The oranges win in blue
The reaction to Friday’s Red Button broadcast was largely positive, although one viewer threatened to rip the red button from their remote. The Netherlands had beaten Spain 5–1 while wearing blue, confusing Scott because he had supported “the oranges”. His father Pete preferred the alternative audio to commentators whose opinions annoyed him and was amazed to see his son involved in BBC Sport.
Scott had found the experience terrifying. Years of live radio normally gave him control, but reacting to an unpredictable match felt like free-falling. Chris considered it a career audition and remained convinced that serious sports broadcasting could be part of his future. Scott thought he had performed well but doubted that it was his true calling.
The broadcast had nevertheless trended at number one worldwide, and BBC Sport invited them back for Brazil v Mexico on Tuesday. Scott now knew roughly what the job involved and promised to prepare more carefully.
Five Live meets the Pet Shop Boys Show
They compared their work with Radio 5 Live. The professional opening calmly described Robin van Persie leading the Netherlands from the tunnel and a chance to avenge the 2010 final. Chris’s written version welcomed viewers to “the home of live football, the Pet Shop Boys Show”, claimed to be live from “Coca-Cola Banana Beach” and asked whether it was “like a Dutch oven in here”.
His spontaneous lines were less successful. Robin van Persie was “the Batman” rather than the sidekick, while Spain were said to be playing with their opponents like a dog swinging a plastic toy. The first Spanish penalty became a prolonged series of “go, go, goal” cries, sound effects and excited shouting.
Chris had also said “of course” 26 times. A montage attached the phrase to the stadium, players, callers, food, the small monitor and almost every ordinary observation. He had repeatedly mentioned the size of their screen as well, making a BBC broadcast sound oddly amateur. Both habits were placed on a list for the second match.
Their in-studio psychic, Demian, had predicted that a game-changing event would happen at 21:10. The Netherlands began their decisive run of goals at almost exactly that time, despite his broader prediction that Spain would win. Scott wanted him back for Brazil v Mexico.
Ella Henderson’s fist returns
“Ghost” had reached number one with the fastest-selling single by a British artist that year. While other programmes discussed Ella Henderson’s writing and Ryan Tedder collaboration, Radio 1 promoted the video of her fitting a complete fist into her mouth.
Scott regarded it as the perfect way to brighten a Monday and evidence of why she had dominated Innuendo Bingo. He again warned listeners not to copy it, then replayed the studio’s astonished reaction in full.
A coin gives Scott Brazil
For the second commentary, Scott and Chris again needed a team each. Listener Becca, whose voice had been damaged by shouting during England’s game, tossed a 10p coin. Heads gave Scott Brazil and left Chris with Mexico.
Chris was genuinely disappointed. Scott did not know enough to understand the advantage, but was delighted to learn that Brazil were tournament favourites. Becca said she and her initially reluctant boyfriend would again use the alternative commentary as their compromise.
Greg James returns to Real or No Real
Greg James returned after illness and was immediately given a promotional cricket ball, reviving memories of throwing one around a train carriage after a Sri Lanka match. Vernon Kay would not tour Ibiza in a Radio 1 ice-cream van. Searches for Lionel Messi really had dwarfed those for Lionel Richie before Argentina’s match, even if Richie regained control at other times.
Charlie Sloth was not absent from 1Xtra to film a hip-hop cookery programme, although everyone agreed that his enthusiasm for full-fat food could make him a successor to Nigella Lawson. Greg won 30–10, leaving the programme ready for another night on the Red Button.
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