NBC’s adrenaline-driven obstacle course drama "American Ninja Warrior" kicks off its eighth season June 2. The show will start with several weeks of qualifying rounds in cities all the across the country, then to finals' rounds. Those contestants who survive the finals rounds will get the chance to compete in Las Vegas for a $1 million prize.
Last year's season was historic. Rock climber Isaac Caldiero defeated the course to become the first American Ninja Warrior. So, this season has many questions. Will someone be able to equal Caldiero's success? If so, who? Will the female competitors make history again this year?
These questions are all reasons to watch the show, as are the following eight.
1. You’ll see some amazing obstacles.
One of the appeals of "Ninja Warrior" is the course itself. The obstacles are uniquely engineered to create both a challenge for the competitor and entertainment for the viewer. Every season, new obstacles are designed and in each competing city, there is a different course (this saves the show from getting repetitive). They have always been difficult, but this season they should be the worse than ever. Last season, the course was beaten by two competitors. The “impossible” was done. This season, to recreate the aura of impossibility, the obstacles will be even tougher and therefore even more interesting to watch.
2. You’ll see truly inspirational stories.
Among the bodybuilders and stud contestants, you’ll find people who are competing for more than just glory or fame. Many competitors have dealt with injury, addiction or disabilities. Competing in "American Ninja Warrior" is more than just about beating the course for these people. For example, in season six, 52-year-old Jon Stewart (pictured above) was able to complete both the qualifying and finals' courses. He also became the oldest contestant up the infamous Warped Wall.
3. It's funny!
If you watched "Wipeout," you probably did so because you liked seeing people fall into the water in various hilarious and uncomfortable ways. "Ninja Warrior" has that plus a lot of other bonuses that make the show much less repetitive than "Wipeout." I mean, humor doesn't really get much better than some muscular guy flexing at the starting line and then going "kerplunk!" two minutes later (sweet humility!).
4. It’s fairly realistic (for a reality TV show).
Do you often cringe while watching the conflicts on a “reality” TV show that you know deep down are scripted? It’s not perfect. The timing of the runners are manipulated for viewer attention, but other than that, it is the obstacle course that runs the show. It does not discriminate. Even the more popular competitors like Kacy Catanzaro and Joe Morasky — who, for the sake of ratings, NBC would love to have complete all courses —have been selected for elimination by the course.
5. The competitors are interesting.
The show could have made the mistake of only casting “professional” obstacle course runners, but instead, the show features a diverse line up of competitors from various races, backgrounds and career fields. Some competitors come from unusual, and therefore interesting, backgrounds. Fan favorite Lance Peckus is a cowboy with a beautiful ranch and Meagan Martin is a professional rock climber. But others are just “normal" people. Mount Midoriyama Veteran Joe Morasky is a meteorologist and fellow veteran Travis Rosen is a stock trader who works from home. The diverse mix of “extraordinary” and “ordinary” people who compete side-by-side (and have fairly equal amounts of success) makes the show unpredictable and fascinating.
6. You’ll meet some amazing female competitors.
"American Ninja Warrior" puts both women and men on the same difficult obstacle course. The result? The emergence of some fantastic female competitors. Before season six, women had not had much success on "Ninja Warrior" courses; no woman had ever completed any course or made it up the infamous Warped Wall. But in season six, petite five-foot former gymnast Kacy Catanzaro not only made it up the wall, but completed both the qualifying and finals' courses. Catanzaro’s success helped bring out a new legion of intense female competitors, including rock climbers Martin and Michelle Warnky and professional stunt woman Jessie Graff. One of the biggest draws to watching season eight will be seeing if or how these women make Ninja history again.
7. The hosts are awesome!
"American Ninja Warrior" is hosted by Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila (it's worth just watching the show to hear Iseman get that name right every time!). Both hosts have perfect chemistry and narrate the competitor runs with gusto and humor. It's also pretty awesome to watch Gbaja-Biamila's reaction when a star competitor hits the water; let's just say, he is one candid guy.
8. It will make you want to exercise.
Traditional forms of exercise can be boring: is there anything worse than walking on a treadmill for an hour? But what about running an obstacle course? The show makes running an obstacle course look appealing and inspires the viewer to imitate the competitors. After my family watches the show, the kids usually head for the trees to practice their arm strength. All over the country, Ninja gyms are becoming more and more popular because they are introducing a fun form of exercise.
