[Mainlinegolfer]

Do any of you still not think "casting calls" are held for "parts" in reality(?) shows to hire "characters" to follow "scripts" that simulate controversy to build TV ratings which better promote advertisers' products?

[meroj]

jorgesgolf, on May 20 2009, 10:04 PM, said:

I had seen on the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association website that Brian Skatell was entered in local US Open Qualifying at Quicksilver Golf Club on May 12. His result was "WD." I didn't know if that meant he didn't show up, or he decided to pack it in mid-round. Apparently, he had a little meltdown.

http://www.timesonli...58124223200.txt


I also just saw the most recent episode and the battle between Nicole and Brian was captivating watching the two most delusional players go head to head. Weird.

I was out at Quicksilver the other day and they still had the results posted. I beleive that I saw that he shot a 42 on the front and WD. I don't know if there was injury or something else or if he just lost his "far better than a tour pro putting stroke," WD.

[kush614]

meroj, on May 26 2009, 10:28 PM, said:

jorgesgolf, on May 20 2009, 10:04 PM, said:

I had seen on the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association website that Brian Skatell was entered in local US Open Qualifying at Quicksilver Golf Club on May 12. His result was "WD." I didn't know if that meant he didn't show up, or he decided to pack it in mid-round. Apparently, he had a little meltdown.

http://www.timesonli...58124223200.txt


I also just saw the most recent episode and the battle between Nicole and Brian was captivating watching the two most delusional players go head to head. Weird.

I was out at Quicksilver the other day and they still had the results posted. I beleive that I saw that he shot a 42 on the front and WD. I don't know if there was injury or something else or if he just lost his "far better than a tour pro putting stroke," WD.

The sad thing is i dont even think Brian or Nicole were the most delusional players on the show. The long drive guy that got eliminated in the first show annoyed me far more in one episode than Brian did in 6.

[stevestrike]

phillypete, on May 26 2009, 04:13 PM, said:

Are you kidding me? Brenda is the furthest thing from funny. Brenda's commentary is hackneyed and over exaggerated. Its like she goes to her room every night and studies a book of Fehertyisms from the mid '90s. I can only take David in small doses let alone some chubby guppy face hacking his material.

++So true!

I know they try to bring characters on the show that will make it interesting to watch, but obviously this can present problem when your most interesting people are gone.

PS--Gerina is NOT hot! I can't see what you guys see there, but to each his own I suppose. She talks like her nose is always stuffy and full of snot.

[MBA-J]

stevestrike, on May 26 2009, 11:09 PM, said:

phillypete, on May 26 2009, 04:13 PM, said:

Are you kidding me? Brenda is the furthest thing from funny. Brenda's commentary is hackneyed and over exaggerated. Its like she goes to her room every night and studies a book of Fehertyisms from the mid '90s. I can only take David in small doses let alone some chubby guppy face hacking his material.

++So true!

I know they try to bring characters on the show that will make it interesting to watch, but obviously this can present problem when your most interesting people are gone.

PS--Gerina is NOT hot! I can't see what you guys see there, but to each his own I suppose. She talks like her nose is always stuffy and full of snot.

Co-sign. But this is the same group of dudes that thinks Blair isn't hot.

Go figure.

[electroleum]

I think Gerina's attractive, and I also think Blair is too. Blair's got the model thing going on, whereas Gerina's got the wholesome girl next door female athlete vibe going on.

I've always had a soft spot for girls that are great at sports


PS - SOOOOOOO happy that Brian is gone!

[Medicaptain]

Now what the heck are my wife and I gonna do on Monday nights for a good laugh now?....dayumit

1st quote from my wife in a previous episode...."did he just REALLY say he it it too PURE? this is like watching a train wreck keep it on!"

2nd quote during the finale "Honey, PALEEEASE tell me you could kick this guys butt on the golf course...seriously"...right after the famous "MUUUUUUCH better than most tour players"

3rd quote during Brians finale...."Awww....byebye......to bad..so sad". I laughed my butt off each time watching her talk to Brian through the TV, and she is a committed non golfing golf widow.

