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Post by Philip on Sept 21, 2014 18:25:11 GMT -5
There are alot of different problems with this "Vs" tournament, firstly being the fact that it really goes against one of the things I love about Sasuke, it being non-competitive for the most part. With that said, I'm really surprised at the Japanese team for having Shingo. I love him, but he certainly isn't the best Japan has to offer. The other problem I have is alot of the Americans are full time dedicated to training for Ninja Warrior, while most of the Japanese competitors have day jobs. All that said, my mind has opened up to such talent I never thought possible. I am really impressed with everyone's performance, especially the stage three performances. Ryo & Yusuke train like crazy on obstacles though.
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Post by vaughngk on Sept 21, 2014 20:01:50 GMT -5
Btw started to put up the blogs. Part 1 is up. My favorite monitor is dying so it flickers a lot and randomly goes black. I'll see what I can accomplish (between desire and practicality) in the next week. I expect another 3 blogs (1 for each stage). I am really enjoying your blog thanks for pointing where I can find it earlier! I wish you had found Sasuke earlier so could of blog about the early tournaments. Your blog about the ANW specials were interesting. I do have some questions how often does the show fix the results I know about the Brent thing a couple of years ago and of course this years issue of Ryo really was the one that beat Arnold. Are there any other notable examples ? And I also hear that Morimoto also really won his heat. Also going into details the thread were you delivered your report said that Ryo may have won by a small margin and that it was really close.Based on your sources do you know what the real time might have been because the show made it seem like Arnold beat Ryo by about 30 seconds. And against thanks again for the time you put into your blog but I think your Sasuke 24 recap is really long you put a lot of time into that!
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arsenette
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Post by arsenette on Sept 21, 2014 20:48:27 GMT -5
LOL It's funny how I even started doing blogs a few years back. I've mentioned how I started doing it only as a lark because I'd speak this way in our old community in Webjam with a community of mostly women. So even if you compare the early ones to the new ones.. it's evolved quite a bit. I blame/commend Ube for that. Ube was the true source of a lot of the early Sasuke stuff and for a while we'd look into different things about the stuff going on in the background. Possibly because of course he's male and I'm female. We have different tastes and viewpoints so it's not surprising. 21 I started to treat Sasuke like a job and it was the one that suffered the most. 24 was 5 1/2 hours long and those posts reflected that. Along with the fact that half of that was me doing almost a gif presentation of the All-star's mannerisms. ANW was quite different for me. ANW is filled with a lot of the community members that all started on the G4 forums. We'd look for whatever scraps of information we could find. It was in stark contrast to even M9 because I could at least get someone to talk to me from there. G4 was a fortress of nothing. ANW guys who would have privileged access would help share word with anything they could get their hands on to help all of us out. I miss that community. When NBC took over that spirit broke in half. The newer guys without that spirit started to infiltrate the community and started to cause rifts solely because we dared see the imperfections of the show and ultimately the people running it. Something we did in Sasuke wasn't somehow permissible in ANW. That still holds until today as we keep getting attacked as purists for daring to see the problems. As to what other stuff? There's too many too count. Usually happening to lesser known people or people they outright cut because they could. Thinks like legit qualifiers being thrown off the show because they said something or because new people started to find fault with the Sasuke-centric folks (same ones G4 never found fault with). To those who tried to alert NBC to the inherent problems of the show (including injuries and defective obstacles) being marginalized. It's a different world and as a result I don't follow the main show anymore. I only follow where Japan goes. Sasuke spirit to me hasn't changed while ANW's has. The overt stuff that caused issue or even actual runs being altered has been discussed at nauseum. Any specific clarification could lead to the sources being revealed so I'd rather not go into detail. So far everything I've posted hasn't been refuted (outside of the Asa clarification but that was done back in June anyway). Morimoto's was possible he lost that but others weren't so sure. Either way it would have been close so there's not furor there. Ryo's was blatant and I was told it wasn't close. Enough to cause NBC to do something about it because that was the only victory they could snatch. They needed to so they could force the final. If Ryo won then the competition would have ended in the 3rd stage. USA would not have had enough points to force that final.
