Carla Dunlap - Best commentator on Female bodybuilding

[PTB]

I was watching some old footage of the 1994 Ms. Olympia when it was on ESPN.

Carla was doing the color commentary. It made me think of some of the commenators used today, and how her professionalism is sorely missed. She clearly had a grasp of the sport and didn't pull punches on what she felt ladies strengths and weaknesses were. Rarely would you hear how beautiful someone was, or how she loved their suit color, however, if it was distracting, she would call it out.

She was an ANALYST in the true sense of the word, as good as any male analyst critiquing men's BB.

[KnightXavi]

Agree.

[Steve Wennerstrom]

I've known Carla since 1978 before she competed in bodybuilding, and she always struck me as a consummate. In those days she was a synchronized swimmer, but when she entered the world of bodybuilding, the class of the event was elevated by her professional presence. Carla and I co-emceed the first Women's Extravaganza in 1987, and it was at that point I felt she could have become a sports commentator at any level she chose. Even when she competed at the Women's Superstars event that was televised nationally back in the 80's, many of the world class athletes she competed against mentioned to her how pleasantly surprised they were regarding her personality......that they had expected something very different. Bodybuilding missed a chance (especially after she won the Ms. Olympia in 1983) to utilize Carla's capabilities in bringing bodybuilding to a viewing audience in a very positive way.

[Steve Wennerstrom]

i was watching some old footage of the 1994 ms. Olympia when it was on espn.

Carla was doing the color commentary. It made me think of some of the commenators used today, and how her professionalism is sorely missed. She clearly had a grasp of the sport and didn't pull punches on what she felt ladies strengths and weaknesses were. Rarely would you hear how beautiful someone was, or how she loved their suit color, however, if it was distracting, she would call it out.

She was an analyst in the true sense of the word, as good as any male analyst critiquing men's bb.

x2 !

[PTB]

Nice feedback Steve! AMI/IFBB would be doing a HUGE favor to all of the women's events by bringing back Carla to do commentary - especially for the big shows. The broadcast from a couple of years ago with Amanda Latona was unbearable to listen to......... "you go girl!", meesh!!

[Steve Wennerstrom]

Yes, it's painful to listen to. Analysts should be schooled in announcing and have a broad and exacting level of experiences with the sport they are commenting on. Even more importantly, they should do prep work on all the contestants BEFORE the event so the commentary flows smoothly. Sadly, that just doesn't seem to exist when it comes to women's bodybuilding.
I recall in 1991 when ESPN was televising the Ms. Olympia live and the color commentator they chose was Marjo Selin. Yes, Marjo was a beautiful pro bodybuilder and knew all the competitors, but she was from Finland and her thick accent was excruciatingly difficult to understand. It pretty much killed the moment.