Non-Serious Pool Entertainment

[justnum]

There are lots of videos depicting pool played seriously.

But would an entertaining show, full of stereotypes, cliches and props be fun to the usual pro pool fans.

I am talking about a show, where instead of using cue sticks, people are shooting with broom sticks, chop sticks, fingers, bottles or other random items.

Instead of dramatic pauses between challenging shots, people are playing up their accent or native slang.

Instead of being "respectful" shooters are letting their emotions get the best of them.

The production would make a parody of pool on film. Most of pool on film is serious and not fun for non-pool players.

Someone tried making a drama series revolving around pool, but it felt like pool trying to be more like a reality competition show. It was on TruTV called the Hustlers, fun for pool fans. It motivated the core base of pool fans.

What if a show tried to take pool and just demolish any conventions about it, would it be appealing? Would it generate new traffic?

Instead of denouncing the antics of Earl Strickland, more people will emulate him. Instead of people being serious more people are trying to win acting awards at the pool table.

 

[billiardthought]

............

 

[justnum]

The classic stereotype of gambling and drunks is poorly associated with billiard halls and pool players.

To introduce new people to billiards, why start them with the serious pool playing skills first. Why not just start it about people hanging out and having a good time.

What they do at the table and how they act around the table, can be similar to people just goofing off wanting to have fun.

Its similar to how gangs recruit, first they use drugs and sex, then introduce the actions that can result in jail time.

 

[SJDinPHX]

The classic stereotype of gambling and drunks is poorly associated with billiard halls and pool players.

To introduce new people to billiards, why start them with the serious pool playing skills first. Why not just start it about people hanging out and having a good time.

What they do at the table and how they act around the table, can be similar to people just goofing off wanting to have fun...

You may be onto something there, justnum!..It is obvious we are not attracting new, non-playing viewers by our current methods..The recent upsurge in poker viewing, showed that there are distinct advantages to exposing the players to their comical (or sometimes bitter) interaction!

After all, how hard would it be to make fun of almost anything that comes out of 'Earl, the Pearl' or Danny D's mouth?..All it would take is someone skilled at writing, and showing pool players as a bunch of normal guys, just wanting to have fun at a game that almost everyone enjoys playing! ..Its certainly worth a try! :thumbup:

PS..Maybe we could hire Jay Leno..Hes pretty funny, and he's out of work right now!

 

[336Robin]

Gaelic Football

You may be onto something there, justnum!..It is obvious we are not attracting new, non-playing viewers by our current methods..The recent upsurge in poker viewing, showed that there are distinct advantages to exposing the players to their comical (or sometimes bitter) interaction!

After all, how hard would it be to make fun of almost anything that comes out of 'Earl, the Pearl' or Danny D's mouth?..All it would take is someone skilled at writing, and showing pool players as a bunch of normal guys, just wanting to have fun at a game that almost everyone enjoys playing! ..Its certainly worth a try! :thumbup:

PS..Maybe we could hire Jay Leno..Hes pretty funny, and he's out of work right now!

I had a thread on Gaelic Football saying Pool could learn some things from it.

None of the players got paid a dime but the association is huge and fan base is rabid proud of their teams. Its all done for pride, parrish and clan. The guys who play it wear their jerseys around in public sometimes and are treated like royalty.

I know that lots of guys like you've spent a lifetime of gambling on Pool but that direction hasn't really worked out for the future of Pool.

Like nummy suggests, it might be time to try something new. Really its probably past time when you consider how much money the League System is making and how much of it the room owners are getting. The league system is on one hand a great thing for keeping pool alive but on the other hand what business model is able to figure in free equipment, free table time to participate in their activity? For some reason that just doesn't sound right now does it? It's probably not completely right but sure the leagues bring some value to the room owner but the hardcore reality is that the space occupied by the Pool Table isn't really paying for itself because of a lack of participation like we used to have.

Given all the distractions we have today for people to get involved in we either have to change something drastically or just realize that Pool is going to be what its going to be and just let it go do what its going to.

I dont see room owners deciding to run a bunch of in house leagues. They want to sell alcohol, so they made their choice. The only other choice they have is Food, make their place event centers for special events or something. The space is too expensive for the tables to pay for it. That's the bottom line. One might want to buy themselves a table. I guess its time for Speak Easy Pool Room, in a warehouse.

 

[objekt404]

There are lots of videos depicting pool played seriously.

But would an entertaining show, full of stereotypes, cliches and props be fun to the usual pro pool fans.

I am talking about a show, where instead of using cue sticks, people are shooting with broom sticks, chop sticks, fingers, bottles or other random items.

Instead of dramatic pauses between challenging shots, people are playing up their accent or native slang.

Instead of being "respectful" shooters are letting their emotions get the best of them.

The production would make a parody of pool on film. Most of pool on film is serious and not fun for non-pool players.

Someone tried making a drama series revolving around pool, but it felt like pool trying to be more like a reality competition show. It was on TruTV called the Hustlers, fun for pool fans. It motivated the core base of pool fans.

What if a show tried to take pool and just demolish any conventions about it, would it be appealing? Would it generate new traffic?

Instead of denouncing the antics of Earl Strickland, more people will emulate him. Instead of people being serious more people are trying to win acting awards at the pool table.

I just call this Sunday...