BattleBots

Why, Comedy Central, why? Battlebots rocked, but they've seen fit to do away with it. And just when they really started marketing the toys, too. It was good, clean, violent fun. But I'd like to address the comments by "TheUnholyArmpit." Battlebots is not a ripoff of the British show "Robot Wars." "Robot Wars" is a pseudo-intellectual contest between various mechanical creations. Battlebots is simply the televised version of an exhibition of fighting robots that started in the early '90s. Robot Wars was actually the first show of its kind, but they used American robots, as that's where it all started. Battlebots was created by the guys who first started the original competition, then brought their bots to Britain for that show. (Check amazon.com for the Official Battlebots book for more history and info). In fact, the first time I ever heard of the competition was back in the '90s, when CNN (I think) did a story on it. So, in a way, neither show is entirely original, or a ripoff of something else. Regardless, I still miss it.

I mean it. Robots getting torn to pieces has some serious "wow factor" as well as being good for laughs. Heck, I laughed as Ziggo tore through one of those Scrap Daddy 'bots. There wasn't anything left of that 'bot after that! One match I'll never forget was between Spaz and Buddy Lee. Bil Dwyer really wanted Buddy Lee to lose. All I remember hearing throughout that whole fight wasn't any commentary, rather screams of "Get the dogs! Get those stupid dogs! Hit that STUPID DOLL!" etc. I don't know why, but I laughed the whole fight.

I do miss Sean Salisbury though. He played the straight man well to Bil. The new guy has yet to prove himself to me. But, there's only been 2 shows prior to the date of this posting. Who knows? Maybe I'll eventually like him too.

It's fun to watch just how creative these bot builders can be. This competition is growing quite a bit in popularity. As it does, more and more robots are about to be displayed. I noticed that this season, the crew has actually shown some more fights than in the past. The show is now an hour's length, for starters. Also, in addition to showing whole fights, they also recap some previous battles that did not make it to television for a full fight airing. At least this gives the audience a chance to see more sparks flying.

Hey, what else can I say? It's fun to watch. Enjoy it!

Oh yeah, and go Ziggo! :)

Before I go into the show Battlebots, I'd just like to point our friend TheUnholyArmpit to this web-page: http://robotcombat.com/history.html Combat robotics STARTED in San Francisco, not the UK. Yep, we copied you..

I first got caught up in the Battlebots craze in it's second season. Every preceding season after that I watched every week, never missing an episode. By it's 4th season Battlebots was Comedy Centrals 3rd highest rated show, following South Park and The Man Show (both extremely hard to beat). Then somewhere between the 5th and 6th seasons there was an executive change in Comedy Central and Battlebots got moved to a new, and worse, air time with no notification. Well of course if no one knows when the shows on, no one can watch it and the rating sank. This gave the new CEO enough leverage to cancel Battlebots in mid-season, or we can only assume that's what happened.

But there's still hope. After years and years of legal battles, the creators of Battlebots are now looking for a new channel to air their show. There had been rumors that a few channels were interested, including Bravo and possibly WGN. For us Battlebot fans we can only hope. That is, unless you feel like building your own bot or just going out to see a competition in person. There are now hundreds of events held every year for bots that weight 150 grams (~5.3 ounces), 1 pound, 3 pounds, 12 pounds, 30 pounds, 60 pounds, 120 pounds, 220 pounds, and 340 pounds. There's a list of upcoming events as well as bots competing in them here: http://www.buildersdb.com/index.asp

When I first heard of this show, I thought it would be incredibly stupid. Then I started watching, (we just got it here in Canada) and now I can't stop watching!

Call it my Y chromosome if you must, but I just like seeing stuff get destroyed. Add the fact that these robots are built by regular (though some are professionals) people, and that broadens the appeal.

If you've never seen the show, here it is broken down (no pun intended):

People build these robots that are designed to hurt and then turn them on each other (robots, not the people). The fights take place in a bulletproof cage (to prevent shrapnel from flying into the audience) called a "Battle Box", they last for three minutes (or five minutes for a battle royal), and the judges award points based on aggression, damage inflicted, and hits. Obviously, the bot with the most points (or KO) wins. Champions in the four weight classes receive $5000 and giant gold nut.

If there's one thing I dislike about the show, its the vignettes between matches which I suppose are there for comedic purposes. Well, it is on Comedy Central (The Comedy Network north of the border) after all. Still, the time these vignettes take up could be better used for more matches. Instead, we are "treated" to Mecha Tentoumushi on "The Tonight Show", a short on how TURBO is a great chick magnet, and watching Donna D'Errico's replacement (I forget her name) take Mauler's builder out to a fancy restaurant to teach him some class. Gimmie a break!!!

That being said, I still enjoy "BattleBots" and will continue to watch. My favorites from each weight class are Backlash (Lightweight), Deadblow (Middleweight), Mauler (Heavyweight), and Rammstein (Super Heavyweight).

In fact, I like this show so much, I'm thinking of entering myself. I'll even do those stupid vignettes if that's what it takes.

So in closing, watch "BattleBots". Its a half hour of good time fun.

After all, what other show features a big gold nut?

Americans, dont you love `em? They see something they like, and then try to copy it. Thing is, they are like parrots, copying what ever they see with no comprehension of what they are doing. And this show is another example of this. Some US TV exec sees Robot Wars, thinks "we can do that", and makes a right mess of it. Robot wars has some structure behind it, the biggest part of the show is taken up with (sometimes brutal) competition - The US counterpart is mostly posturing. I could go on all night but, lets just put it this way.... Robot Wars` female presenter (Phillipa Forrester) has a PHd, Battle Bots has some woman out of Playboy. Watch the original, Robot Wars is still the best.