28 replies to this topic

[dick]

On the new Speed Channel web site:speedtv.com, Bob Varsha, Sam Posey, and David Hobbs are listed as F1 commentators. Can we trade Sam for Steve Matchett? Oh well, I'll be glad just to have the 3 amigos back. At least we know they will be fairly good.

[Kaiser]

I enjoy Sam's commentary. He spins a good yarn with a dry wit.

[CONOSUR]

[Pets22]

Things are looking up

[SlateGray]

Thank God DW has nothing to do with it.

[Richard Jenkins]

I find all this continious Sam Posey bashing in bad taste, considering his very serious illness. I know that he is a superb article-writer & seemed more than compenent when I was in America & watched the Australian GP, him, Daly & Hobbs.
You wouldn't bash Murray if he was ill, likewise people didn't bash DSJ when he became ill, so why pick on Sam, who should be applauded for even working when many others may just admit defeat & "relax", he continues giving public service when he could spend the time peacefully with his family.

[CONOSUR]

What's wrong with him?

[Richard Jenkins]

Respect for Mr. Posey & his family makes me wonder whether I should disclose the actual illness on a bulletin board or not. It's one thing to say he's ill, it's quite another to say what it is. (recent example Ken Tyrrell - I knew he was dying in 2000 but I could hardly say that on a forum which his family might read, better to say he was 'ill')
Having said that, maybe I said more than I should've done.
Needless, to say, it IS a very serious long-term illness I wouldn't wish on anyone. I'm sure that Mr. Posey will make a annoucement in the next 2-3 years when his illness gets more severe.
Actually, enough people knew already, I thought. It was discussed quite lengthily on another forum & another discussion forum site.

[aportinga]

Thank God DW has nothing to do with it.

[Smooth]

Sam Posey has Parkinsons disease. His working for $$ is hardly public service. His battle with his illness is one issue, his competence as an announcer is another. He could be a very good writer, but the only thing he seems to get right on F1 broadcasts is his little dramatic opening bits. During the race he is pretty lame.

[stevew]

I don't care who does the F1 commentary on SpeedChannel or how much NASCAR stuff is shown, as long as I get to see F1!


As far as Sam's disease, I found this comment here:

http://www.vintagemo...om/postwar.html

A quote from this site (scroll down to near the bottom of the page)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have met a lot of people in the racing business over the years and
Sam Posey stands out as one of the truly nice guys.
Sam and I did a trade many years ago and I have one of his paintings on my wall that I cherish.
Sam is currently fighting a heroic battle with Parkinson’s Disease so please keep him in your thoughts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Rene]

Originally posted by Smooth
Sam Posey has Parkinsons disease. His working for $$ is hardly public service. His battle with his illness is one issue, his competence as an announcer is another. He could be a very good writer, but the only thing he seems to get right on F1 broadcasts is his little dramatic opening bits. During the race he is pretty lame.

Well said

[Lantern]

I find the idea of being forced to watch someone being paid to badly perform a job just because they have an illness, in bad taste.


Sam's intros to the F1 broadcasts are very nice indeed. But, I(and many others) find his inrace performance appalling Why should anyone be forced to watch a **** job??

[miniman]

I, and obvously a few others, enjoy Sam's work his sense of humor and the occasional repartee with David. Perhaps I've been listening to him for too long and have gotten used to him but I don't resent the occasional gaffe, in fact it makes me feel that I know more about F1 than I really do.

I hope the Speed Channel keep the same crew.

[DEVO]

I like Sam it's Bob that I can't stand. I hit the mute button everytime he speaks.

[F1Johnny]

It is actually fairly obvious from the broadcasts that Sam's illness has gotten worse over the past year. It is sad to see. His lead ins to the race are quite compelling. His knowledge on F1 is however, not great, but he can be quite funny at times and has a fair amount of enthusiasm. He is Speed Channels choice and I'll be damned if I chose not to watch F1 cus he is commentating.

Devo, I disagree. Bob Varsha is one of the more knowledgeable guys on F1 on TV. He was great on ESPN and I find him a class act.

Let's not bash the messengers guys and just enjoy the season. not much further to go

[The Flatulent Hero]

I think Sam does a great job. His imperfections on air are part of the entertainment. I concur with many of the above posters assessment of his wit and flair for the dramatic during the 'lead-in' to the race.

I for one, miss the enthusiasm from Derek Daley.

[ForzaF1]

I agree that Posey's illness is irrelevant to his job as an announcer. Personally I like the job he does and am glad he will back on the team for this season. I hope that Steve Matchett will be back, I found his insight to be very interesting.

[DEVO]

F1Johnny,

It's not his knowledge that I don't like, it's his voice. He just sounds "dumb" (don't know how else to describe it) but he is usually right on the money.

[jhodges]

You know, I met Sam Posey at the USGP this last year and I was, quite frankly, floored by the guy. I enjoy his commentary, but here is a fellow who is something of an icon in the small fraternity of top-level international motorsport and he spoke with me as if I were an old friend. We enthused, nay gushed, at M. Schumacher's dominant pole time. And not because Mr. Posey is a Ferrari fan, but because Schumacher went out and did it seemingly AT WILL.

