Jenny Jones Bronze Medal Coverage Prompts Complaints To BBC For ‘Immature’ Behavior


Apparently the BBC snowboarding commentators got a bit carried away with Jenny Jones’ historic bronze medal win for the UK, the first ever in snow for the island nation at a Winter Olympics.

The commentary during Jones’ run that led her to stand on the Sochi Olympic podium left much to be desired and prompted hundreds of complaints to the network.

BBC has recognized that its team of announcers got a little excited over Jenny Jones winning the bronze medal.

While looking at the Twitter feed for the television station, the reactions are mixed and most seem to be amused, more than offended, at the fact that about 300 people called the network to voice their discontent.

Commentators Ed Leigh and Tim Warwood were labelled “immature idiots”, among other things, for being too partial and cheering for Jenny Jones as she participated in the slopestyle snowboarding competition in Sochi.

They were joined in the BBC box by another British snowboarder, Aimee Fuller. The trio frequently talked over each other and interrupted one another as they discussed what was taking place on the course.

What upset some viewers is that the announcers erupted in cheers when another competitor, Austrian Anna Glasser fell, in effect assuring the 33-year-old Brit would get the bronze.

In part of the commentary Fuller said, “Go on the Jones” and Warwood, full of nerves he was not trying to conceal commented, “I can’t watch this, someone else commentate.”

Following Glasser’s fall the box didn’t hold back and Fuller screamed, “(Jenny) Jones gets bronze. Can I stand on my chair now?”

The cheering was so loud that at one point Fuller became aware that the group was out of control in front of millions of viewers who were also excited about Jenny Jones‘ bronze medal.

“Whoa, are we supposed to do that? Probably not.” she said.

In another moment, while Jenny Jones impatiently waited for her score Leigh said, “I can feel my pulse in my lower intestine” to which Warwood replied, “That’s not your pulse, Ed.”

Some 303 complaints were posted to the BBC board. One read, “Shame, the Jones medal overshadowed by immature idiots”, another complaint had harsh words for the trio cheering on the fallen Austrian, “shrieking with joy at the fall of a non-GB (Great Britain) athlete.”

In their statement about the Jenny Jones commentary the network said:

“This was a truly historic occasion for Team GB and the commentary team were understandably very excited. However, we acknowledge that on occasion this excitement got the better of them.”

Some of the viewers were offended by commentary alluding to sexual acts after Leigh and Warwood laughed and giggled saying, “pumping the fist in the commentary box.”

Leigh at another over excited point said of Jenny Jones that she “had a face that can help bread rise.”

“Just been watching BBC coverage of snowboarding with my 6-yr-old son. He just asked what ‘pumping the fist’ meant. Disgusting BBC.” Graham Carr tweeted.

“Wish BBC snowboarding commentary team get buried in avalanche. Cringing so much my face hurts. Can’t believe we pay their wages!” Melanie also wrote on Twitter.

The BBC apologized for the unprofessional behavior on the part of its commentators and added that a total of 3.1 million viewers tuned in to watch Jenny Jones make history.

[Image via Jenny Jones Blog]

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