Reality TV and... Pool?

DoomCue

DoomCue

David J. Baranski
Silver Member
I heard this morning that NASCAR is going to be doing a reality TV show with 9 drivers. A crew will have unlimited access to each of the 9 drivers' lives for a few months. I was wondering how that would fly with pool players as subjects. For instance, would you like to see a reality show with a crew following Allison around from tournament to tournament? Or would you rather see a show featuring the other side of pool (gambling), a la Tony Watson? I'd like to see a show representing both tournament and money players, with a good mix of age and gender. I know, though, that sensationalism would strike and the gamblers would get most of the air time, which wouldn't do much to change perspectives of our sport.

What do you think? I think a reality show for pool would be a great idea. Anybody know somebody who knows somebody who might be willing to make this happen? BTW, you can send royalties and residuals to my home address.... :D

-djb
 
I think that is a great idea. I was thinking about the same thing. It would probably have to be on HBO to truly capture the real game. How about someone like Alex Pagulayan. He plays in tournaments and gambles. Or if you just want gambling with some tournament play there is always the animated Bobby Pickle. There are so many characters in the game it may spark some interest.

Sarah
 
sarahrousey said:
I think that is a great idea. I was thinking about the same thing. It would probably have to be on HBO to truly capture the real game. How about someone like Alex Pagulayan. He plays in tournaments and gambles. Or if you just want gambling with some tournament play there is always the animated Bobby Pickle. There are so many characters in the game it may spark some interest.

Sarah
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Sparking interest is really what it's all about, so that's why I worry about the negativity of showing too much of the gambling aspect. Too many people already think all pool players are non-intelligent entities who would hustle their grandmothers for a nickle.

Personally, I think Alex would be a great choice. He's extremely charismatic, and he's great in both tournament play and gambling.

If you were asked to do a show like that, what would you say?

-djb
 
I don't think the negativity of gambling would be a problem. The reality shows I see are of 20 somethings who drink and have casual sex with each other. Or dwarfs looking to get married. Or some farting obnoxious guy.

Actually, the allure of gambling is something that I think attracts most average TV type viewers. I attract alot of women by the allure of being around the gambling aspect of the game. They only leave when they realize that you have to sit around the poolroom till 4am sometimes, and then still don't get any action.

I think a reality show is a great idea. And I think Tony Watson or Bobby Pickle would be perfect for the part. Stevie Moore is another thought. Plus, according to the ladies around, he is a little easier on the eyes, and might fare better on TV. He too is a tournament player and gambler.

Who knows. That may be the boost pool needs.

Just my opinion.

Mike T.
 
No one wants to see a reality show on pool. I love pool but I wouldn't want to watch some boring player walking around.
 
I think it definitely has to be someone charismatic. Many of the men are perfect for this role. I don't think the gambling would hurt anything. Look at poker, it's gambling and it is the new big thing. And I don't think it would be boring if you had the right people. It wouldn't be the same as pool on ESPN it would have the talking/woofing and everything else that gets a game started. I think the hardest part would be finding someone who is willing to kind of blow their cover.

If I was asked I would do it. I think it is a great idea. But I think it should be more focused on the men because it is a little more interesting. The women could be featured in part but the men are such characters. But on the other hand if you went behind the scenes or "on location" with one of the women during a tournament it may change the point of view that some people have of womens pool. Sometimes the way it is potrayed it makes us all seem like a bunch of librarians.

All in all, I think it would be something that non-pool players could relate to or be interested in.

Sarah
 
I have thought about this for a long time. I have always thought that a documentary feature on pool would work wonders for the game. Pool has so many unique characters that I think there would be great interest from the public if it was done right. If someone was to come up with a reality show about players on the road, pool might just get the shot in the arm it needs.

Look what Pumping Iron did for Arnold and bodybuilding, I can see a lot of similarities between how bodybuilding was in the 70's and how pool is today. Hopefully someone will try to do something like this with pool to get some exposure to people unfamiliar with the lifestyle.
 
