Last night I used my WatchESPN account—you NEED to have that app if you're a sports fan—to watch the rerun of last year's classic game between Auburn and Alabama. Of course, that ended as one of the most exciting games of the year in sports, but what really caught my attention was the sideline reporting going on immediately after the game.
We all know the drill.
"Coach!" The reporter yells in the ear of the coach whose team just won. "I know you can't hear me over all this noise, but talk about how proud you are of this team."
The coach, after leaning in a little further than he at first thought necessary, says, "Well, you know, I'm just so proud of this team. I told them we had to battle and that's exactly what they did."
Well, you think to yourself, that's the same interview we get from every coach in every sport! And it's true. How often do you hear a coach or player actually say something interesting and unscripted during an in-game or post-game interview? You just don't. They're annoyed with the whole process, and it's easy to see and hear how uninterested they are.
As for the sideline reporter, she—sideline reporters are usually a she—asks the same questions and rarely offers anything unique to the fans or the commentators up in the booth. As fans, we can sit back and say whatever. The commentators, however, are naturally obligated to elaborate on the quote we just heard, which sometimes actually does help the situation.
Another classic picture that pops into my head is the reporter running alongside the coach as his team heads to the locker room at half time. Because he's not in the mood to actually talk about what just happened, whether good or bad. He wants to get to his team and address problems. Of course, I'm specifically talking about football with that one.
The bottom line here is sideline reporters have to go. Get some boots on the ground to retrieve injury information and things of that nature, but there is no reason to ever put a camera on them, especially if they're trying to yell louder than the rest of the crowd in order to talk to the coach or his star player.
It's honestly one of the most uncomfortable things you can watch on TV. And I'm taking into consideration that sideline reporters are usually qualified for the job and have a good grasp of the situation. Get them somewhere else, though. You don't need a pro down on the field to ask the coach how much he loves his seniors. It's just not logical.
Let me reiterate that: Sideline reporters, I respect you. Your work, on the other hand, is obsolete and difficult to watch.
Contact: tyfenwick@gmail.com
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