[El Crab]

MBA-J, on May 26 2009, 09:21 PM, said:

stevestrike, on May 26 2009, 11:09 PM, said:

phillypete, on May 26 2009, 04:13 PM, said:

Are you kidding me? Brenda is the furthest thing from funny. Brenda's commentary is hackneyed and over exaggerated. Its like she goes to her room every night and studies a book of Fehertyisms from the mid '90s. I can only take David in small doses let alone some chubby guppy face hacking his material.

++So true!

I know they try to bring characters on the show that will make it interesting to watch, but obviously this can present problem when your most interesting people are gone.

PS--Gerina is NOT hot! I can't see what you guys see there, but to each his own I suppose. She talks like her nose is always stuffy and full of snot.

Co-sign. But this is the same group of dudes that thinks Blair isn't hot.

Go figure.

Gerina's pretty good looking, but she benefits from the golf girl thing. That is, when you get a bunch of guys who play golf together, and decent looking girl shows up in golf attire, they go from a 7 or 8 to a 10 in their eyes. And if she can actually play, more like an 11. I can see it with her, because she looks better with her hair in a ponytail and in golf attire to me. Of course, while I like to think I'm immune to this phenomenon, I'm head over heels for Paula Creamer. And if she didn't play golf, would I go ga-ga for the same girl?

My sister worked for the ASU athletic department when Blair was there, and worked closely with football, golf and women's basketball. I was watching the first episode, when she noticed it was Blair. She also knew the first girl who got booted, who went to Stanford. Anyway, she was shocked to see Blair look that good. My sister, not being catty, just stated matter-of-factly that Blair didn't look like that at ASU. She got quite hotter, she said, since her days as a Sun Devil. Needless to say, my sister is rooting for Blair.

I think its the accent, but I rather like Brenda. And her comments don't strike me as being a case of trying too hard. They sound unforced, as if that's how she always is.

Nicole was the looker of the group, too bad she became so evil and b!tchy in the last episode she was in. Maybe I missed something, but it seemed to come out of nowhere.

The shot Derek hit was RIDICULOUS. I kind of called it, after Brian suggested they stay out there until someone hits two shots that are touching. He seemed to say it to trump up his early 5 foot effort. And I turned to a fellow WRXer and said if they did that (stayed out and hit balls until they touched), either someone would accomplish it rather quickly or it'd take days. No inbetween on such a feat. And Derek did just that.

[ktbfsu]

obviously i've never seen blair in person, so i'm guestimating here......but i think she would look hot from across the green......but less so up close. every now and again the camera catches her in just the wrong way and she appears to have a very unfortunate complexion. i suspect she had pretty bad acne in her younger days. she's thin, blond, tall, has a symetric face, dresses fashionably, and gets mileage out of the twin pony tails deal......she's what i would call "30 feet hot".

gerina's strong suit is her, um, upper torso. that's what catches my eye about her. agree, though, she's girl next door attractive at best.

as i mentioned many, many posts above, am i the only one who thinks derek and aaron look stoned out of their guords in the talking head shots? their eyes always look bloodshot and half closed - and derek sorta acts as if he's been riding the pineapple express. their eyes may just be the result of them being out in the cold.

[elp3022]

Sorry to see Brian go. He really grew on me as the shows went on. I agree about the guy from the first elimination- he annoyed me more than Brian ever did! I would call Gerina cute, but not hot IMO. And Blair is hot, but also looks unapproachable, which lowers her attractiveness in my eyes. Nicole had the best combo of looks/approachability.

