Dierdorf and Brandstatter are national treasures
The most recent episode of the Shutdown Fullcast just gushes about our radio broadcast team. They were in their car listening to Dan and Jim and loved that it wasn’t some athletic department talking heads whitewashing the “performance” of the teams. “Sack Time” and “hooorrrible” figure prominently in their banter. They liken them to Statler and Waldorf (of Muppets fame) in the press box. I spit out my coffee at one point , but I’m easily amused. Tried to figure out how to embed a podcast but I’m lucky to get a photo to embed. I think I’ll listen this weekend even if I can’t sync the radio and tv.
October 8th, 2019 at 9:10 AM ^
I like Jim a lot as a color guy. I thought he did a marvelous job doing the Lions games.
He's not a lead broadcaster. He is a lot like Blaha in that they just cannot paint a picture of what is happening on the field. There are gaps, pauses, and inconsistencies. They really need to find someone to lead the charge and let him go back to what he does best.
October 8th, 2019 at 9:48 AM ^
Saturday was the first game in a long time where I listened to the radio broadcast for the majority of the broadcast on the radio instead of live or on TV. I couldn't agree with you more, Brandy is such a legend from the perspective of the program but the calls were driving me crazy.
"Third and goal...Stanley drops back...they're throwing to Martin...on a fade route...working against Thomas...it is....Incomplete!"
Just tell me what happened, Jim!
October 8th, 2019 at 10:02 AM ^
George Blaha has had a hall of fame play-by-play career. Terrible comparison.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:08 AM ^
As a basketball announcer I think Blaha is one of the best. As a football announcer not so much.
October 8th, 2019 at 1:49 PM ^
It is sad listening to Blaha do football. He can't even read the yard lines. Hard to tell if Sparty gets 1 or 16 yards on a play when listening to him. Luckily, if it is Sparty, safe assumption that it is just a yard...
October 8th, 2019 at 10:08 AM ^
Can't tell if you're serious. I've only heard him on MSU football and he is the worst announcer I've ever listened to.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:12 AM ^
I'm serious. He's been the Pistons guy since the 70s and he's excellent. I dont listen to a ton of MSU broadcasts, but Blaha's grasp of PBP means he doesnt have Brandstatter's problems - which is a total inability to coherently describe what is happening in the field.
He is now in his mid-70s. I'll give him a listen. Maybe he's fallen off a cliff as he approaches retirement.
October 8th, 2019 at 11:27 AM ^
Reggie, his college football PBP is awful. I do not know if there's any way to argue otherwise.
I will never forget when he called the B10 championship against Wisconsin, and Wilson completed that absolute hail mary on 4th down. And he goes, "Wilson back, throws, caught. First down Wisconsin. Down to the five yard line." And it was like a 50 yard bomb.
He is absolutely terrible at describing what is happening on the field.
October 8th, 2019 at 12:53 PM ^
I think he's better on TV, because I don't rely on him to know what is happening.
When I listen to MSU PBP, he is well behind the play, makes glaring errors, and whines about the officiating about every other play. Gets away with it because he's a homer for them.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:13 AM ^
I think you would be in a pretty firm minority on that. I mean, he is calling State games, so that is pretty gross by itself, but that isn't his problem. I think he is a really good football announcer and will have the State game on the radio during fall yardwork etc.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:30 AM ^
You purposefully listen to MSU football on the radio? Now that's gross!
October 8th, 2019 at 10:34 AM ^
Ha. Saturday is for college football. When I am out working in the yard and there is no conflict with the Michigan game, hell yeah I have it on. Typically it is a game of importance in the standings to Michigan, I like Blaha as a PBP guy, and the Sparty No moments are pretty classic on radio.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:17 AM ^
I think you’re letting your bias show. Back before I went to UMich I was actually a State fan (I know I know but I was a kid so give me a break) and his football basketball and Pistons broadcasts (w/ Kelser) were always great. Very memorable voice and good at conveying emotion but under control.
October 9th, 2019 at 10:23 AM ^
How about Washtenaw County 'Treasures'?
There are others--many, many others--who are HOF broadcasters who, in fact, are not "Treasures"..........
October 8th, 2019 at 10:14 AM ^
Blaha is (literally, in my mind) a hall of fame NBA basketball announcer.
