Steve K Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 I see that this magnificent showcase (!) of sporting excellence has come around again - is it just me, or is it one of those shows which none of us plan to watch, but do anyway, and then spend half of the time shouting at the screen "Get on with it!"? They were discussing it on Talksport this morning, for want of anything better to talk about, I guess, and it set me wondering - as my subtitle indicates - what's the point? This year, we'll have a 2-hour show, packed with everything that's happened in 2009, at the end of which Jenson Button will be given a trophy - because, let's be honest, whatever your opinion of F1, JB has been the only sportsman who's stood out this year, and has been in the news throughout 2009. What's more, he actually seems to have a personality. On the radio, they were debating whether Tom Daley's sport of diving should even be called a sport, because results are gained by subjective, not objective, scoring (unlike darts, for instance!) - then, in the next breath, they were suggesting that jockeys or horses should be nominated! All well and good, but in my opinion, any sport that exists solely for the purposes of betting should not be included either. So, that's my two penn'orth - what do you all think? Is diving a sport? Darts? Competitive eating? Who'll win the BBC's proze this year? Most importantly, perhaps, does anyone even care? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Taz Posted December 1, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 1, 2009 Most importantly, perhaps, does anyone even care? No.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted December 1, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 1, 2009 Ton Daley's sport of diving should even be called a sport, because results are gained by subjective, not objective, scoring just like boxing (when there is not a knockout), dressage, ice skating, gymnastics, ski-jumping (partly)... They ought to change the title, or make sure the winner actually has a personality. "BBC Most Filmed (on BBC) Sports Person of the Year" anyone ? Stu Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve K Posted December 1, 2009 Author Share Posted December 1, 2009 This year, we'll have a 2-hour show, packed with everything that's happened in 2009, at the end of which Jenson Button will be given a trophy. It seems I'm not alone in my view - checking some on-line betting sites, the best odds I could find on JB were 4-5 (still, that's nearly doubling your money...), whereas you could get 150-1 on Andy Murray! My feelings about BBCSPotY are mixed, I guess - on the one hand, yes, have a prize at the end of the year, but on the other, don't bore us with 2 hours of piffle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted December 1, 2009 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 1, 2009 just like boxing (when there is not a knockout), dressage, ice skating, gymnastics, ski-jumping (partly)... They ought to change the title, or make sure the winner actually has a personality. "BBC Most Filmed (on BBC) Sports Person of the Year" anyone ? Stu It should become The Sporting Achievement Awards (whatever year) and then include all sorts, especially including those that compete/take part despite disadvantage (examples: cyclists with no sight, a sailor with no use of legs or arms). There is so much going on with sport that rehabilitates, encourages and enables people to achieve in so many ways. There should be no nonsense such as the team that never wins or the Eddie Eagle runner up award, however there could be a section where tales of' interesting incidents' are recounted! Various 'personalities' could be 'rewarded' by being invited to present awards to others, even if they have limited social skills; (some young people will count these people as heroes, so only those that have not been seen to cheat/ fake blood injury, spit, argue and generally bring their sport into disrepute should be included). If there is already a programme that does all this then my apologies. 36E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOARD OF TRADE Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 I must admit I rather enjoyed the show many yrs.ago when,after arranging and in order to get around the sporting sanctions against S.Africa The Daily Mail flew(the white obviously)Zola Budd to Britain and for whom British Citizenship was granted before her jet had taxied to the Terminal,the said Ms.Budd duly won and having returned to S.Africa prerecorded her acceptance speech which she made in Afrikaans. Priceless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Why don't any of the "personalities" have any personality? Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 just like ....dressage..... That reminds me: it has been years since we last had a horse voted as Sports Personality of the Year.... "Sea The Stars", anyone? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve K Posted December 1, 2009 Author Share Posted December 1, 2009 That reminds me: it has been years since we last had a horse voted as Sports Personality of the Year.... Nooo! Red Rum winning was a one-off joke, surely? I think the clue is in the first 6 letters of "personality" - not that I'm saying that Wayne Rooney (to take but one example) has a more winning personality than your average racehorse, but then, I'm not suggesting him, either! