Pool on ESPN

[Slasher]

I like the audiences who typically attend British snooker matches. They seem quite knowledgeable of the game and show their enthusiasm and appreciation when they actually see something good happen.

Best,
Brian kc

in this case you might have to wait quite some time.

ESPN pool coverage is awful, the camera work, the clapping, the commentary :blech: The producers should be made to sit down and watch a BBC or Matchroom production.

 

[purpdrag]

I see all the time how everyone complains there is no pool on TV and how much we need pool on TV to improve the status of pool. Then they finally give you a little pool TV time and just listen to yourselves.

It is for precisely this reason that people are complaining about it. We do want to see it on TV, but it won't be for long if they keep up the incessant clapping, poor announcing, and poor production.

Clapping after each game and for any exceptional shots would be enough to show audience enthusiasm and add a level of excitement, with some sustained applause at the end of the match. Silence is bad on TV but it is the announcer's job to fill that void.

I don't get ESPN2 so I still get no pool on TV. Did they at least have some slo-mo instant replay for breaks and certain interesting shots?

 

[justadub]

Can anyone give me an example of a tv show (here in the US) that has an audience that doesn't applaud? Talk shows, going into and out of commercial breaks.... What's so amazing about that? I repeat, tv in the US isn't interested in silence. They also aren't interested in marketing to experts. They are shooting for the widest possible audience, and changing their production because pool purists find applause offensive would be laughable to them.

 

[DallasHopps]

figured i was wrong...

BTW, did ANYONE notice JL fouling on that 1B kick (no rail)?!?! Where was the TD? The Sledgehammer just walked up & rolled the dice on a 1-9 billiard instead of taking her rightful BIH.

I saw it, but figured i had to be mistaken as neither the players, nor the ref, nor the commentators seemed to notice.

 

[TheNewSharkster]

If some clapping is what it takes to generate some interest in pool I am all for it

 

[Slasher]

Can anyone give me an example of a tv show (here in the US) that has an audience that doesn't applaud? Talk shows, going into and out of commercial breaks.... What's so amazing about that? I repeat, tv in the US isn't interested in silence. They also aren't interested in marketing to experts. They are shooting for the widest possible audience, and changing their production because pool purists find applause offensive would be laughable to them.

As me Gran from the old country used to say when watching an American game show, " Them Yanks would clap if their arses were on fire" lol

 

[metallicane]

brittany bryant vs. g. young kim.

dear audience please stop clapping after every shot! :angry:

i found that quite annoying as well. even when a player misses or messes up a safety, the crowd applauded. give me a break.

It was nice seeing pool on TV though.

 

[Mr Hoppe]

IMO, womens pool on ESPN 2 is not produced for us, the pool players, it is produced for the masses. I don't even bother to watch. I'd rather pay a few bucks and watch Shane play Bustamonte on TAR this weekend and enjoy world-class pool and interesting commentary meant for real pool players. Just remember, if you don't through TAR a few bucks once in a while to watch some good pool, ESPN is the only choice you will have...

 

[metallicane]

IMO, womens pool on ESPN 2 is not produced for us, the pool players, it is produced for the masses. I don't even bother to watch. I'd rather pay a few bucks and watch Shane play Bustamonte on TAR this weekend and enjoy world-class pool and interesting commentary meant for real pool players.

I would rather watch my TAR dvds or Accu-stats dvds too, but it was nice to have pool on regular TV.

 

[West Point 1987]

imo, womens pool on espn 2 is not produced for us, the pool players, it is produced for the masses. I don't even bother to watch. I'd rather pay a few bucks and watch shane play bustamonte on tar this weekend and enjoy world-class pool and interesting commentary meant for real pool players. Just remember, if you don't through tar a few bucks once in a while to watch some good pool, espn is the only choice you will have...

tap, tap, tap.

 

[Luxury]

Applause is the result of something exciting occurring, not the cause of exciting occurrences. Anyone who claims the opposite is a.) delusional, and b.) carries the onus to provide evidence.

The assumption here is that non-pool players find the game unexciting. Well if that's true, all the maniacal clappage in the world won't make it untrue. It's groveling and sad and very, very pathetic to watch, kind of reminds me of this:

Clapping doesn't make or break anything. Wheel of fortune is entertaining to Americans and would probably be popular without everyone clapping as the wheel is spinning.

The clapping keeps the energy a little higher is all. Same thing with pool. Just adds a little more energy to the average viewer.

 

[buddha162]

They are shooting for the widest possible audience, and changing their production because pool purists find applause offensive would be laughable to them.

Again, this is the assumption. I've yet to read any shred of evidence that nonsensical applause after every shot (even missed shots!) endear pool to a wider audience. Why would it? Where's the logic?

Imagine poker players receiving applause for every bet, every fold, every bluff. Golfers receiving applause for every swing (even when they miss the fairway). I generally hold a fairly low opinion of my fellow primates but even I have trouble imagining a favorable reaction to such ludicrous displays of forced enthusiasm.

Besides, compulsory applause is tawdry Orwellian cliche. Steve Tipton's dream audience:

 

[Slide Rule]

in this case you might have to wait quite some time.

ESPN pool coverage is awful, the camera work, the clapping, the commentary :blech: The producers should be made to sit down and watch a BBC or Matchroom production.

The TV crew has a production manager. He talks to the audience and gets them hyped up. Especially when they are introducing the players or coming from a commercial break.

They are also waving their arms when they desire clapping.

I was in the first row at the last Glass City Open, and that is how they operated. I think they were a subsidiary of ESPN.

Now if someone could knock this guy out a few times, or otherwise distract him, we could get a better performance. The least that knowledgeable players at the match should do, is to remain mute, for the TV comedian. And quietly pass the message person to person.

This is evidently the expertise that goes on for the other major sports. I am sure the fans of other sports are also pissed off. Perhaps we should talk about how the need for focus and quiet would better be mirrored to the productions of golf or tennis. Golf and tennis are classier operations.

Slow motion shots are strictly watching a ball drop in the pocket, where the cloth is labeled. A free ad for Simonis.