THIS is what pool needs more of

A lot of people here are going to disagree with this sentiment, but I think you're right. A sport like pool needs characters like Earl (as well as its fair share of more professional, less abrasive players) in order to succeed.

In the UK, Earl is probably the only pool player a lot of people could name. People remember him acting like that at the Mosconi, but they also remember him running out like a demon behind those antics, too.
 
I actually agree with you on this one Mr. Banks. Earl is one of the most entertaining characters bar none. However it is sad that most people want to watch him because they just want to see what he is going to do or is going to act out. But love him or hate him he is good for pool.
 
I agree!

On the recent TAR podcast Darren said something to the effect that Earl was the player he most remembered from the US. There is a reason for that.

Of course there is only one Earl, but I think that today there are personalities that could attract much more attention to the sport and generate many more fans if they were anble to be themselves. This need for pool players to present themselves as total gentlemen 100% of the time is boring.

I say let the players play, and show the woofing and some action on tv too or in live streams.
 
The cheerleaders are definitely more entertaining.




All things considered, such antics as his only drag the sport further downhill. It's actually not the attention getter that some people might wish it to be.



.
 
FACT:
Earl qualifying or invited to this years Mosconi Cup, WILL increase viewing audiences worldwide!

Now is that good for pool..?

Debate.
 
Chopdoc said:
All things considered, such antics as his only drag the sport further downhill. It's actually not the attention getter that some people might wish it to be.
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What makes you think this? Over here, Earl is generally the only pool player an average person will know, and he's certainly the only pool player an average person might care about.

If nothing else, someone like Earl at least makes the game interesting to non serious players. How many other players do that?
 
Bella Don't Cry said:
FACT:
Earl qualifying or invited to this years Mosconi Cup, WILL increase viewing audiences worldwide!

Now is that good for pool..?

Debate.
Click to expand...


Question: Would cheerleaders generate an equal or greater increase?


Actually, I have no doubt that the two combined would be best! Earl dressed in a cheerleader outfit would definitely attract the most attention.

Wait! It could be even better! Earl, dressed in a cheerleader outfit, snaps his cue in half and plunges the broken end into the neck of his opponent. That would attract even more attention!

Wait! It could be even better! Dress all the US players up like cheerleaders and make it a cage match instead of a pool tournament! Yeah! That's it! :thumbup:



.
 
ChrisBanks said:
Tell me how we can get more of this, and who will give it to us............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT-M7rmXxLk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfYwIqEeu9I
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ChrisBanks,
I really agree with you on this one! Pool could really benefit from charismatic players that draw the crowd in and generate excitement. Love them or hate them, doesn't matter! They get the fans engaged and excited. As professionals, I expect that they are highly skilled and that we see competitive matches, so you need both in the sport. Tough balance is how to have this kind of passion, enthusiasm, etc, but to somehow also be respectful (not sure if that's too tall an order). Maybe those two things are in conflict.

Think of how this would build up a rematch. What if earl were playing Shane & carried on like that - or Alex! It would bring up the rematch intensity even more.

I would love to see more of this! I think it brings excitement and engages the fans!

As for who will bring it, unfortunately,I really don't know.

- Steve
 
Shermanscs said:
ChrisBanks,
I really agree with you on this one! Pool could really benefit from charismatic players that draw the crowd in and generate excitement. Love them or hate them, doesn't matter! They get the fans engaged and excited. As professionals, I expect that they are highly skilled and that we see competitive matches, so you need both in the sport. Tough balance is how to have this kind of passion, enthusiasm, etc, but to somehow also be respectful (not sure if that's too tall an order). Maybe those two things are in conflict.

Think of how this would build up a rematch. What if earl were playing Shane & carried on like that - or Alex! It would bring up the rematch intensity even more.

I would love to see more of this! I think it brings excitement and engages the fans!

As for who will bring it, unfortunately,I really don't know.

- Steve
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I dont think it would be too hard to let guys express themselves while they remain respectful when they need to be. You see it when the cameras aren't on all the time in your local pool halls.
 
Chopdoc said:
Question: Would cheerleaders generate an equal or greater increase?


Actually, I have no doubt that the two combined would be best! Earl dressed in a cheerleader outfit would definitely attract the most attention.

Wait! It could be even better! Earl, dressed in a cheerleader outfit, snaps his cue in half and plunges the broken end into the neck of his opponent. That would attract even more attention!

Wait! It could be even better! Dress all the US players up like cheerleaders and make it a cage match instead of a pool tournament! Yeah! That's it! :thumbup:



.
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So you want to jump from one manufactured extreem to the other huh?

You are all against letting them be themselves.
 
Positive Image

ChrisBanks said:
Why not? Did you see how entertained the fans were?
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I have to disagree with you on this on Chris. Earls antics cost him sponsors. Sponsors are concerned with eyeballs true, but then the antics cause negative thoughts and Earls antics sometimes do, then the sponsors have a decision to make do they want positive or negative press?

The usually choose positive, because postive sells products.

Earl should be a millionaire....but hes not and pretty much everyone knows this...so Earl is Earl's worst enemy, a great player no doubt but it is what it is.

I disagree with you overall assessment. I agree he is charismatic and that can do good things, but the negativity...nope does not do it in my humble opinion.

Of course Id like to see Pool Tours with a dress code and a conduct code. You screw up or break the law..... youre out and you dont come back, unless you pay a fine.

Id like to see some respect given the game and the players abilities.

Alcohol, drunks, derelicts and smoky pool rooms are what people think of these days when it comes to pool....That needs to change and be made public. Then maybe corporate sponsorship will get back involved in pool.

It might be about eyeballs, but its also about positive results in my opinion.
 
336Robin said:
I have to disagree with you on this on Chris. Earls antics cost him sponsors. Sponsors are concerned with eyeballs true, but then the antics cause negative thoughts and Earls antics sometimes do, then the sponsors have a decision to make do they want positive or negative press?

The usually choose positive, because postive sells products.

Earl should be a millionaire....but hes not and pretty much everyone knows this...so Earl is Earl's worst enemy, a great player no doubt but it is what it is.

I disagree with you overall assessment. I agree he is charismatic and that can do good things, but the negativity...nope does not do it in my humble opinion.

Of course Id like to see Pool Tours with a dress code and a conduct code. You screw up or break the law..... youre out and you dont come back, unless you pay a fine.

Id like to see some respect given the game and the players abilities.

Alcohol, drunks, derelicts and smoky pool rooms are what people think of these days when it comes to pool....That needs to change and be made public. Then maybe corporate sponsorship will get back involved in pool.

It might be about eyeballs, but its also about positive results in my opinion.
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I'm not so sure that is the way to go. Sure a certain amount of money is nice, but I would hate to see pool turn into a league like the NFL, NBA, or MLB.
 
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