So now we know. Murray Walker is the greatest commentator of all time. Well, we’re happy with that, aren’t we? Maybe not the other commentators, but Mr Walker himself will be chuffed to receive this news.
Who says Murray is the greatest of all? To be precise, it is the opinion of 8879 people canvassed by a company called 72 Point in a survey of TV sports pundits. But this is not the point. We all know that he was the best and we still miss his extraordinary enthusiasm and the terrible muddles he talked himself into on occasion. OK, his mistakes helped to make him a household name, but he was always acutely aware of one vital thing, and that’s entertainment. He understands that television is entertainment, that not everyone knows the depth of tyre treads, and that the average person simply wants to enjoy a couple of hours in front of the box. He also knew that he had to be on top of his game, do his research, but the act of broadcasting is a performance. And he was a performer.
Surely his finest hour was his partnership with James Hunt. Two very different people, with very different attitudes, but somehow it gelled and, again, this was a double act determined to entertain. And, in the case of Mr Hunt, to annoy and wind up those he felt were not fully up to speed. Murray did not take to James at first and their relationship was a little frosty, Walker disapproving of Hunt’s bohemian lifestyle. But they became good friends and the commentator speaks fondly of his ‘co-driver’ these days. Somehow it just worked, there was a chemistry, and this is rare in broadcasting, especially in sports coverage. Martin Brundle does his best to liven things up in the post-Walker era but – in my view – he’s never had a ‘partner’ with whom he can really get something going.
Speaking of Brundle, I was delighted to see that he popped up in sixth place in the survey’s top 20 commentators of all time. Quite right too – he’s a natural, another man who understands how to entertain as well as inform. Not an easy trick. Brundle’s contribution these past years has been invaluable, especially the grid walks, while his pithy and often funny observations add enormously to the enjoyment of Grand Prix viewing. Well done MB, I say.
To be on top of your game on television you first have to be a genuine and passionate enthusiast. It’s not nearly as easy as it looks. And that’s where Murray scores every time. Like John Motson with football and John McEnroe with tennis, you get the feeling that they just love their sport, they want to communicate it to the viewer with passion and humour, as well as with hard facts and no-nonsense directness.
I first met Murray back in the 1970s and we still keep in touch. Whenever I see him for a chat he is always the same, never waivers from his absolute passion for Formula 1. He knows the sport is far from perfect, but he loves it. And that’s what matters. That’s why he is, in the view of 8879 people – if not the rest of the world – is the best of all.
I always felt Martin Brundle and James Allen were a good combination, but I find Jonathan Legard very disappointing and dull. Perhaps David Croft from Radio 5 might be a better bet for next year. He seems to have a fairly enthusiastic sounding voice,as opposed to the rather flat Legard delivery.
The more people try to fill his shoes the more you realise how good he was.
Living here in Ohio, we have always been able to receive the Canadian TV network, and so during the 80′s and 90′s I was fortunate enough to see all the GPs as carried by the CBC, and they would simply air the BBC production. As a result, I got to hear Murray and James and the two of them were simply great. I video taped all those races and still have them! I liked James more a a color commentator than a driver and his dulcit tones were a perfect foil to Murray’s enthusiasm.
So, that’s another three of us who think he was the greatest. Yes, it’s all a bit dull these days, but Brundle does his best and I’m quite sure Mr Allen would give a vital limb to be back in the box.
And, as we predicted here many weeks ago, the British GP will be at Silverstone and this is fantastic news not only for us Brits but also for the sport. Silverstone is still a great place to watch Grand Prix cars at high speed, especially through Copse, down to Becketts and out nto the Hangar Straight. Thank goodness common sense has prevailed and it would appear that the race will stay there for many years to come.
Stand by for our December podcast this coming Thursday, on air by Friday. No star guest this time but our Mr Roebuck will do his best to entertain you.
RW
and no disrespect meant to messers Brundle and Allen – I have heard the latter and enjoy what he brings and as for Brundle – well, in MY book on F1, he still finished second at Detroit in ’84! I saw it with my own eyes!
