Kayte C needs to be replaced

[ESP47]

This is an interesting point. If a fanbase is overwhelmingly opposed to a particular member of the broadcast team (I don't know that this is true -- we are a subset of the overall fanbase, but let's suppose it could be true) -- does the franchise have an obligation to listen to the fans? Is there a danger that people will stop watching games entirely just because they don't like the commentator? Should a commentator listen to the fans and take constructive criticism from them or is their job just to be themselves?

What I have observed about the pushback on Kayte since she took over that color commentator role full-time is that there is a perception out there among some of the fans that Kayte is not receptive to criticism, is not improving at her job, and perhaps even knows that she is demographically insulated regardless to the point of feeling self-righteous about it. I don't really understand how or why this perception has come about...

Some of the former NBA players who have moved into broadcasting full-time have similar tendencies to ramble and ignore the actual game (Reggie Miller immediately comes to mind) but they don't seem to attract the same level of ire. Is that because we don't listen to them nearly as often? Is it because we give them a pass for having "earned" their roles by being Hall of Famers? Is it that there is a cultural bias where some are immediately suspicious of people who are (I would say unfairly) labeled as diversity hires?

This is often the type of question which leads to an "agree to disagree" stalemate because it comes across as accusatory. I'm not trying to accuse anyone of anything, but I do think it is fair to say that cultural biases by and large operate at a subconscious level. It takes work to interrogate our own biases and in our current cultural moment the validity of that type of work has itself become an ideological lightning rod. Implicit in this statement -- "This franchise will never replace her" -- is an assumption that being good at the job is not the most important qualification. Is that assumption justified or is it evidence of subconscious bias? I can't answer that for anyone else but I can invite you to watch a few games with the intention of interrogating this belief to see if that changes your mind in any way.

I thought she was a great sideline reporter and didn't have an opinion either way of how she would be as a color commentator since I don't know anything about her other than watching her doing sideline reporting during the telecasts. Because of that, I didn't start out with any type of subconscious bias. What happened is she didn't win me over as a color commentator and eventually became almost as annoying as watching the Kings lose. For the record, I didn't think Doug was very good either but he improved quite a bit as time went on. Plus he just has a likeable personality, which helps make him easier to listen to.

I won't get into it because it will get deleted but we've all seen what Vivek and the Kings have done in the past when it comes to, lets say, "cultural stuff". That bias never seems to get questioned for some reason. Now, is she the best person for the job? Highly doubtful. Did she earn it fairly? She was among the "that makes sense" candidates, so I'd say yes. Is she doing a good job or improving? Not from what I've seen, but I can pretty much say with near certainty that she won't be going anywhere, no matter how few fans she has in Sacramento.

 

[Kingster]

She is an awful, awful analyst. Babbling about herself, babbling about things that have nothing to do with the game, making inane comments, being wrong 90% of the time on ref calls, taking over as the primary announcer of the game rather than making incisive comments explaining the game, overuse of hyperbole, the incessant use of "right," "right," "right," ad nauseam. This season is bad enough, but to be subject to her is cruel and unusual punishment. One would think that with a team as bad as the Kings management would do everything in their power to ameliorate the pain by hiring excellent announcers, but not this management team. They just keep piling on the pain.

And speaking of pain, whoever decided to add this BS Micky Mouse stat service that flashes the name of the ball handler on the screen should be fired. Whoever hired Kayte to begin with should be fired. Whoever hired the producer/director who directs the camera-work for the game should be fired, as often I find myself looking at a close-up of a coach or player on the bench while play is going on. Overall, it's a crappy product.

 

[Kingster]

I thought she was a great sideline reporter and didn't have an opinion either way of how she would be as a color commentator since I don't know anything about her other than watching her doing sideline reporting during the telecasts. Because of that, I didn't start out with any type of subconscious bias. What happened is she didn't win me over as a color commentator and eventually became almost as annoying as watching the Kings lose. For the record, I didn't think Doug was very good either but he improved quite a bit as time went on. Plus he just has a likeable personality, which helps make him easier to listen to.

