Commentators for Mosconi Cup 2013

[seussman]

There will be four of us this year. Jim, Jay, myself and another very experienced TV Commentator whose name I do not know if I am allowed to release as yet.

And here is the thing. Commentating on TV is VERY different from commentating on the internet. The internet audience is hard-core pool fanatics, the TV audience is not. So while the internet audience likes to hear commentators tell stories about Cornbread Red and Bucktooth the TV audience certainly does not as they do not know those names. They want you to stick to what is happening on the table.

TV commentators have to watch their vocabulary. You cannot speak of a 'ticky' shot unless you explain it first. Same with 'skids'. Pool has a language of its own and most of that is pretty esoteric. In the Sky box you must always remember that you may be speaking to a lot of folks who do not play pool at all. `And most of all, the timing is very different. You have to know when the ads are coming through and throw to them on time. Same with tossing the coverage to the Presenter or the MC or to a news break. You have to listen to the Producer and Director in your ears while you continue your conversation without hesitation.

In short, it is nothing at all like doing an internet match.

Well said Jerry!

 

[seussman]

OK, I just got permission to name the fourth voice. Ted Lerner out of the Philippines. Ted is an American who lives in Manila and he is a boxing announcer and sports reporter. He is the Press Officer for the WPA and he is very knowledgeable about the game and the players. I have worked with him in past years and always enjoy his company on the job. He is a true professional and I know you will enjoy his work.

I've heard Ted Lerner.He is very good!
Very insightful, with a good sense of humor.

 

[JAM]

Do they ever sell the Mosconi Cup in DVD or blurays? This would be a good one to purchase. I know it's going to be GREAT!

 

[Palmerfan]

Proven Formula

When Johnny Miller broke onto the commentating scene, I really did not like him. He was a brash SOB! But as with many newbies with potential, he grew, and he grew on me.

Past Pro Players who know what its like to be in the situation has proven to be the standard formula in televised sporting events teamed with an experienced announcer like Jim Nantz or Joe Buck...Golf - Miller-NBC..Faldo-CBS...Azinger-ABC/ESPN...Football Aikman-Fox...Simms-CBS same with Basketball and Baseball.

I think a Hall of Fame player like Hall or Sigel would have been a great choice...its always interesting to hear from a former player who has been in the situation before to describe exactly what the current player is feeling, thinking, experiencing...however you want to describe it. Its a proven formula that works over and over.

Lanny Watkins was replaced by Faldo..as Faldo, a former #1 for many years and a 6 time major winner including 3 Masters victories (CBS crown jewel of their golf telecast) CBS felt the audience would respond better and relate better to a former #1 discussing Tiger Woods in the "Tiger Era" was among the reasons Faldo was scooped up by CBS and later The Golf Channel and Lanny was let go. BTW this is not my opinion about Faldo/Watkins...it was written in Golfweek a few years ago.

 

[JAM]

Past Pro Players who know what its like to be in the situation has proven to be the standard formula in televised sporting events teamed with an experienced announcer like Jim Nantz or Joe Buck...Golf - Miller-NBC..Faldo-CBS...Azinger-ABC/ESPN...Football Aikman-Fox...Simms-CBS same with Basketball and Baseball.

I think a Hall of Fame player like Hall or Sigel would have been a great choice...its always interesting to hear from a former player who has been in the situation before to describe exactly what the current player is feeling, thinking, experiencing...however you want to describe it. Its a proven formula that works over and over.

Lanny Watkins was replaced by Faldo..as Faldo, a former #1 for many years and a 6 time major winner including 3 Masters victories (CBS crown jewel of their golf telecast) CBS felt the audience would respond better and relate better to a former #1 discussing Tiger Woods in the "Tiger Era" was among the reasons Faldo was scooped up by CBS and later The Golf Channel and Lanny was let go. BTW this is not my opinion about Faldo/Watkins...it was written in Golfweek a few years ago.

For sure, you would think a champion would be a great commentator. Buddy Hall is one of the best, at least I think so. I recently heard a match that Steve Mizerak commentated, and I thought he was fantastic. I really enjoyed it.

Not all players, however, even the champions, have the skills set needed to be a commentator. You have to be experienced in this regard, like filling in the dead moments or shutting up when maybe silence is better. It's a tough call.

No matter what, though, a commentator's style may not please everybody. I think this year, we will be in for a treat with this team of commentators. It's going to be exciting!

 

[Hungarian]

This is exactly what I was thinking while reading through the fan favorites in this thread. Professional commentary is much different.

Commentating on TV is VERY different from commentating on the internet. The internet audience is hard-core pool fanatics, the TV audience is not. So while the internet audience likes to hear commentators tell stories about Cornbread Red and Bucktooth the TV audience certainly does not as they do not know those names. They want you to stick to what is happening on the table.

TV commentators have to watch their vocabulary. You cannot speak of a 'ticky' shot unless you explain it first. Same with 'skids'. Pool has a language of its own and most of that is pretty esoteric. In the Sky box you must always remember that you may be speaking to a lot of folks who do not play pool at all. `And most of all, the timing is very different. You have to know when the ads are coming through and throw to them on time. Same with tossing the coverage to the Presenter or the MC or to a news break. You have to listen to the Producer and Director in your ears while you continue your conversation without hesitation.

In short, it is nothing at all like doing an internet match.

 

[30REBORNFAN]

There will be four of us this year. Jim, Jay, myself and another very experienced TV Commentator whose name I do not know if I am allowed to release as yet.

And here is the thing. Commentating on TV is VERY different from commentating on the internet. The internet audience is hard-core pool fanatics, the TV audience is not. So while the internet audience likes to hear commentators tell stories about Cornbread Red and Bucktooth the TV audience certainly does not as they do not know those names. They want you to stick to what is happening on the table.

TV commentators have to watch their vocabulary. You cannot speak of a 'ticky' shot unless you explain it first. Same with 'skids'. Pool has a language of its own and most of that is pretty esoteric. In the Sky box you must always remember that you may be speaking to a lot of folks who do not play pool at all. `And most of all, the timing is very different. You have to know when the ads are coming through and throw to them on time. Same with tossing the coverage to the Presenter or the MC or to a news break. You have to listen to the Producer and Director in your ears while you continue your conversation without hesitation.

In short, it is nothing at all like doing an internet match.

I have to disagree on just one point. I would buy far more PPV matches if the internet commentary style was more like its television counterpart. Far from liking the stories - they ruin the production IMO!

On topic though, I like all four of this year's comm team. All professionals doing a professional's job.

 

[Island Drive]

Secret?

If there is a fourth/unknown pro commentator, what benefit does our industry and the event get from that?