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Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby SnookerFan » 15 Nov 2023 Read

Hendry has never seen a lot of people play.

His commentary is more about bringing knowledge of play and the hest shots to play in every situation, then knowing who everyone on the tour is

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby SnookerFan » 15 Nov 2023 Read

Juddernaut88 wrote:I'm sure loads of people haven't seen her play. I'm one of them.


For me, the issue isn't that one commentator hasn't seen her play. I haven't seen her play either.

The issue is that the woman's game needs promoting, so there are more opportunities to watch and more done to raise awareness of when the tournaments are on. I couldn't even tell you when the women's World Championships are held. And I'm somebody who'd probably tune in when it was in, at least to see what it's like.

Every time a pundit says they haven't a rising star or somebody who has been on tour for years, that's an annoyance. But that happens loads, from various pundits, and nobody runs to the papers about it. This one is more excusable, and isn't really Hendry's fault.

The woman's game should be promoted more. Having things like the Mixed Doubles is a good start. But the women's competitions are still held in back rooms of pubs, to no fanfare. Isn't that what we should be talking about? We can have a go at Hendry, and make a big deal about it. Or maybe, just maybe, more could be done to promote the women's game.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby SnookerFan » 15 Nov 2023 Read

Alex0paul wrote:I’d imagine most of us on here haven’t seen at least 25% of the tour play


I'd also assume that most of us aren't being paid to be an expert pundit.

I mean, we've got to be realistic. If somebody who has only been on tour for less than a season qualified for the UK Championship, say, and this was their first big tournament run, you can hardly expect all the commentators to have watched them play.

It's more annoying when it's a person who has appeared on TV a few times, and the general public are familiar with them, but a pundit acts like they've not heard of them. If we as fans have seen them play on Eurosport or ITV say, and a BBC commentator says they've never seen them, that grates more.

And even if you haven't seen them play, you could at least provide some stats about them, or something. I am sure the television stations have staff that can provide you with information like this. Even if you're just explaining their most recent tournament finishes. It's not even like the commentators have to do that much work. But a lot of times, that's not happening either.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby TheRocket » 15 Nov 2023 Read

In this case I can understand Hendry. Don't think many have seen her play. So no reason to make a big deal of it.

But in general it is somewhat a problem. Especially with the BBC pundits or commentators like Virgo and Taylor. How many times times they said its the first time they have seen player x play?

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby SnookerFan » 15 Nov 2023 Read

TheRocket wrote:In this case I can understand Hendry. Don't think many have seen her play. So no reason to make a big deal of it.

But in general it is somewhat a problem. Especially with the BBC pundits or commentators like Virgo and Taylor. How many times times they said its the first time they have seen player x play?


When they were threatening to sack Virgo, he came out with some quote like; "Just because I know who all the players are, I still know all the shots."

He even acknowledges the complaint, and thinks it doesn't matter.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby Womble » 15 Nov 2023 Read

I have watched her play. And, like all female players, her chance of beating Judd Trump is approaching zero.

I wish her all the best, though. <ok>

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby lhpirnie » 15 Nov 2023 Read

TheRocket wrote:In this case I can understand Hendry. Don't think many have seen her play. So no reason to make a big deal of it.

But in general it is somewhat a problem. Especially with the BBC pundits or commentators like Virgo and Taylor. How many times times they said its the first time they have seen player x play?

Yes, the BBC strategy of handing their pundits a job for life is poor. It's basically because they haven't got the courage to make any changes. It's denying the next generation opportunities.


But it's precisely because many viewers haven't seen Baipat Siripaporn (or Scott Donaldson, etc.) that it's important for the commentators to supply background, and cuetracker stats isn't the only aspect.

I'm afraid, it's not acceptable for people who get paid (by our subscriptions or license fees) to do half a job. Any 'professional' should aspire to do the best job they can. There is a lot of video coverage of all players on tour, and women's events were covered on Facebook, free of charge.

For the record, I've seen every player on tour live.
Last edited by lhpirnie on 15 Nov 2023, edited 1 time in total.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby McManusFan » 15 Nov 2023 Read

Wasn't Baipat at the mixed doubles? Didn't Hendry do comms on that?

When Hendry made that comment, he did also allude to Bai Yulu, so he's got some idea of the women coming through.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby lhpirnie » 15 Nov 2023 Read

McManusFan wrote:Wasn't Baipat at the mixed doubles? Didn't Hendry do comms on that?

When Hendry made that comment, he did also allude to Bai Yulu, so he's got some idea of the women coming through.

