[Creeksider]

Vugraph tourneys would be more entertaining for many of the spectators if commentators would offer a little background on the tourney and the players. Certainly we appreciate analysis of the bidding and play of the hand, but some context would make it less dry and fill the time when someone ponders a bid for several minutes. Ideally this would be not just in the beginning, but from time to time during the match as the composition of the viewing audience changes. Take a tip from sports announcers and have a list of comments that can be fed out to the audience during the course of the competition. A few examples:

For those who are just joining us, this is the semifinal round of the whatever tournament, being held in City, Country. This is a blank level tournament with the winners being awarded the prestigious whatever.

The team playing EW at this table are from Somewhere. They're new to this level of tournament play and are using precision bidding. They're holding their own against the more experienced NS team from Somewhere Else who use 2/1. The winner of this match will take on Someone in the finals.

I'm not suggesting this type of verbiage should displace analysis, only that it could be offered during otherwise dull moments and would give viewers a better idea what's going on and greater incentive to continue watching.