ESPN's coverage hurts the game

Sly_Grin · #1 10-26-2005, 02:29 AM

Just like last year they seem intent on featuring the biggest assholes, therefore assuring the following year will have even MORE people acting like assholes to get on TV. Last year it was the screaming Swede (I think) with the "Ja !!!" every 10 minutes, but that was nothing compared to this year's King of the A-holes, Barry Paskin.

It's obnoxious enough to have someone scream at the top of their lungs during the entire showdown, but for that person to smell so bad the floor gets called sets a new low. I love his logic - being told that his shirt stinks, a fact he admits while proudly saying he never washes it, is INSULTING. How about my fist in your mouth, would that be insulting ? At least Mattias just gave one obnoxious yell when winning his hand, this guy is obviously just trying to get as much attention as possible.

If ESPN just ignored these idiots they'd pretty much disappear, but by keeping a camera on the disgusting [censored] it just encourages him.

Personally I found myself with the overwhelming urge to remove all the hair on his head and face with a weedwhacker and blast him with a fire hose. And I'm pretty calm, I can just imagine the reaction from those viewers more easily annoyed than me.

suggestion - less assholes, more Shannon Elizabeth. Announcers that actually have a clue about poker strategy wouldn't hurt either.

Joey Legend · #2 10-26-2005, 03:21 AM

Lets get ol' McMannus to go up to Norman Chad and tell him he's disrespecting the game.

SoftcoreRevolt · #3 10-26-2005, 03:27 AM

I whole heartedly agree. For everyone saying OMG NORMAN CHAD WAS ACTUALLY FUNNY WITH HIS 800th HELLMUTH JOKE, they need to sit back and think what Hellmuth's act does. He gets so much camera time to whine and overact (like he doesn't know he's going to get camera time if he acts that way.) and this is what people are presented as being one of the top tournament pros, giving someone the impression that poker is like this.

Then you get 2 seconds of a player and a comment "This man is a class act and a testament to... sorry breaking news, we must cut to some loud ass over here!"

The good guys get 10 seconds of face time, the people making a scene get 55 minutes.

Rather than ignoring the idiots, ESPN treats poker like a giant freak show full of the same Hellmuth act, the same two dozen ex wife show, and a loud stupid celebration.

Yes these things happen and yes they will generate interest, but if so much focus is put on them, they overwhelm the game, and people will be way less likely to say "Hey this looks like fun, I'll try to play online" because who the hell wants to be berated for 10 minutes about not knowing how to play. The WSOP is supposed to be the place where anyone can win in the minds of the average Joe, not the place where you can be yelled at for being a donkey on National TV.

And when you combine it with announcers who do not take the game seriously, (except for the quick cut to Doyle Brunson and then quickly back to the morons.) you just make poker look like one giant unfunny joke about nonexistant ex wives. They don't need to know about poker strategy. Just have announcers who sound interested, (in the style of Rose and Konik, but not with someone as highly annoying as Konik.) they help make the game sound important, and give people an idea of what's going on, which helps people get more interested in the actual game.

Rick Nebiolo · #4 10-26-2005, 04:19 AM

You and the OP have the best one-two post combo I've ever seen.

Regards,

Rick

#5 10-26-2005, 03:03 PM

Though Norman Chad and Lon hate the Barry Paskin screaming and the other forms of bad behavior it was Chad complaining that the guys were looking dull as hell when they were playing that hand at Layne Flack's table. So I guess even they want excitement the whole time, instead of a poker hand.

grandgnu · #6 10-26-2005, 03:15 PM

Yes, it was the guy crying who said he had played perfect for three days.

And I picked up a tell on Layne Flack when I watched the broadcasts. Actually, picked up a couple tells, I can't friggin' wait to bust him, w00t!

mackthefork · #7 10-26-2005, 08:51 AM

[ QUOTE ]
you just make poker look like one giant unfunny joke about nonexistant ex wives.

[/ QUOTE ]

Quite a Quantum Leap so to speak.

Mack

kevstreet · #8 10-26-2005, 08:59 AM

I'm a little reluctant to post this, but I've come to the realization that I'm the only one on this site that finds Norman Chad slightly entertaining. I kind of dig his sense of humor.

unfrgvn · #9 10-26-2005, 09:21 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I'm a little reluctant to post this, but I've come to the realization that I'm the only one on this site that finds Norman Chad slightly entertaining. I kind of dig his sense of humor.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nah, it's just the haters are more vocal then us luke warm supporters. In the context of the overall coverage, I don't think he sucks. Would I rather see more of a Turning Stone type broadcast? Yes. Since they aren't going to do that, then I don't think he is that bad.

grandgnu · #10 10-26-2005, 10:10 AM

No no no no no no no no............NO NO NO NO NO.........YEEEEEESSSSSSSS!

My wife and I were dying watching that smelly guy, that's just good tv.