Clowns or Announcers?

[Doc_Wu]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Molten]

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

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.

I did sound effects for a mime troupe in college.
I love mimes.

Wow, it sure is easy to cause a detour.

[GaryVoshol]

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.

[Carlee10]

I really never thought the outfits or what-have-you were an issue… I would just like for them to be well-spoken, and comfortable in front of us. It doesn’t help when you MC and your personality or speaking skills don’t translate and we feel uncomfortable. The way a MC acts affects the whole feel of the regional. I really don’t mind much how they dress.

I find the people who don’t enjoy the general atmosphere are persons who don’t like crowds, loud noise, or big places. And thats totally cool, but it’s prolly to much for 3 action packed days at a regional. That could be waaaaaaaay too much.

2cents.

[Dancin103]

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

Yes, and don’t forget Barry and Bethany’s Prom outfits made out of track balls.

Cass

[Dan_Richardson]

I just think there’s a limit where too much of it becomes a bit tasteless.

Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man…

[Stephen_Kowski]

Am I the only one that feels slightly put off by the clown suits or is that really what everyone wants? Or is it just a case of some adults once again completely out of touch with young people?

who knows if you are, hopefully i guess

less? I say we need more costumes…maybe if we had 5 or 6 announcers jump out of a tiny clown car, that’d be a start

[Barry_Bonzack]

This is the way I heard it best from Woodie Flowers, but i’m not putting it in quotes because I don’t recall precise wording.

All FIRST volunteers should act how we want the students to act. If the volunteers are a bunch of professional stiffs then who is encouraging teams to dress up and cheer like they would for a sporting event?

This applies to all volunteers, I believe he was referring to the judges and their funny hats they wore at a competition.

[JaneYoung]

One of the great things about this thread is that images start coming to mind when thinking of announcers and emcees. There are many photos here in CD that highlight the antics and moments that have made the events so memorable. There are also the competitions, themselves, and how we were a part of the experience, soaking it up and enjoying ourselves, sometimes amazed at those special highlights and knowing how hard those people were working to give them to us.

Jane

[Adam_Y]

This strikes me as a little condescending to our kids. Do they really think this is what they want to see at a competition? Our teams are made up of High School aged kids, young adults, not children. They are world-wise and sophisticated in 2010 and I doubt that they are impressed by such theatrics.

Have you seen Mythbusters? Have you been to MIT? Mythbusters has a man dressing up in random costumes all the time. MIT usually has people performing circus arts like unicycling and juggling.

[Doc_Wu]

Have you seen Mythbusters? Have you been to MIT? Mythbusters has a man dressing up in random costumes all the time. MIT usually has people performing circus arts like unicycling and juggling.

I have seen Mythbusters. I consider myself a fan of that show. The only costumes I remember were either PPE or historical attire, unless you mean Buster?

As for MIT, I assume you mean Massachusetts Institute of Technology and, no, I haven’t been there, so I don’t know what goes on, but I hope it’s a lot of studying…

I think this thread has served it’s purpose. Stud Man Dan, yes, it’s my opinion. That’s what these forums are for…

[EricH]

Adam Savage is always dressing up as someone/something. Indiana Jones, an astronaut, a crook making a getaway… That’s not necessarily historical attire, and often it isn’t PPE, either.

Quite often, the others will do something similar–see the superhero special and the various ninja specials. Again, not necessarily historical or PPE.

I think they do it just because it’s fun, makes a point, and/or removes the “science is not cool” stereotype.

[Ringo5tarr]

I was wearing tutus (multiple tutus, all over, not just on my waist), little green John Lennon glasses, a vikings hat, and christmas tree lights at a regional, the only time I worry about condescending adults is when a mentor starts acting high and mighty.

[Mr_Tatorscout]

Don’t Be, Just Don’t Be!