That Metal Show Review
While it has promise, That Metal Show had a very hit and miss first episode. Trunk is the perfect choice to be the host. He has the credibility, connections and easy on air style. The show started with some awkward banter about various metal news items. Since the pilot was filmed back in June, the items weren't exactly timely, as they discussed whether Chinese Democracy would ever be released.
The Lita Ford interview was marginal. She didn't have a lot to say, and keeping her around for the whole show didn't add anything to the proceedings. The thing where Don Jamieson dressed up like a priest and read Warrant lyrics as if they were scripture was horrible. It was unfunny and a complete waste of time. Another segment was called "Stump The Trunk" where the studio audience asked Eddie Trunk metal trivia questions. It was pretty entertaining. The panel discussion debating issues such as who was the best Van Halen singer didn't work at all because nobody would give a strong opinion.
Florentine and Jamieson got to show their skills when they interviewed fans before a Van Halen concert. They pretended they had the band members in their earpiece and had crowd members ask questions. It was pretty funny, and let the comedians work to their strength.
I'm sure there will be tweaks to the format as they go along, but I have some suggestions. It is VH-1 Classic, but having a few more contemporary artists on the show would widen the demographic. Interviewing Lita Ford, going to a Van Halen concert and recommending a Scorpions DVD is all very '80s. Mixing in Lamb Of God or Avenged Sevenfold along with classic artists would be a nice balance. Also I'd cut down the time the comedians are on screen. Have Trunk do the interviews solo, and have Florentine and Jamieson do their comedy bit and participate in the panel discussion. In the first episode at least Florentine was by far the more knowledgeable about metal, and he was funnier as well.
There are so few metal shows on TV, and I'm happy VH-1 Classic put this one on the air. I'll keep watching That Metal Show, and I'm sure things will improve and evolve as the show progresses.
Comments
Talking Metal’s TV show was much better. That Metal Show was just too slow and I didn’t laugh once. No one cares about a Lita Ford anymore.
Why get comedians on in the first place? The show was kind of lame. A bunch of geeks talking metal. The show really isn’t about metal, as most of what they ‘discussed’ was hard rock. So we have a misnomer, just as Metal Mania is a misnomer. Not only that, but it’s about artists that they like. Who cares?
And Avenged Sevenfold? Please. I don’t think too many metalheads would go for that.
The two “comedians” on the show gotta GO. What a couple of a55holes. Give them their own show, so I can NOT watch it. Eddie should host the show alone. Metal, hard rock..it’s all good. I’m glad at least there’s a show like this.
The comedians made the show to me when they did the Van Halen concert bit. Eddie was boring as was most of the show. I caught the second episode with Yngwie Malmsteen and it wasn’t much better. I have an easier time trying to stay awake to watch Headbangers Ball at 2am. Not that HBB is much better with 45 minutes of commercials and 15 minutes of videos…mediocre ones at that.
Mick said it best…Avenged Sevenfold? Metal? In facts Mick’s entire comment says it all.
I watched this weeks show. The guy who said he listened to Death Magnetic a million times and didn’t notice any distortion is an idiot.
Call me an antique, but I actually tuned in BECAUSE Lita Ford was on. It was significant to me that they would have a metalwoman on as their first guest.
I like A7 but would not expect them on a “metal” show.
Eddie Trunk seemed to do a good job but the rest was fluff.
I really liked the other metal show, Talking Metal? It was great to see those guys get a chance to play with some of their faves.
Those two guys are just too stiff and have no on-air charisma. Eddie Trunk is a great choice, but I think they should change those two other guys. Or, maybe as you said, with time they’ll tweak the show and make it better.
I’ll still give the show a shot, because I enjoyed it.
I saw the episode with Yngwie, and it was great to see the panelists argue about Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, and when asked between the two, Yngwie straightforwardly massacred them by answering “Deep Purple”.
DP gets no love around here, but back in Europe, they’re bigger than Zeppelin and Sabbath combined.
Come on now…the reading of Warrant had me laughing out loud. Maybe because I could picture Jani watching and squirming throwing a brick at his TV.
All-in-all, I’ve enjoyed the show. Is it great? No. But I think it’s got a solid foundation to work and build on.
I’m just praying VH1 doesn’t kill the show before they air the Ace episode next month!
What I don’t like is when they pan to the audience and you see who the metal heads are. They’re mostly men in the 40’s!
I’m not complaining because I’m a 40 year old guy. I just hate that we’re the only people in that audience, it’s like a G3 tour!
I dig the show! I’ve watched all three episodes to this point.And,slowly but surely,it’s getting a bit better.Eddie does a great job interviewing various bands,and musicians.He’d be much better flying solo on this gig,though.The two so-called “comedians”,are complete idiots.Their “Hard Rock Cafe” bit last week,was totally effin’ stupid!!! It’s cool seeing some of these classic rockers,though.It brings back alotta great memories.Lose the two sidekicks,and this show’ll kick ass!