[Chunkylover77]

ktbfsu, on May 27 2009, 08:17 AM, said:

obviously i've never seen blair in person, so i'm guestimating here......but i think she would look hot from across the green......but less so up close. every now and again the camera catches her in just the wrong way and she appears to have a very unfortunate complexion. i suspect she had pretty bad acne in her younger days. she's thin, blond, tall, has a symetric face, dresses fashionably, and gets mileage out of the twin pony tails deal......she's what i would call "30 feet hot".

gerina's strong suit is her, um, upper torso. that's what catches my eye about her. agree, though, she's girl next door attractive at best.

as i mentioned many, many posts above, am i the only one who thinks derek and aaron look stoned out of their guords in the talking head shots? their eyes always look bloodshot and half closed - and derek sorta acts as if he's been riding the pineapple express. their eyes may just be the result of them being out in the cold.

Actually to me it always looked like Derek and Brian were always lit when they were doing the interviews. Sorry to see Brian go as he was definitely the best part of the show.

[Auditor_Kevin]

If you guys are watching this show in HD, then you're definitely seeing Derek's bloodshot eyes. He constantly looks like he just walked out of a Cheech and Chong movie.

Those comments about Gerina are spot on. Girl Next Door. Blair too: she looks unapproachable.

The most annoying guy was definitely the first guy to get knocked off. His swing is all about trying to show off length. I believe the Texans call that 'big hat...no cattle'. At least Brian is a student of the game and not a one-trick gimmick.

[markponi]

I don't know about you guys but...Before this show, if someone asked me to draw a template for an Irish girl, I would have drawn Brenda, only with red hair. Does she not epitomize 'Irish Female' in the same way Anna Kournikova epitomizes 'Russian Female'?

[Lagolf31]

ktbfsu, on May 27 2009, 06:17 AM, said:

obviously i've never seen blair in person, so i'm guestimating here......but i think she would look hot from across the green......but less so up close. every now and again the camera catches her in just the wrong way and she appears to have a very unfortunate complexion. i suspect she had pretty bad acne in her younger days. she's thin, blond, tall, has a symetric face, dresses fashionably, and gets mileage out of the twin pony tails deal......she's what i would call "30 feet hot".

gerina's strong suit is her, um, upper torso. that's what catches my eye about her. agree, though, she's girl next door attractive at best.

as i mentioned many, many posts above, am i the only one who thinks derek and aaron look stoned out of their guords in the talking head shots? their eyes always look bloodshot and half closed - and derek sorta acts as if he's been riding the pineapple express. their eyes may just be the result of them being out in the cold.

Couldn't agree more! Either the GC crew is waking these guys up at 4 am to do these interviews or else they are Carl Spackler'd for sure.
BTW ktbfsu, I think you nailed it on the head regarding the Blair & Gerina descriptions. Seen better....seen worse.

[MAK2525]

markponi, on May 27 2009, 10:33 AM, said:

Does she not epitomize 'Irish Female' in the same way Anna Kournikova epitomizes 'Russian Female'?

If you think Anna Kournikova is the epitome of a Russian girl, I'm guessing you've never been to Russia!

[markponi]

MAK2525, on May 27 2009, 11:43 AM, said:

markponi, on May 27 2009, 10:33 AM, said:

Does she not epitomize 'Irish Female' in the same way Anna Kournikova epitomizes 'Russian Female'?

If you think Anna Kournikova is the epitome of a Russian girl, I'm guessing you've never been to Russia!

LOL! I have not. But I have been to Ireland and a man can dream right?

[Awsi Dooger]

woohoo4me, on May 26 2009, 09:04 AM, said:

Awsi Dooger, on May 24 2009, 12:27 PM, said:

electroleum, on May 22 2009, 04:36 PM, said:

"Greensburg native Brian Skatell, a participant on The Golf Channel's "Big Break" series, withdrew after nine holes after getting into a disagreement with tournament officials. Skatell was upset that his caddie was not allowed to use a motorized golf cart, which is prohibited"

Here's Brian's version, from a blog post:

http://community.fox..._interest_to_WD

"HAD NO CADDY!!!! period, they told me they had no caddy's and or carts and that I was to carry my own bag. After many phones calls, and I was offering 100.00 to anyone that would carry for me. I got no response and/or offer from anyone. So I felt that it was not realistic, and/or even possible for me to carry my own bag and shoot under par. So I felt it was best for me to just WD. In Florida we are allowed to take carts, even with a caddy. I had nether! So I was done before I started. Period. ... end of story.....and very disappointed and pissed off at myself for not being prepared."

