The Globe and Mail speculated late last week that it might be time for the CBC to retire Hockey Night in Canada’s play-by-play team.
Will the longest tenured play-by-play team in Canadian broadcasting, the CBC’s Bob Cole and Harry Neale, return to the Hockey Night in Canada booth next season?
It’s too early for a CBC announcement, but you can anticipate one of two decisions: Either the network will thank Cole, 74, and Neale, 70, for their long and estimable contribution to the show and say goodbye. And Jim Hughson will be offered Cole’s spot as the No. 1 play-by-play caller, and the CBC will look for additional announcing and analytical talent.
Or Cole and Neale will both be given another one-year contract, with perhaps a reduced workload and the understanding they will retire at the end of 2007-08.
I don’t watch a lot of hockey (I know, I know…) but I’ve always really liked their input and commentary. Then again, I’m a bandwagon-jumper (Go Sens! What? They lost?) so what do I know.
What do you think? If you were in charge of Hockey Night in Canada, would you pick them up for another year or find new people?
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Regardless of what happens to Cole and Neale, I’d bring Cuthbert back.
Although Bob Cole still has the best hockey voice, he’s no longer able to keep up with the play. He misidentifies too many players and relies on the bland “the Ottawa defenceman has the puck” call too much.
Cole also seems to bring Harry Neale down to his level. When Neale works with Cole he’s almost unbearable, but pair Neale with Jim Hughson and suddenly he’s a fountain of information.
So if I were in charge of HNIC, I’d give Cole the golden handshake and pair Neale with Hughson, at least for a few more years.
Bob Cole is certainly the Foster Hewitt of my generation but I concur with Pete’s assessment. I am very grateful for all his years but as Pete said, he is not able to keep up with the play getting names wrong (unless they are Leafs) and not characterizing the play properly. I know a few people who turned on the local Ottawa AM station to hear the play-by-play because they could not put up with Mr. Cole.
I hope CBC gives him the send off that he richly deserves. I would like to see Harry Neale back for one more reduced season as well.
ROD>
PS. Sens fan here, couldn’t resist the Leaf jab.
I conquer with the Bob Cole sendoff, and keep Neale around sentiment.
But if I were CBC Sports, I would be far more concerned with how much better TSN’s coverage of the NHL is. First Gord and Pierre are the best play callers. Plus they have Pierre at ice level for many games.
CBC did a good job of fixing their graphics, especially for HD, about midway through the season. However, it looks like they have a budget of about $10 for their sets. Why is it that the CBC’s coverage of horse racing merits a specially designed desk with plasma screens, but Don & Ron are basically just standing around in front of a blue background?
What’s really stunning though is how much better TSN’s between periods coverage is compared to CBC’s second intermission. TSN has Bob McKenzie, Glenn Healy, James Duthie, Darren Dreger and Darren Pang depending on which night it is. CBC has something called the “Satellite Hotstove” featuring a bunch of reporters who look like they’ve never played a game of hockey in their life.
Time to overhaul that part.
I’m a huge fan of HNIC, but during the finals when they were simulcast on NBC, I found myself wishing CBC would modernize its coverage.
I’ve only been watching NHL hockey on standard cable for the last couple of years. To me, the coverage and experience of HNIC is far better than what I’ve seen on the other two channels. Part of that experience is made up of lots of things, the callers being important. I had no idea they were so ‘well established’ which is very interesting.
I would have thought bringing in some new blood to mix it up a bit and bridge the transition would be a good idea, seems a bit harsh to drop them like stones in between seasons.
On Digital TV in the UK it was possible to choose from different commentary tracks whilst watching the game. They had the ‘normal’ commentary, then two fans (one from each side) who watched the game together and commentated at the same time, plus the opportunity to tune into to radio coverage.
I actually watch a lot of hockey without any sound at all but my only request is to avoid someone (there is one on one of the channels) who makes silly noises when a goal is scored and seems to behave like each game is an opportunity to trot out his favourite ‘catch-phrases.’ It’s not about the commentators it’s about hockey!
My opinion, as a HNIC Fan, Why break up the formula?
I would improve the set however
Bob Cole was done a long time ago. He should not be back.
Harry, on the other hand, still has it and should stay.
BTW - when Cole goes, make sure he takes his Ottawa sweater with him.
My 9 year old son knows that Bob is past his prime and does an inadequate job, if it’s obvious to my 9 year old why isn’t it obvious to HNIC? The thing that bugs me about Cole, is his thinly disguised disdain for any Canadian team that doesn’t have a Maple leaf as it’s symbol…during every series Ottawa played he seemed to go overboard to praise the other team..neutral would be nice…Bye Bob thanks for the memories…Harry seems a little too snide most of the time!
Bob Cole frequently calls the play wrong. But Harry Neale really grates on me. I find him partial to the Leafs, and I can’t count the number of times he’s told us about puck hitting the posts when they actually hit the crossbar or vice versa.
TSN’s Pierre McGuire is better as long as he doesn’t get too excited and obtuse.
I could listen to Bob Cole calling a synchronized swimming contest…
Bob Cole is a great sportscaster and great for the game of hockey. He’s been an abassador for decades, but alas, the pace of todays game far exceeds his talent. I am tired of watching a game he calls and have a goal scored and he’s still down in the defensive end. NBC, and TSN have far superor coverage now, which is why CBC is losing it’s share of the market.
I forget who said it above, but go back after Chris Cuthbert, or maybe try to entice Mike Emerik (LONG SHOT) to come up and join Jim Hughson. All three of these gentlemen are up to the second and very exciting to listen to.
Open the doors of the hallowed Hall of Fame for Mr. Cole and Mr. Neale your contribution to the game has not, and will not go unnoticed. Go out with your heads high gentlemen, but please pass the golden microphone on.
I agree with Terry! Farm out Bob Cole to synchronized swimming and let someone who can follow the play call hockey.
Why change. Just for the sake of change? These guy’s do a fabulous job, they are more than qualified, have great sense of humors, and have great memorable stories to tell of past hockey greats as well as knowledge of the game itself. Why change when you already have the best?