Wipeout

What better way to end a long and hot Tuesday with a cool show? I like how this show has the theme of summer kept in mind to the audience, and the somewhat dry humor to it too. I had been anticipating this show ever since the commercials came out and I was satisfied. The idea of the show is somewhat original, the one-whole-game-per-show keeps the show moving, and at the end of the season, a game with all the winners will probably be played. This show may seem like a waste of time, but it is fun to watch at night before going to bed. Watch this rather than that other game show after it, as that show is absolutely horrible and boring.

Some people will never appreciate the 3 Stooges. I mean, this show is a live action America's Funniest Home Videos, if you honestly compare the themes repeated on that show, the clips that end up in the final 3 videos and I find it a refreshing reality show without the incessant undermining and cutting down fellow contestants that is the formula for current 'reality' shows. It may be due to the writers, but the quips that all 3 hosts add throughout the show are often more fun than the images of bodies tumbling off the big red balls. What I also like is, these people are going for their money and they earn it. Given the world's current obesity epidemic, anything that promotes physical efforts to the limit of one's capabilities is not to be dissed and aside from muddy water, the contestants aren't humiliating themselves by intentionally laying in boxes of scorpions or eating 6" long cockroaches. The people looking down their noses at this show likely enjoy watching the opening weeks of American Idol and feeling superior to those folks.

The American version of the Japanese monster hit "Takeshi's Castle" pits a group of 12 Americans battling it out on a giant (funny) obstacle course where they get hit, splashed, punched, toppled, muddied and a lot more in their quest to win $50,000. Though the pilot had a few bugs (we don't know anything about the contestants and it tends to be one unknown person after the other getting soaked or hit in the groin--granted, that worked for "AFV") it also had some bonuses the Japanese show did not have. Namely, the comedy of former "Talk Soup" host John Henson (ABC is a funnier place with him on the network) and hotty Jill Wagner doing sideline reporting. Jill is not only a BABE, but pretty good at what she does, too.

I'm sure they will make adjustments along the way, but after seeing the first show, there's enough promise to give it a try this summer. Check it out!

This is a game show where contestants compete in a ridiculous obstacle course. John Henson and John Anderson give comedic relief playing commentators of this game. Jill Wagner is the fun on-the-field 'reporter'. She has a fine time. Vanessa Lachey replaced her for a season, and just wasn't as funny as Jill.

While it's funny to see people get smacked in the head, it does get old. The good thing is the contestants are always new. The crazier they are the better the show. And that's the only reason to watch this after a couple of years. It's not that original to see yet another guy take it in the nuts. But make that guy an idiot with a dancing addiction and it becomes hilarious.

I am not one who watches those reality shows. I saw my first episode of Big Brother this last season. This show had me gasping for air laughing.

Those cheesy corn ball sound effects in the previews of the commercials had me grimacing at the thought of watching this show. I could not have been more wrong. The BIG BALLS will have you on the floor. And to watch people spin around really fast and then have to do something that requires major coordination that would be difficult stone cold sober will put more than a smile on your face.

If you want to watch something silly, fast moving and enjoyable give this show a shot. I was calling people I know to get them to watch.

When all is said and done it isn't just a joke it requires some true physical fitness, endurance, coordination and being able to think on your feet... and think after being dumped into a salad spinner.