World Cup: Forget the Football, Focus on the Pundits – ITV part 1
11 Jul
So, after a thorough two part BBC review, looking at how successful the broadcasting giant has been off the field, it’s time to move on to ITV, hopefully without the distraction of a Hyundai car advert to spoil your enjoyment of this article (he says hopefully). From the contentious Adrian Chiles right through the Robbie Earle scandal via a myriad of former players and managers, I shall look at the contribution to this World Cup of ‘the guys in the studio’.
Rather like David Villa, passionate West Brom supporter and former Match of the Day 2 presenter Adrian Chiles came into this tournament on the back of a big-money transfer. Much was expected of both, with Villa expected to fire the Spanish to World Cup glory, and Chiles leading the presenting duties for ITV, having replaced Steve Rider as the face of football. That’s where the similarities end however. Villa has indeed proved a revelation at the tournament, impressing throughout and justifying the cost of his transfer from Valencia to Barcelona. On the other hand, as far as I’m concerned, Chiles has failed to live up to high expectations, and lacks the authority and discipline to be compared to the likes of Gary Linekar over on BBC.
Granted, he’s never had much experience of presenting live game (in fact, before the World Cup, he’d only ever covered a Norwich v Tamworth FA Cup tie) so it may have been too much of a challenge to throw him into such a daunting stage immediately. However, whilst Linekar is polished and has respect from the pundits, having played at the highest level himself, Chiles almost tries to be too ‘matey’ for want of a better word. His laidback style can work well in situations, but for me, it’s just not professional enough.
His fellow presenter, and long-time ITV stalwart Matt Smith has been there, done that, and got many a T-shirt, or at least that’s what his greying hair suggests! He’s only 43, but seems to have been around for a while longer than that. He’s a safe pair of hands, a comforting face for viewers and competent in his duties. He has played second fiddle to Chiles on the presenting front, but his performances are sure to have caught the producers’ attention.
I agree wholeheartedly about Chiles, as I think does most of the nation. His cuddly “Apprentice You’re Fired” style, which can be pleasant at times, just doesn’t cut it for as big an event as the World Cup. There’s a place for humour in punditry, but not at the expense of respectability, and I believe Chiles has got that balance wrong.
Smith is a little smarmy for my liking.
It’s Lineker not Linekar by the way.
Finding your blog a bit addictive! Viewing figures for the final tell a story. BBC 15 mill – 4.5 times what ITV mananged for their average audience. Ultimately, ITV got off to a terrible start with missing the England goal with an advert and never recovered.
Totally disagree – I love Adrian Chiles! He adds an irrisistable, orgiastic excess of ‘joi de vivre’
Thanks for the comments all of you! Av, I’m here to brighten up your day!! Think of this blog as a welcome distraction