So I watched a repeat of the first episode of ABC's new game show Wipeout, and I'm not sure what to think of it. Like most American males, I like seeing people* fall from high, wet places and get punched in the face, but I'm not sure how many weeks I can watch the thing. I'm also not happy with the plugged-in comments from the hosts (John Henson and John Anderson) we have to listen to. For every really funny comment there are seven that make you groan. And I wonder if the show will just grow tired after a few weeks.
But there's no denying that there are some wild stunts here. Everytime someone goes sailing off that ramp in the dark or bounces on those giant balls and their body jackknifes and hits the water I'm thinking, these people could easily break their necks. Sure, Survivor has crazy challengs and Fear Factor had nutty stunts, but this stuff seems especially dangerous. And that's why ABC has them sign a 50 page release.
The network is covering their butts on this one. Besides the release they have each player sign ("Player states that if he if is stupid enough to sign up for a dangerous game show and breaks his neck bouncing off a giant ball, ABC is cleared of all responsibility..."), they have each event/course tested by a team of experts called The Black and Blue Squad (which was going to be the name of this site until we changed our minds). They test the depth of the water, how consistent the mud is, and make sure everything is padded enough. Which is good, because you don't want your death certificate to read "killed by giant balls."
* By the way, is there some law now that says contestants on game shows have to act like dicks? I mean, really. Remember when we never found out the personal background/attitude/personality of a contestant on a game show, unless it was Jeopardy, where they're interviewed by Alex Trebek? Now game shows can't just have regular contestants, they have to be trash talkers and they have to brag and insult the other contestants. Wipeout has contestants like that. It's an odd thing on this show, really, because even though we don't find out much about the contestants (they just seem to show up, their names are splashed on the screen, and they hit the water), they still seem irritating and over the top.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
7-01-2008 @ 2:33PM
fowak said...
I actually really loved this show. It cracked me up way more than I expected, and I was already expecting to laugh. And for me, the commentators made the show. I almost fell off my couch from laughing at a lot of their comments.
Sure, I think it would get old, but that's why it's a summer show.
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7-01-2008 @ 8:54PM
Jay said...
I agree this show is the hit this summer..
7-01-2008 @ 2:36PM
fowak said...
I actually loved the sohw. To me, the commentators are what made it so funny. I almost fell off my couch from laughing at the comments they made. And there really were no trash-talkers, except for maybe one or two. And about halfway in, it got really interesting because the obstacles got cooler and cooler.
And yeah, it may get old soon. But that is why it is a summer show.
I loved it and can't wait for tonight's new episode.
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7-01-2008 @ 2:49PM
Midnight13 said...
I watch it for Jill Wagner. I love how she is really supportive of the contestants when she interviews them, but cracks up just the same when they take a spill. Any show where you're doing an activity like jumping, climbing, swinging, crashing into things has the potential to cause harm. But isn't the fact that most of the course is made out of rubber and styrofoam help prevent serious injury?
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7-01-2008 @ 3:28PM
ninja said...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasuke_(TV_series)
Original Japanese version is way better. Sweet animegirls and crazy ninjas.
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7-01-2008 @ 3:30PM
lucyfan62 said...
I laughed more than I have laughed since I first saw Spike's MXC which it resembles but with not quite the snarky funny commentary of MXC. Of course they will have different challenges week to week, but seeing people bounce off of those giant rubber balls is hysterical!
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7-01-2008 @ 3:43PM
Shape said...
Ninja Warrior (Sasuke) on G4 is a much better show. There are still funny people who attempt to compete. But the people who come back year after year have a genuine camaraderie and respect for each other. They cheer when people make it past a stage. They say "How can it be?!" when one of their friends falls before making it to the end.
There is no competing between the players. There is only competition against the obstacle course. They all help each other to train for each event.
It is the kind of thing that US TV could use a good dose of in this sea of "reality" jackassery.
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7-01-2008 @ 4:22PM
Sarah said...
the show was great! i was kinda iffy on it, but was doubling over with laughter only a couple of minutes in. i disagree with you though; i think the commentators make the show. without them it would be a bunch of idiots falling water constantly.
oh, and no one cares about the Japanese version.
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7-01-2008 @ 5:01PM
Michael said...
"oh, and no one cares about the Japanese version."
Sorry, wrong answer - have fun with the home game and your lovely parting gifts. The Japanese show is so good there are several different versions. In fact, Spike TV's version (MXC) is a hilarious re-edit of Takeshi's Castle. If no one cared, then this show wouldn't even exist in the first place.
Being a big fan of MXC, I really had my doubts that this version would last more than an episode or two but I have to admit, I laughed my ass off last week. I'm definitely going to tune in tonight and I know it will be just as funny. It is great to hear the king of snark, John Henson once again and Jill Wagner is great too. They're no Vic Romano or Kenny Blankenship but they're better than I expected.
As far as the contestants go, well they pretty much get what they signed up for. Regardless, I can't get enough of those giant red balls! Ummm... you know what I mean...
7-01-2008 @ 5:47PM
Kaycee said...
Quit plugging that crappy Japanese show. We aren't interested.
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7-01-2008 @ 9:59PM
Michael said...
Hey, I'm not plugging another show Kaycee. I'm just pointing out that this is yet another American copy of a foreign show. It is surprisingly well done - many other copies suck compared to the original. Would you be saying this if I were commenting on the British version of "The Office" vs. the US version? Same difference babe.
When you make a copy, you better be prepared to be compared to the original. Chill out sourpuss.
7-01-2008 @ 6:10PM
ac said...
MXC on Spike is much more entertaining than this I thought.
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7-01-2008 @ 6:18PM
Mj said...
I'd rather watch Ninja Warrior. These people are serious about what they are doing. The Japanese just do so many things better, from anime to this.
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7-03-2008 @ 8:03PM
julie said...
I was on the show... we did have to sign a lot of paperwork, but there was not wording like: ("Player states that if he if is stupid enough to sign up for a dangerous game show and breaks his neck bouncing off a giant ball, ABC is cleared of all responsibility..."),
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9-12-2008 @ 2:23AM
J-man said...
You were on it, -eh? Very cool. I've been through the audition process and I'm at the point where they're sending me off have my physical in a couple weeks. I recall that mountain of paperwork too, and I also DON'T recall anywhere where it said that bit about 'stupid enough to do it'. There was a small clause about how they insure you to a degree, but it's best to also carry your own insurance. That's about it. Aside from that, any advice for a possible future contestant? I just have to pass the physical to make it on the show at this point, is that right? I'm kind of excited, been planning my strategy now for weeks.
7-01-2008 @ 8:29PM
Caitlin said...
OMG i realy loved this show!!! i want to be on it really badly but idk if its that safe. how do i like subscribe to be on the show? email me at akecx3333@aim.com if u have any details. Should I do it?
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7-01-2008 @ 11:30PM
MSTJedi said...
I love MXC, but now that I don't have cable and have yet to get MXC on DVD, this is the next best thing. Yeah, Ninja Warrior is more serious, but I prefer the humorous take of Wipeout, honestly. That and, again, I don't have cable.
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7-02-2008 @ 12:42AM
Gordon Werner said...
watching Jill Wagner crack up when the people fall is the best part ...
wish they could give her a real show though
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7-02-2008 @ 8:27AM
Eric Kutchka said...
I want to find out I can register to be on the show. Please let me know as soon as possible.
Thanks,
Eric Kutchika
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7-15-2008 @ 4:09PM
arthur said...
i want to be on this show i think that this show is great and very funny. if you have any info on how to get on the show please let me know.
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