Is it me, or do the BBC overreact to lower ranked players?

[Giggity1984]

why? the more the better for me because that would raise the profile of the game again and breathe new life in to it which in turn will get more people playing

Yeah Damien Hurst was passable s he's one of Ronnie's friends and gave us a new insight into Ronnie's mentality. But Ronnie Wood can barely string 2 sentences together!

[GeordieDS]

What, by having some geriatric guy from the Rolling Stones banging on about how he knows Jimmy White?

The more famous people follow sport the more media interest,the more media interest the more people see it and want to play imo

[sharkster63]

I think he is capable and more than qualified. I think he would be a gppd replacement for John Parrot, he could use a break i think....

[barrywhite]

The more famous people follow sport the more media interest,the more media interest the more people see it and want to play imo

You're spot on as usual. Snooker isn't exactly flourishing at local level (there's a post on the forum about Durham snooker club closing) but is doing rather well at the pro level, reflecting the increasing attitude fo Britons to become voyeurs, not doing people. So the more discussion and media attention it gets, the more feelgood factor for the dwindling number amateur players to keep going.

[MrRottweiler]

Did anyone else notice John Virgo did the same during the Masters final and when Barry was down on the shot Virgo had noticed the presenter from Flog It in the crowd and said FLOG IT which made people laugh. John Virgo used to be the most astute but now he's the worst at inane comments and doesn't seem to take in to account what the players are doing. Dennis Taylor can also come out with embarrassing comments especially when it involves females he sees in the crowd. It's like he's living in the 50s with his 'Oh isn't she such a pretty lady" or similar comments inbetween frames.

Despite that I still think they are great commentators and Virgo can't be touched when it comes to his pundit prowess but it needs to be more varied. I've watched other tournaments on ITV4 and think it's a good thing to hear new voices so the BBC should do the same. I would think they are all keen to keep out newcomers in to the commentry box because it will affect their earnings and are probably good pals with the BBC bosses who decide who sits behind the microphone so nothing changes.

Whatever happens they need to get rid of these infuriating ear pieces. Get rid of them and the commentators will stop trying to interact with the audience which will make it more possible for new names to have a turn. I would love Lee Mack to have a go but that would only work if ear pieces are banned or people would be in fits of laughter. The players would stop the frame

I'm sure doing a stint of commentary is the last thing on Ronnie's mind and might not even be where he wants to go when he does hang up his cue but can you imagine the buzz that could generate if Ronnie was going to commentate on a match or a few frames at least. Or just one frame! Or deconstruct one of his old frames sharing what his mindset was. Most pros can talk about Snooker because they were doing it as kids to anyone who would listen so they wouldn't have a problem talking about the shots. Just a few do's and dont's and they would get the hang of it. It's not easy but not as hard as keeping the continuity going as a presenter which people like Davis and Doherty are well suited for in the studio. Hazel Irvine is likable but I'm also beginning to wonder if she is the best one in the chair. Her knowledge of Snooker is pretty thin and it's starting to show with her slightly dull and predictable questions these days. Chris Morris or Jeremy Paxman as presenter and Alan Partridge and Michael in the commentry box.

[tinytim139]

Neil Foulds and clive everton for me, best duet there is on commentry

[SnookerFan]

Whatever happens they need to get rid of these infuriating ear pieces. Get rid of them and the commentators will stop trying to interact with the audience which will make it more possible for new names to have a turn. I would love Lee Mack to have a go but that would only work if ear pieces are banned or people would be in fits of laughter. The players would stop the frame :

I never buy them bloody things. It just seems an odd thing to want commentary when you're watching a live event. I could stay at home and get that on TV. And all they seem to do is play too loudly and distract the players.

I think once, my mate was getting one and I gave it a go, and it had broken by the end of frame 2. I didn't feel I'd missed much, just some inane chatter from Dennis Taylor.

Occasionally the crowd laugh, and you realise you've missed a joke. But the BBC pundits jokes aint that funny anyway, so I aint that bothered.

[gavpowell]

I never buy them bloody things. It just seems an odd thing to want commentary when you're watching a live event.

I've never understood this - if you want commentary, you want commentary - if anything the viewing angles can be worse live than on TV.

I used to use the earpieces because I wanted to hear how a player was going to play the shot(topspin etc) and for Dennis's anecdotes. I've heard all Dennis's anecdotes and no longer care about technical details, so I've nver replaced my earpices as they've died.

[DeanH]

I've never understood this - if you want commentary, you want commentary - if anything the viewing angles can be worse live than on TV.

I used to use the earpieces because I wanted to hear how a player was going to play the shot(topspin etc) and for Dennis's anecdotes. I've heard all Dennis's anecdotes and no longer care about technical details, so I've nver replaced my earpices as they've died.

I liked them, as you say hearing how they are playing, etc, and also reports from other tables out of view.
When the player/ref is in the way; look up to the TV screen hanging above and see the shot

[gavpowell]

I liked them, as you say hearing how they are playing, etc, and also reports from other tables out of view.
When the player/ref is in the way; look up to the TV screen hanging above and see the shot

That was also the only way to hear the post-final interview at the Masters yet again. Why they haven't got some sort of PA system rigged up after all this time I've no idea - instead we get a slightly raised volume from the mic, which is drowned out by people yelling "I LOVE YOU RONNIE!! GO ON JIMMY!!"

[mick745]

The only qualification that seems to be needed is to be a former world champion or former world number 1. Ability to commentate is not a necessary qualification. My favourite ever commentators were Jack Karnhm and Clive Everton, neither of whom were top pro players. Ted Lowe also was not a top pro. John Motson and Alan Green didn't need to play premier league football to be able to describe the action.
Also, at least they seem to have stopped the vaguely racist practice of picking out asian looking members of the audience and saying 'ding has his supporters'. how do you know who they are supporting, if anyone? They might live in Essex and be supporting the other guy. Would you pick out black audience members and claim them as Rory McLeod supporters?

[SnookerFan]

The only qualification that seems to be needed is to be a former world champion or former world number 1. Ability to commentate is not a necessary qualification. My favourite ever commentators were Jack Karnhm and Clive Everton, neither of whom were top pro players. Ted Lowe also was not a top pro. John Motson and Alan Green didn't need to play premier league football to be able to describe the action.
Also, at least they seem to have stopped the vaguely racist practice of picking out asian looking members of the audience and saying 'ding has his supporters'. how do you know who they are supporting, if anyone? They might live in Essex and be supporting the other guy. Would you pick out black audience members and claim them as Rory McLeod supporters?

Or some bald guy in the audience. "There's your mate, Willie."

[dcrackers147]

can't remember the event -was it WSC15? - when Robbo went to the booth after the end of his match and ask who made the joke that caused the crowd laugh when he was down on a shot. Willie said it was not him but I'm sure it was

Robertson has never missed a shot and not blamed someone/something other than himself has he?

[gavpowell]

picking out asian looking members of the audience and saying 'ding has his supporters'. how do you know who they are supporting, if anyone?

The other day I was sitting next to an Asian guy(I think Chinese) - he was supporting Trump and I was leaning towards Liang.