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May 26, 2012

Will Admiral Adama please speak up, because I can't hear you!

by Richard Keller, posted Jan 29th 2007 12:47PM

The cast of Battlestar GalacticaI thoroughly enjoy Battlestar Galactica. I feel that the special effects (when shown) are fantastic, the scripts are well-written, and the characters are all multi-dimensional. I have especially been enjoying this season, and I have yet to miss an episode. That being said, I do have one tiny issue with the show . . .

I can't hear a frakking word they're saying!

I have never seen a show with so many low talkers. They speak quietly everywhere: crew quarters, active hanger bays, planet-side. They even speak softly in crowded, noisy bars (as seen in this week's episode). I am constantly raising and lowering the volume on my TV just to catch a fragment of what they're saying. It's almost like I'm watching a British sitcom! Now I know why this show hasn't been nominated for any type of award. It's because the judges get so frustrated adjusting the volume up and down that they just give up and turn off the TV.

The biggest culprits of this low talking are Edward James Olmos as Admiral Adama and James Callis as Baltar. I expected this from Olmos, who displayed this same trait when he starred in Miami Vice back in the 1980's. Callis, on the other hand, has gotten more mumbly and quiet as the series has progressed. This season he is barely understandable and I really have to concentrate to understand what he is saying. The rest of the cast is just as guilty of this quiet speech, but not in so great of a degree as the two I pointed out.

Look, I know that the vastness of space and the plight of the refugees can subdue some people, but it would be nice if they could speak up when they talk about the vastness of space and the plight of the refugees. The volume buttons on my remote control will thank you.

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ray

Edward James Olmos did the same thing throughout Miami Vice years ago, it's what he does best.

Anyway British sitcom casts speak at normal volume. American actors/comedians always feel the need to shout the punch line and gesticulate wildly.

http://bymyreckoning.com

February 12 2007 at 4:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jaydig

I've had this problem, not just with this show either. A lot of action shows are overly loud on the ambiance and low on the dialogue. If you boost the mid range and lower the treble and bass it will bring out the dialogue and make it much easier to hear what is being spoken.

Try it...it REALLY helps!

January 31 2007 at 9:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bowietrek

I thoroghly agree. I have had trouble hearing BSG throughout all seasons. I love the music (especially the drums) but sometimes the music is so loud it makes the low dialogue even more difficult to hear. I have encountered this on a few other programs, though. Most notable, Stargate and Stargate Atlantis.

January 30 2007 at 4:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ian

Well done CG.

January 30 2007 at 12:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TeresaMac

I always thought it was me. I tend to watch all my shows too loud, or with the close-captioning on - my husband is convinced I'm going deaf.

January 30 2007 at 10:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
CastingGod

OK, I have a friend who works on the show and I've related what you have said.He does the special effects,he works with all the sound people. In,fact they just got nomed for two emmys. Cool...so ask and we shall try and get it fixed.

January 29 2007 at 9:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark Adams

As much as I love Mary McDonnell, I don't think her voice ever registers more than a "Zero" on a scale of 1-10. She and Olmos must have mikes in their tonsils.

January 29 2007 at 5:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jon

They do talk quietly, but I think it is made worse by a low volume level. I think at one point the audio level was too loud, because I always had to turn the volume down when I switched to the Sci FI channel. Then, I think they got some complaints, and overcompensated by setting the volume level too low.

January 29 2007 at 4:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Akbar Fazil

I still stand by my claim that this is due to the levels that scifi channel broadcasts.

I have no issues when playing the same episodes through different formats.

January 29 2007 at 4:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chuck

OMG - I thought I was the only one. My biggest problem is with Dee. Who seems to keep saying stuff and I only catch a little of it. She whispers everything, so I turned up the sound in hopes of catching all of the dialog. Glad someone mentioned it.

I think the problem is getting worse on some programs and has to do with Direction and Editing. They should be catching this stuff in the editing room.

January 29 2007 at 3:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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