We just had this event last night at Hollywood Billiards right here in Hollywood, California. It is part of the BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards Week which ends with the BET Awards Show on Tuesday June 24.
You will be able to see parts of this charity pool tournament on several television networks. Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood had camera crews there, as well as BET network. There were many other media types there as well from magazines, newspapers and other television shows. The attending celebrities got the full red carpet treatment with streets blocked off and crowds of spectators lining the entranceway. There were several camera crews outside also interviewing the arriving celebs.
I was the tournament director for this chaotic event. When celebrities are involved, everything takes on a different nature. The tournament is secondary to the fun and festivities. Yet I must see to it that everything runs smoothly.
I had some good help from referees we enlisted from the local BCA pool leagues. We had eight referees overseeing sixteen tables, and they did a great job. No problems with all the big egos on board!
In case you didn't know it, NO celebrity likes to lose, and they all want lots of air time. Did I say big egos?
I recognized many of the famous athletes participating. Allan Houston, Chris Webber, Baron Davis, John Salley and Paul Pierce were playing in the tourney. Dwayne Wade hosted the tourney but did not play. I didn't recognize many of the other players, except for Pauly Shore, Dorian Harewood and Eric Benet. Most of the players were TV actors and talk show hosts who I didn't know. Many other famous black entertainers attended just to have a good time. Chamilionaire and Ludicris were two names I recognized.
Paul Pierce ended up winning (two big wins for him in the last week!). He beat Joe Torry in the finals. The final match was two out of three games of Eight Ball, and it was a total madhouse around the table. TV cameras and photogs everywhere. Plus dozens of the guests crowding around and rooted for their favorites. And I mean really rooted, doing everything possible to shark the other player. Somehow, some way Harry Young (the ref) and I made sure all was fair to the best of our ability. The whole scene could have been right out of a movie. It was that raucous and wild!
I felt like I was in the Land Of The Giants with all these basketball players and their friends. I mean they dwarfed me. I particularly enjoyed meeting Dante Green who is a rookie on the Golden State Warriors next year. Another giant who is a fine young man.
Well, I'm glad I survived that one. One more test for the old man. :wink:
You will be able to see parts of this charity pool tournament on several television networks. Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood had camera crews there, as well as BET network. There were many other media types there as well from magazines, newspapers and other television shows. The attending celebrities got the full red carpet treatment with streets blocked off and crowds of spectators lining the entranceway. There were several camera crews outside also interviewing the arriving celebs.
I was the tournament director for this chaotic event. When celebrities are involved, everything takes on a different nature. The tournament is secondary to the fun and festivities. Yet I must see to it that everything runs smoothly.
I had some good help from referees we enlisted from the local BCA pool leagues. We had eight referees overseeing sixteen tables, and they did a great job. No problems with all the big egos on board!
In case you didn't know it, NO celebrity likes to lose, and they all want lots of air time. Did I say big egos? I recognized many of the famous athletes participating. Allan Houston, Chris Webber, Baron Davis, John Salley and Paul Pierce were playing in the tourney. Dwayne Wade hosted the tourney but did not play. I didn't recognize many of the other players, except for Pauly Shore, Dorian Harewood and Eric Benet. Most of the players were TV actors and talk show hosts who I didn't know. Many other famous black entertainers attended just to have a good time. Chamilionaire and Ludicris were two names I recognized.
Paul Pierce ended up winning (two big wins for him in the last week!). He beat Joe Torry in the finals. The final match was two out of three games of Eight Ball, and it was a total madhouse around the table. TV cameras and photogs everywhere. Plus dozens of the guests crowding around and rooted for their favorites. And I mean really rooted, doing everything possible to shark the other player. Somehow, some way Harry Young (the ref) and I made sure all was fair to the best of our ability. The whole scene could have been right out of a movie. It was that raucous and wild!
I felt like I was in the Land Of The Giants with all these basketball players and their friends. I mean they dwarfed me. I particularly enjoyed meeting Dante Green who is a rookie on the Golden State Warriors next year. Another giant who is a fine young man.
Well, I'm glad I survived that one. One more test for the old man. :wink:
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