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Just when you thought nothing original could possibly ever pop up on TV, it does from the most unoriginal network out there. TNN.
You've probably heard about TNN and their battle with Spike Lee over his first name. But that's probably the only reason you've heard of the station. TNN used the be The Nashville Network, but corporate giant Viacom gobbled up the station last year and made it the 'Real TV' rerun network. This week the station officially reinvented itself once again, as the "first network for men," which still shows 'Real TV' 12 hours a days (most of the other 12 hours is paid programming). And, as you no doubt have already heard, could not use the name Spike TV because Mr. Lee wants no association with the network. I can't say that I blame him, I wouldn't want to be associated with that crap... of course I wouldn't want to be associated with his movies either.
But, when the reruns end and before the paid programming comes on there is one show worth looking forward to (actually two once Ren & Stimpy makes it's return with creator Mr. John K. on staff). It's called Most Extreme Elimination Challenge.
It's sets itself up has one of those damn x-game type reality shows that are popping up everywhere these days. But rather than be one of those shows, it dumps on them.
Perhaps when I said, "original," I was wrong, because the show's actually a dubbed game show from Japan during the '80s. The Japanese contestants compete in such games as running into walls that may either be made of nothing more than paper, or possibly a nice hard piece of wood.
But the greatness lies in the commentary. Because the dubbing, rather than a translation of what is actually being said, is a completely new comedic take on the action. The soundtrack in every way parodies that of any stupid reality show you might find on tv.
The announcers are extremely stupid, just as they should be. They got the "Taco Bell" action replay, that often highlights the most mundane things. The teams that compete against each other are often parodies of the theme guests you find on other game shows. In one episode we had Inventors vs. Former Child Actors, something not too far off from something you'd see on some crap like 'Celebrity Mole.'
Unfortunately it may not be long until this show will be killed, by be being overplayed, something the 'New TNN,' as well as the old, seems to enjoy doing. But, for now make sure you catch it when you can. I won't bother listing the times when it's on because it's going to on about 80 million times this next week. So next time you turn to TNN, perhaps it won't be that damn guy breaking his arm while riding the skateboard, and instead it'll be some crazy Japanese guy climbing a wall in a pair of way to revealing Speedos.
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