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Michael Irvin’s Reality Show Doesn’t Suck

By ArtieFufkin

Michael Irvin plans to show these guys what it means to be in the NFL. Including all the drug-fueled sex parties. (Photo: SpikeTV)

In keeping with our theme of NFL-related television, Spike TV premiered their new reality series “4th & Long” last night, and it wasn’t nearly as obnoxious as I expected.  In fact, I found myself watching the whole thing, and genuinely interested in the participants and outcome.  And shockingly, Michael Irvin wasn’t a total douche bag!

From the New York Times show preview:

The gimmick: 12 never-quite-made-it football players compete for a chance to go to the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp, where presumably the lucky winner will have a shot to make the team. The usual reality-TV elimination format is in place, with one hopeful being cut each episode. Everyone involved seems under contract to use the phrase “Dallas Cowboys” at least once per sentence.

That last part is definitely true, and I often found myself distracted & annoyed by the constant shilling of the Cowboys brand.  But I suppose that’s to be expected … I was just pleased that Jerry Jones didn’t play too much of a role in the actual program.  Irvin comes off as a solid mentor for these players, but it’s former ST coach Joe Avezzano – a great NFL personality during his career – who really helps to carry the program.  Former S Bill Bates also lends a hand, and a 500-lb Nate Newton adds a bit of comic relief as “the Turk”, delivering messages to the players from the coaching staff.

Ultimately, the winner of this is likely to be nothing more than camp fodder, but it makes for interesting TV.  You can check out the preview video below, or watch the full episode at Spike.com.