Clowns or Announcers?

Originally Posted by Steve W

I guess that it is all one perception. I am one who wears colorful shirts and hair to match. I also do the exact same thing at FLL, FTC and VEX events. I don't do it because I want to be noticed (but I do get noticed) but rather to give the kids a little fun. Mine started with team 48 wanting to do my hair at Championships and just "flourished" from there. At most FIRST events when I don't do my hair then I can go virtually unrecognized for a long time.

The benefits of coloring hair brings a lot of questions especially when I am not at the arena. It gives me the chance to promote the event. At the event people seem to know that they can ask me questions and I will find the answers. When touring the pits I can be found by anyone looking for me.

I guess there is a limit but I have worn pink ears and pig tail at the same time as some fairy wings so I am not sure were that limit is. As an EMCEE my goal is to make teams feel good about themselves and promote them as much as I can. Would I come to an event like a clown? No but a parrot on steroids, maybe.

You are correct that without the tri-colored hair you are totally unrecognizable, "some" costume and color is fun, maybe some go a bit too far and it ends up looking a bit silly although I have never seen that in Ontario.

I do hope they bring back the mascot dance this year at waterloo and GTR, they had that back in Aim high and it was great video for TV and now that we are back on carpet why not?

Hopefully the DJ plays all the right music to keep the crowd energized and on it's feet as well this year as well.

[George A.]

Originally Posted by Edoc'sil

Plain and simple, they're an eyesore that has annoyed me form day one.

What specifically has annoyed you?

[JaneYoung]

There are teams in FRC who spend a lot of time helping to create a team image of fun and excitement during the competitions. They spike their hair and color it. Some have wonderful 'costumes' to enhance their image. The emcees understand and help celebrate the spirit of fun at the competitions.They also work very hard to help keep the matches on time and the event running smoothly, and part of what they bring to the event is their showmanship. If they wear a vest or coat covered with buttons that the teams have enthusiastically given them and if they share in the fun and excitement of the event by dressing up and/or coloring their hair, more power to them. For many, an FRC competition is an opportunity to share the joy and the fun of being involved in a robotics event and to celebrate what it took to get there. What it took to get there involved problem solving, learning to be a part of a team working towards a common goal, and meeting a challenge. The emcees are well aware of what it takes to arrive at the field, ready to play. Jubilation and celebration have nothing to do with condescension but they have everything to do with fun. Some of the hardest fun at the competition.

Maybe some day it will change but I hope that day doesn't come anytime soon.

Jane

[Edoc'sil]

Originally Posted by George A.

What specifically has annoyed you?

Mostly the fact that you need a welding mask to look directly at them most of the time.

The other reason is that I find their act to be extremely unprofessional.

I have been told that I hate fun a time of two before, so quite likely my view is overly pessimistic, I just wish the competitions had a bit more of a serious air.

[Kimmeh]

Originally Posted by Edoc'sil

Mostly the fact that you need a welding mask to look directly at them most of the time.

The other reason is that I find their act to be extremely unprofessional.

I have been told that I hate fun a time of two before, so quite likely my view is overly pessimistic, I just wish the competitions had a bit more of a serious air.

I've found that the competitions are quite serious. A quick check in the pits or on a driver's face during a match will show that. However, the field and the stands should be a fun place to be. It's a place where everyone is there for the fun and excitement of the event. A lot would be lost from competitions if there wasn't any dancing or "field entertainment." That's what will make your memories.

Or, remember that this is a program targeted towards high schoolers and we like to have fun.

[pathew100]

Originally Posted by Mark Rozitis

I do hope they bring back the mascot dance this year at waterloo and GTR, they had that back in Aim high and it was great video for TV and now that we are back on carpet why not?

Shouldn't be a problem as long as you have a decent field crash or two.

[Edoc'sil]

Originally Posted by Kimmeh

I've found that the competitions are quite serious. A quick check in the pits or on a driver's face during a match will show that. However, the field and the stands should be a fun place to be. It's a place where everyone is there for the fun and excitement of the event. A lot would be lost from competitions if there wasn't any dancing or "field entertainment." That's what will make your memories.

