Fight Quest

[FUGA DOJO]

Has Anybody Watched This Show On Discovery Channel?

[George Kohler]

I have seen both the Kung Fu and Kali episodes.

[K. Cantwell]

I caught it the kung-fu episode last night.

Seems to me like a poor man's Human Weapon. That one host, Jimmy, seems to be quite obnoxious and only interested in being an ugly American jock. He practically knocked over the two senior monks to scream in his buddy's corner during the fight and explicitly stated that the he wasn't interested in the spiritual side of his training and wanted to just "hurt" his opponent. Plus, his statement about training with the bo showed he really wasn't getting what the monks were trying to do for him.

I enjoy Jason and Bill much more and find them more engaging. They both seem more gracious and appreciative of their opportunity to travel around and do this sort of thing. Doug seems to feel that way, but the Jimmy guy makes it quite hard for me to watch. At least this episode...I'll try another one, but the problem is I've already seen what they are doing on Human Weapon.

Kevin Cantwell

[TonyU]

Both shows suck, imo.

[K. Cantwell]

Both shows suck, imo.


I'm sure there are a ton of things you could criticize about Human Weapon. For me, though, it fulfills a specific purpose. My wife and I have quite disparate tastes in TV. Neither one of us watches much of it, but when we just feel like being layabouts, we have a hard time finding something. I'm a bit petulant when it comes to programs, and I simply will not stay in the room when something like House or 24 is on. One of the things we can both stand is stuff on the kung-fu channel or something like Human Weapon.

If I had to pick one show to be stuck with on a desert island, it wouldn't be the one. For those mindless times when we want to just vedge without the kids, it serves a purpose.

Kevin Cantwell

[Samurai Jack]

I have seen both episodes so far. The thing I find interesting is that one guy goes traditional environment and training methods (in the country or remote area) the other is trained in a city, in a modern environment and methods.

So far I find that neither training method is better then the other as a result. But, what I found interesting and may speak to both episodes found in the kali traditional initiation and thereafter the jungle teacher like the gungfu master was strict and demanding, not easy to please. Placing allot of importance on respect, and tradition culture, etc. Whereas the modern teachers didn't. The result I seen was after spending time with the traditional masters the guys had a reverance and respect for the art and the culture that was not seen after training in with the modern masters in the city. I found that in the Kali episode the Vet said after the traditional training and rites he said they made him feel like a warrior. Despite his frustrating training experience, I think it was because in the gungfu episode the Vet was in the city training. Just things I observed, and feel where worth my time watching the show. I also like watching how they screwed with these guys, it entertaining with the bruises and the eating the egg.

[drosera99]

Both shows suck, imo.

I agree. But I think that Human Weapon, while being kinda silly and generally missing the point does get info out that many might not be exposed to usually. And that is good.

[tcasella]

I'll have to agree with Mr Cantwell's opinion about the show being a kind of poor man's Human Weapon. I've only seen the Kali episode, but that was enough to give me the impression that the one kid was just there to put on the Ugly American, "I'm better, tougher than you" attitude. I wasn't overly impressed...
I really enjoy watching Human Weapon, on the other hand. They seem a little more gracious, humble and seem to be on location to learn while at the same time putting together an entertaining show that gives a brief glimpse of different martial arts styles.