The Climb on HBO

Not Not MP Admin wrote:

Ok I watched it. Meagan Martin’s commentary still is abysmal (my favorite was when one of the chicks was on a wadi rum route and Meagan goes, “she’s super solid here” as the climber proceeds to immediately fall). Sharma couldn’t make it more obvious he was just there for another fat paycheck, though his eyes always lit up when him and Jason were “chatting” around the fire. None of the participants seem to be anywhere near professional level talent, I mean some were falling on V4 and 5.11’s. Several seem marketable though which is deserving of sponsorship if you ask me. Lastly, I’m quite upset that HBO did not push harder to keep Robyn and Brad (was that his name?) around together longer and appeal to the hopeless romantic climbers out there. I think they could have made it had the boy, from some of the best steep limestone climbing in Wyoming, not fell on steep limestone. 

Still not sure why you hate Meagan so much, seems like you think she doesn't climb hard enough. I don't think the example you give above is really evidence of abysmal commentary. A climber can easily look super solid and then pop off, as I'm sure you know. 

I just want to elaborate a little bit on why I think her commentary in World Cups, Olympics, etc., is actually good. She obviously does a lot of homework before the comps, previewing the problems with the setters and such. She is always equipped to talk during the event about the intended beta, the ways in which climbers might try to "break" the beta, which methods might be easier or harder, and so on. I always find it very informative. In addition, I have seen her on many occasions make insightful comments in real time as individual athletes are attempting the problems in the comp. After a failed attempt, Meagan will often suggest to the audience at home what the athlete needs to do to fix their approach-- and many times I've seen the athlete do exactly what she has prescribed, and then successfully do the problem. It happens over and over again. I think this makes her a good commentator.

Now on The Climb, this is not the kind of granular detail she was called upon to give, so I can see why a person watching this show might not realize what she has to offer. 

Eric Metzgar wrote:

CONS:
-Jason Momoa -- I have nothing against the guy personally. I saw Aquaman and kinda liked it. But his bookending presence just felt forced and unnecessary. I know he's the 'name' that probably sold the show... but it just felt so bro-y and fake.

From: https://www.insider.com/jason-momoa-the-climb-hbo-max-filming-dune-2-surgery-2023-1

HBO Max first ordered "The Climb" in July 2021, and while Momoa initially planned to be more involved in the show — 'My fucking passion is climbing. This was a dream job with one of my best friends" — the actor had to take a less active role due to a hernia surgery he received immediately after filming the "Aquaman" sequel.

"My belly button was sticking out like a thumb sticking out of my belly," recalled Momoa, who added he was passionate about joining the climbers in Jordan. "I'm the one that was like, 'bro, I'm doing Jordan. I'm in Jordan shooting 'Dune 2.' Let's go to fucking Jordan, and then I don't get to go to Jordan because of the surgery! So it's a bummer. Because you're like, 'I want to be there.'"

Matt Groom and Megan are the two best IFSC commentators. 

SethG wrote:

Still not sure why you hate Meagan so much, seems like you think she doesn't climb hard enough. I don't think the example you give above is really evidence of abysmal commentary. A climber can easily look super solid and then pop off, as I'm sure you know. 

It was not intended as evidence just my favorite part of her commentating. Comedic relief, if you will. Probably one of the actual entertaining pieces of the show. I have nothing against Meagan, I've actually climbed with her some and she was really rad and nice. I have nothing against her climbing ability either, she is very very strong. V11 is very, very strong. However, it is also no longer an elite grade, as some seem to think. I'm more hating on the people here, like you, sayin that she is god's grace to commentating and others implying she's one of the strongest female boulderers out there. If that were the case she would have been competing. 

I just want to elaborate a little bit on why I think her commentary in World Cups, Olympics, etc., is actually good. She obviously does a lot of homework before the comps, previewing the problems with the setters and such. 

That's her job lol also why I don't consider her having great beta "analysis" as impressive. The setters set the problem with intentions of them being done in only 1 way, so her having access to these boulders prior to the competitors obviously allows her to know the intended beta. There was more than one occasion during the olympics where Natalia (or other climbers) did different/unintended beta, proceeded to send and all the meanwhile Meagan was saying how they were wrong. The only thing impressive about her "beta analysis" was her ability to (presumably) communicate what the climbers were doin to the casual audience. I much prefer climbingnarc's commentary. 

Not Not MP Admin wrote:

The setters set the problem with intentions of them being done in only 1 way, so her having access to these boulders prior to the competitors obviously allows her to know the intended beta. There was more than one occasion during the olympics where Natalia (or other climbers) did different/unintended beta, proceeded to send and all the meanwhile Meagan was saying how they were wrong.

Neither of these sentences are true and acting like Meagan has never encountered alternative beta or beta breaks is having your head so far in the sand that you probably saw the shift in rotation of Earth’s core firsthand.

SethG wrote:

Still not sure why you hate Meagan so much, seems like you think she doesn't climb hard enough. I don't think the example you give above is really evidence of abysmal commentary. A climber can easily look super solid and then pop off, as I'm sure you know. 

I just want to elaborate a little bit on why I think her commentary in World Cups, Olympics, etc., is actually good. She obviously does a lot of homework before the comps, previewing the problems with the setters and such. She is always equipped to talk during the event about the intended beta, the ways in which climbers might try to "break" the beta, which methods might be easier or harder, and so on. I always find it very informative. In addition, I have seen her on many occasions make insightful comments in real time as individual athletes are attempting the problems in the comp. After a failed attempt, Meagan will often suggest to the audience at home what the athlete needs to do to fix their approach-- and many times I've seen the athlete do exactly what she has prescribed, and then successfully do the problem. It happens over and over again. I think this makes her a good commentator.

Now on The Climb, this is not the kind of granular detail she was called upon to give, so I can see why a person watching this show might not realize what she has to offer. 

I really appreciate this info. I have never seen a comp, nor will I likely ever see one, so this is enlightening, about who she is, why they likely picked her, and about comps! Unfortunately, they didn't put her talents to use here.

Marc801 C wrote:

From: https://www.insider.com/jason-momoa-the-climb-hbo-max-filming-dune-2-surgery-2023-1

Also good info, the show should have said why he was MIA (maybe it did but I was FFing it).

One of the links you posted a few pages back (which were helpful BTW, thanks) made me actually sour on Sharma. He's trying to get more people into the sport?!? WTF, that's the last thing I want. My cynical side says well sure, he has a vested interest with gyms, sure he wants more people climbing. I thought it was shameless having one of the eliminations in his gym ,and there's some other gratuitous product placement. Hey, smoke 'em if ya got 'em, but I've started to see him in a different light. Everybody's got to earn, I get it. We're all prostitutes. 

Tal M wrote:

Neither of these sentences are true and acting like Meagan has never encountered alternative beta or beta breaks is having your head so far in the sand that you probably saw the shift in rotation of Earth’s core firsthand.

Which part isn’t true; The part where the setters only intend for 1 beta or the part where Natalia does the splits instead of chimneying/body-barring (I forget what boulder problem it was). I also never said she’s never encountered beta breaks   what I said was that she was criticizing climbers for doing the beta “wrong” while they were sending.

Heyzeus wrote:

I really appreciate this info. I have never seen a comp, nor will I likely ever see one, so this is enlightening, about who she is, why they likely picked her, and about comps! Unfortunately, they didn't put her talents to use here.

I think we need clarifications on what her talents are now. She’s clearly a more talented climber than commentator in my opinion so I’m not sure how her climbing could have been put to use…I’d put her at a solid V7 commentator, for reference! 

Damn, you guys are really invested in this thing... I thought it was good, I was entertained, and then I carried on with my life.

Don Frijoles wrote:

The classic "I'm posting to let you all know I'm too cool to post" post

Yep... have a great night troll

Russ Walling wrote:

Damn, you guys are really invested in this thing... I thought it was good, I was entertained, and then I carried on with my life.

Sometimes it's fun to critique creative output - I basically have a degree in that (for better or for worse). For example, your avatar is from the film, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb by Stanley Kubrick and features Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper, played by Sterling Hayden. Hayden wrote a batshit crazy autobiography called, Wanderer in where he describes how he blew all his Hollywood money on sailing to the Pacific Islands, because F- it. Good quote I jotted down when reading, and oftentimes look back on, 

 “To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea... "cruising" it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.

"I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone.

What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.

The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.

Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life? ”

Thanks for reminding me.

Long Ranger wrote:
Hayden wrote a batshit crazy autobiography called, Wanderer in where he describes how he blew all his Hollywood money on sailing to the Pacific Islands, because F- it. Good quote I jotted down when reading, and oftentimes look back on, 

 “To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea... "cruising" it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.

"I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone.

What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.

The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.

Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life? ”

Thanks for reminding me.

Great quote! Thanks for sharing that. I'll look for his autobiography.

This thread was totally worth it for the quotes above.  

Now I must go contemplate how to dig myself out from under the pyramid and wash down my shame with pure grain alcohol and rain water to replenish my precious bodily fluids. 

Shaniac wrote:

Can we please just have some 'HBO - The Climb' meme action?   

That moment when....

If anyone’s still looking for a link:

https://myflixer.to/tv/the-climb-92251

Luke S wrote:

For real - anyone have more color here? This entire group spent the show often punting off 11+/12- routes, then they build us up with 'I've barely ever trad climbed' for half the climbers, then EVERYONE sends a 12c crack?  I noticed a few bolts and a few pieces of pre-placed gear, but that doesn't really explain.  I'm wondering if this is the first pitch of a longer climb, or if they stopped before the crux?

I just want to know why in every non-climbing shot they're hugging and petting and spooning each other. Is this normal behavior for people who have known each other a few weeks or months?

Who has the time to watch TV!?

Danny Jay wrote:

I just want to know why in every non-climbing shot they're hugging and petting and spooning each other. Is this normal behavior for people who have known each other a few weeks or months?

Apparently you dont spend much time at busy sport crags!

I wish someone had quoted Jcrew! What did he say?