports, no matter how bad/good they might be.

if you think Duffers i bad, listen to Jim Watt (boxing), he really is bad

Mleh Mleh Mleh

Unknown · June 2007

Where are David Harmon and Sean Kelly?

Duffers has been past it for years. He can't identify the riders, can't pay attention to the race, misses all the action and is obsessed with cheese. He also considers any english speaking rider British.

I think he's half senile.

TdG

nickwill · June 2007

I get particularly annoyed by the fact that he seems terrified to leave any gaps in the commentary. One half sentence blends into the next one. He had several minutes to identify the winner of today's stage. The number of the rider was completely visible several times, and yet he didn't notice it.

You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

Unknown · June 2007

Duffers detracts from my enjoyment of watching the race. If he is commentating I turn the sound off.
He very seldom talks about what is happening, but rather churches, meals and hotels.

Mindless chatter, not commentary.

time to put him out to pasture.

george

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pauluscp · June 2007

i have always been a fan of Duffers, but today i think he was at his worst. Some of the comments he came out with didn't even make sense. Several times he forgot what he had said moments before and then said them again. I cannot fault his enthusiasm for the sportbut maybe its time to put him back in the studio where last year i thought he was very good.

So many roads, so little time!!!

peejay78 · June 2007

sean kelly's presentation of the TDF official history is abysmal, borderline autistic.

winter: http://tinyurl.com/2xkbbs
summer: http://tinyurl.com/2hsagv

monty_dogcp · June 2007

The highlights coverage from yesterday was merely cut-down from the live coverage, hence the lack of continuity - try speaking into a microphone for 4 hours, maintaining enthusiasm and interest without repeating yourself? I agree that Harmon and Kelly are a huge improvement - but they've just come-off the Giro and need a rest before the Tour.

cq20 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by peejay78

sean kelly's presentation of the TDF official history is abysmal
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I disagree. It's not that good.

kmahony · June 2007

He was so bad today. If we're not careful we could start losing new cycling fans. Cycling has enough problems without confusing and incompetent coverage like that.

I gather (from this forum) that he's a nice guy and does a lot for cycling, but that shouldn't be a reason to keep him on.

If it wasn't for hangovers, I'd ride everyday.

angrynortherner · June 2007

Would it be better if he had someone else in the commentary box with him to assist? He's beginning to remind me of Murray Walker as he got older but they at least put someone else in the commentary box with him to assist him in reading the race.

Personally I'd rather listen to commentary in another language than Duffers.

Unknown · June 2007

it in English on cycling.tv [:)]

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angrynortherner · June 2007

My god, I just sat down to watch today's stage I recorded and I've turned it off after 20 minutes of listening to him apologise for explaining things as many new people were watching and they needed cycling explaining to them. Ok fair enough but I'm not watching any more Eurosport coverage with him on, I'd rather just read the results on line as he ruins the entire thing. Ask yourself, if you had no interest in cycling would you watch any program he commentated on?

Just what we need at this time, another reason not to watch cycling on TV.

kellys_heroes · June 2007

much as i feel sorry for the old codger..today took some beating.. i could have screamed the amount of times he apologised to people all because he wanted the british riders to do well.....its a british station for british people David...thats their tough if they are listening to it to learn english....he was a nightmare telling us about 4 times how he will get the best time and you could tell by the times with 200 metres to go that they would not beat the fastest time.....He needs to be put out to pasture now...tho i will Miss his 1 liners ......Sack cloth and Ashes.....Hang on to your Hats....Box of tricks....Bit black over the back of Bills Mothers [:D]

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PeteinSQ

I like him. He comes out with some great little sayings, the "suitcase of courage" being my particular favourite.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Suitcase of courage is Sherwen, isn't it?

Along with "like a strawberry in front of a donkey"

vermootencp · June 2007

I tried watching it on cycling.tv but the picture quality sucked balls, even though the commentary's good. And if I could inflict a painful wound on DD every time he said "hold the bus", "taps the side of his nose" or "in English money" then the universe would be in a state of grace and balance.

But think of it positively - Duffield doing Dauphine Libere means that it's David Harmon and Sean Kelly doing the TdF.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by kellys heroes
its a british station for british people David
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The transmission you see on British Eurosport is also on Eurosport International and that's seen all over the world, hence his apologies.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by peejay78
sean kelly's presentation of the TDF official history is abysmal, borderline autistic.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It's as if someone has a gun pointing at his head, just off-camera. I kinda like it though.

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sing_for_absolution · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by vermooten

But think of it positively - Duffield doing Dauphine Libere means that it's David Harmon and Sean Kelly doing the TdF.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Very true. They'll keep Duffield locked up in the studio horrah, while I presume Stephen Roche will be back to correct him! [:D]

tea is good

Keith Oates · June 2007

I saw it out here live and was also a bit disappointed with the commentary. However you can't fault Duffers enthusiasm for the sport!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ride Daily, Keep Healthy

Unknown · June 2007

He can be a bit bonkers, but tomorrow, turn the sound off and commentate for yourself, non-stop, all the way through the stage, and allow yourself only 1 or 2 mistakes. You can download race numbers I'm sure. Remember he gets the same pictures to work from as us. I think we can be too quick to criticise, he does an ok job. Think TMS and their obsession with fruit cake and Henrys obsession with red buses at Lords!

