Happy Gilmore and Pool

RBLilly

RBLilly

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I know the title is a bit corny, but I got to thinking after reading that Sports Illustrated article that pool is basically boring on TV.

So here is my thoughts and questions. If they played music at the pro tournaments, and they let the crowd cheer and boo like at a basketball game or something. Do you think we would get more following? Do you think it would make it more fun or interesting? Do you think it would be better if the players could actually talk and not have to sit in the electric chair and keep their mouth shut? I mean when asked about players to watch a lot of people like to watch Earl, and a lot like to watch Vivian (The Texas Tornado). I think the reason they like to watch them is because they are animated and bring something different to the sport.

What about gambling on players like you would gamble on horses, or dogs at the track?

Lets face it how many in here enjoy watching golf on TV? A lot of people love to play it, but on TV it is down right boring. So how the heck do they get all the air time on TV?

I guess this has already been discussed before, but I was just curious why it can't get public attention and television time.

Maybe if all these pool governing bodies would get together as a united front they could all get the sponcership needed to bring a huge Pro Tour under way, and turn the heads of America.

I mean if poker can do it why the hell can't pool? Nobody had ever heard of Texas Hold Em about 10 years ago, and now everyone thinks they are a poker player. It doesn't take any talent to play Texas Hold Em either...............Now 5 card draw, that is a little more challenging, and in my opinion more fun to play!

Anyway, what do you all think we need to do in order to get pool more in the public eyes? If I could play good enough I would act like Happy Gilmore!!!! "What's wrong with your home? Are you too good for your home? You don't want to go in your home?" "Just tap it in! Tap, Tap, Taparoo!"
 
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I agree. I think people in the crowd should be able to blow a foghorn if they feel inspired. :D I'd defintiely watch that.
 
Njhustler1 said:
I agree. I think people in the crowd should be able to blow a foghorn if they feel inspired. :D I'd defintiely watch that.
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LOL that's a helluva sharking technique.... I'll have to try that in my tourney on Sunday. :D
 
Njhustler1 said:
I agree. I think people in the crowd should be able to blow a foghorn if they feel inspired. :D I'd defintiely watch that.
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Man, that image made me laugh, out loud.. well done :)
 
txplshrk said:
Lets face it how many in here enjoy watching golf on TV? A lot of people love to play it, but on TV it is down right boring. So how the heck do they get all the air time on TV?
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Well, I actually enjoy watching golf on TV, but I'm probably in the minority on that one.

As far as pool is concerned, though, I'm becoming of the opinion that we need a different game in order for the sport to become popular in the mainstream. I've been primarily a 9-baller since I took up the sport, but I must admit that I can barely stand to watch the game on TV. Nine-ball is so much about the first shot that about 80% of the time we know who's going to win the game after just seeing the break. If a pro has an open shot on the 2-ball, then you might as well find something else to watch for the next four or five minutes and then tune back in for the following break shot. That's just not particularly exciting to me, and I'm a pool nut, so I wouldn't expect it to be very exciting to the average TV viewer.

Sadly, a lot of non-players I talk to say they don't enjoy watching pool tournaments on TV, but they do like watching the trick shot stuff. Personally, if given the choice of having to either watch Trick Shot Magic or Oprah re-runs for the rest of my life, I think I might have to go with the "O". And even those people who claim to like watching actual pool on TV usually follow up by saying something like "dude, Jeanette Lee is sooo hot", and they probably wouldn't know Earl Strickland if he walked up and whacked them with his cue. At least the ladies seem to be attracting an audience, although maybe not for the reasons they would prefer.

Maybe these 10-ball ring games would generate more interest if televised??

Aaron
 
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i dont think that will do it. I think part of pools main problem is, it looks so easy but its so hard. Anybody can sit down at a poker table, learn the rules, and within minutes be playing the game. Within months they can be a pretty good player. Pool you cant just sit down and learn to play, ive known people whove played 20 years and still suck at it lol.

Poker on tv....you see the whole cards, you see the flop, you totally know whats going on...........in pool, unless you play and appreciate it, when you see people make a great shot or do something awesome to get shapes, YOU get it, but any none pool players dont.

Ive heard this story, dunno it its true, but it goes something like "this man went and watched mosconi play and after he ran 200 points he left totally unimpressed, asked why, he said "i never saw him make a hard shot"". Thats the problem with pool to me in a nutshell as far as trying to appeal to the masses.........the masses dont know what they are seeing.
 
Get rid of tournaments.

Seriously.

Set it up like the UFC. You have a card of matches with 2 marquee match ups and an undercard. Publicize it non stop for a month before hand to encourage the action. Really hammer the 1 on 1, root hog or die aspect of an action match. Man vs man for the dough.

Think I'm nuts?

Just look what the Yang vs Orcolluo match generated. Hell there was over a $1k of action on this board alone.