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Post by dlee on Sept 21, 2014 22:21:24 GMT -5
Lol I have to comment on a few things. Watched the special over the weekend and my friend & I both agree it was BY FAR the most entertaining Sasuke/ANW episode that we have ever witnessed. Controversy aside there were individual moments from start to finish that had us on our feet cheering. Stage 3 alone was one of the most physically inspiring things I have ever seen. In regards to Arsenette's blog: - Racism is about intention. Don't get me mistaken, I was very against the dubbed-voices (and cringed at the "American Pride" song). But the OBVIOUS intention of NBC was to aid lazy viewers. Not intentionally poke fun at someones accent. The only people who can claim that the voices were racist is someone belonging to a minority in question. - Tim Shieff is English. I know he has 2 passports and I know he was born in the US but that doesn't make him American by any logic. Much like the argument about English spelling of Japanese names, Tim Sheiff says he is English, thus he is English. (No matter what problem you have with it) - Paul was the MVP of LAST YEARS tournament!! Travis Rosen is the Captain for THIS YEAR. - In regards to the comments about Matt Iseman. Why doesn't he get a pass from the hate? Like the competitors? I assume in the same way he is just along for the NBC ride. Maybe he doesn't want to get fired from his job? - I can only interpret your comments about Jenn Brown as jealously or just an un-funny joke. (It's ok to not like someone. But all you did is point out something about her appearance to attack. also known as Bully behavior. ) - Your comments about Elet Hall and Tim Sheiff are ridiculous. You dont know these people. You only know what NBC shows/tells you. So after knit-picking everything up to that point. Instead of further knit-picking you just base your opinion of these people on what "this network you despise" says? Oki doki - I just say LIVE & LET LIVE. I really like the blog as there is a bit i didn't know. BUT maybe for part 2 spend a little less time dogging people out, knit-picking every single aspect of production & more time providing actual evidence on how the competition was rigged?) If you actually want people to believe/or even find out that the specials' results were doctored then bring forward more than anecdotal evidence (writing a blog & saying people there said it wasn't even close between Brian & Ryo is not evidence any reasonable person can believe). Personally I just felt the message got a bit lost. Your argument & anything you said was weakened by the points I made above.
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Post by RiderLeangle on Sept 21, 2014 22:30:36 GMT -5
- Your comments about Elet Hall and Tim Sheiff are ridiculous. You dont know these people. You only know what NBC shows/tells you. So after knit-picking everything up to that point. Instead of further knit-picking you just base your opinion of these people on what "this network you despise" says? Oki doki I have to agree on this part, I met Tim in Baltimore and Elet in St Louis and they seemed nice, I think some NBC spinning was going on. (Also I think they call Elet "The Natural" because of him doing training out in the woods, not any bum stuff lol )
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Post by AussiePete on Sept 21, 2014 22:34:04 GMT -5
In keeping with the "spirit" of Sasuke, it's a shame the teams were restricted to their own podiums during the runs. It would have been nice to see everyone together cheering each other on. It would show the camaraderie far better than Matt Iseman shouting "they all respect each other". I didn't like the edits of teams jumping for victory when the other teams failed.
If I were the director I'd tell the teams "it's only a competition for the sake of the audience. You guys just have fun and treat it like the 15 of you vs the course."
