A "Better?" way to do TV pool

[softshot]

The fact that Fox sports and ESPN2 still show pool is nice... but since we all know these matches aren't live. Why are they being broadcast and commentated as though they were live?

Since it is weeks to months after the fact before these tapes are shown.. why not be honest with it and make it a learning experience for those who still watch it?

Let the players involved in the match comment on it.. I shot that shot that way for this reason ... I tried a two way here and got away with it.. I totally dogged that shot this is what I was trying to do...

I know that I for one would pay a hell of a lot more attention if I could be inside the head of a pro while they are shooting... seems to me like this approach would be as close as one could ever come.

I think this could work and be more entertaining than watching a months old match that means nothing... Learning position play from a pro makes the replay value of those matches skyrocket. As well as making everyone who watches it better at the game thus promoting the sport in the best way possible ... making people want to try it for themselves, or at least try that "shot" and once you pick up your cue most don't quit after one rack.. its like Lays... you can't eat just one...

Money wise the pros should like it you get a piece of the TV money for big matches... and they usually occur at or near the end of a tourney so you have to do well to get that piece of the pie.

Sounds like Win/Win to me.

 

[arsenius]

I like it. I agree that it is a little absurd the way they present it as though it were live. On the other hand, it might take away from what little excitement there is on TV pool. The only times I have gotten excited watching pool was watching it live, whether in person or streaming over the Net. I watch TV pool because it's interesting to me. I can learn something. But it's not exciting.

 

[Snapshot9]

Have you watched

Pool on TV or internet from Japan? They really 'snazz' it up. The way they film it is unique, and it has a much more exciting feel to it.

On certain shots, they show the shot being performed from 3 different angles after it has been done, giving you a better perspective of it. The commentators really give out a feeling of competitive air, like they are going for the gold.

 

[arsenius]

They do multiple angles here too, for three cushion. They will show a top down view, side view, and a close up of the cue ball so you can see where they are cueing. I've seen as many as 4 different views at once, including a shot of the opponent's reaction. Pretty cool. They also use the felt as a blue/green screen so that you see top down and a view from the side.