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.
Carol Said,
October 21, 2010 @ 9:35 am
At this point, I really don’t care who the commentators are. I often turn the volume down and just watch the game. I just wish there was more TV coverage.
Doug Uyesugi Said,
January 15, 2011 @ 6:37 pm
Been watching the Continental cup coverage, Good work, the comutating makes the
proceedings more exciting, some curling trivia, did you know that Saint Albert has a Blvd named after a curler? The Hec Gervais Blvd. Keep up the good work Vic.
Elsie Said,
February 25, 2011 @ 7:53 pm
sso tired of Linda, Ray, Vic and what’s her name?? the favoritism is just unrealo.l Jones Jones Jones!!!!!!!!!!! in the 2011 Tournament of hearts. Get real and let us enjoy a good game of curling which we don’t get enough coverage for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a good day
Kathy Davey Said,
February 27, 2011 @ 3:23 pm
I have been watching the Scotties all week. Thank you for the great coverage. Howard has been a great addition to the broadcasts. He has relevant comments and good insight into the game. Linda Moore on the other hand is very bias and negative. I get really tried of listening to her drone on. In reading all the comments on this site; viewers have been saying this for over a year. Are you listening?
Laurie Court Said,
February 28, 2011 @ 12:20 am
We are very pleased that TSN is now covering the curling instead of CBC, however, Linda and Russ need to very careful that they are seen to be more impartial. It was very evident in the final of the Scotties this year that they were favoring Jennifer Jones and team Canada with the exception of a couple fo comments in favor of Amber Holland and team Saskatchewan. Vic on the other hand is very good at commenting in favor of both teams. Russ and Linda, please……. enough about how great Jennifer Jones is…. she can curl, but who wants someone with so little class representing Canada, not me, I am ashamed to say she is from Canada.
Laurie Court Said,
February 28, 2011 @ 8:06 pm
I was just thinking…… if Jennifer Jones fires her third Cathy O who had the best percentages on the team and they were Canadian Champions, who does she fire when she loses??????
You may be better off anyway, I would not want to be associated with someone who would treat a team mate the way that Cathy was treated. A disgrace to Canadian curling and not someone I would want representing Canada!
Way to go Saskatchewan, you curled better, were the best team all week and we are proud to call you Canadian Champions!
Lindsay Gilbert Said,
March 10, 2011 @ 5:04 pm
Linda and/or Russ,
Would you please explain why Jennifer Jones was allowed to defend her Canadian title at the Scotties and Kevin Koe, our mens Canadian champion, isn’t allowed to defend his at the Brier? Having one team rep from each province doesn’t necessarily mean that the best in Canada is going to win, and go on to represent Canada. As a curling fan I feel cheated because last years Canadian and World Champions are not competing at the Brier. Double standard or what?
DC Said,
March 11, 2011 @ 12:33 am
After listening to Russ Howard for the past week, he is beginning to wear thin. As a commentator he should be objective and impartial and he is not, especially when his brother Glen Howard is playing. He also seems to have a real problem with Kevin Martin–could it be jealousy??
DC
DB Said,
March 12, 2011 @ 3:47 pm
I have been listening for this entire Brier. Russ is so biased in his commentating it’s getting old. If he’s not making comments about his brother’s team then he’s making comments about Brad’s team. He’s very knowledgeable about the game and it would be such a pleasure to hear some of his knowledge actually say something nice about the other guys. For example, when his brothers team curled behind the button, instead of saying that perhaps its a little deep and now Martin can curl up to it, he states that his brother has done a great job in shrinking the scoring surface. Come on, really.
Jack Said,
March 12, 2011 @ 5:54 pm
Vic and Russ should probably gargle with Kaopectate in order to slow down some of the crap they spew.
Dawn Said,
March 13, 2011 @ 3:09 pm
Never have I been so disappointed in a curling broadcast as I was on Saturday, March 12, 2011. Linda and Russ your outright favortism towards the Glenn Howard team is an outright embarressment to your broadcast. Your favourtism takes away from your knowledge of the game and makes you both look terrible. I actually had to shut the television off as I was so tired of listening to the both of you. It really takes away from a great game of curling.
helen isaac Said,
March 13, 2011 @ 8:53 pm
i agree with the above comment from Dawn,we love the game of curling,,,,but getting so tired of the favoritism from all three of you.Please ,God forbid if you are all there nsxt year,try not to be so pro russ howard through the whole brier,or we will all stop watching curling,that will be too bad,as curling is losing it,s appeal and popularity,and we need fans like us(and there are alot of us here)think about it.
Jack Said,
March 13, 2011 @ 10:05 pm
Amen to above, It seems the whole crew needs to gargle with Kaopectate to at least slow down their bias. Linda sounds as though she’s been taking diction lessons from Nancy Grace.
denis Said,
March 13, 2011 @ 11:22 pm
Maybe Russ & Linda should stop bragging Glen as he’s been comming as a brides maid and never as a bride It shows that there are other good curlers in Canada. What about Jamie Koe I’ll bet that next year you better watch him
Carol Said,
March 16, 2011 @ 2:58 am
Dear Russ,
You were a breath of fresh air when you first started as a curling commentator but now you sound like the leader of the Howard Family cheering squad. PLEASE go through the Brier final listening for biased statements. If you can’t hear them, please quit this job. Your favoritism is only natural but it has no place in the broadcast booth. Please either hide your biases or simply back out of broadcasting when you have an emotional attachment to a player or team. You have lots to share! We’d like to benefit from your extensive knowledge.
Shirley Said,
March 16, 2011 @ 11:36 am
Russ: I agree completely with Carol’s comment (#38). Linda: goodbye, no hope of you changing and I can’t listen anymore. Vic: much better at the first of the year when you lost your “I don’t know anything”. Bryan: way to go!! Cathy: becoming a mini Linda? Please TSN listen to your curling fans. We can mute the sound, but then we have lost all interaction with the curlers. They wear mikes for a reason.
Ivy Walton Said,
March 24, 2011 @ 11:10 pm
Russ you have added so much to Curling. We as fans love you keep up the good work. You stay so biased and so know the game. You keep teaching our Bryan as he is going to be good too. Linda sorry you become so one sided it hurts. Vic you have had your day and were good at it. Go Saskatchewan go….
darlene buyck Said,
April 10, 2011 @ 1:46 pm
Am a 73 year old widow with lots of time on my hands, have never curled though have had family members winning championships in the 1950′s. While I don’t know an inturn from an outturn, I love watching curling and do not miss a game on TSN no matter what time of day or night it is broadcast. I follow every comment made by those three great commentators (Vic, Russ, Linda)it helps me understand the actions of those on the ice and develop a better understanding of the game. I really enjoy their cameraderie and history of the game. It often sends me to the computer to enlarge on it. In an hour the bronze game will be on, followed by the gold medal game, and then what will I do for such great entertainment! Also, I admire the sportsmanship of all lthe teams, what gentlemanly behavior. Chivalry is not dead. It lives on in curling and I love every minute of it from my couch.
lynn fraser Said,
December 4, 2011 @ 6:41 pm
loved the broadcasts today of the women and men….am looking forward to more….thank you all…..