NickBockwinkelFan
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|  #1 Posted on 11.7.04 2146.31 | Instant Rating: 7.59 | Spike TV's New Low: 'Ultimate Fighting'
By Phil Mushnick
7/11/04
www.nypost.com
FIRST, the good news. Spike TV, this January, will be forced to dump one of its lowbrow shows.
Yep, it has to make room for "The Ultimate Fighting Championship," a cut-to-the-chase enterprise, once closeted, on pay-per-view, that sells honest-to-badness violence, real-deal brutality and blood instead of ketchup.
"UFC" is one of those shows that can’t be excused or rationalized by enabling TV execs as "fantasy." It’s boxing without gloves, sanctioned street-fighting. Just what the doctor ordered.
Spike TV is advertised as TV’s "First Network For Men." That’s a lie. It’s actually TV’s latest network that caters to young punks, wannabe young punks and all other forms of desensitized and vulnerable young and mostly male viewers.
Spike TV, along with MTV and BET, is part of the Viacom stable of networks that are largely and indisputably dedicat- to bringing out the very worst in young America. Spike TV promotes all the redeeming values of a switchblade.
"People don’t understand ‘The UFC’ and there are certain misconceptions that we want to dispel," UFC TV executive Craig Piligian recently told The Post.
Bunk. People fully understand the UFC. It’s about the further and bolder selling of violence to a mostly young audience. And it takes only a few minutes viewing to understand exactly that.
In fact, it takes only a few minutes viewing of most Spike shows to know that it’s a network designed to add to the cumulative, pop cultural effect that daily leaves society in a deeper hole.
Spike, naturally, is loaded with pro wrestling. Just about everyone in TV now works off a worn copy of the Vince McMahon’s plan to attract young viewers through every imaginable twisted act of violence, sex and profanity.
Spike airs "Real TV," quite a bit, too. That’s a show predicated upon any video footage — pro or amateur — that includes genuine violence, from street riots, to car crashes, to skateboarders falling down courthouse steps, to two women trying to scratch each other’s eyes out, to hang gliders who hang on while failing to glide.
Spike, the first network for men, also presents "GameRiot," a show that celebrates video games, most of which are attached to all forms of uncivil and even criminal behavior. As we previously suggested, Spike is no more for men than a junkyard filled with old refrigerators is for children.
In "MXC," Spike presents a show that, according to Spike’s Website, includes "some of the funniest and most hazardous" stunts ever attempted. Funny and hazardous? Is that anything like "America’s Funniest Home Tragedies"?
Remember kids, MXC reminds you not to try this at home. Or this, or this, or this, or this, or this . . .
"Striperella" is another fine Spike show. It’s a cartoon series that stars Pamela Anderson as a stripper.
Yup, "Ultimate Fighting" will make a nice fit.
News accounts, including one in The Post, reported that UFC’s promoters claim that no one has ever been killed as the result of being a ‘UFC’ contestant. That might be technically true, but since 1979 there have been, according to chroniclers of blood sports, at least eight deaths attributed to UFC-like competitions.
But short of live executions, UFC will just have to do.
"This is huge for us," UFC President Dana White told the Holly-wood Reporter about his deal with Spike. "It will take ‘UFC’ to the next level." Yeah, the next level, just below the last one.
"Well, you can't involve friendship with business. It has to be one or the other. It's either business or friendship, or hit the bricks!"
--Life Lessons from "The Tao of Bobby the Brain Heenan" Uncensored 2000 preview
"As long as the check don't bounce, I guess he's okay with it!"
--Former All Pro Giants LB Harry Carson on Bill Parcells joining the hated rival Dallas Cowboys
| Promote this thread! |           | fuelinjected
Banger
Since: 12.10.02
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|  #2 Posted on 11.7.04 2152.54 | Instant Rating: 5.04 | How predictable? Mushnick blames the ills of society on anything but the individual. SHOCKING! 
Its so nice of him to hold UFC responsible for deaths in stupid Tough Man contests, too.
Next time someone gets beaten up at a bar, I hope Mushnick writes a column blaming ESPN for airing boxing.
WWE now serving only -> "DIET CHAVO - All the taste - Half the fat!" | The Goon
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| #3 Posted on 11.7.04 2157.11 | Instant Rating: 8.08 | Originally posted by Phil Mushnick
Spike TV is advertised as TV’s "First Network For Men." That’s a lie. It’s actually TV’s latest network that caters to young punks, wannabe young punks and all other forms of desensitized and vulnerable young and mostly male viewers.
