Top shot show on History

[Mudinyeri]

Anyone who thinks they're better, or know people who are better, than those on the show could have responded to the open casting call a few months back.

I had the application all filled out and ready to send in until I discussed it with my family and decided it wasn't worth the sacrifice of vacation time away from them. I have no idea whether I would have been selected or not. I did develop something of a character in my application to improve my chances, however. Even if I had been selected, I have no idea how I would have performed under the pressure of television and weapons with which I was unfamiliar.

If you can do better and have the time to spare, by all mean send in your application for season three when the time comes.

I'm with speaksoftly, I like Ashley's chances.

 

[lvalmont]

My girlfriend and I are both super happy about Athena being gone.

Her comment "Who doesn't want to see a short, Asian chick kick butt?" really hit a nerve in both of us. Basically playing on orientalism to garner attention. She looked more like "Predator".

We also saw that she was there based on typecasting and not necessarily on real merit.

 

[Justin]

We also saw that she was there based on typecasting and not necessarily on real merit.

Go take a look at Athena's accomplishments and you might reconsider that.

Nothing against accomplished women shooters, but when all your titles are earned against only women....that experience is pretty limited to a small number of shooters.

Practical shooting games are not split along gender lines. The women can and do shoot against the men. Even a cursory understanding of how the games work would demonstrate this.

However, at these games they do often give additional accolades based on particular demographics, e.g. top law enforcement, top military, top female, top junior.

That Athena (or Maggie) has awards that read "Top Woman" does not mean they didn't shoot and place quite well against men.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I think we could get away from pseudo quaifications, or accusations of same, by this show weeding out prospective shooters like American Idol does theri contestants. Let them "sing" (shoot) against each other before we see the lineup. That would definitely weed out those who waffle under stress. I'd rather see a lineup of really good, well rounded shooters. Not people with some credentials in shooting that might have gotten the slot by luck of the draw. They could even use the failed shooters pre-trials as bait for the audience as "Idol" does (although that gets sickening done the way Idol does it).

 

[CraigC]

I absolutely cannot wait for know-it-all Jay to go home.

 

[DDGator]

Just wanted to chime in a couple of things.

Casting for Season 3 is closed -- it was over Feb. 1. No word on casting for Season 4 yet.

And, they do shoot against each other before they get on the show. The final casting call is in L.A. and they shoot various matches before final selections are made for the show. I think what you are seeing is the effect of nervousness (3 million people watching), maybe some intimidation, and putting people way out of their comfort zones.

 

[Justin]

I think what you are seeing is the effect of nervousness (3 million people watching), maybe some intimidation, and putting people way out of their comfort zones.

The comfort zone thing is a big part of it, I suspect. After all, these people are being handed unfamiliar guns, given maybe a handful of rounds for familiarization, and then told to compete for a huge prize in front of an audience of millions.

 

[speaksoftly]

Just watched the latest episode. I know that this isn't the most popular show here on THR but I must say, season 2 is a HUGE improvement over season 1. The more I watch, the more I like Top Shot.

My boy Ashley missed a shot today...wth? Haha

 

[Justin]

I called it a low budget production. They could not afford the ammo to have more than two people shoot the Thompsons.

While the show is probably low budget when compared to a network drama, it probably costs a decent chunk of change per episode.

The high-speed cameras alone are obscenely expensive pieces of equipment.

 

[Kingofthehill]

season 2 is a HUGE improvement over season 1. The more I watch, the more I like Top Shot.

Agreed!... I enjoyed Season 1 though. Although it had its annoying parts like all the bickering and pretty boring firearms, this season is proving much better. It seems like a lot less drama and more info on the firearms and better selections.

1911's and Tommy guns... Enough said!

 

[Rembrandt]

....Practical shooting games are not split along gender lines. The women can and do shoot against the men. Even a cursory understanding of how the games work would demonstrate this.

Justin, not sure we are on the same page....you may be right about women shooting against men, I'll take your word for it. Looking at her bio on the History Channel web site all her titles were in the female category.

After winning two world IPSC Championship titles on the Philippine Ladies Team--and getting increasingly frustrated with the restrictions on professional shooters there--Athena emigrated to the U.S., where in 2008, she helped win a world title for the American women's team. In addition to competing, she was also a firearms instructor in Houston where she is passionate about opening people's minds about the sport of shooting--and who can be good at it. "It's a good feeling to be competing with a bunch of guys who are bigger than I am."

SKILLS / EXPERIENCE:

* 2002 and 2003 World Speed Shooting Open Women's Champion
* 1999 and 2008 IPSC World Shoot Open Women's Champion
* 2001 and 2007 Australasian Open Women's Champion
* 2002 and 2007 USPSA National Open Women's Champion

 

[Justin]

Yes, all of those matches give out accolades for top female shooter. That said, I know men who've competed at some of those matches.

In addition to accolades for top female shooter, they also likely give them out for Top Junior, Top Military and Top Law Enforcement. That does not mean that the matches are limited only to entrants who are under 21, in the Armed Forces, or cops.

I would suggest that you actually look up the results for those matches, you'll probably find that Athena performed very well overall. You don't get to take first place in one of the sub-categories without being a very talented shooter, even if it means you don't take your division overall.

 

[Old krow]

Am I the only one who found "we in the military have to shoot to live" funny? seeing how hes in the Air Force, and not a PJ...Please dont edit my post I am just asking

Okay, since you were nice about it Ashley is (or was, not sure) a Combat Controller. That's a Bronze Star he has. George is the only other AF guy and while it doesn't say what his AFSC, it does say that he is an instructor and I'd guess that he has a CC, Tac-P, or PJ AFSC. Are you sure that was the one of the AF guys that said that?

