The mysterious changing accents of commentators...

C

Craig Braddick

At the Start
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Jul 28, 2008
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Location
Charleston, WV
Hi People:

I first began going to racecourses to practice my commentating when I was 12. I mention this because at that age my voice had not fully broke (it probably didnt finally settle until my mid 20's in fact) but I have always been aware of the accents of commentators. One of the reasons I wanted to be a commentator when I was a kid was because I had a bad speech impediment which therapy did not help. "O" sounds I pronounced as "Ur" I lisped "S's" and although I try not too, to this day I sometimes say the word "three" as "free." But, by and large, I can hide it.

When I was a teen, Graham Goode would often emphasise to me how important it was to speak the Queen's English as a commentator. For example, this is GG calling in 1996

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LIN6ohp350&feature=related

This is GG calling in 1982

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jh41TCp8yw

Evidently, (at least to me) his accent is far more plummier and middle-class than in 1982 than 1986. Does this reflect a change in style of commentating, is it evidence of dumbing down of broadcasting, evidence of trying to appear more accessible to people of lesser classes? What do you think?

Conversely, here is John Penney and Raleigh Gilbert in 1980:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lu86_rNsvg&feature=related

And in 1992:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnsrnuXjNrQ

Gilbert and Penney's voice dont seem to have changed much over a similar period of time. To me, they never sounded old-hat or especially plummy, but maybe I am wrong. What do you all think?

Couple of other questions that have always intrigued me:

1. I never knew John Penney but always liked his voice but it seems to me he has an accent I cannot place. Does anyone know what kind of accent it is and have any thoughts on him as a commentator?

2. Why did GG become the #1 ITV commentator in 1981, Raleigh Gilbert remained second and John Penney relegated to third? I was too young and nervous to ask either GG or Raleigh this when I was a kid, so if anyone knows, I have wondered since I was five years old!

Cheers,

Craig
 
G Goode was in action as MC and commentator at Market Rasen a week or so ago on Summer Plate day - I'm sure you could email; him c/o the track and ask him!

Was he always so fat?? I was trying to photograph the Best Dressed Ladies for a racing 'social magazine' and he kept getting in the shot LOL
 
Headstrong said:
G Goode was in action as MC and commentator at Market Rasen a week or so ago on Summer Plate day - I'm sure you could email; him c/o the track and ask him!

Was he always so fat?? I was trying to photograph the Best Dressed Ladies for a racing 'social magazine' and he kept getting in the shot LOL
Click to expand...

LOL! I actually have his addy and phone number but as I have not seen him for 14 odd years and he last knew me when I was a child, it would probably not be very appropriate to ask, even though I have wanted to know since I was five!

Have no idea if GG considers himself a best dressed lady (which at Market Rasen, seems a cruel joke, but maybe it has changed since I was there in 1991) but he has always had a slightly expansive carriage, as I remember. But then, so do I. We can't all look like Mike Cattermole, ya know!

THanks for giving such an indepth and meaningful response to the points I labored long over in the OP! :)


Craig
 
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I find it hard to believe that Ms. Leader has fallen for the rather obvious charms of MC.

There is no doubt that he is one 'andsome bastid, but I have heard that is home is literally over-flowing with mirrors.

Is there/has there/ will there ever be a Mrs. Cat?

My belief is, that yer man is full o'shite!:p;)
 
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