Stars Earn Stripes – Honoring Vets or Mocking them

New NBC reality show has B-list stars playing GI Joe

NBC trucked this show out after the Olympics and well, it's been an interesting thing to read about on the Web. I don't see how anyone didn't know what this was after the bazillion ads during the London Games but if you don't know, it's "NBC's military-themed reality competition show in which celebrities compete in a series of physical challenges," according to the LA Times.

Fine, who doesn't want to see a bunch of B-listers playing soldier boy (no, not Solida Boy). And who doesn't want to jump out of helcopters, shooot crew-serviced weapons or look all cool and macho. Really, on the surface, it sounds fun. But there is a bigger issue in that is this really honoring veterans or just mocking them. Mocking might be a bit harsh but really, if you aren't a vet, learning how to do a room sweep in an urban combat training area when no one is shooting at you or if you know no one ever will isn't the same thing. Now, the money they earn does go to veterans' charities but still, I think honestly, if you are so intrested in being a SpcOps guy, enlist. 

And my man, Steve Colbert, took harsh aim at the show in a brutal truth. Let's read: 

As for former 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey, who described being on the show as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience for people like myself to step in there and get in the trenches,” Colbert quipped, “Yes, once in a lifetime, other than all the times you could have enlisted.”

Right-o, Steve-o. He goes on ….

He also expressed his skepticism over the repeated claim that the challenges "Stars Earn Stripes" simulated an “authentic war experience.”

“Yes this is real, with real weapons and real ammunition and real jet skis zipping in at the first sign of trouble,” Colbert said. “In fact, this is better than real, because this is war as we imagine it. None of that setting up a checkpoint in local neighborhoods trying to suss out centuries-old tribal conflicts, or engaging in outreach with local religious leaders to effect a stable political environment. It’s just blowing [stuff] up."

And as in a real war, many of the contestants face moments of crippling self-doubt, like when Lachey wondered  “Why’d I let my agent talk me into this?”

“I’m sure the 80,000 U.S. soldiers risking their lives in Afghanistan are wondering why they let their agents talk them into that,” Colbert joked. “They really should have taken that guest spot on ‘How I Met Your Mother.’”

As for the group of Nobel laureates who condemned “Stars Earn Stripes” for making war seem like just another sporting event, Colbert wasn’t convinced by the comparison.

“This is nothing like an athletic competition. Those things are dangerous.”

Love Steve. I mean, he's spot-on. 

Now, if you want to have more fun, here's the video clip from Colbet's Show….



And if you are really able to watch video that is NOT SAFE FOR WORK. (there, you are warned.) check out Action Figure Therapy. AFT's Ranger gives the show his full attention. Again, NOT SAFE FOR WORK.