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APRIL 26, 2006 at 10:32 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: The Guardian
In an odd column complaining about football commentary in the UK, the author asks the question "Is quidditch the worst fake sport ever?"
While watching the latest Harry Potter movie, the author questions the rules of the game; its popularity in the wizarding world and sportsmanship.
The author equates
quidditch to basketball and the worthlessness of the game:
Running simultaneously are: a version of basketball, where players are required to punt a ball called a quaffle through various hoops; a perversion of the kind of bodyline swingball favoured by hyperactive 10-year-old boys, where the aim is simply to whack one of two balls called bludgers at your opponent; and the search for a tiny flying ball called the Golden Snitch, which must be captured for the game to end, and is worth an instant and wildly disproportionate 150 points.
So to clarify, I am required to keep my eye not simply on three balls at any one time, but also on a winged snitch (which is virtually invisible to anyone in the crowd anyway), the capture of which almost without exception renders the preceding however many minutes or hours entirely worthless.
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Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27761
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
EEEW!
That is total garbage.
It is the best sport ever!! Well fake sport...haha
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 10:15 AM EST
Witch
Points: 895
Arethusa the Erkling says:
Why don't columists stop criticising other writer's work and write their own decent stuff!? Quidditch is equally worthwhile as all the popular sports today such as football etc, it seems a very natural sport for wizards to play. Grrr...annoying HP bashers...
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 10:23 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1040
Ariel Blackmuir says:
Well, the snitch is worth a lot of points because it's pretty difficult to find it; Harry is a terrific player and has found it rather quickly, but a match can last DAYS before finding it!
Besides, finding the snitch, as we all know, doesn't mean that your team wins. That is the knack of the game: both teams are always trying to score as many points as they can, because they don't know if their seeker will find the snitch or not, and when is the game going to end: they have to secure as many points as they can. It is quite different to football or any other sport, where you know how long you have to "resist" with a result. Sometimes a team simply pass the ball to each other, wthout aiming to score because they have a difference of, say, two goals, and all they have to do is resist for 15 minutes: that really can be boring!!! (But I love football, don't get me wrong)
So, I think Quidditch is thrilling and a very well designed sport.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 10:30 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1264
-Alf- says:
Yes, he could probably make some arguments about a sport which is not real. It's likely this author was about to be fired and really needed a story that could get his article portrayed in other news sources. He couldn't come up with anything else.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 10:33 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1144
Syl_Marauder says:
Hey,
Quiddich is not that bad, is it? it is really a mixture of a lot of games, but It's interesting and it seems funny
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 10:36 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 90
Hogwartsdork says:
Man, get off of it! Quidditch is fine!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 10:50 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1493
Hedwig4eva says:
The creation of this game is simply ingenious of Jo. Although I do agree partially about the snitch being worth so many points, but it don't make the rest of the game "worthless". I love the portral of this game in the books and in the movies. Us fans wouldn't have it any other way.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 10:51 AM EST
Witch
Points: 684
Tonkster says:
Not an everyday complaint, I should say. I don't think I ever heard anyone say Quidditch was the worst fake sport ever. I mean, it's a story. An author could could do anything he/she imagines in a story. I think JKR did a very good job at inventing a whole new, never-imagined-before sport! The guy just wanted to add a column and get a bit of fame. After all, that's what media is all about, right?
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 10:51 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1570
aWeasley Angel says:
I think Quidditch is great- even though the game can go on forever if no one catches the snitch.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 10:54 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 486
Sirius151 says:
I love the game! Yes I think that the snitch should be worth less, but what would I give to play?!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:01 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 56
destfairy says:
I love Quiddich. In fact I think they have left out to much Quddich in the last two movies. I know they have time constrants but Gryffindor wins the Quiddich cup in book 3, but they dont even mention it in the movie. Oh well thats just my opinion.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:07 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1166
Cornelia Welsh Green says:
I dont think that the person that wrote this article likes Harry Potter at all. Cause I do understand about the rediculousness of the 150 points catching the Snitch gives you. I honestly think that JKR made it that many points because she has said before that she is no good at math.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:20 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1372
lorrin_angel says:
Gish this person needs to get a life or reread the rule book. If your looking for the snitch you dont worry about the quaffle.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:21 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 711
Crookshanks the Auror says:
I think Quidditch is great, but I also think that Jo is right when she contemplates the thought of leaving it out of the last book to concentrate of Harry's adventures more.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:21 AM EST
Grillows Girl
Points: 2785
Miss Baltimore Crabs says:
Quidditch is amazing... this person needs their head examined! Obviously this person had nothing better to do than to bash one of the most well thought out 'fake' sports...
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:31 AM EST
Witch
Points: 712
*Lili* says:
Quiddich rules..........Just because one person who has the power to write an article thinks quiddich sucks doesn't mean the rest of the world thinks that........You suck article writer........The quiddich world cup was one of the best special effects moments of movie four I just love it
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:31 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 321
Snufflebeak says:
Honestly, I think he was a little hard on the game. I mean after all it is fictional. It takes quite an imagination to create something like this, and I don't see him writing a best selling series.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:32 AM EST
Witch
Points: 808
Hogwarts babe says:
Thats a little harsh i think,besides quidditch is the best sport ever! Maybe the author is just a little jeolous or something? No matter what people say,its such a fantastic game on brooms
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:35 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2353
Loretta says:
I think that this commentary was way to harsh. Although I'm not a basketball fan myself, their are plenty of people who are. For those folks that are Bulls or Lakers fans, they should see that as a slap in the face. I think that Quiddich is a wonderful game and it would be wonderful if we could play it.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:42 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 316
Squall leonheart says:
Who would take the time to write an article criticising a fake sport?? Does this person live in secured housing or is he/she just a bit sad???
get some kind of a life my friend!!!!!! Life is too short to write about a pretend sport within a book............next you'll be criticising Pratchett for making Moist Von Lipvig deliver the post!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:45 AM EST
Student
Points: 299
remember_c says:
Dont diss quidditch, dude! Just, no!! But then again... some of it doesn't make sense... and you just kinda sit on a broom, not really getting much exersize.... But still!!!! Its awesome! Come on, people...
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 11:58 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1018
ILuvHarryDiggoryKrum says:
I love quidditch its a really good idea....and i agree it was way too harsh as well!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:00 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 43
houseseeker says:
I have to admit that when I read the description of Quidditch in the first book, I thought the same thing...that's silly. You don't even have to score any points as long as someone on your team gets the Snitch before the other team gets 150 points. And I did wonder why someone one would catcht the Snitch and end the game if they were loosing (but the GoF explained that one).
However, I think it became a little clearer to me in the following books, that all the points made are added up to determine who finally wins the House Cup. That at least makes more sense to me - and it is awesome to see the game on film!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:03 PM EST
Witch
Points: 531
ronNhermione4evr says:
I think it is an awsome game and I agree with houseseeker about it becomeing more clearer. I bet this one guy never even read all the books!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:05 PM EST
Points: 865
superduperpotter says:
HOW DARE HE!!! Quidditch is the BEST fake sport ever, and nothing will ever be as good. EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:06 PM EST
Points: 160
Lightning Magic says:
Hm, he has got a point. But on the other side watching formula one is also not really fun if continued to long...
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:06 PM EST
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