What Makes This Show Different?
Do you remember when FOX jumped the gun with their shoddy version of this show, "The Next Great Champ?" Well, it was so fragmented and uninteresting that it got relegated to the FOX Sports channel for the final episodes and was never heard from again. It was tacky and one-dimensional.
"The Contender" on the other hand, gives you the entire package. You get to know the fighters and their families as well as their goals. In other words, it's a great production, no stinting on anything but the "contenders" family homes. Some of those places are real hovels, but what the hell. The location of the gym is somewhere between East L.A. and Pasadena. It's not your high-end neighborhood. Why couldn't they rent a "Bachelor style" mansion? At least the wives, kids, girlfriends are all nearby to lend support and love and that seems to be the main focus here. That's what keeps the guys going.
The weird thing is, I hate boxing. I think that any activity that involves people knocking each other senseless until they get brain damage cannot even be considered a sport. Having said that, I am really into this show. It has heart. Are other viewers going to be taken with it as much as I am? I really hope that it starts building up its viewership.
The fighters' personalities come through loud and clear and it's apparent early on how these guys come across. Many are very likeable, whereas there are a few that are really detestable and that's what makes this so interesting.
No one was more pleased than I was, when Ahmed, the gloating, "baiting" big mouth got his ass handed to him by Ishe Smith despite saying his mantra, "Allah is great." I wasn't sure about Ishe. He seemed to be afraid in the beginning and even freaked his wife out, but he stepped up to the plate (I hate that freakin' saying) and took care of Mr. Pretty Boy (not really!) from Denmark-huh?
And the first episode was great when Alfonso Gomez with his supportive family cheering him on, took care of the supposedly better fighter, Peter Manfredo. Alfonso had guts and showed what he had by picking Peter as his opponent and winning the 5-rounder.
Too bad Jesse won over Jonathan who I considered to be less of a braggart and a decent guy. He was the oldest contender and after this experience wasn't sure if he can continue to follow his dream.
That's what I mean about this show. There is always someone to root for.
Let's face it; they all have wonderful reasons for making their families' lives better. All the "sacrifice" and everything that goes along with it. Not wanting their moms to work anymore or being able to make life sweet for the wife and kids. Great. So what? I don't look at it that way. I make myself remember that this is a "reality" or as Mark, Burnett calls it, an "unscripted," show. There is a million dollar purse which will be earned during a live match at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace by the ultimate winner. But there is something even better. Your own face time on TV, especially when you're beating the other guy. Even if you don't make it to the end, you will still have earned your 15 minutes of fame. That's what it's all about these days.
The teams are divided into two-East and West and so far Team West has persevered by winning challenges and bouts. The tasks are very grueling which have to be won prior to the fights. Typically, they consist of running uphill in 100 degree weather while dragging chained logs, or something like that. As a woman, I don't have a place in my brain for that type of thing.
The "Real" Stars
Sly Stallone? This guy was merely a fictitious fighter in a couple of "Rocky" films. Hilary Swank did as much work as he did in "Million Dollar Baby" but he's suddenly an expert. Sugar Ray Leonard, okay. He definitely has a right to comment. Look at the way that nasty punk Ahmed disrespected the three times World Champ! That was despicable and great at the same time, because now we all wanted him out except for his shallow girlfriend with the perfect name that a superficial girlfriend should have, Brandy. Just wait until they marry and we'll see who's boss. Allah and Ahmed will be ruling the roost.
There's Tommy the trainer who reminds me of George on "The Apprentice," he's hard-boiled but he's seemingly got a soft heart. Last but not least, the "true visionary," Mark Burnett. Come on already! Enough with that crap. His Holiness, Mr. Burnett, has got a staff of underlings or "Lower Visionaries" like Jeffrey Katzenberg and the DreamWorks machine that help him out with ideas and the tools to carry them out.
The Major Problems Are Already Beginning
The show has aired on three different days, finally settling on Sunday night. This is not a good night for any television show other than a family-oriented one or "Desperate Housewives."
We are already past the third episode and I am taking bets right now that not many people have seen them all.
This is really too bad, because it is a quality show. However, does a family want to sit around the TV on Sunday night after dinner with their kids and watch grown men beat the crap out of each other?
The show is good in and of itself and comes on the heels of Oscar winner "Million Dollar Baby," but does that give it enough power to make it in the ratings game?
There have been so many delays and it is finally airing after many months of promises. There is not a huge audience of televiewers despite the fact that the arena is star-studded for each fight: we see James Caan, Mel (Yuck) Gibson, Mr. T, and a lot of other people that have rubbed elbows with Sly, accidentally or on purpose.
Bottom Line
This is a good show and it will capture your imaginations, if you let it. Give it a chance and watch it on Sunday nights (so far) on NBC at 8 PM (ET). You will enjoy it. I heartily recommend it.
Alisa loves the Ocean, granola and winemaking. When not busy with that, writing is her biggest thrill, well almost. She can be reached at california_girl100@yahoo.com
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