VH1 really needs to determine what metal heads consider to be metal, because it dam sure isn’t avenged seven fags, or lita freakin’ ford. Which is commercial radio rock, if they’re gonna call it “That Metal Show” it should be about “METAL”!! I’d rather watch Metalocolypse because it’s more about metal ( even being a cartoon )than that metal show!
I like the idea of the show and I agree that Eddie Trunk is the best host. However, I liked his “Hanging With” much better. I think this show tries to do too much in 1/2hr. The two side kicks aren’t funny, they don’t need the skits, and lets face it, they left Yngwie sitting on his butt for the whole show doing nothing. Good premise, but needs A LOT of tweaking.
We can all argue about what’s metal and what’s not – the truth is that Lita Ford was very metal when she released Dancin’ On The Edge back in the 80s. The definition of metal has been changed (and distorted on many occassions) over the years. For fans of VH-1 CLASSIC, which is all about being ‘retro’, it would not make any sense for THAT METAL SHOW to have Avenged Sevenfold or Lamb Of God featured. It’s about damn time their is a show that concentrates on the current happenings of classic hard rock and metal artists like Lita Ford, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Twisted Sister. While I liked TALKING METAL ON FUSE and thought that the hosts were very creative and knowledgeable, I couldn’t stand the edited, choppy format. The interviews were way too short too. I agree….THAT METAL SHOW does have some throwaway segments…and Eddie should really work on asking some better thought out questions during the interviews. This is as close to the feel of the original Headbanger’s Ball (minus the videos) as we’re gonna get. I will agree that Eddie did a better job with the old HANGIN’ WITH shows though. The current HBB on MTV2 is just awful. It’s more about the commercials and the variety of videos is terrible. In my opinion the bands that HBB shows are NOT METAL but I’m sure they are metal to teenagers and anybody in there 20s.
I,m w/Chris. Those 2 want to be funny guys are aweful. If I wanted to watch B comedy, I would. Eddie is the man and is perfectly capable of interviewing who ever he wants. Not like he has not been doing that for yrs. It even looks like he gets annoyed w/those 2 clowns. On another Eddie note My husband and I miss you and The Boneyard(XM)!
Pretty dreadful…As previously mentioned, way too much for 1/2 hour…lets focus boys. The ‘comediens’ are about as funny as gunshots from your childrens room….Oh yeah, A7X is absolutely metal. In fact, besides ‘Coheed and Cambria’, they are the only metal worth listening to….and I grew up on Priest, MAiden, Dio, etc….A7X is so much more relevant than freakin’ Lita Ford…blahhh
As of December 12, 2008, I’ve seen three episodes: Lita Ford, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Twisted Sister (Jay Jay French and Dee Snider).
Clearly, the TS episode has been the best, but that was primarily because Snider and French participated in the conversation, including the Throw Down. The Throw Down discussion of Rush fans vs. Kiss fans was very interesting, until Don Jamieson started to add his two cents into the debate.
In fact, I want to like the show, but every time it gains momentus, I feel like Don Jamieson tries to make a comedy out of the situation, and it loses its momentum.
Stump the Trump could be more interesting and educational if Jamieson would stop busting on Eddie Trunk’s chops every time he makes an incorrect answer.
Clearly, Eddie Trunk is the star of the show. I can tolerate Jim Florentine, but I think the show would be better with just the two of them, or just Eddie solo, with the guest musicians.
Skip this show and watch Talking Metal on FUSE.
Lita is awesome and total metal pioneer. dont blame her for the hiccups of a brand-new show. she may have been in retirement raising 2 kids, but she was making rock & roll from 1975 until early 90’s….cut her some slack!
It was strange watching That Metal Show with Lita Ford.I saw Lita Ford in concert in the late 80s opening for Motley Crue.She performed well.When she was on That Metal Show she looked like she was a recovered rocker soccer mom.
I love this show. Eddie Trunk is great and very knowledgeable. It was great to see Lita, Dee, Jay F., Yngvie, and all the greats.
I also loved the interview with Angus and Brian from AC/DC.
Rock if finally back and this proves it!!
very poor choice for hosts of the show.
frehley and malmsteen were the only proper guests.
the ball player you can keep on the radio, very poor guest.
who made trunk the metal man ?
look in the mirror, fix your hair, you look like a nerd.
vh1- nice try-see ya !!
Some good comments. Avenged Sevenfold does not belong on this show because it is about CLASSIC hard rock and metal artists. People have to keep that in mind when watching shows on VH-1 Classic. I still think ‘That Metal Show’ is a misnomer. And they do try to cram too much into a half hour.
Why can’t VH-1 and MTV ever find decent hosts for their hard rock and heavy metal programs? I agree whole heartedly with Dirt – HeadBangers Ball is awful. I watched it one time, and the first 1/2 hour they played 2 videos. The other 21 minutes was commercials, including (c)rap. Metal Mania is another awful show – is Bon Jovi metal? They show just about the same artists and videos every week. It’s as if Metal Mania is someone’s favorite rock/hard rock videos played every week.
