Jeanette Lee and the crowd

[Buckster_uk]

Hi,

The WPBA Florida Classic has been showing over in the UK on Sky Sports recently, and I must say it was like watching an entertainment show!

After every single shot the crowd clapped, no matter how good/bad the shot was (maybe ESPN told them to do it I am not sure).

Jeanette Lee really is just entertainment, pumping her fists after every game won, and all the comments during the games.

It makes womens pool look so amateurish, and really just makes it look like some sort of show.

I am sure some sort of topic like this has been posted, but we have just got our first dose of WPBA Pool over here, and it sucked really!

 

[Worminator]

After every single shot the crowd clapped, no matter how good/bad the shot was (maybe ESPN told them to do it I am not sure).

I hate this part of the televised WPBA events. It makes the crowd look very uneducated about the game. I cannot fault ESPN for trying to get the crowd involved, but that is taking it too far.

Jeanette Lee really is just entertainment, pumping her fists after every game won, and all the comments during the games.

Jeanette is a passionate player and that is her personality. You would see her doing that at an un-televised event also. She is always involved with the crowd during her matches.

 

[sjm]

Jeanette is a passionate player and that is her personality. You would see her doing that at an un-televised event also. She is always involved with the crowd during her matches.

Exactly right, and let's add that in her heart of hearts, Jeanette believes that working the crowd in the manner she does is good for her career and here sport. I, for one, think she's right on both counts.

 

[Buckster_uk]

Lol, you seem to have millions of photos.

I have only seen one event therefore I couldn't really comment on her attitude to the other events, from what I saw, it seemed to be put on for the audience, but of course I may be wrong and this could be what she does anywhere. She certainly is a sponsor's dream what with the plugs etc at the end of her matches! I am not sure about the sponsor's shirt on her young baby either

 

[LAMas]

Hi,

The WPBA Florida Classic has been showing over in the UK on Sky Sports recently, and I must say it was like watching an entertainment show!

After every single shot the crowd clapped, no matter how good/bad the shot was (maybe ESPN told them to do it I am not sure).

Jeanette Lee really is just entertainment, pumping her fists after every game won, and all the comments during the games.

It makes womens pool look so amateurish, and really just makes it look like some sort of show.

I am sure some sort of topic like this has been posted, but we have just got our first dose of WPBA Pool over here, and it sucked really!

I went to Las Vegas to see the Mosconi Cup 2 years ago and only got through the first couple of matches because I was turned off by the staging
and didn't go back preferring to play the horses for the rest of the trip.

The annoucer, who had a British accent, was out of the WWF with his barking at the audience and players. The players were instructed to flail there arms, hug and make cheers and chants. The audience was instructed to huddle together in front of the camera. The US players and others were uncomfortable with this unatural showmanship.

Jeanette's gestures are by comparison discreet in comparison. I hope that you get to see Vivian Villareal (another American) and her amusing gestures and comments. Then there's Jennifer Chen and her colorful verbal comments.

The sport has gotten bigger and better because of television (though slowly) and if this is about entertainment, then Jeanette is what the sport needs.
I am sure that her sponsers and fans don't want her to change and I believe that she makes good money which should be an inspiration for those that want to entertain and show off their skills.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Hi,

The WPBA Florida Classic has been showing over in the UK on Sky Sports recently, and I must say it was like watching an entertainment show!

After every single shot the crowd clapped, no matter how good/bad the shot was (maybe ESPN told them to do it I am not sure).

Jeanette Lee really is just entertainment, pumping her fists after every game won, and all the comments during the games.

It makes womens pool look so amateurish, and really just makes it look like some sort of show.

I am sure some sort of topic like this has been posted, but we have just got our first dose of WPBA Pool over here, and it sucked really!

I just wanted to point out that cue sports are far more popular in the UK than they are in the US. This is more an American production trying to increase a rather small market than anything resembling the UK productions that have an air of tradition and grace. The Americans simply cannot do what they do in the UK because far fewer people watch it. If our players wore evening gowns and tuxedos and acted like ladies & gentlemen, there's a very good chance viewership would be a fraction of an already small number.