***

My guess is Brian is eliminated tomorrow night. It would make sense for Golf Channel to suddenly hype a Top 10 list if they know they only have one more chance to showcase the over the top comments. Plus, Brian suddenly makes cutting remarks toward Derek and Aaron, which has not been his tendency. Keep in mind the confessional clips are taped after the day's result. Golf Channel producers take advantage of the emotional situation and prod the eliminated contestant. Nicole said in Golfgal's interview that she finally snapped after the producers asked her about Gerina for the 9th time. That resulted in the "she's not so awesome" comment. Nicole was getting in some parting shots, as Woo correctly summarized.

In the final 2 minutes of last week's interview with Golfgal, Brian made several references to handling failure, and hoping he hasn't annoyed viewers. He wants the next episode to spotlight his humor. Overall it sounded like endgame for him, although I hope that's wrong. Like others, I've done a 180 on him.

I think Derek wins the opening immunity challenge with the touching golf balls from 120 yards, collecting 2 dimes from Waste Management and avoiding the wall challenge, the same way he didn't participate in breaking the glass.

Me thinks someone is getting advanced copies of the show!!!

Good calls all the way around, Awsi!!!!

I really wanted to slam Brian for his immunity challenge fodder of, "I didn't want to hit a full PW because I fly it over 130 yards". Ok, first off.....why not hit less club then that you can make a full swing with?? Secondly, it did look like he put a full swing on the PW and was on the front edge of the green only!! But, to his credit, he hit his second shot to five feet something of the first....good enough for 3rd place in the competition.....

For the eyerolling entertainment value, Brian will be missed.

Woo

Thanks Woo. Well, I've spent plenty of years in Las Vegas applying variables to outcomes and once in a while it transfers elsewhere.

But they've been giving away too much in this Big Break, IMO. It's not stored conveniently in one place but if you reference two or three outlets, and remember comments from specific players, there are too many hints compared to other Big Breaks. The previous two episodes have been fairly simple to forecast and at the end of the preview for next week they leave us with the teaser, "...one of the best will be eliminated."



Was that really necessary? Why not say, "one of the best faces elimination,"?. Right now if you had to break it down by category it would be Gerina and Derek as the "stongest players," as Brenda labeled them recently. Then it drops to mid level -- Eugene and Aaron, with Brenda at the bottom and Blair somewhat above her, probably considered second weakest. Blair has surprised me, somewhat like Sophie at Ka'anapali, but you couldn't slot her very high, based on current perception.

By those categories, "one of the best" probably means either Gerina or Derek are surprisingly ousted next week. I suppose they could dip to Eugene, based on his college record and playing on the Canadian Tour. But it hasn't been a theme that Eugene is one of the best. He's been mostly obscure after the near elimination in episode one.

This is the annoying aspect of that late teaser: If one of the top rated players is facing elimination against someone weaker, you basically already know the outcome. The underdog wins. It only works if it's muddled, like Derek facing Gerina, both among the best.

I haven't listened to Golfgal's interviews this week so maybe they will steer in a different direction. But right now I'm worried about Gerina next week. Several weeks ago on GolfChannel.com the producer's blog included a strange tidbit, that Blair was 2-0 head-to-head vs. Gerina so far during Big Break. I stopped and did a double take. There was seemingly no reason for that info to be highlighted. They hadn't been high profile matchups, merely one of many. Logically the only rationale to mention it was they would meet again, and Blair's advantage would hold up a third time. Producers like to look clever and it's not difficult when everything is being penned long after the fact. Besides, the current producer's blog hypes Blair's chances to play the LPGA Tour.

The sneak preview places Gerina vs. Blair in a circle challenge, with Blair in the lead according to the dialog. It could be an early meeting to decide immunity, but the other four players are visible on the bench to the back left of the green.