I won't get into it because it will get deleted but we've all seen what Vivek and the Kings have done in the past when it comes to, lets say, "cultural stuff". That bias never seems to get questioned for some reason. Now, is she the best person for the job? Highly doubtful. Did she earn it fairly? She was among the "that makes sense" candidates, so I'd say yes. Is she doing a good job or improving? Not from what I've seen, but I can pretty much say with near certainty that she won't be going anywhere, no matter how few fans she has in Sacramento.

Totally agree. If merit was the metric for hiring her, the person doing it should have his head examined.

 

[KainLear]

This is an interesting point. If a fanbase is overwhelmingly opposed to a particular member of the broadcast team (I don't know that this is true -- we are a subset of the overall fanbase, but let's suppose it could be true) -- does the franchise have an obligation to listen to the fans? Is there a danger that people will stop watching games entirely just because they don't like the commentator? Should a commentator listen to the fans and take constructive criticism from them or is their job just to be themselves?

What I have observed about the pushback on Kayte since she took over that color commentator role full-time is that there is a perception out there among some of the fans that Kayte is not receptive to criticism, is not improving at her job, and perhaps even knows that she is demographically insulated regardless to the point of feeling self-righteous about it. I don't really understand how or why this perception has come about...

Some of the former NBA players who have moved into broadcasting full-time have similar tendencies to ramble and ignore the actual game (Reggie Miller immediately comes to mind) but they don't seem to attract the same level of ire. Is that because we don't listen to them nearly as often? Is it because we give them a pass for having "earned" their roles by being Hall of Famers? Is it that there is a cultural bias where some are immediately suspicious of people who are (I would say unfairly) labeled as diversity hires?

This is often the type of question which leads to an "agree to disagree" stalemate because it comes across as accusatory. I'm not trying to accuse anyone of anything, but I do think it is fair to say that cultural biases by and large operate at a subconscious level. It takes work to interrogate our own biases and in our current cultural moment the validity of that type of work has itself become an ideological lightning rod. Implicit in this statement -- "This franchise will never replace her" -- is an assumption that being good at the job is not the most important qualification. Is that assumption justified or is it evidence of subconscious bias? I can't answer that for anyone else but I can invite you to watch a few games with the intention of interrogating this belief to see if that changes your mind in any way.

Well, this presupposes that there's any sort of meritocracy to staffing color commentators in the first place. Play-by-play announcers are media-trained and typically possess a considerable amount of broadcasting experience by the time they end up working for an NBA franchise or a major network. But color commentary is a much more nebulous role, and though there are some exceptions, staffing a sports broadcast is pretty much an insider's game. Franchises across the league typically like to hire former professional players to do the job, whether they perform well on the call or not. What their reasons are for preferencing one insider over another is anyone's guess, but given the generally mediocre-to-poor quality of most local broadcasts, it probably doesn't have much to do with serving the fan's preferences.

Women do face greater undeserved scrutiny in these kinds of roles than men do, but Kayte Christensen is a former collegiate and professional basketball player with enough bonafides to make her a worthy hire if what you value is a former pro's perspective. She's not particularly effective on the call, but again, most of the league's color commentators are rambling types who don't really know what to do with the time they're meant to fill despite their knowledge of the game. And if Kayte is supposed to represent an example of cronyism or unfair patronage to a certain kind of Kings fan, well, once again we could level that kind of accusation at most of the color commentators across the league's local broadcasts. So that's the point at which I would ask Kings fans to check their biases. Watch and listen to more of the league, I say. You don't know what you don't know.

While I appreciate the logical perspectives, this is being framed as a problem to fix when it’s really an experience to interpret. The OP and those who agree have made it pretty clear that, at its core, this is about emotion, especially in a role that doesn’t have a universally accepted “perfect standard.”

It's never really about questions like, what technically counts as “talking too much” for a color commentator and how does she compare, quantitatively or stylistically, to others around the league? Is it actually changing the viewing experience, and if so, in what specific ways?

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

While I appreciate the logical perspectives, this is being framed as a problem to fix when it’s really an experience to interpret. The OP and those who agree have made it pretty clear that, at its core, this is about emotion, especially in a role that doesn’t have a universally accepted “perfect standard.”

It's never really about questions like, what technically counts as “talking too much” for a color commentator and how does she compare, quantitatively or stylistically, to others around the league? Is it actually changing the viewing experience, and if so, in what specific ways?

