The Annual Paul and Phil Appreciation Thread

[graf zeppelin]

Originally Posted by discobean7

Great idea. I've been trying it for the ITT today. I think the Eurosport audio is maybe 10 seconds behind what is shown in OLN. It's hard to tell right now since Sean Kelly and company are talking about a million things that aren't on OLN. Actually it's synced pretty well right now, definitely worth doing.

Agreed. This is a great thing to do. Recommend it very highly. The commentary is far more international and has more actual cycling-specific content. I've been enjoying it for the past few days. You get continued race coverage through the mass of OLN commercials and programming plugs too. The lag time between audio and video is some 30 seconds or so, give or take a little bit, but it is not at all distracting.

The downside about Paul and Phil's commentary right off the bat is the all too obvious slant towards American cyclists involved in the race, as well as tending to cater towards less informed viewers. I think this is due in large part to OLN's preferences for what the coverage is and who they think the audience actually is. I think OLN is making some assumptions about the preferences and cycling knowledge of the audience that is a bit off. OLN also has too many commercials, breaks, programming plugs and commentary/features about tangental things (rider bios, bike tech, Lance interviews, stage summaries) for my taste.

Still, the upside is Phil and Paul can be rather entertaining, and OLN is at least bringing cycling in some form to the US and I have to give a thumbs up just for that at least.

[Eldrack]

Paul and Phil also do the commentary for the coverage shown on ITV3/ITV4 here in GB. Its not that bad but some of the stuff they say has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

[Bro Deal]

Originally Posted by Eldrack

Paul and Phil also do the commentary for the coverage shown on ITV3/ITV4 here in GB. Its not that bad but some of the stuff they say has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

I think every year Sherwen increases descent speeds by a mile or two an hour. They were doing 75 mph today. In twenty years I expect riders to be bombing descents at 100 mph.

[meehs]

Originally Posted by Eldrack

Paul and Phil also do the commentary for the coverage shown on ITV3/ITV4 here in GB. Its not that bad but some of the stuff they say has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Agreed. I watch them here in the USA on OLN. And contrary to some others here, I actually think Roll is pretty good. In my opinion adds some (albiet dorky) much needed "comic relief" to Paul and Phil's otherwise drab commentary.

[DiabloScott]

OK, my biggest Phil pronunciation gripe is "Alethandro Valverde" It's a J and it's pronounced like a raspy H.

[Deli]

Originally Posted by DiabloScott

OK, my biggest Phil pronunciation gripe is "Alethandro Valverde" It's a J and it's pronounced like a raspy H.

I'm not sure, but in some regions of Spain, isn't it pronounced "th"?

I thought, especially in Catalan areas, this was true.

Or, maybe Phil is just wrong.

[roundsquare1]

I am happy to watch bike racing regardless who's doing the play by play.

10-15 years ago you'd have to read about it in the paper.

Originally Posted by TrekDedicated

Once again, Paul and Phil cease to amaze me. Their commentating skills are spectacular. Never a dull or useless comment made. I believe it is their 21st year together and you can tell, they feed off each other so well.

Props to them.

The Tour is even better with them!

[meehs]

Originally Posted by roundsquare1

I am happy to watch bike racing regardless who's doing the play by play.

10-15 years ago you'd have to read about it in the paper.

Yeah, good point. Here in the good old U.S. of A. we had to wait until the December issue of VeloNews came out before we got the details on what happened in the Tour de France.

[DiabloScott]

Originally Posted by Deli

I'm not sure, but in some regions of Spain, isn't it pronounced "th"?

I thought, especially in Catalan areas, this was true.

Or, maybe Phil is just wrong.

No, a Z is pronounced "th". Phil is saying it as if it were spelled Alezandro. And AV is from Murcia. I think he's thinking the Spanish equivalent of Alessandro should be Alethandro, but it just isn't.

[Mansmind]

Originally Posted by Bro Deal

I think every year Sherwen increases descent speeds by a mile or two an hour. They were doing 75 mph today. In twenty years I expect riders to be bombing descents at 100 mph.

LOL! I've noticed the same thing. It's amazing when you see these guys pedaling at what appears to be 100 rpm or so, but they're doing over 70 mph.

[Dead Star]

Seeing Phil talk about how how Voeckler was really working to stay in front, while he was in the process of being caught, was silly .

[moviekindoflife]

during today's stage phil called floyd "leipheimer" two separate times at least, maybe even more. I guess if its an american guy who doesn't ride for disco then it doesn't matter what his name is.

[PartisanRanger]

Originally Posted by moviekindoflife

during today's stage phil called floyd "leipheimer" two separate times at least, maybe even more. I guess if its an american guy who doesn't ride for disco then it doesn't matter what his name is.

Lol, I noticed this too. I was wondering if paul would correct him, but alas he didn't.

[Dead Star]

some proper jerking off from the two of them in the last couple of kilometres. How is Bruyneel a 'master tactician' for Popo's win today? I'm sure any rider on any team who had the legs would've done exactly what he did in his situation.

[whiteboytrash]

Originally Posted by Dead Star

some proper jerking off from the two of them in the last couple of kilometres. How is Bruyneel a 'master tactician' for Popo's win today? I'm sure any rider on any team who had the legs would've done exactly what he did in his situation.

To be honest Phil and Paul are the McDonalds of cycling commentators whilst EuroSport is for the true aficionados who understand the sport.... the Americans viewers like the automatic camera version of Phil and Paul whilst people like myself use the full spec SLR camera for the real Tour experience...