How would you run Top Shot?

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As lions said above:

1) I would make it more of a "skill" based competition rather than a popularity contest.
2) I would make this "skill" based competition based more upon the actual "skill" it is supposed to be based on.

The ENTIRE episode where the shooters had to remember where the plates were behind the screen COMPLETELY P!&&#D ME OFF!

The squares were the size of a house! They were competing based on their MEMORY of where the targets were rather than their actual skill! In the final "shoot off" where Bill lost......THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL WAY FOR HIM TO WIN. As soon as the targets started swinging, there was a "disqualifier" target swinging syncronized behind a winning target. He HAD to shoot all three targets without touching a disqualifier. How does one do this when a losing target is syncronized behind a winning one? HE HAD LOST BEFORE HE FIRED A SHOT.

Yes, he deserved to go. But he also deserved a fair chance.

Why isn't it possible to keep all competitors and base the competition using all of their strengths so they all have an equal chance? Why not have one episode a competition using antique muzzleloaders, one using an IDPA format, one using IPSC, one using long range, one using long range pistol, maybe indoor small-bore three or four position, sillouette pistol, etc., etc., and then SCORE THEM ALL at the end of the series to determine a winner?

This way, they all have an equal chance, it is NOT a popularity contest, and they are judged based on SKILL and not goofy crap like their MEMORY?
 
Less playing up the so-called personality conflicts among the players and more demonstrations of shooting skills. I don't mind the slow-mos so much (in fact, some of them are downright cool), but I do mind all of the smug, arrogant, I'm-not-talking-with-him-again crap that they play up again and again. Given the "reality" of other so-called reality shows, a lot of this stuff is smoke-and-mirrors for the cameras and isn't real anyway.
 
I agree with most everyone else. They copied a standard reality show format rather than working out something new. Less drinking though; that should count for something.

I've only seen a bit, but I hate the way the tape is cut. I have little faith that the trigger squeeze I see here goes with the target impact that I see there. There's damn little integrity in reality TV.
 
I'd make a simple change


I'd cancel top shot with extreme prejudice and replace it with new episodes of "Tales of the gun"

I'm so sick and tired of reality TV I could vomit
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This about sums it up.
Bring back a good show and get rid of a crappy one.
 
I think I'd have fewer competitors, and at least wait a few episodes before starting eliminations.

Maybe set it up as a points based system, and have a leader board.
 
Despite all the reality show silliness, the poorest performers on each challenge are going first.

On the first episode, Mike was (by far) the worst performer and he's gone.
Second episode, Frank.
Third episode, Mike.
Fourth episode, James.
 
right, but in each of those cases, the person was eliminated before they got a chance to show off in their area of expertise, and I think that's a shame.
 
I would have selected the top shooters in many different types of missile weapons and firearms: semi-auto pistols, SA revolvers, bench shooters, silhouette shooters, archers, sling-shot experts, knive and shirkin throwers and maybe even javelin throwers, pitchers and quarterbacks. I would devise a skills test in each of the disciplines. Everyone would compete in every classs except where they were an "expert." A points system would be used and the person finishing highest after all of the contests would be the "Top Shot."

I think the person who wins the "contest" as it is currently presented is much more likely to be the "Top Snot."

Oh yeah, I would nix any use of a schmarmy host whose hands seem glued to his hips and overall contribution is limited to: "Bring it on in, guys."
 
right, but in each of those cases, the person was eliminated before they got a chance to show off in their area of expertise, and I think that's a shame.
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The whole concept of the show is based around a variety of weapons. Being expert at only one thing to the exclusion of everything else, makes somebody a weak link. That's why if I had to bet, I'd say one of the military people with more generalized skills will emerge as the winner. Those guys are also far less whiney and abrasive than the ego driven "competitive" players, thus less likely to be voted off early in the game.
 
