Knights of Mayhem

[Father Bill]

I've not seen the matter in question, but noting the response of so many posters here, and the things that I have seen recently, I wonder aloud (said he) why it seems necessary to so many cinematic and TV producers to include immature dialogue as part of their product. Do they really think that the average viewer likes smart-alecks, or do the truly think they're being clever?

[Mike M.]

I like the idea of The Stuarts. Start with James I, then continue for the next 100 years.

I could see doing the Jacobite rebellions, but separately. Good miniseries material.

[Tobus]

I've not seen the matter in question, but noting the response of so many posters here, and the things that I have seen recently, I wonder aloud (said he) why it seems necessary to so many cinematic and TV producers to include immature dialogue as part of their product. Do they really think that the average viewer likes smart-alecks, or do the truly think they're being clever?

Sadly, it seems that the American viewing population absolutely loves the drama of infighting, feuds, namecalling, etc. It's not enough to make a show about an interesting subject like modern competitive jousting. The marketing team and advisers know well enough that the average viewer will watch a few minutes of it and then change the channel. So rather than make it 'boring' like a documentary, they have to spice it up by playing on all the rivalries and immature character deficiencies. That's what viewers stick around for.

This is why such horrid programs like Jersey Shore and others seem to become such hits. People love that stuff. I can't stand it, though. And it's making this very interesting program virtually unwatchable for me.

[Livingston]

<snip>

So can anyone tell me, is jousting a part of the Estes Park Highland Games? Or was this a one-time tournament that just happened to coincide with it?

Tobus, I've been there every year for the last 15-17 yrs. They have had the jousting for about 4 or 5 years. I haven't watched, been too busy with either being a steward for the piping competition or hosting out clan tent. Missed seeing the show too but it sounds like I didn't miss much.

[Highlander31]

Yeh, they should be called the "Knights of Whining Little B#tches".

Good description SFCRick. I give them credit for participating in a tough and demanding sport, but the BS would have been more appropriate in a room full of divas.

[rlloyd]

I got to see some live jousting at a Celtic Festival back in September; will have to check this show out.

[macwilkin]

Love The Tudors!

I agree! A wonderful time period in my opinion, would be the 18th-century - perhaps something called, The Jacobites, or The Stuarts? Sounds good to me! The producers and the director could make it gritty (shaky camera for battle scenes, dirty, grime, etc), fairly historically accurate (as much as Hollywood can!), and focus on pertinent details of character/plot development. Wouldn't it be so cool to see a grittier, more real version of 'Bonnie' Prince Charlie's plight, along with the tartan-clad Highlanders?!

Cheers,

That would be Peter Watkins's Culloden, Kyle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2BVeAz4Vzg

T.

[creagdhubh]

That would be Peter Watkins's Culloden, Kyle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2BVeAz4Vzg

T.

I own it, Todd! Not a bad production for the 1960's. I especially like the use of patronyms for the various chiefs depicted (Keppoch for example, Mac Mhic Raonuill), in Scottish Gaelic. I want to see a full-blown, feature-length film or series, in colour, that depicts either the Jacobite rebellion(s) of the 18th-century, or the Stuarts. Hire the same directors and producers that created, The Tudors!

Can we get moving on this?!

[FinsUp]

The main guy Charles Andrews has been making claims of being a U.S. Nave SEAL. It turns out he is not, never has been a SEAL. There is a listing for him on the pownetwork.org

[Zardoz]

I was excited about the show at first, a lot of it was shot at Sherwood Forest Faire last season.
But as has been said, rather than being a doucumetary style show as I would have expected from the National Geographic channel, it's a 'reality show', mostly about Charlie "stolen valor" Andrews and his ego.