This is more PC garbage. Read the thread again. There are plenty of tangible points made about specifics

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Hire Snoop

 

[Makaveli]

I’d take Grant by himself over any combo we have had since he was fired. Kayte always seems to try and prove she knows the game better than whoever she is with. Kyle is a fan. It’s like listening to pretty much anybody. Mark is Unrestrainedly vexatious and extremely pretentious.

 

[TaxMan]

I’d take Grant by himself over any combo we have had since he was fired. Kayte always seems to try and prove she knows the game better than whoever she is with. Kyle is a fan. It’s like listening to pretty much anybody. Mark is Unrestrainedly vexatious and extremely pretentious.

I’m not a big Grant fan in general. He’s abrasive and feels like he tried to make controversy for the sake of his radio show. That said, I very much enjoyed his work on the broadcasts much more than anything since he left. He was always focused on the action and really knew when to amp up the intensity in his game call. He understood the sac market and the fans and catered well to his audience. Jerry worked very well with him. Felt like the were usually considered nationally as one of the better local broadcast teams.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I enjoyed his game announcing. His signature call still sends a tingle back to the golden years. I'd hear his radio show when I visited home during that time and he was an insufferable prick. I'm sure he knew what he was doing when he got himself fired so don't pity him one bit.

 

[Tetsujin]

Double birds to the haters

 

[fansinceday1]

She’s easily the worst in the NBA. Easily. Watching the ending of the duke game, i made myself laugh imagining Kayte talking all over the game winning shot. Cause she woulda.

 

[Section 101]

She’s easily the worst in the NBA. Easily. Watching the ending of the duke game, i made myself laugh imagining Kayte talking all over the game winning shot. Cause she woulda.

Seems like Jones just interupts her now to make the play calls.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Kayte is a blabbering motor-mouth that needs to go. I don't know what kind of contract she has but should not be extended and new hire (color analyst) in place for next season.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Kayte is a blabbering motor-mouth that needs to go. I don't know what kind of contract she has but should not be extended and new hire (color analyst) in place for next season.

Yup. With this organization though? She'll be extended "for outstanding work" and in place for at least another 5 years

 

[Section 101]

Yup. With this organization though? She'll be extended "for outstanding work" and in place for at least another 5 years

They might as well get rid of the play by play and let her do games by herself.

 

[Warhawk]

They might as well get rid of the play by play and let her do games by herself.

Who needs play by play on TV? I can WATCH what's going on. I don't need someone to tell me that Mad Max just took a shot. I can SEE that.

For radio, of course! That's completely different.

But we have eyeballs, you know - kinda the reason we watch the moving pictures on the screen.

This whole thing is just silly and overblown.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Who needs play by play on TV? I can WATCH what's going on. I don't need someone to tell me that Mad Max just took a shot. I can SEE that.

For radio, of course! That's completely different.

But we have eyeballs, you know - kinda the reason we watch the moving pictures on the screen.

This whole thing is just silly and overblown.

Try watching a game on mute, compared to listening to Kayte jibber jabber nonsense all game. It will improve your health

 

[ESP47]

A good play by play announcer can really make the game feel more exciting. Kevin Harlan is a perfect example.

The play by play announcer can't do their job if the color analyst talks through 3 or 4 possessions. They're supposed to talk for the first few seconds of the shot clock when nothing is going on.

 

[Warhawk]

Try watching a game on mute, compared to listening to Kayte jibber jabber nonsense all game. It will improve your health

I haven't watched a game in many weeks and it has nothing to do with that, I just can't stand the product on the court most nights.

I do find her voice to be much more enjoyable to listen to than Kyle's, for instance, and wish that I could just mute him.

A good play by play announcer can really make the game feel more exciting. Kevin Harlan is a perfect example.

Really? I honestly don't care much either way. I can SEE when Westbrook makes a pass to Max for a hook shot. I don't need anyone telling me that.

Do you need someone telling you there's a stop sign ahead when you drive, or do you figure that out on your own? Does someone need to tell you about the beautiful sunset you are looking at? Can you see the beauty of the Grand Canyon while standing on the rim, or do you need someone explaining that to you?

