I've been recording the live programme and then watching it during the evening, skipping the adverts and watching some of the quieter moments at X 2 speed. Fascinating stuff. I sometimes wonder if the commentators are watching the same images that I am, but overall, they do a pretty good job.
I think you have to recognise that Phil Liggett is always diplomatic and to some extent deferential: a sort of cycling Pangloss for the 21C. eg When ACPO policies were crushing the life out of road racing in the UK, he was always lavish in his praise of the police co-operation in facilitating events. Compare his comments on the decision to neutralise and then stop the race after the crashes the other day, with what Chris Boardman had to say.
FWIW, I'm beginning to think that Paul Sherwin is getting past his sell-by date, especially if Jens Voigt could be used more. Both have vast experience of professional bike racing but it's a long time since Paul S was racing. I used to find David Millar a pain, but since he returned from his ban I've found him really informative swo he's another recently retired rider who's worth more involvement.
I'm also pleased that the magazine-type stuff isn't allowed to displace coverage of the racing. Let's remember the days when we were grateful for the half-hour slot on Channel 4: twenty minutes when you allowed for all the ads. That was barely a few minutes of highlights, concluding with the last few K's of the stage, presented as though they were live while half the time available was spent on studio pundits aping soccer programmes and features emphasising things like how much a racing bike cost. At least now we have access to plenty of coverage of the racing from expert cameramen (and possibly women?)