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Unread 15-03-2010, 21:33
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

I am married to one such "clown." Funny thing is, I was the former professional clown, not Jack!

"Jack in the Hat" wears a tie-dyed custom-made tuxedo with the FIRST logo embroidered on the back. And a top hat adorned with FIRST pins. He may look "clownish" to some. But he takes his job as emcee very seriously. He recognizes the importance and responsibility of the role. He volunteers as emcee at FLL, FTC and FRC events. His costume is his team uniform, so to speak.

Sometimes the colorful garb is what captures the attention of the media. Last year the clip of Jack made the local, regional and national news. We may prefer that they focus on other parts of the events, but if the media chooses to show a colorful FIRSTer, I'm all for it.

The music, team spirit, dancing, hair painting, etc. is what makes this different from just a science fair. I say, let's keep the clowns. But then again, I like clowns!
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Unread 15-03-2010, 21:43
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

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Originally Posted by KathieK View Post
I say, let's keep the clowns. But then again, I like clowns!
Can we make a compromise of no mimes? Everyone hates a mime.
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Unread 15-03-2010, 22:13
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

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Originally Posted by Molten View Post
Can we make a compromise of no mimes? Everyone hates a mime.
No, hate is too harsh, more like petrified! *shudders
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Unread 15-03-2010, 23:04
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

Its an interesting day in FIRST when we have TIME to complain about the Announcers/MC's...

I'll agree there is more than one catch phrase that I cringe at when the volume is turned up way too loud at champs... but then again I can't stand Emeril's BAM!! either.

I didnt get a chance to watch a lot of webcasts this year, so I guess I missed the bizzare outfits, but I happen to know several announcers & MC's and my husband fills both roles at the Clarkson FLL/FTC tournament.

For all of you suggesting "go complain to the regional committee" I would say go a step further. Get to know one of these crazy announcers or MC's. Find them at a competition and introduce yourself... JOIN THEM FOR DINNER... I am constantly shocked at with all the fanfare they get, they often head off to dinner alone, eat at the hotels/whatever. Go get to know them. I've known Steve as long as I have been in Rochester, and he helped us get the Ruckus off the ground! We still joke that our friend's bathroom is still covered in hairpaint from the hours he spent doing his hair in the morning. And I wish half the guys I knew had his sense of style - he matches his HAIR to his shirt!! Most guys I know cant match their pants to their shirt! JonDarr has done FLR for the last several years, and is a phenomenal announcer, did anyone know he also works for NASA and has put together some amazing educational programs??

I'm amazed that we have such dedicated, excited role models all over FIRST that help Announce & MC our events. Sometimes they get a bit theatrical... Dave riding in on a motocycle, Blair rollerblading across the field... Woodie repelled from the ceiling... That these crazy engineers and scientists can grab a microphone and help us understand the game as well as be inspirational role models to our students is awesome. They dont have to go hire some washed up ex-football player to announce our games, we have REAL engineers running our show!!

Again, I haven't watched every event or webcast, so maybe I'm fortunate enough to have missed all the condescension, because in my 15 years I have never seen it.

More of a novel than I intended to write, and I will agree that we don't need to make this a show for 3 year olds all the time, but we do need to make it fun and exciting for all ages, not just those of us who are already entrenched and hooked. If loud music annoys you, bring earplugs, if bright hairspray annoys you, bring sunglasses, if enthusiasm for engineering annoys you, ask yourself why you are here.
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Unread 16-03-2010, 05:40
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

Quote:
Woodie repelled from the ceiling...
So that's what keeps me on the floor.
Which makes me wonder -- does the ceiling repel more massive objects more forcefully than it repels less massive objects?
Jeesh, I hope Woodie had a safety net.
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Unread 16-03-2010, 11:18
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

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Originally Posted by gvarndell View Post
Jeesh, I hope Woodie had a safety net.
None of the photos that I've seen show a safety net but he's a pretty smart guy - he probably created his own.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/31143

Edit: I absolutely LOVE mimes. Can you imagine a mime assisting or mimicking some of our emcees and speakers? That would be so much fun.
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Unread 16-03-2010, 13:13
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

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Originally Posted by JaneYoung View Post
Edit: I absolutely LOVE mimes. Can you imagine a mime assisting or mimicking some of our emcees and speakers? That would be so much fun.
I've seen professional sports mascots doing that. It can be fun, yes.

