Human Weapon: New Series on The History Channel

**FunSPE** · 07-21-2007, 15:14

I also thought it was ok as well. I was glad to see them mention ler drit and krabi. I also though their "sparring" at the thai camp was a joke. It was obvious the thais were taking it easy on them. Chambers had much better technique than Duff in my opinion. I really wonder how Duff got the job as a co-host of the show. I also wouldnt call the fight at the end a fight. Once again I thought the thai champ was being super nice. I will still watch the show though. I am quite curious what next week's episode on Eskrima will be like....looks mostly like Doce Pares from the preview.

**Mikey Triangles** · 07-21-2007, 16:11

that sounds awesome. I wish I'd seen it

**Abbax8** · 07-21-2007, 16:31

I'd give the show a "B" as well. But really, what chance would anyone have with a few weeks of training have against a champion in any sport/MA.

I bet we see Chambers doing most of the striking arts and Duff doing the grappling styles.

I'd bet the fights will be "hook" throughout the series.

Peace

Dennis

**Jeff C.** · 07-21-2007, 16:57

I would like to see that big ol'd bubba Duff prancing through a Capoiera routine.

Jeff Cook

**Aaron T Fields** · 07-21-2007, 17:34

Truth is the producers wanted a higher grade of fighter, but somebody somewhere in the show's upper-end-folks wanted these two. Both of whom have "show biz" dreeams. Like I mentioned, the producers I worked with really wanted to do a good job, please the history channel, be accessable to the average viewer, and keep it honest enough that players of the respective sports wouldn't get pissed.

I heard some good stories regarding the judo show...

Aaron Fields

**FunSPE** · 07-21-2007, 18:46

Aaron, I would love to hear more stories from your end....if possible. Also fyi for you, a lot of people on mma.tv really liked it. Guess we are tougher critics

.

**bvermillion** · 07-21-2007, 21:48

Compared to the shows we have been given in the past by the "educational" channels this looks to be a must watch series.

**lightninrod** · 07-21-2007, 23:15

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with the show. It seemed to be much more thoughtful and less superficial than the other MA documentaries I have seen. I appreciate the fact that they covered a few different styles of Muay Thai and that they at least had to do a demo match with the champ. With the champ being a true champion of his sport, I think it was very gracious of him not to just take the guy to the cleaners. He knew what he could get away with without hurting his opponent and thereby demonstrated his level of mastery.
I think that this series will be more interesting than I originally expected and am eagerly anticipating the next episode.

**Koshu** · 07-21-2007, 23:18

Anyone's who's been to Southeast Asia -- the cities let alone the jungles -- knows that these guys didn't get through their host duties in total 5-star style. I liked that the show had gritty local flavor from a variety of places, and so we got to sample a variety of interpretations of the art (Muay Thai in the case of the first episode).

Originally Posted by Aaron T Fields

. . . I heard some good stories regarding the judo show...

Yeah, the promo video on the official website for the judo episode looks promising (as with Muay Thai, it looks like they'll touch on the roots of the art -- koryu bujutsu [I believe they visit a Takenouchi-ryu dojo] in this case).

Aaron --- Any idea how they decided which arts to feature??

**jchargrave** · 07-22-2007, 00:12

I enjoyed the show quite a bit actually. I like the fact that they are putting some kind of perspective on each art and are attempting to teach something about each art. I think it was a B as well, but I will probably DVR all of the shows.

**Prince Loeffler** · 07-22-2007, 02:56

I just saw it tonight. I thought it represented the Muay Thai / Boran and the rest of the martial arts of Thailand and Burma well. Looking forward to their trip to the PI ( Phillipines Island)

**TonyU** · 07-22-2007, 15:37

I thought it sucked. I got to watch it and couldn't finish it. While the MA and fighters showcased were exceptional they made some ignorant and sweeping statements.

**DragonMind** · 07-23-2007, 08:39

I watched it twice, once as a martial artist and once without my "Black Belt Eyes". As a martial artist, I was disappointed that they didn't go into more detail and the sparring sessions with the hosts were clearly to allow them to continue next week. The Thai fighter would have left them both in a hospital intensive care ward...even at half speed I'm guessing.

However, when I watched it as Joe Lunchbucket would, I was pleasantly surprised. They didn't try to sensationalize everything, made a point of just how hard and long these kids train, tried to bring some science into the picture to show how MA is the application of physics and anatomy and not mystical mumbo-jumbo, and tried to make it seem like I could train in this if I wanted. For a mass market piece, that is a pretty impressive accomplishment.

Over the course of this series, if they keep the quality up, this could be a very good thing for MA as a whole. A lot of people went into dojos, dojangs and kwoons during the 70s and 80s wanting to be Bruce Lee in five easy lessons. Most walked back out because their expectations were so unrealistic. This series could help bring people back but with a much more realistic idea of what they are facing. That can only be a good thing IMHO.

**jasonwalker** · 07-23-2007, 10:47

I did not like it.Had a definite hokey feel. Just my opinion. Looks like some of the other episodes may be better

**STORMCROW34** · 07-23-2007, 11:06

The problem with these type of shows is that they are trying to please everyone from varying backgrounds, all at the same time. And I can't imagine that being an easy task. So there is no question that advanced martial artists and Muay Thai practioners may not be satisfied.

But come on now, it's not a training session, it's entertainment. I think they did a pretty good job.

**CEB** · 07-23-2007, 11:21

I liked Bill Duff. Defensive Tackle for the Tennessee Vols. Another good college player that didn't make the transition to the NFL. He was a tough player.

**jasonwalker** · 07-23-2007, 11:41

I agree with you on that Michael, I really liked the way they went deeper into the history of Muay Thai, than what you normally would see on a tv show. I think I would have liked to see the hosts train in the various arts, but not "fight" a champion at the end. The way that Duff guy was talking kind of threw me, but I liked Jason.

**shodog** · 07-23-2007, 11:59

It was certainly better than I expected...having the comparison of The Discovery Channel's XMA (think that was the title) with the pretty boy dancer/gymnast...uh, I mean martial artist.

Looking forward to the other episodes.

**Redcat** · 07-23-2007, 13:46

I thought it was decent, certainly worth watching. I'm fairly new to MA so perhaps I'm slightly less jaded...

But I agree that the end fight wasn't much of a fight. The thai guy could have toasted either one of those dudes, no problem.

**TEA** · 07-24-2007, 09:14

Grrrrr. I forgot to set my Tivo.

Not only that, but all the Barney episodes bounced last Thursday's two UFC Unleashed episodes off the Tivo before I got a chance to watch them. Dang purple dinosaur.