Also, if he is correct in his assertions today about all the new viewers, then thats good isn't it? Having stuff explained, like the commisaires car being red, may seem obvious and therefore annoying to us, but if this is your first time watching, well I think it's valid info.

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david_scp · June 2007

I have asked this before about him....is he on some sort of powerful brain medicine?

His constant half finished sentences, he loves saying Vinokourov a lot, David Millar became Davide Millar ( French accent?!?!), apologises again & again & again for the people not familiar with cycling. Believe me they won't be watching for very long anyway.

I am in a bad mood by the time the highlights finish, god only knows what it must be like to watch a stage live with that poor, old , senile man babling on for 4 hours or more. I shouted at the telly more times than I can remember 'He hasn't crossed the line yet, stop saying he has the fastest time'.

The worst commentary I have ever heard and I'm immune to this crap normally, having listened to Dougie F-ing Donnely commentate on lawn bowls before, this beats that EASILY!

I'm away to have a beer and try to calm down ;-)

pat1cp · June 2007

I've tried to put a positive spin on him and just laugh. Consider him a comical backdrop to the main event, he says tapping his nose.

Thor Hushvod (opposed to Hushovd) always brings a chuckle and he said it about twenty times yesterday.

Variety is the spice of life, and to be honest I'm a bit Harmoned out after the Giro.

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Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Maggot

He can be a bit bonkers, but tomorrow, turn the sound off and commentate for yourself, non-stop, all the way through the stage, and allow yourself only 1 or 2 mistakes. You can download race numbers I'm sure. Remember he gets the same pictures to work from as us. I think we can be too quick to criticise, he does an ok job. Think TMS and their obsession with fruit cake and Henrys obsession with red buses at Lords!

Also, if he is correct in his assertions today about all the new viewers, then thats good isn't it? Having stuff explained, like the commisaires car being red, may seem obvious and therefore annoying to us, but if this is your first time watching, well I think it's valid info.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">He will also have access to race radio so gets more than we could have at home to work with. I still maintain I'd do a better job because a) I would commentate on what is happening in the race and b) I wouldn't obsess over patronising casual viewers. No other commentator I've heard spends as much time repeatedly explaining basic stuff as dear old Duffers.

I'd love to see the figures for Eurosport's cycling coverage - I reckon they probably get a minimal amount of new viewers each month. To neglect your core audience for these is not wise commercially.

Unknown · June 2007

If you want to take care of new viewers, you can have 30 second explanations of various aspects of cycling cut into the footage at less active moments. Say explaining what a race commisaire does or what the leaders coloured jersey means. It could be pre-recorded and rolled out over the whole season.

Having an old man babbling about red cars and non-existant time bonuses is pointless. I understand the sport pretty well (I think) and Duffers sometimes confuses the hell out of me. What would he do for a total newbie.

TdG

hevipedal · June 2007

I enjoy eurosport coverage and have always enjoyed Duffers and the Dufferisms. But. I think Duffers is getting on a bit and possibly going a bit duffers..... sometimes I wonder if we are watching the same race.

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Aperitif 51 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Calvjones

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by miffed

Ive always thought people on this forum were harsh in their critisism of David Duffield but today was the first time I actually sat down a watch Eurosport Coverage.

Im sure he's a nice guy and really cares about cycling but surly times have moved on...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, we're living in more taciturn times now. Won't be long before the times are downright grumpy[:D]

You are right about Duffers tho.

Did you get planning permission for that sense of humour bypass?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ha ha - good post Calvjones! [:D]

103kg - kg361

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">andyp

London
United Kingdom
4726 Posts
Posted - 12/06/2007 : 09:28:41

He will also have access to race radio so gets more than we could have at home to work with. I still maintain I'd do a better job because a) I would commentate on what is happening in the race and b) I wouldn't obsess over patronising casual viewers. No other commentator I've heard spends as much time repeatedly explaining basic stuff as dear old Duffers.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I appreciate that he has race radio, but it's in French isn't it? I don't know how fluent you, or indeed Duffers, is in French, but listening to something in French, translating it and using the resulting info almost instantly is quite an ask. As to sticking to the racing, well during attacks thats fine, during climbs with people dropping off and climbing away, thats fine. A whole bunch rolling along for 30km over featureless terrain, well that is a bit more tricky isn't it?

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top_bhoy · June 2007

I haven't heard him for about 14 months but I always found him entertaining and good value in what could only be construed as trying circumstances. I guess everyone has a 'sell by' date irrespective of their career achievements and Duffers won't be immune from this but I don't think some of the comments in this thread need to be so barbed and nasty..

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slimreaper · June 2007

After watching both yesterday's and today's stages, I am sure Eurosport could have just dubbed yesterday's commentary over the racing from today and no one would have noticed. Again all he kept going on about was the lack of time bonuses, Coventry being the centre of The world and Thor HushVOD! He was even Whooping at one point as the leaders started a descent. I will still watch tomorrow though!
Andy

Duffers is rubbish

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