I hope the indications are wrong, and Gerina advances. Even when I knew it was coming, losing Brian was deflating. The entertainment factor plummeted like the stock market over the past two years. The GolfChannel producer in this week's blog called Brian the most "fun" contestant in Big Break history. I'm sure there are tons of great Brianisms that never made it on air.

Brian's game was weaker than I expected but he did catch quite a bit of the cup with that birdie putt against Aaron on the second elimination hole. That would have provided a 2 shot edge with one to play. Then naturally Golf Channel decided to overhype the subsequent 3 foot par putt to such absurd extreme, including a commercial break, that it was guaranteed to miss. And gad did it miss, avoiding the hole completely on the low side.

[woohoo4me]

Awsi Dooger, on May 27 2009, 10:03 AM, said:

Thanks Woo. Well, I've spent plenty of years in Las Vegas applying variables to outcomes and once in a while it transfers elsewhere.

But they've been giving away too much in this Big Break, IMO. It's not stored conveniently in one place but if you reference two or three outlets, and remember comments from specific players, there are too many hints compared to other Big Breaks. The previous two episodes have been fairly simple to forecast and at the end of the preview for next week they leave us with the teaser, "...one of the best will be eliminated."



Was that really necessary? Why not say, "one of the best faces elimination,"?. Right now if you had to break it down by category it would be Gerina and Derek as the "stongest players," as Brenda labeled them recently. Then it drops to mid level -- Eugene and Aaron, with Brenda at the bottom and Blair somewhat above her, probably considered second weakest. Blair has surprised me, somewhat like Sophie at Ka'anapali, but you couldn't slot her very high, based on current perception.

By those categories, "one of the best" probably means either Gerina or Derek are surprisingly ousted next week. I suppose they could dip to Eugene, based on his college record and playing on the Canadian Tour. But it hasn't been a theme that Eugene is one of the best. He's been mostly obscure after the near elimination in episode one.

This is the annoying aspect of that late teaser: If one of the top rated players is facing elimination against someone weaker, you basically already know the outcome. The underdog wins. It only works if it's muddled, like Derek facing Gerina, both among the best.

I haven't listened to Golfgal's interviews this week so maybe they will steer in a different direction. But right now I'm worried about Gerina next week. Several weeks ago on GolfChannel.com the producer's blog included a strange tidbit, that Blair was 2-0 head-to-head vs. Gerina so far during Big Break. I stopped and did a double take. There was seemingly no reason for that info to be highlighted. They hadn't been high profile matchups, merely one of many. Logically the only rationale to mention it was they would meet again, and Blair's advantage would hold up a third time. Producers like to look clever and it's not difficult when everything is being penned long after the fact. Besides, the current producer's blog hypes Blair's chances to play the LPGA Tour.

The sneak preview places Gerina vs. Blair in a circle challenge, with Blair in the lead according to the dialog. It could be an early meeting to decide immunity, but the other four players are visible on the bench to the back left of the green.

I hope the indications are wrong, and Gerina advances. Even when I knew it was coming, losing Brian was deflating. The entertainment factor plummeted like the stock market over the past two years. The GolfChannel producer in this week's blog called Brian the most "fun" contestant in Big Break history. I'm sure there are tons of great Brianisms that never made it on air.

Brian's game was weaker than I expected but he did catch quite a bit of the cup with that birdie putt against Aaron on the second elimination hole. That would have provided a 2 shot edge with one to play. Then naturally Golf Channel decided to overhype the subsequent 3 foot par putt to such absurd extreme, including a commercial break, that it was guaranteed to miss. And gad did it miss, avoiding the hole completely on the low side.

Awsi,

Totally agree with your regarding the late teaser, and it will be a lackluster 20 minutes if, say, Gerina faces Brenda in elimination. Agree also that the entire TV viewing audience had to know Brian would miss the 2nd putt when they put in the commercial break.

