Ink Master: Grudge Match

When I saw this was Ink Master Grudge Match I fully expected this to be about tattooists from Ink Master who left early on a bad tattoo who probably left too early. A second chance so to speak. It's not. I try and ignore the faux scripted drama on Ink Master (i actually store it then fast forward over the drama when I watch it). What I didn't expect was this show was based solely on the drama. Two contestants that hate one another go up against each other, why? what's the point? The judges are absolutely hopeless and were questionable contestants in Ink Master, they certainly aren't good judges, they mostly sit and watch and make stupid remarks about the fake drama trying to amp it up. None of the tattooists (I laugh when they get called tattooers, never hard that before..ha ha) aren't very good. No imagination, limited talent and spend most there time complaining to the canvasses. If I was a canvas I would walk out, who wants an angry tattooist inking you? The worst part is the actual tattooing isn't the focus and they spend too little time showing them doing it and far too much time on the dramatics. A wasted opportunity, it's a one, because they won't let me put a negative. Love tattoo shows but will be giving this a miss.

I have watched every season of Ink Master - some decisions (and aggressive artists) made me mad, but overall I enjoyed the art a lot. I also came to like Ryan Ashley (liked Ink Master Angels a lot, too), DJ Tambe and Cleen Rock One pretty much, therefore I enjoyed IM: Grudge Match very much. The premise of the show, however, which is obligatory for the competition and the suspense, I am aware of that, which lives from people fighting (having been hurt before and now struggling to best another artist who pretty much feels the same) is not that much enjoyable, even if I am not concerned, seeing people fight or slip/embarass themselves/fall etc. (in other words all reasons for Schadenfreude (or even hate) ) are no entertainment for me. Therefore one star less.

I've watched every season of Ink Master. I know it's a scripted reality show, I know the drama is manufactured, I know the flash challenges can be ridiculous, I know the choices are arbitrary, I know good artists are kicked off for the benefit of dramatic artists, I know the "human canvas" jury doesn't matter, I know the judge's decisions aren't always based on art, but I was entertained by the art. Honestly, I preferred Best Ink with Joe Capobianco, even if it was derivative, if only because it shows what a reality competition could be like without the bs manufactured drama. This show is too much.

I record then fast forward to the actual tattoos. Love the art and creativity. Judging (?) is irrelevant. Get rid of Ryan Ashley. Write up says she is an actress !!!!!

The camera spends a lot of time on the best two things that Ryan Ashley brings to the show. Her remarks are pointless. Clean Rock One is even worse, as he always sounds like he just woke up from a coma, and says the same things about every tattoo. DJ Tambe looks like a clown with his giant granny glasses.

It is hard to take any of them seriously, especially since there is very little they can say that is original about the ridiculous grudge matches. The idea that all these tattoo artists hate each other every week is dumb. The show would be a lot better if they just made it about the art, and stopped taking the low road.

Sadly, there is very little time spent on the actual tattoo art. That is what should be the focus of the show. Even when the artists are tattooing, the camera is on them talking trash to each other. The art gets a few seconds here and there. Once it is finished, they only show a photo of the tattoos. It would be better if the models were there at the judging, and showed their tattoo in person. Some of the points should be on how well it has healed, or how badly it looks a day later.

This could be a good show about tattoo, but instead it is badly acted fake clown drama.