I see he has a following on here so I try to tell myself, lighten up and get used to his lame-ass sense of humor since he's commentating on every other poker video I watch.
But I can't. this guy never shuts up and all his jokes are completely stupid and there are so many of them, like every 15 seconds a new one. I understand you want a color commentator but this jabbering fool? Why?
Norman Chad was the big name commentator during the poker hay day. Casual players like him because he's a relatable fish and lightens things up. He was good for poker, and worked well with mike sexton...
Chad's jokes are lame but not too bad considering it must be a thankless task. However after a while I want him to shut up because of his "comic" voice. It's not his fault, anyone would have similar problems, I guess.
I like Norman and Lon, but a lot of it may be nostalgic. Their voices are corny banter are a reminder of the poker boom and how exciting and fresh poker was (and how much dead money there was involved with it).
Gabe Kaplan still to this day was the best. Some jokes, some poker knowledge and some breaks for silence to let the audience hear the players talk. Too many commentators won't STFU. Nowadays it's mostly tuchman and stapes both of which I think talk too much.
I don't mind Norm and Norm+Lon have good chemistry together. Gabe of course is the GOAT.
Are you watching the ESPN WSOP episodes for entertainment or for educational purposes? If it's for the latter I'd argue you came in with the wrong mindset to begin with. It's just for fun, and Norm keeps it pretty fun. Some of his jokes are good and some are just so bad, but it's all in good fun.
all his jokes are completely stupid and there are so many of them
That the point...they're supposed to be stupid. They're mostly lame and occasionally very funny. He's not a comedian and doesn't claim to be. He's there to keep things light and fun. In that regard he does a great job. Everyone has a different sense of humor. If you don't get it, you don't get it. No big deal.
Chad had the appropriate level of knowledge and humor for the beginning of the poker boom. Those who saw realize that, at that time, entertaining an audience for televised poker was no small feat (no one understood NLHE strategy then, certainly not enough for an ESPN audience). Chad's banter has not aged well, and he has very good competition. But he did a lot to draw new viewers into the game, and he's a decent sort. I always root for him to take down the 7 card stud split tourney.
Norman Chad is great. I actually prefer his old-time, laid back, dry-humor approach. I think Joe Stapleton tries too hard.
How much do they get paid for this? It doesn't sound like "much work" in the traditional way many people define work, on the other hand it requires a titanic investment of time and experience.
Figure they get several thousand dollars an (hourly) episode?
At the WSOP in 2006. My buddy stopped Norman and said quote "Mr. Chad, pleasure to meet you, I love your work." Norman paused and basically replied "no you don't." I think he knows poker players find his commentary lame.
But that being said, he is a WSOP staple and I would not like it if he was replaced.