Caster Bias on Full Display in Playoffs

IncrediPhiLL·Aug 11, 2019·5 votes·3,307 views

Just finished watching VODS from the NA games yesterday. TSM was rarely even competitive in any of those games, but my goodness those casters kept trying to give the illusion that TSM was winning trades and was never out of it. It’s like we were listening to their hopes instead of what was actually going on.

There was one moment where CG dove top side, picked up a kill, and (i think it was) Kobe started spouting off “But is it even worth it because now TSM can get bot side for free. I don’t think that kill was even worth it.” Then TSM did not get the bot tower, CG got the rift herald and proceeded to take top for first tower and it was super awkward.

CG winning by 5k gold, a member gets picked off, and the casters be all like “This game completely changed. TSM is back on top and pushing....” They still 5k gold down.

It was just comical listening to those casters.

7 Comments

GeminiRuneAug 11, 20193 votes

Sounded more to me like playing the "favorites" card which is done very frequently most anywhere. But I do feel that you're really focusing on one side of the cast because I recall there being plenty of praise and hype given to CG and their performance.

BarkleyAug 11, 20192 votes

basically what I was gonna say. I don't feel like there was much bias. I feel like OP might be seeing things OP wants to see because OP wants to see them.

IncrediPhiLLAug 11, 20191 votes

I mean, I provided examples. I’m not making stuff up XD Im not just hearing things. Everyone heard it because it was said. It even got super quiet on the caster desk after that first example... like the other 2 were like... urggg... we can’t swing that one... abort abort!

Also, it was Azeal who spouted that nonsense off, not Kobe.

It’s not a conspiracy. Caster bias has been happening and proven for years, but it’s rarely been that obvious XD

BarkleyAug 11, 20194 votes

Do yourself a favor and go re-watch the series, but think to yourself "This cast is super CG favored." really make yourself believe it, and then go watch it again.

I bet you find a bunch of instances of caster bias towards CG.

Idk man I think its just your perspective.

HeeroTXAug 12, 20191 votes

I'd say the bit that BOTH supports and contradicts what you're saying was the premature call at the end of game 2. They basically called the game for CG when they took the first Nexus turret, but then had to backpedal when CG retreated as TSM was respawning. That was a missed call on their parts (albeit understandable) in favor of CG, but OTOH, the call was "where were you when CG went up 2-0 on TSM?" That's kinda condescending for the second game of #4 vs #5 series (not like TSM was #1 and CG #6 or something), especially after CG took game 1 without any major problems.

I think the casters favor the big 4 (TSM, C9, TL & CLG) but that's more because those are the biggest brands and thus have the most fans. The fact that you got a strong "TSM" chant in game 3 despite a pretty pathetic game before the baron steal and bad games in all the other games of the series, tells you a lot about the audience/TSM fanbase.

FflarnAug 12, 20191 votes

I didn't notice anything egregious, but then again it's hard to ever compare anything if you were watching back when Deman was casting and Moscow 5/Gambit was playing