Hustlers and Haters

About 2 months ago, TruTV launched a show called “TheHustlers”…and from Episode 1, this show has generated some discord amongst the pool playing society.  Here are my random thoughts…and my rant for all the Haters out there.

First of all, I’ve seen lots of positive posts from fans and supporters. Some loved the show, and some didn’t necessarily appreciate the show but they still showed love and support because they have hopes that a reality series about pool on mainstream TV will help the industry in some way. 

But for every fan/supporter, there were 10 Haters.  These people got busy tearing the show and the cast apart before the first commercial break of Episode 1 had finished airing.  I was completely amazed at the sheer number of pool players who knocked everything about the show.  They hated the cast because Earl (or Jayson, or whoever) wasn’t a cast member.  They complained about how it was filmed because certain shots were “obviously” set-up.  All the Hater know-it-alls came out of hiding to tell us how they could’ve made a way better show.  And of course, there was the elitist sector telling us how a show about hustlers could never help the industry (I’m guessing the big industry boom after Color of Money was just coincidence according to them).  It was open season on the cast…and I think it has little to do with the show itself.  

So why the all the Hate?  Well, I believe that most of the Haters out there are running on pure jealousy.  It seems that many of the Haters out there believe that they play better than some of the cast members…so they freely knocked the abilities of the players on the show.  And so many of them also said how they would NEVER have let themselves be featured in show that “glorified” the hustling side of the pool world.  But you know what?  I firmly believe that 99% of the Haters would’ve jumped at the chance if offered a role on “The Hustlers”…even though every single one of them will deny it.  

Listen up Haters…your story is as old as time.  Aesop told it in the fable of the Fox and the Grapes.  You want what others have. 

Driven by hunger, a fox tried to reach some grapes hanging high on the vine but was unable to, although he leaped with all his strength. As he went away, the fox remarked "Oh, you aren't even ripe yet! I don't need any sour grapes."

 

Whether it was given to them or whether they worked their asses off for it…there are plenty of people in this world who have things that we don’t.  Haters are jealous of other peoples’ success/looks/money/fame…and they behind a keyboard, feeling entitled and justified in their vicious verbal attacks.  

I recognize that nothing I say will actually stop most people from drinking the Haterade.  So instead, I write this blog to support all the people out there being Hated on.  Don’t stop what you’re doing.  Continue to be successful, beautiful, lucky…or whatever it is that causes people to hate on you.  Ignore the asshats out there who want to bring you down a notch by mocking you publicly.  They hate you because they can’t be you.  Your real friends will always lift you up instead of trying to shoot you down.