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How funny do I have to be as an announcer?

I would like to be an announcer for sports like baseball basketball or football.

sports communications sports-media broadcast-journalism
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Sean’s Answer

Your sense of humor doesn't determine your potential as a great announcer. Mastering the art of announcing requires time and understanding. Are you familiar with the game? Can you confidently deliver the commentary? Don't worry, all these skills will develop with time and experience. While having catchy phrases or a knack for humor can add entertainment, they are not essential. Keep going, you're on the right path!
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Kevin
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Mona’s Answer

Hey Kevin, you've hit the nail on the head with this brilliant question. Just as with any job, being a commentator calls for certain abilities. These include a knack for analysis, a deep understanding of the topic at hand, and the skill to share important details in a clear and brief manner. A top-notch commentator enhances the experience by providing data and spotlighting significant points in the sport or game. They do this while being mindful of their timing and delivery to ensure they don't take away from the main event. While a sense of humor can be a nice touch, it's not a must-have for the role.

Mona recommends the following next steps:

Watch or attend a game/event and take note of what you liked and did not like about the announcer at the event
Continue to hone your knowledge of the particular sport by watching games, doing your own research on player/game statistics, or engaging with peers that have similar interests
Practice public speaking - whether that is through a class at school or elsewhere
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Antonio’s Answer

Hello,

Being funny or humorous is not a job requirement for being an announcer. The craft in capturing an audience is a skill that great announcer possess. The knowledge of the game, the tone of voice when speaking, the connection with the audience while going live. These a great skill sets needed to become a great announcer.
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Bob’s Answer

Very interesting question!

A lot of sports announcers, simply by talking about what's happening in front of them (a lot of funny things happen on the basketball court and football field already!), they get to laugh while they comment on the action.

If you're serious about pursuing an announcer career, but also want to hone your humorous skills, start with this:

1. Practice your public speaking abilities. Any opportunity you have to speak in front of people for any occasion (even a small family gathering or church event) will help you gain confidence and experience with clear pronunciation, steady pacing, and ensuring everyone understands you. If appropriate, you could insert some funny comments and see how they work. After you're done, try to think like a comedian and analyze why you did or didn't make them laugh.

2. Take some courses in broadcast journalism. Sign up for courses online. Subscribe to and follow YouTube, Instagram, and other social media accounts of people who teach sports announcing and voice over work. Are they funny? What makes them funny? How could you take what makes them funny and use it when you comment on games? Comment on their videos or message them directly saying you'd like to pursue this career and would love to hear their advice!

3. Go to games near you. After everything is over, introduce yourself to the announcers and politely ask them for recommendations. How did they get started? What do they love most about it? What do they hate? What do they think about "being funny?" ... You could even start your own YouTube or Podcast and ask them if you could interview them!

Hope this helps!

Bob recommends the following next steps:

Volunteer and ask to help for any event that needs an announcer.
Take acting, public speaking, and journalism classes in-person.
Post your own demo reel on social media. Grab a phone, take video of a local highschool sport. Upload it with your voice. Try even inserting fake commercials like, "This is sponsored by MeowMix cat food..."
Reach out to local radio stations, announcers, and recording studios. Ask about mentorships, internships, or even a short phone call. You'd be surprised how many people want to help you!
Pretend everything is a sport. Approach your daily life with heightened observation. Watch people and think how you would announce their actions as if it were a sport!
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Kevin
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Naim’s Answer

Hey Kevin,

As a sports commentator, you've got the liberty to mix in as much humor as you feel comfortable with in your commentary. It's all about embracing your unique style. Keep in mind, in the world of professional sports, there's no strict rule that says commentators must be jokesters. However, a timely joke or a sprinkle of wit can certainly add some zest to the broadcast and make it a delight for the viewers.

From my experience in the professional sports arena, I've noticed that even if not all commentators use humor as their primary tool, there are always opportunities to add a dash of fun and light-heartedness into the commentary. It could be a keen observation, a playful comment, or even a humorous anecdote about the game or the athletes.

The key is to strike the right balance between keeping the audience informed about the game's progress and adding a touch of entertainment to keep them engaged. So, if you're someone who naturally has a knack for humor and you believe it enhances the broadcast, by all means, incorporate it into your commentary. Just ensure it's always respectful and appropriate for the situation.

Take it easy,
Naim Rahaim
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Nik’s Answer

Kevin! While I have never worked as an announcer, I work closely with two of them. One announces for the Orlando Magic and the other for the Tampa Bay Lightning. From my experience seeing them work, I would say that funny is not the key. Rather, you want to be engaging. Your announcing should add to the experience, highlighting and enhancing what is important without distracting from the sport people came to experience.
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Chris’s Answer

I would say funny is not a pre-requisite for sports broadcasting or presenting. Sports is so fast pace & changing that exciting and funny things happen right in front of you in the moment and once you have the in-depth knowledge & passion to commentate on these events the rest will follow
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Melissa’s Answer

Being humorous isn't necessarily a must for an announcer. What truly matters is your ability to captivate your listeners, communicate with conviction, and present yourself as a knowledgeable authority. By letting your unique personality glow, you can effectively connect with your audience.
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