 

[ESP47]

I haven't watched a game in many weeks and it has nothing to do with that, I just can't stand the product on the court most nights.

I do find her voice to be much more enjoyable to listen to than Kyle's, for instance, and wish that I could just mute him.


Really? I honestly don't care much either way. I can SEE when Westbrook makes a pass to Max for a hook shot. I don't need anyone telling me that.

Do you need someone telling you there's a stop sign ahead when you drive, or do you figure that out on your own? Does someone need to tell you about the beautiful sunset you are looking at? Can you see the beauty of the Grand Canyon while standing on the rim, or do you need someone explaining that to you?

You alright man? You seem to be arguing just for the sake of arguing. I think you know that every broadcasted sports game has a play by play announcer for reasons other than catering to blind and stupid people. Lets shelve this one for TDOS.

 

[Warhawk]

You alright man? You seem to be arguing just for the sake of arguing. I think you know that every broadcasted sports game has a play by play announcer for reasons other than catering to blind and stupid people. Lets shelve this one for TDOS.

I'm perfectly fine. I know every broadcasted game has a PBP announcer. I just find most of them pretty useless, and even the good ones don't add much. I can SEE the action. Them telling me who passed to who does very little to add to the game. I personally get a lot more from the color people telling me the behind the scenes stories, etc., than the PBP person saying "Bibby...Bibby...Webber!"

And, frankly, it’s already pretty much TDOS. These last handful of games don’t mean anything and on the rare chance our young guys play well enough to win almost everyone here has a coronary like their favorite football team just lost the Super Bowl.

 

[AaronPDX]

Man, of all the things to be concerned with about this dreadful team, this may be the very last thing I am concerned with

 

[coolhandluke]

Kayte has reached "wife" status with me.

I can selectively ignore hearing her voice at will now.

 

[Tetsujin]

Man, of all the things to be concerned with about this dreadful team, this may be the very last thing I am concerned with

“I don’t like the color scheme of the Titanic!” -literally this thread

 

[PacMan]

Personally for me, it could be the best broadcast team calling the game for this current team and I still wouldn’t have much interest in watching the game. On the other hand, if we’re a fun winning team, then I would easily watch regardless of who’s calling the game. The broadcast team is the icing on the cake for me. If the cake is rotten, I don’t care about the icing

 

[Warhawk]

Personally for me, it could be the best broadcast team calling the game for this current team and I still wouldn’t have much interest in watching the game. On the other hand, if we’re a fun winning team, then I would easily watch regardless of who’s calling the game. The broadcast team is the icing on the cake for me. If the cake is rotten, I don’t care about the icing

Exactly, thank you. Agreed 100%. I don't get why some act like the announcers make or break a game. Mind-boggling.

Man, of all the things to be concerned with about this dreadful team, this may be the very last thing I am concerned with

Also on point.

“I don’t like the color scheme of the Titanic!” -literally this thread

 

[coolhandluke]

“I don’t like the color scheme of the Titanic!” -literally this thread

More like the violinist playing on the sinking ship is grating on the ears

 

[ESP47]

People just don't seem to understand that watching bad basketball while listening to someone incessantly ramble through plays is worse than watching bad basketball while someone is not incessantly rambling through plays.

Some people are interesting and hold your attention when they talk and other people just don't have that type of charisma. It just is what it is.

 

[fansinceday1]

People just don't seem to understand that watching bad basketball while listening to someone incessantly ramble through plays is worse than watching bad basketball while someone is not incessantly rambling through plays.

Some people are interesting and hold your attention when they talk and other people just don't have that type of charisma. It just is what it is.

It seems kind of self explanatory doesn’t it?
If you are gonna be one of the worst franchises in sports, why not make sure you at least don’t have one of the worst play by play teams in basketball? Doesn’t seem all that hard to me…………unless they are actually striving to suck in all aspects. In arena entertainment? On court entertainment? . TV play by play?

Good job kings……

 

[SacTownKid]

“I don’t like the color scheme of the Titanic!” -literally this thread

Hahaha. That got me.

Truth is she's gotten much better. Before she was pushing BS, she is now kind of finding her Jerry Reynolds level of it is what it is. Jerry had the old school WWF comedy to ease things which can't be replaced but she's been better.