Over 1 Million Viewers For First 6 Episodes of "The Hustlers"

[Hits 'em Hard]

Sounds you like have never seen Tin Cup, the movie about a drunk house pro golfer trying to get to the U.S.open. A favorite of golfers everywhere. Yet, out shows the gambling side of golfers and forbade antics.

You probably didn't like Color of Money and the Hustle either-there were seedy gambling scenes in those too.

Maybe snooker is a more proper cue sport for you if the tv show The Hustlers makes you feel degraded as a pool player.

So a fiction movie relates to a reality(inplied non-fiction) TV show how? Where's the TV show about hacks playing golf? Oh wait there isn't one. All people on "reality" shows pertaining to golf still show one thing. Etiquette. We all know what proper etiquette is, but for some reason the drunks are the loudest voice and have shoved etiquette out the window. No matter how much you want this show to bring more people to pool, it's bringing the wrong ones.

 

[jimmyg]

Originally Posted by jimmyg View Post
Interesting. If I'm channel surfing and pass the show, I'll watch it simply because I like the sounds and sights of pool balls being hit into pockets. But there's nothing else that keeps me interested in the show, certainly not the characters or script.

That said, I'm an analytical and a numbers guy and several things gain my attention when looking at your numbers chart. The very first thing is between episodes #1 (199,297 viewers) and episode #4 (146,643 viewers), even with the small spike at episode #3 with 190,666 viewers, there appears to be a defined downward trend. Then we have a strong, maybe too strong, upward spike at episode #5 of 306,341 viewers...more than double the previous week and 50% higher than the two stronger weeks, followed by episode #6 with 218,705 viewers.

Granted, we're dealing with a very small and therefore indefinitive data base here, but we can still make several general observations and await future data. I would have to view the current and available data as more likely showing a decreasing viewership trend than an increasing one. Episode #5 appears to likely be either an aberration or possibly an error, but opinions aside, the only way to be sure is with further and accurate data.

While, I wouldn't consider myself a "fan" of the show, I certainly wish all involved with it the best of luck.

j

There was no 3rd show spike. If you look at the two dates for the first four episodes, the trend is downward. The first episode of each week is high, the second episode is low. A lot of people changed the channel each week before the second episode of the week.

So, what about the third week? As you said, a huge increase. This could be because the first week was around memorial day weekend (reduced viewership), the second week was around when schools were getting out or having finals (reduced viewership). It might also be because a lot of people who saw the first two weeks told friends about it. Could be lots of things, but it looks to be an anomaly.

The spike I was referring to was episode #3, 190,666 viewers, over episode #2, 161,778 viewers. Too little data to be conclusive, and, as you say, could be lots of things. We shall see.

General statement to anyone who claims that discussing a program's viewership results is "hating": nuts.

J

 

[9andout]

Iv yet to even one person who has seen it , pool shooters or otherwise ,

1

Wife, and also 4 people at work. They're out there!

 

[pwd72s]

Season Two - Amy leaves Ross for Mike D.
- Earl makes an appearance to play Gary and the show tops 1 million viewers for a single episode .

Hey! What do you have against Mike D.? Did he spit in your beer or something?

 

[ElCorazonFrio]

The spike I was referring to was episode #3, 190,666 viewers, over episode #2, 161,778 viewers. Too little data to be conclusive, and, as you say, could be lots of things. We shall see.

General statement to anyone who claims that discussing a program's viewership results is "hating": nuts.

J

Right, I understand what you were referring to. My point is that episode 2 ran the same night and right after episode 1. Episode 3 ran 1 week later, presumably after the same show which episode 1 ran. Thus it makes sense to compare either episode 1 vs. episode 3 or the totals for episode 1&2 vs. episode 3&4. Comparing episode 2 to episode 3 is not comparing them on the same factors.

 

[jimmyg]

Right, I understand what you were referring to. My point is that episode 2 ran the same night and right after episode 1. Episode 3 ran 1 week later, presumably after the same show which episode 1 ran. Thus it makes sense to compare either episode 1 vs. episode 3 or the totals for episode 1&2 vs. episode 3&4. Comparing episode 2 to episode 3 is not comparing them on the same factors.

Good point, especially if #3 directly followed #2.

J

 

[ElCorazonFrio]

Good point, especially if #3 directly followed #2.

J

Gotcha, my bad...I think we are on the same page, basically.

 

[Texdance]

The show sure brings out the haters, and angry guys, and people who claim to know for a fact that this little show all by its lonesome will kill pool quicker than bacteria in a Blue Bell factory.

It is not as good as watching some great pro matches, or as much fun as playing One Pocket and running over some guy who thought he had a lock on the game. Nevertheless, I like it enough to set aside the time and be there in front of the TV.

I do that for very few TV shows.

We won't ever get to see them play my favorite game of One Pocket, I don't think, nor (I hope) will we see it transform into a Couples Handicap 8-Ball League. That's okay, I can stand to see them play what they are playing, they get drama into the games as they are now.

The show has yet to find its special niche, its combination of star power and plot that will keep viewers coming back and back and back. But it is not too far away from the mark.

It is not a true 'reality TV contest'. Those shows have a subplot - each contestant beats up on every other contestant, using guile and fear and lies and loathing to make sure Number One gets the big prize, and every one else gets the shaft.