Waitaminnit. You say it's a lie that the station is for men, yet you say right after it's targeting mostly male viewers? | stahl
Weisswurst
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| #4 Posted on 11.7.04 2234.42 | Instant Rating: 4.21 | | The ignorance in that article is laughable. | Phantom Lord
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| #5 Posted on 11.7.04 2307.00 | Instant Rating: 0.87 | Fuck Phil Mushnick. Sure he has a point about Viacom promoting sleaze but the New York Post is owned by News Corp which owns FOX.
I don't think I've ever Mushnick attack FOX for promoting such sleaze as who wants to date a midget or temptation island.
Who wants to marry a millionare there was another good one.
Mushnick has no grounds to slam Spike TV when a piece of the corporate empire that he works for promotes equally as sleazy programming.
"If you want sumpin' a little stronger, homes, you gotta sip on some Mexican water. It's a little cloudy, and has an odd smell that makes you think it's not really for human consumption. But HOOOOOOOOOOOO-EEEEEEY! What a kick! Arriba~!"-LOP Board Member Uncle Eddy | EddieBurkett
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| #6 Posted on 11.7.04 2337.00 | Instant Rating: 7.20 | Originally posted by The Goon
Originally posted by Phil Mushnick
Spike TV is advertised as TV’s "First Network For Men." That’s a lie. It’s actually TV’s latest network that caters to young punks, wannabe young punks and all other forms of desensitized and vulnerable young and mostly male viewers.
Waitaminnit. You say it's a lie that the station is for men, yet you say right after it's targeting mostly male viewers?
Not that Mushnick shouldn't be criticized, but he's claiming that Spike TV isn't the "First" network for men as they claim. He is not disputing the fact they are aimed at a male audience.
You've gotta carry that weight... | NickBockwinkelFan
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| #7 Posted on 12.7.04 0237.57 | Instant Rating: 7.59 | Originally posted by Phantom Lord
Fuck Phil Mushnick. Sure he has a point about Viacom promoting sleaze but the New York Post is owned by News Corp which owns FOX.
I don't think I've ever Mushnick attack FOX for promoting such sleaze as who wants to date a midget or temptation island.
Who wants to marry a millionare there was another good one.
Mushnick has no grounds to slam Spike TV when a piece of the corporate empire that he works for promotes equally as sleazy programming.
Mushnick slams FOX just as often as any other network. He slaughtered Joe Buck for treating last years World Series as an audition to guest host the Tonight Show with all his fuckin witty banter. Mushnick's big targets are Vince McMahon and Yankees announcer John Sterling (who he's bashed for years).
He has also gotten into huge fights with editorial management over the content of the Post (like Page Six implying that Mike Piazza was gay), so he doesn't pull any punches there. I think it's his dream to write for the New York Times, but Sandomir isn't going anywhere.
(edited by NickBockwinkelFan on 12.7.04 0346)
"Well, you can't involve friendship with business. It has to be one or the other. It's either business or friendship, or hit the bricks!"
--Life Lessons from "The Tao of Bobby the Brain Heenan" Uncensored 2000 preview
"As long as the check don't bounce, I guess he's okay with it!"
--Former All Pro Giants LB Harry Carson on Bill Parcells joining the hated rival Dallas Cowboys
| ekedolphin
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| #8 Posted on 12.7.04 0651.31 | Instant Rating: 4.52 | Well, to be honest... I agree with Mushnick about Spike TV's non-WWE content. I don't care for MXC, Striperella, Real TV or Ultimate Fighting. Of course, Spike TV also shows TNG and Deep Space Nine, so back off, pal.
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| #9 Posted on 12.7.04 0742.30 | Instant Rating: 5.37 | Originally posted by NickBockwinkelFan
Originally posted by Phantom Lord
Fuck Phil Mushnick. Sure he has a point about Viacom promoting sleaze but the New York Post is owned by News Corp which owns FOX.
I don't think I've ever Mushnick attack FOX for promoting such sleaze as who wants to date a midget or temptation island.
Who wants to marry a millionare there was another good one.
Mushnick has no grounds to slam Spike TV when a piece of the corporate empire that he works for promotes equally as sleazy programming.
Mushnick slams FOX just as often as any other network. He slaughtered Joe Buck for treating last years World Series as an audition to guest host the Tonight Show with all his fuckin witty banter. Mushnick's big targets are Vince McMahon and Yankees announcer John Sterling (who he's bashed for years).
