Constructive Feedback for Poker2Nite

[plankton]

Brief Summary: The current version of the show is a bit "watered down" and may be more entertaining if it was more like ESPN's PTI.

Explanation: I really like Scott, Joe, Stapes, and everyone associated with the show and PokerRoad. I would like to see Poker2Nite succeed. What I like most about Poker Road Radio is the genuine banter, humor, and opinionated takes on topics/gossip. This is a theme through their successful shows including Big Poker Sunday, Poker Road Radio, Poker Beat, and 2 Jacks. The personalities carry the show! In most cases the hosts are not afraid to share opinions.

Similarly, Tony and Wilbon carry PTI with their personalities and willingness to take a stand.

Poker2Nite now has some segments that are a bit "washed out" and are "pop"-corny instead of containing substance. For example, the women of poker really offered nothing in episode 1. Interviews in general turn me off unless it is with a big, big name. PTI and talk radio came along because interviews with athletes are boring and full of cliches. Mid level poker players are often the same cliched interview. I fast forward through most "5 good minutes on PTI" and most interviews of poker players.

I guess it all depends on the audience. If the audience is not existing poker fans and Poker Road fans then maybe the show as is works to target a different, more mainstream audience. That's cool. I still wish the show luck.

[The 6th Wilbury]

Haha, this totally illustrates the "to each his own" nature of show biz. PTI is one of a few shows (SportsCenter being another) that makes me want to throw something at the screen when I get stuck watching ESPN. Actually, it's probably not the show itself, because I like the general format. So let me restate it: Kornheiser and Wilbon make me want to throw something at the screen when I get stuck watching ESPN.

I also know that I'm in the minority on that sentiment, so I won't go further. But I totally get your point. You like Tony and Mike. PTI puts their personalities front and center. Thus, you like PTI. And as such, P2N should be putting Sebok and Huff's personalities at center stage, so to speak. As a fan of PokerRoad, I'm right there with you.

As for the Women of Poker segment, I also didn't care much for it. My impression is that such a segment has one of two purposes. Either a) it's intended to use attractive women to grab the fleeting channel-surfing attention spans of 19- to 34-year-old men, or b) it's intended to expand the show's female audience. If it's the first, then the girl-talk banter will fall short once they get there. (Or, like someone else suggested, guys might as well just turn the sound off and ogle in silence.) On the other hand, having hot women actually talking poker could serve both objectives.

I'd say the P2N are in a reasonably tough spot in that there is no other show like it on television. For example, if someone else had a straight poker news program, and another had a strategy-heavy show, then Poker2Nite could carve out its niche by being offbeat and irreverent like PokerRoad. But without those other types of programs available, Poker2Nite still has to fill those needs and show a "serious" side.

All of this said, remember that we've only had one episode. There are some new creative personnel who are perhaps still feeling their way around a bit. The chemistry between Sebok and Huff -- which we knew for years before P2N -- really began to come across the airwaves down the stretch of the first season. And I have no lack of confidence that these obvious strengths of P2N will eventually take center stage. Huff and Seebs weren't chosen at random, after all. Other people must have liked them as much as we do, and those people are ultimately the ones who will make the decisions for the show.

[Spartan]

Originally Posted by The 6th Wilbury

As for the Women of Poker segment, I also didn't care much for it. My impression is that such a segment has one of two purposes. Either a) it's intended to use attractive women to grab the fleeting channel-surfing attention spans of 19- to 34-year-old men, or b) it's intended to expand the show's female audience. If it's the first, then the girl-talk banter will fall short once they get there. (Or, like someone else suggested, guys might as well just turn the sound off and ogle in silence.) On the other hand, having hot women actually talking poker could serve both objectives.

Well its Versus...I don't think they even have a female audience. So if anything its a), and as another person relatively "informed" poker-wise it doesn't do anything for me either. But then again I'm probably not tuning in for that segment anyway, so whatever works.

I think it will take a few episodes for the new writers to settle into things. As long as the banter between Seebs and Huff doesnt sound painfully scripted ("There is no other place I would rather be than right here with you...my man"), I think the program will flow better with time.