Scooter, Family Man and Best Hustler in America

I thought the trailer was entertaining. All the best pool halls I've been in had guys like Scooter. Nobody cared where the money came from as long as the are putting it in action. JAM, thanks for the link.
 
scott1313 said:
I thought the trailer was entertaining. All the best pool halls I've been in had guys like Scooter. Nobody cared where the money came from as long as the are putting it in action. JAM, thanks for the link.
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Amen brother, I think thats exactly how I was trying to say it. And only speaking of personal experience as to what I've witnessed is the only people that would claim moral superiority as to where the money came from was also the folks who you couldn't get to bet WATERS WET! LOL
 
Chicagoplayer said:
______________________________________

I've filmed Scooter for 7 years and he is by far
"The Best" at what he does :grin:
Go get 'em!!

-CP
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What exactly is it he does that he is "The Best" at?
... the Grin says it all, methinks.

I have seen one short video where he was playing some guy who by his own admission went off like a firecracker every time he got a few bucks ahead. They matched up for $2500 and Scoots was losing big time, way behind, but he won a few games late to take the set, mostly because his opponent dogged an easy 9-ball for all the cheese, which is exactly what a go-off artist is known to do.

Then there is the web news article about the alleged involvement of Scooter and others in stealing hundreds of dollars from a vending company machine, which may have been only petty theft, or a more serious state jail felony, or some conspiracy felony charge for which some or all of them still have to answer, or just the theft of some little girls money being saved up for the operation she needs if she is ever going to walk again, snif snif...boo hoo hoo. Heck if I know.

Will Scooter give the vending company owner the 8 and the break and let him try to get a quarter of his coins back? Will the Krue ever learn to put some dirty underwear over the security cams before attempting to put the hurt on the small change? Will any of them ever graduate to stealing real money, like swiping social security checks out of the mailboxes of old folks?

But the drama simmers as the series progresses:

Will the producers let the SWAT Team reduce the set to splinters, breaking house cues, spilling drinks, and endangering the expensive Simonis Tournament Blue as they try to haul Scooter and the Change Crew away in handcuffs?

Do bail bondsman take bags of quarters? If Scootah gets a bad roll on court dates, will Dog the Bounty Hunter have to take him on, along with half the Qrew for Qchange?

Stay tuneth, this is gonna be REAL reality TV, not like those Amish guys who slunk into some smelly old abandoned barn so they could thumb their noses at the Patriarch, and stay up past their bedtime, and dare to wear shoes with no socks, and hold close their favorite farm animal while watching the original b&w Tarzan and Jane on their b&w TV, which BTW was some real steamy porno.

'Ware, Sheep, 'ware!

Producer's note about Doggie the Bountie Huntie: "Dog credits much of his success to his knack for getting the most out of his informants. 'Seventy percent of all my captures happen because some good ol' American has turned them in by giving me information,' he says." So there you have it, someone on the Quartah Qrew will spill the coins, er the beans, er turn state's evidence... Will the Snitch be a snatch or a snootch? Is their a Kanary on the Kwuorter Krue who will put a hitch in the stroke of the Big Sqoot?

Will the world ever give ol' Scooter a break, or a ball and the break?

Stay tuned... Breaking News at Ten.
 
Just for everyone that is not completely up to speed on this type of stealing here are a few key points as I have heard. While initially stealing a few hundred bucks in cions does sound very petty land juvenille it certainly is not. Not in the fashion these folks do it. The thought was always if they get popped it indeed was a petty theft charge; which in itself not that huge of a deal ( penalty wise ). You have to remember though in a trip they are literally hitting HUNDREDS of locations with takes in the 10's of thousands to 100k or more.PER TWO WEEK ROAD TRIP. Most vendors have since wisened up, now employing state of the art surveillance and alarm systems. Most states have changed it to a felony for even possession of burglary tools. They are quickly making it much harder for this type of stuff to occur and not really worth it ( if you have at least a little common sense ).
 
MyThoughts:

1. If the idea is to give someone an idea of what the subculture of pool and gambling is really all about… they picked the wrong guy.. Scooter is not a pool player… he's a hustler that plays pool at times….

2.. I wish they had picked someone who has really lived the live of pool/gambling…obviously… that would be The Smooth Criminal… Chris Bartram…. Now that would be a GREAT show… and it would really show people what the pool world is all about from someone that is a player….

3. And.. if there is a market for Scooter and not Bartram… that would obviously prove to me that there is not a market in the united states for pool….
 
