Ganamae said:

In TPM he opens the pod races and everyone loves (?) him but later he seems more like a boss that is living the good life away from things and the Empire.

rcb said:

i think the reason he was such a popular character in TPM, was because, it was Episode I. just the fact u could see him in a new star wars movie was exciting.

I think Ganamae meant that everyone in the movie loved him - i.e. the crowd went wild when he was introduced. I don't really know anyone in real life who loved him in TPM.

Unless I've misunderstood one of you...