You hit the nail on the head! Jay does an excellent job and deserves a bit more respect
Jay Helfert
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You hit the nail on the head! Jay does an excellent job and deserves a bit more respect
Trump hits the nail very oftenly
First off, I'm glad to have watched and listened to practically every hour of the entire Mosconi Cup and I'm glad that I know you as well as I do.
Doing commentary isn't as easy as some think. As you say Jay, there will always be critics and I guess it comes with the territory.
You covered a lot of things that I agree with.
NO ONE gets the shot right every time. The fact is the MOSCONI CUP is a made for television production, not just for the guy sitting at home who never gets anything shot or statistic wrong. Everyone makes mistakes. There has been a lot of criticism this year on the commentary and most of it can be condoned.
However, I have one question.
I promised others that I would ask this of you in this semi-public forum. Myself and what appeared to be a very large number of other people (mostly Americans) noticed what appeared to be a VERY STRONG BIAS throughout the event, toward the European team by you, Jerry and Jim and even the lady interviewer. This happened throughout the event and not just every now and then. Jim has a European background and I could understand how he may see things a bit differently than most Americans but I just felt like the USA Mosconi Cup Team was not treated as fairly (commentary wise) as was the European Team.
Is this something that is planned out because it is primarily a European televised program? Are you instructed to give a pro slant toward the European team or do you all feel an obligation to give the European team more credit than what the American team is given? If so, I understand that.
Otherwise, can you respond to this.
Perhaps, I have the wrong perspective on this and you may feel the criticism is unwarranted. (I was kind of pulling REALLY HARD for the USA Mosconi Cup Team.)
Thanks,
JoeyA
Doing commentary isn't as easy as some think. As you say Jay, there will always be critics and I guess it comes with the territory.
You covered a lot of things that I agree with.
NO ONE gets the shot right every time. The fact is the MOSCONI CUP is a made for television production, not just for the guy sitting at home who never gets anything shot or statistic wrong.
Everyone makes mistakes. There has been a lot of criticism this year on the commentary and most of it can be condoned.However, I have one question.
I promised others that I would ask this of you in this semi-public forum. Myself and what appeared to be a very large number of other people (mostly Americans) noticed what appeared to be a VERY STRONG BIAS throughout the event, toward the European team by you, Jerry and Jim and even the lady interviewer. This happened throughout the event and not just every now and then. Jim has a European background and I could understand how he may see things a bit differently than most Americans but I just felt like the USA Mosconi Cup Team was not treated as fairly (commentary wise) as was the European Team.
Is this something that is planned out because it is primarily a European televised program? Are you instructed to give a pro slant toward the European team or do you all feel an obligation to give the European team more credit than what the American team is given? If so, I understand that.
Otherwise, can you respond to this.
Perhaps, I have the wrong perspective on this and you may feel the criticism is unwarranted. (I was kind of pulling REALLY HARD for the USA Mosconi Cup Team.
)Thanks,
JoeyA
That's a good one...lol BTW i'm not defending him, I just hate knockers. And old school should have known better.
??????????
First off, I'm glad to have watched and listened to practically every hour of the entire Mosconi Cup and I'm glad that I know you as well as I do.
Doing commentary isn't as easy as some think. As you say Jay, there will always be critics and I guess it comes with the territory.
You covered a lot of things that I agree with.
NO ONE gets the shot right every time. The fact is the MOSCONI CUP is a made for television production, not just for the guy sitting at home who never gets anything shot or statistic wrong.
However, I have one question.
I promised others that I would ask this of you in this semi-public forum. Myself and what appeared to be a very large number of other people (mostly Americans) noticed what appeared to be a VERY STRONG BIAS throughout the event, toward the European team by you, Jerry and Jim and even the lady interviewer. This happened throughout the event and not just every now and then. Jim has a European background and I could understand how he may see things a bit differently than most Americans but I just felt like the USA Mosconi Cup Team was not treated as fairly (commentary wise) as was the European Team.
Is this something that is planned out because it is primarily a European televised program? Are you instructed to give a pro slant toward the European team or do you all feel an obligation to give the European team more credit than what the American team is given? If so, I understand that.
Otherwise, can you respond to this.
Perhaps, I have the wrong perspective on this and you may feel the criticism is unwarranted. (I was kind of pulling REALLY HARD for the USA Mosconi Cup Team.
Thanks,
JoeyA
Thanks Joey, to answer your question NO, we are not instructed what to say and definitely not to favor anyone. As for me personally I may have taken it too much to heart when a Team USA player made a critical error like a missed nine ball or failed safety. I really truly wanted to see them pull off the upset and it may have shown in my commentary. I don't really know, I was just being me. If they couldn't win, a close match was the next best thing and we almost got that. I am American after all and like Lee Brett I would love to be Captain one day after Mark gets burned out. I think I can bring in a winner since I've been backing and coaching top players all my life.
I am friends with all the European players as well so I applaud their continued fine play in the MC. These guys are going to make Team USA earn it if they ever want to win again. And that's the way it should be.
