The CBC's coverage of the FIFA under-20 World Cup over the weekend delivered more that was commendable than lamentable.
The telecasts had a quick pace. The camerawork produced compelling pictures and took us right to the field when close-ups were required. The production was slick and seamless.
The weakness was the work of the play-by-play teams.
Announcer Nigel Reed and analyst Craig Forrest were no better than average in calling Canada's game against Chile last night. They didn't set up the game, choosing instead to wax lyrically about the atmosphere at the stadium in Toronto. It was electric, we were told. What we really wanted was more information on the Canadian players and their opponents.
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Instead of producing a clear, quick description of the game in front of him, Reed too often talked generally about the activities on the field. He was behind the play on Chile's first two goals.
He wasn't helped much by Forrest, who provided little insight into the strategies of either team.
To be fair, both improved in the second half. The jitters seemed to disappear and they brought more energy to the commentary, which, in Forrest's case, involved complaining bitterly about the apparent diving of the Chilean players.
On Saturday, for the Poland-Brazil tournament opener, the CBC's second play-by-play team of Steve Armitage and Paul Dolan were guilty of a serious blunder when they missed the expulsion of Poland's Krzysztof Krol in the first half for an aggressive challenge against Brazilian star Alexandre Pato.
The best play-by-play, of course, is being produced by the British announcers working for the host broadcast. In addition to experience and skill, their bags of tricks included the usual number of offbeat and clever turns of phrase.
As Argentina applied pressure to the Czech Republic in a goalless match, Steve Banyard said: "They're like the big bad wolf, huffing and puffing, but they can't blow the house down."
After Scotland made two serious errors to allow Japan's first goal, Gary Bloom told us: "It was all gift-wrapped in tartan ribbons."
New hockey show
Finding a new angle for a hockey show isn't easy, particularly in July. But TSN did, and it worked pretty well.
Free agent Frenzy, which reported on the first day of National Hockey League free agency yesterday, was given the full trade-deadline treatment by TSN.
Analysts Pierre McGuire, Keith Jones and Doug MacLean joined host James Duthie. NHL insiders Gord Miller, Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger focused on the news. Dave Hodge's Sunday morning panel stayed late to provide their commentary.
There wasn't a lot of activity, but TSN did enough to keep the hockey junkies entertained. News and telephone interviews were backed up with discussion and debate.
McGuire, who last week called top-five prospect Alexei Cherepanov lasting until the 17th pick in the 2007 entry draft "unconscionable," did more fence sitting. On free agent Alexei Yashin, he said, "I wouldn't want him on my team."
MacLean got off a zinger of his own. He said television is better off without Brett Hull, who left NBC for a front-office job with the Dallas Stars.
Hull last season upset MacLean, still in his job as Columbus Blue Jackets general manager, when he said Columbus was a good city for hockey players to avoid.
Wick, Duff dumped
In Toronto, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has terminated Leafs TV host Brian Duff and Raptors NBA TV reporter Norma Wick. Their contracts were not renewed.
Chris Hebb, MLSE's head of broadcasting, could not be reached for comment.
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