Broadcasting Water Polo: A Nerd’s Approach to Calling the Game
How do you broadcast a sport you barely know?
You become a nerd about it.
During the Michael Hirn episode of The Chris & Mike Show, Michael talks about one of the more unusual assignments of his broadcasting career: calling water polo.
Instead of pretending he knew everything, Michael approached the assignment the way a good broadcaster should. He studied the rules, learned the terminology, figured out the strategy, researched the players, and prepared enough material to make sure the audience wasn't listening to someone simply guessing his way through the game.
That “nerd’s approach” is really about respecting the audience. Whether you're calling football in front of thousands of fans or covering a sport you've never broadcast before, preparation gives you the confidence to stop worrying about what you're going to say next and actually tell the story happening in front of you.
Chris and Mike dig into how much work goes on behind the scenes before a broadcaster ever turns on the microphone and why being willing to admit “I don't know this yet” can actually make you better at your job.
Because when the red light comes on, the audience shouldn't hear all the homework you did.
They should hear someone who sounds like they belong there.
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