Or, remember that this is a program targeted towards high schoolers and we like to have fun.

Don't get me wrong I, enjoy the rest of the festivities, just not the MCs usually. Their act is funny for the first 6 hours, but its the next 12 where it gets old.

[DarkFlame145]

Originally Posted by Edoc'sil

Mostly the fact that you need a welding mask to look directly at them most of the time.

The other reason is that I find their act to be extremely unprofessional.

I have been told that I hate fun a time of two before, so quite likely my view is overly pessimistic, I just wish the competitions had a bit more of a serious air.

But your missing the best part of FRC and the rest of FIRST, to have fun and learn. If your not having fun, smiling, and or laughing, what is the point? I tell everyone that asks me if it sucks to lose "Yes it does, until I realize how much fun I had." Being serious is ok, but dont be too serious and suck all the fun out of it. Win or lose, if I have fun and enjoyed myself, I had a great time. Winning is awesome, but not everything. The MCs need to be able to cut loose a little. When I first saw Steve at FLR I thought it was so cool how he had his hair painted and would make jokes just for the sake of entertainment. I have never seen a MC go over the line and be unprofessional. Remember you dont have to be 100% straight cut and in a suit to be professional. I mean look at Dean with his Jeans, Jean shirt and he makes jokes when talking while still being professional. Sorry for beating the dead horse so many times =P

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Mark Rozitis

Hopefully the DJ plays all the right music to keep the crowd energized and on it's feet as well this year as well.

YES! That is exactly what keeps the crowd going! Not playing Sweet Caroline for the 6th time or the electric slide. What keeps the crowd going is the music, not the number of colors someone is wearing or how oddly dressed. I don't care if they have dyed hair or a Hawaiian t-shirt, but when they have some really weird ghettup, I am totally tuned out/not enthused by them.

Good DJ and music=good/enthused competition, sorry guys!

[Kate00]

In my opinion, it doesn't matter what the emcee wears, so long as there is substance to what he/she is saying.

Take the most entertaining emcee/announcer team that I've seen (in all the events I've seen via webcast/live): Karthik and Paul Copioli. Neither of them have bright hair; Karthik wears his Delgado jersey, Paul some other jersey that I can't remember. Yet they are still extremely entertaining, keep the crowd pumped up, and are (from what I've seen) one of the most enjoyed/talked about teams.

While sometimes colour and accessories can be fun, I think that it can become a bit of a crutch for some emcees. While they are entertaining in a juvenile way, I find that stories, innovative introductions and other interesting facts much more so than someone dancing around in a silly costume. It holds my interest and gets me pumped up so much more. In watching some webcasts this weekend, I was disappointed by the presentation of the elimination rounds. I guess that comes from being used to hearing about all the connections between teams, about the history and things that make the individual teams special.

I guess I'm agreeing with the original poster. If you read what he actually says, he seems to be saying that some costumes seem to be a bit over the the top and distracting from what the actual message of the emcees should be. He's not saying "don't dress up;" what I read was that he's saying "don't sacrifice substance for style," and "I don't enjoy when the emcee looks extremely ridiculous all the time, I feel it brings down the tone of the event." He's not saying "emcees should wear event shirts and be serious and never wear stuff from teams and never dance," which is what most of the posts in here are arguing against. I find his view to be very reasonable.

[Steve W]

Kate, I wish that I had Karthik's memory. By the time I hit the field I have forgotten some of the things I wanted to say. He can remember things from 10 years ago. He is definitely a brighter mind than I.

[Steven Sigley]

Our Team loves Blair.

Just saying.


MC's that have energy and really talk and interact with the teams are the best, whether they act goofy or not.

Though I'll say it is more fun if they're running all up and down the field jumping on stuff.

One of my earliest memories in FIRST is of Blair hanging on the swinging rack in 2007 gesturing towards each alliance during the finals asking the crowd who they wanted to win.