P.S. If it sounded like I was giving more credit to Team Europe that was because they were playing better, or didn't you notice. Team USA was fortunate to keep it close the first two days, only down 6-4. The last two days they actually played a lot better and so did Europe. I just try to keep it real Joey. I'm not going to only acknowledge the good shots made by USA and overlook or excuse the bad ones. That's not how I roll and if you think I should then we will have to disagree here. As for the people who said Europe got all the rolls - BALONEY! That's not why USA lost (those five guys never once complained about the rolls) and if you think so then you must be a Teacherman protege.
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First off, I'm glad to have watched and listened to practically every hour of the entire Mosconi Cup and I'm glad that I know you as well as I do.
Doing commentary isn't as easy as some think. As you say Jay, there will always be critics and I guess it comes with the territory.
You covered a lot of things that I agree with.
NO ONE gets the shot right every time. The fact is the MOSCONI CUP is a made for television production, not just for the guy sitting at home who never gets anything shot or statistic wrong.
However, I have one question.
I promised others that I would ask this of you in this semi-public forum. Myself and what appeared to be a very large number of other people (mostly Americans) noticed what appeared to be a VERY STRONG BIAS throughout the event, toward the European team by you, Jerry and Jim and even the lady interviewer. This happened throughout the event and not just every now and then. Jim has a European background and I could understand how he may see things a bit differently than most Americans but I just felt like the USA Mosconi Cup Team was not treated as fairly (commentary wise) as was the European Team.
Is this something that is planned out because it is primarily a European televised program? Are you instructed to give a pro slant toward the European team or do you all feel an obligation to give the European team more credit than what the American team is given? If so, I understand that.
Otherwise, can you respond to this.
Perhaps, I have the wrong perspective on this and you may feel the criticism is unwarranted. (I was kind of pulling REALLY HARD for the USA Mosconi Cup Team.
Thanks,
JoeyA
exactly. I'm glad I'm not the only "old schooler" around here that was hearing that. Like I said, Jay has always been a friend and we've always agreed on most things, political affiliation withstanding, but if you didn't hear a pro-European tone then you obviously weren't watching the same thing I was.
Glad i jogged your memory. In respect Jay, this is my last comment on this.
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Last comment because you can't explain why?? Hmmm
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If it will help your blood pressure.....you got this right. But you should go a step further. The Euro's cue ball control PERIOD....whether running out, playing safe or kicking....exceeds the Americans.
Stroking fundamentals.
The majority of times, the Euro's, when in line, stay in line. If they don't get out they jar a ball.
The Americans can not stay in line as often. They miss position....pin point position....when proper angles need to be kept....way too often.
There is one exception to that....and that is Justin Bergman. He BY FAR has the best cue ball of the Americans.....not even close....and NOT ONE....of the Euros is better. He finally made enough balls on the break to show it against Appleton. Made a "32nd of an inch" mistake or would have beaten Appleton 5-1.
Feel better now?
Yes.
I admit I haven't read all of your posts but so far this is the 1st that I totally agree with. Justin really impressed me. His fundamentals really held up. Solid!
Same here. Jay is a friend.
I guess it's easy to get caught up in the moment. I'm glad to hear the commentators aren't told what to say. I think if Jay listened to the matches at a later date he would hear just what you and I heard along with many others. Perhaps, it's a bit of hearing what you want to hear but I sure heard a strong European bias. I just want to understand how it gets there. I still don't.
JoeyA
YES, Europe definitely played better but OFTEN when the U.S.A. players played well, it was almost glossed over.
When European players played a poor safety, it was "Oh look he left a window." When American players played a poor safety you would have thought that the game and match were over.
I believe the American players should have been fairly judged by the quality of their play and they weren't imo. It could be that I was just caught up in the fervor of pulling for Team America. I'm just trying to understand why it was as I said.
Regardless, keep being yourself Jay, just try to show Team America a little more love next time. :smile:
JoeyA
When European players played a poor safety, it was "Oh look he left a window." When American players played a poor safety you would have thought that the game and match were over.
I believe the American players should have been fairly judged by the quality of their play and they weren't imo. It could be that I was just caught up in the fervor of pulling for Team America. I'm just trying to understand why it was as I said.
Regardless, keep being yourself Jay, just try to show Team America a little more love next time. :smile:
JoeyA
Thanks Joey, to answer your question NO, we are not instructed what to say and definitely not to favor anyone. As for me personally I may have taken it too much to heart when a Team USA player made a critical error like a missed nine ball or failed safety. I really truly wanted to see them pull off the upset and it may have shown in my commentary. I don't really know, I was just being me. If they couldn't win, a close match was the next best thing and we almost got that. I am American after all and like Lee Brett I would love to be Captain one day after Mark gets burned out. I think I can bring in a winner since I've been backing and coaching top players all my life.
I am friends with all the European players as well so I applaud their continued fine play in the MC. These guys are going to make Team USA earn it if they ever want to win again. And that's the way it should be.
