Playing Vivian Villareal

SCCues

< Searing Twins
Silver Member
I just watched a WPBA match on ESPN with Tiffany Nelson playing Vivian Villareal and I don't understand how Vivian gets away with constant talking and whistleing during her match. Either i'm missing something or ESPN encourages her to entertain all of the non-players watching the pool telecasts.
What's your opinion on this type of behavior during a pool match? I don't see how anyone can concentrate playing Vivian and maybe that's her idea.

SCCues
 
She doesn't do it while her opponent is playing so I don't see what the big deal is. Besides a little personality and crowd interaction only benefits the tour in my opinion. :)
 
I watched the same match today on ESPN, and while it seemed a bit annoying, her whooping it up i didnt mind it, cuz i like to see emotion from players instead of them being robots. Friday nite i watched the Mens Skins challenge and liked how Rodney Morris wanted the crowd to get into it, expecially with him saying " whos your favorite player " right before he makes the 9ball.

It would be nice if more players show'd emotion while playing, i tend to live on emotion when i am playing, and am not afraid to show it.
 
GoVivian said:
She doesn't do it while her opponent is playing so I don't see what the big deal is. Besides a little personality and crowd interaction only benefits the tour in my opinion. :)
I agree with you totally.
Vivian always treats her opponents with the respect they deserve. She only talks, whistles, etc. when she is at the table. If that bothers the player in the chair, that is too bad.
I would also like to see some of the personality of the players. Anyone who has spent time around a pool hall knows that some of the greatest characters in the world are pool players. It would be nice to see some of that on TV.

I haven't seen this particular match yet, and I hope Melissa was not bothered by Vivian, but I would like to see more of the personalities of all of the players. JMHO.
 
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Vivian does what she does while she is at the table...not while her opponent is playing. It shouldn't bother her opponent at all...and the audience is usually entertained by her antics. I will say that it can sometimes be distracting if you are playing a match on the table NEXT to her though...although most of the time it just makes me giggle. I can only think of one time when it really bothered me. She was playing Jeanette...and when you get those two on a table together...it is an all out battle for who can entertain the audience more. It was a very specific situation though...with my match at a critical point...and Vivian and Jeanette were involved in a safety battle with the referee involved. Both of them were talking a lot...to each other, to the ref, and to the audience...really playing it up for the crowd. I didn't say anything to Vivian...but I said something to Jeanette because she was in my line of vision on a critical shot...waving her hands around and talking. She apologized quickly and got quiet.

It is not that either one of them was trying to shark the other...they were simply being entertaining...and in the moment they forgot that other matches were in progress. True...most eyes in the room were on them...and when remninded that they needed to be aware of other players..they both were instantly quieter and respectful of their surroundings.

That's my story...and I'm sticking to it...LOL.

Melissa
 
Melissa Herndon said:
Vivian does what she does while she is at the table...not while her opponent is playing. It shouldn't bother her opponent at all...and the audience is usually entertained by her antics. I will say that it can sometimes be distracting if you are playing a match on the table NEXT to her though...although most of the time it just makes me giggle. I can only think of one time when it really bothered me. She was playing Jeanette...and when you get those two on a table together...it is an all out battle for who can entertain the audience more. It was a very specific situation though...with my match at a critical point...and Vivian and Jeanette were involved in a safety battle with the referee involved. Both of them were talking a lot...to each other, to the ref, and to the audience...really playing it up for the crowd. I didn't say anything to Vivian...but I said something to Jeanette because she was in my line of vision on a critical shot...waving her hands around and talking. She apologized quickly and got quiet.

It is not that either one of them was trying to shark the other...they were simply being entertaining...and in the moment they forgot that other matches were in progress. True...most eyes in the room were on them...and when remninded that they needed to be aware of other players..they both were instantly quieter and respectful of their surroundings.

That's my story...and I'm sticking to it...LOL.

Melissa

Melissa,
I'm not sure if you are referring to their match in Peoria last year, but they played there and it was very much the same as you are describing. It was extremely entertaining. I was a little shocked that they were actually doing a lot of talking during the opponents inning - usually initiated by the player shooting, but they were definitely bantering back and forth while surveying their shots. It is the only instance I have ever seen of players talking during their opponents inning (though in response to the player at the table).