Regarding Jeanette Lee, she is the face of pool right now. If she were a mouse at the table, nobody outside of our world would have ever heard of her. Go ahead, ask the person next to you if they've ever heard of Karen Corr or Alison Fisher. They're both incredible players and nothing but the sweetest of characters every time I've been in their company but they don't draw attention outside our little world. Jeanette does that and honestly, you can argue how much it helps. I say it definately can't hurt.

We can go over this little debate time and time again. I'm sure even Jeanette Lee has logged on and viewed our posts only to roll her eyes and wonder what she has to do to gain approval from her own people. Yes, she probably wouldn't make an ideal opponent with her antics at the table but when you're in a position such as hers, you're allowed to step out of bounds a little bit. She has a unique opportunity, one that hasn't been presented to a pool player in quite some time. She is, by all accounts, a celebrity and that's something that the game needs right now, IMO. Besides, I'd much rather watch her on television than Moneymaker.


Jude M. Rosenstock

 

[vapoolplayer]

Yes, she probably wouldn't make an ideal opponent with her antics at the table but when you're in a position such as hers, you're allowed to step out of bounds a little bit.....

Jude M. Rosenstock

not disagreeing totally with you here, as i agree with 99 percent of your post, its more of a question........maybe you've seen something i haven't, but what "antics" are you talking about? she is vocal when she plays, but not when the other person is shooting, she doesn't say anything out of the way, she just gets excited when she wins like anyone else who loves to play.

again i'm not disagreeing here, just asking.

(directed towards people who are offended by lee) i don't see what the big deal is, people don't think something is wrong when a football player leaps into the crowd after a touchdown.

is she supposed to not say a word while she's playing? just be monotone and silent?

in that case, you people would hate to watch someone like keith play, as jeanette's table side chatter babies in comparison to someone as colorful as keith.

 

[sniper]

I think Jeanette Lee fist pumping and interacting with the crowd is a good thing, she's not doing it for the cameras she's doing it naturally. I think a player that wears their emotion on their sleeves is great, what's wrong with a player showing a little passion? From a fans perspective I would much rather watch a Jeanette Lee match than a Fisher or Corr match.


LAMas, the crowd at the Mosconi Cup in Holland this year was almost enough to sell out a 445 seat arena, I guess that's why they moved it over to Holland. I doubt they had to move the fans into empty seats over there.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

not disagreeing totally with you here, as i agree with 99 percent of your post, its more of a question........maybe you've seen something i haven't, but what "antics" are you talking about? she is vocal when she plays, but not when the other person is shooting, she doesn't say anything out of the way, she just gets excited when she wins like anyone else who loves to play.

again i'm not disagreeing here, just asking.

(directed towards people who are offended by lee) i don't see what the big deal is, people don't think something is wrong when a football player leaps into the crowd after a touchdown.

is she supposed to not say a word while she's playing? just be monotone and silent?

in that case, you people would hate to watch someone like keith play, as jeanette's table side chatter babies in comparison to someone as colorful as keith.

I simply meant that if an opponent of mine were doing anything celebratory during a match with me, I'd be offended but I'm playing in a local poolroom not an ESPN event. I call them "antics" because much of her behavior WOULD be considered taboo and rude if it weren't a show. But that's my point, it IS a show.

Keith McCready (the player I assume you were referring to) is a perfect example of this. He IS the most exciting player to watch in any pro event BECAUSE he's a showman and nobody can tell me differently. What's really funny is, the majority of people who bash Jeanette will still get frontrow seats for McCready.


Jude M. Rosenstock

 

[Tbeaux]

From a fans perspective I would much rather watch a Jeanette Lee match than a Fisher or Corr match.

