2018 World Championship

[Billy]

Watch a film called Trainspotting from 1996.

Or try reading Irvine Welsh's novel on which it was based. Impossible for anyone who lives outside Glasgow. Can't believe it sold as well as it did. I didn't think Glasgow was that big.

[Billy]

Not grammar in that case. Perhaps a Freudian slip. 'liar"

Ah, sorry. I'm not the most quick witted.

[gavpowell]

As a Canadian, I find all of the various British accents endlessly fascinating. The English guys sound very similar, but I can definitely notice the difference when it's a Scot, Irishman, or Welshman.

Can somebody tell me why Hendry's Scottish accent is less pronounced than that of Higgins or McManus. And why does Doherty say "tree" for the number three. Other Irish people don't seem to do that.

Doherty has a very strong Dublin accent and that comes with its own quirks, including the T replacing TH and saying de instead of the.

[mikeyd100]

That's interesting. One of my all time favourite films is "Gregory's Girl"

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082477/

I remember watching it and having to really concentrate to understand anything that was being said.

Watch a film called Trainspotting from 1996.

[Stony152]

Higgins and McManus are from Glasgow, or close to Glasgow. I think Hendry's from Perth or somewhere round there. Glasgow is west and Perth is East.

Accents can vary from person to person though. Mine is soft enough that I can get away with teaching people English, while there was a programme called Trawlermen about some fishermen from 30 miles away from me that was broadcast with subtitles, in Scotland.

That's interesting. One of my all time favourite films is "Gregory's Girl"

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082477/

I remember watching it and having to really concentrate to understand anything that was being said.

[MrRottweiler]

SD has always been like that in the CB. He's a great pundit, but oddly one of the worst commentators in my view.

I once asked, in my typical sarcastic way, why it..... takes Steve Davis, such..... a long time to....... put a sentence....... together.

I think the answer is that rather than just concentrate on the match, he's far too busy trying to sound clever, and those pauses are him searching through a thesaurus to find an alternative word, where the simple and most obvious is best.

His commentary always reminds me of this:

https://youtu.be/9s0LqZMsfTQ?t=4

For me, if they only used three commentators I'd be happy (four if I can add an unused one):

Taylor, Virgo (for the traditional, nostalgic element), McManus and Foulds.

I agree with Taylor and Virgo for any match but Willie should also be there. The indepth nature of their commentry annoys some but is what I like the most.

Steve also seemed to be going over the top a lot at moments that didn't warrant it. It's made all the more strange because he's not like that during daytime matches and it seems to be after dark when he takes on a different persona.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjp1Zrvn8VQ

[jonny66]

As a Canadian, I find all of the various British accents endlessly fascinating. The English guys sound very similar, but I can definitely notice the difference when it's a Scot, Irishman, or Welshman.

Can somebody tell me why Hendry's Scottish accent is less pronounced than that of Higgins or McManus. And why does Doherty say "tree" for the number three. Other Irish people don't seem to do that.

Higgins and McManus are from Glasgow, or close to Glasgow. I think Hendry's from Perth or somewhere round there. Glasgow is west and Perth is East.

Accents can vary from person to person though. Mine is soft enough that I can get away with teaching people English, while there was a programme called Trawlermen about some fishermen from 30 miles away from me that was broadcast with subtitles, in Scotland.

[Stony152]

As a Canadian, I find all of the various British accents endlessly fascinating. The English guys sound very similar, but I can definitely notice the difference when it's a Scot, Irishman, or Welshman.

Can somebody tell me why Hendry's Scottish accent is less pronounced than that of Higgins or McManus. And why does Doherty say "tree" for the number three. Other Irish people don't seem to do that.

[Stony152]

My word, Stony! You've certainly got your 'grammar police' hat on tonight.

Not grammar in that case. Perhaps a Freudian slip. 'liar"

[Billy]

Hmmm.......

My word, Stony! You've certainly got your 'grammar police' hat on tonight.

[jonny66]

Yet Ronnie O'Sullivan has "written" 2 novels, and people bought them. Not including the autobiographies that should really just be called biographies.

[Stony152]

Tony Bliar used to...........have big pauses in his.........speeches and it was............well boring and tedious.

Hmmm.......

[Steve748]

Tony Bliar used to...........have big pauses in his.........speeches and it was............well boring and tedious.

[Billy]

That just reminded me of Steve's commentry box coverage last night which became slightly odd because he couldn't seem to say a sentence of four or more words so would be stringing together short phrases. Dennis seemed to be helping him out a bit and taking over when Steve was saying something obvious but the standard of Snooker was so good it wasn't that noticable. I agree that Steve is definitely much better in the studio.

SD has always been like that in the CB. He's a great pundit, but oddly one of the worst commentators in my view.

I once asked, in my typical sarcastic way, why it..... takes Steve Davis, such..... a long time to....... put a sentence....... together.

I think the answer is that rather than just concentrate on the match, he's far too busy trying to sound clever, and those pauses are him searching through a thesaurus to find an alternative word, where the simple and most obvious is best.

His commentary always reminds me of this:

https://youtu.be/9s0LqZMsfTQ?t=4

For me, if they only used three commentators I'd be happy (four if I can add an unused one):

Taylor, Virgo (for the traditional, nostalgic element), McManus and Foulds.

[Stony152]

That just reminded me of Steve's commentry box coverage last night which became slightly odd because he couldn't seem to say a sentence of four or more words so would be stringing together short phrases. Dennis seemed to be helping him out a bit and taking over when Steve was saying something obvious but the standard of Snooker was so good it wasn't that noticable. I agree that Steve is definitely much better in the studio.

It reminds me a bit of tennis. John McEnroe was a great player and is by far my favorite analyst. Mats Wilander, on Eurosport, comes across as pompous ass and I find him to be annoying. Boris Becker does some work with the BBC during Wimbledon and he is ok, but nowhere close to as good as McEnroe.

As far as women, I can barely stand listening to Tracy Austin or Chris Evert. Both were great players, but their commentary is cliche filled and boring. Mary Carillo, who was barely a tour player is (or at least was) infinitely better.

When it comes to snooker, it's really hit and miss. Hendry is very good. Ebdon is getting there. McManus (accent aside) is quite good. Joe Johnson and Mike Hallett are terrible. Virgo and Taylor are way past their expiration dates, but I prefer them to Ken (tree) Doherty.

Of course, many people will disagree with some of these assessments. When it comes down to it, it's a matter of personal taste.