I enjoy listening to the Giants post-game wrap...most of the time.
There's a unique blend of humor, game insight, some thought-provoking idea put forth by one of the broadcasters in the booth, and it really works well--but it has one major problem.
It's not a bit designed for TV. As a matter of fact, the very essence of the show, it's charm, is ruined by the mere fact that the camera is on. And by extension, the Krukow-Kuiper-Miller-Flemming extravaganza loses its edge. And that's really the centerpiece of the show: edgy, unedited, off-the-cuff conversation by the boys after any given game.
A reader pointed out during Wednesday's PG wrap, Duane Kuiper, seemed to doze off. I didn't see the show, but I'll assume he was correct. Having watched many times, I tend to notice that more than once, Kuiper seems to make sure he's eating peanuts, (or the mike); I think it's Kuiper's way of protesting the idea that the wrap is on camera. I agree with Kuiper even if it's not intentional.
The show works better on radio. Televising it, (during home games only), destroys the cadence, invades the privacy if you will, which ultimately takes away from its uniqueness. I notice the A's have begun to also delve into a post-game wrap--it too works far more effective as a radio-only event.
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Kuiper seems bored. He's not a Lurie who wants to talk Giants hours later. It's cold in Frisco..and you see his mini Palace in Danville in those commercials..and 90F weather?..he just wants to go home.
ReplyDeleteI know once btw,I saw Krukow flare up and give Flemming the evil eye as Flemming pointed out something Krukow said as nonsense. And he kept giving Dave the evil eye..He's got a temper that Mike.
if you don't look @ the screen, it's radio.
ReplyDeleteseriously, don't watch it if you find it annoying. it's really quite simple. and we don't call it "frisco." thanks.
DeleteWhere did I say its annoying?..Now you make up arguments?
DeleteAs long as you all call it "The City" we all will call it Frisco. ;-]
DeleteSan Fran is always be Frisco! No exceptions.
DeleteJust ask bikers.
Agreed that it plays better on radio but what's the harm in having it on TV too? There are a-gazillion TV channels. If you don't want to watch, turn it off and flip on your radio.
ReplyDeleteMore important point - What's with those horrible black shirts that Kruk and Kuip wear during broadcasts?
Makes them look like they are on the prison bowling team.
'the prison bowling team', thanks for the laugh!
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ReplyDeleteUnderneath the fan-friendly, 'Up with all things Giants' demeanor, Krukow does appear to have a rather sizable ego, and probably a dark side. Apparently a few years ago he stated that Uncle Cranky was 'dead to him,' according to Cranky. Probably Krukow became agitated with Cranky's taking shots at him for being too technical about baseball -- "he's gotta keep the ball down," etc. -- which didn't jibe with Cranky's short attention span.
Not to get off topic, but pertaining to the BLEEDER, is there any explanation for the lineup today? From noon til 10 PM it's Lynch (49er writer, right, occasional fill-in?), Woodson at 3, and -- get this -- Montemayor at 7! Montemayor, (I'm assuming) the KGO weekend blowhard. Although he's gotta be better than Spicoli.
Is this a permanent thing? Is Tolbert, Spicoli, the noon to 3 guys out? I'm sure you'll be on top of this Rich.
i think the regular staff is on vacay. no giants today so nobody cares who's on.
DeleteIts probably just people on vacation,and the fill ins.
DeleteSo Rod Brooks (Bob Fitzgerald is in London for the Olympics), Tom Tolbert and Eric Brynes are all on vacation in the same week? Sounds like the Xmas holidays instead of the middle of a pennant race.
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DeleteYeah, I figured that too, but I listened to a lot of Tolbert yesterday, and normally they'll give a heads-up when they're heading out of town. (Oops, still saying 'they,' as if Ralph was still there.) Seems like a pretty rare coincidence that three vacations would all start on the same day, even more rare on a Thursday. And bringing in the KGO non-sports guy? It just feels a little Cumulus-y to me, but I'm probably reading into it too much.
I'd hate to see Tolbert go, not so much Brooks or Spicoli.
Gaga V, I agree totally agree about Krukow. Behind the cheery, aw-shucks, facade is an angry, not all that likeable guy.
DeleteI recognize that he's well-liked around these parts and I'm not really interested in disputing his popularity or changing people's minds about him BUT for me, I'm tired of his act.
I'm tired of all his good-old-country hard ball shtick. I don't find him all that witty and his cornball comments about people in the crowd being gamers, etc. tiresome.
Tired of his folksy comments about ball dudes. Also get the feeling when he's looking at some of those "gamer babes" he's thinking about something other than rooting for the Giants.
Also get the impression that he's the organizations designated point man when it's time to target specific players. His attack on Huff last year was surprising and felt like it came from inside the organization.
Many love him, I don't. There's a real nasty underside and the black prison bowling shirt look doesn't help.
Yeah, Fitz and Brooks, Tolbert, and Byrnes were on vacation today. Fitz is in London to call games for Team USA basketball during the Olympics. I think Byrnes said him and Byrnes are at Tom's golf tournament or something like that. I don't know where Rod is. He's probably hanging out with his family.
DeleteNobody is out, but today, Damon said something about big things happening for the Damon Bruce Show or something like that. He said he will announce it next week. I wonder what it is. Hopefully a move back to 680, or possibly his show being 4 hrs. instead of 3, like it used to be, before his short stint co-hosting with Gary on 680. Maybe he will have a weekend show. We'll see. Damon's show really is the best show on KNBR!
But yeah, as of right now, no one on KNBR is out..... A lot of those guys take vacations this time of year. I think Radnich and Krueger said they will be on vacation next month. Come September, I'm sure everyone will be back in their regular roles and timeslots.
prison bowling team aka prison break out team
ReplyDeletethe reason kuiper often seems bored/impatient on these, i'm guessing, is that after 4 hours or so on the air without a real break, he's jonesing for a cigarette.
