1181 replies to this topic

[mlooney]

Top Shot.
History channel, Sunday 10/9c.

From what I've seen on the web, it seems to be "Top Chief" with guns, knives, throwing axes, long bows and more guns. Right down to the prize money and the line "And the title of Top Chief|Shot.

Plus targets that explode. Splody is good.

First show Sunday, June 6 2010

Here is an 11 minute long preview of the show.

Edited by mlooney, Jun 5, 2010 @ 9:44 AM.

[scootypuffjr]

I am really looking forward to this. I was mesmerized and so impressed by the "Sharpshooters" specials on THC - I'm not usually into firearms and such (though my husband is) but you shoot four aspirins out of the clear blue sky (or pull off some equally impossible-seeming feats with your gun or bow and arrow or whatever) and you have my respect. I imagine this to be something along those lines and can't wait to see what these people can do.

[mlooney]

Ok, I like the format, that of a team challenge, followed by the brutal selection of the two for the elimination challenge. There is no secret votes on this show, it's stand up and take a shot at the name you want to go home.

I didn't know it at the time, but Mike Seeklander, the Red Team "leader" and the one that "Took his last shot" was a local boy. (Tulsa) I checked out his web page and he's a pistol person, mainly. His USMC time was as a "staff weenie" (intelligence specialist) and I assume his time as a "primary marksmanship instructor" was on pistols.

He lost in a long range shooting match against Kelly. Long range rifle shooting is Kelly's strongest discipline, while we saw that it wasn't Mike best. An '03 Springfield can be a little tricky, but damn, it's a very accurate gun. It's point blank range is 500 yards, which means that you really don't have to apply any elevation adjustments under that range. Firing 30 plus rounds at a target 100 yards away and missing means that you really aren't a long arm sort of guy.

All in all, a fun show, with lot's of splody targets. Splody is good.

[ayako38]

I'm not one that is into guns but I watched the show and thought it was okay. The middle seemed to drag on a little bit between the end of the immunity challenge, to the discussion of picking the two, to the picking the final two, to the end. I guess the shooting part can go so fast that you need a lot of filler.

I didn't have a problem with Kelly doing the smiley face as much as the others. I would just say to the others who were offended if they were offended at the thought of a smiley face or the fact that when they were Kelly's age, that there is no way that they would have made it into a reality competition like this.

And I really had to laugh at Colby's script. I swear to God that it sounded like they took the script of Top Chef and just substituted Shot.

Not sure that I will DVR this but it isn't a bad show.

[Souris]

I've never fired a gun in my life and am pretty sure I don't want to, but I'm somewhat fascinated by marksmanship. I just think it's darn impressive. I didn't know Colby was the host, so that was a bit of a fun surprise. Show's a bit self-serious, but I'll probably keep watching, if for nothing else than the impressive skills. I hope the next team competition is more of a, well, competition.

[Quilt Fairy]

And I really had to laugh at Colby's script. I swear to God that it sounded like they took the script of Top Chef and just substituted Shot

I thought he was channeling Jeff Probst most of the time, especially when he was sacastically commenting on Mike's continual misses in the team round. Also 'Shooters ready?' sounds a whole lot like 'Survivors ready?'

I enjoyed the show and will continue to watch. It was interesting that they intentionally used rifles that the shooters would probably not be familiar with. Also, they actually give them practice time, which I appreciate.

[DolfinWings]

I thought he was channeling Jeff Probst most of the time, especially when he was sacastically commenting on Mike's continual misses in the team round.

Seriously. I thought it was laughable Colby's impression of Peachy. I didn't really take Colby seriously as a host. He couldn't even bring his own personality to the table.

I wish they would have told us what the contestants specialties are. It just would have added a little bit of a more intriguing story line wondering how a pistol shooter, handles a long range rifle. The history channel website is of no help either, because I know nothing about guns, and I don't care enough about this show to research all the gun jargon.

As far as the competition goes, I find it a little intriguing that they have a social component to who get's voted off the island. [coughs, I mean the shooting range] The format reminds me of those road rules, real world challenge. Team challenge, then losing team votes off two people to go head to head. It opens up a lot of social intrigue. Which I'm a bit ambivalent about. I'm not sure I want to watch a bunch of 40 year olds acting like high schoolers.

He lost in a long range shooting match against Kelly. Long range rifle shooting is Kelly's strongest discipline, while we saw that it wasn't Mike best.

If that's the case, Mike is either an idiot or he doesn't want to be there. He's playing for an individual prize of 100k. His priority should have been to keep himself into the game. Not trying to prove himself against the best.

Maybe he was hoping Kelly's youth would cause the kid to choke?

[ObstinantGirl]

I thought it was laughable Colby's impression of Peachy. I didn't really take Colby seriously as a host. He couldn't even bring his own personality to the table.

I love Colby, can't help myself, I always have!
But, I'm not sure how much of a personality he has - other than simply being a nice guy who's great to look at.
Also, I know that he and Jeff Probst used to be good friends outside of Survivor, I wonder if they still are?
I fell asleep & missed a chunk of this show last night - so I'll have to rewatch OnDemand - but what I saw I liked.

