Curling Festivus - Also Known as January

 

January is not even half over  and if you follow #curling on twitter, you know that it has been an exhausting month.  People have been airing their curling grievances.  Most of it has been levelled at Curling Canada due to their sheer ineptitude in handling the Mixed Doubles Olympic Team selection.  Hopefully, it will be announced tomorrow and many of us will be upset with the pick but atleast we will be able to move on.  

So. although it started with Mixed Doubles, it hasn't ended there.  People have been airing their grievances about the current state of Canadian Curling.  January has really become Curling Festivus.  

I have one more grievance to air and it may be mine alone.  To be honest, I don't even like that I have this grievance.  It actually pains me that I have this grievance, but here it goes.  I think TSN needs to change their broadcasting line-up.  

It hurts me to say that because I really like, Vic, Cheryl, and Russ as individuals.  They are all incredibly talented and have done so much to advance the sport.  They have incredible knowledge, but I have to be honest, I put the games I watch on mute after the first end.  They say the same things over and over and over.  It is like watching curling commentated by my mom and her friend Judy.  

But, I give them a chance.  Every time I watch them, I create a bingo card of phrases that I expect to hear.  It also doubles as a modified drinking game.  Every time, I hit a bingo spot, I take a drink.  I don't drink the second time I hit the same spot or I would be comatose.  Regardless, my bingo card is full by the first end and I am drunk.  I am sure glad they only do 2 of the 3 draws a day during championships or else, I would be truly in trouble.  

Also, I do enjoy a little bit of banter, as we all do, but they need to keep their day jobs.  They are not comedians and we do not watch for comedy.  

It was tolerable until Sportsnet started getting into the curling broadcasting in a bigger way.  Now, I know it isn't fair to compare any broadcaster to Mike Harris.  Let's face it, he is the best curling broadcaster of all time, and that includes one of my favourites, Don Duguid.  Rob Foulds and Joan McCusker are also just stellar.  Joan is knowledgeable and compassionate. Rob doesn't view himself as just the straight man for someone else's joke.  I thought Kevin Martin might clash with Mike, but it turns out he compliments the team.  One of the best broadcasts I have seen was on UTube when it was just Mike and Kevin.  Unbelievably sharp commentary and analysis.  

Like I said, I love Vic and he has done tremendous work in advancing our game.  He is an icon.  My husband says, "make the final...." regardless of what sport he is watching.  But, it has been over 25 years.  I think it is time to pass the baton.  

I didn't think Russ would be successful as a broadcaster.  Mostly because, quite frankly, it wasn't a very likeable curler.  The exception would be the Olympics.  I think he was so humbled being an Olympian and given that opportunity, that his nice personality shone through.  But, when he was skipping, it didn't come out.  No question that he was gifted. But, his intensity was go great, it made him appear grumpy all the time.  His yelling out the sweeping calls will remain the gold standard at which yelling will never be duplicated.  It didn't come across as inspirational.  

Cheryl is probably one of the most intelligent women in sports.  She has the ability to see the big picture in so many ways.  There is a reason why she excels at the CEO of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.  So, it is sad watching such a gifted person saying the same thing over and over.  

But, back to Curling Canada.  We are all a little ticked with you over the mixed doubles debacle.  Maybe when it comes time to renegotiating broadcasting rights, you might pause for a week or two and consult OTP and Cdn Olympic Committee before making a decision.