No, she wasn't in the Mixed Doubles - this is her first year on tour. Stephen Hendry met Bai Yulu in Huangguoshu, a Pro-Am tournament in August.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby Dan-cat » 15 Nov 2023 Read

lhpirnie wrote:
TheRocket wrote:In this case I can understand Hendry. Don't think many have seen her play. So no reason to make a big deal of it.

But in general it is somewhat a problem. Especially with the BBC pundits or commentators like Virgo and Taylor. How many times times they said its the first time they have seen player x play?

Yes, the BBC strategy of handing their pundits a job for life is poor. It's basically because they haven't got the courage to make any changes. It's denying the next generation opportunities.


But it's precisely because many viewers haven't seen Baipat Siripaporn (or Scott Donaldson, etc.) that it's important for the commentators to supply background, and cuetracker stats isn't the only aspect.

I'm afraid, it's not acceptible for people who get paid (by our subscriptions or license fees) to do half a job. Any 'professional' should aspire to do the best job they can. There is a lot of video coverage of all players on tour, and women's events were covered on Facebook, free of charge.

For the record, I've seen every player on tour live.


Are they contracted to do this job exactly as you describe I wonder?

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby McManusFan » 15 Nov 2023 Read

lhpirnie wrote:
McManusFan wrote:Wasn't Baipat at the mixed doubles? Didn't Hendry do comms on that?

When Hendry made that comment, he did also allude to Bai Yulu, so he's got some idea of the women coming through.

No, she wasn't in the Mixed Doubles - this is her first year on tour. Stephen Hendry met Bai Yulu in Huangguoshu, a Pro-Am tournament in August.


:hatoff:

I must be thinking of the world qualifiers then. Hendry probably doesn't watch those.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby Iranu » 15 Nov 2023 Read

Dan-cat wrote:
lhpirnie wrote:
TheRocket wrote:In this case I can understand Hendry. Don't think many have seen her play. So no reason to make a big deal of it.

But in general it is somewhat a problem. Especially with the BBC pundits or commentators like Virgo and Taylor. How many times times they said its the first time they have seen player x play?

Yes, the BBC strategy of handing their pundits a job for life is poor. It's basically because they haven't got the courage to make any changes. It's denying the next generation opportunities.


But it's precisely because many viewers haven't seen Baipat Siripaporn (or Scott Donaldson, etc.) that it's important for the commentators to supply background, and cuetracker stats isn't the only aspect.

I'm afraid, it's not acceptible for people who get paid (by our subscriptions or license fees) to do half a job. Any 'professional' should aspire to do the best job they can. There is a lot of video coverage of all players on tour, and women's events were covered on Facebook, free of charge.

For the record, I've seen every player on tour live.


Are they contracted to do this job exactly as you describe I wonder?

I agree with LHPirnie, mostly.

There are lots of aspects of my job that aren’t specifically included in my contract. A contract isn’t a job description.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby lhpirnie » 15 Nov 2023 Read

Dan-cat wrote:
lhpirnie wrote:
TheRocket wrote:In this case I can understand Hendry. Don't think many have seen her play. So no reason to make a big deal of it.

But in general it is somewhat a problem. Especially with the BBC pundits or commentators like Virgo and Taylor. How many times times they said its the first time they have seen player x play?

Yes, the BBC strategy of handing their pundits a job for life is poor. It's basically because they haven't got the courage to make any changes. It's denying the next generation opportunities.


But it's precisely because many viewers haven't seen Baipat Siripaporn (or Scott Donaldson, etc.) that it's important for the commentators to supply background, and cuetracker stats isn't the only aspect.

I'm afraid, it's not acceptible for people who get paid (by our subscriptions or license fees) to do half a job. Any 'professional' should aspire to do the best job they can. There is a lot of video coverage of all players on tour, and women's events were covered on Facebook, free of charge.

For the record, I've seen every player on tour live.


Are they contracted to do this job exactly as you describe I wonder?

That is exactly my point Dan. A 'professional' doesn't just work-to-rule. They try to be the best they can.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby Holden Chinaski » 15 Nov 2023 Read

lhpirnie wrote:
Dan-cat wrote:
lhpirnie wrote:
TheRocket wrote:In this case I can understand Hendry. Don't think many have seen her play. So no reason to make a big deal of it.

But in general it is somewhat a problem. Especially with the BBC pundits or commentators like Virgo and Taylor. How many times times they said its the first time they have seen player x play?

Yes, the BBC strategy of handing their pundits a job for life is poor. It's basically because they haven't got the courage to make any changes. It's denying the next generation opportunities.


