I Pit "Monster Bug Wars"

[Boyo Jim]

The Science Channel has decided to add gladiator programming to it's lineup.

Here are a few choice quotes from one of their press releases (http://press.discovery.com/us/sci/programs/monster-bug-wars/) for Monster Bug Wars.

THE INSECT WORLD GETS READY TO RUMBLE...

Two Bugs Enter, One Bug Leaves...

...combines the fun of a classic 1950s monster movie with the intense action of a steel cage match...

I just find it really distasteful that a network purportedly dedicated to science and education is promoting blood sports. Actually, when I heard of it, I didn't believe anyone would program something so tacky. Stupid me -- everything I've found online about it says they did, though I haven't (and won't) watched. an episode personally. It is exactly the same same as cock fighting or dog fighting, except that you would need a microscope to see it. When I was... I dunno, 5 or 6?... I did my share of brutally killing insects, but I actually grew out of it.

On the plus side, if Michael Vick's football career goes south, he can pick up a gig as a color commentator.

[Inbred Mm domesticus]

So how many fucking gazelles have you watched get wasted in your lifetime? Just a round number please.

[Boyo Jim]

They don't put the lion and the gazelle in a box and arrange the slaughter.

[Autolycus]

Do bugs even feel pain?

[The Tao's Revenge]

So how many fucking gazelles have you watched get wasted in your lifetime? Just a round number please.

No fucking gazelles, though it'd explain why they didn't see the lion coming.

In human terms it's the difference between a reporter documenting a killing in a news story, verses the reporter climbing the bell tower and picking them off himself and writing about it.

[billfish678]

Do bugs even feel pain?

Only the female bugs that are in touch with the Earth goddess. The males are just souless uncaring and unfeeling bastards.

[billfish678]

In human terms it's the difference between reporter documenting a killing in a news story, verses the reporter climbing the bell tower and picking them off himself.

Just when I thought the FOX lineup was getting lame...

[The Tao's Revenge]

That said maybe I take back my first post.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it doesn't look like cock fighting so much as documenting how bugs hunt, and fight each other and stuff.

From the OP's link
Featuring microscopic detail and stunning visuals, MONSTER BUG WARS offers an unparalleled look into the natural setting and fighting tactics of the world's deadliest, creepiest creatures. To fully discover how different insect species kill, expert entomologists offer insight into the hunting, mating - and most importantly, the attack mechanisms - of these petite predators. With gruesome play-by-play commentary and horror movie sound effects to accompany the fatal fights, viewers will enter the miniature, yet ruthless, world that exists in every corner of the globe...from the back of your basement, to the depths of the Amazon jungle.

It looks to me like it's PBS'a Nature blended with Maximum Exposure (the show on cinder blocks in your front yard), and some Ow! My Balls! for good measure. If it's a documentary of insect life styles, and not putting bugs in a box and letting them fight for the fun of it, then I don't see how it's like cock fighting at all.

[Inbred Mm domesticus]

No fucking gazelles, though it'd explain why they didn't see the lion coming.

Now I want to see that!

From the description I saw nothing to get excited about.

[bump]

It looks to me like it's PBS'a Nature blended with Maximum Exposure (the show on cinder blocks in your front yard), and some Ow! My Balls! for good measure. If it's a documentary of insect life styles, and not putting bugs in a box and letting them fight for the fun of it, then I don't see how it's like cock fighting at all.

The commercials make it look like a documentary, only with a certain emphasis on the violent parts of insect life, complete with extreme zoom.

It's certainly not scorpions vs. spiders in a miniature Colosseum complete with tiny advertisements or anything like that.

[Ludovic]

So how many fucking gazelles have you watched get wasted in your lifetime? Just a round number please.Enough to root for the gazelle. I'd say far less than 50% of chases that they show end in escape for the prey, while in actuality it's more like 90%. If 90% of the time they showed a chase, the gazelle got away, I'd start to root for the lion again.

[Zeriel]

It's certainly not scorpions vs. spiders in a miniature Colosseum complete with tiny advertisements or anything like that.

Sadly, my gut reaction is "I'd pay to see that, even if I'd also feel bad about it somehow."

[billfish678]

It's certainly not scorpions vs. spiders in a miniature Colosseum complete with tiny advertisements or anything like that.

If they could miniaturize some Christians and chunk em in there too I think they would have a hit. Maybe do the same with some NASCARs and have them racing around the edge of the field. Then have a tiny Tony Hawk jumping the whole thing with a rocket powered skateboard. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Hitler Channel.

[Max Torque]

Sadly, my gut reaction is "I'd pay to see that, even if I'd also feel bad about it somehow."

Your wish....is granted!

Japanese Bug Fights (http://www.japanesebugfights.com/)

Here's the scorpion vs. tarantula (http://www.japanesebugfights.com/17.htm) episode, which is one of the more boring ones, actually. You want excitement, watch a centipede; surprisingly nasty.