While Karen and Alison are both great players and competitors watching them play each other is about as exciting as watching paint dry. With only one or two exceptions if you saw one of their matches several years ago you would be pretty hard pressed to distinguish it from a match from the past season.
Jeanette is a real breath of fresh air.Gerda,Vivian and numerous others are also animated and talk, however Mr. Bucky-UK to my knowledge "NOT ONE OF THEM" has ever made comments ,gestures or in anyway tried to distract their opponent.As for Jeanettes baby(Cheyene)...what?you Brits gonna start telling her how to friggin dress her kid? Go tell Prince Charlie to dress that brat of his(as in swastikas) properly.

 

[GeraldG]

While Karen and Alison are both great players and competitors watching them play each other is about as exciting as watching paint dry. With only one or two exceptions if you saw one of their matches several years ago you would be pretty hard pressed to distinguish it from a match from the past season.
Jeanette is a real breath of fresh air.Gerda,Vivian and numerous others are also animated and talk, however Mr. Bucky-UK to my knowledge "NOT ONE OF THEM" has ever made comments ,gestures or in anyway tried to distract their opponent.As for Jeanettes baby(Cheyene)...what?you Brits gonna start telling her how to friggin dress her kid? Go tell Prince Charlie to dress that brat of his(as in swastikas) properly.

Yep!

I've watched a few of the British matches......some good shooting, but hard to stay awake through the whole thing.

Jeanette is recognizing her supporters and fans. She is interacting with them and making them feel that they are a part of it all. What is wrong with that?

And.....I hardly see the issue with the way she chooses to dress her child. What difference does it make? Is the child going to be permanently scarred from wearing that outfit? Is it any of our business anyway? I figure she can dress the kid anyway she wants. It has absolutely nothing to do with her playing or the match at hand. This is just ridiculous nit-picking B.S.

 

[AuntyDan]

LAMas - I was at the 2003 Mosconi Cup in Vegas and chatted briefly with some of the staff from Matchroom, they said they are using the change of location to "develop other markets". I would not be surprised to find they either come back to the US in 2005 or host it in another European country. With players like Souquet, Hohmann and Ortmann you'd think Germany would be an obvious choice.

Buckster_uk - I am a UK citizen who has been living in the US for 7 years now. You should consider yourself lucky, you get the Mosconi and the World Championship live and in full on Sky. In the USA we consider ourselves lucky to get a couple of hours of edited highlights within 3 months on ESPN.

I was utterly amazed when I came over here at how little televised Pool there was and how low the production values are. The WPBA and ESPN have improved their productions over the last few years but are still miles away from someone like Matchroom or BBC Snooker coverage. ESPN still can't even record live commentary on site without getting a bunch of background noise and echo. (For example I saw Peg Ledman of the WPBA at the 2003 Mosconi Cup with a notepad drawing a diagram of the lighting rig.)

I personally think JL is a little OTT in promoting her sponsor, but if that is what it takes to earn a living doing what she loves more power to her. I also suspect she is the type of person who throws herself 100% into something once she has committed to it, and you have to commend her for that.

And hey, if you ever get out here to California give me a shout!

 

[JAM]

...is she supposed to not say a word while she's playing? just be monotone and silent?

in that case, you people would hate to watch someone like keith play, as jeanette's table side chatter babies in comparison to someone as colorful as keith.

Hey, vapoolplayer, don't forget about this coming weekend for the PP 9-Ball Tour season opener at Champions in Laurel, MD, if you are able to make it.

I got an update on the local smut report. I heard last Friday night, the short fellow and the jump-ball mechanic met up again, same game, same stakes, with the little guy stuffing his pockets this time. A friendly railbird who saw the set told me he was totally impressed with the visiting young gun, who was spotting the wild 8, stating he approaches the game with as much poise and table etiquette as he's seen in even the most seasoned players.

Relating to Jeanette Lee, I just don't get what folks are looking for when they're watching these events. IMHO, and I've said it before, Jeanette Lee is the closest thing to NAME-BRAND RECOGNITION we have in America. She looks comfortable in front of a camera, unlike many other male and female pros when they're competing on the TV table who look like emotionless mimes.

