Pool on TV

[Sarah Ellerby]

Originally Posted by brooklynjay

i think what's lacking from the pool coverage is any type of personality from the players which makes the matches boring - doesn't matter what game it is. who do you root for? is there a "good guy" or a "bad guy"? who's the underdog? who needs the win more? i want to be able to connect with the player so that i have a vested interests in the outcome.

these things we caught a glimpse of in the IPT coverage and is what i think we need more of to make the broadcasts more interesting. (keith mccready and the whole beer thing, shawn "love sponge" putnam, earl's meltdown, archer's "bad rack" complaint from corr even with the sardo rack...i remember this stuff more than the match itself)

this isn't the players' fault - i think it's more a fault of the way the game's being presented to the viewing public since i know that most of the players on tour are characters in thier own right.

i'd like to see 8ball personally - 9ball has a certain "luck" factor to it that makes it less appealing.

I like this. I agree it would be great to see more of their personality and be able to feel the rivalry tension between the players. I think sometimes we forget that not only are we trying to be recognized as a sport but we are entertainers. The only concern I have and I've been in this position on TV, I'll tell myself just to have fun and enjoy it but once you get out there you just want to win! There's the pressure of difference in money,ranking points and the obvious, pride. I won't lie to you, I don't like losing specially on TV, so for me my personality takes a back seat.

I would like them to capture good guy, bad guy and the importance for a player if they win, connection is the key, making touch points easy for the fan and keeping them engaged as the action unfolds.

[RichR]

Originally Posted by Sarah Ellerby

Would you like to hear a knowledgeable player talking through the options more, maybe add another player if possible in the booth, so you have two different perspectives? Or more quite time?

One knowledgeable player in the booth is enough. Two would be alright, if they didn't fight for microphone time. I would just like them to keep their comments pertinent to the situation and not feel like they have to talk constantly.

I wouldn't mind if the WPBA used Mark Wilson more. He has done commentary for the Vegas tournaments, but I don't think he works any others. I think he is very good.

[RichR]

Originally Posted by Sarah Ellerby

RichR: What format would you like to see? I loved the IPT Round Robin Format. I felt like I was there to play and knew that I would be playing several matches in one day, which was tiring but great. We did have a format that seeded the top 16 in two rounds, very similar to snooker and pool back in UK. This way is the lower ranked players were guaranteed two warm-up rounds before meeting a top 16. It also guarantees the top 16 XX dollars each year, which works as an incentive to to the players outside of the top 16 and highlights the elite players with rewards, although small.

I favor any format that is fair for all players in the tournament. I don't like switching from a double to a single elimination, in the middle of the tournament. I also didn't like the format that seeded the top 16 players in two rounds.
A round robin tournament would be great, but, I doubt that it will happen because it would take too much time, with a 64 player field.
A format that has two segments may work, where they divide the players into groups for round robin play, with the top few players from each group moving on to a single or double elimination tournament.
A straight double elimination tournament is probably the most practicle way to go.
I also know it won't happen, but I would love to see a true blind draw for the tournaments.

[Sarah Ellerby]

Originally Posted by RichR

One knowledgeable player in the booth is enough. Two would be alright, if they didn't fight for microphone time. I would just like them to keep their comments pertinent to the situation and not feel like they have to talk constantly.

I wouldn't mind if the WPBA used Mark Wilson more. He has done commentary for the Vegas tournaments, but I don't think he works any others. I think he is very good.

That's a great idea. Mark is great and very knowledgeable. I also feel it would be great to hear from Mark & Steve the players road so far and a recap of the week. This would give fans a better picture of what happened that week and tell a story.

There's so much that happens through the week than fans don't get to find out and I think it would be great to fill them in!

You sound you are a very supportive and loyal fan of pool, thanks for all your support we appreciate it!

Also, I'd love to hear a woman's prospective, if there's any out there!

[RichR]

Originally Posted by Sarah Ellerby

That's a great idea. Mark is great and very knowledgeable. I also feel it would be great to hear from Mark & Steve the players road so far and a recap of the week. This would give fans a better picture of what happened that week and tell a story.

There's so much that happens through the week than fans don't get to find out and I think it would be great to fill them in!

I definitely agree that there is a lot that happens during the course of a tournament. Hearing just a little of that, during the TV rounds, would be a real plus.

Originally Posted by Sarah Ellerby

You sound you are a very supportive and loyal fan of pool, thanks for all your support we appreciate it!

Also, I'd love to hear a woman's prospective, if there's any out there!

