The effect good commentary has on the "new viewer attractiveness" to pool

As live-streaming continues to grow in popularity, it is becoming increasingly important for the live-streamers and the commentators to improve their presentation.

As evidenced by the thread starter's wife, first impressions can make a difference.

I do take into consideration criticism that has been aimed squarely at me, even by my "special" critics. :) I know that I can't please everyone all of the time, and that I will never please some any of the time, but suggestions that have been mentioned in this thread and other threads have been duly noted by me and I promise to at least make an effort to improve on the quality of my commentary with each every one.

I enjoy the atmosphere of sharing commentary with people whom I hardly know almost as much as I do with people whom I know well.

In defense of some of the commentators, some of them are attempting to define their style and will perhaps use different styles over their career and some of the styles will earn them respect and others will earn them the ire of some of the vocal critics.

I like to change up how commentary is done periodically, at least in my booth. Yes, it is experimenting and some experiments are more successful than others. :)

Hopefully, as I continue to listen to my fellow commentators, I can pick and choose the things that I like about their presentation and add it to my repetoire.

I enjoy reading about what the listening audience likes and dislikes but hope to be able to read between the lines of genuine likes and dislikes and choose what most of the people would like to hear. I will probably keep mixing it up and trying different things as time goes on. It's been fun so far, not always super lucrative but always interesting. I really enjoy bringing people into the booth that have been booth-shy and making them feel comfortable and helping them to "look" their best.

I have a couple of things that are in the works for improved commentary and maybe some of you will notice them in the coming months.

Looking forward to a fresh new year.
 
StraightPoolIU said:
Really the only thing that bothers me is talking out loud to the chat (if there is one). I know the handful of people in the chat might like it, but since I usually go full screen and don't have the chat up I find it pretty annoying. Either talk about the game, tell an amusing anecdote if there's time, or don't say anything. A one sided out loud conversation just sounds dumb. If you want to talk to the chat just type.
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Agreed. If the commentator is going to talk to the chat room at least say what the question is. Most of the time I don't participate in chat and usually have it closed. Continually, I am greeted to "Yeah JimboRed4378 we'll be working on that soon" Working on what? "Tonka2299, he's up in that match 7-3" Which match? Who has 7? Rather than just answer Tonka, post an update on the match he is interested in. "Just thought we'd update our listeners on the Django match. It appears he is up 7-3, currently shooting on the 6 ball."
 
Improved commentary will help, but that's putting lipstick on a pig: pool, as a spectacle, sucks the big one.

Great to play, terrible to watch.
 
nateobot said:
Agreed. If the commentator is going to talk to the chat room at least say what the question is. Most of the time I don't participate in chat and usually have it closed. Continually, I am greeted to "Yeah JimboRed4378 we'll be working on that soon" Working on what? "Tonka2299, he's up in that match 7-3" Which match? Who has 7? Rather than just answer Tonka, post an update on the match he is interested in. "Just thought we'd update our listeners on the Django match. It appears he is up 7-3, currently shooting on the 6 ball."
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I agree. Not that I'm not guilty of "stream of consciousness" commentating, but I agree that if a commentator is going to answer a chat question, he should present it as a question and an answer so people who are listening have a clue of what he's talking about.
 
I spent many hours watching the streams from DCC. There was good commentary and some dry commentary. There are basically 2 points to be made:

1. There were 3 streams available during DCC; 2 of which were provided as a free service simply to promote the event and give those of us that did not attend the ability to watch some great matches. Those 2 free streamers spent countless hours setting up equipment, commentating, interviewing and trying to set up matches. For those that did not care to hear the commentary, you could have just turned down the volume. These were free services and I cannot say a bad thing about either of them as their streams were provided FREE to simply promote the game.


2. There were 3 streams being provided. If someone did not like what was on one stream, they had the ability to switch to something different. If they did not like either free stream, they could have gone to pay per view and watched the main table that may have had better commentary. I do not know because I did not sign up for the pay per view. My point is that you have options. Switch streams and/or simply turn down the volume.


I congratulate both free streamers for a job well done and bringing the tournament to the public. It's easy for us to sit 1,000 miles away and critique what's going on but these are the people that actually stepped up and provided the service. I appreciate what they have both done and look forward to their next events.
 
