Ink Master

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.

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.

If you intend to watch this show to see some amazing tattoos, don't waste your time: search for them on Google Images. Believe me, you will be saving a lot of time. "But what's so bad about it?", you might ask. Well, I can summarize it.

1. The time given to actually show the pieces is very short. F*ck, it is supposed to be a tattoo show! Show the goddamn tattoos!

2. The majority of the episodes focus on little stupid quarrels among the competitors. It's just like watching some grown-up people acting like children in the kindergarten. Sometimes it is very hard to avoid the thinking that it is planned. It is just annoying and embarrassing to watch.

3. The judging is ridiculous. Needless to say, it is unacceptable for a competition show. Here, it is clear that it is not only the tattoo that is being judged. There's usually a favorite of the judges, and this person will magically stay among the best of the day repeatedly. It does not matter if the tattoo doesn't meet the criteria of the challenge or if it plainly sucks.

I always had complaints about this show, but kept on watching it for the tattoos... But now I realize it is not worthy. Just go for it if you enjoy watching some bizarre human behavior and twist endings.

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.

I love reality competition shows. I am also fascinated by the art tattooing, albeit thus far I am an abstainer. The first season was the best--huge egos but genuine talent. (My favorite did not win.) Since then the show has devolved to showcasing some of the nastiest, untalented people on TV. The number of bleeps per episode is irritating; the talent sub par. Is the industry so tapped out that this is the best it has to offer? I also wonder about the psychological stability of the human canvases, many of whom are left with truly ugly, permanent "artwork" on their bodies. In the latest episode, these canvases wanted a anatomically-correct human heart morphing into either a lion, clock or hand grenade. Really? Are they paid to do this or just guaranteed a cover-up on the series Tattoo Nightmares?