Way back in time I developed an interest in American football. Given the athletic nature of the game and the stereotyping of such things I must confess that my interest developed through gaming. I saw the tactical nature of the game and couldn't resist. Gradually my interest grew to the stage where I would actually watch sports!
Back in those days American football was shown on Channel 4, and since there were no Friends back then they had next to no budget. But it was great fun. Their building block logo became a running back and they stuck a camera in one of their basements and put a few lockers in there to make it look sporty. It was great! Gradually the format changed. As the viewing figures increased and someone discovered some money they decided to send the presenter out to the US and such. A presenter who has actually made sports entertaining for me. Gary Imlach.
Imlach was amazing. He managed to be informative without being patronising, and although no Murray Walker someone who managed to bring a very sincere enthusiasm to his job. And the best thing was, it wasn't just American football. When Channel 4 went 24 hours the man got a whole night to share things with us!
Then someone decided that Channel 4 were using too much US content and threatened punishment unless they fixed it; so the sports I'd grown to enjoy switched channel. One night I was bored and discovered that Imlach was presenting the Tour de France; I'd never had any interest in it before but the Imlach charm sucked me in and now I can actually appreciate the tactics in cycle races.
So last night I did something I've not done for a few years and tuned in to the Superbowl. Back when Imlach was around I was young and happily stayed up all night to watch but it wasn't the same any more. Maybe I was just hoping for some celebrity nipple. But as I sat cringing at the dire studio crowd imagine my surprise and pure glee when they handed over to the stadium. That voice, that face, it was Gary Imlach!
American football was back! Even if it was on the wrong channel and with a useless anchor; Imlach was on my screen. I was overjoyed. I know I'm pathetic but Gary Imlach rocks! The key to my embarrassing fanboy attitude? Simply that he's a normal person. There aren't the clichés you usually get when a former sportsman presents his old sport. Imlach may not be the most exciting man on the screen but that's good too; much better than the superstars and bombos they often put out at the front.
My secret to a good sports show? Get Gary Imlach!