I thought it was funny when he asked if the Blue team needed a moment to decide who they were going to cut from the Red team. Most said "no" but there was a couple that were caught off guard.

My picks would be Ashley, Jermaine, and Gunny. I'm pulling for the Military guys of course. I think that those 3 will be tough to beat.

Her comment "Who doesn't want to see a short, Asian chick kick butt?" really hit a nerve in both of us.

What's the point in being a short Asian chick if you can't have a little fun with it? It definitely wasn't going to be her intimidating physique that garnered attention. I like her. I could have picked several others to go home in her place, though not necessarily all from the same team. For instance.... Jay.

 

[Tim the student]

Yeah, some AF guys see more combat than many Army folks do. Maybe he has seen some - maybe he hasn't.

That's a Bronze Star he has.

But in fairness, it may be for service, and not valor. If he has a V-device, I would think the producers would mention that. But of course, maybe they wouldn't.

 

[SupraBo]

George is the only other AF guy and while it doesn't say what his AFSC, it does say that he is an instructor and I'd guess that he has a CC, Tac-P, or PJ AFSC. Are you sure that was the one of the AF guys that said that?

It was not Ashley. I am hoping he wins it. I know he is a CC.

Tim, it doesn’t say with Valor but a bronze star is still something to respect. Ashley never came out and said “I am light years ahead of these guys” haha

George's AFSC is security forces. that comment was just funny to me.

I know there are HSLD guys in the AF. When I am state side I feel guys like George are selling themselves as SF.

This year at rifle Nationals there was 1 guy that was AF. I thought it was cool because he paid his own way. He said the Air force doesnt have a rifle team and his command wouldnt support him. he was on leave.

 

[kayak-man]

I see on this forum a lot, "god made men, Samuel colt made them equal" all the time. I am in the Navy and see girls beat guys all the time. it doesn't take a man to pull a trigger. Theres no woman classes in bullseye?

On the whole "women compared to men" subject,I honestly think its a pretty even floor. I remember about four years ago I went to a 4H national shooting sports championship (It was the one in Rapid City, SD, incase anyone else happened to be there...) and every night, when they handed out the awards for the best 10 shooters in each discipline, I noticed that the #1 shooter every time was a guy. #2-7/8 were all female, and then last two or three shooters were male. That happened consistently, every single time, with rifle, pistol, shotgun, archery, and air gun.

I am kind of hoping Jay gets sent home.

 

[lvalmont]

So is everyone upset at last nights episode?

 

[Bonesinium]

Not really. Everyone appeared to shoot fine, and he jacked up....twice! No excuse for doing the same thing again. He deserved to be in the elimination, and he lost. Pretty straight forward. If annoying Jay can out shoot him, then annoying Jay deserves to stay. Jermaine dropped the ball.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Not upset, but that last minute decision to force Jay to compete backfired, screwed with the team dynamic and made it more interesting.

In fact, had Jay listened to the instructor he might have won that stage handily. His fumbling the Glock at start and at reload cost him several chances to shoot.

 

[JN01]

I don't think they have ever shown a weapon malfunction during one of the competitions. Wonder how they handle that. Stop the clock for everyone? Re-film the competition?

 

[9mmepiphany]

So is everyone upset at last nights episode?

Not upset, but that last minute decision to force Jay to compete backfired, screwed with the team dynamic and made it more interesting.

That Sheriff's Lt. is really showing his colors now. He agrees to go with the team decision and than takes a shot at Jay to try to get rid of him. I think he was afraid he would have been chosen to compete. I can't decide if he is going to be this season's Adam (backstabber) or Denny (dead weight)

It looks like the show's editors have made Jay, this season's Kelly (underdog)...Maggie said Jay was really helpful in getting her to focus after the first competition and she nailed her target on the first shot this time

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

I turned if off and switched the chanel to Rapauls drag race. At least there were no pretenders there. LOL

 

[CraigC]

I was appalled and have the strong suspicion that last night's episode was scripted. It is PAINFULLY obvious that Jermaine is vastly more proficient than Jay the Baffoon. He completely disregards his professional trainer, then he fumbles the initial load, misses his first opportunity because he does not hit the slide release and then fumbles his reload. I'm sorry but there's no way he beat Jermaine. He would've had to turned into Rob Leatham between fumblings and the first several misses and I'm just not buying it. Now we know why he does not appear to be terribly proficient, he's been shooting (firearms) for ONE YEAR!!!

The guy that voted for Jay definitely has me in his corner. Jay's a ****** and needs to get sent home.

 

[mcdonl]

It is PAINFULLY obvious that Jermaine is vastly more proficient than Jay the Baffoon.

Well, not last night. With the fact that many of these shooters are competitors who end up at the same competitions as others on this forum I find it hard to believe this would be scripted and that they would keep it a secret.

I find it just as likely that any decent shooter could beat a great shooter if all of the cards fell correctly.

 

[Tim the student]

Now we know why he does not appear to be terribly proficient, he's been shooting (firearms) for ONE YEAR!!!

And Denny hadn't shot for about a decade prior to last season, IIRC. He wasn't a particularly phenomenal shooter prior to that either, to my understanding. He still managed to do just fine.

Sometimes people/teams who "should" win, don't. Sometimes people/teams who "shouldn't" win, do. It happens.