Lastly, let me know the next time you go to Vegas and what sportsbook you'll be in.......riding your coat tails might not be a bad way to go...... If I get there first, I'll be at Paris.

Woo

[Logan Joseph]

Am I the only one who thinks that Gerina and Blair are both pretty hot?

[griffew]

Logan Joseph, on May 27 2009, 03:12 PM, said:

Am I the only one who thinks that Gerina and Blair are both pretty hot?

I would let both of them hold my hand if they wanted to.

[tbowles411]

griffew, on May 27 2009, 03:42 PM, said:

Logan Joseph, on May 27 2009, 03:12 PM, said:

Am I the only one who thinks that Gerina and Blair are both pretty hot?

I would let both of them hold my hand if they wanted to.

[Mark E. Wallace]

Logan Joseph, on May 27 2009, 02:12 PM, said:

Am I the only one who thinks that Gerina and Blair are both pretty hot?

I think of Gerina as pretty hot. Pretty nice bod (re: "upper torso"), plus she seems pretty smart (for all I can tell), self-controlled, respectful of the other players, and is a very good player.

Blair to me is more beautiful than hot. On looks alone, I think she's prettier than Gerina, but she might be (to me) so good looking that I don't end up paying much attention to her attitude and play.

I guess that makes Gerina more of a "complete package" to me. They're both nice looking, but I'd rather watch Gerina.

- Mark

[withdrew]

I'm actually going to miss Brian. He was hilarious.

[TheDarkOne]

I'm very happy that more and more people are getting wise to the fact the show has an open casting call for characters, not real golfers. Yes each some experience but do any of you not understand the amount of legitimately talented guys and gals that could be on this?
Every character on this show is just that, a character chosen for ratings, not ability.
Al that being said, I love the show as it's the first of it's kind in being a true sports comedy. If you have any doubt, notice how everytime Derek is interviewed he is a typical stoned Canadian, the Army guy constantly talks about the Marines, Brenda is over the top with the accent etc.etc.
I have nothing against the show as I like Pro Wrestling, but when I see post after post by people on here i consider of sound mind talking about Brian being thick it reminds of being in Grade 4 and people talking about how much of a git Ric Flair is or how much Andrea the Giant hates Hulk Hogan.

I have no intentions on posting in this thread anymore as the show without Brian is unwatchable, so i will leave you with a piece of logic from one of the old timers. In life, you are either the carnie or the rube. Don't be the rube folks, be the carnie and understand the work here and enjoy it for what it is, a sports comedy with characters designed to generate a response form you.

[bennycoop9882]

TheDarkOne, on May 28 2009, 12:52 AM, said:

I'm very happy that more and more people are getting wise to the fact the show has an open casting call for characters, not real golfers. Yes each some experience but do any of you not understand the amount of legitimately talented guys and gals that could be on this?
Every character on this show is just that, a character chosen for ratings, not ability.
Al that being said, I love the show as it's the first of it's kind in being a true sports comedy. If you have any doubt, notice how everytime Derek is interviewed he is a typical stoned Canadian, the Army guy constantly talks about the Marines, Brenda is over the top with the accent etc.etc.
I have nothing against the show as I like Pro Wrestling, but when I see post after post by people on here i consider of sound mind talking about Brian being thick it reminds of being in Grade 4 and people talking about how much of a git Ric Flair is or how much Andrea the Giant hates Hulk Hogan.

I have no intentions on posting in this thread anymore as the show without Brian is unwatchable, so i will leave you with a piece of logic from one of the old timers. In life, you are either the carnie or the rube. Don't be the rube folks, be the carnie and understand the work here and enjoy it for what it is, a sports comedy with characters designed to generate a response form you.

I find the comment about Carnies and Rubes ironic coming from the father of lies

[fabulous67]

Maybe it's just me, but doesn't it seem like Brenda chooses when she wants to over-emphasize her accent to annoy the crap out of everyone?

Anyone else get dizzy watching Eugene's pre shot routine?

Derek- "Dude!"

