Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

I think that her commentary in general was pretty good. She accurately described play as it happened and used the same sorts of phrases as is the norm. She was a little repetitive at times, but that could be put down to nerves and at least it wasn't as bad as when Brayshaw used to spout out "Dukes" and "Prune" so often and quickly that I actually thought he was a "Dukes" and "Prune" novelty machine gun.

As mentioned her commetary was old school style, she didn't bring a lot of insight into what was happening off the ball or certain incidents/matchups etc that were influencing play etc like some of the better commentators do. This may come with experience/confidence and at the end of the day she was not special comments so as long as she can call play with the ball she is doing her job.

My big criticism (and one I don't think can be easily rectified) is to do with the tone/pitch of her voice. I am 180cm and no amount of hard work or natural ability is going to allow me to play as a ruckmen and I feel the same about her voice and commentary. My girlfriend was also sitting beside me and, without even mentioning it, she told me she thought her voice was "not right and quite irritating".

I commend channel 10 for their innovation and risk taking and am all for women in football. Boundary riders and panelists certainly do work. Given the right female voice I think it could work in commentary also. The right voice is critical for tv/radio. But for now it is a "NO" from me.

That's always going to be the problem with female commentators.

A male commentator has a deep voice that gets higher as he gets excited. A woman's voice is already high, so if she gets excited there's nowhere to go but squeal.

I think Underwood is conscious of it and tries not to get excited, unfortunately that makes her monotone.

Player recognition was excellent, though.

[The Underdog]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

I don't like her voice for commentating.

They need more people like Michael Christian, his commentating voice is awesome!

**** I hope you're joking.

[jazzadogs]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

Oh and did I hear correctly that they gave her the "commentator of the round award" on Before the Game?

Since when has this award been around and why would they give it when only 3 games of footy have been played so far this weekend? Lame.

They give out a player of the game award each Saturday, to whichever player says "yes" to being interviewed by them.

Seeing as it was a groundbreaking moment in AFL commentating, as a female has never commentated an AFL Premiership season match on TV before, they decided to bring attention to it and have a chat to her. I thought it was nice that they spoke about it, and gave her an opportunity to introduce herself to more football fans.

Didnt watch the Cats game though, so I can't comment on her commentary =]

[Remi Moses]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

heard her again today I think she is capable accurate . no problems with me. Rex Hunt on the other hand well.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

Liked her commentary. Not too much to beat anyway.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

That's always going to be the problem with female commentators.

A male commentator has a deep voice that gets higher as he gets excited. A woman's voice is already high, so if she gets excited there's nowhere to go but squeal.

I think Underwood is conscious of it and tries not to get excited, unfortunately that makes her monotone.

Player recognition was excellent, though.

Agree and agree. No question that she knows her stuff and I am not one to subscribe to the "hasn't played football or she is a girl and therefore she can't etc"

And I think you are spot on about the voice. In fact I heard that channel 10 actually made her practice preseason (before the last trial) not getting excited. Not being able to get excited makes Jack (or Jill) a dull commentator.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

WIERD

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

Liked her commentary. Not too much to beat anyway.

Spot on. Descriptive yet concise commentary. A nice change I thought. Compared to the others at 10, ie Quartermain, Lane & Christian, Kellie is already streets ahead of them in my opinion.

[hujsh]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

Didn't watch but I like the BT style of LOUD LOUD EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING which would almost be disturbing if a woman could replicate.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

Didn't watch but I like the BT style of LOUD LOUD EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING which would almost be disturbing if a woman could replicate.

I'm the opposite, I'd rather listen to a call that is precise and understandable. What I heard of it she did a good job. A lot better than some of the other commentators on Channel 10 or 7.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

I was interested when she sex or gender came into her commentary. She made a comment about a player that I missed but one of the male commentators (Christian?) turned it into a female commenting on a males looks and she assured him he, the commentator also looked OK, or something like that. That tension of a female 'caught' in a male world (or vica versa) can be amusing.
Her voice seemed strained to me, I didn't like the sound of it, this could be because I'm not used to hearing a woman calling the football but would be happy to get used to it. I don't like Luke Darcy commentating on the netball. I thought her comments were two dimensional, wothout wit or insight, just saying what I could see for myself. Soccer commentators are better, they let the play happen and the spectator observe with minimal input. Brevity is the soul of wit.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

Not a fan, still not sure if it's her voice or it just being woman's voice that I find disconcerting about it

Best mates wife (intelligent girl, left wing and a teacher) also commented that it didn't sound right - I thought I'd point out she is progressive given the situation.

I'll repeat my earlier sentiment that she clearly knows the game and players well, so I wish her well - I imagine the visually impaired amongst us would much prefer her call than Rex Hunt's. Perhaps I just need to get used to it/her

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

Not a fan, still not sure if it's her voice or it just being woman's voice that I find disconcerting about it

Best mates wife (intelligent girl, left wing and a teacher) also commented that it didn't sound right - I thought I'd point out she is progressive given the situation.

I'll repeat my earlier sentiment that she clearly knows the game and players well, so I wish her well - I imagine the visually impaired amongst us would much prefer her call than Rex Hunt's. Perhaps I just need to get used to it/her

Tautology.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

As I've stated, I'm not a fan of Underwood's work...but I'd rather listen to her voice than that of Fox Sports reporter Pablo Faggiano...god, his voice is terrible

[LostDoggy]

Re: Kelli Underwood as a footballer caller?

I think the reason why people dont like it is cause we arnt used to it..