The Contender is really good - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

spongy · 03-14-2005, 02:36 AM

I can't believe there isn't a thread for this show already.

It's a good show.. they have 16 middleweights in LA separated into east and west teams, they have a challenge in which the winning team picks who they fight from the other team.

All 3 fights so far have been good.

Oooh, also Sly Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard are the co-hosts/mentors.

Porkchop · 03-18-2005, 01:29 AM

Over here in blighty we have just screened the first episode. Imo it does look a decent programme. As a fan of boxing will stick with it but cant see top ratings right the way through. Not sure bout the first 3 fights. Although fight 1 was entertaining enough. Roll on next episode.

Locke7 · 03-18-2005, 07:40 AM

I was going to post a topic about this. When I saw the preview I thought no way, but after watching the first episode, I was hooked. I have it on season pass on my Tivo now. Don't want to miss an episode.

I really like the format. Win a challenge and your team gets to pick the fighter. Then that person gets to pick their opponent.

sgn43 · 03-18-2005, 03:10 PM

The show is better than I expected it to be, but I'm not completely sold on it. It's really overdone in its drama (which is no surprise for reality tv), and as much as I love Sly Stallone, I think it's ridiculous that they're referring to him as a boxing icon. He's an actor who had an extremely famous role as a boxer, not an actual boxer.

With that said, I'm not a fan of boxing but this show is definitely entertaining enough to follow from week to week. I doubt I'll religiously tune in to it, but I'll definitely check it out when I can. I won't be surprised if it ends up being a huge hit (not that it isn't already).

Lastly, I can't stand that Ishe guy.

spongy · 03-18-2005, 03:21 PM

I wonder why someone leaves this week. Hmmm, should be interesting.. I bet I know who they vote back.. my guess is Manfredo.

dirtyrascal7 · 03-18-2005, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgn43

The show is better than I expected it to be, but I'm not completely sold on it. It's really overdone in its drama (which is no surprise for reality tv), and as much as I love Sly Stallone, I think it's ridiculous that they're referring to him as a boxing icon. He's an actor who had an extremely famous role as a boxer, not an actual boxer.

i agree completely. i love how they are eliminated... it is completely up to yourself to stay in the game, rather than other people voting you out or someone subjectively judging whether you should stay or not. however, i couldn't get over how dramatized the entire show is... nearly the full hour had some type of music in the background to play up the drama and the fights were way overdone with editing... slow motion, freeze frame, reactions from sly and sugar ray... come on, get real.

Anomaly_ · 03-18-2005, 05:05 PM

I think the show is way too much fluff and not enough boxing. The actual fights, which are supposed to be the highlight of the show, are edited to death. Can someone tell Mark Burnett that we don't want to see Sly and Sugar Ray looking at each other like school girls after each ridiculous slow-motion punch? "The Ultimate Fighter", while not a great show itself, got it right by showing fights in their entirety and allowing the viewer to judge for himself. Also, working the I-need-to-feed-my-family angle over and over again is just overly dramatic. They already have enough real tragedy with Najai killing himself.

sgn43 · 03-21-2005, 02:03 AM

Absolutely agree...I mean, I understand that all these guys want to provide better lives for their loved ones, but do I REALLY have to hear another guy mention how this is what he needs to do to feed his family, or to get them out of poverty or pay back his mother for raising him or blah blah blah. Come on, just show the fight and quit overdramatizing punches with the lame slow-mo. And is it just me, or are the two other head figures on the show absolutely useless? The woman is hardly even around, and I can't even figure out exactly what her role or point is on the show. And, that trainer is just a useless old man that fills the image of Mickey from the Rocky films. His big contribution on today's episode? Giving play-by-play on Sugar Ray's counting of votes on which fighter to bring back.

"That's 1 and 0. That's 2 and 0. Make it 2 and 1. And that's even at 2. Now it's 3 to 2. 4 to 2. Oh, now it's 5 and 2...."

Wow. That was just mind-numbing. I almost want to start my own reality show starring that guy where I go about my boring daily life while he follows me around and does a half-assed commentary, all while contrived, overdramatic music is blared to make viewers feel a false sense of inspiration.

"Aaaaand he's slowly waking up. Slapping the alarm clock's snooze button. That'll be another seven minutes of sleep. Aaaaand silence...........aaaand the alarm is being shut off again. Now he's slowly sitting up and complaining about school. Will it be pop tarts or eggo waffles today? And he's now forcefully removing me from his room. Aaaaaand..."

Mom was right. TV is bad for you.

Locke7 · 03-22-2005, 07:02 AM

I was sad to hear the news of the death of Najai Turpin. I'm a fan of the show, and that came as a shock to me. I feel bad for the daughter that is going to grow up without a daddy now. Suicide sucks.

spongy · 03-30-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgn43

as much as I love Sly Stallone, I think it's ridiculous that they're referring to him as a boxing icon. He's an actor who had an extremely famous role as a boxer, not an actual boxer.

Here's where I disagree with you, yes Sly is most famous for playing a boxer, but that role was an insipration to many people, in much the same way that Star Trek inspired people to become astronauts or scientists, Rocky inspired people to become boxers, thus it proves the Iconic status of Stallone, as least to me.

