Comments on: The Art Of Avoiding Clichés

By: NaBUru38

NaBUru38 — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:50:37 +0000

Some of the items listed by George aren’t clichés or catchphrases. “I’m just sayin’”, “actually” and “absolutely” are fillers. They fill the speaker’s emptiness.

Catchphrases are memorable and trademarked: Homer’s “d’oh”, Arnold’s “I’ll come back”. I like some, e.g. Latin America’s ESPN announcer Andrés Agulla’s “¡a lo que vinimos!” when the green flag is waved. Once everyone uses them the whole time, they become clichés nearly forever.

“No need to be overly excited all the time, or act like what everyone’s watching is always some epic struggle. Instead, the best of them will increase their rate and tone of voice if something exciting happens, yet still describe it so the viewers/listeners can follow along.”

Exactly! Announcer must make pauses, go up and down and slow and fast like a rolleroaster, depending on what happens at the race / match.

By: FordGT40

FordGT40 — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:17:42 +0000

How could you forget “Reach up thar and pull ‘em belts tight one more time!” by that Charlie Brown looking hillbilly sidekick of the Ultra annoying DW. Fox’s NASCAR coverage is easily the worst of all time. They seem to be paid by the word as well judging by the constant chatter.

By: JamesO

JamesO — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:30:13 +0000

Example (print): http://quicktime.cnnsi.com/inside_game/deford/990324/

By: JamesO

JamesO — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:27:31 +0000

If you feel like doing a Google search sometime, look up The Sports Curmudgeon. Frank Deford does it as a column once a year or so. It’s very funny and he hits a lot of the same notes. If you get the ones from NPR, you get the audio of him reading the column, and (I find) it’s even funnier.

By: delta3

delta3 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:22:48 +0000

I thought that your last paragraph was “just too funny” (that’s another cliche from out of my past somewhere). I enjoy your interesting blog. I always check it out after reading Curt Cavin and PressDog. Looking forward to your take on the IndyCar season as it rolls along.

By: redd

redd — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:28:48 +0000

how about “I’m sorry” or “I’m (pick one) quitting, moving, changing, retiring, leaving, not speaking, entering rehab–to spend more time with my family.”

By: Mike Davis

Mike Davis — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:01:43 +0000

Include me in on the clarification comment. I might think it was a “Jack Daniel shot” – “at the end of the day”.

Regards,
Mike D

By: Mike Silver

Mike Silver — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:36:16 +0000

You hit a home run with this spot on column. You sure came to write today. I hope at the end of the day everyone reads this and is good with it. If they aren’t, maybe you’ll get ‘em next time

By: gnome

gnome — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:05:47 +0000

As a Chicago fan, I had the joy of growing up with Harry Carey (it could be, it might be, IT IS!) and listening to Blackhawks games (…AND A SAVE!). I care less about an announcer’s so-called “catch-phrases”, and more about their style. No need to be overly excited all the time, or act like what everyone’s watching is always some epic struggle. Instead, the best of them will increase their rate and tone of voice if something exciting happens, yet still describe it so the viewers/listeners can follow along.

btw, you want any hockey questions answered, feel free to email. always willing to help new hockey fans, despite my extreme dislike for the Preds

By: Andy Bernstein

Andy Bernstein — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:11:16 +0000

That really took your column to the next level…but it’s better than re-runnung an old one, and expecting a different result ;}