Jared Bleznik has managed to polarize the poker community with his high strung commentary this year. The biggest controversy was him being a huge jerk about switching the broadcast to a seniors even. I haven't listened to much, and to be honest, his commentary is one reason I haven't watched more. He's overly excited. He's an ass many times regarding unknown players. Conversely, he gushes to the point of cringe about the most basic plays made by famous players.
Lots of people seem to like it. I feel like the same people are the ones who love Martin Kabrhel. They say that type of behavior "grows the game" because people click on clips or tune into the livestream to see people being jerks.
I wonder what other cardschatters think of his antics and what kind of commentary y'all enjoy. I've kind of got to the point I'm not real big on any of them. Lon and Norman are ok sometimes, but as I've noticed them being ignorant away from the booth, it kind of taints my view of them. Schulman is pretty decent and he has good insights. I haven't heard David Williams and Maria Ho, but I feel like I would enjoy both of their commentary.
Yes Blez was a complete tool this year. It is weird because his coverage last year of some of the Mixed games was fantastic. This year it seemed like a completely different person (hmm... last year it was an invited guest into the booth, stuck with some great analytical stuff, this year 'a paid commentator' went to his head and thought people were interested in listening to him instead of the play).
He proved to be a complete tool when they invited him back again after his comments re: senior's event. His disrespect of Benny Glaser was ridiculous!
Personally I think the wsop (https://www.casino.us/poker/tournaments/wsop/) failed miserably this year with the coverage. David Williams & Ali Nejad were a good team but I really missed hearing 'The NIght Shift' (never get enough of them... that's Nick & Ali as a team). I thought it was dreadful that they picked up Stapes for the series. Ugh! Guy is terrible. I'd heard enough of his whiney voice doing the Stars Sun Million by 2010. They must've got an incredible discount on him.
Maria does a good job in the booth but it depends on who she's in there with. In the past I've noticed that she doesn't stand behind her analysis comments if it means having to correct the other broadcaster.