JAM said:
I don't have their business plan, of course, but I have seen other film production companies do this at the onset. In fact, a few years ago, Newt Gingrich was involved in a film production that started out the exact same way, which I was somewhat involved in, indirectly.

By platform, I am referring to them starting out as an Internet production, not going for the top, like a cable TV show. I think this is the right direction to move in for a pool reality series.

Bonus Ball is a whole nother animal compared to this. One must compare apples to apples. One is a pool tour, and this is a web-based pool reality show.

Whether it is successful or not, I don't think will be dependent on the funds donated. Rather, it will be the quality of the production and its cast of characters.

Martin Scorsese recognized a certain quality in a pool player by the name of Keith McCready and wanted him to have a role in a huge movie production with an already-existing cast of big stars in "The Color of Money." Keith's role was miniscule compared to Tom Cruise and Paul Newman, and even though Keith already had a huge following in the pool world, this role changed his life. Keith has charisma on and off the screen, and though nobody in mainstream America may know who Keith McCready is, he is well known in the pool world not only for his pool-shooting capabilities, but for his role as Grady Seasons. This movie did give pool a boon in the mid 1980s.

By starting out small in a web-based reality series, I think Scooter's charisma will shine through. This producer may have already invested funds to start the production. If successful on the Internet, it could grow from there.

Positive thinking goes a long way in the movie bizz. You have to believe in it to make it happen. There may be a lot of naysayers to this web-based reality series, but I think it's got promise. It's not unrealistic by showing hundreds of thousands of dollars in a black suitcase. This is the real deal, and we all know it. The promo shows a $5,000 match, and that's believable.

I believe this will come to fruition, and I also believe the majority of the pool community will support it. The naysayers and the pool purists certainly have a right to their opinion. Time will tell, as they say. :grin-square:
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JAM - no offense but I threw up in my mouth when you compared this project to something done by Martin Scorsese. Reminds me of a local baseball announcer trying to compare some rookie middle reliever to Pedro Martinez.

I will say that this Michael Murphey credentials are impressive - almost too impressive.

I looked up co-producers Peyton Thomas, an experienced film actor and producer and this was all I could find. Maybe I am looking in the wrong spot. I am no Google expert. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0859359/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

I thought Crazy Erica was involved in a project with Scooter -- was that this or something else?
 
watched the trailer

I watched the trailer. Never was my style and not really my cup of tea although if it gets off the ground I will have to watch some.

Fact is though, I'm not who advertisers are targeting. They are targeting a younger market with disposable income and a willingness to spend it. A show like this has a lot better chance of attracting that young eighteen to thirty-five audience than any show I might favor.

Pool appeals to only a small percentage of the population. That means we have to get a lot of bodies through the pool hall doors to keep a few that play for a lifetime. If this series can graduate to TV it could be what spurs an influx of new blood, badly needed new blood!

I knew maybe a dozen small time conmen over the years. None of them were my friend, they didn't have any friends and would and did cheat their closest family. A friend of mine worked for one a short time. My friend asked the get over artist why he shafted his friends. "My enemies don't give me a chance." WOW! He did have a point, along with a warped view of society. These guys were always entertaining to watch and at the time I enjoyed knowing them. They almost always lived on the edge, usually skirting disaster by a hands-breadth although most did a little small time here and there. I have to admit any one of them would have made a much better reality show than following almost any legitimate "citizen" around

I wish them luck with the show. Odds are it will make only the tiniest dimple on the surface of pool, creating nothing either good or bad. It does have a better chance of helping pool than hurting in my opinion.

Hu
 
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Some of the most exciting moments of my life, at least as far as pool goes, have been watching money matches that happened after what seemed endless woofing. Hard Times on the weekends was like a Wild West show in the 90's. Money posted on nearly every light in the tournament room. Guys walking in trailed by their stake horse,usually accompanied by one or two guys to protect the cash. It was crazy,and I never once cared where the $ came from. It was a sub culture that had a unique life of its own that I found exciting. I wasn't interested in their moral character or lack thereof. I was just interested in the action. I think that often times the people who chased the action were and are chronic gamblers but hey, that is their life not mine. I miss those times and blame much of their disappearance on the proliferation of gambling casinos. Yes, I will watch Scooter and his crew just too see what happens.

I am surprised at the number of people who got their noses bent out of shape over this. Express your displeasure simply by not watching or by just 1 post.
 