He was enjoying being there as much as I.......and to me that is what makes him eminently worthy of announcing on Speed Channel. I n fact I daresay he enjoys the sport as much as anyone that posts on or visits this website.


FORZA SAM!

ps.- he raced against Mark Donohue. What more do you need?

[Lantern]

Originally posted by jhodges
You know, I met Sam Posey at the USGP this last year and I was, quite frankly, floored by the guy. I enjoy his commentary, but here is a fellow who is something of an icon in the small fraternity of top-level international motorsport and he spoke with me as if I were an old friend. We enthused, nay gushed, at M. Schumacher's dominant pole time. And not because Mr. Posey is a Ferrari fan, but because Schumacher went out and did it seemingly AT WILL.

He was enjoying being there as much as I.......and to me that is what makes him eminently worthy of announcing on Speed Channel. I n fact I daresay he enjoys the sport as much as anyone that posts on or visits this website.


FORZA SAM!

ps.- he raced against Mark Donohue. What more do you need?

Hmmm...

It seems as though your experience last year mirrors mine at the 2000 USGP except my commentator was David Hobbs. He was fairly comical frequently making sarcastic remarks about their own show. I made a remark about how I enjoyed their broadcast and he came back with "Oh...you're the ONE.".




Although I find some of the reasons for keeping Posey akin to the reasons you tell your wife why you MUST keep that 20 year old flannel shirt. Although I must say that I do enjoy looking like the all knowing F1 braniac in front of my F1 newbie friends....thanks Sam ;)

[Wheels]

For all you guys who think Sam is so bad why not write Fox & ask to have him replaced by Mr. Hollywood , Mr. Prestley. DA!!!!!

Oh my God. My worst fear coming true?

We'd all be begging , even paying money to get Sam back.

[Turbo]

One thing I've noticed is that it is almost impossible to get consensus on announcers. Even the ones who become legendary (like Murray) are loved by some and hated by others.

My comment: Add Steve Matchett please!!!!!! Great technical insights. When all the teams sit in the pits during the start of qualifying sessions his comments still make it worth watching.

[Locai]

The biggest problem with Speedvision's coverage of F1 has been the fact that the announcers are doing their commentary from a studio in the States while watching the video feed.

If it seems like half the time they aren't sure what's going on it's because they really aren't sure what's going on. I don't know how much, if any, information they're getting other than the audio/video feed that is broadcast, but they seem to really struggle due to a real lack of realtime information. All things considered, I think that they do an excellent job. They all seem to have a real love and knowledge of F1.

Hey, if you don't like these three then you can always petition for Bob Jenkins, Eddie Cheever, and Jason Priestley. They sounded like they showed up at the wrong event!

[DEVO]

After watching ABC have a go at covering F1... I'm very happy with the 3 we got... well 2 of out 3.

[RAD]

I think it would be better if SC gave some of us a go at it, I think it could be much much better.

[Paesan]

I don't know if you guys saw some of the Runoffs on speedvision but I thought the commentators there were excellent and i would love for them to have a shot to help out commenting of F1.

[Turbo]

The runoffs had a wide variety of commentators depending on the event and the schedule, including:
Tommy Kendall (one of my all-time favorites, very opinionated and enjoyable)
Greg Cremer (knowledgeable and pretty good, but says "incredibly" and "unbelievable" way too much)
Dorsey Schroeder (long time TransAm and Sportscar pilot, great announcer IMO)
Calvin Fish in the pits (does a fine job, will be good for CART broadcasts)
Derek Daly ("well well well, hold onto your hollihocks!")
Derek Bell? (Maybe, not sure if he was there or not, OK IMO).

I personally have always liked Varsha, though I know some find him dull or too laid back. I don't need someone screaming at me all the time, so I like his approach.

One thing cool about Speedvision coverage of some other series was that they always mixed the announcers lower and the engine notes higher. Hope they do this for F1 and CART this year.

LOVE the pre-race onboard lap and the post-race "Pump up the volume" segment.

and again...Bring back Matchett!

[zooropa21]

This is great news. The somber attitude of the commentators after Suzuka '01 did not send a good message about their chances to have TV coverage in 2002. The annoucement of F1 2002 in Speed Channel should be a reason to celebrate !!

From the Website:

Formula 1 It’s fast, it’s furious and it’s dramatic. "Formula 1" is the pinnacle in four-wheeled motor sport. Yet it’s more than just man and machine pitched into battle around the globe; it’s about personalities, multi-million dollar budgets and a script that wouldn’t disgrace a soap opera, enjoyed by millions the world over. From Rio to Monza and from Silverstone to Monte Carlo, it sets pulses racing and adrenaline pumping like no other sport. Also known as Grand Prix Racing, Formula 1 is the highest echelon of racing in the world. Once again the SPEED Channel provides LIVE F1 coverage in 2002, offering expert commentary and analysis by Bob Varsha, David Hobbs and Sam Posey.

Zooropa21