[BLITZD]

Originally Posted by zeropride

Contener Asia to be on VS starting July 31. I dont know if its a new season or what. Go to boxing at ESPN and theres a story on the Contender.

Word saw the commercial on Versus

Versus gives 'Contender' 4th round - Entertainment News, TV Renewals & Rejections, Media - Variety

The Contender" is entering yet another ring.
Versus has ordered a fourth season of the boxing competish, which previously aired on NBC for a year before moving to ESPN for two seasons.

Cabler has sealed a deal with Mark Burnett Prods. and DreamWorks TV for 11 one-hours and a two-hour finale, with the show to bow in December. As part of the deal, Versus has also acquired the U.S. premiere of "The Contender Muay Thai," a spinoff skein originally produced for Asian TV audiences. "The Contender Muay Thai," which includes 14 one-hour segs and a two-hour finale, was shot in Singapore and focuses on international Muay Thai kickboxers.

"Muay Thai" will bow July 31 at 10 p.m.

The fourth regular "Contender" will also be shot in Singapore and focus on 16 cruiserweights from around the world. The series will pit U.S. boxers against international fighters.

Burnett and DreamWorks are in talks with former world champ Sugar Ray Leonard to return as host and as a mentor to the contestants. Also expected to return is trainer Buddy McGirt.

"When you have the opportunity to bring a top brand with an established following to the network, and the ability to work with someone with a proven track record such as Mark Burnett and DreamWorks, you jump at it," said Versus exec VP Marc Fein.

Both projects take advantage of logistical and production support from Mark Burnett Prods. Asia, which Burnett opened in October as a joint venture with Genting Intl.

Imagine Omnimedia produced "Muay Thai" in association with Mark Burnett Prods. and DreamWorks. In that spinoff, 16 kickboxers were brought together and eliminated in weekly, five-round pro bouts until an international champ was eventually crowned.

Burnett and Jeffrey Katzenberg exec produce "The Contender." Jeff Wald, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Eric Van Wagenen and Page Feldman are co-exec producers.

[kidpeligro]

Versus is gonna start showing it every thursday. I can'y wait!

[jkwongr8]

i'm so mad, i bought tickets for a freaking country concert for my gf on the same day as the premier on Vs this thursday... we'll see if i can talk my way out this one...

probably not... HELLO TiVo

[Darcman]

because it already aired. i found a lot of the episodes online, its pretty damn good, better than The Ultimate Fighter imo.

[radman]

Wow! Talk about re branding the show? Why did they have to change the title? What is wrong with Contender Asia? Contender Muay Thai sounds foreign also. But I guess since may MMA fans and casual viewers in North America have heard Muay Thai countless times, it makes sense. I guess

[JOdrummerSH]

This show is total filthy unwatchable garbage. Here are my gripes, and please someone tell me you don't mind these things:
-Terrible editing of fights so you can't even tell what is going on
-Ghastly use of the same "slap" sound from a missed kick landing foot-to-leg for every shot with the legs. Examples being any kick even if it barely connects and every knee, even if it lands mildly to the side of the ribs.
-Abominable use of added crowd sound effects so you hear people clapping even if you don't see anyone clapping.
-and now THE WORST, playing of the same shitty rehashed theme song from Survivor background music DURING THE ENTIRE FIGHT! Along with orchestral "flare ups" when something "dramatic" happens, at which point they also utilize slow motion camera effects.

The point is this: Mark Burnett (creator, director, producer, all-around dirtbag) is bored by watching 5 long, grueling rounds of muay that and feels they're in need of drama in the way of music that tries to make the whole fight seem like a make-or-break moment.

Anybody out there agree? Disagree? VERY interested to hear about it.

[MMAFan87]

Originally Posted by JOdrummerSH

This show is total filthy unwatchable garbage. Here are my gripes, and please someone tell me you don't mind these things:
-Terrible editing of fights so you can't even tell what is going on
-Ghastly use of the same "slap" sound from a missed kick landing foot-to-leg for every shot with the legs. Examples being any kick even if it barely connects and every knee, even if it lands mildly to the side of the ribs.
-Abominable use of added crowd sound effects so you hear people clapping even if you don't see anyone clapping.
-and now THE WORST, playing of the same shitty rehashed theme song from Survivor background music DURING THE ENTIRE FIGHT! Along with orchestral "flare ups" when something "dramatic" happens, at which point they also utilize slow motion camera effects.

The point is this: Mark Burnett (creator, director, producer, all-around dirtbag) is bored by watching 5 long, grueling rounds of muay that and feels they're in need of drama in the way of music that tries to make the whole fight seem like a make-or-break moment.

Anybody out there agree? Disagree? VERY interested to hear about it.

yup I like it better then tuf still

[Sbryd]

Originally Posted by JOdrummerSH

This show is total filthy unwatchable garbage. Here are my gripes, and please someone tell me you don't mind these things:
-Terrible editing of fights so you can't even tell what is going on
-Ghastly use of the same "slap" sound from a missed kick landing foot-to-leg for every shot with the legs. Examples being any kick even if it barely connects and every knee, even if it lands mildly to the side of the ribs.
-Abominable use of added crowd sound effects so you hear people clapping even if you don't see anyone clapping.
-and now THE WORST, playing of the same shitty rehashed theme song from Survivor background music DURING THE ENTIRE FIGHT! Along with orchestral "flare ups" when something "dramatic" happens, at which point they also utilize slow motion camera effects.

The point is this: Mark Burnett (creator, director, producer, all-around dirtbag) is bored by watching 5 long, grueling rounds of muay that and feels they're in need of drama in the way of music that tries to make the whole fight seem like a make-or-break moment.

Anybody out there agree? Disagree? VERY interested to hear about it.

Damn went a little over board there. yea the music gets annoying and the editing in the fight also because sometimes you wonder if there was no action in that time cut out, but that doesn't make him a all-around dirtbag. Maybe he is just crappy creator and producer and director.

[sickc0d3r]

i agree the sound effects suck and make it look cheesy. as did the poorly edited footage (I hate the slow-mo effects during the round, just show the replay between rounds).

but overall the fight was good and i will keep watching because, well, it's muay thai fighting on my big screen.

[uppercuts21]

The contender shows are way better than TUF.
I really enjoyed Contender Asia this year and im looking forward to this season as well.
TUF is just the same old shit. Mediocre fighters trashing houses and getting into street fights. No thanks.