Don Taylor (Canadian sportscaster)

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Don Taylor (born September 25, 1959 in Vancouver, BC) is a Canadian sportscaster who currently hosts Sportsnet Connected on Rogers Sportsnet and is noted for giving a West Coast perspective to the events he is covering, in addition to providing witty humour whenever possible. Before working for Sportsnet, he was a co-host of Sports Page on CKVU and then briefly a radio broadcaster with CKNW. He also currently is co-host with David Pratt of the "Pratt and Taylor Show", a relationship based talk-and-interview radio show that airs weekdays from 3pm-7pm on the all-sports station The Team 1040 in Vancouver. He is known for a quick mind and a comprehensive memory for athletes and their jersey numbers.

One of his most recognizable trademarks is his imitation of Jerry Lewis when describing frantic plays (usually in front of the net in hockey).

He has provided colour commentary for different hockey video games including NHL 2002, NHL 2003, as well as NHL Rock The Rink which all were released by EA Sports

Contents

[edit] Taylorisms

Don Taylor is known for his quirky delivery of commentary over highlight packages. He often makes references to obscure sports or pop culture figures from the past, and pokes fun at past and present employees of Sportsnet.

[edit] Hockey-related

  • "Brian Rolston scores and the assist, as always, goes to his ventriloquist's dummy George."
A reference to the late Peter Rolston, a ventriloquist and children's TV star on BCTV in the 1960s and 70s. His dummy's name was, of course, George
A reference to the fact that Joffrey's last name is the same when read forwards or backwards, thus making it a palindrome
This could either be a reference to rapper Hot Karl, or the sexual act known as a "Hot Carl" (exact definition under dispute).
  • "Chris Kunitz ... now there's a name I don't want to mispronounce!"
An obvious joke on Kunitz's name, which could be mistakenly pronounced as the vulgarism Cunts. It may also be a subtle reference to a classic Taylor moment where, in Freudian fashion, he referred to Kunitz's Anaheim Ducks as "the Mighty Dykes," and giggled uncontrollably throughout the rest of the broadcast.
  • "He's the leading scorer among players whose first names start with 'Lub'."
When reporting on Ľubomir Višňovský
This is a reference to various kinds of hair color.
  • "I think he got his left "khabi" on that shot, or was it his right "bulin"?"
A play on goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin's name
  • "The puck got between the "khabis!" Or was it between the "bulins"?"
Another play of Nikolai Khabibulin's name if the goal is scored five hole.
A reference to British pop singer Donovan who recorded a hit single Mellow Yellow
A reference to Austrian classical composer Franz Schubert, and Russian classical composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
  • [Goaltender] makes the save in a style reminiscent of a young [Obscure Retired Goaltender].
Obscure backup goaltenders from the 70s and 80s are most commonly used, such as Ed Dyck
  • [Player] scores while wearing [Obscure Retired Player]'s number.
Uses names of players who have long retired and mostly obscure.
  • Stating that a player "bulges the twine" or "ripples the mesh" upon scoring.
  • At least once a broadcast, he describes the colours of the jersey worn by the team that just made a play
"[Team Name] wearing the [basic colours] with the [colour] trim"
When reporting on Montreal Canadiens winger Michael Ryder. In reference to the famous rhythm and blues song
A reference to Vancouver radio personality Jeff O'Neil of 99.3 The Fox, who shares his name with the Maple Leafs winger.
  • "Sportsnet Judge, [Sportsnet Personality] gives the fight to [Player Name]"
When reporting on a fight. Frequent "judges" include current "quirky" Sportsnet employees such as Jim Lang or RJ Broadhead, ex-employees such as Jody Vance, Scott "The Sherminator" Rintoul, Damian Goddard or Hazel Mae, or sometimes even inanimate objects such as Jim Van Horne's moustache, Jody Vance's "sexy librarian glasses," Hazel Mae's "little leather skirt" or Sean McCormick's hairpiece.
In reference to the popular nightclub/concert venue The Commodore Ballroom on Granville St. in Vancouver.
Referring to the companies Moen and American Standard, popular brands of taps/faucets for the kitchen and bathroom.
  • Referring to NHL team names descriptively
For example: Calling the Pittsburgh Penguins "The flightless birds", or the New Jersey Devils "The Cloven-Hoofed Ones""
  • "Goal scored by Paul Martin, the assists go to Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe."
Referring to former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, and his political opponents Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe and New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton.
  • "Jason Blake, private eye"
Referring to Jason Blake of the New York Islanders sharing his surname with actor Robert Blake, who played a detective in the television series Baretta
  • "Johan Holmqvist" also "JO-HAN HEEEEDBERG!"
Sung in a bizarre, pseudo-operatic style seemingly out of nowhere while recapping games. Also used for other plays with the first name Johan, or a last name ending in -qvist. Example: "Crosby moves in alone, but this time he's stopped by... JO-HAN HEEEEDBERG!" This becomes particularly hilarious whenever Taylor recaps a game in which Tampa Bay plays Atlanta, and both Holmqvist and Hedberg have been in net.
Referring to the late Ian Dury's band Ian Dury and the Blockheads.
When the Buffalo Sabres center scores a goal. Referring to the Richard Harris song MacArthur Park.
  • "...gaaaaathering speed", "...skating gingerly", and "eNORMous save"
Often said, in a higher pitch, when describing plays.
  • "Anytime you young broadcasters out there have a chance to use the word 'brouhaha,' you take it!"
Frequently said when large scrums or fights break out.
  • "Tkachuk- that's the sound he made when he hit the ice!"
Also used with other players with names that sound like sounds.