Hello Ohio from a very wet, windy and grey England.
I am in regular contact with Ohio these days as I am talking to Bobby Rahal about his exciting new series of historic races in the States. More details in the New Year.
Well, I was not in Detroit in 1984, but I do believe you. I always thought Brundle was under-rated when he got to F1. He was right with Senna in F3 and I don’t think he quite got the opportinities he deserved later on.
RW
I always have wondered about that as I remember Martin really giving Senna a hard time in F3. It got me thinking about a lot of other drivers and their careers being made or broken by the luck of being with the right people.
I remember one reading a magazine article that proclaimed the best driver in the world as being a man from the deep Amazon jungle – he was found to possess all the skills to be the best except……he had no idea what a car was.
I can understand the comments about Murrays enthusiasm, but I was always frustrated with him missing action that was happening on the screen, and the endless inaccuracies that were so obvious. My view was he had a job that would be the envy of most enthusiasts -not an easy job I agree – but given his priviliged position he could at least have know what was going on.
I revered Raymond Baxter, and greatly enjoy Martin Brundle, and do not miss MW one bit.
Sorry to be a downer ….
I know Murray missed a few things. It was not because of age, he did that in the early 60′s at Brands Hatch to my recollection! But he certainly was irreplacable and I still miss him. An articulate and perceptive ex driver is essential for enthusiasts to fully appreciate the action and Martin Brundle fulfils the role admirably. I certainly do not want a hyped up commentator, but Jonathan Legard gives the impression that he is ill at ease in the role.
Like Bryan and David, Murray used to drive me crazy with some of his comments and the things he missed but there was no mistaking his enthusiasm for F1. He really was the voice of F1 for the english speaking world. I miss James Hunt as well. Couldn’t stand him as a driver but he was an excellent foil for Murray in the commentary box. Martin Brundle is great as well though like previous comments, I think he needs someone more enthusiastic than Jonathan Legard to work with.
The chemistry between Martin Brundle and Jonathan Legard is very poor. Brundle is superb. Legard does not know the value of silence, he does not understand the sport and he certainly is not an enthusiast. Solution – give Brundle the only microphone and put two or three knowledgeable people in the pits.
I’d love to hear some audio clips of Walker and Hunt !
Sincerely,
Nic Maennling
actually, one of the best BBC broadcasts was a GP where Murray couldn’t make it and they brought in Jackie Stewart instead. Needless to say, James and Jackie did not agree………on anything!!! It made for great viewing though.
These days in the ol’ USA on SPEED TV we have long-time US F1 TV guy Bob Varsha, former Benetton employee Steve Matchett doing the tech stuff and former great all-arounder David Hobbs with the very colorful commentary. Varsha is like a younger Murray – he’s excitable and gets it wrong sometimes…, but Matchett has the hands on experience and Hobbs…….he brings the driving knowledge and much laughter with his comments.
by the way, Nic, check out Youtube.com for the Murray and James clips. There are a lot of them out there.
Murray is the consummate professional, well prepares for the races, loves subject matter and the people. Today, I think we have still some commentator who as well studied and passionate, for many year I have also enjoyed the same attributes from the wonderful John Hindhaugh who I first heard at Le Mans in 1989 and subsequently the ALMS races and Midweek Motorsport every week.
I have some sympathy for Legard and James Allen before him, as John Watson said in the pod cast the commentator has to try and make the show exciting even when it’s not. Watson also mentioned that F1 is trying to compete with other ‘products’ that may be on TV at the same time.
Thanks everyone for another good debate. We do have some very loyal and well-informed bloggers which is always good to read. Thanks.
Murray was a bit muddled at times but did it really matter? We all knew what was really going on didn’t we ?!!!!
I reckon the Beeb should move DC into the commentary box with Brundle and put Anthony Davidson in the pits. Unless of course he drives for Mercedes-Benz next year…………………….
RW
Raymond Baxter, Robin Richards, Eric Tobitt and John Bolster in the Pits….those were the days!.