In Defence of Jonathan Legard
by Graham Moggipaldi on Dec 1st, 20101st December 2010 - the beginning of our 'Grand Prix Advent Calendar of Articles' - and we're kicking it all of with a piece about none other Mr Jonathan Legard - The one man people seem to love to hate...
This first article in our Advent Calendar is also the first guest article for Graham Mogford (Badger name TBA) - so be nice, welcome him to the Sett and we hope you enjoy this, his debut...
In all fairness, Jonathan Legard is not usually a controversial subject amongst F1 fans. There is pretty much a uniformity of opinion on the subject across the whole fan spectrum: whether you are a Tifosi or support Force India, whether you favour Lewis or Alonso, whether you prefer Monaco or Monza, all of you will have pretty much the same opinion of Jonathan Legard which, as the Badger is a family website, I can’t actually put down here in writing...
The fact that this opinion is shared by most of the world was brought home to me as I did a little research prior to writing this article. If you start typing ‘Jonathan Legard’ into the Google search box, then the helpful search suggestions it makes include: ‘Jonathan Legard rubbish’, ‘Jonathan Legard sacked’, ‘Jonathan Legard replaced’, and I think it is a fairly safe bet that most people’s queries would be covered by that list.
When you do actually search for just his name then, apart from his Wikipedia entry (which has been locked to prevent vandalism by users) and the official BBC sites, nothing favourable at all comes up about this key member of the BBC commentary team.
Yes, you did read it right – I did say key member of the team (see how I slipped it in). This article is going to take the rather unusual and even controversial view of Jonathan Legard, that there are actually a couple of things that can be said in his favour.
The first is that he performs a valuable service for F1 newbies and for those fans who are too hungover or exhausted by early morning races to think straight. He does this by giving their egos a much-needed boost. Picture the scene – you are watching the race, mumbling to yourself and you come out with the sort of bland, pointless statement of the obvious which is all your poor brain can come up with at the time, whether through inexperience and lack of knowledge of the sport or through some form of bodily abuse that you have put yourself through before the race. Seconds later that very same bland, pointless statement of the obvious is repeated by Legard – and not just that – he gets it slightly wrong (confusing two drivers in the same team for instance). Immediately your ego is boosted: ‘Hey,’ you think, ‘I’m not such a newbie/drunkard/exhausted wreck as I thought I was. In fact, I could even be a BBC commentator like Jonathan Legard.’ You don’t get that with Martin Brundle. Who can honestly say they haven’t had the reassuring thought that if Legard can do it, then anyone can? I know I have, and for that feeling I say, ‘Thanks, Mr L.’
The second thing in his favour is more philosophical. The ancient Chinese Taoists and Confucians made much of the concept of Yin and Yang, the balance and interconnections between opposites. Without light, how can we understand dark, without pain can we truly appreciate pleasure?
Put simply, without Legard, how could we truly appreciate Brundle? Legard is Yin (diffuse, cold, wet) to Brundle’s Yang (hard, solid, focused). If we had two commentators who made informed, witty comments throughout the race, we wouldn’t appreciate either of them half so well, but by contrasting Brundle to Legard we are reminded constantly of how cool Martin Brundle is. Hell, he even had a character in a horror film named after him (Jeff Goldblum’s character in ‘The Fly’ – not a coincidence, actually named after the racing driver: astound your friends with that fact next time it’s on telly), something which no one has ever thought to do for Jonathan Legard. (I should make it clear at this point that there is no truth in the rumour that the Will Smith film was originally going to be titled ‘I Am Legard’)
So there we have it. Jonathan Legard – a key part of the BBC’s commentating team: he makes everyone feel like they could one day, with a little bit of luck, be a Formula One commentator and he helps you truly appreciate Martin Brundle. What more could you ask from the man who is possibly the greatest Formula One commentator born in Cardiff in 1961.
Back in May 2009, We ran a piece - The Great Commentator Crisis, putting Legard 'on probation' - now, 18months later, what do you think? - Comments below please!
oh and i’d love to see a mark webber movie he is the most...
Comments and Discussion
Ha! very droll.
I am an exception to the rule - I think Legard has improved this year - remember, he used to be a radio commentator, so he would often spend too much time explaining what we could see with our own eyes. This year he hasn't been half as bad.
Many F1 fans feel nostalgic at Murray Walker, but at the time many were frustrated at his style. I'm not putting Legard up on the same pedestal as Walker, the big difference was that Walker's style was a lot more enthusiastic and he himself admits that most of his mistakes were down to his overexcitement.
I'm also not saying that Legard is brilliant, or the best man for the job either (I'd rather have Crofty), but I don't think he deserves the hatred that he gets. At least he's not James Allen - who, although he is a very good writer (and I've enjoyed reading his blogs almost as much as I've enjoyed reading Badger... almost!), would often talk over Brundle, pour adoration over Michael Schumacher, or concentrate on something completely different.