[MeeMaw]

I thought he was channeling Jeff Probst most of the time, especially when he was sacastically commenting on Mike's continual misses in the team round. Also 'Shooters ready?' sounds a whole lot like 'Survivors ready?'

Colby interviewed that he was trying to not "rip off" Jeff Probst, but that the similarities between this show and Survivor made it hard not to use the same expressions that Probst regularly uses.

Interview with Colby Donaldson

My husband and I actually enjoyed this first episode. I'm interested to see if young Kelly is as proficient with other weapons as he is with rifles. And it was very obvious that some of the production team from earlier Survivors was in charge here.

[Quilt Fairy]

The History Channel actually spoiled the ending. Right before the elimination shoot, they aired a preview for next week that showed Kelly.

There was another show that did this so often (I can't remember the show or if it was on History) that I had to remind myself to turn away from the TV during the last set of commercials.

[NoFNclue]

Definitely feeling like, "Survivor with Guns", especially with Donaldson in charge. That said, I like Survivor, and I like marksmenship, so I'm sure I'll be watching this. I was glad to see Mike go, seems like a douche, as does that other guy who wanted to keep him and nominate himself, Brad, ugh, go home now then. But seriously Mike, WTF? you can't even get your team through the FIRST station of the FIRST challenge??? Time to go!!!

[eliza422]

I was happy that Kelley won the elimination challenge! I wonder how this team concept is going to work if they get lopsided teams. Will there be a merge?

[mlooney]

And I really had to laugh at Colby's script. I swear to God that it sounded like they took the script of Top Chef and just substituted Shot.

Yeah, I thought that also. It's more than just Colby's script, the intro music and how they showed the shooters coming in had a very Top Chefy feel. As far as how it compares to Survior, I don't know, I don't watch it. I do watch Top Chef, and Project Runway. They have to find some way to get Tim Gunn on the show. I mean, come on, his name is Gunn....

If that's the case, Mike is either an idiot or he doesn't want to be there. He's playing for an individual prize of 100k. His priority should have been to keep himself into the game. Not trying to prove himself against the best.

Maybe he was hoping Kelly's youth would cause the kid to choke?

Based off my reading of Mike's web site, he thinks he's that good. I'm not so sure. That was damn poor shooting with the '03 Springfield. It's been 20 years since I've fired a high powered rifle, but I'm willing to bet, that given a spotter, I could hit a 10 inch target at 100 yards in less than 30 rounds with an '03.

Next week's would have been better for him, because it is pistol based, and appears to be "Practical Shooting" which is what he does here in Tulsa, in the main.

I was happy that Kelley won the elimination challenge!

He didn't just win, he stomped him. It would have been worse if he didn't have to wait for the smoke to clear to take his 200 yard shot. The speed that he acquired and fired on the 400 and 600 yards shots was rather impressive. He got the 400 yard target before his spotter had it in his scope, and damn near got the 600 that way.

Edited by mlooney, Jun 7, 2010 @ 7:03 PM.

[addicted_aardvark]

Another non-shooter/gun person who watched the first episode out of curiosity and became fascinated enough that I'll try it out again the next few weeks at least. It will be interesting to see how/if Colby evolves as host, hopefully enough individuality that I too don't feel like I'm watching Peachy #2.

I wonder whether subsequent episodes will always stage the team competition in the same manner, with the obstacle course/mini physical challenge before the sharpshooting? It seemed designed to introduce a bit of exertion as another factor the shooters had to overcome.

I was familiar with the names of most of the weapons from a historical perspective, but would have liked a bit more time spent on the guns themselves - maybe even comparative visuals - which could have been taken away from some of the less meaningful team interactions. And subsequent episodes won't need the time for introductions and setup, which could be devoted to the details. (Yeah, I know, probably boring old hat to the knowledgeable and boring to most non-specialist viewers too.)

An interesting first venture by History Channel into competitive reality. Hope it works out.

[avast wasteland]

All shooting sports are not alike. Mike was unlucky, that the first course/game was the opposite of his specialty. His is "practical pistol" which is higher speed, closer range, larger targets. So he was a sprinter trying to run a marathon. Since the next episode is all Beretta 92, Mike would have had the advantage, and Kelly will be the 10K runner trying to win the 100 yard dash.
I agree, mlooney, the Springfield '03 is the most accurate General Issue rifle the US Army has ever had. A dinner plate at 400 yards is a fair test.

[hjmugillecuty]

I noticed that the Blue team shooters stood up when shooting with the Springfield and balanced on the top of the bags, while the Red team shot from the lower hole in the bunker. Would that have made any difference?

[Quilt Fairy]

Although Mike admitted he did a poor job, he was also quick to blame others. In the team challenge, his spotter was bad. In the elimination challenge, he hadn't practiced at those yardages, etc. He never once said rifles were not his specialty.

[mlooney]

He never once said rifles were not his specialty.

He sort of did when he talked about "his skill sets" in his leaving the range speech.

I noticed that the Blue team shooters stood up when shooting with the Springfield and balanced on the top of the bags, while the Red team shot from the lower hole in the bunker. Would that have made any difference?

