Desi Linden sucks as an announcer

Kara > Des > ESPN person. Both Kara and Des obviously know what they are talking about, but Kara has an almost made for TV voice -- clear annunciation, clean delivery, good mixture of objectivity and excitement, etc. Des sounds like a running expert talking on TV. Kara sounds like a TV professional who is also an expert. She is just at a different level.

Desi is more of a golf commentator in terms of style, which is why she was much better on The Marathon Project coverage. You gotta be able to convey excitement in track and she definitely cannot, maybe she was buzzed from the bourbon in her nalgene.

Maybe we can get those guys on telemundo that call soccer games.

llort_vbo wrote:

fghrunner wrote:

Kara > Desi. It feels like desi is trying to do an impression of random 50 year old ESPN announcer. She's worse then the other randos except for the women who did ncaa's and kept saying everyone did "600's with a hard last 200." Desi is held to higher standard because she knows about the sport, all she has to do is talk normal and say what's going on and not be cringe!!!

Newsflash, they both stink. What are the odds that someone will win the genetic lottery of being both a world class runner and being articulate/sensible enough to convey information in a way that’s both relatable and cogent? Pretty slim, actually. Most professional athletes are doofuses

This is the truth. Neither one can do a great job. They both are below average as broadcasters. The bar is so low that they are praised for mediocre performances.

Mickeyoo wrote:

This is the truth. Neither one can do a great job. They both are below average as broadcasters. The bar is so low that they are praised for mediocre performances.

Personally I like Desi a lot more, but that’s just me. I loved Emmitt Smith as a football player, but I can’t remember a more cringeworthy ‘analyst.’

Guess if you like overly excited, teenage-like announcing then you like Kara.

Everything with her is superlatives - "she has worked SO hard for this!", etc, etc.

Annoying to me and along with Leigh Diffey, who is clueless but also likes to yell, etc, the two together are super annoying.

fghrunner wrote:

Kara > Desi. It feels like desi is trying to do an impression of random 50 year old ESPN announcer. She's worse then the other randos except for the women who did ncaa's and kept saying everyone did "600's with a hard last 200." Desi is held to higher standard because she knows about the sport, all she has to do is talk normal and say what's going on and not be cringe!!!

First time I read this post, there was a big advertisement with a side view of some girl on the beach wearing a thong with her leg spred.

Williamson wrote:

Kara > Des > ESPN person. Both Kara and Des obviously know what they are talking about, but Kara has an almost made for TV voice -- clear annunciation, clean delivery, good mixture of objectivity and excitement, etc. Des sounds like a running expert talking on TV. Kara sounds like a TV professional who is also an expert. She is just at a different level.

Kara earned a long network career via her performance in Tokyo. Anyone who denies that is a nitpicking fool. Her style and enthusiasm are exactly what they are looking for. She's like Rowdy Gaines in swimming.

Fogrunr wrote:

fghrunner wrote:

Kara > Desi. It feels like desi is trying to do an impression of random 50 year old ESPN announcer. She's worse then the other randos except for the women who did ncaa's and kept saying everyone did "600's with a hard last 200." Desi is held to higher standard because she knows about the sport, all she has to do is talk normal and say what's going on and not be cringe!!!

First time I read this post, there was a big advertisement with a side view of some girl on the beach wearing a thong with her leg spred.

Your browser caught an STD due to your promiscuous clicking

Awsi Dooger wrote:

Williamson wrote:

Kara > Des > ESPN person. Both Kara and Des obviously know what they are talking about, but Kara has an almost made for TV voice -- clear annunciation, clean delivery, good mixture of objectivity and excitement, etc. Des sounds like a running expert talking on TV. Kara sounds like a TV professional who is also an expert. She is just at a different level.

Kara earned a long network career via her performance in Tokyo. Anyone who denies that is a nitpicking fool. Her style and enthusiasm are exactly what they are looking for. She's like Rowdy Gaines in swimming.

Exactly, and I can’t stand Rowdy Gaines. I’d rather have Tom Hammond/Larry Rawson/ etc than listen to her shrill cheerleading.

Awsi Dooger wrote:

Williamson wrote:

Kara > Des > ESPN person. Both Kara and Des obviously know what they are talking about, but Kara has an almost made for TV voice -- clear annunciation, clean delivery, good mixture of objectivity and excitement, etc. Des sounds like a running expert talking on TV. Kara sounds like a TV professional who is also an expert. She is just at a different level.

Kara earned a long network career via her performance in Tokyo. Anyone who denies that is a nitpicking fool. Her style and enthusiasm are exactly what they are looking for. She's like Rowdy Gaines in swimming.

Des earned herself a job at the McDonald’s carry out. She has no future in the broadcasting world. She truly sounds like she is reading from notes. Like the flight attendant reading the rules.

llort_vbo wrote:

Awsi Dooger wrote:

Kara earned a long network career via her performance in Tokyo. Anyone who denies that is a nitpicking fool. Her style and enthusiasm are exactly what they are looking for. She's like Rowdy Gaines in swimming.

Exactly, and I can’t stand Rowdy Gaines. I’d rather have Tom Hammond/Larry Rawson/ etc than listen to her shrill cheerleading.

Ok Boomer

Desi’s voice sounded terrible and uncomfortable- unsure and lacking confidence on what to say. Maybe she would do better commentating a marathon. Kara was excellent commentating the marathons- great voice, insight, enthusiasm, and tact.

llort_vbo wrote:

I’d rather have Tom Hammond/Larry Rawson

The rest of us would rather have you not tune in.

Hey Adam

high school xc coach wrote:

just don't give me a hobby jogger with runner's world knowledge to commentate. The girl at NCAAs was atrocious.

The "girl" at NCAAs (Jill Montgomery) is not a hobby jogger. She is a former heptathlete.

Unless, you are talking about Carrie Tollefson (who is an Olympian).

llort_vbo wrote:

Newsflash, they both stink. What are the odds that someone will win the genetic lottery of being both a world class runner and being articulate/sensible enough to convey information in a way that’s both relatable and cogent? Pretty slim, actually. Most professional athletes are doofuses

Yeah were much better off getting Noam Chomsky to work the booth at track meets. Or maybe Morrissey.