Ra Hanna Commentary - Am I The Dinosaur??

Kickin' Chicken

Kickin' Chicken

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I was thinking about this last night after a US Open match and listening to Ra Hanna with Beau Runnigan in the booth doing commentary.

Beau came across to me as a knowledgeable and thoughtful commentator although there was rarely a moment when either he or his partner weren't speaking and I thought that was unecessary.

The worst of it for me was Ra Hanna though with his referring to everyone, the players, others in the pool world, and even Beau as "Mister" fill in the blank with their last name. Added to that were an awful lot of streety, hipster, slang commentary that I felt didn't belong. This really grated on my nerves to the point I had to turn the volume off and that was unfortunate because I do like hearing the table sounds, balls clicking, etc. But, it was my choice.

Afterward, I began thinking, hey, maybe this is the new wave; is my demographic becoming less significant?

Once asked if he had any pool groupies, John Schmidt responded of course he does, but unfortunately they're all 55+ year old men. That was pretty damned funny. And, actually, I suppose it's true! :o

So maybe it's time for a change to attract younger fans and this kind of commentary is part of a much needed change.

My ears felt assaulted after listening to that match but maybe others really enjoyed it.

One thing I will say that came through was that "Mister" Hanna has passion for the sport. :thumbup:

So be honest, am I a dinosaur and it's just time for a change?

Hope you don't mind my candor but that's how many of us old brontosauresus roll. :grin-square::wink::grin-square: did I spell that right?

Seriously, I'm interested to know your thoughts.

best,
brian kc
 
I watched Shuff vs Chang and listened to Mr Runnigan and Mr Hanna (see what I did there).

I thought they did a good job for a TV audience, except this wasn't a TV audience. Constant talking, just total non sense coming from their mouths. Yeah I get it, pocket the 5 ball. It's critical to show your opponent you're here to win. Nice smooth stroke. BLAH BLAH BLAH.

You are not a dinosaur. I am 26 years old and really did not care for it.
 
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For me, the incessant talk and all the hipster slang completely detracts from the match.
 
Not being a spring chicken myself I have to confess to rather enjoying the banter, it was a nice break from other styles of commentary.
 
Pretty much what I got from the commentary last night was that all asians look and play the same because they went to "school" to play pool. There were also a couple derogatory comments regarding women - I thought I was listening to a trump speech.
 
Didnt watch the match but I know the presentation style you are talking about. I know Beau and he is a good guy. The other dude I don't know. They kind of come off in a fake way to me in their public presentation. I'm talking about the video stuff I've seen them do. Keep waiting for them to sell me a set of steak knives.

I chalk this up to me being a jaded cynical bastard. I'm glad they are out there trying and if they can somehow get someone excited about pool more power to them. I would happily listen to those two over Danny D.
 
I enjoyed Ra Hanna. And yes, I'm serious right now. No really, I'm serious.

He and Mark Wilson did the Shaw-Ko match last night, which turned out to be one of the best matches I've ever seen. I think Mark Wilson talks too much, even though what he has to say is valuable. I found Ra Hanna to be a good counterpart to Wilson. He certainly raised my level of excitement when the match got towards the end. His comments were actually quite intelligent. I think honestly he may appeal to a wide range of audiences. I'm 43, so I'm not really in the old crowd or the young crowd. But I think we have to face the fact that the young crowd is who we really need to appeal to.

KMRUNOUT
 
i think, overall, he should be applauded for having the stones and taking the time to get in the booth, but i don't care for his references to shane and bergman being the usa's only relevant players.

i still think dechaine is clearly #2, not bad for a guy who doesn't get out there nearly as much as he should.
 
Two of us are watching, I loved the swing on the words.
I thought they were trying hard to make a match more exciting then it was at one point.
But I applaud the effort. I do not know enough of pool
to be bored with commentators.

Mr.G on the other hand, who has been involved in pool since the wheel
was created did not love the banter.
So for him the new way was not the right way.(he really wanted to turn the sound off, LOL)

I love Jim Wych in the booth, grew up in Canada listening to him. Also
I am a fan of Danny D, love the old stories, and I miss Grady. But I also
like Mr.Corey Duel in the booth him & Mr.Shannon Dalton add lots of zest.

But we all have different taste.

hugs
Mrs.G
 
For those who do not know, Ra Hanna is the voice of the Mezz West State Tour. I think he does a great job. I have listened to a few commentators who get so wrapped up in the BS they are saying that they can't even remember the score of the match they are commentating. Ra is very passionate about Pool and I really enjoy his enthusiasm. I don't think enough commentators talk enough about the match at hand. When I watch a stream I do so because I am interested in the outcome but also interested in learning things. Can't learn from a commentator who does not ever talk about the match at hand.

My 2 cents
 
KMRUNOUT said:
I enjoyed Ra Hanna. And yes, I'm serious right now. No really, I'm serious.

He and Mark Wilson did the Shaw-Ko match last night, which turned out to be one of the best matches I've ever seen. I think Mark Wilson talks too much, even though what he has to say is valuable. I found Ra Hanna to be a good counterpart to Wilson. He certainly raised my level of excitement when the match got towards the end. His comments were actually quite intelligent. I think honestly he may appeal to a wide range of audiences. I'm 43, so I'm not really in the old crowd or the young crowd. But I think we have to face the fact that the young crowd is who we really need to appeal to.

KMRUNOUT
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Kerry;

I listened to the encore just now of the brilliant comeback by Shaw and while Ra Hanna was still a bit much for my taste, he was W-A-Y ratcheted down from what I heard with him and Beau Runnigan in the Shuff match.

Apparently he toned it down a lot sitting with Mark Wilson.

I do like the idea that the young guys and girls are so much more media savvy insofar as being able to get the word out to advance our sport.

More opinions are appreciated.

best,
brian kc
 
KMRUNOUT said:
I enjoyed Ra Hanna. And yes, I'm serious right now. No really, I'm serious.

He and Mark Wilson did the Shaw-Ko match last night, which turned out to be one of the best matches I've ever seen. I think Mark Wilson talks too much, even though what he has to say is valuable. I found Ra Hanna to be a good counterpart to Wilson. He certainly raised my level of excitement when the match got towards the end. His comments were actually quite intelligent. I think honestly he may appeal to a wide range of audiences. I'm 43, so I'm not really in the old crowd or the young crowd. But I think we have to face the fact that the young crowd is who we really need to appeal to.

KMRUNOUT
Click to expand...

43?

Did Jesus ever invite you over for dinner? :grin-square:
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
The worst of it for me was Ra Hanna though with his referring to everyone, the players, others in the pool world, and even Beau as "Mister" fill in the blank with their last name. Added to that were an awful lot of streety, hipster, slang commentary that I felt didn't belong.
Click to expand...

Yes, you are a dinosaur. lol "hipster" slang...
 
vincentwu817 said:
Pretty much what I got from the commentary last night was that all asians look and play the same because they went to "school" to play pool. There were also a couple derogatory comments regarding women - I thought I was listening to a trump speech.
Click to expand...

That was Hillary lecturing Bill calling all his lovers, "bimbos"
 
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