He has also gotten into huge fights with editorial management over the content of the Post (like Page Six implying that Mike Piazza was gay), so he doesn't pull any punches there. I think it's his dream to write for the New York Times, but Sandomir isn't going anywhere.
(edited by NickBockwinkelFan on 12.7.04 0346)
Perhaps Spike should hire Marv Albert. Considering the perpetual BJ Mushnick provides Marv, that could rub off on his opinion of Spike. | StaggerLee
Scrapple
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| #10 Posted on 12.7.04 0856.16 | Instant Rating: 3.33 | I think we are all missing the big picture here. FREE UFC! NO more $40 for a PPV!
Sweet! Thanks Spike!
Thank you for your irrelevant opinion.
Doe, Ray, Me, Fa, So, La, TITO SANTANA! | Wpob
Lap cheong
Since: 21.11.02
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| #11 Posted on 12.7.04 0925.04 | Instant Rating: 2.83 | Mushnick is entitled to his opinion and can express it all he wants. I will back his right to say whatever he feels. Freedom of speech is the most important freedom we have. It is what gives me the freedom to say that Muchnick is an asshole.
Inigo Montoya: Who are you?
Westley: No one of consequence.
Inigo Montoya: I must know...
Westley: Get used to disappointment.
Inigo Montoya: 'kay. | johnroche
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| #12 Posted on 12.7.04 1312.45 | Originally posted by redsoxnation
Perhaps Spike should hire Marv Albert. Considering the perpetual BJ Mushnick provides Marv, that could rub off on his opinion of Spike.
Wait. Is this the same Mushnick we're talking about? The Phil Mushnick who decries any sort of post-touchdown celebration? And now he's supporting Marv "I bite the backs of women who don't bring men for threesomes" Albert? This is entirely too insane for words.
On a more on-topic note, though, UFC + Spike = interesting. I remember watching it back in high school with friends during lunch, and it was extremely entertaining. | Ringmistress
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| #13 Posted on 12.7.04 1648.09 | Instant Rating: 2.00 | Originally posted by ekedolphin
Of course, Spike TV also shows TNG and Deep Space Nine, so back off, pal.
To be honest, I do admit to talking like Seven of Nine at job interviews a while back, so maybe Phil has a point there.
Suck it in, Hunter, or no sugar for you! | Mild Mannered Madman
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| #14 Posted on 12.7.04 1824.59 | Instant Rating: 5.67 | Originally posted by StaggerLee
I think we are all missing the big picture here. FREE UFC! NO more $40 for a PPV!
Sweet! Thanks Spike!
Um, no. It's essentially Tough Enough III with MMA fighters.
There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
- The Restaurant at the End of the Universe | Doomsday
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| #15 Posted on 13.7.04 1635.03 | Instant Rating: 0.19 | SPikeTV is a lousy network, with a roster of wall to wall crap shows, they deserve to be slammed. But if they got UFC, real UFC programming and not some watered down junk, it will be the best show they have.
http://brawl-hall.com/forums/
We beat up pregnant women for fun. | King Of Crap
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| #16 Posted on 13.7.04 1640.55 | Instant Rating: 1.19 | I remember Mushnick being responsible for the first time Vince McMahon ever cursed on air.
I believe it was in the early years of RAW, and Mushnick had written an article slamming Vince and the WWF that had gotten some press, and somehow PM became the topic of discussion.
Vince's view: "Phil Mushnick is a miserable son of a *beep*!"
I remember being shocked, SHOCKED that VINCE MCMAHON would say something like that on-air.
My how the times have changed...
You think WWE now is bad? Some of us had to live through 1993-1996! | SEADAWG
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| #17 Posted on 13.7.04 1647.59 | Instant Rating: 8.68 | That might have been Jim Cornette who said Phil Mushnick was a Son Of A B, in one of his short-lived shoot rants where he went off about something Mushnick wrote about Brian Pillman's death. And afterwards Vince was like "AMEN!".
Unless we're thinking of two different times. | King Of Crap
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| #18 Posted on 13.7.04 1802.30 | Instant Rating: 1.19 | I remember someone bringing up Mushnick (probably Cornette) and somone saying "What do you think Vince?" leading to the "son of a *beep*" line.
I distinctly remember Vince saying it, but it was years ago, so I could be wrong.
You think WWE now is bad? Some of us had to live through 1993-1996! |
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