ReplyDeleteas for the contention that it's bad on TV... i think that one's a stretch. there are bigger problems and annoyances on the bay area media scene after all.
Yes we do call it FRISCO....atleast the younger generation does. Check out the IMP track titled "FRISCO" loser
ReplyDeleteHerb Caen once wrote a great column about what was Frisco and what was San Francisco. Nob Hill? San Francisco. Mission? Frisco. at that time he said the Giants were San Francisco and the 49ers were Frisco. now, of course, they're Santa Clara. i'm not the younger demographic and i've always called it Frisco when applicable, BUT i don't like to hear it out of the mouths of morons who have never been here. we have license. they don't.
DeleteThis ^
DeleteDon't know if that's the case today but Byrnes does do fill in work for the MLB network. He is no better on there than he is on SF radio.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree. I like the post game show on TV. How many times do we need to go back to the studio to guys that watched the game on the monitor? These guys have a real sense of the game which I appreciate...I love the bantor, it reminds me of talking baseball with your friends after a game in the bar.
ReplyDeleteI wonder who other then Krukow has as long a shit list? Kreuger? Radnich?..and interesting that Krukow has THEM on his shit list.
ReplyDeleteThe BIG problem with the Giants telecasts are that they play the same dopey comemrcials back to back to back or repeat the same one over and (wiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!) over. Besides praying for a Giants run to score, a Giants in house commercial (very good) or the best of Gilbert-Aflec are high on my list.
ReplyDeleteThe only person in the booth who seems interested in doing this is Krukow...and thats only because he loves the sound of his voice. They should add Amy G., now that would liven things up...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ......
ReplyDeleteThen don't watch it!
ReplyDeleteYou hear the Rod Brooks mattress ad? He speaks normally. No pimp jive talk,no stu-stu-stu-stuttering. He just puts on the affectations on air..but why?
ReplyDeleteElmer Fudd would sound good after 30 takes and lots of editing too.
DeleteThat Ditz, Amy G? She's an embarrassment and it sounds like Krukow and Kuiper really get tired of having to go to her for her inane little soccer-mom observations during the game. It's all fluff and nonsense with Amy G, but I guess the Giants and Comcast want to have a woman's 'lighter touch' on the broadcast to widen the demographic.
ReplyDeleteIf they do that, they should at least get someone who sounds like a broadcaster and knows baseball, like Mindy Bach. Amy G's voice sounds like a pre teen, (did she evedr take public speaking in school...not!) and her gushing after the game when she's talking to the players is ridiculous: "So Nate, take us through that at bat," give me a break!
I am not a defender of Amy G, I don't care much for her either but virtually all interviewers after games ask the same stupid questions. It doesn't matter whether the interviewer is male or female.
DeleteAmy G. Fills what the Giants through Comcast wanted..a beautiful Mama Giant. Sexy looking but maternal to the players.
DeleteDon't hate her because she's beautiful.
Beautiful? Yeesh.
DeleteI never forget that the Krukow, Kuiper, Flemming and Miller are Giants employees.
ReplyDeleteOnce you remember that, you know that they don't speak freely.
Flem' and Miller are really good on the radio side though ...
I bet Krukow has a hidden dungeon in his house where he keeps his "gamers".
ReplyDeleteOr,a cabin in the woods..
DeleteGeez...you guys are really weird!
ReplyDeleteIts not well known that Krukow has a sizable chainsaw and hockey mask collection..
DeleteAgree Rich with the radio preference for the Rap.
ReplyDeleteThe post game show should be radio only.
TV broadcast is another example of "over-producing".
Too much of a good thing.
Radio does not need enhancement. Only a small minded, restless individual needs TV comfort.
"Radio does not need enhancement"
DeleteReally?, have you ever listened to Marty Lurie for 4 hours?
Rich's post says:
ReplyDeleteThe show works better on radio. Televising it, (during home games only), destroys the cadence, invades the privacy if you will, which ultimately takes away from its uniqueness.
Does that mean the mere act of televising "the wrap" alters the cadence of the interaction of the participants for both television and radio and actually makes the radio only version worse?
Or does it mean that viewing it as well as hearing it is a different experience and not as entertaining as only hearing it?
If it's the latter, I'd suggest - like in the movie Bridesmaids - look away, look away!
I can't watch the Giants on TV when they're playing at home anymore, because of the constant, annoying interruptions that happen when the camera goes down on the field to get the "latest from Amy G!"
ReplyDeleteShe adds nothing to the broadcast, except for a bunch of fluffy little nonsensical observations delivered in an embarrassing, unprofessional manner.
Why theswe networks and stations insist on putting these air-headed bimbos on TV during the games is a mystery. I guess they figure that the folks watching TV want to hear the latest
'dish,' or whatever. It's a joke!
at least she's not jamie sire.
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ReplyDeleteLast night, after the loss to the Dodgers, Kuiper was seated, and facing the camera.... but he was touching his chin with the microphone, almost as if he was propping his head up with the mic. You could tell he was doing it on purpose, too. No professional broadcaster would hold his mic in that manner unless he was waging his own personal protest. Now I'm going to want to tune in to the post-game wrap just to see how Kuiper will snub the camera this time.
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DeleteToday, Kuiper was touching his nose with the mic.
Why all this bashing of dear Amy. She's a sweet, beautiful young woman who is just trying to make a living, and she knows baseball.
ReplyDeleteI hope Larry Baer and Ted Griggs give her a chance to go into the booth and do some play by play for a few innings. It would be refreshing to hear a soccer-mom's point of view!
Larry Baer-Stein is the worst thing to ever happen to the Giants
ReplyDelete