Football? I'm not sure why, but he's not nearly as descriptive and let's his MSU bias interfere with the actual play-by-play part.
And to be clear: for college radio "home" teams, I expect bias -- that is literally what they are getting paid to do. But he is too often wrong and/or slow with basics like "Was the pass caught?" and "How many yards did the play go?".
That said, he is better at Brandy at play-by-play, but that's not saying much.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:21 AM ^
Add Shepard and have him and Dierdorf do color, ala Monday Night Football when I watched it. They’d feed off each other and offer hilarious talk overs reminiscent of past holiday dinners.
October 8th, 2019 at 3:31 PM ^
Brandy was a great color guy but horrible play by play. Makes you want to pull your hair out listening to him. I did like DD ripping into the offense and not sugar coating it on Saturday.
October 8th, 2019 at 9:11 AM ^
“Sack time” makes me so uncomfortable. Most cringeworthy saying ever.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:23 AM ^
It is for sure...not to mention it is so basic, it hardly qualifies as a saying. It’s one thing if a sack is described like Dan Miller: “Gonna get hit, gonna go down”, but to simply call it “sack time” is both store brand imitation vanilla AND cringey.
October 8th, 2019 at 11:23 AM ^
i think sacktime is what peyton manning calls getting taped by the TN trainers.
October 8th, 2019 at 11:43 AM ^
When I was driving home from the game on Saturday I heard the defensive highlights. Every sack was played and I just couldn't believe he kept going SACK TIME!!! I swear he used to say "and he is sacked!!" Sounded so much better.
October 8th, 2019 at 1:17 PM ^
"Sack time!" sounds like something a 6th grader would make up.
Hadn't listened to them in awhile but on Saturday I had to listen to the last 5 minutes of the first half on my way home. Just brutally bad. I had no idea what was happening and it became so frustrating I just switched it off, figuring I'd find out when I got in front of my television.
Anyone know who is in charge of hiring the radio team? Is it Warde or someone else?
October 8th, 2019 at 2:05 PM ^
Every time I hear "Sack Time" I can't help thinking of this SNL bit: https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/sports-center---romano/n11217 Equally cringe worthy.
October 9th, 2019 at 12:14 PM ^
Sweet sassy molassey. I love that skit!!!
October 8th, 2019 at 9:15 AM ^
Love Dierdorf. He is fantastic imho.
October 8th, 2019 at 9:59 AM ^
He really is. The MgoWife bought a light I had to install last weekend and I decided to do it Saturday (still not sure why) but I listened to most of the game on the radio whilst installing - actually really enjoyed it. I think I'll mute the TV next time and get the radio on for the play by play assuming there's not much of a lag.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:12 AM ^
I believe if you listen on mgoblue.com, you are able to pause the broadcast and sync it to the action on the TV. I've done that in the past but it's been a few years. Might still work tho.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:43 AM ^
Thanks, Kimble!
October 8th, 2019 at 11:06 AM ^
Thats Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson
October 8th, 2019 at 9:18 AM ^
I still think they need a true PBP guy in the booth with them. I would've made a play for Matt Shepard to call Michigan hoops and football before the Tigers snatched him up. Him with Dan and Jim would've been a nice trio.
October 8th, 2019 at 9:24 AM ^
I really wish Michigan would consider finding a real play-by-play guy for the radio booth. Make Brandstatter and Dierdorf color guys. Brandstatter as PBP is unlistenable.
(Heard part of the WVU vs. Texas game on the radio this weekend. The West Virginia play-by-play guy is Vin Scully compared to Brandstatter. If middle-of-nowhere WVU can do it, Michigan can.)
October 8th, 2019 at 9:38 AM ^
I'm dating myself a bit but the guy I thought who did a great job as lead broadcaster (admittedly for the Lions) was Mark Champion. I could really visualize the game with him. And he didn't pull any punches ("Man oh man....")
As for the Wolverines whatever else he was I liked Frank Beckman on the radio.
October 8th, 2019 at 9:45 AM ^
Champion basically lost his job for telling it like it is. The reason he was so great is that he wasn't afraid to say what Lions fans were thinking....most of which was frustrating and agonizing.