We could always have a lot worse - can anyone remember Jonathan Palmer in the 'expert' commentator role?
I realise there is a large slab of irony running through your piece, but you raise some points which should be taken without the sarcasm.
The average peasant will leap onto the Anti-Legard bandwagon just because their neighbour also slated him, without actually taking time to analyse for themselves what it is that the BBC have created.
While i agree he has his moments where you just think: "Shut up and let Martin talk now", he's improved massively since his birth of fi... er... stone. And every commentator has generated the same "Shut up and..." thought from me because Martin's just better than everyone else.
Getting things wrong, getting excited over nothing, missing important events, rambling on over nothing in particular, and seemingly paying no attention to strategies are all traits we've seen before in F1 commentary. The only difference is this time round it's delivered several octaves lower in pitch.
Murray Walker is regarded as a legend even to those too young to have watched full GP's of him spouting nonsense and the obvious. While Jonathan doesn't have the same level of passion in his delivery, the content of his speeches are much the same. Walker had many years of memories to call upon, Legard has made the effort to research, okay sometimes the past events he calls up don't always fit into the comparison, but the intent to improve is commendable.
I personally prefer the more controlled approach of Jonathan, he is informative when there's a quiet moment in the race and he's also taken criticisms on board and improved. That's a rare quality in a person.
I certainly never feel tempted to switch to the "Club racing" commentary on the red button.
I'll attempt to write this in the style of his commentary!
1st of December, 2010, children all over the world looking forward to the first chocolate in their advent calendar, yule tide festivities just around the corner, snow, ice and cold wind, winter is here. Into the mix we put Legard, hapless, hopeless, over descriptive Legard. What to do? Two seasons in and still no good! Brundle, frustrated, tearing his hair out, pulling his teeth at the thought of another season couped up next to Legard. So, he has to go, surely! But who's to get the job? Who can apply, send in a CV, attend interviews at the BBC?
Croft on Five Live, great banter with Davidson and makes watching practice more enjoyable.
Cox from MOTO GP, Brundles favorite!
James Allen? Itv's old commentator, still in the mix but who will it be, who will win? who knows?
Not Legard as he said in Korea "Rosberg has past Hamilton" (3 laps after the event)
Sorry Badger I was looking forward to the opening of the calendar but It's left me a little disappointed. The only way is up from here though.
Happy Christmas to all at the Sett
There. I think there are some good points raised. There. In writing. Getting the ideas on the page. There. Will Badger be able to make anything of it. There. The next article is going to be exciting. There.
Anyway, I have a few thoughts on Leggard.
I don't mind Leggard. He's better than James Allen by miles. However I can't help but feel he's the Pedro Diniz of F1 commentating and keeping the far more talented David Croft out of a race seat.
Murray used to be endearing when he came up with "and where's Johnny Herbert gone???" when you saw him retire 4 laps ago and the camera focused on him for a whole minute, or mistaking a high-vis light for a flash of flame, but with Leggard I just don't get the same feeling.
However as pointed out by Andy, Snorathan Palmer really was a horrendous pundit (dare I say it even worse than EJ). With an obvious bias against Damon "Waaa, he stole my Williams race seat" Hill I just wished he would shut up.
P.S. An honourable mention that the first retweet of sniffpetrol's latest D.I. Blundell story (http://sniffpetrol.com/2010/11/29/d-i-blundell-done-investigate-a-mugging/) was done by one of the worse pit lane pundits, Mark Blundell himself. Respect.
Sadly, I feel you are clutching at straws.
It's not the fact he mixes names up (Walker did that), it's the fact he's boring. He does nothing to enthuse people and his style is basic and simplistic. We can see what's happening on the screen, we want to know why.
Straight swap... Croft for Legard (Sorry Ant) would be ideal.
N
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damn_with_faint_praise
A laudable attempt to defend the indefensible. The BBC, despite the derision and anger which came their way in 2009 about Legard, stuck with him in 2010. Having given him another 19 GPs to prove himself, they can now be in no doubt that he just doesn't cut it.
The only saving grace for the BBC coverage has been that Martin Brundle has continued to deliver his witty, insightful and excellent comments, as and when he can get a word in edgeways from Legard's shouty style.
I don't feel I'm jumping on any bandwagon writing this, I've felt he was wrong from early on, and have heard nothing to change my view. There are many, many better commentators out there that could deliver the balance required by avid fans, such as those using this website, and the occasional viewer who needs more information about what they are seeing.
He has to go.
'Here comes, through the chicane, joins the battle, does Romain Grosjean!'
