Clowns or Announcers?

[Molten]

Originally Posted by KathieK

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.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Molten

Can we make a compromise of no mimes? Everyone hates a mime.

No, hate is too harsh, more like petrified! *shudders

[Kims Robot]

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.

[Madification]

I think the students feed off of the energy of the MC and at the regionals that I've been to, the MC (while decked out,) is still not as crazy as some of the students. This included me at one time: hair died red, black, and yellow (team colors), wearing football pads with stuffed squirrels ziptied on them (team mascott,) red cape with giant squirrel and "Go Nuts" on the back (team motto) and a tall "Cat in the Hat" hat. FIRST is about having fun and being yourself without worrying about what other people think of you I believe. And as several others have said having fun has never hurt anyone and if you don't enjoy a FIRST event then obviously you need to chil-lax!

[gvarndell]

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.

[CGuenther]

I agree with everyone who has said that the point is simply to entertain and maybe inspire some of the less outgoing kids to come out of their shell. Those students that are actually "world-wise and sophisticated" should be able to see the crazy getup as exactly what it is; entertainment. And those kids who are not quite world-wise and sophisticated yet (the same kids that this program is supposed to inspire and motivate to achieve greater things) may see that trying crazy things isn't really so bad.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by gvarndell

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.

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by Kims Robot

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.

[Doc Wu]

Originally Posted by Karthik

I read the original post on my way home from Pittsburgh last night and planned a response in my head, but most of it is now superfluous thanks to Kate's typically articulate post.

When I emcee, I treat the role similarly to the role of a sportscaster during a pre-game show. They're there to introduce the action, create excitement and anticipation for the upcoming event and fill in the audience on the backstory that the audience may not be familiar with. I try emulate people like Bob Costas, Joe Buck and Jim Nantz who are both incredibly knowledgeable but also have the ability to weave some humour into their descriptions, without drawing attention away from the actual event. Last time I checked, none of these people dress up like clowns.

Nope, the over the top clown suits put me off as well. I know many others (both mentors and students) who feel the same way. The students have told me they feel like they're being treated like a child.

Karthik, you're who I was thinking of when I used the term "Encyclopedic!" You know how to keep people engaged in the competition with your knowledge and humor.

Steve W. has just about the right balance with his colored hair and bright shirts, without going overboard. He and JonDarr are a great team as well.

The female MC at the NYC and Philly regionals who wears the flowers in her hair is good too. Her enthusiasm alone would be enough to notice her, but she's developed a "trademark" look so you recognize her instantly.

Someone mentioned Dave Verbrugge. I haven't been at the right regionals and have missed seeing him for a few years, but he's outstanding as well.

It seems like a lot of you are trying to rebut my statement by citing the MCs who I feel are doing it right. I think we're all saying the same thing, but from different angles.

If you're up in the stands and look at the field, full of referees, team members and field reset volunteers running around, and a voice comes out of the PA system, it's nice to have something to spot so you can home in on the MC when he/she speaks, so I get that. I just think there's a limit where too much of it becomes a bit tasteless. That point may vary widely for different people.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

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.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

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

[Lil' Lavery]

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.

[Racer26]

Originally Posted by Kims Robot

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.

[Tetraman]

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.

[Racer26]

Theres always clothing made out of former FRC game pieces. I recall seeing some skirts or something made from 2007's Keepers.