Tournaments haven't worked for the last 50 years. They won't work now.

There is a reason Derby City is everyones favorite event.

Action.

Don't believe me?

Shane was there for every day of the Derby this year. He never hit a ball in any of the tournaments.

Action.
 
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Why do you want more of a following?

I ask not facetiously, but truthfully. What is wrong with the game right now, the way it is? Why do you care that the game is not more popular?

If you're saying this because you have a friend who's in the top, say, 100 and he can't support himself with it, that's one thing. I'm sure we all do, and it's sad. But I don't think that's why this topic is usually brought up, and I always question it when it is.

Why does it have to be such a given that we want it to be more popular?

- Steve
 
scottycoyote said:
Ive heard this story, dunno it its true, but it goes something like "this man went and watched mosconi play and after he ran 200 points he left totally unimpressed, asked why, he said "i never saw him make a hard shot"". Thats the problem with pool to me in a nutshell as far as trying to appeal to the masses.........the masses dont know what they are seeing.
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People want to see amazing shots....I've said this before - even I want to see pros that can do things outside of my ability, and so does the average banger.....only seasoned players (small audience) care about perfect leaves and defense....

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but the most exciting, fun pool I've seen on TV came from some stupid Texas Hold'em style thing they had....ring game where shooter came to the table with ball in hand, so you saw pros get creative and make incredible shots....and that's what people want to see...

I also like Justin's idea.....match them up like fighters....promote it, get the action going, but I still don't think it will fly unless the players play offensive, go for the big shots, and keep the audience hooked....
 
JCIN said:
Get rid of tournaments.

Seriously.

Set it up like the UFC. You have a card of matches with 2 marquee match ups and an undercard. Publicize it non stop for a month before hand to encourage the action. Really hammer the 1 on 1, root hog or die aspect of an action match. Man vs man for the dough.

Think I'm nuts?

Just look what the Yang vs Orcolluo match generated. Hell there was over a $1k of action on this board alone.

Tournaments haven't worked for the last 50 years. They won't work now.

There is a reason Derby City is everyones favorite event.

Action.

Don't believe me?

Shane was there for every day of the Derby this year. He never hit a ball in any of the tournaments.

Action.
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Yes yes that's the ticket. Just like boxing cards (maybe 10 fights/pool matches. And have betting on them via internet and live para mutual betting like dogs/horses. But if a player is caught dumping or doing business of any sort ....he's/she's band from it for life. Johnnyt
 
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There should be two formats for televised play. One would be the more traditional, the other could show the side of pool that many people here obviously enjoy (woofing, gambling, use of pool lingo not known to the average player, etc.). Whether or not you like it, those aspects of the game have spent decades maturing into the pool culture we know now. To have a place to feature them both would put an end to the endless arguments seen on here over whether Earl's antics devalue pool or serve to enrich the game and make it interesting to people.
 
Steve Lipsky said:
Why do you want more of a following?

I ask not facetiously, but truthfully. What is wrong with the game right now, the way it is? Why do you care that the game is not more popular?

If you're saying this because you have a friend who's in the top, say, 100 and he can't support himself with it, that's one thing. I'm sure we all do, and it's sad. But I don't think that's why this topic is usually brought up, and I always question it when it is.

Why does it have to be such a given that we want it to be more popular?

- Steve
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Because I would rather see a world class event in a ballroom at The Wynn than in some pool room somewhere.

Because if it was popular you would not have to be Magnum P.I. to find out info on upcoming tournaments and player information.

Because if it was popular there would be more quality places to play.

You know I bet there are more places to learn MMA in my city than pool rooms. People had no clue what MMA stood for 5 years ago.

I get what you are saying. But pool is dying in America.

Ok, let me rephrase that. Non-Bar Table pool is dying in America. Quality Pool is dying in America.
 
bring pool and golf together

Combine the two ...I don't know exactly how but maybe a
pool player who plays golf vs a golfer who plays pool .Like a
best all around deal .Get more people with money involved which
golf already has .Like Johnny Archer vs Tiger Woods
Or put Earl in a cage match with a few extra cues .....God
forgive me that was mean lol .I like Earl he's gonna win
something big soon I know it :D
 
Matt90 said:
Combine the two ...I don't know exactly how but maybe a
pool player who plays golf vs a golfer who plays pool .Like a
best all around deal .Get more people with money involved which
golf already has .Like Johnny Archer vs Tiger Woods
Or put Earl in a cage match with a few extra cues .....God
forgive me that was mean lol .I like Earl he's gonna win
something big soon I know it :D
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The day Pool stops holding on to the ridiculous fantasy of being like golf, will be the day it has a chance to move forward.

This isn't a shot at you Matt, this comes up everytime this topic is discussed.

Pool has absolutely nothing in common with golf, despite those who wish it did.

People do not spend hundreds of thousands of dollars extra to buy a house next to the pool room.