Legard is more like a horse-racing commentator than anything else, since when do F1 cars go 'on a charge'? If we all got bad feedback at our jobs, would we still be employed? He does, and is.
That should read 'here he comes' sorry for the type. Merry Christmas!
I'm not going to mention the 5 Live crew, or even when Brundle appeared briefly on 5 Live during an Abu Dhabi practice session.
@CroftyF1 does a great job!
Andy
The point of Brundle shining while next to Legard makes the article. Legards job is to be the "everyman" to help viewers into the "show", and helping them through all the twists and turns. Brundle is the technical man who tells us why something is happening.
In recent races, Legard had been trying too hard and tip-toeing into Brundle's turf, and failing miserably. He should be guiding the viewer through the race at an even pace and describe what is unfolding, not this "if this happens.." and "everyone is saying..".
It's sad because I did enjoy Legard on the radio coverage, I really did! I was behind him when he stepped up in 2009, but the pressure of live TV might just be creeping in. Who's to know that Croft might end up worse if he did get the chance?
In the spirit of this article, I'd also like to thank Legard for forcing me to listen to the much more upbeat offerings of Crofty & friends. If he (JL) was slightly better, I'd probably stick with it for the sake of hearing Brundle's comments.
I'm actually not sure about Crofty moving to the TV commentary. I like him on the 5Live team, and his knowledge of other sports and ability to switch from full red button/sports extra commentary to 5Live summary and back show that he's the man for that job.
My vote for Legard replacement would be Martin Haven (of Eurosport WTCC/F2/GP2/GP3 coverage). He doesn't always get everything right either, but he knows his stuff and is enthusiastic at the right times!
I know this doesn't make any difference but I meet 'The Ledge' at the last GP and despite the fact he was dashing to the commentary box he was kind enough to stop and chat and discuss Schumacher, Webber and the title decider.
So yes you may not like his work, I've had my issues too, but let's not make it personal... he's an ok bloke.
Yes, but Hitler was quite affable over a pint no doubt.
Alexis has rung the Godwin's Law bell. Everyone please move quickly to the nearest available exit.
Damn. Should have used Pol Pot!
If there's one compliment I can give Legard it is this: He's not James Allen.
(Disclaimer: James Allen is not a bad journalist, just terrible at commentating).
It doesn't matter how you dress it up.... (or him up) He's still rubbish. I still want him to be replaced.
Apart from his witless banter, another way Legard falls short is how he switches from one thought to another (without actually having finished said previous thought) .. like he's some kind of schizophrenic!
Ha! *ding-ding* Game over.
Just get Ben Edwards in there and be done with it. There is no one better for the job.
I've never liked Legard's commentary, even on radio 5 live before he went onto BBC 1.
His commentary is so shockingly insulting to my intelligence that I consider turning the TV off and doing someting else. I find him insulting to my intelligence by blurting out blatantly obvious facts (e.g. He's trying to overtake but can't get passed) and shouting out things that are totally wrong (e.g. and hamilton's overtaken rosberg), when Hamilton is only siding up to him. AAAAAARGH!
He's a decent bloke and means well, but he's got to go
How do really feel?
Looks like hes gone now, so its ok. Unless someone like DC replaces him.. (-;
Commenting firstly because I see dansus, above, did. Thanks (if you're *the* dansus... how many can there be?) for all the vides - by which I've experience F1 here in the colonies.
When BBC took over F1 the list of commentators was impressive. I awaited the first race with huge anticipation. After I got the vide I got through the prelims with joy (Humphrey seemed a bit boyish at first but he's OK now). The race started and then... WHY IS THIS MAN SHOUTING!!! Oh! Please stop shouting at me! is my permanent reaction. I curl up in a little ball at the sound of his shout.
When he just talks I don't mind a bit. As far as I can tell they're (commentators) all quite rubbish; comon qualities being how wrong they can get what's going on in front of their eyes and how grating their voices are (sorry John Watson).
I often like to imagine what these people are like in real life. "WHAT'S FOR BREAKFAST, DEAR" shouts Legard. "The Irishwoman has failed miserably" counters Watson. "Unless I'm very much mistaken...". I think someone should write a play.
Thanks Badger.
You can all voice your opinions in the poll here now
http://www.f1badger.com/2010/12/bbc-commentary-2011-the-contenders/
Whatever one thinks of Legard, a lot of the fond reminiscing about Murray Walker seems absurdly misty-eyed and forgetful of what a jerk he could be.
No amount of enthusiasm could make up for the mistakes, tired old cliches, boring observations, failures to keep up with the action etc. Regular F1 fans were demanding his removal for years.
It beats me why David Croft attracts any support. He sounds like some kind of Smashie & Nicey confection, and yes there is a good rapport going on R5, but that's more to do with Ant and Karun I think.