Because the best player in the world shows up and Mark Griffin can't keep his mouth shut, even when he's told to. It's a recurring thing with him-if you've ever watched any of the older segments. He's obviously a knowledgeable guy, but that's not really the point. You don't drown out the best player in the pool with a bunch of nonsense no one wants to listen to. Who wants to listen to an old guy who has a bunch of opinions and judgments about people and a plethora of other subjects, when Shane Van Boening shows up?
So you can't run a podcast without Mark, Justin? Maybe the "old guy" comment wasn't civil, but it was honest. I'm not really interested in what he has to say after listening to a lot of it in the past. It's nothing new and exciting, such as the content of these forums. The same topics that existed years ago, exist today. Talk about the, "pool world" and why it's failing, aiming systems, etc.
If you want help, run the podcast professionally. Get chairs for guests when they come in and zoom out your camera. Have enough mics and actively engage the people coming in. Teach Mark how to keep his conversations simple, more direct, and on topic. Don't let him interrupt when Shane is asked a question directly, because no one cares what he thinks about how Shane responded when losing to Alex. They want to hear Shane.
I've bought a ton of TAR matches and have always supported what you're doing, no disrespect intended. A lot of these responses align with how the majority of the people feel, but lashing back at people for telling you what isn't helping your podcasts-regardless of a few choice words, doesn't help either.
Damn.. no disrespect intended? Both posts reek of disrespect. Not just disrespect to some Joe Blow, but disrespect to possibly (my vote anyways and many others) the most important man in pool today.
A few others expressed their comments that they felt Mark is "too chatty" or interrupts too much. Being a commentator or a guest on a podcast requires people to be "chatty" or else you have some guy that just answers questions in a few sentences or words and then there's silence while the interviewer struggles to find another question quickly. When you have someone that answers in a few words, you can go thru 20 questions in 5 or 10 mins.. then what? As far as Mark interrupting, yes he does interrupt maybe a little more then he should, but I'm sure the people's comments here is something he takes to heart, as he is one of few people that does want to hear others opinions of what he thinks or does, and welcomes them to call him and discuss it, or discuss it in the forums, as long as they do it respectfully and civilly.
I have had the pleasure of getting a chance to know Mark in person, and there are many outstanding qualities he possesses as a human being. He is very passionate about pool. He lives and breathes pool on a daily basis. He is willing to do or try just about anything to better pool and to breath new life in this game, for the betterment of the fans, the players and anyone else connected with this game. Not only willing, but he has proved time and time again, that he will put money behind his ideas to see if they can fly. Many times at a complete loss too.
He's also a man of his word and he's on the up and up with his deals, so anyone wanting to screw someone or do something negative against this game, he will have no part of it. So he's legit, and how many people do others know that are like that, especially when it comes to losing your azz on many things. Many others can be "bought" to turn the other way or to "pretend" they didn't know about something. Not him.
He's been doing positive things for pool all of his life and has thrown his whole life into pushing this game forward in spite of so many that are trying to bury it with their actions or scams.
When one is passionate about something, to the point of where they sink large amounts of money into ideas and projects, then those kinds of people have every right to be "chatty" about the things that they are pouring their money, time and energy into. Someone that goes out on a limb all the time, deserves to be given a chance to talk to the public about it. And we owe them our time to listen to them.
Mark truly cares about this game and he truly cares about the players, the fans and everyone else involved, in whatever capacity, in this game. In a game filled with a lot of bad guys, he's one of the good guys. So he deserves respect, because he has earned it.
Mark welcomes people's constructive comments on anything he does, whether it be a event he put on, or how he comes off on a podcast, or how he did as a commentator, and anything else he's involved in. He welcomes those comments, because he cares. He cares about how he comes off, he cares because he wants to do as good as job as he can. Whether it be how a tournament was ran of his, or whether he interrupts too much, or whether he promotes too much.. whatever... he cares.
He's not this way because he' trying to pull the wool over our eyes, pretending he cares, but he doesn't. Pretending he wants to know how we feel, but could care less. He DOES CARE. He's REAL.
So your "Who wants to listen to an old guy", the "Mark Griffin can't keep his mouth shut", tone of your posts, tell me everything I need to know about who you are. I've seen your actions on chats and wondered who the hell is this guy. I wondered, because you were being disrespectful in those chats too. So, to me, I notice a lot of disrespect coming from you in different situations. Several times, several places. That tells me that's what kind of guy you are.
You then, try to pretend you're all concerned with how to better things. Well, can you tell all of us just how much you do for pool as far as trying to better it? What do you do to try and put money into players pockets, or amateur's pockets, or kids pockets or giving the fans their money's worth? What exactly do you do, that benefits any of us here?
It just boggles my mind sometimes to read the stuff people write. They do nothing for the pool world, but they're quick to tell the people that do, how they do this or that wrong. Oh.. and that they have the correct answer on how to do it right. Put your money where your mouth is. Go get your own equipment and put up your own broadcast. They we'll sit back and tell you how lame you are and what you need to do to "unlame" it. We'll pick apart all of your personality traits while you're yapping on camera too. So if you're a "ummm" or a "uh" kind of guy, watch out. Believe me, the people here will point out so many negative flaws in you, that you won't want to go on camera again. Being on camera is not easy, but I'm sure you already are a pro at that.
Justin and Mark bring a lot to this podcast. I happen to like the unscripted and raw chat. I happen to like both guys a lot, as they are both stand up guys and two of the best guys anyone could want to have on their side, because you can trust them to be honest and real to you. They also both give and give and give to the game we love, and they take a bath in the red a lot of time too.
I don't have any problem with people expressing their constructive criticism or just commenting in general. But do it respectfully, especially when both of these guys have earned it. Many in this thread have done that. Cool. You though? Not cool. More like lame.
So if I might offer some helpful advice to you, I won't be as chatty as I normally am either.
"DON'T WATCH THE PODCAST if it bothers you. No one's going to miss you.
And hopefully no "old guy" will ever show you or tell you anything to ever help your game, as you clearly do not have respect for those "old guys".
If I sound a tad bit irritated, it's because I am. If there's ever a school on class near you, go to it. You MIGHT learn something.
Anyone want odds?:smile: