Top Shot on the History Channel

[wyntrout]

Well, Top Shot is off and running and the first two eliminations are done... kind of predictable.

I don't know how they pick these "TOP Sharpshooters in the country", but I could do better... of course, all of these and past contestants said the same thing.

I just love when they interview these people... like the "Bada$$ woman", or girl... whatever... "Bada$$" was her word... and then she couldn't shoot her way out of a paperbag, and was the first to go!

The ex-SEAL/football coach appointed himself leader and is trying to run everything. I hope they boot him soon. HE should have been in the elimination, not the young guy who HADN'T MISSED any shots this week. This over-the-hill ex-SEAL said the female would be a liability, as well as the young guy, who would kick his a$$ in shooting and running, I'm sure.

The guns and competitions are good and entertaining... also all of the bluster and bravado, just before someone really chokes and misses targets... love the slow-mo (hyper-high-speed) photography showing where the bullets are going.

On the History Channel, Tuesday nights at 10:00 PM EDT, and again, later at 2:00 AM EDT Wednesday.

Wynn

[Bawanna]

The last girl to go didn't do so hot for being military, and a cop and on SWAT for 4 years. Colby's jaw is still flappin just as strong as ever.
I did love the shooting from the stage coach in the first show, I'd love to give that a go if I could get a crane to set me in the seat, with a seat belt and a driver I trusted. That old boy seemed to do a nice job of running that 4 horse hitch. Nice mustache too.

One of our detectives applied and got thru the acceptance part and was scheduled to be on the show. BUT, he found out that during the show and I didn't hear how long a time period it really takes he wasn't allowed any contact with his family via phone. He has about a 1 year old son and he didn't want to go that time without even checking in.
Don't see how a phone call home could effect the outcome of this show but maybe the wife could tell him stuff that others are saying that they don't hear maybe?

Oh well I'm glad he didn't get on. Would have been embarassing to the department in the very least.

[wyntrout]

Yeah, I would definitely advise a safety harness for the stagecoach! With both hands on the rifle, you could get thrown easily on a good bump.

I thought the BAW was going to kick a$$ when she hit the first target after the guy did so poorly, focusing on followup shots instead of the next target, but that was her only hit!! Both women weren't very proficient at shooting, but I'm sure some of the guys are the same. Sara really disappointed me... not being able to hit half the targets the guy did in the elimination... SWAT, indeed!

Karl could have head-butted one of those floating logs in the water hazard! I don't think his head is as hard as he acts. The Blue Team "re-enactment" of the log-carry was hilarious! I would have been LMAO, too, as Red Team was.

It's a shame that the Blue guys couldn't let Karl face off with Sara. Most of those guys seemed gutless and went along with the macho male bunch.

Wynn

[melissa5]

I'm sure there are women who could kick butt on that show, but for some reason (maybe not pretty enough) they are not getting picked to be contestants.

[recoilguy]

The 2 women that were on year 2 were and still are top notch professionals that just chocked in the eliminations. Athena is on the USA team at the world shoot in greece this year. On top shot you can't just be good with one weapon.

RCG

[Bawanna]

Exactly. It's a semi popularity contest too. Alot of drama thrown in with the shooting.

The poor women are at a disadvantage from the get go also since there are usually only two. The macho guys generally already have a preconceived notion that the girls are the weak link.
I know this isn't always true but as mentioned so far the girls have always choked when it came time to put up or shut up.
The guys choke too, no misunderstanding there but it doesn't have such a profound effect.

I've been to enough training sessions that its apparent that the people with the long list of experience and credentials are really legends in their own mind and little else.

I always say I'm a rookie newbie so I'm not as embarassed when I choke.

[wyntrout]

Oh, the first woman... Amanda, said "I'm an Independent Bad A$$ Woman". She sure couldn't prove it.

Sara had lots of experience... military and police, and said that she got all tingly inside when shooting. She really disappointed me.

I know there are women that can really shoot, but they sure aren't picking them. As much as you like guns and shoot them, I think you could make a better showing than any we've seen so far! It would be hard to do worse... and I'm certainly not doubting your abilities, but the women on the show, so far, haven't represented women very well. I really want to see some women do well.

This bunch got right into stereotyping women... especially Jake, the ex-SEAL and football coach. He has a vaunted opinion opinion of himself and a low opinion of women and young guys, I guess, since he picked Dustin for the elimination competition and he hadn't missed any shots.

Wynn

[MrToad]

I can't help but roll my eyes at the silly machismo/bravado, feigned or otherwise. Of course, that probably adds to its appeal.

@melissa: shall we nominate you for Top Shot?

[QuercusMax]

Message to TV show producers

I saw the same episode with the stagecoach, and caught a few bits of last season earlier, and think the show is mostly a waste of time. The only good thing is that occasionally they will show us a gun that is not very common, and we get to see someone use it. The slo-mo shots are interesting but don't help me learn anything. The host is a moron. I agree with Bawanna - I would be embarrassed to see anyone I know appear on the show.

And I have another gripe about "gun shows" in general, especially ones that show fully-automatic weapons being used. Not owning any such weapons, especially some of the more exotic and famous ones, I find it interesting to see them being used. But in many cases, the people making these shows apparently feel that full-auto fire is not exciting enough, so they cover it up with blaring heavy metal "music" so you can't really appreciate the real sound that you want to hear. I've seen a number of shows do this: Sons of a Gun, some show where R. Lee Ermey demoed a whole variety of such toys, and possibly the episode of Top Gun where they had a Thompson (might be wrong about that one tho).

Message to TV show producers: It's all about the gun. Let it speak for itself.

[Bawanna]

I can't help but roll my eyes at the silly machismo/bravado, feigned or otherwise. Of course, that probably adds to its appeal.

@melissa: shall we nominate you for Top Shot?

That's a great idea, lets do that.

[wyntrout]

I like to see unorthodox weapons used. Axes, knives, slingshots, bows(all kinds), crossbows, blow guns, CANNONS, machineguns(all kinds), and on and on.... Too many of these people can barely handle one or two pistols or rifles. I like the surprise weapons they have to compete with... historic and unusual.

The first competition on the first episode, the youngest guy went first and had to run up a hill and then load the magazine and load it into the bolt action rifle before shooting a target. I thought the time he set would be hard to beat, BUT NOT SO! The older more experienced dudes got up there jpretty fast and loaded one or two rounds and hit the target with one shot. They did just what they had to do. You didn't need to load 5 or so rounds into the magazine first! The young guy was last, I believe.

Experience and wisdom really make a difference sometimes. Being the first to do something can be a real disadvantage, too.

I don't necessarily like the pole-carry and the obstacle course, though. They seem to be getting carried away with the military-type training. The increased-heart-rate competition is good, though. I like the head-to-head competition, whether team or two individual. Real-time competition is good. It's just amazing how often these "marksmen" miss targets and how widely they miss!

Anyhow, it's entertaining and fun to see some of the weapons used. They have to do something to keep it interesting.

Hey! Quit picking on Colby. He's a good guy, if a little wooden.

http://www.history.com/shows/top-sho.../meet-the-host

Wynn

[melissa5]

I can't help but roll my eyes at the silly machismo/bravado, feigned or otherwise. Of course, that probably adds to its appeal.

@melissa: shall we nominate you for Top Shot?

Absolutely not! I'll be the first to admit that I don't have the skills or experience. If I'm being timed or chased, I get kind of wild.

[yqtszhj]

I agree, Melissa is next. You will be representing the Kahr Talk Forum.

[Dietrich]

I'm sure there are women who could kick butt on that show, but for some reason (maybe not pretty enough) they are not getting picked to be contestants.

I think pretty probably goes a long way toward getting chosen for the show.That`s a shame too.I know a lady who is a crack shot and I`m sure she could kick some serious butt on that show but she has a face like a handful of baitworms.

[Bawanna]

I think pretty probably goes a long way toward getting chosen for the show.That`s a shame too.I know a lady who is a crack shot and I`m sure she could kick some serious butt on that show but she has a face like a handful of baitworms.

Yeah some of them guys are just studs! An that Colby, wheew, if he'd just keep his lip zipped he'd be to die for.