jumping through variety ropes

American Ninja Warrior, Running Man & WWE SmackDown!
pop culture dailies 003

It's not actually daily but it's a good try with three posts for the first week. I will try to pick up the pace next time! I hope I introduce new pop culture properties that is out of the ordinary ...

AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR

I came across the show years ago and the showcase of human abilities to defy gravity and yes, hanging around like a ninja, just grabbed my attention from the get go. These elaborate obstacles are perfectly designed to test these ultimately fit athletes to their limit, just in the name of being the ultimate 'ninja warrior'. I know the original premise is originated from Japan as their initial mission is to earn a trip there to go through Mount Midoriyama but they actually have their own local Mountain that they can strive for in the most recent season, whether they're by themselves or in teams. The concept is simple but kudos to them for trying to diversify the product every iteration!

Running Man e384 the New Years Special

Thank goodness SBS wasn't as affected as KBS here on Astro so I was able to watch the most current episode of Running Man, my first foray into the South Korean variety genre many years ago that still continue on strong until this day. After Kang Gary departed, I wasn't sure where the series would go initially but the recent casting of a couple of new regulars, the funny up-and-comer Yang Sechan and the quirky dark horse Jeon So Min, the country's main representative was forced to take a step backward but then two steps forward, giving it a new lease of life with a fresh new direction. After watching it for so long, I can see they have a proven formula that they would return to time and time again although the most recent Punishment Trips were a nice change of pace. Aren't you looking forward of what they would come out with this year?

WWE SmackDown! 010917

Déjà vu, much? Aside from the main event of the night that continue on the further unraveling of the professional relationship between Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon with the WWE Championship perilously in the mix. The Blue Brand has been the more risky and innovative in their writings but this week in particular has been resting on their laurels at best to lazy at worst with too similar matches and outcomes: the invading trio being undermined by the established veteran, and that surprise babyfaces win over the heels. It's only for two instances but it's just one too many, repeating the same trajectory beat by beat. They are already one hour shorter, don't sell away your credibility by copy-and-pasting that blatantly. Well, at least they are properly building up the returning duo properly in the Bludgeon Brothers, instead of ignoring the Revival for example (poor the Ascension though ...). Following on last week's trend, don't say anything sarcastically around the General Manager, he might just make it come true, giving Benjamin and Gable another shot at the Tag Team Title but with a caveat of winning two-out-of-three falls over the Usos. A positive storyline is that Unites States Tournament is at least something that we haven't seen in awhile, giving the middle-carder something tangible to strive for and building up the prestige of the title forever more! Oh, that is it then for the Mojo Rawley/Zack Ryder feud, the most disappointing breakup of a tag team yet.

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Well, that's all folks! Thank you for your time and please do come back for my future posts! :-)