Hungarian said:
JAM, You asked what we think and I answered. Once a thief, always a thief. I've got no interest in Scooter and it would be a cold day in hell that I would ever glorify him. I don't think he's cute or funny or entertaining. A crime of moral turpitude is the worse kind. Thieves cannot be trusted, EVER!!
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I just want yall to know Hungarian nut listens to a rapper from Houston named "South Park Mexican"..Do ur research on that..later fellas

P.s. my record is way worse tha scooters..Hope it takes off..Would like to see it .
 
watchez said:
JAM - no offense but I threw up in my mouth when you compared this project to something done by Martin Scorsese. Reminds me of a local baseball announcer trying to compare some rookie middle reliever to Pedro Martinez.

I will say that this Michael Murphey credentials are impressive - almost too impressive.

I looked up co-producers Peyton Thomas, an experienced film actor and producer and this was all I could find. Maybe I am looking in the wrong spot. I am no Google expert. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0859359/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

I thought Crazy Erica was involved in a project with Scooter -- was that this or something else?
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The comparision with TCOM and American Road Player was not the production company, Watchez, but rather it was the charisma of the pool people that were in the film. Keith and Scooter both have something in their personality that attracts a crowd in any pool venue they step foot in. When they start barking, trying to drum up action, people actually hang onto their every word. Pool purists might be off in the corner somewhere, sitting silently, watching a tournament robot practice pool, but the majority of the joint will be listening to Keith and/or Scooter if they think there's a chance that action will happen.

The producer of this American Road Player must have seen something in Scooter to make the effort. This isn't a big movie production like TCOM. They are taking baby steps, starting small, creating an Internet web series with several episodes This is why I believe it has a chance to succeed. The cost of doing this is much, much less, as you know, than a movie like TCOM.

I couldn't find much, if anything, on Peyton Thomas or Mickey the lawyer, either.

I do like the fact that this web-based series is sponsored by pool industry members, especially Hustlin' USA Clothing Co. Diamond tables, PoolDawg, Derby City Classic, AzBilliards, and Hustlin' USA Clothing Co. have all donate what they can afford to this operation by discounts to the public, advertising, and maybe funds. I'm not sure. I do like seeing pool's industry members supporting a pool-related endeavor such as this. This is what the BCA should be doing for professional pool, yet they sit back and watch professional pool circle the drain and don't do anything to save it. Damn them!

I am not one to enjoy pool on my computer screen when I am off duty. I work on a computer for my job. I have sweated several pool matches on the computer in the past, but I just don't have hours and hours and hours to spare by sitting in front of a computer watching two people race to some ungodly number or play 20-ahead, et cetera. I actually believe this web series has a chance because it will not monopolize too much of my time at the computer, and best of all, it will be non-stop entertainment. This is the key to their success being on the Internet, I think, why people will stop by and watch it. I know I will. :grin-square:
 
jay helfert said:
Ok Jam here's my take on this for what it's worth.

First of all the promo is well produced, made by someone who is a professional. That's a good thing. There is a lot going on in this short promo with no down time anywhere. It zips from one part to the next. Also a good thing. People today want to see everything at a fast and furious pace.

Now here I may differ with many of you. This show is really not so much about pool as it is about Hustling and Gambling. It promises to show a counter culture that most people are unaware of and that makes it interesting to the straight Joe's who populate our country. One more point in it's favor.

Why do people watch auto races? Often it's because they want to see an accident, the bigger the better. Many shows on television and the internet today are about mistakes, mishaps, fights and assorted mayhem. Everyone likes to see someone else f'ck up.

The Hustler, which put Pool on the map big time, was a down and dirty story that painted an ugly picture of the game. Did it work for the betterment of the sport? Absolutely!

As for Scooter, I've seen a thousand like him in my years in the pool world and he doesn't bother me a bit. Frankly I'm surprised by his criminal history, I would have thought he was too smart to be a petty criminal. Be that as it may, I've always found his type to be entertaining. He is cut from the same mold as many of the greatest hustlers of years gone by. Fats would have put him to shame! And Ronnie could give Scooter the seven out in theatrics, gambling and game making. Keith and Louie Roberts were two more very engaging hustlers. I happen to enjoy characters like this and I'm glad to see them, as long as they know when to go into their act and how to modulate it for the setting. It's easy to overstep yourself in the interest of making a game and sometimes that's not a good thing, like what happened at DCC.

