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Billy Incardona - Short Rant
- Thread starter HereWeGo
- Start date
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Keone:
Thank you so much for lending your viewpoint to this [stupid] thread, and putting an authoritative "voice" (if you will) on how it's perceived from someone that "could" be offended if he wanted to, but isn't.
Notice, btw, that the only folks playing the race card and charging into battle with the political-correctness guidon, are WHITE PEOPLE. That should tell you something.
I've tried to stay away from this thread, because the topic enrages me, but after seeing yours (and Chris/Renfro's) reply, I see that there's finally light at the end of the tunnel, and hopefully, and end to this silly thread.
Billy I. is indeed an asset to not only the commentary booth, but the pool world in general.
Thank you again for lending your voice and viewpoint to this.
-Sean
Hey Billy missed you in the booth last night, come do some more commentary with me
Hu:
Agreed 100%. Concerning the excerpt above in particular, not only do we have people listening for the slightest impropriety, but they are also afflicted with the "I Sounded the First Alarm" disease. The existence of this thread is case in point.
-Sean
Billy is universally respected by not only the fans but the players as well, and for good reason. I have listened to literally hundreds of hours of his commentary (still #1 in my book) and never have I heard anything remotely derogatory in regards to any foreign player. In fact, he speaks very highly of them for not only their stellar play but who they are as people. I think the vast majority of us knew he would never demean any player in this fashion even before he posted his apology. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt over these misspoken words and not tarnish his reputation that is so greatly deserved.
You would think this was another "Jimmy the Greek" or Howard Cosell incident.
Again how may people were actually watching this stream? I have no idea but I'd imagine less than 1,000? Maybe a lot less, so who cares what was said off the cuff. Clue me in if you know.
How much were any of the "announcers" being compensated anyway?
Pool streams aren't even a speck on the radar of what else is being streamed on the internet. This is much to do about nothing, except to a handful on this forum.
Again how may people were actually watching this stream? I have no idea but I'd imagine less than 1,000? Maybe a lot less, so who cares what was said off the cuff. Clue me in if you know.
How much were any of the "announcers" being compensated anyway?
Pool streams aren't even a speck on the radar of what else is being streamed on the internet. This is much to do about nothing, except to a handful on this forum.
Old Nine Baller
Banned
"Who cares what was said on the cuff?" Maybe the 1.25 billion Chinese people in China not to mention the others around the world. There are good male and female players from China and I would think their fans would be offended by commentators referring to Chinese players as "Ping-Pong". Maybe "pool" doesn't need 1.25 billion more fans of the game but I would think the producers of PPV livestreams would love a few thousand more viewers.
This is much to do about nothing, except to a handful on this forum. This is a discussion forum, where would you expect it to be discussed? It's not exactly fodder for the New York Times.
How much were any of the "announcers" being compensated anyway?I don't know the compensation for the commentators on this particular stream but the AccuStats commentators get $100 per match.
The only thing keeping this thread going are people like yourself who are defending what was said and insulting the people who voice opposite opinions from you.
ONB
I grew up in the pool room and there is no way I could ever count the number of ethnic slurs that have been directed my way. Mostly they were done by people without any malice, they were just looking for a way that was within their vocabulary range to describe me without really knowing me. As far as I was concerned, call me what you like...especially if we were matched up and I had the best of it.
I have probably listened to Billy Incardona commentate over a 1000 hrs in my life. I've never been introduced to him in person, but despite that, after so many hours of hearing him doing unscripted commentary, I do feel like I have a feel for how open or closed minded he is.It would shock me if I learned he was a closed minded bigot because i'm just not getting that.
People here who are truly offended, must only be listening to this 2 second snapshot and ignoring the volume of his life's work he has done before. Either that or they are just pining for attention themselves and finding it by stirring this ridiculous pot.
I have probably listened to Billy Incardona commentate over a 1000 hrs in my life. I've never been introduced to him in person, but despite that, after so many hours of hearing him doing unscripted commentary, I do feel like I have a feel for how open or closed minded he is.It would shock me if I learned he was a closed minded bigot because i'm just not getting that.
People here who are truly offended, must only be listening to this 2 second snapshot and ignoring the volume of his life's work he has done before. Either that or they are just pining for attention themselves and finding it by stirring this ridiculous pot.
First of all billy is the best (pool commentator).I think he is best as a colorman when he has a good commentator to work with.A colorman is mostly an entertainer rather then an informer.
I generally don't get upset when some1 publicly makes a statement or joke that might offend a group or supposed cause or whatnot.I never am offended when the remark is made by an elder statesman.
I generally don't get upset when some1 publicly makes a statement or joke that might offend a group or supposed cause or whatnot.I never am offended when the remark is made by an elder statesman.
You think the Chinese are all over there saying wonderful things about Americans all the time, and telling jokes about us? I'm not talking about pool players either...just everything.
BTW, Ping Pong is whole lot bigger sport than Pool is in China...not that it's relevant...but they may not see it as a slur at all.
100 bucks per stream? OK...are their travel expenses picked up too? Maybe so, but if not that peanuts.
I don't think Mr. Incardona meant anything disrepectful to the foreign players but that doesn't mean what he slipped up and said couldn't be viewed as offensive.
Also mentioning his track record and knowing his history doesn't do any good for the people that don't already know it.
If the pool community wants to be respected and have any sort of interity then it needs to bring some sort of professionalism along with it, and this instance along with all of its defenders is yet another reason why no one can take it seriously.
Being an announcer/commentator is a job. If you're not up to the 8 or 9 hour task then don't moan and groan about it. Take it seriously and allow yourself the 2 minutes it takes to learn a few one syllable names. Leave the comedy to the comedians and please spare us all your life stories and quit tying to one-up the other commentator by guessing what shot the player will choose next.
