Commentators earnings?

[gavpowell]

The only thing that constantly annoys me is when Willie Thorne says "He's gone second-favourite for this frame now" - out of TWO!

[FerruleFox]

You guys don't like Davis in the box??

I think he's great, both his colour and analysis. He brings a bit of Lowe with his hushed commentary and I appreciate his economy of words and dry sense of humour. He doesn't patronize you with obvious details.

He's a real player's commentator, imo.

[FerruleFox]

Since he hasn't been mentioned yet, I think it's worth including Ray Edmonds.

He always seemed to be able to compliment the action without drawing attention to himself. I never found him offensive or obnoxious to listen to. Great voice for commentary as well.

[Giggity1984]

I agree with foxy. Davis is a ledge of a commentator.

[Cyril]

Since he hasn't been mentioned yet, I think it's worth including Ray Edmonds.

He always seemed to be able to compliment the action without drawing attention to himself. I never found him offensive or obnoxious to listen to. Great voice for commentary as well.

Ray was one of the good guys. Hope he's enjoying his life and watching the action from Grimsby. Top man.

[throtts]

Davis as a commentator, he has a boring sound ( hence Steve boring Davis ), not going to happen. He might fill in when someone goes sick but that's about it. Sound is huge in all commentary aspects including the music industry when it comes to the singing voice.

[Gwynston]

I can't believe no one ever mentions Jack Karnehm in these threads. He was always my favourite of the "old school" commentators. He brought a genuine warmth and feeling to his commentary, showing great incite one minute, then a lovely emotional quip the next.

I equate him to Barry Davies and Peter Alliss - obviously passionate about their respective sport and all would often come out with something we were all feeling ourselves. (although Alliss is arguably a bit of a parody of himself these days...)

[cantpotforshíte]

I can't believe no one ever mentions Jack Karnehm in these threads. He was always my favourite of the "old school" commentators. He brought a genuine warmth and feeling to his commentary, showing great incite one minute, then a lovely emotional quip the next.

I equate him to Barry Davies and Peter Alliss - obviously passionate about their respective sport and all would often come out with something we were all feeling ourselves. (although Alliss is arguably a bit of a parody of himself these days...)

By far and away my favourite of the old bunch (from what I've seen). As you say, all the warmth of Ted Lowe, knew when to let the play do the talking, but very knowledgeable about the game. Most fans only remember him for the 'Good luck mate' on the final black of Kirk Stevens' 147 break at the Masters.
There are some clips of his coaching videos on Youtube. He comes across as being very likeable. Fantastic voice to boot.

[Gwynston]

Actually, you just reminded me of one reason we're possibly seeing criticisms of some of the commentators we have today. Back in the 70s and 80s, wasn't there usually just one commentator in the box at a time? That's probably why they came across as knowing when to talk and add insight, or when to be quiet so we could just enjoy what was happening in it's own right.

Modern commentators (in most sports) are constantly chatting away - bouncing smart comments off each other and seemingly talking just for the sake of justifying there presence! When did co-commentary start in snooker - was it with Taylor and Virgo in the 80s?

[spike]

When Fred Davis made his 109 break at the 1979 WC against Kirk Stevens, you had both John Pulman and Jack Karnehm commentating on the break/match..

[cantpotforshíte]

By far and away my favourite of the old bunch (from what I've seen). As you say, all the warmth of Ted Lowe, knew when to let the play do the talking, but very knowledgeable about the game. Most fans only remember him for the 'Good luck mate' on the final black of Kirk Stevens' 147 break at the Masters.
There are some clips of his coaching videos on Youtube. He comes across as being very likeable. Fantastic voice to boot.

Oops I've just realised that 'good luck mate' was Ted Lowe on Cliff Thorburn's 147...

[Cyril]

I'm pretty sure that Ted Lowe never commentated on a 147 in his career - pretty unfortunate really.

The commentators for the early televised 147's were,
Steve Davis in 1982 - John Pulman & David Taylor
Cliff Thorburn in 1983 - Jack Karnehm & Rex Williams
Kirk Stevens in 1984 - Jack Karnehm & Rex Williams

[Cyril]

When Fred Davis made his 109 break at the 1979 WC against Kirk Stevens, you had both John Pulman and Jack Karnehm commentating on the break/match..

What a great job they did of the commentary in that frame. Love it!
Lowe was the only commentator weren't he until the early Crucible years when they added Clive, Jack and Pulman. Ted was always the lead commentator but then they started giving him a summariser to offer some expert advice.
The earliest instance I can think of where there were 2 commentators was the 1977 final when Ted was joined by Eddie Charlton.