"We" and "Us" in Broadcasts

[dsbyrd]

I know a lot of people aren't big fans of Bob Kesling. Of course, he's no John Ward. But I am getting to like him better.

I like Bert Bertelkamp too, and appreciate his knowledge of basketball. But it bugs me when he says "we" or "us" when referring to Tennessee during broadcasts. Sure everyone knows the announcers serve at the pleasure of the University. And while I think they are both as objective as humanly possible under the circumstances, using "we" or "us" tends to tarnish that. I wish Bert would use "Tennessee" instead.

I've heard announcers on the U. Mem. and Ole Miss. networks doing the same "we" and "us" thing and in that context, it throws me off- because I have to stop for a split second and figure out which team they are talking about, since I'm not a part of that "we" or "us."

Does this bug anyone else? If not, I will just try harder to get over it.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

Doesn't bug me at all.

 

[TennesseeFan07]

I could care less.

 

[dickens821]

Bert played at UT. He can say we or us as mch as he wants.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[SpringBokVol]

Bothers the crap out of me and it should not be done. I don't care who you played for there is no reason a journalist or broadcaster should be bias while on the air or in print. There is a reason that there is a no cheering rule in the press box and the same rule applies to broadcasters.

You lose all credibility if you use we and us.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

They are the broadcast team for the Vols, they are already biased in the position they have. They follow the team to every game. Saying you lose all credibility by saying "we" or "us" is ridiculous. By default everyone knows who are you are pulling for, it's just common sense.

 

[dickens821]

Bothers the crap out of me and it should not be done. I don't care who you played for there is no reason a journalist or broadcaster should be bias while on the air or in print. There is a reason that there is a no cheering rule in the press box and the same rule applies to broadcasters.

You lose all credibility if you use we and us.

LOL. They are paid by the University. Bert played here. He can say we if he wants.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[dsbyrd]

LOL. They are paid by the University. Bert played here. He can say we if he wants.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Actually, I'm pretty sure they are paid by IMG, but selected with the approval of the University.

And no one is disputing whether he can say it, just whether it is advisable. Bert's clearly a Vol but should try to the extent possible to check that at the door when he goes into the booth. I think he does a pretty good job of that, but for the "we" and "us" usage.

 

[dsbyrd]

They are the broadcast team for the Vols, they are already biased in the position they have. They follow the team to every game. Saying you lose all credibility by saying "we" or "us" is ridiculous. By default everyone knows who are you are pulling for, it's just common sense.

The debate is over whether this is an advisable practice, that's all.

 

[volmanbill]

They are the broadcast team for the Vols, they are already biased in the position they have. They follow the team to every game.

I agree. If they were doing a true national (not Vol Network) broadcast then I would expect impartiality. I love switching between football broadcast crews on satellite radio. While hearing our triumph is great, listening to the other team's defeat is just as sweet sometimes.

It's nice to have the flavor.

I also don't think the broadcast's would be near as passionate on a regular basis either.

 

[bleedorange0037]

I agree. If they were doing a true national (not Vol Network) broadcast then I would expect impartiality. I love switching between football broadcast crews on satellite radio. While hearing our triumph is great, listening to the other team's defeat is just as sweet sometimes.

It's nice to have the flavor.

I also don't think the broadcast's would be near as passionate on a regular basis either.

For the most part, the national media is pretty good at being impartial with their game broadcasts (with the obvious exception of the Tim Tebow love fest that took place during the past season, especially in the BCSNCG) But that's one of the main reasons people enjoy listening to the home-town broadcast, so they can hear announcers who clearly are partial to one team or the other. That's my whole reason for liking Mike Keith for the Titans broadcast, you don't even have to listen for a minute to know clearly what team he is pulling for. (I know a lot of folks around here don't like him either)

 

[lookoutmtnvol]

If you listen to any Ga, Ala, AU, Ky broadcast.....they do the same thing. It does not bother me in the least. I really expect it frankly.

 

[emainvol]

Bothers the crap out of me and it should not be done. I don't care who you played for there is no reason a journalist or broadcaster should be bias while on the air or in print. There is a reason that there is a no cheering rule in the press box and the same rule applies to broadcasters.

You lose all credibility if you use we and us.

So, a team's own broadcasters can't show bias? Please cite me some examples of broadcasters, who were employed to call the games for one particular team, and never showed bias.

 

[bleedorange0037]

If you listen to any Ga, Ala, AU, Ky broadcast.....they do the same thing. It does not bother me in the least. I really expect it frankly.

Exactly.

"We just stepped on their face with a hob-nail boot and broke their nose."

Thinking of that game makes me sick still to this day, but it's one of the more memorable radio calls in recent memory, and I'm sure Georgia fans love it.