But it's precisely because many viewers haven't seen Baipat Siripaporn (or Scott Donaldson, etc.) that it's important for the commentators to supply background, and cuetracker stats isn't the only aspect.

I'm afraid, it's not acceptible for people who get paid (by our subscriptions or license fees) to do half a job. Any 'professional' should aspire to do the best job they can. There is a lot of video coverage of all players on tour, and women's events were covered on Facebook, free of charge.

For the record, I've seen every player on tour live.


Are they contracted to do this job exactly as you describe I wonder?

That is exactly my point Dan. A 'professional' doesn't just work-to-rule. They try to be the best they can.

Indeed.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby SnookerFan » 15 Nov 2023 Read

In the BBC's defence, they were in the process of retiring off Virgo and Taylor, but there was such a big outpouring of complaints from a lot of fans that they changed their minds.

Like it or not, these commentators are very popular with the casual fans. And these are a very high percentage of the BBC's fan base. Us sad-acts who watch everything and post on the forums are not the majority, so will not be catered to. That's fair enough from a public-funded organisation like the BBC. It wouldn't wash on Eurosport. But for the BBC, they've sort of got to go with what the public want. And that's not us.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby SnookerEd25 » 15 Nov 2023 Read

McManusFan wrote:
lhpirnie wrote:
McManusFan wrote:Wasn't Baipat at the mixed doubles? Didn't Hendry do comms on that?

When Hendry made that comment, he did also allude to Bai Yulu, so he's got some idea of the women coming through.

No, she wasn't in the Mixed Doubles - this is her first year on tour. Stephen Hendry met Bai Yulu in Huangguoshu, a Pro-Am tournament in August.


:hatoff:

I must be thinking of the world qualifiers then. Hendry probably doesn't watch those.


No, too busy storming through them :roll:

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby lhpirnie » 15 Nov 2023 Read

SnookerFan wrote:In the BBC's defence, they were in the process of retiring off Virgo and Taylor, but there was such a big outpouring of complaints from a lot of fans that they changed their minds.

Like it or not, these commentators are very popular with the casual fans. And these are a very high percentage of the BBC's fan base. Us sad-acts who watch everything and post on the forums are not the majority, so will not be catered to. That's fair enough from a public-funded organisation like the BBC. It wouldn't wash on Eurosport. But for the BBC, they've sort of got to go with what the public want. And that's not us.

I disagree. They need to grasp the nettle at some point - John Virgo and Dennis Taylor won't be around forever. They made a decision but got cold feet, a sign of weak leadership. The BBC should always try to bring in fresh blood to avoid the rut they are now in. It's precisely because of their nostalgic policy that their audience can't contemplate a World Championship without the familiar voices.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby McManusFan » 15 Nov 2023 Read

If we're talking about clearing out dead wood on the BBC team, Virgo and Taylor are not where to start! They should be bringing in more people. Unfortunately Alan got poached by Eurosport, so the only new person they have is Shaun Murphy.

Re: Hendry has never watched Baipat play

Postby SnookerFan » 15 Nov 2023 Read

lhpirnie wrote:
SnookerFan wrote:In the BBC's defence, they were in the process of retiring off Virgo and Taylor, but there was such a big outpouring of complaints from a lot of fans that they changed their minds.

Like it or not, these commentators are very popular with the casual fans. And these are a very high percentage of the BBC's fan base. Us sad-acts who watch everything and post on the forums are not the majority, so will not be catered to. That's fair enough from a public-funded organisation like the BBC. It wouldn't wash on Eurosport. But for the BBC, they've sort of got to go with what the public want. And that's not us.

I disagree. They need to grasp the nettle at some point - John Virgo and Dennis Taylor won't be around forever. They made a decision but got cold feet, a sign of weak leadership. The BBC should always try to bring in fresh blood to avoid the rut they are now in. It's precisely because of their nostalgic policy that their audience can't contemplate a World Championship without the familiar voices.


But surely there is a balance.

Having Taylor and Virgo around, doesn't mean you can't promote younger commentators. As much stick as Murphy gets for commentating in the afternoon when he has a match in the evening, it does show that the BBC are willing to try out people who might be the commentators of the future. Jack Lisowski and Judd tried after they got knocked out one year. Jack in particular I remember being quite good. They tried Ebdon for a while, before realising he was a colossal cockerel. Joe Perry has become a bit of a regular. Even Reanne did a couple of frames here or there, with two male commentators on hand. So maybe the BBC are giving it a go, even if you could argue that they've not quite found the right mix yet. You could argue that they are, at least, trying.
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