Good day all,
I know it has been a long time since I last made a blog entry and I know that you all have missed me and my views on all things metal. I will try and be here more often but we will just have to see where life takes me. I have a few blog posts I want to get to but as I have said before and I will say again right now, sometimes life gets in the way. But let’s just forget about that for right now and get to the topic for today’s blog post/rant shall we?
Yesterday, I was able to finish the season finale of That Metal Show on VH1 Classic with hosts Eddie Trunk, Don Jamieson and Jim Florentine and there is both good news and bad to report out of the new season of TMS. But before I get into my critique of this new season let me draw your attention to my Open Letter to Eddie Trunk that I wrote before this season started filming. I was hoping he would consider making some changes to the format of the show and make it more enjoyable for us metalheads that want a show that is all about metal. I have to give Eddie Trunk and VH1 Classic credit; they at least tried to make some changes to the show to make it more watchable but unfortunately in the overall final analysis of this season they failed once again to bring a coherent show about metal/hard rock to the airwaves.
Let’s start with the good stuff as it was very little so we should be able to get through it rather quickly. First the new set was really nice, getting rid of that old and outdated set was a great step in the right direction. It made the show seem more up to date with the times and really made the show look current. But that my friends, is the only current thing about this show! The updated set resonates like the old saying about lipstick on a pig, just doesn’t hide the truth and the truth is this show should be put out of its misery. I am honestly surprised at this point that they can get any musicians on this show anymore. Really, why would you want to be associated with this mess? I know what I am about to say is harsh but “Wayne’s World” was better than this show currently is and Wayne’s World was a parody! The sad part is that a cable access show with no budget plays better than TMS does on a weekly basis.
So that was the good…
Where to begin on the rest of this train wreck? Let’s start with the new bits that the show has incorporated into the mix as a way of updating their format. Before I lambast them though I do want to reiterate that I am happy that they at least tried something new even if it was an abject failure. Which bit shall we start with? How about one that I understood the least, I believe they called it “Putting it on the Table”, which is just a flat out stupid name but the whole premise of this bit was stupid. Correct me if I am wrong but the main part of this show is to interview the artists and guests correct? So why in the middle of the interview do you stop, pull out index cards and ask the guest ridiculously stupid questions? Seriously!!!! Also, why do you have to keep pulling the index cards out each episode when you are asking the same questions over and over again? Was VH1 Classic unwilling to put the questions on the teleprompter so you could read them verbatim and you where not smart enough to memorize the questions? Seriously!!!! Even I have the questions memorized after the first episode of the season! What is wrong with you idiots? You are not what metal needs; as a matter of fact you three bozos are the last thing that metal needs! Metalheads have enough societal issues the last thing we need is for you three bozos, especially Jim and Don, representing our culture!
But I digress…
The other bit that really rankled my panties was the completely unnecessary “Rant”! All that was, was an excuse to make excuses for how ridiculous the show is and how we, the viewers should stop complaining about it. Again: Seriously!!!!! You are going to tell us to stop complaining that the guests you have on are relevant to metal today? Please, do not patronize the metal fan and use the excuse “This show is on VH1! Classic we have to have classic metal and hard rock” and please stop using the excuse that VH1 Classic rules all decisions made. I have said it before and I will say it again Eddie Trunk is listed as an Executive Producer, if he has no say in what goes on with his show then show some balls and quit and create a show somewhere else. Hell your production value would probably be better on cable access.
While I am on the subject of Eddie Trunk and his “Rant” on the season finale of TMS let me just say this, quit being a hypocrite! Don’t blame other people for calling Glam Metal “Hair” Metal. You have a radio station on Sirrius/XM that is literally called Hair Nation! How is it you are going to talk down to other people for perpetuating a “derogatory” term about a metal genre when you are participating in making it an acceptable term? How many times do I have to say this? Seriously!!!! Please don’t come out and say that “During my show on the station it is called Trunk Nation” because that means nothing! The station name doesn’t change just your show and it is on a station with a name you apparently detest yet you help perpetuate the name during your show. I guess the money for doing the show is a little better than your true values and beliefs. Hey I get it money rules all, we all have families to take care of but don’t get up on your literal soapbox and tell the world that their wrong when you are part of the problem! You should have known better Eddie!
There is nothing that will make me continue to watch TMS anymore. I gave you all a chance but the excuses on why it can’t be a better show have now made me numb and I have no other choice but to succumb to my common sense and move on. Maybe, someday, there will be a great metal show for all of us metal fans to get into but That Metal Show is certainly not it anymore, if it ever was! Eddie, I wish you and your excuses the best of luck and maybe next season they will do what you want and rename the show That Hard Rock Show and you can work with your favorite genre. You have tried to do good with this show but let’s face it you have always been about the softer side of the metal genre and are afraid to venture into any more extreme depths of the music. That is your prerogative but please stop making excuses for this failure.
I know I didn’t cover everything in this post but to be honest I am exhausted! I have been a mild defender of this show for a while and I always gave Eddie Trunk the benefit of the doubt but I just can’t do it anymore. Way to many excuses on why other people make HIS show bad. Good luck Eddie but I won’t be seeing you again.
Until Later, Peace!
Lurch