Blair and Gerina - on account of the fact that my wife keeps my balls in jar, in her purse, I am not allowed to say whether they are hot or not!

[Johwak121]

HAHA Brian Skatell make it worth watching alone, his comments sometimes just make me laugh out loud! TGC has a list of the funniest quotes from Big Break and i swear they all come from him

[tbowles411]

fabulous67, on May 28 2009, 09:44 AM, said:

Blair and Gerina - on account of the fact that my wife keeps my balls in jar, in her purse, I am not allowed to say whether they are hot or not!

I'll help you....They are HAWT!

[griffew]

Its going to suck not seeing pure shot after pure shot from Brian anymore. He annoyed me so much, but at the same time, I couldnt wait to see what he was going to say next. Guess I will never hear him say that he is better than Tiger...... because after all....... he just is.

[Billy Baroo 2]

Uh, I'd just like to let everyone know, that I'm here with my oversized headphones on trying to get some work done and this thread has been a huge distraction,...HUGE...........................................HUGE!

[joe perry]

Billy Baroo 2, on May 28 2009, 11:15 PM, said:

Uh, I'd just like to let everyone know, that I'm here with my oversized headphones on trying to get some work done and this thread has been a huge distraction,...HUGE...........................................HUGE!

your huge distraction ........couldn't even hold my underwear !!!!

[DavePelz4]

griffew, on May 28 2009, 12:49 PM, said:

Its going to suck not seeing pure shot after pure shot from Brian anymore. He annoyed me so much, but at the same time, I couldnt wait to see what he was going to say next. Guess I will never hear him say that he is better than Tiger...... because after all....... he just is.

Was working in the short game area last night at a practice facility with a buddy hitting a few bunker shots. Hit one that went long of the target and he said, "You hit that a bit thin." My retort..."No, I hit that pure." We looked at each other and just started laughing.

[Barto78]

I hope the Golf Channel has a "Big Break All Star" event where the best and most memorable of players who didn't win are invited back for another shot. Talk about a cable ratings giant!

Golf Channel.....Make this happen!!!

[Mizzy60]

Ohh, that would be kind of fun. Who do you think should be on the Big Break All Star show?

[DavePelz4]

Barto78, on May 29 2009, 04:15 PM, said:

I hope the Golf Channel has a "Big Break All Star" event where the best and most memorable of players who didn't win are invited back for another shot. Talk about a cable ratings giant!

Golf Channel.....Make this happen!!!

Barto...you have a future in reality TV! Great idea. Maybe they could combine BB with the other BB (Big Brother) and show how they interrelate off the track! Cameras in the house, etc.

[Awsi Dooger]

woohoo4me, on May 27 2009, 03:03 PM, said:

Awsi,

Totally agree with your regarding the late teaser, and it will be a lackluster 20 minutes if, say, Gerina faces Brenda in elimination. Agree also that the entire TV viewing audience had to know Brian would miss the 2nd putt when they put in the commercial break.

Lastly, let me know the next time you go to Vegas and what sportsbook you'll be in.......riding your coat tails might not be a bad way to go...... If I get there first, I'll be at Paris.

Woo

Woo, after looking at Blair vs. Gerina in the Sneak Peek video again, I'm confident it's not elimination. Prior to Blair's second swing, Stina says, "The closer you get to that elimination challenge, the more the nerves come into play."

So it must be immunity. I haven't paid attention to Sneak Peak videos this time but I looked at all of them today. Not one has featured an elimination pairing.

The commercials do hint at head-to-head elimination matchups, but not so far this week.

That late teaser line, "One of the best will be eliminated," leads me to focus on Gerina and Derek, and try to guess which one of them is more vulnerable this week. If it's neither one of them, then I'm floundering.

I still lean toward Gerina. In her interview with Golfgal this week, Gerina was seemingly uncomfortable with the question of how the group changed once Brian was eliminated. She rambled but basically said very little. I was wondering, did she have trouble with that question because she stuck around only one more day than Brian? Gerina volunteered that she became sick during filming, quite sick. That didn't strike me as necessary to mention if you cruised through episode after episode. Sure enough, at the end of the last episode I noticed the signs of a head cold during one of her confessional clips.