'The Hustlers' has an undercurrent of team play, fair play, and yes even a small level of honesty that is refreshing to see in a reality TV show - and in a pool hall, too.

All you haters can hate all you want, who cares. I never liked Blue Bell all that much anyway, and I thought it was kinda overpriced, too.

 

[mrkdenton]

golf's reality show. on the golf channel

They do have a golf reality series on about every 6 months on the golf channel. Its called
"the big break" where like 12 no name golfer's compete against each other in a series of challenges and 1 golfer gets eliminated from every show. And there is all kinds of drama and shit talk and hazing going on in the show. And the winner wins like 2 exemptions on the PGA tour, 10,000 dollars to spend at dicks sporting goods to buy all new equipment a years worth of certain clothing certificate. Etc. It's really a big break for someone that hasn't ever been heard of. Maybe pool can do some kind of series like the golf's "big break" what could they call it though.

 

[BRussell]

Maybe pool can do some kind of series like the golf's "big break" what could they call it though.

I've got it: Finnegan's List.

 

[Dead Money]

One thing folks on here can do that would help let Tru TV know people like the show beyond ratings is visting their facebook page, finding the posts about the show and dropping some likes and positive comments on there. If you are a Facebooker it would only take a few minutes each week to do it. This kind of feedback can help in situations were deciders might be on the fence about renewing the show or not.

https://www.facebook.com/truTV?fref=ts You may have to scroll down some to find the latest posts about the show.

 

[victorl]

I hear they tried to make a pool version of the "Big Break" but the prizes sucked:

1. 2 useless exemptions for a non-existent pro tour
2. A waiting list spot for the cue maker of your choice
3. A piece of paper containing the ultimate secret to becoming a successful poolplayer (mostly blank and just says, "Get a real job.")

 

[billy]

Welcome to AZBilliards, where we love pool so much we want it to die.

To the knockers: criticize the show all you want, but do us a favor and don't complain about the state of pool

Seems to be the case, nice post

 

[Hits 'em Hard]

They do have a golf reality series on about every 6 months on the golf channel. Its called
"the big break" where like 12 no name golfer's compete against each other in a series of challenges and 1 golfer gets eliminated from every show. And there is all kinds of drama and shit talk and hazing going on in the show. And the winner wins like 2 exemptions on the PGA tour, 10,000 dollars to spend at dicks sporting goods to buy all new equipment a years worth of certain clothing certificate. Etc. It's really a big break for someone that hasn't ever been heard of. Maybe pool can do some kind of series like the golf's "big break" what could they call it though.

That's why I said "reality". It's a contest more than anything. There is a true prize at the end. A possible career. What's at the end of "The Hustlers"? Broke pool players.

 

[trob]

No reality tv show deserves a second season. Specially one that is completely scripted and setup. Ever notice during their table shots that between the player shots, balls randomly change position without the cue ball ever touching those balls? Stop supporting a show that is degrading to pool. "Hustlers", and not just the show, are why people avoid pool. It's also one of the reasons there is no pro pool. So much 'coolness' in the pool world of being a big gambler no one wants to be good anymore and this show is prime indication.

Did you ever think that there trying to fit a race to 9 into about 10 mins. Hmmm bet they can't show long drawn out safety battles because that would bore the average viewer into changing the channel. Naaaaa problem not. All reality show has some scripting.. It has to. If you don't like it don't watch and don't waste your time crying about. Let the people who do like it enjoy the show.

 

[chefjeff]

Glad your personal experience is good enough for you to believe that, mine isn't. .

We have only anecdotal evidence then, don't we?

Yes it may draw their attention to playing pool, but ask them if they've went to a poolhall from just watching the show. If that answer is that they haven't gone out playing pool, that's because they don't want to get hustled. .

Really? I haven't heard that one. I only hear about their liking the show and having more interest in playing. One called me and asked me to go with him to a tournament and play.

Every single 'C' player I know has asked me if I've seen the show. I tell them I feel degraded as a pool player. .

By a show? You feel degraded by a tv show? How did the C players feel about it?

Only way pool can get attention is by showcasing the slums of the sport. .

By slums, do you mean the pool halls or the players on the show? I thought Steinway looked beautiful.

There are golfers out there who make a living playing golf for money just like these people on "The Hustlers". Yet those same golfers will never be known because an actual golfer just won $2million in a tournament vs their $20k gambling. Would this show even exist if pro pool players could make at least a million a year? Not a chance..

Pool pros don't make a million a year, so do you have a better idea on promoting the sport?

Would rather see exhibition matches with no safety play between pros than watch this shit show anyways.

Then why the hell are you even on this thread? You watch what you want and love and we'll watch what we want and love it. Ta Dah!!!!!!

Jeff Livingston

 

[chefjeff]

So a fiction movie relates to a reality(inplied non-fiction) TV show how? Where's the TV show about hacks playing golf? Oh wait there isn't one. All people on "reality" shows pertaining to golf still show one thing. Etiquette. We all know what proper etiquette is, but for some reason the drunks are the loudest voice and have shoved etiquette out the window. No matter how much you want this show to bring more people to pool, it's bringing the wrong ones.

There IS a tv show about "hacks" (your word) running through the course playing golf.

fyi,

Jeff Livingston