I wish they would separate a table for matches like that, or that players would accept a level of noise and distraction in the vicinity - it was fairly typical of a pool match played in my basement or on a Saturday night at the local pub; it was fun for the spectators, and I think fun for the players involved (and probably miserable for someone else trying to play in the vicinity).
 
Williebetmore said:
Melissa,
I'm not sure if you are referring to their match in Peoria last year, but they played there and it was very much the same as you are describing. It was extremely entertaining. I was a little shocked that they were actually doing a lot of talking during the opponents inning - usually initiated by the player shooting, but they were definitely bantering back and forth while surveying their shots. It is the only instance I have ever seen of players talking during their opponents inning (though in response to the player at the table).

I wish they would separate a table for matches like that, or that players would accept a level of noise and distraction in the vicinity - it was fairly typical of a pool match played in my basement or on a Saturday night at the local pub; it was fun for the spectators, and I think fun for the players involved (and probably miserable for someone else trying to play in the vicinity).

I don't remember if it was in Peoria or not....but that sounds familiar. Like I said before....normally I would find it entertaining myself....but I happened to be in an important match...and it was a critical shot for me. Otherwise...I doubt I would've given it a second thought!
 
Vivian is one of my absolute favorites, so I would definitely say I enjoy her "whooping it up." It's definitely entertaining to watch, especially when she does play Jeanette. The only time I ever saw her comment on an opponent's miss was once against Allison. Allison was dominating (and went on to win by a good margin), but missed a shot. Vivian jokingly told her it was about time and they both laughed.

But, with that being said, I can see how it can be distracting, especially at a critical moment (I forget that non-TV matches are played at the same time in the same room). Hopefully, many players aren't bothered.

Melissa, that got me thinking. I remember watching one of your matches on ESPN. I can't remember whether it was vs. Karen or Julie. I do remember, though, that you were pretty outgoing. Normally, are you calm and quiet or are you one to chat it up at the table (to the audience)?


PJ
 
Pjadedd said:
Melissa, that got me thinking. I remember watching one of your matches on ESPN. I can't remember whether it was vs. Karen or Julie. I do remember, though, that you were pretty outgoing. Normally, are you calm and quiet or are you one to chat it up at the table (to the audience)?


PJ

Hi PJ -

Normally, during the earlier round matches...I am pretty quiet. There are times when I'll respond to comments or cheering from the audience...but for the most part, I'll stay away from that. I do have a habit of dancing a little bit around the table if a really good song comes on....and it's not really dancing-dancing....it's more just grooving a little bit while moving from shot to shot.

In TV matches....I tend to be a little more animated...for a couple reasons. First, they encourage the audience to really participate and interact with the players. Second, there is a lot of down time between games...we don't get to break right away after winning a game. There might be 5-10 minutes between each game. So, there is a lot of time to interact with the audience and fans...which naturally carries over when the cameras start rolling again. Third, I had a lot of energy in those TV matches. It had to be dealt with somehow...and that's just how it came out. I love people...I enjoy meeting new ones...and the fans were so great that it was easy to have fun with them.

Melissa
 
Melissa Herndon said:
Vivian does what she does while she is at the table...not while her opponent is playing. It shouldn't bother her opponent at all...and the audience is usually entertained by her antics. I will say that it can sometimes be distracting if you are playing a match on the table NEXT to her though...although most of the time it just makes me giggle. I can only think of one time when it really bothered me. She was playing Jeanette...and when you get those two on a table together...it is an all out battle for who can entertain the audience more. It was a very specific situation though...with my match at a critical point...and Vivian and Jeanette were involved in a safety battle with the referee involved. Both of them were talking a lot...to each other, to the ref, and to the audience...really playing it up for the crowd. I didn't say anything to Vivian...but I said something to Jeanette because she was in my line of vision on a critical shot...waving her hands around and talking. She apologized quickly and got quiet.

It is not that either one of them was trying to shark the other...they were simply being entertaining...and in the moment they forgot that other matches were in progress. True...most eyes in the room were on them...and when remninded that they needed to be aware of other players..they both were instantly quieter and respectful of their surroundings.

That's my story...and I'm sticking to it...LOL.

Melissa

That my girl ..Melissa can i get a pic from u to me ????
pm me and i'll get u the address..
 
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