[Racer26]

Originally Posted by Kate Mosley

In my opinion, it doesn't matter what the emcee wears, so long as there is substance to what he/she is saying.

Take the most entertaining emcee/announcer team that I've seen (in all the events I've seen via webcast/live): Karthik and Paul Copioli. Neither of them have bright hair; Karthik wears his Delgado jersey, Paul some other jersey that I can't remember. Yet they are still extremely entertaining, keep the crowd pumped up, and are (from what I've seen) one of the most enjoyed/talked about teams.

While sometimes colour and accessories can be fun, I think that it can become a bit of a crutch for some emcees. While they are entertaining in a juvenile way, I find that stories, innovative introductions and other interesting facts much more so than someone dancing around in a silly costume. It holds my interest and gets me pumped up so much more. In watching some webcasts this weekend, I was disappointed by the presentation of the elimination rounds. I guess that comes from being used to hearing about all the connections between teams, about the history and things that make the individual teams special.

I guess I'm agreeing with the original poster. If you read what he actually says, he seems to be saying that some costumes seem to be a bit over the the top and distracting from what the actual message of the emcees should be. He's not saying "don't dress up;" what I read was that he's saying "don't sacrifice substance for style," and "I don't enjoy when the emcee looks extremely ridiculous all the time, I feel it brings down the tone of the event." He's not saying "emcees should wear event shirts and be serious and never wear stuff from teams and never dance," which is what most of the posts in here are arguing against. I find his view to be very reasonable.

+1 to the Karthik/Copioli camp.

Its a shame we'll be missing the new VEX Robotics CEO at Waterloo this year.

1075 has always loved the intros Karthik does. He has an incredible memory for the achievements of various teams.

Also, I will never forget the way he introduced us in eliminations at Waterloo 2009, I think it was, when he said we were trying to make a name for ourselves as one of the Canadian Elite.

[Molten]

I can sincerely relate to the thoughts of the OP. I admit I can get annoyed easily. Particularly by mascots, loud music(and loud cheering), the exaggerated costumes and the standing in the crowds. Yes, I've heard plenty about "hating fun"...but I just don't get any fun at all out of these things. I just don't. This really bothered me when I started FIRST(particularly while I was a student) but its just a part of the deal. They supply a great experience with the thrill of design and competition. The catch is sometimes you have to put up with some annoyances. Sometimes I don't like it, but I hold nothing against others that choose to have fun in different ways. In fact, if it helps them enjoy it and doesn't annoy me too much...I would encourage it.

[Edoc'sil]

Originally Posted by Kate Mosley

In my opinion, it doesn't matter what the emcee wears, so long as there is substance to what he/she is saying.

Take the most entertaining emcee/announcer team that I've seen (in all the events I've seen via webcast/live): Karthik and Paul Copioli. Neither of them have bright hair; Karthik wears his Delgado jersey, Paul some other jersey that I can't remember. Yet they are still extremely entertaining, keep the crowd pumped up, and are (from what I've seen) one of the most enjoyed/talked about teams.

While sometimes colour and accessories can be fun, I think that it can become a bit of a crutch for some emcees. While they are entertaining in a juvenile way, I find that stories, innovative introductions and other interesting facts much more so than someone dancing around in a silly costume. It holds my interest and gets me pumped up so much more. In watching some webcasts this weekend, I was disappointed by the presentation of the elimination rounds. I guess that comes from being used to hearing about all the connections between teams, about the history and things that make the individual teams special.

I guess I'm agreeing with the original poster. If you read what he actually says, he seems to be saying that some costumes seem to be a bit over the the top and distracting from what the actual message of the emcees should be. He's not saying "don't dress up;" what I read was that he's saying "don't sacrifice substance for style," and "I don't enjoy when the emcee looks extremely ridiculous all the time, I feel it brings down the tone of the event." He's not saying "emcees should wear event shirts and be serious and never wear stuff from teams and never dance," which is what most of the posts in here are arguing against. I find his view to be very reasonable.

Dito on this he said what i was unable to articulate.