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arsenette
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Post by arsenette on Sept 21, 2014 23:11:35 GMT -5
(snip out of brevity) I just say LIVE & LET LIVE. I really like the blog as there is a bit i didn't know. BUT maybe for part 2 spend a little less time dogging people out, knit-picking every single aspect of production & more time providing actual evidence on how the competition was rigged?) If you actually want people to believe/or even find out that the specials' results were doctored then bring forward more than anecdotal evidence (writing a blog & saying people there said it wasn't even close between Brian & Ryo is not evidence any reasonable person can believe). Personally I just felt the message got a bit lost. Your argument & anything you said was weakened by the points I made above. I'll start backwards. It's impossible to do that without outing the sources and NBC's editing has managed to cover up the other crap from the previous years. Nothing I say from this point will ever make anyone who has made up their mind that something is the way it is simply because they weren't privy to it. All the sources that gave me the information read part 1 and outside of my normal style of nitpicking minor things (been doing that for 6 years) they didn't contest what I said (in fact gave me more stuff to rage about. LOL) So that's pretty much it. I think people are more pissed I know anything at all and talking about it because it's easier to shoot the messenger. IMO obviously but it's been a pattern that has existed ever since NBC took over. I can't live and let live because when you alter a direct result you are insulting all of the participants involved. Personal allegiance shouldn't matter if the information should be covered up or not. I am critical whoever does it. NBC just happens to have the monopoly on results altering to present a show the way people want to see it. All backlash be damned. No one other than those who actually felt bad for the athletes shafted (who happened to be Japanese) cared because they thought the show was fun. It only solidified their point that the show is entertainment and not actual sportsmanship. That alone can stop TBS from ever participating again. THAT matters to me. As for the other stuff, sure it's minor and I did mention that Tim was in a unique position but I still maintain the fact that they have to pick one over the other. It's a flaw on NBC's side that they didn't bother looking for more people from the countries. I mean everyone seemed to like the new guys from Canada and Italy. Why not find more of those rather than field an ANW version 2 team? What's the point? LOL I personally found the voices racist (BOTH Japan's and Italy's). And yes it's all about intent. Which is why I used that word in the first place. They were hiding the fact they changed wording and they did so using a broken English voice for both countries. Do they think everyone from those countries sound that way? That's my position on it and why I wrote it on my blog. Matt I stopped giving passes. I defended him for 2 years because every time I brought something up to him he'd go "oooh I didn't know that" and the next time I heard something come out of his mouth it reflected the change. Lately the amount of looping has increased and the defiance has raised. All of the arguments he used before no longer are valid and he even admits it. However, his credibility is now shot because he stopped being a fan and became a shill. Anyone worth his salt would talk to producers going "you know.. this is not right". He doesn't seem to care so long as he is fine. In the meantime everything is done in the spirit of money instead of sportsmanship. Hard to like people who are that way. Again IMO as with anything else I write. Kinda the point of having a personal blog. The Jenn "Joke".. she does look like a robot.. joke or not.. that's how I feel. Hell I had more positive reviews on that. I'm sure she's a nice woman. I've never heard of anything ANYTHING wrong with her personality wise. I just think she looks like a robot and she needs to stop the Botox. Someone that young shouldn't be using it.. it freezes your forehead and you can't move your eyebrows making your face look dead. LOL Ah thanks for the clarification on Paul/Travis. I legit got confused.
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Post by dlee on Sept 22, 2014 0:08:17 GMT -5
Nothing I say from this point will ever make anyone who has made up their mind that something is the way it is simply because they weren't privy to it. I understand. But the evidence your giving makes it hard for even someone who is on the fence about the matter! I don't know your sources & you are the ONLY person who can clarify this. I'm trying to decide for myself if I believe it or not, but their is so much general NBC/ANW hate in your blog that I'm not sure what I should believe and what your just personally angry about. Was merely pointing it out about Tim Shieff. I completely agree with you about choosing one country & every other issue with that Team "Europe" lol. Them trying to hide something doesn't make it racist. And i disagree that NBC thought/ or said to a voice-actor "Hey, make this read super-duper stereotypical , coz everyone foreign sounds like that right?" I'm not exposed to racism or racist views regularly but I dont believe that's what was going on. I believe they just made a mistake. No-one was supposed to be offended by it. I didn't know about that Matt history but I get where your coming from now. Lol isnt the point for people to read it and then comment on it? LOL getting good feedback for bullying doesn't make it right dude. I never said you attacked her personality. I said you attacked her for the way she looks, as a bully would do (weather its your opinion or not). Thanks for taking the time to create an amazing source for all Sasuke/ANW fans to enjoy & discuss.
