Spike TV is calling this holiday weekend, "MXC, The Original, Not the Ripoff, Weekend." On July 5th and 6th the network will be paying homage to Spike's original series based on a Japanese game show. Wait, so doesn't that make Spike's show the ripoff of the Japanese show? Maybe not. MXC uses real footage from the reality game show Takeshi's Castle and creates a whole new comedic storyline. Spike TV makes sure to point out that MXC is not dubbed or a literal translation of Takeshi's Castle. The show is written and voiced by the following actors: Victor Wilson, Christopher Ranga, Mary Scheer, and John Cervenka.
Spike also seems a little miffed about other networks ripping off their idea. The press release begins with "they say imitation is the best form of flattery" and also reads "many of the games featured in the Spike series such as Mudslingers or Log Jam can be seen in surprisingly similar forms on other networks." Could they be referring to Wipeout?
MXC will air on Saturday July 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET and on Sunday July 6th from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET. For other holiday weekend programming, check out Bob's post here.
TV Squad previews NBC's new shows (part 1)
TV 101: How ESPN controls the world and what the other networks can learn from it
TV Squad previews CBS's new shows
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-03-2008 @ 10:26PM
Nightfall said...
Isn't Spike's MXC format just editing and dubbed commentary over an old Japanese Game Show?
G4 runs a similar series -- Unbeatable Banzuke, that is not dubbed and uses footage from more current shows.
I'd say Wipeout is more like a comedic take on shows like American Gladiators or Fear Factor.
In conclusion, don't most physical competition game shows end up looking the same? Spike shouldn't be complaining about copycat shows when the creative liberties only apply to the color commentary.
And that's what Grinds My Gears...
Reply
7-03-2008 @ 10:32PM
Edward said...
Good for SpikeTV...defend its turf...
Reply
7-03-2008 @ 10:35PM
MCW said...
Who even knew SpikeTV still existed? Next you'll try and tell me that TNN is still going... If so, I wanna watch TRUCKS! this weekend featuring that guy that laughs at his own jokes all the time.
Reply
7-04-2008 @ 9:04AM
Rocketboy said...
It's defending it's re-dubed, re-written, physical stunt that they didn't even make show from, um, what? Is there any other totally re-dubbed/re-written physical stunt show out there there?
Maybe they're finally realizing that they took the wrong direction with the re-write. As G4 has shown, we WILL watch a foreign show, with the origonal storyline and subtitles even, as long as the show is good. Spike screwed up when they decided that they needed to remake the show.
Reply