Dan-cat wrote:I dont see why they should retire/be retired if they can still do the job properly. Absolute no reason why you can't be still very useful in your 70s.
They've never known who the new players are. Doesn't mean that they aren't great - and I mean great - broadcasters.
It sounds to me like the BBC are moving in a different direction, wanting people to know about the modern game more. If that's the case, it's hard to justify keeping people like Taylor and Virgo, who by Virgo's own admission DON'T know about the modern game.
If they're just getting rid of them because of their age, that's different. Obviously, they won't be around forever so we need to start looking to the future. That doesn't necessarily mean you sack off everybody who is of a certain age and then bring in younger people for the sake of it. We need competent people, who can do the job. Maybe start bringing in the newer commentators, and phase out the oldies gradually?
Also, bear in mind, people who are going to be able to commentate full time aren't going to be the youngest of people. You're going to be ex-players rather than current ones, so you're looking at people in their late 40s/early 50s at the youngest probably.
But I'm fine with the BBC moving in a new direction of more knowledgeable commentators. That's something they desperately need. Virgo and Taylor could stay around as personalities or for features, or whatever. But I dislike the attitude that they're giving off that it's some outrage that they should actually know something about snooker. Maybe commentating at The Seniors is more something that Virgo and Taylor would enjoy. That's the sort of thing that they know about.
Also, I'd humbly suggest sacking of Parrott. I'd say he equally added nothing to the product. Maybe less than Virgo/Taylor. He knows bog all, and isn't even that funny.