The thing that scares me is MTV's track record on this kind of stuff. They've successfully commercialised a whole series of “freeform sports” way before networks like ESPN had any interest in them. MTV often leads the way for greater commercial interest and backing. This is great for a few individuals who get in on the ground floor and grab the sponsorship from the start, but it usually takes a pretty negative toll on the activity/sport itself. I’ve already mentioned feeling nauseous while watching the snowboarding at the winter Olympics, and the way the athletes feel the need to project a particular image as well as act as adverts for their boards, clothes, headphones, etc. No other competitors acted this way. It really cheapened the event. But it doesn’t end there.

The image of parkour that’s projected by MTV normalises the idea of competition and injury. It makes these things look like they’re natural elements of parkour. It also projects the idea of commercial progression. So, instead of aiming for better technique and more training, it suggests that we should be aiming at bigger stunts and moves so that we can all get more famous and better paid. The goal becomes greater showmanship, not skill: Safety, responsibility, philosophy, history and personal integrity fall by the wayside.

Finally, MTV has a mass audience. This means that the misconceptions they spread are ingested by a bigger and more ignorant audience. U$F did some serious damage to the integrity of parkour, but their reach was limited to people who were already interested in parkour/freerunning/martial-arts/break-dancing. MTV amps up the spectacle and introduces these misconceptions to a much bigger audience. We might see the day that we miss U$F’s relatively clumsy attempts and profiteering when MTV’s various teams of experienced, professional promoters sink their teeth into parkour.

THE END IS NEIGH! REPENT, ALL YE FREERUNNERS AND PARKOUR PURISTS. THE TRUTH SHALL FALL BEFORE THE BEAST AND THE WORLD SHALL BE CAST INTO DARKNESS!



MTV Summary:

10 grand, do it for the money, monkey boy! And keep an eye out for the girlfriends, hangin’ out in the background and nodding.

Contest 1: MAKE THE ULTIMATE PARKOUR VIDEO!
Videos is what parkour is ALL about! We wouldn’t be as well known, we wouldn’t be nearly as good (might have some merit there, I hear videos help lots of people), we’re the BEST in the world right now.
Two injuries! Michael Turner out with a bruised heel and a cut-up hand, King David out with a massive failed arm-jump/faceplant.

What do we learn? Uhhh…. Do big jumpz, film ‘em, you’re a superstar!

Contest 2: HIGH-SPEED RACING!
Parkour is all about point A to point B, FASTER THAN THE OTHER DUDE! Highlights: “I go faster when I almost fall!”, “There’s only one chance! If you miss, it’s over.” “This guy is gonna run the course with a hurt foot fresh stiches. Let’s hope there’s no more bloodshed.”
Daniel Arroyo, taken off in an ambulance in a neck-brace after running into a fence off a jump, headfirst. Daniel Ilbaca: “It was a choice that he make, y’know what I mean? It’s not inevitable, he didn’t just fall. It was a choice because he chose to listen to the pressure. But he’d already learned from it because he got back up, d’ya know what I mean? He got back up and carried on!”
Michael Turner hurts himself some more.
Lesson learned! Go as fast as you can, pussies plan. Go, go GO!


Contest 3: 1 freestyle run with 6 targets, hit five and LOOK GOOD DOING IT!
Highlights: “Our athletes need to brave 3 storey drops!” “This dude has a metal rod in his leg, crazy that he’s even here!” “The catness in this is ridiculous.”
Brian Orosco, nearly knocks himself out by messing up a big flip. Commentator: “Its alright, you had an awesome run going, you were nearly finished anyway, (falling on your head) isn’t going to hurt you (your score) too bad.” WHAT ABOUT HIS HEAD?

Daniel Ilbaca won the cash. Sorry for the spoiler.

MTV's Ultimate Parkour Challenge - Part 1 - HD

Cash, injury and fame. Commentator: “Thanks for showing us, really, what parkour is all about.”