Locke7 · 05-23-2005, 08:04 AM

Well there must not be a lot of people watching this, but I have enjoyed it. The finale is tomorrow night and the matchup is quite good.

I was really surprised that Sergio beat Jesse. I really thought Jesse's power would take out Sergio's speed. But he really is suprisingly fast.

I think Peter will win it though. He's a good boxer. His loss early was probably exactly what his career needed.

gorilla · 05-23-2005, 07:57 PM

I love Manfredo. With the motivation that loss gave him, I dont think Sergio has a chance. But, then again, I thought Jesse would rock Sergio too. I hope Manfredo wins, and I hope I win my $10 bet with my buddy.

sgn43 · 05-24-2005, 10:20 PM

Anyone watch the finale tonight? It was much better than I expected (though I missed most of the title bout because I was watching House). I only wish that they did the show this way the entire season where it looked like a real boxing match and not that overdramatized nonsense with the slow motion shots and the soundtrack that made you think you were watching some epic war movie.

highthief · 05-25-2005, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgn43

Anyone watch the finale tonight? It was much better than I expected (though I missed most of the title bout because I was watching House). I only wish that they did the show this way the entire season where it looked like a real boxing match and not that overdramatized nonsense with the slow motion shots and the soundtrack that made you think you were watching some epic war movie.

Manfredo just couldn't figure Sergio out. Sergio's style with punches coming in from all angles obviously had Manfredo flumoxed. I had it 5 rounds to 2 for Sergio.

I too really enjoyed this series and I hope they do another with maybe light-heavys or welterweights (2 divisions that are normally very competitive).

THGL · 05-25-2005, 06:20 AM

An amazing show throughout the entire season. I was hoping that Manfredo would win it, but like was said, Sergio kept changing his style and Manfredo couldn't keep up.
I think Gomez is the one to keep your eye on though. That little dude has a real good chance of making something of himself, if he sticks with it and if he doesn't get too cocky (his show-boating at the end almost cost him the fight but Jesse just didn't land the shots).

Spiker · 05-25-2005, 11:33 AM

Too bad Manfredo was unable to pull it off. I sensed a KO for a while, Sergio was landeing some heavy uppercuts. A well fought bout by both. I just have no use for Sergio's arrogance and cockiness. Trash talking Mafredo Sr. showed a lack of class. His post fight comments were too little too late.

Looking forward to a second season.

spongy · 05-25-2005, 05:31 PM

I too hope that the shows gets a second chance... although I hear it isn't on the fall schedule, I hope it gets an Amazing Race like reprieve.

I wanted alfonso to win, and if the semi final fight with Peter were a 5 rounder, I think he woulda won.

Sergio looked so good during the fight, although ther was a lot of leaning and clenching.. I had to explain to my wife why they clinch like that.

Besides being a good show and entertaining to watch the two big surprises for me were that my wife is now a boxing fan (hated it before this show), and my 2 year old throwing puches and grunting through his nose while watching the fighters do the same... comedy gold and cute as hell.

03-14-2005, 02:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
spongy Psycho	The Contender is really good I can't believe there isn't a thread for this show already. It's a good show.. they have 16 middleweights in LA separated into east and west teams, they have a challenge in which the winning team picks who they fight from the other team. All 3 fights so far have been good. Oooh, also Sly Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard are the co-hosts/mentors. __________________ The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. Stephen King

03-18-2005, 01:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Porkchop Psycho Location: Good ol Blighty	Over here in blighty we have just screened the first episode. Imo it does look a decent programme. As a fan of boxing will stick with it but cant see top ratings right the way through. Not sure bout the first 3 fights. Although fight 1 was entertaining enough. Roll on next episode. __________________ Be cool btch now btch be cool Sport 1976 Taxi Driver.

03-18-2005, 03:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
sgn43 Insane Location: Los Angeles	The show is better than I expected it to be, but I'm not completely sold on it. It's really overdone in its drama (which is no surprise for reality tv), and as much as I love Sly Stallone, I think it's ridiculous that they're referring to him as a boxing icon. He's an actor who had an extremely famous role as a boxer, not an actual boxer. With that said, I'm not a fan of boxing but this show is definitely entertaining enough to follow from week to week. I doubt I'll religiously tune in to it, but I'll definitely check it out when I can. I won't be surprised if it ends up being a huge hit (not that it isn't already). Lastly, I can't stand that Ishe guy. __________________ To be great is to be misunderstood. -Emerson

03-18-2005, 03:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
spongy Psycho	I wonder why someone leaves this week. Hmmm, should be interesting.. I bet I know who they vote back.. my guess is Manfredo. __________________ The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. Stephen King

