The take sloppy 2nds off the other thread, Worst Announcers on PokerTV

[Johnnyj580]

A discussion came up the other night at our poker table regarding how awful Norman Chad is and how much better the VVP has gotten since his first season ("walking sticks"?!?!)

My Worst go as following:
1. Norman Chad
2. Lon McCheran (sp?): b/c he plays off as Norman Chad's bitch.
3. The gay guy from Newsradio (one of the more underrated shows of our time) on Celebrity Poker
4.The Hollywood Home-Game Specialist Himself


How are the commentators on the European Poker Shows? Bad teeth, worse comments?


John

[HamJam]

Norman Chad: Awful. Unfunny. Usually gives at best obvious insight into the game.

Lon M.: Nothing good nothing bad, I don't think he knows much of poker. I did like one line when Norman Chad kept jokingly whining about Moneymaker at the Blind Man's Bluff table and Lon says "Norm, you're gonna have to let it go." Only amusing because it's what I always want to say to Chad every second I watch the WSOP.

Michael Konik: Also uninteresting. Again doesn't add anything to the show. Isn't as annoying as Chad though.

Chris Rose: Just an FSN guy to give the play-by-play like Lon M., same thing goes for him.

Vince Van Patten: Irritating, but he's way fun to mock with his same old lines. "Very interesting hand let's see how it plays out!" Also was terrible in the Stu Ungar movie.

Mike Sexton: I'm sorry, I like the Southern robot. Again he uses tired catch phrases like his cohost VVP. The WPT is cheesy what do you expect. But you must admit he knows about the game and gives at least a semi-interesting play-by-play of the action and adds some insight.

GSN: I've watched the GSN poker a few times, and it usually is a pro like Robert Williamson III and some random celebrity. I think Williamson is great but whoever he was with absolutely blew. I think other pros have commentated too and they weren't bad.

Generally poker commentary is bad.

The best poker commentator is of course Howard Lederer though.

Good God I can't believe television has reached the point where I actually watch a card game on TV with these fools talking the whole time.

[Felix_Nietsche]

I agree....
Anyone has to be better than Norman Chad. If I hear one more joke about his ex-wife or his divorce I will go nuts. His partner in crime does not add anything.

The best announcer of ALL-TIME was Howard Cossell. This guy could make a game of checkers exciting. He was arrogant, conceited but he did his homework. I loved listening to him. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] RIP Howard.

but I love Norman Chad. I think virtually all of the television announcers are painful to listen to and I like the fact that Norman Chad tries to spice things up. In addition, unlike the guys on WPT, he doesnt raise his voice all the time and act like every hand is the end of the world. I think Chad is liked by those who take poker less seriously and are more casual fans....exactly the audience that ESPN is seeking. I admit to being a Chad mark, but I always look forward to WSOP events because he is involved.

[Walter Pullis]

Many of you don't remember this ,but back in the 60s, pro football analysts were like the current poker guys, in that they were boring, never said anything controversial, were shills for the game. Then things changed with John Madden.
I assume poker will find its "John Madden" eventually.

[dabluebery]

[ QUOTE ]
but I love Norman Chad. I think virtually all of the television announcers are painful to listen to and I like the fact that Norman Chad tries to spice things up. In addition, unlike the guys on WPT, he doesnt raise his voice all the time and act like every hand is the end of the world. I think Chad is liked by those who take poker less seriously and are more casual fans....exactly the audience that ESPN is seeking. I admit to being Norman Chad, but I always look forward to WSOP events because he is involved.

[/ QUOTE ]

My first FYP. "A" for Effort? I tried.....

[ChuckyB]

Agreed! Norman Chad is funny. Plus he's willing to take shots at the players when they're being dicks (or being portrayed as being dicks -- Arieh @ 2004 WSOP).

He doesn't have Lederer's insight, but Lederer wouldn't play as well to a casual poker crowd. Don't get me wrong, I could listen to Lederer forever, but mass appeal is the deal.

[carpe2k]

A balance of knowledge and entertainment. We always want the nuts. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Isn't ESPN's contract with the World Series of Poker up for renewal?

[codewarrior]

[ QUOTE ]
3. The gay guy from Newsradio (one of the more underrated shows of our time) on Celebrity Poker

[/ QUOTE ]

David Foley was the only straight member of Kids in the Hall. Go figure, huh?

[AliasMrJones]

About the only poker commentator I have seen that I like is Sexton.