[edit] Basketball-related

  • Kobe Bryant drives it to the rim... he did that in Colorado too."
Reference to the alleged sexual assault charges against Kobe Bryant that were eventually dropped.
  • "...and it WAS... a GORGEOUS... MOVE!" and "YES!"
Said after any scoring play in a voice imitating that of famed National Basketball Association broadcaster Marv Albert. These were some of Albert's most recognizable catch phrases.

[edit] Baseball-related

For example, "Frank Catalanotto... Homerun!" or "Frank Catalanotto... Grounds out!"
  • "Just like he used to do when he played at Nat Bailey stadium."
Said after any former Vancouver Canadians player, usually Jim Edmonds or Garret Anderson, does anything resembling a good play
Said after Toronto Blue Jays short-stop John McDonald gets a base hit or home-run. A reference to Canada's first Prime Minister John A. MacDonald and Canada's 10th PM, William Lyon Mackenzie King.
When reporting on Cleveland Indians starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia. In reference to the famous rhythm and blues song.
Referring to Cleveland Indians first baseman/right fielder Casey Blake sharing his surname with actor Robert Blake, who played a detective in the television series Baretta
  • "Jeff Kent, Dave Randorf's favorite ballplayer"
Referring to the time when Taylor's co-host on Sports Page, Dave Randorf, accidentally called second baseman Jeff Kent "Jeff Cunt." Much like Taylor's infamous "Mighty Dykes" slipup, the two were unable to keep it together for most of the remainder of the broadcast.
Referring to a roach clip, as the Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman's last name sounds similar to "roach."

[edit] Soccer-related

  • "Onion bag!"
Often used to announce a goal.

[edit] General Taylorisms

  • "...in [last name]ian fashion," "in [last name]-like fashion" and "...the [last name]ian one"
Frequently applied to just about any player. Examples include "Bryan Smolinski, scores in Smolinskian fashion," "Dirk Nowitzki, the Nowitzkian one" and "Sidney Crosby scores in Crosby-like fashion."
  • "[Player], wearing [Former Player]'s old number __"
Taylor seems to have impeccable memory for jersey numbers of obscure and long retired players.
  • "They're loving it in [location]!"
Often refers to a player's hometown or junior team city when said player does something noteworthy.
  • "[Player Name], a member of the 'All Name Team'"
When referring to athletes who have long or unpronounceable names, such as Branko Radivojevič or T. J. Houshmandzadeh
  • Referring to former Sportsnet reporter, Scott Rintoul as Scott "The Sherminator" Rintoul
This is a reference to Chuck Sherman, a character from the American Pie movie series who self nicknamed himself "The Sherminator". Rintoul bares a striking resemblance to the lanky redheaded character. For comparison: Picture of Sherman vs. Picture of Rintoul (right)
  • "The dreaded [Obscure Player] - [Obscure Player] combination. "
This "Taylorism" is used when two relatively unknown players hook up for a goal in hockey or a basket in basketball. Example: "Martin Erat feeds Vladimir Orszagh, one timer, scores. Oh, the dreaded Erat-Orszagh combination!"
  • Scribbling across the page at the end of a broadcast.
At the end of a Sportsnet Connected broadcast, he usually scribbles over a piece of paper. No other Sportsnet Broadcaster does this on a regular basis.
  • Dave Randorf sightings
Often calls children that appear in the highlight packages Dave Randorf, who co-hosted Sports Page with Taylor in the 90s. Randorf, currently broadcasting on TSN, is fairly diminutive.
  • "Nyahi!"
Taylor will often interrupt the script to make this noise when attractive women appear in the highlight package, but will adeptly recover from the stoppage. The noise varies in pitch and length, presumably as a function of attractiveness. Also, a variation of this sound is often made when a misplay occurs. The exact spelling has yet to be determined.

[edit] External link

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