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[HammerFist]

After last week’s blog, I received hundreds of messages agreeing with that piece. In contrast, I only received a few dozen messages disagreeing with my opinion of what “The Ultimate Fighter” should really be about.



That ratio is very telling of what the fans of the sport want to see.



They, we, want to see who these guys really are, where they come from, and what pushes them to succeed.



We want to see hard-working athletes, coming from all walks of life, defying the odds, breaking out and making it – very much like Rocky.



The last time I checked, Rocky did a lot better than Porky’s at the box office.



Obviously, I am not a television executive; I am just an 18 to 34-year-old American male who needs to be told what I should want to watch, regardless of what I actually want to watch.



Instead of the above, I was treated to another segment of, “Grown men pee their pants and destroy an expensive home, along with their reputations… on the next ‘Ultimate Fighter!’”



YES!!!



I can’t wait to watch this week!!!



Wait a minute, I actually lived through that night of alcohol-induced debauchery and am here to tell the tale.



As with most terrible decisions, that night all started with one highly intelligent, ultra-dedicated athlete and the bright idea: “Who wants to do shots?”



Thankfully, “The Ultimate Fighter 7” bar is stocked full of all the alcohol any young athlete needs to further his lifelong goal of television infamy.



The shots are lined up, and the bottles get drained.



“Hold on a second, guys,” one of the more astute athletes declares, “There’s something wrong here!”



Surveying the situation, clearer heads will surely prevail.



“We need more BEER, we’re about to run out of BEER!”



“YAY, BEER,” say about a dozen hard training fighters, purely devoted to the sanctity of the sport. One jumps on the internal phone and orders a few cases of highly nutritious yeast and hops, which I hear is the true secret of champions…?



Hmmm, I’ll have to Google that.



Anyway, a few rounds of shots, a few beers and even a couple bottles of wine to class the place up a bit and we have ourselves a true ratings juggernaut.



That is what we are here for, right? Ratings!



“YAY, RATINGS!”



I mean, the granddaddy of all reality television shows, “Survivor,” relies on copious amounts of alcohol to boost ratings, right?



NO???



What do you mean, NO??? There’s no alcohol on “Survivor?” It’s one of the highest rated reality television shows in history?!



How can that be?



Ok, no alcohol there, but how about “American Idol?” That’s the highest rated television show for the last four years running. Surely, the contestants are wasted through the entire taping acting like total unprofessional court jesters in order to garner such high viewer interest?!



NO???



There’s no alcohol on “American Idol” either? Nobody destroys the set? Not one cast member urinates on himself?



Not even a SPRITZ???



How can this be?!



Are you telling me, good TV can be accomplished without the cast getting totally drunk and making complete asses out of themselves?



Careers and reputations do not need to be sacrificed to the all powerful media research god, Arthur Nielsen, in order to increase ratings?



Wow! Now, that would be groundbreaking television.



But hey, what would an average 18 to 34-year-old American male know about good TV anyway?

- MIKE DOLCE: ALCOHOL MAKES ULTIMATE REALITY? - MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more

[chungt79]

You would think someone with brain would stop and ask "Hmm, maybe we're milking this "making them get drunk off their ass while we tape" thing too far?". Can they seriously not come up with any material for the show? They should allow these fighters to interact with the world. This TV show executives are just plain idiots. i mean, think about it. you have guys who are not allowed to do anything but stay home and drink alcohol. What any other material would they produce besides in-fighting and getting drunk? Its time to change the format for the sake its viewers as well as for the TV show itself.

[HammerFist]

Good call, i agree fully
Rep'd

[POINDEXTER]

They are adults. They aren't forced to drink. The criticism should be directed to the fighters themselves, IMO.

[chungt79]

Originally Posted by POINDEXTER

They are adults. They aren't forced to drink. The criticism should be directed to the fighters themselves, IMO.

No one is criticizing the fighters. I am criticizing the show producers for a crappy reality show.

[POINDEXTER]

Originally Posted by chungt79

No one is criticizing the fighters. I am criticizing the show producers for a crappy reality show.

I'm saying the fighters shouldn't be given a free pass to behave like idiots. They are responsible for how they conduct themselves, aren't they?

[Puffs]

Shit if i was locked in a house with no outside interaction, or even TV or radio, I would gladly get drunk to pass some time. The point is they should let them at least have some more stuff to do so they don't need to get drunk just to not be bored out of their minds.

[leelandk]

I wonder if Dolce gets the boot from the show next episode. He seems pretty bitter.

[JMH]

Originally Posted by leelandk

I wonder if Dolce gets the boot from the show next episode. He seems pretty bitter.

He seems fucking whiney. He does have his points, but fuck's sake get off his fucking high horse already. Is he pissed he missed out on all the drinking having lost his fight first and hoping he'd get another chance to fight but didn't?

Sorry that was mean, I've had a few too many tonite.

[subman]

Originally Posted by POINDEXTER

I'm saying the fighters shouldn't be given a free pass to behave like idiots. They are responsible for how they conduct themselves, aren't they?

Yes, BUT:

Young guys, probably out on their own, and in the spotlight for the first time

Shut off from the outside world

Stocked house with booze, and producers convincing them to "let loose".

Industry pro's that know just the right way to convince the less worldly to do something they normally wouldn't (or normally would).


So, I agree with you that it is their choice to act a fool, but I will put just as much blame on the people behind the camera, nudging them to do so.