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arsenette
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Post by arsenette on Sept 22, 2014 0:33:10 GMT -5
Oh completely understood. I think that's also part of the reason why I won't be doing ANW from now on. If the Japanese come back I'll follow privately but it's difficult being in the fire. I mean I knew that going in but it's increasingly difficult over time. I noticed not many stepped up for ANW6 (the main tourney not the special) which I on purpose didn't ask about. LOL And agreed about the hate. Kinda hard though.. NBC is more brazen now that they are on their own and they honestly don't care what the fans think because it's all about making their own history. Seeing the fan reaction, they see it as a positive. They can shed the "Sasuke purists" and create a world solely on the ones growing up on ANW alone. There's a looooooot of new fans who don't know (and don't care) what came before because they are just enjoying what is on the screen. I feel a personal attachment to the competitors seeing them out and about for years (long before NBC was bought out by Comcast) so it hurts watching them being thrown under the bus. Oh understood about the comments and I appreciated them. I like when people read my blog and there is a discussion on it. I get a kick out it. So long as it's not personal attacks I always agree to disagree. I only take issue with people who want me to rewrite my blog after I write it to fit their agenda. I had a few of those (a lot more in the past 2 years). LOL And I'm female so it's dudette. Teheheheh a lot of people think this is a username. This strange name is my real name. I comment on everyone's appearance and stories as presented on television. The point is to comment on them as well. That's the point of the fluff pieces and the point of critiquing things. She may be nice but I'm not going to amend my initial reaction to someone who uses that much Botox. Just as I comment about the Sasuke All-Stars waxing their eyebrows. I mean Nagano hardly has eyebrows left! LOL Do you consider THAT bullying? Giggles. Thanks I do really do appreciate the support. Half the fun of writing it is hearing the comments from those who read it. I enjoy writing it and there are times (a lot of them..) when I get "ranty". This was one. This is why I'm doing this in chunks. I am opting to peal the bandaid a little at a time. LOL (Meaning Part 2 is when I can stand the pain.. the pain! LOL)
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Post by vaughngk on Sept 22, 2014 0:46:47 GMT -5
What I don't get is how the competitors can deal with all this non sense most people here are just viewers but some people here are actually competitors. I am sure the show has in the past and will continue to do questionable things but still many people come back every year knowing what's going on so they have to believe the show will not screw them over and their efforts are not meaningless. But for legal reasons and they want to compete again they keep quite. Hopefully for their sake things will get better.
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arsenette
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Post by arsenette on Sept 22, 2014 0:56:17 GMT -5
What I don't get is how the competitors can deal with all this non sense most people here are just viewers but some people here are actually competitors. I am sure the show has in the past and will continue to do questionable things but still many people come back every year knowing what's going on so they have to believe the show will not screw them over and their efforts are not meaningless. But for legal reasons and they want to compete again they keep quite. Hopefully for their sake things will get better. That's why I put the story relayed by Team Japan. I already have the quote from Morimoto at the end (that will come in Part 3 most likely or possibly 4 as a wrap up). It does affect them but they put it in perspective knowing why it's done. TBS however is adjusting to the comments that came back from them for next year. I can say they are not deaf to what happened (they were present) and are strategizing what to do from now on. They will deal with it in 2015 when the contract negotiation comes again. NBC already reneged on half the contract from 2014 so hopefully TBS will decide against coming back next year. That's my own personal hope. Bunch of stuff in the background that I don't know if it will pan out. Half of what they wanted this year never came to fruition so hoping 2015 is much better.
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Post by dlee on Sept 22, 2014 1:21:35 GMT -5
hahahahahahah no thats ok & needs to be made fun of! as it comes from a funny/joking place. Its all about intent. The Jenn Brown comments felt like they came from a sith-lord level of hatred lol. Haha i simply urge to try and be more politically correct? in the future when critiquing, i dont know. Honestly its great how you did it to convey your feelings but I have to comment when there is that much hate being thrown around about ANW lol I completely understand the animosity towards NBC & its totally valid. As much as a dislike NBC myself & the decisions they make , I can't not support them as they grow and expand (for better or worse) this "sporting tv show" which I am insanely obsessed with training in and watching. My only hope is that they hold the ASEAN cup again this year & in the future Australian Ninja Warrior! Lol i know your a girl. I watched your sasuke panel. im just too lazy to correct myself I have seen you say that your going to stop ANW. I know the hate is probably very tough but you constantly address stuff that everyone else is over-looking. I hope you regularly chime-in if you see something that needs attention. I get a kick out of reading/discussing your stuff. Hahaha I hope its not too painful or too far away!