I don't hold any of this against Scooter. The man is a gambler and a hustler and makes no pretense about it. I learned long ago how to keep my hands in my pocket, my mouth shut and not get involved in a bad game. I've watched Scooter in action several times and he's never heard a peep out of me. Don't worry if I want to make a bet, everyone will know it! :grin:

The bottom line of course is will the show be successful. I would say probably so if it is done in a similar fashion to what we've seen already. Of course the scenes would be more drawn out and we would see a hustle from the beginning to the end. I think a lot of people would watch this show and it would draw an audience. Best evidence of that is the crowd that gathers every time I see Scooter in action. Money games have always attracted the biggest crowd, and the bigger the money the bigger the crowd. You may not like it but this is the way the world works! Take care and don't take any wooden nickels.
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Thanks for weighing in, Jay. Someone with your subject-matter expertise actually *can* see the forest for the trees, which speaks volumes. This ain't your first rodeo, and with all the tournaments you have produced and directed, to include steering and backing players of all caliber around the country in action, you understand the pool culture not only here in the States but around the world much better than most. :wink2:

I do think Scooter has charisma and will shine in this web series, and I believe the producer recognizes it and will showcase it in the best possible way.:yes:

What's unique about Scooter's capabilities to drum up action is that he gets down with the best or them because he knows how to match up. Not only that, he has that uncanny gift of gab that lures in his prey, so that they actually want shoot against him. Even though they are on the other side, they have a good time, win or lose. Scooter also ropes in the audience to feel as though they are a part of the action by talking to them. :grin-square:

I've been on the road several times with a "real" road player in my past by the name of Geese, and though Geese was fun as could be to be around -- WHEN HE WAS WINNING -- he had very little personality when it came to getting in action. He just didn't have that charisma about him, yet he did shoot his way across the country, all the way to California, and hung out there a bit. Keith has told me years later that the best time he ever had in his life laughing and having a good time was with Geese. Keith said Geese was wearing this fisherman's cap when he'd go in the pool room, and then he'd pull the brim back up over his head and start yacking to his opponent. Everybody would laugh their heads off at Geese's antics. I think Geese picked up a few tips from Keith in this department. Of course, the two of them were winning, most times, with Keith steering the way. When Geese and I were on the road, Western Union became my friend in several spots. Hey, it happens. :o

Watching pool matches on the Internet or on TV for some is like watching paint dry. Even Keith and I have switched the channels or turned the computer off when observing pool players, some of whom we know, competing in a tournament or an action match. It can get monotonous or boring, and both of us are very, very passionate about pool. :boring2:

There will continue to be a tension or conflict, if you will, between the pool purists and the action enthusiasts. Each side has strong opinions about what direction pool should go in, and that's okay. Time will tell which direction will pull that American pool tire out of the mud and get it moving forward again. :wink:
 
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Scooter and his crew should have posted 25 dollars worth of quarters. Excellent shark job. Opponent should have just posted a change machine. Great counter shark.
 
I think that the promo trailer is done very well in all aspects of film making. I loved it.
 
This is the kind of 21st century dross that may actual prove successful in a dross TV viewing age.

The acting is poor!
The script is worse!
That said, get it out to the right viewing audience and it can be a hit :thumbup:

Upside - could bring pool some much needed media coverage...

Downside - if this is successful then I (and every pool player) will have to watch his or her backs as 'Joe Public' WILL assume that ALL pool players are HUSTLERS STACKED WITH CASH! BE WARNED!

GOOD LUCK LADIES & GENTLEMAN...
I'll be watching! :thumbup:
 
JAM said:
That is old news, Hungarian. I think every single "regular" of this forum knows about it, so I'm not sure why you're posting it up like the Town Crier. You'd be surprised who's got a record in this pool world, to include on this forum.

With that said, we all have skeletons in our closets from our past, and as such, we are all members of God's human family, capable of mistakes, errors in judgment, and not having our priorities not in line.

Everybody has a little larceny in the pool world when they match up, some hoping to gamble and some hoping to steal. You always see people looking for the edge in an action game, whether it's the rules, the equipment, or a handicap. It's all part of the game. Knowing how to apply it effectively is what separates the lions from the lambs.

You see, you could walk into a joint looking to play some, and nobody might even know you're there. When Scooter walks in a joint, if there's action to be had, he'll sniff it out and get some. That's why this reality series will be a hit, especially with the majority of the pool public.

You can sit back and watch Wheel of Fortune, but I'll be watching the American Road Player. Having lived that lifestyle myself in my younger years, I'll enjoy every minute of it. :grin-square:
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All I care about is if he loses does he pay.
 
JAM said:
There will continue to be a tension or conflict, if you will, between the pool purists and the action enthusiasts. Each side has strong opinions about what direction pool should go in, and that's okay. Time will tell which direction will pull that American pool tire out of the mud and get it moving forward again. :wink:
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What's wrong with both directions flourising?

Ray
 
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