Every now and again I come across a TV show that is just above and beyond what you expect from TV.  I talked a bit previously about Top Gear.  Well, there's another show that I stumbled upon recently.  It's called "Ninja Warrior".  Okay, I know what you are thinking.  "Ninja Warrior?  What kind of stupid show is called Ninja Warrior?  Some martial arts show?"  Well, no.  I have no idea why it's called "Ninja Warrior" other than the fact that it's another Japanese game show type of show.  That at least will explain the name.

 

So, in Ninja Warrior you have these competitors trying to go through these ridiculously difficult obstacle courses.  Emphasis on difficult.  Most of these courses require both strength and stamina beyond anything I've seen before.  For example the 3rd stage is almost entirely fore-arm strength.  Apparently, 100 contestants started and only 5 made it to the final stage.  The cool thing is they show the other competitors watching the guy who's running the course and they are always cheering them on and visibly sad when they fail.

 

So, if you ever get the chance, watch it.  It's on G4.