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arsenette
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Post by arsenette on Sept 22, 2014 1:31:48 GMT -5
It's funny because so many people go "hey you didn't see it? Lemme tell you (insert 25 paragraph "synopsis" email) or my favorite "quick get on Skype".. Aahahhahaha I know I won't be too far away from ANW but taking time to report.. yeah.. not happening. Reminds me of following politics.. while it may be fun for a while to pick at it.. after a while I have to get away from it because I start to rage. Giggles. I spand a lot of time talking to former G4 forums/SMF/ANC, etc. etc. people who are also Sasuke fans and we agree that for all the rage I had for G4.. they.. weren't that bad. That's a scary thought. Most of their problems were stupid and lazy. This.. yeah.. Sith level hate. As for PC.. I'm not sure I'm even capable of it. Besides.. that's apparently part of the fun of people reading my blog. I started to tone it down a few years ago and I was accused of sounding like a news report. They said to go back to Rambling and I felt a lot better.
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Post by dlee on Sept 22, 2014 5:43:44 GMT -5
Hahahha PC was a bad way to word it. Keep doing what you do! Cant wait to see part 2 and sorry i was unclear but is your name is Arsenette or Rican?
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arsenette
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Post by arsenette on Sept 22, 2014 6:23:42 GMT -5
Hahahha PC was a bad way to word it. Keep doing what you do! Cant wait to see part 2 and sorry i was unclear but is your name is Arsenette or Rican? Giggles. Arsenette is my name. Rican is short for Puerto Rican. My heritage Thus the reason for the little flag on my website as well.
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Post by RobbyMac on Sept 22, 2014 16:40:00 GMT -5
Blablabla Somebody is mad because they got Miska an invite and then his team didn't pick him to run stage 3. The end.
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damon8
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Post by damon8 on Sept 23, 2014 1:03:08 GMT -5
Im pretty sure morimoto got screwed of a win aswell .. i hope next year they host the show in japan .. i can see many people going down on the cch .
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Post by phrozunsun on Sept 23, 2014 7:15:22 GMT -5
idk why but I actually liked it... They intentionally dubbed with exaggerated accents, not jut for Japan but Stefano got a dub with a heavy Italian accent. I think those dubs were more racist than anything reminded me of this:
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Post by phrozunsun on Sept 23, 2014 7:32:32 GMT -5
I just wanted to say (and I might be the only one), but NBC's editing and fudging of results is almost inconsequential to me. I like to watch the athletes run the course. I don't really care who beats who. Maybe it's just a simple-minded way of looking at it, but the way I see it each ninja is competing against their last performance, not each other.
That being said, the poorly designed obstacles were a problem. I'm amazed by the ninjas that toughed through them, but many didn't get a fair shot. Hopefully they fix this for next year.
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Post by RobbyMac on Sept 23, 2014 14:34:46 GMT -5
I just wanted to say (and I might be the only one), but NBC's editing and fudging of results is almost inconsequential to me. I like to watch the athletes run the course. I don't really care who beats who. Maybe it's just a simple-minded way of looking at it, but the way I see it each ninja is competing against their last performance, not each other. That being said, the poorly designed obstacles were a problem. I'm amazed by the ninjas that toughed through them, but many didn't get a fair shot. Hopefully they fix this for next year. Greatest point ever. I get so much distaste around here for my attitude of not liking certain competitors and wanting to see the course win, compared to the "Spirit of Sasuke" where as long as each competitor clears it's a great thing. And now that someone loses a competition, everyone sees it as a big freaking deal. I thought it wasn't about winning and losing? I call MAJOR BS and see tons of biased reasoning. Not surprised.
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