"The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz and "The Voice" Michael Schiavello
“The Voice Vs Tito Ortiz” is the third installment of the series hosted by “The Voice” Michael Schiavello which airs Friday on HDNet. The first episode of “The Voice Vs” featured UFC color commentator and stand up comedian Joe Rogan. The episode reached legendary proportions when these two men got together for the first time on television. It worked so well that HDNet ordered more shows which led to the second episode featuring the always colorful Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Strikeforce fighter, stand up comedian and color commentator. Now we are graced with the third installment starring “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz who is never short on words and often controversial. The gettin’ is good as Michael once again works magic going one on one with some of the most notable people in the world of mixed martial arts.
Tito has always been controversial and over the top which has led to the polarizing opinions of the fans. You either love him or hate him seems to be the consensus as no one sits on the fence. So when I started watching I was intrigued as to which Tito we would see and how Michael would approach his guest this time around. One of the things that seems to endear Schiavello to his guests is that he starts off very light hearted and cracking jokes. Is it this style that leads Michael to get closer to these men than most?
This episode is no different as we watch The Voice make Tito comfortable with some comedy and of course getting his guest to discuss something he loves. Tito starts by discussing wrestling and how it effected his life. Without giving away to much I will say that I learned a few things about Tito and possibly where his attitude and persona were born.
At times Tito looked a little stiff and uncomfortable but his ability to talk honestly about the tough subjects made me wonder if it was just the bright lights and the cameras coming at him from a perspective he was not used to experiencing. As a fighter he is used to being in the cage when the cameras are on him and during his stint on “The Ultimate Fighter” he could focus on coaching whereas on “The Voice VS” it is just him and The Voice in uncomfortable chairs.
“The Voice Vs Tito Ortiz” was filmed inside the Punishment Athletics warehouse in Huntington Beach and there were many images of the city I have grown to love spread throughout the show. The amazing shots of Surf City USA go hand in hand with the comfortable nature of The Voice as he interviews Tito Ortiz. I do wonder how comfortable Michael was in that heavy coat in the Orange County sun just as Michael Schiavello wondered about the legend of the infamous London brawl involving Lee Murray, Tito, and Chuck Liddell.
Also on this episode is what I am finding one of the best parts of “The Voice Vs”. Choke Out, Knock Out, Wedgie or Bowl of Fried Shrimp gives Tito four men. He has to choose one to knock out, one to choke out and so on.
This, like the previous two episodes is one not be missed and can be seen this Friday night, August 20, at 10PM ET on HDNet.