You never hear snooker commentators making corny jokes or talking about what they ate or burping and making fun of other players names. Maybe that's one of the reasons snooker is held in such high regard in Europe, because it's taken seriously.
I bet a lot more people on here would be a lot more butt hurt if they were watching the US players play in Japan while the foreign commentators were the ones making fun of our American names. "Great safe by Shane Van Booger" or "Nice shot Girl Strickland". That stuff might sound funny to a middle school kid or whatever but if I'm somewhere playing and you make fun of my last name like it's a joke then I'll have something to say about it.
Also mentioning his track record and knowing his history doesn't do any good for the people that don't already know it.
If the pool community wants to be respected and have any sort of interity then it needs to bring some sort of professionalism along with it, and this instance along with all of its defenders is yet another reason why no one can take it seriously.
Being an announcer/commentator is a job. If you're not up to the 8 or 9 hour task then don't moan and groan about it. Take it seriously and allow yourself the 2 minutes it takes to learn a few one syllable names. Leave the comedy to the comedians and please spare us all your life stories and quit tying to one-up the other commentator by guessing what shot the player will choose next.
You never hear snooker commentators making corny jokes or talking about what they ate or burping and making fun of other players names. Maybe that's one of the reasons snooker is held in such high regard in Europe, because it's taken seriously.
I bet a lot more people on here would be a lot more butt hurt if they were watching the US players play in Japan while the foreign commentators were the ones making fun of our American names. "Great safe by Shane Van Booger" or "Nice shot Girl Strickland". That stuff might sound funny to a middle school kid or whatever but if I'm somewhere playing and you make fun of my last name like it's a joke then I'll have something to say about it.
+1 Good post and easy readable point summary. If only more people summarise their viewpoints the way you do.
I agree with you on Bobby- he should not be in booth. If they want a joker bring Andy Goldstein :grin-square:
Old Nine Baller
Banned
My point is that this game we all enjoy could always use more fans, in poolrooms and on livestreams. No point at all in alienating any possible fans.
ONB
This whole thread about about a stream with a few 100 paying viewers worldwide. more posts in the thread than there were fewers in all likelihood.
Im still in LasVegas leaving on the 23rd but would like to visit with Justin at TAR maybe to do a little commentary before I leave if he's still interested in having me. When I return home to Dallas I am looking forward in posting more on how I really feel about all the people that contributed to this thread. Almost 8,000 hits..very interesting.:blush: For some reason I think you guys will still be debating this incident, but maybe not.
Bill Incardona
I was really trying to hold back from posting in this thread, but I just can't help myself. It seems like you are taking all the feedback on here in stride, Bill, which I'm happy to see.
No matter what else is said in this thread, no matter how many pages it grows, please understand and don't ever forget you are a living legend in the pool community. I know you don't need to hear that from me, but I felt the need to express my appreciation.
In person and on tape you have always been a true professional whose passion and love for the game is second to none. Without a doubt you are the reason most on this site know as much as they do (or think they do :wink
. Thank you, Mr. Incardona!
Stupid Me
One time in 1986 I was sent up to Toronto by CBS to do a film. The guy that met me at the airport to greet me and set me up in my digs was a local French Canadian. When he told me his name was Camille. I reacted and said. "Camille, isn't that a girls name"?
He looked at me and held his tongue. I realized I just stepped in it.
The next day when I came back I learned that Camille had quit and wouldn't work with me anymore. I Iearned that it is not uncommon a name in his culture.
I felt so remorseful. I then realized what an idiot move I made. Just six words that happened to slip out of my mouth. I started thinking how many times people made light of my name and didn't realize that it is quite common in the Hawaiian culture.
In short I made a fool out of myself.
I hope Camille and anyone I offended could forgive me. I never had the chance to apologize. That is the worse feeling.
Keone Young
Mr Wu
One time in 1986 I was sent up to Toronto by CBS to do a film. The guy that met me at the airport to greet me and set me up in my digs was a local French Canadian. When he told me his name was Camille. I reacted and said. "Camille, isn't that a girls name"?
He looked at me and held his tongue. I realized I just stepped in it.
The next day when I came back I learned that Camille had quit and wouldn't work with me anymore. I Iearned that it is not uncommon a name in his culture.
I felt so remorseful. I then realized what an idiot move I made. Just six words that happened to slip out of my mouth. I started thinking how many times people made light of my name and didn't realize that it is quite common in the Hawaiian culture.
In short I made a fool out of myself.
I hope Camille and anyone I offended could forgive me. I never had the chance to apologize. That is the worse feeling.
Keone Young
Mr Wu
If that's the worst thing you've done in your life you must be an angel.
He's forgiven you.
Cotton is a real character
I mean this in a good way.
Bobby is real. And Bobby is a character.
He is the kind of guy that I fully expect to be in a poolroom...someone with opinions, stories and 'color' in general.
I can get all the 'correct' demeanor I need in most other venues in life.
Bobby tells some tales, but he ain't mean spirited.
He leaves a wake as he passes by, you can roll with it, or get your dinghy swamped if you're too inflexible.
From my perspective..it's poolroom stuff...not church elder stuff.
I don't go to the poolhall just for the pool..I go for the characters too.
Just my take.
I mean this in a good way.
Bobby is real. And Bobby is a character.
He is the kind of guy that I fully expect to be in a poolroom...someone with opinions, stories and 'color' in general.
I can get all the 'correct' demeanor I need in most other venues in life.
Bobby tells some tales, but he ain't mean spirited.
He leaves a wake as he passes by, you can roll with it, or get your dinghy swamped if you're too inflexible.
From my perspective..it's poolroom stuff...not church elder stuff.
I don't go to the poolhall just for the pool..I go for the characters too.
Just my take.