I wish the music industry would do a better job of defining what is and what isn’t metal. They aren’t going to get it perfect, but this is getting ridiculous.
Got an idea for ya. I was listening to your show about the hall of fame and how it sucks. Why don’t all the rock stars get together and make a real hall of fame the way it should be.
With all the artists that should be in it.
I like Sabbath and Deep Purple and a few other great rock bands but these spinoff bands that came after? Yikes.
Anyway, it’s embarrassing to watch this show with these guys so serious about bands they admire. I mean, dont you have to be about 15-16 years old to dig this stuff? I know the hosts will do ANTHING to have a show but are there really adults that think this is good?
We’re into the second season now, and for my money the show is good. I like the fact there’s a couple of comics, and it is not just the metal compendium of Trunk yakking–though he’s great. My suggestion would be to get more crazy with it. Have Ted Nugent come on with his bow and take a shot at an Osama Bin Laden poster.Have the comics jump in a pit somewhere (a Morbid Angel show?) and film it. Have Trunk arm wrestle Doro Pesch. Oh, and try and get Steele from Type O, those guys are bad ass mother——-
This show is crap. The three hosts portray themselves as metal experts, but then we find out in the Mike Portnoy episode that they’re too pansified to even get a tattoo. Yeah, that’s REALLY metal.
Really rolling now, especially with names like Dio and Geezer in the house. Eddie and I could have done without Jim’s Corvette/Penis discussion(it went on too long and was weird) but other than that, The Heaven and Hell episode was good television. The trip to Eddie’s record store was a funny bit. To avoid the disappointment every time Eddie doesn’t get stumped, I would show just a rear angle of the Box of Junk girl, but that’s just me…
This show is VH1s version of metal which is Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, and Poison. The hostsa re all a bunch of middle age dorks. The comedians are completely unfunny. Eddie Trunk seems like a decent guy and if they changed the title from that Metal Show to that Classic Rockj show I could tolerate him a lot more as that is what he is. Hes more of a Kiss, Van Halen, GNR guy then a metl guy. Thats not a bad thign but its just not metal, its hard roc.
what the heck is wrong with Jims chin he’s had a band aid on for a few shows now! they make mention of it but wont say what it is1
It needs to be a hour and should include maybe a new video or rare live clip on every episode.They also need to talk less about glam crap.And who cares about KISS. The Ace episode was cool.I have always been a Frehlys Comet fan.They should also help bands by also promoting and posting upcoming tours.What really blows my mind is they have not reached out to CHICKENFOOT or talked much(none I’m aware of?)About this supergroup.
And no metal show ever gives any Kudo’s to The Kinks or The Who.These were the true godfathers of both metal and punk.
i have been a heavy rock and metal fan since 1979 and i have a few comments about a couple of 80s heavy rock and metal. first about vince neil of motley crue lets face it he can not sing any more or sing in key any more he sings way to high he misses words atleast two or three asong in each verse live which is ridiculous i seen them in 2006 and he sucked the music sounded fine the backround vocals sounded good up until he started singing i think he needs to quit i watched the 2008 crue fest 1 on vh1 classic and he is getting worse he sings high and out of key.
jeff keith of tesla is the same he dont miss words but he sounds like he strainig or constipated its to time quit. iwatched the 2009 download fest and eddie ,don and jim were having the throw down about def leppard and slipnot headlining i personally cant stand slipnot or most of the other new wave metal bands with there screeching and screaming and guitar playing that sounds like a angry bee. and as far who is a better drummer rick allen of def leppard is better with one arm than joey moron jordison will ever be with two arms and joe elliot doesnt try to hit the high notes he used too because he knows he cant and i respect him for that talking about great drummers how about nicko mcbrain of maiden awsome drummer!!
if i here that (crap) about how great slipnot is one more time i’ll barf whats the purpose of the two guys pounding on beer caigs and garbage cans you cant here them anyway which proves they are talentless morons and those stupid rediculous masks and joey and his rising drum kit going forward and sideways tommy lee invented that and did it and started it 23 yrs ago do something original !!
I just watched what I think is the third season debut (?) live from Donnigan. It was good, they really answered the critics who say the show is too old-school by featuring Slip Knot and other new generation metal bands. It’s tough to please everybody, but if they can pull off the mix of old and new it will work. I second the motion that this show should be one hour.
Say what you will about the show, but what are the alternatives. Been a fan since the premiere, and got to hang out with all 3 + Mike Piazza last night after the Priest show in So Fl. Very cool and down to earth. Really appreciative of the support for the show. Thank you guys!
Halford, is and always has been the class act of metal vocalists.That takes nothing away from Ozzy, Dio, and Dickinson. I’ve seen Priest burn down several arenas in my time, including the Oakland Coliseum on the Defenders of the Faith tour. Rob is right about the show: you can disagree about this, that, and the other, but where the hell else you gonna go? “It’s the best show about metal, the only show about metal.” Trunk, I’m going to need you to go ahead and mail my $500 bucks now.