 

[dsbyrd]

I agree. If they were doing a true national (not Vol Network) broadcast then I would expect impartiality. I love switching between football broadcast crews on satellite radio. While hearing our triumph is great, listening to the other team's defeat is just as sweet sometimes . . . .

So by this logic, a local newspaper, like the KNS should say "we" and "us" instead of Tennessee? Or do you draw a distinction between local print journalists, and local radio broadcasters?

 

[bleedorange0037]

So by this logic, a local newspaper, like the KNS should say "we" and "us" instead of Tennessee? Or do you draw a distinction between local print journalists, and local radio broadcasters?

To an extent, yes. Radio broadcasters are calling the games in real time, and "we" and "us" is common language for MANY fans. They are simply calling the game from their perspective as fans at the moment it happens. Print journalists on the other hand write their articles carefully hours after the actual events took place so they can be more selective with their wording. Also, KNS has a wide readership that encompasses fans of many different teams. I don't imagine a lot of people are tuning into the Vol Network unless they are fans of the team.

 

[dsbyrd]

To an extent, yes. Radio broadcasters are calling the games in real time, and "we" and "us" is common language for MANY fans. They are simply calling the game from their perspective as fans at the moment it happens. Print journalists on the other hand write their articles carefully hours after the actual events took place so they can be more selective with their wording. Also, KNS has a wide readership that encompasses fans of many different teams. I don't imagine a lot of people are tuning into the Vol Network unless they are fans of the team.

I just don't agree that they should be calling the games "as fans." They can love the University, be excited when good plays are made, etc., but I do expect them to be as objective as possible. But I'm beginning to think I'm in a minority.

 

[Bassmanbruno]

Bothers the crap out of me and it should not be done. I don't care who you played for there is no reason a journalist or broadcaster should be bias while on the air or in print. There is a reason that there is a no cheering rule in the press box and the same rule applies to broadcasters.

You lose all credibility if you use we and us.

Beep. Beep.

 

[tidwell]

Does this bug anyone else? If not, I will just try harder
to get over it.

Shoot, it bugs me when anyone other than members of the team says it. Not only with UT, but other colleges and even pro teams. Every time I hear it I just want to ask, "Really? What position do you play?"

I don't lose any sleep over it, but it does bug me for a second after I hear it.

 

[Bassmanbruno]

Actually, I'm pretty sure they are paid by IMG, but selected with the approval of the University.

And no one is disputing whether he can say it, just whether it is advisable. Bert's clearly a Vol but should try to the extent possible to check that at the door when he goes into the booth. I think he does a pretty good job of that, but for the "we" and "us" usage.

If you think Bert is bad then I hope you never had to listen to Larry Munson for any reason if you were traveling during a big game on a saturday... or the Kentucky basketball announcers.... or the LSU/Florida football ones... etc. It gets a lot 'worse' than Bob and Bert in that aspect.

 

[bleedorange0037]

I just don't agree that they should be calling the games "as fans." They can love the University, be excited when good plays are made, etc., but I do expect them to be as objective as possible. But I'm beginning to think I'm in a minority.

I guess it's just kind of a matter of opinion. I kind of like the idea of annoucers calling the game as fans. I think it would be fun to listen to a game (not on any sort of major station, but just for fun) with announcers that are clearly biased making jokes and talking trash about the other team and such. Kind of how me and my friends are when we sit around and watch the game. Maybe VN needs to have their own broadcast for Vol games, that would probably be pretty interesting.

 

[DowntownVol]

Bert is indeed the ultimate homer, and personally I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[lidderer]

it's entertainment, and inclusion is part of entertainment, and you want to create a sense of that in order to bring listeners/viewers into the fold. I 'get' objectivity and all, but we're talking about annoucing a college basketball game here, not serious journalistic reporting.

If it were CBS that might be a different story, but c'mon.

 

[RCKYT0P]

Bert played at UT. He can say we or us as mch as he wants.
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Agreed

Bothers the crap out of me and it should not be done. I don't care who you played for there is no reason a journalist or broadcaster should be bias while on the air or in print. There is a reason that there is a no cheering rule in the press box and the same rule applies to broadcasters.

You lose all credibility if you use we and us.

I think this is true for a national broadcaster. They should be totally unbiased. Bert and Bob work for the Vol Radio Network. They are hired by UT. IMO, all guys like this are a bit biased or homers.

 

[dsbyrd]

Well, I'm now convinced I'm in the minority. No accounting for taste. I will try not to let it bother me so much in the future though.

I was just reading this article and it made me think- maybe it's OK for the color guy to be a little bit more of a homer, as long as the play-by-play guys strives for some sembelance of objectivity. I don't recall Bob using "we" or "us." So in the future I will give Bert a pass.