Stars Earn Stripes Reality TV Show Review - Meet the Stars Earn Stripes Cast
How Believable is Stars Earn Stripes?
When you watch TV shows and movies they are packed full of special effects, explosions and weapons. If you're like me, then you may have wondered how well that same actor would do if it were real?
How long would the cast of Law and Order survive in a real police shoot out? I find it hard to believe that they would succeed and catch the criminals. I think they would cower behind the cars and hope no-one notices them.
Well NBC are trying to test this theory. They have a new reality TV show called Stars Earn Stripes. As you can see from the title, this show is very patriotic. The whole point in the show is seeing a number of celebrities in real life military missions.
Is it realistic of real warfare combat? Keep reading to discover the truth about Stars Earn Stripes.
If you'd prefer to see a TV show about the US Navy when they are betrayed by their own country on a mission, then you'll prefer to watch the Last Resort TV show on ABC.
Stars Earn Stripes Premise
The whole point of Stars Earn Stripes is to match celebrities with military and law enforcement officers, to teach them real combat kills, rather than what they show people in Hollywood. Money will be donated to charity by the celebrities at the end, including war veterans that need help.
You'll see some celebrities that can't hack the pressure. You'll see celebrities break down as their commanding officer shouts at them. You'll see these same celebrities learn to assemble a weapon and learn how to shoot a high powered sniper rifle, and much more, There will be weekly missions and lots of physical training.
Throughout the whole process, each celebrity is matched up with a professional. They are taught by these experienced people to do the military assignments they have been set. It's a bit like Dancing with the Stars, but with guns instead.
Stars Earn Stripes Celebrity Cast
You're probably wondering who is actually taking part in Stars Earn Stripes. Here's the details of the 8 celebrities that are competing on Stars Earn Stripes.
Todd Palin - He was the First Gentlemen of Alaska when his wife, Sarah Palin became the Alaskian Govenor. However, he is famous in his own right. He's a champion snowmobile racer and used to work in the oil and gas industry for BP.
Terry Crews - A former NFL player turned actor and comedian. Most remembered from the comedy Everyone Hates Chris. However, he was a kick ass soldier in The Expendables. Let's see how well he is able to adjust to the real military situations.
Picabo Street - An Olympic gold medalist and world champion in downhill skiiing. She's also been inducted to the World Hall of Fame for skiing.
Nick Lachey - Most people will remember him as Jessica Simpson's husband on the Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. They have since divorced. Before that he was a member of a successful boyband called 98 Degrees and went on to have a short solo career.
Laila Ali - Daughter of Mohammed Ali and followed in her father's footsteps by fighting in the ring. She won every fight she every appeared in, but there is speculation that she purposely managed to avoid fighting any of the other top female contenders.
Eva Torres - Has many strings to her bow and has been a model, dancer and a wrestler. SHe has also appeared on a number of TV shows including Show Me the Money, Deal or No Deal and Sunset Tan.
Dolvette Quince - Most people will recognize Quince from The Biggest Loser where he helps people lose weight and get fit. However, he also has his own gym, his own workout regime and also helps athletes and celebrities keep fit, including Justin Bieber.
Dean Cain - Arguably the most widely recognized celebrity takng part in the Stars Earn Stripes Reality TV series. Most people will remember Dean Cain from his stint as Superman alongside Terry Hatcher in the 90's. It will be interesting to see how the former Superman will do in this show.
Stars Earn Stripes Professional Military Cast
FInd out more about the military experts the celebrities will be paired with in the tv series Stars Earn Stripes.
Brent Gleeson - A modern day renaissance man. He's a former US Navy Seal and served for 5 years. He worked, in part, with the CIA on capture and kill missions in Iraq. However, there's far more to him than just being a military jock. Although he is very active and continues to keep himself fit he is also an entrepreneur and has a number of successful websites and real estate ventures. He has at least 2 degrees and is a successful public speaker. Not to mention he's really good looking.
Dale Comstock - A Green Beret who served with the US Army 3rd Special Forces and also with the Delta Force.
Chris Kyle - Also a former US Navy Seal and went on to write a novel called American Sniper. Also commonly called the Devil of Ramadi.
Talon Smith - Recently returned from Afghanistan and is still an active member of the US Navy Corps. He's also an actor on Friday Night Lights.
JW Cortez - Currently a NYC MTA Police Department Officer. Previously was a US Marines Corps Gunnery Sergent.
Andrew McLaren - Served in Liberia and Iraq as a US Marine Corps Sergeant.
Grady Powell - Former Green Beret of the US Army.
Tom Stroup - Works in the Orange County Sheriff's Office in California as a SWAT Commander.
You'll Love Stars Earn Stripes if You Love......
I have to admit to not being a huge of fan of reality TV. For the most part, I find them hard to believe as they feel orchestrated or scripted. On the other hand, they are sometimes boring and dull.
Do You Believe These Celebrities are Taking the Same Risks as Real Military Operatives?
Stars Earn Stripes is interesting to me. Do I believe these celebrities are in real danger from explosions and real ammunition? I think that there is little danger to the participants. Most of them are used to working with special effects. They understand the importance of being in the right place at the right time. I believe the biggest danger they will be in is from a physical injury, such as a twisted ankle or knee. Maybe a bruise if they hit the ground too hard. Apart from that, I find it impossible to believe that these actors would join a program that is truly a threat to their life span.
However, I am looking forward to Stars Earn Stripes. I love video games like Call of Duty. These celebrities are going to be taken by the hand and get to actually do a lot of the stuff that people only get to do in video games. That's really cool. And the best part is they won't have to suffer the trauma's a real soldier would have to on the battlefield. They won't be killing people so it's all good. It's like they are getting to play Call of Duty in virtual reality. They are moving and have all the weapons, but there's no real threat to them and it's all make believe missions and fun. I can imagine being on the Stars Earn Stripes reality tv show would be a huge adrenaline rush!
The show asks at the end if you could do this. I have to say, I couldn't be in the military and neither would I want to be. It's not a choice I would make. However, could I do Stars Earns Stripes? Yes I would totally love to do this show. It's like real military combat without the risks of being killed.
Some people will be left wondering if this whole show is one huge propaganda machine to get more of our youth to sign up to join the military. Firstly, the title is very game orientated and patriotic. Stars Earn Stripes is a little misleading to the general audience. The main aim of soldiers isn't really to earn merit badges - it's to fulfill missions and to try to stay alive.
Check out other New Fall TV shows 2012 if you're looking for something new to watch this Fall.
Secondly, I really believe none of these celebrities are at real risk. There won't be any real opposition trying to kill them. There won't be the danger of them being blown up or losing a limb. Instead the audience will be shown successful missions completed. Watch celebrities giving each other high five's after completed tasks. See the fun side of combat and neglect to show the harsh reality.
You can watch Stars Earn Stripes on NBC from the 13th of August 2012, and will continue to air on Monday nights.