But...mimes? Jane, it's a good thing I don't give red dots for matters of taste.
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Unread 16-03-2010, 13:21
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

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Originally Posted by Alan Anderson View Post

But...mimes? Jane, it's a good thing I don't give red dots for matters of taste.
I did sound effects for a mime troupe in college.
I love mimes.

P.S. I hear ya, Doc
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Unread 16-03-2010, 15:43
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

In terms of MCs who do it right, how has Jeff Seaton not been mentioned? He's one of the elite, and arguably the best, MCs in all of FIRST. He keeps the events lively in a professional and enthusiastic manner. HIs wardrobe is not over the top in itself, but he'll wear just about anything that a team offers him to wear for their match (including 203's soup can) and has a great sense of humor. There's a reason he's one of the division MCs at Championship each year, he's excellent.
And he's arguably an even better game announcer than he is an MC, as he's shown during the last two Washington DC regionals where he's deferred the MCing job to Blair.

Jeff manages to stay both professional and entertaining. He's not uptight about what he'll wear or do with the teams on the field, and it helps engage both the drive teams, the team's "fans," and the crowd as a whole. But that's his style, and it would not work for every MC.

Some MCs work off of their wardrobe and "gags." They would be out of their element and even worse if they didn't. That's how they engage the audience, and I would prefer them to engage the audience rather than to be boring.
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Unread 16-03-2010, 12:40
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

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Originally Posted by Kims Robot View Post
JonDarr has done FLR for the last several years, and is a phenomenal announcer, did anyone know he also works for NASA and has put together some amazing educational programs??
Just a side-story, off-topic:

There was/is this program at a local community college in Cleveland. SEMAA, if I recall. Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy. He was a teacher (I guess that's what they're called) for the 7th/8th grade, I think. He introduced me to Civil Air Patrol, and is also part of the reason why I'm in FIRST today. While he never directly told me about FIRST, I remember him mentioning the program during one of the "classes". My dad took me to the regional, and I was hooked ever since.

JonDarr is a fascinating person, who has a love for what he does. As far as I can remember, he has announced at Buckeye for the last few years.
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Unread 16-03-2010, 16:14
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kims Robot View Post
I'll agree there is more than one catch phrase that I cringe at when the volume is turned up way too loud at champs... but then again I can't stand Emeril's BAM!! either.
Heh. Not sure I'll ever forget some of the catch phrases Paul Copioli came up with in concert with Karthik at 2008 Waterloo Regional.
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Unread 16-03-2010, 17:05
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

When I get to be an MC someday, I'm going to wear these pants and wear a pied red and blue hawaiian shirt I plan on sewing together. It's not an attempt to be an attention grabber beyond the teams, but to show off that I've got as much excitement for FIRST as the teams in attendance.

And my choice of attire is probably why I have yet to be an MC...haha.
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Unread 16-03-2010, 17:23
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

Theres always clothing made out of former FRC game pieces. I recall seeing some skirts or something made from 2007's Keepers.
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Unread 16-03-2010, 19:43
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

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Originally Posted by BrendanB View Post
No, hate is too harsh, more like petrified! *shudders
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaneYoung View Post

Edit: I absolutely LOVE mimes. Can you imagine a mime assisting or mimicking some of our emcees and speakers? That would be so much fun.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Anderson View Post
I've seen professional sports mascots doing that. It can be fun, yes.

But...mimes? Jane, it's a good thing I don't give red dots for matters of taste.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaneYoung View Post
I did sound effects for a mime troupe in college.
I love mimes.
Wow, it sure is easy to cause a detour.
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Unread 16-03-2010, 19:57
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Re: Clowns or Announcers?

OK, since we're talking about mimes ...

Before one match the MC was missing when it was time for team introductions. I told the announcer we'd have to do it in mime. I went out onto the field and made some motions and pointed my ref flag at the team, expecting to hear, "It's team 9999 from Some School!" Didn't work; the announcer hadn't understood what I meant. By the time I went over to explain myself, the MC was back.
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