Stars Earn Stripes

Groleck · 08-10-2012, 21:14

I recently saw a commercial for a new show on NBC entitled "Stars Earn Stripes" featuring celebrities being paired up with special operations and law enforcement veterans and performing simulated combat missions. It premieres on Monday, August 13th at 8PM EST.

http://www.nbc.com/stars-earn-stripes/

Looks entertaining. One of the men is Grady Powell, who claims to be SF. The man claiming Delta, Dale Comstock also claims SF in his mini-bio that reads on the NBC site.

- Dan P.

Destrier · 08-10-2012, 21:25

The word, 'quaint' comes to mind.

Geenie · 08-10-2012, 23:48

I'm excited for this show. Who wouldn't want to watch popstars go on real "delta force missions"?

This is the reason why we disconnected our cable service. TV programming in this country has gone to complete sh*t.

JJ_BPK · 08-11-2012, 04:58

How can a show lose with a talented host like Wesley???

Quote:

General Wesley Clark | Host

In 38 years of service in the United States Army, Wesley K. Clark rose to the rank of four-star general as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. Since retiring from the military in 2000, he has taken on the roles of investment banker, alternative energy leader, author, cable network television military analyst and businessman. In September 2003, he answered the call to stand as a Democratic candidate for President of the United States, where his campaign won the state of Oklahoma and launched him to national prominence before he returned to the private sector in February 2004. Clark has chaired several public and private companies, and is a progressive leader in pursuing energy solutions. .

From another thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Here's a good one!

Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark said Thursday he wants the American public to understand what a "great commander in chief" President Barack Obama is.

"He's made some really great decisions, some tough decisions and he's been extremely successful," Clark told the Daily Press. "Not only that, he's been stronger in support of veterans in actual resources and programs than any president in my life time."

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2..._todayinmil.nl

Richard

Mills · 08-11-2012, 07:19

What a joke. Reality TV is turning our country into mindless zombies who thrive to live vicariously through other peoples lives. They no longer strive to thrill seek or experience new things. They just watch others do it on TV..........and that does everything the need to satisfy their needs.

Be careful my friends..........its a slippery slope.

Dozer523 · 08-11-2012, 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Destrier

The word, 'quaint' comes to mind.

That's not the word that came to my mind. Vomit, crap, sad, bullish!t and " I hope the girls dress like the Olympic Beach Volleyball athletes" are somethings I thought.

Ret10Echo · 08-11-2012, 08:08

Really...

I hope they show the part where after you dump your ruck, a team of personal trainers, nutritionists and massage therapists come out of the bushes and prepare you for the next day's operation. That was my favorite part of being on a team.

Paragrouper · 08-11-2012, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

Really...

I hope they show the part where after you dump your ruck, a team of personal trainers, nutritionists and massage therapists come out of the bushes and prepare you for the next day's operation. That was my favorite part of being on a team.

LMAO!

Inflexible Six · 08-11-2012, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

Really...

I hope they show the part where after you dump your ruck, a team of personal trainers, nutritionists and massage therapists come out of the bushes and prepare you for the next day's operation. That was my favorite part of being on a team.

I always enjoyed the post-contact martinis

**PRB** · 08-11-2012, 11:50

I had no idea Clark was a part of this deal.....a 4 star Gen Officer on a BS reality show.
Really, honestly.
How sad.....you can stop refering to him as Gen now...he is 'Wesley' of 'Clark' or maroon or buffoon...you chose.

Dragbag036 · 08-11-2012, 14:05

And some idiot will use the crap in this show to "pick up chicks" or worse, claim he is one of you fine gentlemen!! I call BS!!

CA_TacMedic · 08-11-2012, 17:13

There is actually a lot of uproar regarding this series. Some feel it is disrespectful to the men and women who have truly sacrificed and have initiated blogs. petitions and pages dedicated to having the plug pulled on this show.

I personally rate "reality" tv at the top of "cannot stand it list", as none of it is reality.

Not sure where I stand on this show,....they try and sell a lot of "real explosions", "real bullet"..."REAL DANGER"...BS. The marketing is maybe what gets me. Selling it as entertainment is all together a different cat. This show will get watched. It will get ratings. It will appeal to the armchair nation. Some will watch for entertainment, others because they feel the stars are Patriotic for agreeing to be put through some pre-defined and scripted evolutions that resemble what the tv nation believes is close to "reality", backed up by former and or current military and law enforcement participants.

When these stars drop their Hollywood careers, agents, safety protocols, and sign on the dotted line, raise their right hand and serve for real, for God, Country and the brother next to them...not for ratings, then it might fit the bill of being reality.

Wallace

**PRB** · 08-11-2012, 18:11

I'll be impressed when they have a few KIA/WIA on the set.....maybe Clark will shoot himself in the foot.
Any SOF personnel involved in this Tom Foolery should get special mention in the
" Hall of Assholes...I'd do anything for Cash " arena.

Groleck · 08-11-2012, 21:32

There was another show like this some years ago, I think it was called "Combat Missions" and is mentioned elsewhere on this site. It was really hokey IMO, and this seems a lot like that show but with the addition of celebrities.

If this show gets more attention and takes off, I wonder if it will have a similar effect as some video games do, sparking young men's interest in the military career field enough to maybe even enlist. Perhaps seeing an athletic looking guy like Terry Crews low crawl and say things like "Wow this is way harder than I thought it would be," "This is tougher than any football drills I ever ran," "I have a more profound respect for these men of our nation's military," etc. could be the kind of thing that gets the armchair high school graduate Rambos off the couch to visit the local recruiting station.

I'm not insinuating that this is a good thing, but I wonder what effect a program that combines high-speed cool guy SOF stuff with recognizable celebrity faces has for those who are not diligent in their career research. (The "Hi I'm joe blow and want to know how I can be a delta should I be a ranger first and then green barat or go marines and then seals?" types are all over the place.) This sort of program could draw a lot of XBox weenies to the military, but maybe that's nothing new.

Off on a tangent now....but IF things like this show, new Call of Duty/Medal of Honor video games, and SEAL Team 6 buzz get young men to clamor to recruiting offices, I wonder if the attrition rate for SOF increases as the number of "weenies" attempt to try their hands at different selections/indocs for which they may not be a good fit for or picked for the wrong reasons.

- Dan P.

Sigaba · 08-11-2012, 21:36

I'd rather see Dick Wolf put out a scripted hour long drama that attempts to educate the American people about SOF.

#YMMV