One current top male pro star told me his desire was to get on TV as much as possible because, in his mind, this will help him advance his pool-playing career. Yet, every time I've seen this particular guy on TV in recent times, I don't think I've ever seen him crack a smile in front of the camera, even when he's winning. I think fans want to see the thrill of a victory AND the agony of defeat. Seeing topnotch pool to those who don't understand it isn't entertaining, which is what the broadcast media is looking for, something to capture the interests of the TV viewing audience.

Has it occurred to anyone that maybe because of Jeanette's ability to let her personality come through on television that it may be helping pool to get on the map? Is it because she is pretty that some feel the urge to knock her down a notch? It can't be because of her level of play. I think she should ride this tide as long as it's out there for her, and I, for one, hope she is successful. It helps the sport in the long run (IMO).

I believe that pool may be on the brink of better things in the year 2005, despite all of the pool politics. Just a feeling I've got maybe. There are some folks behind the scenes with some innovative and forward-looking ideas which gives me hope. And if Jeanette Lee happens to be the one who can break the current barriers facing this sport, I'm going to be rooting for her and wish her much success. Pool definitely needs more players like her.

JMHO, FWIW

JAM

 

[drivermaker]

Jeanette Lee really is just entertainment, pumping her fists after every game won, and all the comments during the games.

It makes womens pool look so amateurish, and really just makes it look like some sort of show.

How different the world of golf and pool is. Tiger Woods gets on a hot roll making some putts and pumps his fist into the air like Mike Tyson jacking someone with an uppercut and the crowd goes wild and you can hear the roar for miles. Jeanette pumps her fist after a win or expresses herself during a match and gets slammed. What gives? You can't have robotic drones in any sport, not only is it boring for spectators but players feed off of emotion to bring out the best in themselves. I'd much prefer fist pumping than seeing someone blubbering like a 5 year old with tears streaming down their face, male or female.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

While Karen and Alison are both great players and competitors watching them play each other is about as exciting as watching paint dry. With only one or two exceptions if you saw one of their matches several years ago you would be pretty hard pressed to distinguish it from a match from the past season.
Jeanette is a real breath of fresh air.Gerda,Vivian and numerous others are also animated and talk, however Mr. Bucky-UK to my knowledge "NOT ONE OF THEM" has ever made comments ,gestures or in anyway tried to distract their opponent.As for Jeanettes baby(Cheyene)...what?you Brits gonna start telling her how to friggin dress her kid? Go tell Prince Charlie to dress that brat of his(as in swastikas) properly.

Wow, now that's a bit over the top. Hey, I see no need to bash brits now. I am disgusted by the nazi costum scandal but let's be a little civilized here. I do agree with your point, though. Jeanette's baby should NOT be a topic of discussion here. I mean seriously, the day I have kids and a sponsor, I'll think it's cute to dress up the tot in sponsor gear (especially if it's a beer company).


Jude M. Rosenstock

 

[yobagua]

Wait are you talking about 9 ball in America???? Have you seen British 9 ball with Sid Waddel? I'm just waiting for Benny Hill to pop up in a dress somewhere. All the hooting and hollering and high fiving at the Mosconi Cup. Romford Slim? Give me a break!
Jeannette Lee is one of the finest persons I have met in the pool scene. Very respectful and always has time for her fans. Her dedication to the game should only get respect. She continually is taking lessons and tries to master all games. 3 Rail, one pocket, banks, 14.1 etc. What other woman in the WPBA does that?
And Grem do you remember Karen getting up on the table in one of her wins? Dancing across the felt in an Irish Jig? Oh the Horror! Like some hyper thyroidic over grown leprechaun. And Allison after every win going up to her SPONSORS and making sure she gives them that big hug. What is wrong with Jeannette high fiving her friends.
I think that WPBA has to do some over hauling myself. The 7 game matches are too short. The pockets too wide. The announcing and analyses too lame. But to criticize one individual serves no one and is more a reflection of the critiquer.

