Physical 100

[Drunk Monk]

Physical 100 is to Squid Game like Survivor is to Gilligan's Islamd. It repeats dramatic moments from several angles in rapid fire which bugged me but everyone is so polite and respectful and that’s refreshing. It’s cheesey in that WWE way, but I’ll probably skip forward and watch some more. The assemblage of buffed body types is fascinating. I’m thinking the combat stuff will be a fun watch.

[Drunk Monk]

Skipped to e3 to get to some fights. The next elimination game is a 3 min one-on-one fight to retain a large ball in either a mud pit or a jungle gym. There are 50 bouts to cut the playing field in bad and we are only shown the more dramatic bouts, and highlights of several others (don’t think we saw all 50). Some of the bouts are very engaging because of the different backgrounds and body types. It’s fascinating to watch how the various strategies play out.

Naturally given this game, the wrestlers and the rugby champ won. It’s cool to see the wrestlers take out their opponents with clean techniques - the non-wrestler fall right into their traps. One fight breaks out into a full MMA fight between the over 40 MMA champ and another younger MMA champ. They don’t use closed fists just slaps but you can see the handprints on the players bodies - looks like iron palm strikes from a Shaw brothers flick. 

The repeat style of this show really bugs me. I only need to see it once especially when it’s the reactions from other competitors as they watch and cheer. 

There’s an overwhelming sense of honor and sportsmanship here that’s so refreshing. Handshakes, bows, hugs - the players really support each other win or lose. Even the smack talk is completely respectful. That’s inspiring. 

Still amusing but overdone dramatically. All the physiques are impressive and some are terribly awesome - like caricatures of heavyweight villains. 


Every player had a plaster cast made of their torso. When the lose, they have to shatter that statue in slo mo. It’s kinda sweet because the losers aren’t sore about it. They’re disappointed of course but the make vows to improve and wish the player that defeated them the best of luck and hope they win.

[Drunk Monk]

Something I meant to mention about this show. There's this common asian expression of astonishment, a particular way to say 'wah'. There's an absurd amount of wahing in this show as the other competitors watch the action. The wah count is off the hook. So many wahs...

[Greg]

Sounds like the recipe for a drinking game.

[Drunk Monk]

You’d pass out less than 10 mins in. It’s a total wah fest.

[Drunk Monk]

E4 of the WahFest spent most of its time selecting 10 team captains and then filling in their teams. I fast forwarded of all that. The 2nd quest was a face off between two teams to finish building a swinging suspension bridge and then carry as much sand over that bridge as they could. After a 12 min time limit ended, the team with the least sand got sent home. That race was entertaining. Had to watch the beginning of e5 to see the winner. 50 survived the first round - 25 advance to the next round. That’ll make it easier to track who’s who.

[Drunk Monk]

Binged to e8 as they whittled it down to 5 through a mixed event where teams had to separate their members into specific tasks. Each was a grueling test of endurance - a good watch as a test of wills. This was after the team 1.5 ton boat pull. 

As the field narrowed it got more entertaining because the personal fire started to emerge. There was a fencer but I only saw that when he was eliminated. Overall enjoyable as long as I only pay passing attention to it. It gets a bit repetitive if I tune in too closely. But I still admire the good sportsmanship - that makes this show enjoyable. Win or lose, everyone is honored to play and that feels so refreshing.

E9 is the finale which airs this week sometime. Most of my favs have been eliminated. But I still want to see who wins.

[Greg]

Binged to e8 as they whittled it down to 5 through a mixed event where teams had to separate their members into specific tasks. Each was a grueling test of endurance - a good watch as a test of wills. This was after the team 1.5 ton boat pull. 

I hope it was an iron crotch boat pull.

[Drunk Monk]

None of that. It’s a very wholesome show. The competitors apologize when they swear.

[Greg]

Cowards.

[Drunk Monk]

Here’s a taste

[Greg]

After Endurance sank, the explorers had to drag their lifeboat, James Caird, across the ice to the open sea. (Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge)

[Drunk Monk]

Yup. Only no ice. It's better with everyone shirtless.

[Greg]

It's contraindicated to be shirtless in the Antarctic.

[Drunk Monk]

My point exactly. 

Although it might amplify the nipple action. 

But that wouldn't fit here. Like I said, this show is very wholesome. Forget I said that...