P.S. If it sounded like I was giving more credit to Team Europe that was because they were playing better, or didn't you notice. Team USA was fortunate to keep it close the first two days, only down 6-4. The last two days they actually played a lot better and so did Europe. I just try to keep it real Joey. I'm not going to only acknowledge the good shots made by USA and overlook or excuse the bad ones. That's not how I roll and if you think I should then we will have to disagree here. As for the people who said Europe got all the rolls - BALONEY! That's not why USA lost (those five guys never once complained about the rolls) and if you think so then you must be a Teacherman protege.
Joey, Joey, Joey, you were caught up in something that's for sure buddy. I went on youtube and watched a couple of matches that I worked. I did make the wrong call on a couple of balls that were hard to distinguish early on (the four and five looked almost the same on the monitor) but other than that I was satisfied with the job we did in calling the match.
We did not do an excessive amount of commentary, allowing the match to play out before us, only describing each shot briefly both before and after. We remained silent when the players were talking as a team.
Regarding the safety play, there were sometimes only fair safeties and there were also bad safeties, plus a lot in between. When I said he left a window that was an indication of a less than perfect safety, but when the balls are table length apart with no pocket for the object ball, it's not all that bad just because his opponent can see the ball. This would be an indication of a not so perfect safety that still presents a challenge for the incoming player.
Conversely when a player plays a safety and leaves an open shot, even a long one, that is a failed safety. Unfortunately Team USA did that on several occasions and I remarked in kind.
I did not hear any bias in my voice during the matches I watched last night on youtube. I felt that I was objective in calling the action. In fact if anything my disappointment when Team USA committed an error was pretty evident on some occasions. I was inwardly pulling for them to be successful. If you are reading any pro Europe bias into my commentary then that is on you Joey. I look forward to working alongside you in the booth in the future.
P.S. One other thing Joey. I was pretty glowing in praise for Team USA on the last two days when they seemed to warm to the task and took it to Team Europe match after match. Yes we lost, but we never gave up!
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Well then....that settles it.
I watched every minute and every hour of this years MC and loved it all from start to finish.
Loved the commentary - "We will now take a bank shot and we'll be right back."
Great way to announce the commercial break!
Even when the picture went down for a short while, only intensified the drama!
To Jay and the rest of the MC team - Keep on keeping on! :thumbup:
Loved the commentary - "We will now take a bank shot and we'll be right back."
Great way to announce the commercial break!
Even when the picture went down for a short while, only intensified the drama!
To Jay and the rest of the MC team - Keep on keeping on! :thumbup:
Jay, I have no complaints about the commentary in general, shot selection, or excessive amount of commentary all of which you mentioned. I know how it goes in the booth. No one gets everything right, no one.
It was also GREAT to listen in on the conversations going on between the partnered players.
Perhaps your P.S. statement holds a clue as to why I and many others felt you, Jerry and Jim were biased toward the European team. Perhaps it is only natural to speak "glowingly" when a player or team is doing extremely well. I think even when a player or team is struggling, commentators can find something of substance to talk glowingly about. When the players are struggling and those small nuggets are overlooked or glossed over, perhaps that is when fans such as myself feel the bias is occurring.
You and I always have fun doing commentary together and will in the future. :smile:
JoeyA
It was also GREAT to listen in on the conversations going on between the partnered players.
Perhaps your P.S. statement holds a clue as to why I and many others felt you, Jerry and Jim were biased toward the European team. Perhaps it is only natural to speak "glowingly" when a player or team is doing extremely well. I think even when a player or team is struggling, commentators can find something of substance to talk glowingly about. When the players are struggling and those small nuggets are overlooked or glossed over, perhaps that is when fans such as myself feel the bias is occurring.
You and I always have fun doing commentary together and will in the future. :smile:
JoeyA
Joey, Joey, Joey, you were caught up in something that's for sure buddy. I went on youtube and watched a couple of matches that I worked. I did make the wrong call on a couple of balls that were hard to distinguish early on (the four and five looked almost the same on the monitor) but other than that I was satisfied with the job we did in calling the match.
We did not do an excessive amount of commentary, allowing the match to play out before us, only describing each shot briefly both before and after. We remained silent when the players were talking as a team.
Regarding the safety play, there were sometimes only fair safeties and there were also bad safeties, plus a lot in between. When I said he left a window that was an indication of a less than perfect safety, but when the balls are table length apart with no pocket for the object ball, it's not all that bad just because his opponent can see the ball. This would be an indication of a not so perfect safety that still presents a challenge for the incoming player.
Conversely when a player plays a safety and leaves an open shot, even a long one, that is a failed safety. Unfortunately Team USA did that on several occasions and I remarked in kind.
I did not hear any bias in my voice during the matches I watched last night on youtube. I felt that I was objective in calling the action. In fact if anything my disappointment when Team USA committed an error was pretty evident on some occasions. I was inwardly pulling for them to be successful. If you are reading any pro Europe bias into my commentary then that is on you Joey. I look forward to working alongside you in the booth in the future.
P.S. One other thing Joey. I was pretty glowing in praise for Team USA on the last two days when they seemed to warm to the task and took it to Team Europe match after match. Yes we lost, but we never gave up!