Pool on TV: Why nobody watches

[rc_collins]

There is no name recognition in the game of pool anymore. The "championships" are played on loose equipment, in a short race in a game (9-ball) that levels the playing field to where just about anybody can win. No repeat championships= no interest from the non-playing public. Hell, I even watched Jeopardy when that goober was on a 40 game winning streak just to see if he could keep going. Pool/biliards was front page news when Hoppe/Mosconi/Ceulmans were dominating every year. That's the same reason why womens pool is so much better to watch. WPA's slogan should be: WPA: Where the greatest women pool players on the planet gather only to crushed by Allison Fisher

 

[Roll-Off]

There is no name recognition in the game of pool anymore. The "championships" are played on loose equipment, in a short race in a game (9-ball) that levels the playing field to where just about anybody can win. No repeat championships= no interest from the non-playing public. Hell, I even watched Jeopardy when that goober was on a 40 game winning streak just to see if he could keep going. Pool/biliards was front page news when Hoppe/Mosconi/Ceulmans were dominating every year. That's the same reason why womens pool is so much better to watch. WPA's slogan should be: WPA: Where the greatest women pool players on the planet gather only to crushed by Allison Fisher

You hit the nail on the head RC. I recommended that the WPBA pay Allison and Karen to dump a few matches so weaker/prettier players like Jennifer Baretta can get some TV time. Sex sells, but they can't get the sex on TV when they get crushed every tournament. Good post.

 

[straybullet]

You hit the nail on the head RC. I recommended that the WPBA pay Allison and Karen to dump a few matches so weaker/prettier players like Jennifer Baretta can get some TV time. Sex sells, but they can't get the sex on TV when they get crushed every tournament. Good post.

Hey Dumb A$$ ...

 

[Addicted2CuesRU]

There is no name recognition in the game of pool anymore. The "championships" are played on loose equipment, in a short race in a game (9-ball) that levels the playing field to where just about anybody can win. No repeat championships= no interest from the non-playing public. Hell, I even watched Jeopardy when that goober was on a 40 game winning streak just to see if he could keep going. Pool/biliards was front page news when Hoppe/Mosconi/Ceulmans were dominating every year. That's the same reason why womens pool is so much better to watch. WPA's slogan should be: WPA: Where the greatest women pool players on the planet gather only to crushed by Allison Fisher

No, I think the real reason that noone watches is that by time it is on it is no longer relevant... I can understand editing for the sake of TV viewing purposes, but cmon if the event was on Thur-Sun why couldn't they at least chop and print it within a week and put it on a special Monday telecast or something similar... waiting many weeks or months to see a match when the only people who currently pay attention to the sport probably all know the result is pointless...

If ya cant do it live at least have something for us within a week and make an event out of it and promote it... I think people would watch if they televised the semi and finals matches tape delayed the same day or next day... and maybe get an announcer with more personality (Chad Ford ripping Poker players probably has helped Poker)

 

[JustPlay]

No, I think the real reason that noone watches is that by time it is on it is no longer relevant... I can understand editing for the sake of TV viewing purposes, but cmon if the event was on Thur-Sun why couldn't they at least chop and print it within a week and put it on a special Monday telecast or something similar... waiting many weeks or months to see a match when the only people who currently pay attention to the sport probably all know the result is pointless...

If ya cant do it live at least have something for us within a week and make an event out of it and promote it... I think people would watch if they televised the semi and finals matches tape delayed the same day or next day... and maybe get an announcer with more personality (Chad Ford ripping Poker players probably has helped Poker)

Pool on tv is almost a waste of time as least for now. When Souquet won the US Open, it was great watching it live on cable.

 

[WingsFan]

No, I think the real reason that noone watches is that by time it is on it is no longer relevant... I can understand editing for the sake of TV viewing purposes, but cmon if the event was on Thur-Sun why couldn't they at least chop and print it within a week and put it on a special Monday telecast or something similar... waiting many weeks or months to see a match when the only people who currently pay attention to the sport probably all know the result is pointless...

If ya cant do it live at least have something for us within a week and make an event out of it and promote it... I think people would watch if they televised the semi and finals matches tape delayed the same day or next day... and maybe get an announcer with more personality (Chad Ford ripping Poker players probably has helped Poker)

I can't buy that. That might be why you and a select few don't watch televised pool, but for the masses, I don't think that's it. Televised poker is huge and almost all poker matches are delayed at least three months. The WSOP wrapped up in mid-July, for example.

I do agree with the announcers though. I don't have anything against Whats-his-face Lawrence, but he doesn't exactly inject much enthusiasm into a match for the common joe that maybe doesn't appreciate a perfect position shot.

 

[cuetechasaurus]

You hit the nail on the head RC. I recommended that the WPBA pay Allison and Karen to dump a few matches so weaker/prettier players like Jennifer Baretta can get some TV time. Sex sells, but they can't get the sex on TV when they get crushed every tournament. Good post.

Shut the hell up, Jennifer Baretta can probably give you the 6 out and drill you.

 

[StormHotRod300]

I like how ESPNclassic has the old school pool matches. I watched for one week, when they had stuff from early 90's and had Efren,Earl, Bustamate, and Tony Elin, and it was winner break matches race to 9.

That was good stuff. What i hate about TV pool is the stupid ass alternate break crap. Whom ever came up with it, should be skinned alive.

9ball is a game where u want to see people running racks. Not run a rack and let your opponent get to the table to break.

Plus the money hasta be bigger. Even though these guys are making more in a week than some people do in a month or two or even a yr, depending on what tournament they win. They need to get paid. Even making the 1st place prize 40,000$ and second place 20,000$ or something around there, would be a good starting point.

And GET RID OF THE F'n SARDO. And make it breaking from the BOX ONLY.

And i agree with the idea of speeding up the process of getting the finals matches on TV. I mean i would be happy with waiting 2weeks which would be plenty of time.

Also why chop up the finals let it play out. So what if it takes 90mins.

And thats basically my rant. And it goes for both mens and womens tournaments too.

dave