“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” - Sports Journalism and the Quest for Truth episode artwork

EPISODE · May 3, 2025 · 1H 2M

“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” - Sports Journalism and the Quest for Truth

from The Way We See Sport, The Way We See Life · host Chris Bayes

Is it possible to think of England’s 1966 World Cup win without hearing KennethWolstenholme describing how "some people are on the pitch” before he delivered the immortal line "They think it's all over, it is now!" as Geoff Hurst slammed the ball home, completing his hat-trick and securing the English National side's greatest triumph? Would the Asheswin at Edgbaston in 2005 have been as iconic without Richie Benaud’s call of“Kasprowicz…Jones…Bowden”? If your memories and perceptions of sporting events are best recalled through the prism of the commentary that brought those moments to life, thenthis week's episode of 'The Way We See Sport, The Way We See Life' is for you.  Over the course of this episode, Chris and Nathan delve into the intangible worldof sports journalism, exploring how the way in which sport is covered and reported can often shape our perception of the events we have witnessed.From the squared circle of the WWE to the inimitable styling of Castleford Rugby League commentator Mick Morgan, this week's episode of TWWSS, TWWSL examines the fundamental question of whether there can ever be a truly objective narrative of sporting competition. In a world in which populist politicians increasingly delight in bending reality to their will, Nathan and Chris consider whether sports broadcasters and fans have long ago laid the precedent for a post-truth take on the world; an existence in which a lie can pass into history and “become the truth”.

Is it possible to think of England’s 1966 World Cup win without hearing Kenneth Wolstenholme describing how "some people are on the pitch” before he delivered the immortal line "They think it's all over, it is now!" as Geoff Hurst slammed the ball home, completing his hat-trick and securing the English National side's greatest triumph? Would the Asheswin at Edgbaston in 2005 have been as iconic without Richie Benaud’s call of“Kasprowicz…Jones…Bowden”? If your memories and percepti...

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“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” - Sports Journalism and the Quest for Truth

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This episode is 1 hour and 2 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 3, 2025.

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Is it possible to think of England’s 1966 World Cup win without hearing KennethWolstenholme describing how "some people are on the pitch” before he delivered the immortal line "They think it's all over, it is now!" as Geoff Hurst slammed the ball...

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