I think an HBO documentary type reality show would be great. I recently read "Playing off the rail" and loved the book. I can see where that might portray pool in a negative light. To be fair to the game I would focus on a couple of players over say 6 months with common tour or tournament stops, one player could have a reputation for gambling and the other could be a non-gambling tournament player with sponsors etc....this way you get the full range of player types and hopefully everything in-between. Perhaps to have even more fun you could include even a third amateur tournament, leauge player, who is just planning on attending one of the common tournament stops as a fan. This way you are covering a ton of different perspectives and you have it all come to a head in say a final tournament stop where all three of these players are in attendance. The fun in this would just be cutting back and forth between the players day to day, say gambler pro is in a serious money game, sponsored pro is somewhere practicing 8 to 12 hours a day, while ametuer Joe is having to many drinks and throwing a leauge match. Day 2 Gambler pro can't find any action, sponsored pro has to take out time from practicing to work with a sponsor, and average Joe has to go to work, etc etc etc...Anyway that's what I'd like to see.
 
i see a roadblock,,,,

like, if the mass demographics don't care about pool, why should they care about watching a reality show with pool players.
 
I think it would be a great idea, but ummmmm wouldnt the gambling aspect bring in the IRS in a big way, cause i dont think they are filing their winnings each year, are they????
I overheard (reliable source) at DCC that Pool and reality tv may join up in the near future. Keep watching ABC
 
I agree, get a handfull of young guns, like Alex or Corey, and team them up with some less popular but very good players and send them on the road for 6 months or so. Almost like they did in the Color of Money or something and have it ending at a big tournaey, like the DCC where they play all of the games, not just 9-ball. That would rock, call it Life on the Road or something catchy like that. Hustler to Hollywood.
 
DoomCue,

Great idea!!! I do agree with one of the posters that the gambling aspect could be a little risky considering the IRS.

Sarah,

Don't you think either Jeanette or Vivian could make it exciting? They both seem to be very outgoing and personable, is that inaccurate?

Maybe It would be a good idea to follow 3 or 4 different players prior to a big event like the DCC tournament. They could show how each of them gets ready for the tournament which may include some action matches.

Great thread DoomCue! TAP TAP!!!
 
This is a $100,000,000 idea. It would have to be sold to the non-playing public to be feasible though. There aren't enough of US to make it a success. Like Sarah said, personalities will sell it to the non-player. Different geographical area players could easily produce a following fan base, rooting for their guy to win it all. Alex would be awesome for one area and like Billfishhead said, Scotty Townsend fits perfectly with the southern persona. Hell, Scotty's life story is a best seller in it self.

Gambling is a MUST. It won't sell without it. Tournaments are BORING to the non-playing public. Remember, the "Sopranos" is the hottest thing on cable.

Also, a face like Reed Pierce's wouldn't hurt with the ladies either.
 
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I just read "Hustler Days" and I think the Johnston city tournament got raided because of a comment made on Fats TV program about gambling. Some great idea's though. Now see if you can get someone with some pull to listen. The gambling has to be there, but maybe with the faces blacked out and a phony tournament name. Or maybe just a disclaimer that the gambling is a re-enactment.
 
Check this out. HBO stakes every player. That way it is like tournament play. Each player is given the same amount of cash in the beginning. A player can match up and play any other player, with HBO's cash. Yes, at the end the winner(s) would pay taxes on the money made, as well as saleries paid by HBO. This is a "Gold Mine" in the making. I just hope someone with foresight and CASH picks up on it. Where is Greg Sullivan when you need him? Just kidding Greg, you've done enough.
 
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Rickw,

I didn't mean that no woman could make it interesting enough, I meant that the men are more exciting and get in some big action (not that women don't) The men are less recognizable if the gambling route is taken. Everyone knows Jeanette and Vivian. If the tournament route is taken I think they would be great to follow. They are the most animated women on tour and they might make it interesting.

I like the idea of picking people from different areas so people may have something to relate to. The idea of HBO's money being involved is also good. There should be something that could be figured out. After all of the other reality TV shows that are paying a million dollars to people for getting married, I'm sure they could spare a little to build a bankroll for a pool player.

Sarah
 
Chokeinator said:
I think an HBO documentary type reality show would be great.
I can see where that might portray pool in a negative light.
To be fair to the game I would focus on a couple of players over say 6 months with common tour or tournament stops, one player could have a reputation for gambling and the other could be a non-gambling tournament player with sponsors etc....this way you get the full range of player types and hopefully everything in-between.
Anyway that's what I'd like to see.
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About two or three years ago, Jorge Torres, formerly of Trickshooter.com followed the players around to tournaments and put together a two hour pool documentary. He had hoped to release this documentary as a feature film. He has since dropped off the face of the earth. Trickshooter.com website has been removed, his phone is disconnected, no known address and noone seems to have a lead on his whereabouts. I've had feelers out for a couple of years, with no luck. Ping Jorge Torres....
Are you out there somewhere, Jorge ?
 
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