03-21-2005, 02:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
sgn43 Insane Location: Los Angeles	Absolutely agree...I mean, I understand that all these guys want to provide better lives for their loved ones, but do I REALLY have to hear another guy mention how this is what he needs to do to feed his family, or to get them out of poverty or pay back his mother for raising him or blah blah blah. Come on, just show the fight and quit overdramatizing punches with the lame slow-mo. And is it just me, or are the two other head figures on the show absolutely useless? The woman is hardly even around, and I can't even figure out exactly what her role or point is on the show. And, that trainer is just a useless old man that fills the image of Mickey from the Rocky films. His big contribution on today's episode? Giving play-by-play on Sugar Ray's counting of votes on which fighter to bring back. "That's 1 and 0. That's 2 and 0. Make it 2 and 1. And that's even at 2. Now it's 3 to 2. 4 to 2. Oh, now it's 5 and 2...." Wow. That was just mind-numbing. I almost want to start my own reality show starring that guy where I go about my boring daily life while he follows me around and does a half-assed commentary, all while contrived, overdramatic music is blared to make viewers feel a false sense of inspiration. "Aaaaand he's slowly waking up. Slapping the alarm clock's snooze button. That'll be another seven minutes of sleep. Aaaaand silence...........aaaand the alarm is being shut off again. Now he's slowly sitting up and complaining about school. Will it be pop tarts or eggo waffles today? And he's now forcefully removing me from his room. Aaaaaand..." Mom was right. TV is bad for you. __________________ To be great is to be misunderstood. -Emerson

03-18-2005, 07:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Locke7 Insane	I was going to post a topic about this. When I saw the preview I thought no way, but after watching the first episode, I was hooked. I have it on season pass on my Tivo now. Don't want to miss an episode. I really like the format. Win a challenge and your team gets to pick the fighter. Then that person gets to pick their opponent.

03-18-2005, 05:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
Anomaly_ Insane	I think the show is way too much fluff and not enough boxing. The actual fights, which are supposed to be the highlight of the show, are edited to death. Can someone tell Mark Burnett that we don't want to see Sly and Sugar Ray looking at each other like school girls after each ridiculous slow-motion punch? "The Ultimate Fighter", while not a great show itself, got it right by showing fights in their entirety and allowing the viewer to judge for himself. Also, working the I-need-to-feed-my-family angle over and over again is just overly dramatic. They already have enough real tragedy with Najai killing himself.

03-22-2005, 07:02 AM	#9 (permalink)
Locke7 Insane	I was sad to hear the news of the death of Najai Turpin. I'm a fan of the show, and that came as a shock to me. I feel bad for the daughter that is going to grow up without a daddy now. Suicide sucks.

05-23-2005, 08:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
Locke7 Insane	Well there must not be a lot of people watching this, but I have enjoyed it. The finale is tomorrow night and the matchup is quite good. I was really surprised that Sergio beat Jesse. I really thought Jesse's power would take out Sergio's speed. But he really is suprisingly fast. I think Peter will win it though. He's a good boxer. His loss early was probably exactly what his career needed.

05-23-2005, 07:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
gorilla Insane Location: USA	I love Manfredo. With the motivation that loss gave him, I dont think Sergio has a chance. But, then again, I thought Jesse would rock Sergio too. I hope Manfredo wins, and I hope I win my $10 bet with my buddy. __________________ I'll bet you $5 that you read the previous word...

05-24-2005, 10:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
sgn43 Insane Location: Los Angeles	Anyone watch the finale tonight? It was much better than I expected (though I missed most of the title bout because I was watching House). I only wish that they did the show this way the entire season where it looked like a real boxing match and not that overdramatized nonsense with the slow motion shots and the soundtrack that made you think you were watching some epic war movie. __________________ To be great is to be misunderstood. -Emerson

05-25-2005, 06:20 AM	#15 (permalink)
THGL Psycho Location: Louisville, KY	An amazing show throughout the entire season. I was hoping that Manfredo would win it, but like was said, Sergio kept changing his style and Manfredo couldn't keep up. I think Gomez is the one to keep your eye on though. That little dude has a real good chance of making something of himself, if he sticks with it and if he doesn't get too cocky (his show-boating at the end almost cost him the fight but Jesse just didn't land the shots). __________________ "The truth is merely an excuse for lack of imagination." - Garak

05-25-2005, 11:33 AM	#16 (permalink)
Spiker Upright	Too bad Manfredo was unable to pull it off. I sensed a KO for a while, Sergio was landeing some heavy uppercuts. A well fought bout by both. I just have no use for Sergio's arrogance and cockiness. Trash talking Mafredo Sr. showed a lack of class. His post fight comments were too little too late. Looking forward to a second season.

05-25-2005, 05:31 PM	#17 (permalink)
spongy Psycho	I too hope that the shows gets a second chance... although I hear it isn't on the fall schedule, I hope it gets an Amazing Race like reprieve. I wanted alfonso to win, and if the semi final fight with Peter were a 5 rounder, I think he woulda won. Sergio looked so good during the fight, although ther was a lot of leaning and clenching.. I had to explain to my wife why they clinch like that. Besides being a good show and entertaining to watch the two big surprises for me were that my wife is now a boxing fan (hated it before this show), and my 2 year old throwing puches and grunting through his nose while watching the fighters do the same... comedy gold and cute as hell. __________________ The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. Stephen King