Depends on the shooter. Some are more comfortable with a standing stance, other like to kneel. I prefer the prone position, but given the choice between stand or kneel (both with support), I'd go with stand, but I've got bad knees. Given that both stances had supports it's not that big of a deal.

Edited by mlooney, Jun 8, 2010 @ 7:34 PM.

[Mooncake76]

All shooting sports are not alike. Mike was unlucky, that the first course/game was the opposite of his specialty. His is "practical pistol" which is higher speed, closer range, larger targets. So he was a sprinter trying to run a marathon. Since the next episode is all Beretta 92, Mike would have had the advantage, and Kelly will be the 10K runner trying to win the 100 yard dash.

This is Top Shot, where they have to (from what I understand) use weapons from different historical periods. Sure, Mike was unlucky that the first challenge involved something that wasn't his specialty but overtime, everyone has to use something outside of their comfort zone. Mike wanted to go against the "best" with long shot, and was unsurprisingly defeated by Kelly. I admire him for wanting to pit himself against the best, but in terms of winning a reality show, he sucked, not just in marksmanship but in decision making, and therefore does not deserve to continue, let alone win.

Edited by Mooncake76, Jun 9, 2010 @ 2:53 AM.

[Aarond23]

This seems to be an ok show, but how are they going to manufacture any kind of drama from these guys? They all seem pretty darn boring.

I'll watch agains just for the competition of it.

[Krilia]

It seemed interesting, though I admit as a non-shooting enthusiast, it might get old. Even it does, though, I actually hope they don't come up with any BS "drama" for them. Figure out how to keep the actual competition interesting.

[Constantinople]

Mike wanted to go against the "best" with long shot, and was unsurprisingly defeated by Kelly. I admire him for wanting to pit himself against the best, but in terms of winning a reality show, he sucked, not just in marksmanship but in decision making, and therefore does not deserve to continue, let alone win.

Very Colbyesque.

Speaking of, I was disappointed that Colby didn't yell out "Blue Team wins Immunity!" while raising his arms to signal a touchdown.

[avast wasteland]

FYI here is the casting call for the show.
"can adapt to new weapons and demanding physical situations" So, it looks like some kind of obstacle course will be part of each week's course.

I am surprised that only one female made the "cast". I know several ladies who shoot this well, and are more interesting than some of these guys. But. it's the only game in town, so I'll keep watching.

[mlooney]

OK, this weeks team challenge was more or less "normal" practical pistol stuff. I was hoping they would do the bowling pin thing, but the tubes was cool enough.

But the elimination challenge? Both awesome and silly at the same time. Too bad neither of them hit the 'spoldy target because splody is always good.

I'm not to happy about Frank going home, because I'm with him, I was tired of Brad's constant bitching about the choice of pistols. While I don't like Beretta 92F's, I don't like Glocks either. IMAO they should have used a M1911A1 and seperated the adults from the kids.

Edited by mlooney, Jun 13, 2010 @ 10:13 PM.

[DolfinWings]

splody is always good.

Yeah! The best part of the show are those awesome close up shots of things exploding, and reversing. That stuff looks great in HD.

I liked the twist that the other team gets to pick who sits out. I guess that means no one is going to be bragging about how well they did at practice anymore.

[Krilia]

The opposing team picking who sits out also seems designed to keep the teams relatively even. I mean, the expected outcome would be for the team that isn't sitting out their best person at (blah) to win the challenge. Even if that wasn't the case here.

I'm waiting for the archery reveal to blow people's minds next week. And, of course, we already see more whining from Brad. Did he really expect this to just be a televised version of a normal shooting competition or something?

[mlooney]

I'm waiting for the archery reveal to blow people's minds next week. And, of course, we already see more whining from Brad. Did he really expect this to just be a televised version of a normal shooting competition or something?

I'm glad they are using real English longbows, not a modern bow. It would be really cool if some one quoted Henry V at some point in the show. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers

Alas, I suspect we will be getting Robin Hood, if any thing.

As far as Brad, yeah I'm starting to get the feeling that he's never seen a reality show and just sorted expected that this was going to be 30 days of blasting at targets.

[DolfinWings]

As far as Brad, yeah I'm starting to get the feeling that he's never seen a reality show and just sorted expected that this was going to be 30 days of blasting at targets.

I don't think that excuses him for bitching like a little baby the entire time.

I don't blame for Peter for not liking the guy. I'm tired of his whining, and I don't have to live with the guy. At least when Mike was ousted, he made no excuses, took his lumps graciously, and like a man.

I find it highly amusing, that the shooters decided to make their own shirt graveyard. I bet production is banging their heads over that ghetto sign, they made for it.

Edited by DolfinWings, Jun 14, 2010 @ 9:24 PM.

[Split Ends]

Okay, can someone explain to me how you can be in the U.S. Army and be a former Marine, as in Andre Robinson's tag line? It's not that I don't believe him, I just didn't think it worked that way and now am very curious.

I'm glad they are using real English longbows, not a modern bow.

Agreed.

[Maverick]

Is Jeff Probst collecting royalties from Colby?