[Zeriel]

Your wish....is granted!

Japanese Bug Fights (http://www.japanesebugfights.com/)

Here's the scorpion vs. tarantula (http://www.japanesebugfights.com/17.htm) episode, which is one of the more boring ones, actually. You want excitement, watch a centipede; surprisingly nasty.

The scariest thing I've ever seen on a visceral level was a nature-show documentary involving those 12"+ Amazon centipedes hunting mice.

[Inbred Mm domesticus]

Enough to root for the gazelle. I'd say far less than 50% of chases that they show end in escape for the prey, while in actuality it's more like 90%. If 90% of the time they showed a chase, the gazelle got away, I'd start to root for the lion again.

At least in this respect, our brains work the same. It would be nice to be able to watch animal documentaries without the multiple levels of drama added on to it, but it is probably a necessary evil. Personally I think the 10% success rate would really bring home how tough the lions' lives are.

Thank-you Max Torque

[Marlitharn]

The scariest thing I've ever seen on a visceral level was a nature-show documentary involving those 12"+ Amazon centipedes hunting mice.

Agree x elebenty. Centipede vs. Mouse remains the only YouTube video to ever make me scream like a little girl while groping wildly for the esc key. Eurgh.

[Malleus, Incus, Stapes!]

Nu, cite?

[AtomicDog]

I'm trying to watch it now, but the goddam sound effects are getting on my fucking nerves.

Dammit, insects do not roar!

[rockjon]

They don't put the lion and the gazelle in a box and arrange the slaughter.

This program is set in natural habitats with natural predation sequences, just as any nature doco is. Unfortunately the tacky name is misleading. It is certainly not 'in a box'. You are thinking of the ridiculous Japanese bug wars.

Perhaps 'Boyo Jim', you should watch programs and get your facts straight before you mouth off an make a fool of yourself in the future.

[Boyo Jim]

This program is set in natural habitats with natural predation sequences, just as any nature doco is. ...

That might be, but nothing in the on-air advertising or the online discussions I saw even suggested that. The quotes in my OP are from the producers of the show and/or the network. And I'm not about to watch something that is advertised as total crap in the hope that it's not as bad as the promoters make it sound.

[An Arky]

I'm trying to watch it now, but the goddam sound effects are getting on my fucking nerves.

Dammit, insects do not roar!

Precisely my beef.

"Next up on Whored-Out Nature for the Transformers-Addled, MONSTERRRR BUUUG WAAAARRRRS!"

[Anaamika]

If they could miniaturize some Christians and chunk em in there too I think they would have a hit. Maybe do the same with some NASCARs and have them racing around the edge of the field. Then have a tiny Tony Hawk jumping the whole thing with a rocket powered skateboard. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Hitler Channel.

OMG. I'd feel bad but hell, I'd probably sponsor this.

[Thudlow Boink]

I just find it really distasteful that a network purportedly dedicated to science and education is promoting blood sports.Do insects have blood?

[XT]

From seeing the ads for the show on the Science Channel (one of my favorite channels btw), I'd have to say that it doesn't look like the type of show that would appeal to me, personally. I don't have a major issue with bugs killing each other, but I fail to see the entertainment value in watching it, and personally I'd pit the Science Channel for putting it on because it takes away from showing more interesting programming...which, to me is very annoying when I want to see something cool on volcanoes, ancient Egypt (there was a cools show last night about the search for Imhotep's tomb that was pretty enjoyable) or space and the universe, and instead it's a Monster Bug Wars marathon. :eek:

I really can't wait until you can pick and choose what you want to watch from your cable or satellite provider, instead of having to be limited to whatever programming they have decided to put on in a given time slot.

-XT

[Biffy the Elephant Shrew]

Do insects have blood?

Okay, hemolymph sports.

[Spectre of Pithecanthropus]

I pit paying way too much for satellite given that almost everything on these days is pure crap. I've never been one of those snooty nose-in-the-air types who loudly proclaim they don't own a TV and never watch it. I do want to have working TVs in my home so that when the rare, good program comes on I can watch it.

The early days of cable were a lot better. There were fewer channels, but usually there was something worth watching, the Bruce Springsteen song (http://www.allmusic.com/album/57-channels-and-nothin-on-r76795) notwithstanding. HBO and Showtime, and a local predecessor in the L.A. area called "Z Channel" showed movies that were actually recently finished in the theaters, much like the ones you have to pay extra for now.

[Johnny L.A.]

This program is set in natural habitats with natural predation sequences, just as any nature doco is. Unfortunately the tacky name is misleading. It is certainly not 'in a box'.

They do dub in growls and screams.

[SteveG1]

The commercials make it look like a documentary, only with a certain emphasis on the violent parts of insect life, complete with extreme zoom.

It's certainly not scorpions vs. spiders in a miniature Colosseum complete with tiny advertisements or anything like that.

With tiny little tridents and nets? And throwing the Christian ants to the ant lions?


COOL! :D