Ink Master

I've actually never been a tattoo fan but a few months ago, as I was looking for something a little interesting to watch on TV, I came across Ink Master and I've been watching the show from then on.

What I like in this show: some of the tattoos (flowers, realistic photos mostly-- I hate skulls, black and white, pin ups, old and new school tattoos) and the artistic and technical explanations from the contestants. I ONLY watch it because of these two aspects.

What I don't like: the drama scenes, the insults, fights, strategies to win, and Mr Nunez's behavior. Whereas Oliver Peck and Dave Navarro are rather fair judges (although sometimes a little politeness would be most appreciated), Chris Nunez is obviously only here to humiliate the contestants instead of purely sticking to his role as a judge.

As a conclusion: this show could be a really great one if Chris Nunez wasn't there and if the contestants were chosen differently. Some of them don't care a d**n about their 'art', they're just here to fight and make a fuss.

The first season, I really liked this show. It was about a tattoo competition. Some of the ink was even good but even when it wasn't it was focused on the art.

Unfortunately, things began to go down hill in the second season. One of the judges, Chris Nunez, became snarkier and snarkier. He seemed to be trying to humiliate and put down the contestants who didn't measure up rather than pull them up to do even better.

Each season, there was a jerk added to the mix. They were someone who would try to "play the game strategically" to get ahead. It became very annoying to watch the petty politics and insults.

The show completely jumped the shark when they announced in the fourth season finale that everyone on the show would have a rival, someone brought in to fight with. Great, pre-made arguing. What a joke! That was the death moment of the show. As soon as they announced that contestants are going to be chosen not on the basis of their art work but on the quality of their enemies I knew the show was dead.

This review is for the revived version of Inkmaster. I have watched every season of this show and loved every minute of it, and I was crushed when it was canceled at Paramount, then thrilled when I learned it would be coming back. I knew Oliver Peck had been fired so I didn't expect him to come back, and I even expected Ryan Ashley to take his place if the show were to return. Well, it returned with new judges- Ryan Ashley, Nikko Hurtado, Ami James, and hosted by Joel Madden. Since Dave Navarro has "long Covid" and is unable to put in the hours necessary to film the show, Madden takes over as host and Dave pops by via video.

Well, the contestants are good, a bunch of retreads we have seen before- each of them interesting and irritating in their own way, but it's the judges that are hurting this season.

Ryan Ashley is so meek, I thought she would be a stronger personality, but she seems to eager to please.

Ami James is simple a mute. He has about a 15 word vocabulary and says very little during each episode. Nikko Hurtado is the best addition to the show- he appreciates the art, but is not afraid to get into the technical details- he is the closest this version of the show comes to the previous. Joel Madden does a decent job as host, and Navarro's video visits feel like those videos you see while you're on line for a ride at an amusement park. The fake interaction with the judges is obvious- we know he is not live, people, so please stop trying to fool us.

This show REALLY misses Chris Nunez. He was so good with his critiques, he didn't miss a single detail, and he didn't need to drop an F-bomb ever other word to get his point across. Even Oliver is very much missed here.

Finally, since this is on the streaming service, the curses aren't bleeped out. The old show's bleeps could get annoying, but this is way, way, worse. Every other word is an F-bomb and it's almost like they have been told to say it as often as possible in an effort to appear edgier than the old show. It's not edgy, it sounds uneducated and childish.

However, I hope the show comes back for more, and I sincerely hope at least Nunez returns (he could replace Ami and the show would be hugely upgraded). This is still a fun show to watch and seeing the artists at work is always the best part of it.

I watch this show to see tattoo artists performing their craft, and to hopefully see some great tattoos. However, each season it gets more embarrassing and painful to watch. I know it's a competition, but if the participants are truly as arrogant and obnoxious as they are portrayed, I can't believe they have legitimate businesses as artists. It's all about drama and fighting and bad-mouthing everyone instead of being about the skill and art. Are all of these people honestly ego-maniacs who have no respect for their peers? Granted, there are usually a few nice folks in the bunch but overall it's just embarrassing how juvenile these people are. Then there's the judging which never seems to be based on what they asked for and who actually complied with the rules. Instead it's about popularity, favoritism and keeping the most controversial people to make sure they have drama. Until they do blind judging, get rid of coaches and get rid of teams. this will never be a fair and real competition. I'm still watching for now to see the art, but it's getting increasingly difficult.

I love watching the challenges, the creativity and the critiques BUT all the drama, the cursing and immature behavior is way too much!!! I have never watched a show that uses so much foul language to express themselves. C'mon you're artists and can't handle criticism-seriously??? I enjoy any show that promotes creativity but feel this is definitely a show I can't watch with my grandchildren!!! Wash your mouths out with soap, take the criticism like a mature artistic adult and make the show enjoyable for everyone to watch. David Navarro is a top notch host.