I sat back with excitement as the video started to play. My review copy of HDNet’s “The Voice Vs. Mayhem Miller” had begun and the anticipation of watching these two over the top characters go toe to toe had come to a head. Michael “The Voice” Schiavello is a play by play broadcaster for combat sports around the world. He is well known for his exuberant style and one-liners that only he could truly pull off. Jason “Mayhem” Miller is a mixed martial artist known for his always entertaining ring entrances, his animated personality, and for being the host of MTV’s “Bully Beatdown”. How could anyone not be excited to see what happens when these two men square off one on one in front of the cameras?
Without spoiling the show for all of you I want to give you a brief glimpse of what to expect and my own personal thoughts on the show.
The show starts with some interesting background on Miller including some of those pictures everyone has but never actually shows anyone due to sheer embarrassment. As myself and Gary Friedman found out first hand, it is difficult to keep Jason Miller on topic but Schaivello does a fantastic job of allowing the conversation to flow naturally but still keeping control of the direction of the conversation.
Mayhem stays true to form and is quite hilarious often giving us some stories you may have never heard before but will be glad you tuned in to hear. From martial arts superstition, to Scooby Do and the A-Team to playing with dolls, the show flows almost seamlessly.
Jason “Mayhem” Miller is one of the polarizing fighters out there today where people either love him or hate him. Those that love him will become even more enamored with him after this show and will probably never erase it from their DVRs.
This is for those that hate him: I highly suggest you watch this show. I felt like I got a better glimpse inside the head of Jason. Yes, the over-the-top personality is still there but Schiavello knows how to, bit by bit , strip that away and allow the viewer to see these flashes of the real Jason Miller. A man who as a child may have been teased, a guy who deep down is like many of us and has struggled just like we have to make ends meet.
You may not come away feeling any different about Jason but none the less I suggest you sit down or set the DVR to record “The Voice VS Mayhem Miller” this Friday July 30th starting at 10pm ET/ 9:30 PT onloy on HDNet. You will get some good laughs, interesting stories and see two friends and colleagues face off like only these two could.
The only negative thing I can say about the show is that I noticed Michael walking down PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) at Main Street in Huntington Beach and it dawned on me that he was five minutes from me and I never got a call to have a soda. Shame on you Michael!