Less back stabbing

And have you noticed that about half these guys have no skills or common sence at all-----I mean I'm just a schlub and I could do better than these clowns. I thought they were supposed to be experts?

Watched about 1.5 episodes---and I also won't be back.
 
I really enjoy the show because it is something that im interested in and would love a chance at competeing also. But as many have already said, I would love to see individual shooters. So it truely the "Top Shot" instead of getting by having good teamates. Jim the old guy should have gone first. Didnt even know how to shoot a pistol. COME ON. More shooting competitions everyone for themselves and the best shooter will be standing at the end. I think Blake or JJ should win. Best 2 shooters on the show.
 
Omaha,

every single one of those shooters would stomp you in their area of expertise...
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Omaha makes an excellent point! That first episode showed how absolutely miserable some of the pistol contestants were with standard iron sighted military rifles.

The archery competition was just as pathetic. This was a freaking 40 pound bow - a girls bow! I haven't picked up a bow in 25 years, but I suspect even I could perform better than these guys.

Too many of these contestants are specialists in one narrow area. They aren't gun enthusiasts, they're competitors within one narrow niche of the gun world.

Most/many of the people on this board grew up in rural or small town America. We have at least basic competence with bows, shotguns, rifles (iron or scoped), handguns, blackpowder guns and so on from childhood on. Yeah, any of the USPSA shooters would absolutely trounce me within his specialty, but as we've seen they're so narrowly focused that they don't perform very well outside that specialty. I guess that adds a bit of fun to my viewing. It may reek of armchair commando, but I like sitting back and mentally commenting that "I could do better that that".
 
Most/many of the people on this board grew up in rural or small town America. We have at least basic competence with bows, shotguns, rifles (iron or scoped), handguns, blackpowder guns and so on from childhood on.
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You're making an incorrect assumption based on your background. Look at the old "who we are" threads and you'll see the majority of folks here are more suburban instead of rural. Most members have no experience with anything but modern cartridge firearms.
 
You're making an incorrect assumption based on your background. Look at the old "who we are" threads and you'll see the majority of folks here are more suburban instead of rural. Most members have no experience with anything but modern cartridge firearms.
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Perhaps you're right. So let's say "many" instead of most/many.
 
How would I make it better?

Put all the contestants on a deserted island with the weapons of their choice and a helmet cam. And see who the sole Survivor, not "voted off."

However, since we have to deal in reality I think the present show is pretty good. It gets non-shooters interested in shooting. The only change I would make is to add some more interesting weapons. I.e. each team learns to use a civil war cannon, and the teams compete to take out a regiment of mannequins with grape shot? Who can shoot down a model airplane with quad mounted M-2's first? It's TV they have the budget and connections to get some really interesting weapons. ... just look at mail call.
 
This show is pretty low budget so far. I'm guessing far and away the biggest expense is the property rental, and the cash prize. I haven't seen a contest yet where the material cost is more than a few thousand dollars.
 
For the elimination rounds, have it be the worst shooter from each team, so even if you lose the challenge, you still have a shot of coming out all right, albeit a very slim shot.

What about an "Old west style gunfight" for the elimination rounds?

I think I'd give the contestants a small choice in the weapon. For the second episode, they would've been able to choose between the Berretta or a 1911. The memory game? AR15 or an AK variant.

I don't know if it would be any better, but I'd watch it...
 
This show is pretty low budget so far.
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Anyone who has knowledge of a Discovery Channel production knows their budgets are low. I knew some of the participants in front of and behind the camera in a recent deep sea exploration program. Budgets were slim.

Actually the budget for the crew and cast lunch/dinner was extensive. Knowing Jim personally, he's usually eating a MRE at the matches. The food service on location was a welcome surprise to him.
 
The one thing that I'd change about the show is how the team selects the shooters for the elimination stage.

Instead of them taking individual shots, I'd have them all on the firing line and shoot at the target(s) at once. That would shorten the selection process and make it a little more anonymous.
 
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