I really liked Beckmann on the mic as well. I think you can guess who I liked more than Frank, though.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:10 AM ^
Beckmann has made himself unpalatable for, well, pick your own relevant reason. No way that guy should be representing Michigan with the kinds of things he’s said and published in recent years.
October 9th, 2019 at 1:48 PM ^
Dumb as shit comment. I can't stand how people condemn everything about a person because they disagree with their politics. People can be multi-faceted. Beckmann never, ever brought his politics into the booth when doing a game. It was pure sports reporting. Clint Eastwood is very conservative in his politics. Do you think we should boycott all his movies?
October 8th, 2019 at 10:24 AM ^
Agreed. Champion was brilliant, IMHO. He was honest when they sucked, but euphoric when they didn't.
And as I said, WRT Beckman I'm just going off his radio performance. I'm not sure what he's said (I don't keep track) but I know he's got alot of people bugged.
And I love guys who can be honest, but be homers. I.E. I can see Champion calling the Iowa game being thrilled with the defense and openly questioning the offense; while avoiding the thing I hate 'You have to really hand it to that opposing team...'
October 8th, 2019 at 9:42 AM ^
I still really like both of them, even though Brandy is out of his element. They are big big homers but are not afraid to stay objective and be critical when necessary.
A Matt Shepard type would definitely make them an A++ broadcasting team, imho.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:05 AM ^
Yes. A 3-man booth would be great if they could add a polished PBP guy to relay the details.
October 8th, 2019 at 1:44 PM ^
I wonder if they could even fit another person in the radio booth.
I'll show myself out....
October 8th, 2019 at 10:17 AM ^
I do not get all the love for Matt Shepard. He's OK. He's average. He's 5 on a 10 scale. Put him in the booth with Brandy and Dierdorf and the broadcasts go from a C to a B-.
October 8th, 2019 at 11:32 AM ^
I don't have this great affinity for him, I just used him as an example. He is however fairly clear and concise and sets up his color guy without too much obnoxious personality. I guess that's what I'd look for; just be good. I don't need you to knock my socks off, just tell me what's going on.
That said, even though I do like Gus Johnson, I don't need the hyperbole. And I'm definitely in the "can't stand Blaha" camp; but it's not for lack of talent, it's his dorky personality. Like I'm sure he was great doing pugilism calls in 1934.
October 8th, 2019 at 1:59 PM ^
I always liked Blaha when I watched the Pistons. However, the one and only time I heard him on an MSU broadcast was 2016 MSU-UM he sounded like he was going to bawl because the Spartans were getting jobbed by the officials. Watched the replay (nothing)
October 8th, 2019 at 9:51 AM ^
I loved Brando doing the Lions post game interviews with Schwartz.
"Tough loss today coach, if you could have gotten a bounce here or a break there the outcome could have been different. What do you say to the guys after a game like that?"
wash, rinse and repeat..... Sunday after Sunday after Sunday.
October 8th, 2019 at 9:52 AM ^
I find it hard to listen to Dierdorf. I think he's got a case of BPONE. I don't blame him, but I don't want to hear it on TV.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:01 AM ^
I don't know if I'd classify it as BPONE personally, but I kind of dig the "what the fuck is this shit" vibe he's got going on.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:11 AM ^
Yes. Exactly. Aren't we all asking what the fuck is this shit?
October 8th, 2019 at 10:08 AM ^
National treasures, yes. An objectivity good radio broadcast team? Nope. Brandy is in his own universe.
With that said, Viva Fullcast.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:14 AM ^
I think the are fine now. Not the most polished duo but they have grown on me.
October 8th, 2019 at 10:18 AM ^
Personally, I like them. There are certainly better announcing teams out there, and yes, Brandy is no PBP man. But I like the fact that they aren't some polished pair that could come from anywhere. Sure, both are UM homers, but I would expect that from two guys who wore the colors on the field. And that doesn't keep them from showing their displeasure (and sometimes disgust) with the team's play.
I was listening to the Rutgers game, and at the point where Patterson had the ball near the goal line on an RPO, both of them practically screamed "RUN!" into their microphones. The urgency in their voices painted a clear picture: "You've got the room - take it yourself!" Thankfully, Shea did. Otherwise, I think Dan would have had an embolism in the booth.