Actually, from me you get a combination of a male and female prospective. My wife and I attend as many regional tournaments as possible. Unfortunately, the WPBA has not had a tournament for us to attend, in the Mid-Atlantic area, since they pulled out of the Super Billiards Expo a number of years ago. We do try to support the game of pool as much as we can.

[cmrocc]

I love the way you address everyone on a one-to-one thread.

What should be talked about during a match well first how
about Play-by Play and color. While they rack they can talk about outside
things. Pool isn't the only sport talking about things outside the game
Football and Baseball does the same. Maybe it's an ABC/ESPN thing.

As far as I can see talking about cues might not sit to well with
some. I mean Viking cues is a parnter of most TV matches. They might
not like some other cue be promoted.

Once while watching the WPBA on ESPN the shoot of the match
was from a game not shown because of time limits- I felt cheated.

Once again thanks for being here.
Peace and Love from the Bayou State

[Sarah Ellerby]

Originally Posted by cmrocc

I love the way you address everyone on a one-to-one thread.

What should be talked about during a match well first how
about Play-by Play and color. While they rack they can talk about outside
things. Pool isn't the only sport talking about tings outside the game
Football and Baseball does the same. Maybe it's an ABC/ESPN thing.

As far as I can see talking about cues might not sit to well with
some. I mean Viking cues is a parnter of most TV matches. They might
not like some other cue be promoted.

Once while watching the WPBA on ESPN the shoot of the match
was from a game not shown because of time limits- I felt cheated.

Once again thanks for being here.
Peace and Love from the Bayou State

Chad: Thank you for your kinds words. I'm fortunate enough to work from home and I feel it's important to respond as quickly as possible, because I value each and all of your opinions and without you guys we wouldn't be here! With that said, can you elaborate a little more with regard to your first paragraph? I don't tend to watch many other sports, actually I don't get chance to watch TV that much but would like to understand in more detail.

I never thought of your concerns in paragraph two, so that's useful. I will say that my thoughts were to do a "what's in the Bag" feature. This would be similar to how they do it in golf. I can't see any problems with that with regard to the Official Cue/Manufacturer of an event.

As for the shot of the match that you missed, I will need to think about this.

Thanks again for sharing. It's great to hear what you all think and want to watch on TV. Sarah

[brooklynjay]

Originally Posted by Sarah Ellerby

I like this. I agree it would be great to see more of their personality and be able to feel the rivalry tension between the players. I think sometimes we forget that not only are we trying to be recognized as a sport but we are entertainers. The only concern I have and I've been in this position on TV, I'll tell myself just to have fun and enjoy it but once you get out there you just want to win! There's the pressure of difference in money,ranking points and the obvious, pride. I won't lie to you, I don't like losing specially on TV, so for me my personality takes a back seat.

I would like them to capture good guy, bad guy and the importance for a player if they win, connection is the key, making touch points easy for the fan and keeping them engaged as the action unfolds.

i'm not saying that all the players have to have vivian's personality while shooting but they can do little stories to give us an idea of who these people are. player profiles? interviews? anything to give us a glimpse into the ball running machine on the table! something to "humanize" the players and allow the average person to identify with them and make that "connection".

[cmrocc]

Originally Posted by Sarah Ellerby

Chad: Thank you for your kinds words. I'm fortunate enough to work from home and I feel it's important to respond as quickly as possible, because I value each and all of your opinions and without you guys we wouldn't be here! With that said, can you elaborate a little more with regard to your first paragraph? I don't tend to watch many other sports, actually I don't get chance to watch TV that much but would like to understand in more detail.

I never thought of your concerns in paragraph two, so that's useful. I will say that my thoughts were to do a "what's in the Bag" feature. This would be similar to how they do it in golf. I can't see any problems with that with regard to the Official Cue/Manufacturer of an event.

As for the shot of the match that you missed, I will need to think about this.

Thanks again for sharing. It's great to hear what you all think and want to watch on TV. Sarah

First Sarah, very sorry to read about your mother. Hope she does well.
If you or your family need anything just ask. There are plenty of good
people here.

Ok I'm back I really don't know how to explain this. Here goes...
Talking about what to say during a match.
Play by play would call the game as it happens. Like- She shoots the 3
into the corner setting up for the five.
Color would explain, in detail, the shot. Sarah used low right with a
med. stroke. She made the 3 then came 2 rails to get the angle on the
5. She should get the brake out on the 8 with this set up.
On ESPN it seems they get side tracked.

I would love a "What's in the case" type segment. I just don't want
to lose a sponser. I like seeing our sport on the TV.