People do not pay $5000 to $50000 per year to belong to "Pool Clubs".

It is a completely different social demographic. What does a round of golf at Augusta or Pebble Beach cost If you could get in?

People play golf so that they can say they play golf.(This not a blanket statement just an observation of some people I know.)

It is comparing apples to bowling balls.
 
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i get it

we should have country clubs and wear ugly clothes
maybe if we put hills and traps on the pool table...
oh man... this could be my next big idea

I've been saying this since my days as a skateboarder in the 80's
F the mainstream

I personally hope there's never a reality show based on pool

I also believe that the industry doesn't support itself
When was the last tourney sponsored by meucci?
Every banger I know plays with one yet none of that money
goes back into the game that I know about anyway.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Very few pro players have cue sponsors or their own "pro model".

The industry has more issues that should be addressed besides
it's popularity. 43 million people in the USA play pool.
The question is...
How can we get their money?
 
Making Pool Exciting on TV

You need exciting sportscasters who identify the different shots made... how much of a challenge that shot was, or why he maybe should have done this, instead. Or, put John Madden and his great drawings to work. Who wouldn't watch and thoroughly enjoy a John Madden description of a shot?

Need I say more?
 
Frank Caliendo

JesPiddlin said:
You need exciting sportscasters who identify the different shots made... how much of a challenge that shot was, or why he maybe should have done this, instead. Or, put John Madden and his great drawings to work. Who wouldn't watch and thoroughly enjoy a John Madden description of a shot?

Need I say more?
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All you have to do is watch Frank Caliendo and you would see exactly why we don't need John Madden near this sport.

Because he tells you stuff we already know! At least he makes us feel smarter, cause anybody is smarter than he is!

John Madden says stuff like "If the quarterback throws the ball into the in zone and the receiver catches it.....................................then that's going to be a touch down!"

REALLY? :eek:
 
Steve Lipsky said:
Why do you want more of a following?

I ask not facetiously, but truthfully. What is wrong with the game right now, the way it is? Why do you care that the game is not more popular?

If you're saying this because you have a friend who's in the top, say, 100 and he can't support himself with it, that's one thing. I'm sure we all do, and it's sad. But I don't think that's why this topic is usually brought up, and I always question it when it is.

Why does it have to be such a given that we want it to be more popular?

- Steve
Click to expand...

As someone already said in here, the more of a following we get the more quality places there will be to play.

Because the more of a following we get the more I get the chance to have a BCA or APA league in my town, and the bar leagues will quit being the mainstream pool leagues around here.

Because as someone already said, you won't have to be a detective to figure out where all the tournaments are to play in.

Because it would bring a whole new generation into the game and keep the quality of pool alive!

Because maybe just maybe there would be business professionals that leave work early on Friday to go play some pool instead of going to play golf!

Let me ask you this question. Would it be so bad if pool got popular? Or are you afraid it will change the sport you love so much that you won't want to play it anymore? Why would you be against pool becoming more popular and more well known?

I did a report on pool for my speech class a couple years ago, and you wouldn't believe the jaws dropping like they did when I told them the history behind pool.

Most people don't know it developed as a game for royalty. Most people don't know that it was derived from a lawn game similar to croquet.

Most people in my class didn't know there were 9 pool halls in my city, and every day there is a place to go play pool for free!

When I gave them all this useful information these college kids started showing up and playing pool. Some of them were good and some not so good, but at least it was something they enjoyed doing.

Besides what college kid do you know that has a lot of money to spend on a hobby? Anyone can play pool because you can use a house cue if needed. The only other hobby I see giving you equipment is bowling, but I have never been to a bowling alley where they let you play free from 12-7pm.

If pool became more popular it would be a good thing for all players around the globe.

I want pool to become more popular simply for the good it can do for the pool society.
 
John Madden

I thought the idea in this thread was to find a way to draw more interest. John Madden is a "get excited" kind of guy and he keeps the spectators' attention. THAT's what we need, if we want to get pool established on tv! I agree with the others... When it becomes a spectator sport, pool will be very welcome by all on tv (except the spouses who will learn to hate the game, because they do not take the time to understand it.)

It would be great to hear, "I have to hurry and get home before Monday Night Pool comes on!"

Maybe we could convince the tv producers it's reality tv???????
 
Ok then

JesPiddlin said:
I thought the idea in this thread was to find a way to draw more interest. John Madden is a "get excited" kind of guy and he keeps the spectators' attention. THAT's what we need, if we want to get pool established on tv! I agree with the others... When it becomes a spectator sport, pool will be very welcome by all on tv (except the spouses who will learn to hate the game, because they do not take the time to understand it.)

It would be great to hear, "I have to hurry and get home before Monday Night Pool comes on!"

Maybe we could convince the tv producers it's reality tv???????
Click to expand...


How about Dick Vital then? LMAO :rolleyes:
 
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