You can have your MMA freaks punching and kicking and grappling each other all over the place (although I do like watching Melvin Manhoef fight – Manhoef vs. Cyborg, anyone?). I, however, sometimes prefer the good ol’ fashioned chop socky films by the Shaw Brothers or Golden Harvest. I don’t know why. Maybe because I like the fantasy behind what people can do rather than the realism of people actually slugging it out.

One of the more interesting intersection of these two worlds – reality and alsost superhuman ability – can be seen in shows like Ninja Warrior (Sasuke in Japan). When this show first aired I was already hooked on MXC (Takeshi’s Castle in Japan). 100 contestants vie to be the next Ninja Warrior, overcoming a brutal obstacle course designed to wear a person out both physically and mentally. The first round eliminations are especially hilarious. The second round eliminations switch from the humorous failures to gripping television as you root for someone, anyone, to finish it and get to the final stage.

I’ve even thought about doing it myself and then I realized that, well, I don’t have the mental fortitude to do it and, physically, I’m not like the fireman with 3% body fat. I’m more along the lines of the jelly donut sitting on my belly as I channel surf.

Hell, I’m more prone to fight like Little Superstar

Yeah, boyyyyyy!!!!! And you know what I’d do afterwards? My victory dance…