 

[Wally in Cincy]

Jeannette Lee is one of the finest persons I have met in the pool scene. Very respectful and always has time for her fans. .

Last year at the DCC right after she was knocked out of the 9-ball division by Charlie "Hillbilly" Bryant, she spent 90 minutes signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. She had posters for sale but was not pushing them at all.

Again this year she spent 2 hours doing the same thing for no pay that I am aware of.

Jeanette is all right. Every pool player, male or female, better kiss her the next time they see her because she is the best thing pool has going for it right now.

 

[bsmutz]

I would venture to speculate that Jeannette is the most famous pool player in the US right now, outside of the pool fanatic circle. Minnesota Fats is definitely the most famous all time and Jeannette doesn't even come close to being as colorful as Fats was. She has serious back problems and practices hard to be where she is. She is wonderful to the audience and encourages fans that want to talk to her. I would personally like to see the players be more animated. If they showed more emotion the audience would be into it more, there would be a larger audience, and the TD wouldn't have to whip the crowd into showing their appreciation. The only British game I've seen is a web video of Robbie O'Sullivan's 1997 147 run. It was an electric performance and certainly the crowd was into it. I can't say much for the commentating (not really much time to commentate, lol), but certainly Ronnie was eating up the accolades afterwards. I don't think it's poor sportsmanship to show how excited you are to win as long as you acknowledge the efforts of your opponent at some point, by handshake or words. Everybody has their own way of showing their pleasure. I've seen WBPA women fall to their knees, cry, etc., the full gamut of possibilities.
Gremlin, I don't know you but I think you have to consider that your little group of favorites owe something to JL for helping make the tour as successful as it is. By the way, I thought the other day you decided to pull your support for the WPBA 'cause you might have to sit in bleachers to watch one of the stops. As for the "pot gut" fan that JL was high-fiving in your picture, I hope he reads your post and plants you on your a** next time he sees you. He was probably thinking "I hope that little runt with the camera gets a good picture of me with Jeannette."

 

[T411]

Quote:Originally Posted by Buckster_ukAfter every single shot the crowd clapped, no matter how good/bad the shot was (maybe ESPN told them to do it I am not sure).

Worminator
I hate this part of the televised WPBA events. It makes the crowd look very uneducated about the game. I cannot fault ESPN for trying to get the crowd involved, but that is taking it too far.

The crowd is coached to an extent and sometime the crowd is very uneducated but what is wrong with that? There are a lot of people at all sporting events that are very uneducated about the sport that they are watching NFL, NBA, MLB, ect. I understand what you are saying Worminator but I think we all have been to sporting events that we hear a fan shout something out that shows his or hers lack of knowledge about the event that they are watching. The more they watch and play the more they learn. Fan support of all levels of knowledge is what all sports want pool included.

Yes, I consider Jeanette Lee's actions ignorant. I guess
you understand I am not one of Jeanette Lee's fans.

I am a Kim Shaw, Tiffany Nelson, Kelly Fisher, Valerie Finnie, Sarah Ellerby, Wendy Jans fan. A photo is worth a thousand typed words.
Here is Jeanette Lee slapping hands with a pot gut fan right in Kimmy's Face after their match is over. Poor form, yes!

Cheers,

"Gremlin"

If you don’t want the opposition celebrating, don’t let them win. Some people are inconsiderate I agree with you Gremlin but I do not think Jennet Lee is. I think she goes out of her way to be a great ambassador for the game. I think she is good for pool. I think you are good for this forum, I enjoy your post and great pictures, keep them coming!

 

[buddha162]

I think Jeanette Lee fist pumping and interacting with the crowd is a good thing, she's not doing it for the cameras she's doing it naturally.

I disagree most emphatically, but that's just mo.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: there is nothing natural about that woman, her persona is as artificial as it gets. Keith and Earl and perhaps even Vivian show true emotion during competition, and I have far less problems with that than Lee's media strut around the table.

If you think my comments are personal, well, they are! Lee is a good player but she annoys me in an excruciating way.

-Roger