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold pirouets Posted December 3, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 3, 2009 I like just about all sports, but I watched last years and it was the most boring thing I had seen in ages. They need to get back to being a sprint through the key events of the year, rather than making sure everything is covered for the sake of it even if nothing happened in that sport. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Like most of the rest of the broadcasting output, it has been dumbed down to the point of total mediocrity, and distilled for the benefit of the short-attention-span, X-factor/ I'm a Celeb watching, unthinking masses sat there with a can of lager in one hand a cigarette in the other, and with a flickering screen in front of their eyes. I doubt that many could even tell you what had happened by the following morning [Rant mode off] Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonBradley Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 "with a glass of brandy in one hand, a cigarette in the other, and with a flickering screen in front of his eyes. I doubt that he could even tell you what had happened by the following morning" There's no need to bring me into this discussion! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve K Posted December 13, 2009 Author Share Posted December 13, 2009 Well, there you go. I managed to avoid watching the show, apart from 10 minutes near the middle when Eddie Jordan was playing the drums. I've seen the result, though, and I have to admit I'm puzzled. Now, let me state right here that if any current footballer is worthy of an award, then Ryan giggs is that man - quiet, unassuming, and a man who's quietly gone about his job, with great distinction, for 20 years. However, I don't quite understand why he has won this award, at this time. I don't see that 2009 has been a year in which he's stood out. This was "Sports Personality of the Year", after all. Yes, of course, the lad's setting all kinds of records for longevity in his sport, and his team won the title again, but to me, this hasn't been the year of Ryan Giggs. On the other hand, this has been the year that Jenson Button has exploded back on the scene, when David Haye became a household name, when Jessica Ennis became World Champion... Still, good luck to him, even if the result was a fix (or, charitably, the result of Facebook campaigning). At least we didn't get a Zara Phillips-type of winner. Who the heck voted for her the other year? I think you see why I chose not to watch... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Max Stafford Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Personally, I think David Haye should be awarded a CGM just for getting in the ring with Valuev - probably the scariest looking boxer I've ever set eyes on...! Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Lambton58 Posted December 13, 2009 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 13, 2009 I'm not going to try and defend the BBC but I don't share the negativity here. I know not everyone liked the format or the choice of winner ( whoever people voted for) but it's an modern award show so I'm not expecting in depth anaylsis or comment. As shallow as some of it was, I still enjoyed the celebration of talent, committment and dedication that the programme showcased; from top professional sportsmen through to people like Eddie Izzard (Yes, really! He ran 43 marathons in 51 days in aid of Sports Relief) and Major Phil Packer who completed the London Marathon in 13 days after losing the use of his legs after a rocket attack in Iraq. For me these are all far more inspiring and worthwhile than the Simon Cowell benefit gig on the other channel. I was pleased that minority sports like cycling and gymnastics were represented. I would have loved to have seen Beth Tweddle win the award because of her achievements, committment over the years and inspiration to young gymnasts. I'm delighted that the England Cricket team won team of the year (though perhaps the Ladies team deserved it more?). Most of all though, I was pleased for Doreen Adcock of Milton Keynes who won the Unsung Hero award. She taught both of my sons and several hundred other children to swim. As someone who is involved in youth sport (cricket) I know how much time this sort of thing takes and how much people appreciate it (I was given an award by my club last month). In Doreen's case she's given hundreds of kids a life saving skill as well. Ralph Lambton58 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Max Stafford Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I agree with every letter of your posting Ralph and I think that the spread of individuals represented above reflected very well on all involved. The word 'hero' is often overused in our culture these days, but Major Packer is a very real one (although he'd be utterly loath to admit it, I've no doubt. That said, knowing how unpleasant it is to walk with a single blister on your heel, I can only describe Eddie Izzard's feat as heroic in another way - I'm not sure I possess the strength of character to run 43 marathons in 51 days! This award show is a nice reminder that there's more to sport than premiership footballers getting into punch-ups in a nightclub. Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Fatadder Posted December 14, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 14, 2009 Well, there you go. I managed to avoid watching the show, apart from 10 minutes near the middle when Eddie Jordan was playing the drums. I've seen the result, though, and I have to admit I'm puzzled. Now, let me state right here that if any current footballer is worthy of an award, then Ryan giggs is that man - quiet, unassuming, and a man who's quietly gone about his job, with great distinction, for 20 years. However, I don't quite understand why he has won this award, at this time. I don't see that 2009 has been a year in which he's stood out. This was "Sports Personality of the Year", after all. Yes, of course, the lad's setting all kinds of records for longevity in his sport, and his team won the title again, but to me, this hasn't been the year of Ryan Giggs. On the other hand, this has been the year that Jenson Button has exploded back on the scene, when David Haye became a household name, when Jessica Ennis became World Champion... Still, good luck to him, even if the result was a fix (or, charitably, the result of Facebook campaigning). At least we didn't get a Zara Phillips-type of winner. Who the heck voted for her the other year? I think you see why I chose not to watch... Completely agree with you, Giggs should never have been player of the year last season yet alone Sports personality of the year, for a start even in a team that is completely dependent upon a single player (which certainly isnt the case with Giggs) Football is a team game so the success is exactly that, a team. Secondly as far as I can remember (mostly from around the time of player of the year) a lot was said about Giggs missing a lot of the season. Finally, practically everyone else who was up for the award this year had actually done something of note..... Just reaks of the only person representing the most popular sport in the country getting the award. Other than that, I think the rest of the awards were well deserved, particularly the Army chap who had ran the marathon! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Max Stafford Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 He hadn't actually run it Rich, he'd walked it over several days, but bearing in mind he'd lost both legs in Iraq, this was no mean feat! He intends to do it in one go as soon as possible. Respect! :icon_thumbsup2: Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Fatadder Posted December 14, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 14, 2009 He hadn't actually run it Rich, he'd walked it over several days, but bearing in mind he'd lost both legs in Iraq, this was no mean feat! He intends to do it in one go as soon as possible. Respect! :icon_thumbsup2: Dave Very true, a slip of the tongue after a couple of beers enjoying MotD........ Like you say with no legs, certainly impressive going, even more so wanting to do it in one go! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harbottle Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Has there been some sort of internet campaign to vote for Giggsy? A Lifetime Achievement award is probably in order, but Sports Personality of 2009 I think not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cahill Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Has there been some sort of internet campaign to vote for Giggsy? A Lifetime Achievement award is probably in order, but Sports Personality of 2009 I think not. i agree that a lifetime achievement was probably better for giggs, but theres going to be more people voting for giggs, theres all those united fans for a start.. good thing about giggs is he's not disliked by anyone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave777 Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 They need to get back to being a sprint through the key events of the year, rather than making sure everything is covered for the sake of it even if nothing happened in that sport. Too true. Leaving aside the actual award recipients (I will say though that when my girlfriend and me heard what Eddie Izzard had done and that he'd 'only' raised ??300,000 we both looked at each other and said 'Is that all?!' ), the format of the show seems to have dropped off from its 80s heyday. I can remember Frank Bruno having a little boxing competition with Barry McGuigan (I can also remember McGuigan winning it and the old duffer announcing his name as 'Barry McLoughlin', with Frank Bruno sitting next to McGuigan and laughing his head off at the mispronounciation), some sportsmen playing a game of giant table football (Bruno again I believe), and a rowing competition with Steve Redgrave and some other rowers (the others went off into an immediate and huge lead before Redgrave stormed through to win over the distance). They just don't seem to do things like that anymore (too much risk of injury/money involved I guess). It's got too big and glitzy, whereas it used to be a more homely, studio-based bit of end-of-year fun. I used to really look forward to it, whereas now I'm a bit 'ho hum' about the whole thing, and which bright spark decided to put it on opposite the X Factor final? Bonkers scheduling decision (although I appreciate it may have been arranged 6 months ago before the exact details of the X Factor schedule were known). A minor point that also irritates is that no one thanks the BBC anymore. Long gone are the days when practically all the sports talked about during the evening are actually on the BBC, but I distinctly remember sportspeople in the past saying 'And I'd like to thank the BBC for doing an excellent job of broadcasting my sport'. It's just not the program it was. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Glad I missed it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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