And Gerina changed coaches and her swing -- extensively -- last October. Big Break was filmed in September. I suppose it could have been planned ahead of time, and you go through with it even if you overcame 11 other players to pocket 100 grand a month earlier. But that wouldn't be the favorite.

I like to look for the phony indication in Big Break spots. This week it's fairly simple. Derek bragging about another 2 grand in a brief clip is bogus. That's a reference to last week and the touching Titleists. The clip will show up very early in the next episode. Golf Channel wants you to believe it's next week, another quick Derek victory and immunity. My guess is the one-to-immunity challenges are over. Three head-to-head matchups this week, with the losers heading to elimination, is more logical. Four faced elimination two weeks ago, then only Brian and Aaron last episode. It's time for 3 to head to elimination.

The title of the next episode is interesting, "Forewarned is Forearmed." It's the first time I've ever looked at a title for a hint. At first glance, that tag appears favorable to Derek's chances next week. He's the one who has advance notice of attack. Gerina and Aaron apparently are livid that he is swooping up all the Waste Management cash, and are out to get him. The Golf Channel producer's blog highlights that, no secret about it.

And since that term means the person under fire has advantage over the plotter(s), I think Derek advances.

The current producer's blog includes this summary: “getting cockier by the minute” Gerina. And a commercial preview emphasizes that overconfidence foils the eliminated contestant.

Gerina is my best guess. But, unlike last week with Brian, it's not a handicap I would confidently wager on.

***

Woo,

Las Vegas sportsbooks have really plummeted with all the corporate mergers of the past few years. There used to be a separate personality for each one, distinct tendencies. You could shop one joint for favorites, another for underdogs, another for props, etc. Now they are bland satellite books.

I like that back corner book at Paris but they really shrunk it within the past year or so. Cocktail waitresses are fine.

My current preference, identical to most locals, is the Las Vegas Hilton. It's run by the guys who used to operate the Imperial Palace sportsbook. They were known for props and aggressive bookmaking, and have carried that to the Hilton. The Imperial Palace was the first joint to book weekly head-to-head PGA golf matchups, almost 20 years ago. Prior to that it was win betting only, and the few spots that did offer matchups limited them to the majors.

I'm currently still in Miami, on family matters.

[Redman]

Barto78, on May 29 2009, 05:15 PM, said:

I hope the Golf Channel has a "Big Break All Star" event where the best and most memorable of players who didn't win are invited back for another shot. Talk about a cable ratings giant!

Golf Channel.....Make this happen!!!

I said this same exact thing Thursday night to my fiancee. It would make for some great TV. Can you imagine Double D and Brain going at it?

[woohoo4me]

Awsi Dooger, on May 29 2009, 06:21 PM, said:

I'm currently still in Miami, on family matters.

Awsi,

Great insights as always!!! You're really sharp at breaking these things down.

I really never paid attention until your last comment that you live in Henderson.....

Hope all is ok with the family.

Best,

Woo

[Awsi Dooger]

Can't get rid of Brian that easily. Here's a video from KDKA in Pittsburgh, a 5 minute on-air interview with Brian in April, previewing Big Break. Darn, a polite and subdued version, no hint of the awesome Brianisms.

He obviously had lost quite a bit of weight when PEI was filmed. The arms are noticeably larger.

http://uk.truveo.com...;/id/2335368934

I can't seem to link directly. But it's a simple process to watch the video. Search for "Skatell" on that link, at Video Library > Top Stories. The interview with Brian is the only result, titled, "Local Man Competes on Golf Reality Show."

I double taked when I saw Brian's hair, curled behind the baseball cap. I knew it reminded me of someone. Tony Little, before he ignored the scissors completely.

[mcmski]

he said he went into the show 30 pounds underweight, but from the looks of it he was wearing one of the shirts he bought while he was skinny. Size Extra Medium I think