I'm in between jobs right now (I start my new one Tuesday), so I've been doing what any out of work man would do: troll netflix for random TV shows.
After exhausting Hoarders (A very interesting show about people with the hoarding mental disease, a show I would suggest to anyone with the time), I decided to watch some Deadliest Warrior. I didn't expect historical accuracy, but I also didn't expect out right lies and unbalanced review.
For those of you who haven't watched the show, they basically compute what historical class of of warrior would defeat another. Seems simple enough. Until you find out their calculations are based mostly on 3 arbitrary range classes (Which they manipulate to their whim, in some cases grouping polearm weapons together with projectile weaponry), 'lethality' ratings (Opposing weapons are frequently tested against different targets), and odd to false weapon choices (Like the use of semi-automatic shotguns against pump action models, despite the fact that both sides have access to both type of models; or comparing shotguns to pistols; or the use of SHOVELS as weapons). All of these things are entered into a program, run a thousand times (The simulations are turn based, if your wondering) and a winner emerges.
And to top it all off, the doctor they use to verify 'kills' seems to be a bit extreme at time. I certainly wouldn't want him treating me... he'd probably look at a paper cut and start filling out your death certificate.
Over all, what I thought would be an entertaining romp through cool stuff has actually angered me.
Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has ever watched a TV show and just wondered who in the hell they hired to fact check this stuff?
Side Note: Also, who's looking forward to Lee and Grant (History Channel Special, airing on Wednesday).
After exhausting Hoarders (A very interesting show about people with the hoarding mental disease, a show I would suggest to anyone with the time), I decided to watch some Deadliest Warrior. I didn't expect historical accuracy, but I also didn't expect out right lies and unbalanced review.
For those of you who haven't watched the show, they basically compute what historical class of of warrior would defeat another. Seems simple enough. Until you find out their calculations are based mostly on 3 arbitrary range classes (Which they manipulate to their whim, in some cases grouping polearm weapons together with projectile weaponry), 'lethality' ratings (Opposing weapons are frequently tested against different targets), and odd to false weapon choices (Like the use of semi-automatic shotguns against pump action models, despite the fact that both sides have access to both type of models; or comparing shotguns to pistols; or the use of SHOVELS as weapons). All of these things are entered into a program, run a thousand times (The simulations are turn based, if your wondering) and a winner emerges.
And to top it all off, the doctor they use to verify 'kills' seems to be a bit extreme at time. I certainly wouldn't want him treating me... he'd probably look at a paper cut and start filling out your death certificate.
Over all, what I thought would be an entertaining romp through cool stuff has actually angered me.
Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has ever watched a TV show and just wondered who in the hell they hired to fact check this stuff?
Side Note: Also, who's looking forward to Lee and Grant (History Channel Special, airing on Wednesday).
