Commentating for TAR 19

Baxter said:
I didn't have the money for the stream, but I've already read one negative comment on her commentary. I also read someone else saying they wish Billy Incardona was commentating, whether this refers to Jennifer's commentating or not is up for interpretation I suppose.
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It was me who wished Billy Incardona was commentating, simply because he is SO knowledgeable about the game.

I don't need commentary at all, and many times I turn off the volume, especially when they start talking about anything except what is happening on the table!

If they agree to provide commentary for what could be the best TAR matchup yet, they should talk about the game as much as possible, and provide insight.

Last night there was a guy on there who spent most of his time making corny jokes and discussing topics other than the game, and I can do without that.

That Jennifer likes Mika and respects his game does not bother me at all. But if he is behaving badly, hitting his stick on the table, fretting with every single bad roll etc., he should be called out on that by any commentator.

Too many times we as a sports-loving society tend to excuse poor behavior from the gifted among us and choose to label it as being "very competitive"...which is a mistake IMO.

I'll be on again tonight, watching and providing updates as long as I can stay awake.

Thanks again to the crew at TAR for doing this. Hope they have many more. Every one is better than the last!
 
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inside_english said:
It was me who wished Billy Incardona was commentating, simply because he is SO knowledgeable about the game.

I don't need commentary at all, and many times I turn off the volume, especially when they start talking about anything except what is happening on the table!

If they agree to provide commentary for what could be the best TAR matchup yet, they should talk about the game as much as possible, and provide insight.

Last night there was a guy on there who spent most of his time making corny jokes and discussing topics other than the game, and I can do without that.

That Jennifer likes Mika and respects his game does not bother me at all. But if he is behaving badly, hitting his stick on the table, fretting with every single bad roll etc., he should be called out on that by any commentator.

Too many times we as a sports-loving society tend to excuse poor behavior from the gifted among us and choose to label it as being "very competitive"...which is a mistake IMO.

I'll be on again tonight, watching and providing updates as long as I can stay awake.

Thanks again to the crew at TAR for doing this. Hope they have many more. Every one is better than the last!
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Your insight is most panoply. You are a malapert on all that is wise. One should only wish you indulge us with some more of your sagaciouness.
 
"CaliRed". said:
If you look at my post, I was quoting Mr. Hoppe, as he was wondering why TAR couldn't enlist some commentators on the A list. I quoted his post and was explaining, as he concluded correctly, it was due to economics.

I'm sorry if you did not notice I was quoting a particular post, and was responding to that post, maybe if you did, it would make more sense to you... then again maybe not


Hmmmm... this response of yours has a certain "This is what's wrong with pool" theme to it. Perfect introduction for another of my installments, but no time right now.. :)
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Barretta is doing a job commentating. She could be an A-list commentator had she practice what she wants to say before the match. Her player commentary of shot making was insightful. She seems more familiar with Mika which shows she could get to know Shane better. Overall if she engages Shane better before the commentating she would have more to say for both players.

Asking Shane for some road stories with TAR would help pick up the commentary. She didn't have a sense of character history that established commentators have. If she talked to the players before the match, got some facts, got some bio info and learned about them as a person she could insert those details during slow play.

It was not an intentional character attack I was making on you. I respond strongly to comments about the status quo.
 
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is it obvious she is pulling for Mika? YES

is she the worst ever? NO

one of the main problems i see is the fact that they have the score board blocking half the table from view for the commentators.

I have been in the booth several times and not having a good angle makes it very hard to call a match.

It makes it sound like you don't know what your talking about.

move the score board to the little table to the right of the pool table, it can still be seen by all and is out of the way.
 
I AM biased...cuz Jenn is one of my closest friends. That being said...I have only heard wonderful things about her commentating. I wasn't watching this match...but I have been in the booth with her at WPBA events, and she has never shown bias for one player over another. As a matter of fact...she goes out of her way to be neutral like Switzerland.

Maybe the "bias" is simply an interpretation of her comments? If I say got a roll, it doesn't mean I'm rooting against them. If I say that someone is obviously off their game or looking uncomfortable...it doesn't mean that I'm making excuses for them.

Knowing Jenn the way I do...I do not believe she showed bias in her commentary...even though I didn't hear it. And the post from Jay Helfert just cements it for me. Jay speaks his mind...so if he says there was no bias...then I am triple convinced there wasn't any.

Melissa

PS....Jenn doesn't bet on pool. Ever.
 
lukemindish said:
I think the whole production has been great and i really appreciate all thats gone into it. Theres just one thing that had bugged me. Jennifer Barretta so obviously pulling for Mika. Shes constantly making excuses for him. It just bothers me because she should be objective while commentating. Im just tired of hearing her defend Mike and wondered if anyone else was feeling the same.
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To be honest, I kinda thought it was more sympathy than pulling for him. Lets face it. Shane has had the upper hand and looks totally at ease and in control. Mika, not so much. I think Jennifer is friends with Mika. I found more often than not that she was making observations about his state, more so than "pulling for him". She numerous times mentioned how he needed to find himself (some version of that), bear down, and pull it together. I think if Shane seemed like he was going on tilt, she may have said the same for him, but he hasn't so far. I think what you are observing is more a consequence of the match dynamics, rather than a heavily biased opinion. IMHO, of course.

BTW, I think Jennifer is the only commentator that seems primarily focused on the pool game. I wish the others would work more towards this. I like the speculation about what shots and routes the players may take, rather than who likes what food, etc. Not knockin anyone, just observing. And again, IMHO.

KMRUNOUT
 
Mr Hoppe said:
Especially during day 1, I think Jennifer wasn't rooting for Mika as much as she was pointing out that wasn't the Mika that she was used to seeing, as he was struggling to get into stroke and was looking pretty defeted.

Having said that, I do wish that they would switch commentators. Jen and Eric are doing ok, however there are people who could be doing a MUCH better job. Some really good ones IMO, are: Incardona, Diliberto, Shewman, Agnir, Helfert, J Lee, Eva Matya, and even John Schmidt and Bobby Hunter are a teriffic pairing. Two that I simply cannot stand are D Appleton and J Wyche (sp?).

IMO, the commentators add a tremendous amount of value to the production, and I wish TAR would enlist the efforts of some on the A list, rather than those who are convenient. I suspect it's a simple matter of economics.
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For me Incardona is the best, and I think he matches well with Diliberto. I also like Eva, and also find Wych a bit abrasive lol. "The 9 deposited!!"

I will say that in the few times I've heard him, Shawn Wilkie is excellent. Very well spoken and makes good observations about the game.

KMRUNOUT
 
When it comes to commentary, I think it is not unlike politics. No matter what, you are gonna have people siding at on side of teh room or the other. Some will like, some won't.

IMO, Jenn Barretta did a fine job. She's articulate, knows the game and has a pleasant speaking voice.

A couple of things to keep in mind; it is very difficult to speak for hours on end and still be engaging and entertaining. Case in point; try this- pick a topic, any topic and see if you can talk continuosly for 20 minutes on it:wink:

So, was she great? Well, that is up to the individual's personal tastes and opinion.

Was she a decent commentator? Absolutely.


Eric
 
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