Whadda ya gonna do, you know, Sean? Superbowl last night and Phil Simms tosses off statements like, "The Ravens just scoring like that has to put a lot of pressure on the 49'ers," football's equivalent of "Bob, he just sank the four ball, so he's going to have to sink the five ball next." Arrgh.

Great commentators could do a world of good for pool on TV.
 
bdorman said:
I have to respectfully disagree with this. I'm both a newbie and an idiot, but I've found the forum to be very welcoming and tolerant of my newbie questions; and very encouraging of my meager efforts to improve.
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Nothing wrong with being a newbie, and ... if you're an idiot, we might be related. ......................... ( on my wife's side, that is.) :thumbup:
 
I think we can agree that no commentary is going to please everyone; the likes/dislikes of pool diehards is just too different from the general public. And right now, it makes sense to cater to the diehards since they're paying the bills. Personally, I don't think that more general commentary is going to attract the casual player (or non-player) to watch matches.

I've only been playing for a year but I prefer diehard commentary (specific comments about shot selection, use of english, speed, etc), especially while the match is going on.

I sympathize with less-involved listeners because I remember how hard it was to follow match commentary when I couldn't remember which ball was which color :smile:, or didn't know all the rules.
 
Pool commentary

I like Bert Kinister. He keeps his analysis simple for the railbirds and gets excited about the matches. He injects humor and tells a tale to fill in the gaps.

I also like big truck. He has a great voice and knows when to shut up and watch.

I think those two would make a great team.
 
Commentators

As well as JR and Frankie I think George Fels' commentating is fantastic. Of the players I've heard on streams Shannon and Johnny Archer are the ones I've enjoyed the most, I was surprised how entertaining Johnny Archer is as a commentator (no offense intended to Mr. Archer).

Personally enjoy Alvin's enthusiasm, and for me his commentating is fine. He's not as knowledgeable JR or these other guys but he doesn't represent himself as such either, and I'm glad that he can fill in when needed.

The pointcasting these guys are doing and the effort they are putting into it is absolutely fantastic, kudos to Inside Pool and the other streamers (POV is another I watch & enjoy).

I'd love to hear Paul Thornley as a guest commentator if there's any streaming done up here in Toronto.
 
krupa said:
What's your point?
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My point is that if you heard his commentary on any matches it is pretty good with some self depricating humor thrown in. The bit he did for Earl and Shane on the 10ft was good, watch it if you haven't already.
 
banditgrrr said:
I spent many hours watching the streams from DCC. There was good commentary and some dry commentary. There are basically 2 points to be made:

1. There were 3 streams available during DCC; 2 of which were provided as a free service simply to promote the event and give those of us that did not attend the ability to watch some great matches. Those 2 free streamers spent countless hours setting up equipment, commentating, interviewing and trying to set up matches. For those that did not care to hear the commentary, you could have just turned down the volume. These were free services and I cannot say a bad thing about either of them as their streams were provided FREE to simply promote the game.


2. There were 3 streams being provided. If someone did not like what was on one stream, they had the ability to switch to something different. If they did not like either free stream, they could have gone to pay per view and watched the main table that may have had better commentary. I do not know because I did not sign up for the pay per view. My point is that you have options. Switch streams and/or simply turn down the volume.


I congratulate both free streamers for a job well done and bringing the tournament to the public. It's easy for us to sit 1,000 miles away and critique what's going on but these are the people that actually stepped up and provided the service. I appreciate what they have both done and look forward to their next events.
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the-very-best-of-the-success-kid-meme.jpg
 
Freddie "The Beard"

Is it only me that finds him a GREAT commentator? He is extremely knowledgeable, has fantastic stories from yester-years, and is so funny I often laugh out loud. He's the only guy I have ever bought pool matches BECAUSE he was commentating. Would like to see him behind the booth a LOT more.
 
poke&hope said:
I like Bert Kinister. He keeps his analysis simple for the railbirds and gets excited about the matches. He injects humor and tells a tale to fill in the gaps.

I also like big truck. He has a great voice and knows when to shut up and watch.

I think those two would make a great team.
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Bert's very chipper during his instructional videos, never heard him do commentary. Do you know where I can hear some?

