Sports Commentators Apologising

[Ken4155]

Why do tv sports commentators (admittedly those covering football matches) feel the need to apologise each and every time the pitch-side microphones pick up profanities. Surely any viewer with any sense will know that spectators will swear, and often. If it upsets any of us, we the viewer can always mute the commentary. Watched the Sheffield Derby last night and the commentator must apologised at least 3 times. No need, surely?

[ichkeria]

Couldn’t agree more. Just draws attention to it. Best ignored.

[agchristie]

//Surely any viewer with any sense will know that spectators will swear, and often//

Not forgetting the close-up cameras picking up player's swearing at themselves,opponents and officials! They are easily lip read when caught in the act...

[New Judge]

Worse than football if F1 motor racing. They interview a driver who have just survived a 200mph crash and naturally they want to blame somebody. They do, with a few expletives (e.g. "He was a flipping idiot") and apologise to viewers for the "bad language".

Viewers do not need apologies offered on behalf of sportsmen and women. They understand that sporting participants are hyped up when their activity is in progress and a little excited language can sometimes be expected.

[Ken4155]

Yes, ag, and no doubt the commentator would say, "Apologies to anyone who can lip read." Just no need for it. In actual fact, it sometimes has me swearing at the commentators:-/

[andy-hughes]

I think it's just a courtesy - the commentator works for the network, so he or she apologises on their behalf for them conveying what may be offensive language to the viewer.

Courtesy is a dying concept in modern society, I think the more we can have of simple consideration for others, the better.

[ludwig]

// Couldn’t agree more. Just draws attention to it. Best ignored. //

I agree.

I also find it annoying when they apologise for things like sound quality because there's a bit of crackling on the line from some outside broadcast, or even stop the piece altogether. As if anyone gives a tish. We understand that microphones crackle, wind blusters, and passing traffic goes vroom vroom. We ain't bothered. Just get on with it.

[agchristie]

I hate the spitting on the pitch too!

[fiction-factory]

I don't want to hear these apologies but i can see why they are given as I'm sure there would be people who like to complain at the profanities and complain that the TV companies don't seem to care or do anything to filter it out

[Canary42]

/// I hate the spitting on the pitch too! ///

..... especially when they roll around in it after scoring a goal ;-D

[Peter Pedant]

They are easily lip read when caught in the act...

o god there are whiners who complain about the swearing and so some are pixelated ... I mean jesus just look away

[ichkeria]

Nearly always when I hear an apology being made, I’ve not heard the original offence :-)

It’s a bit different if someone loses it in an interview or something ...

[margarettom]

They do it in all sports usually because the players are swearing. I notice it particularly in tennis when the players swear, though I never hear it. No sports are immune from this stupid practice though and it just draws attention to something I wouldn't have noticed and don't really care about.
I am a person who normally doesn't approve of swearing but there are some instances in sport and drama where I find it acceptable.

[Peter Pedant]

// Nearly always when I hear an apology being made, I’ve not heard the original offence //

ah - I have that wind back facility that makes is easier to identify the profanity - I rue the day that 1/2- forward disappeared from video machines

[horselady]

Completely agree. Was watching one of the rugby matches the other week, can't remember which one, one player, battered and covered in mud clearly said the f-word and we had an apology. For goodness sake, any delicate little flower who's offended in that situation has to be a sad individual.

[agchristie]

I think some commentators should be apologizing for describing the action as if it were being broadcast on the radio.

We do have eyes after all...

[Ken4155]

Was there ever a time when, with just seconds of a match left, the ref gives a very dubious penalty decision and one of the aggrieved players says to the official, "Excuse me, old chap, but you have that terribly wrong in my humble opinion. However, you are the one in charge and i begrudgingly accept your decision." Of course not. The aggreived player sticks his face in the ref's face, angrily spitting out a tirade of obscenities. "Are you ******* blind, ref, you ****? That was never a ******* penalty and you ******* know it. You've probably just cost us our place in the ******* league. Hope you can ******* sleep tonight 'cos we ******* won't. And you can stick that ******* red card up your ******* **** you ****." Perhaps one answer would be to forewarn viewers that some bad language may be picked up by the cameras and pitch-side mics. Then there's no need for the constant apologies and the snowflakes who get upset will just have to lump it.

[10ClarionSt]

I always watch with the sound off. Simples. I can't do with the stupid things they say anyway.

[10ClarionSt]

Ken, you must have tempted fate for the Man. Utd. match in Paris!