New U.S. Open 9-Ball commentator, Henry Nimrod Longfellow stirred the bile of many live online viewers during the broadcast of the U. S. Open 9-Ball Championship to the point of near rage, yet others embraced his style and humor wholeheartedly.
As email messages about his efforts during the U. S. Open continue to stream in, Longfellow is considering a long-term contract with BCn to provide commentary, wit and wisdom to pool aficionados during BCn's future live broadcasts.
"Viewer response is key to the personalities and voices we use in the commentary box," said Rob Sykora, BCn president. "The viewer email comments we're getting are being used to gauge the value of Longfellow's presence within the commentary booth."
During his commentary, Longfellow named his viewers "wack jobs" and "wackos" for sitting at their computers for extended lengths watching live pool on their computers. Viewers responded with a barrage emails, both positive and negative about Longfellow and the event broadcast.
The question still remains: Who is this Henry Longfellow character?
Here are some actual viewer's responses:
Name: Les
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Comments: KUDOS to BilliardClub and its entire staff for a wonderful week of pool. I am one of those WackJobs who watched every minute you were on the air. Your camera crew does the best job of showing the match I have ever seen. The announcers were greta including the GREAT Henry Longfellow. I really am looking forward to the Derby City in January and I hope you will broadcast a straight pool match as that is my favorite game to play. I sure wish you guys could do the Womwn's tournament instead of ESPN as then we would have a chance to see some of the other fine Ladys of the game who don't make it to the TV rounds. I would gladly pay $100 to watch it. I have every straight pool tape that Accu-Stats has plus many eight ball and one pocket tapes. They do a great job taping the matches. I don't know if Longfellow was kidding about t-shirts but if you do have them I will gladly buy one. Thanks again for a great week of pool.
Les
Name: Larry
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Comments: Longfellow has a unique stye & is informative as as well as enteraining. Is'nt this what it is all about? He is a refreshing new addition,as opossed to the same old commentary telling the listeners the same stories over & over. Do'nt
underate his knowledge. Keep him or I will boycott BCn U.S Open. Suberb!!!!
Name: jeff c
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Comments: As a charter member of the BCN Whack Job contingent, I vote emphatically for more Henry Longfellow. I have watched every minute of coverage since the open started and have loved every bit of it. ESPN and FSN pool coverage is overpackaged and boring compared to this week's event. Put me down for a Whack Job T-Shirt when they are available. Best regards and thanks for providing a fun week of pool and commentary, Jeff C Orlando, FL
Name: Larry S
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Comments: I am very satisfied with the professional work of all the peple that have worked so hard to make the 31st U.S. Open since a great success. I can't believe the chicken feed prize money you pay out. It is very disappointing with all the sponsers you have plus the PPV. Keep Longfellow as drawcard.
Name: ALLEN
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Comments: oh yeah, i was on last night and had tears streaming down my face. i almost woke up my wife at 1:00 am this morning cuz i was laughing so had.....and yes im a wack-job, where's my shirt???
Name: bob
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Comments: how could you allow Longfellow be on the broadcast team with a pro like Jerry Forsyte on such an important match as Strickland-Wiley...Henry tries to be articulate and funny..he is neither
Name: Carey
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Comments: Hello! Iam here and listening too you! And yes I am a whack job
Name: amazesingmazes
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Comments: Whack on Whack off. I find you quite entertaining. But I`m new to this. I`m a student of the game and hope to be for some time. Sporting event or show that is the question. So I ask that you stay focus on the highlight of the moment just bit more .I mist a super shot laughing at your comments on non related junctures .I vote that you stay; knowledge of the game and personalities are priceless.
Name: Les J
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Comments: Longfellow is the reincarnation of Howard Cosell and must remain on Billiard Club broadcasts. I find his dribble enligtning and he is way above the stiff shirts at ESPN. I will buy a Wacko shirt when available. Hope to see more live action in the near future. Les, N. Ft. Myers, FL
Name: CLAY AND BARB
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Comments: Please tell theses guys (longfellow and friend ) that this is big time pool for big money and their commentary is a joke
Name: mel t
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Comments: good job keep up the good work love to listen to you guys much better than tv!!! I vote: longfellow must stay
Name: arty
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Comments: got to go...pedantic egoist.. antecdotal info ok but burlesque wordy approach to commentary uneeded..stick to someone that wikll analyze the table and inform the viewers
Name: charlie
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Comments: he would be alright if he did not talk so much
Name: robert n
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Comments: if longfellow is forsythe, then keep him as longfellow only, because i know he can't play as good as his commentary as jerry.i would like a t-shirt. am thoroughly enjoying every minute of pool.
Name: OJ C
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Comments: Lonfellow added a lot of color to a late match. He's hilarious..perfect fro the time slot.
Name: badandy
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Comments: We like wackjob longfellow keep him on the air he makes things intresting and he is good for a laugh. Besides he is a good commentator.
Name: Zach D
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Comments: This is everything I've ever wanted in the world, these live feeds. Now I can die happy. Thank you all for some extraordinary work. I expect to get some of the guys from my pool hall on board for the next tournament, so keep it up!
Name: Earl T
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Comments: Longfellow has to go, he talks way too much.
Name: JIM M
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Comments: hey danny , lovin all the pool and the great commentary. hope this is a winner. keep up the good work. sure am lovin this broadcast on the net. i've saved 25.00 by stayin home and watching it instead of shootin pool at the local bar. you can bet i'll stayed tuned. thanks again
Name: CD H
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Comments: 3:54pm 9-29-06 Your Greatttt !!!!! Everything is cool dont go wackman I was on here with you early this morning wacked out pool wack on wackman pool is cool, wackman is cool, A rack would be cool this is just wackooooo!!!!!!!! Thanks, CD
Name: Jules
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Comments: I think Longfellow is a good commentator and is very informative at least for me...I say keep him on!!!!!
Name: Mark F
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Comments: Longfellow is a goose and that's why we like him. Besides it's hard to mess up bad enough for this crowd to even notice.
Name: jeff b
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Comments: Keep Him, Hes done an ok job for a wackjob.
Name: Joe Momma
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Comments: If this is the best you got the billiard industry is in more trouble than I thought, the phrase babbling idiot comes to mind
Please send your responses here!