Just, please, he better not say "Ding Dong Daddy".
 
Run the Century said:
Is it only me that finds him a GREAT commentator? He is extremely knowledgeable, has fantastic stories from yester-years, and is so funny I often laugh out loud. He's the only guy I have ever bought pool matches BECAUSE he was commentating. Would like to see him behind the booth a LOT more.
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Scott Lee said:
bdorman...Actually it's not hard at all, if you have a knowledgeable person doing the commentating. George Fels did a GREAT job, during the last 14.1 championship!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
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Agreed -- both of these guys (Freddy the Beard and George Fels) are great commentators! I really enjoyed George's in-depth (and fun!) commentary during the 14.1 championship.

Also, folks, please understand the point of this thread -- it is not to "slam" the contributions certain entities make to pool, making it free to the public, etc. Rather, it is to HIGHLIGHT those that offer great commentary that "seal the deal" in making a pool match a finished presentation, viewable by the average Joe/Jane Enthusiast. Not someone "tossed into the booth" as a talking head -- many sports (not just pool) have examples of that, and it indeed detracts from the presentation.

-Sean
 
A few funny ideas

JoeyA said:
As live-streaming continues to grow in popularity, it is becoming increasingly important for the live-streamers and the commentators to improve their presentation.

As evidenced by the thread starter's wife, first impressions can make a difference.

I do take into consideration criticism that has been aimed squarely at me, even by my "special" critics. :) I know that I can't please everyone all of the time, and that I will never please some any of the time, but suggestions that have been mentioned in this thread and other threads have been duly noted by me and I promise to at least make an effort to improve on the quality of my commentary with each every one.

I enjoy the atmosphere of sharing commentary with people whom I hardly know almost as much as I do with people whom I know well.

In defense of some of the commentators, some of them are attempting to define their style and will perhaps use different styles over their career and some of the styles will earn them respect and others will earn them the ire of some of the vocal critics.

I like to change up how commentary is done periodically, at least in my booth. Yes, it is experimenting and some experiments are more successful than others. :)

Hopefully, as I continue to listen to my fellow commentators, I can pick and choose the things that I like about their presentation and add it to my repetoire.

I enjoy reading about what the listening audience likes and dislikes but hope to be able to read between the lines of genuine likes and dislikes and choose what most of the people would like to hear. I will probably keep mixing it up and trying different things as time goes on. It's been fun so far, not always super lucrative but always interesting. I really enjoy bringing people into the booth that have been booth-shy and making them feel comfortable and helping them to "look" their best.

I have a couple of things that are in the works for improved commentary and maybe some of you will notice them in the coming months.

Looking forward to a fresh new year.
Click to expand...

Could this of been Joey at a younger age ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM6nC6lTLAM

Or maybe this one ?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HKc0Khre-A

I'm sure alot of people know Joey does an excellent job of doing commentary , in fact Joey taught me to take a pause instead of going Uh ....um .....It really came in handy the last time I had to do public speaking . I only joke about Joey because he really is a good guy and is VERY concious of how he is percieved .....it sorta reminds me of .....me ....when I was younger .
I can say this , I have never heard Joey dog other people ,that really is annoying when the commentator speaks poorly of people ,especially ones who hold more world pool titles than say they hold in measurement :eek:
 
Matt90 said:
Could this of been Joey at a younger age ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM6nC6lTLAM

Or maybe this one ?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HKc0Khre-A

I'm sure alot of people know Joey does an excellent job of doing commentary , in fact Joey taught me to take a pause instead of going Uh ....um .....It really came in handy the last time I had to do public speaking . I only joke about Joey because he really is a good guy and is VERY concious of how he is percieved .....it sorta reminds me of .....me ....when I was younger .
I can say this , I have never heard Joey dog other people ,that really is annoying when the commentator speaks poorly of people ,especially ones who hold more world pool titles than say they hold in measurement :eek:
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I only taught you that Matt, because I do it myself. :p (but I'm working on it too) :smile:
 
I find it hard to not like Alvin -so far anyway-I love it when he he gets all excited by himself and starts yelling and then realizes he is disturbing the whole place. Too funny! I really dont need professional commentary on every match.
 
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