"The Contender" (2005)TV series 2005-2007

Creator:

Mark Burnett

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 4 | unknown

Release Date:

7 March 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Reality-TV | Sport

Tagline:

Who will roll?

Plot:

Hosts Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard give 16 young boxing hopefuls a shot at the big time...

Plot Keywords:

Boxing | Non Fiction

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Sugar Ray Leonard	...	Boxing Mentor / ... (17 episodes, 2005)
Tommy Gallagher	...	Trainer / ... (17 episodes, 2005)
Jeremy Williams	...	Trainer / ... (17 episodes, 2005)
Jeff Fraza	...	Fighter / ... (17 episodes, 2005)
Sylvester Stallone	...	Boxing Mentor / ... (16 episodes, 2005)
Jackie Kallen	...	Manager (16 episodes, 2005)
Dub Huntley	...	Trainer (16 episodes, 2005)
Jeff Connor	...	Ring Announcer (16 episodes, 2005)
Anthony Bonsante	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Jesse Brinkley	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Brent Cooper	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Juan de la Rosa	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Miguel Espino	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Joey Gilbert	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Alfonso Gomez Jr.	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Ahmed Kaddour	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Jimmy Lange	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Peter Manfredo Jr.	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Sergio Mora	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Jonathan Reid	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Tarick Salmaci	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
Ishe Smith	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
LeRoy Taylor	...	Boxing Trainer (16 episodes, 2005)
Najai Turpin	...	Fighter (16 episodes, 2005)
James Caan	...	Himself (8 episodes, 2005)

Runtime:

60 min (including commercials) | 120 min (season finale) (including commercials) | USA:90 min (pilot episode) (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Caesar's Palace - 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

The show cost NBC $2 million an episode to produce.

Quotes:

George Foreman: Plan your work. Then work your plan.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Favouritism: Boy George's Queerest TV Moments (#1.1)" (2005)

The greatest reality show on television

Sure, boxing has been on a downward spiral as of late, and Stallone's star doesn't shine as bright as it originally did. However, this new show is something to behold, it takes action and drama and mixes it into one single package.

Forget most of the reality garbage on television now, such as American Idol, Survivor, or the Apprentice and give this true "drama" a watch. This show will grab you, pull you in, and not let go. As a viewer you feel the pain, excitement, and anger that each boxer and their families go through.

Sylvester Stallone and Mark Burnett should be applauded for their effort here. The Contender ranks with the best in dramatic television. On a scale of one to ten, I give it a ten. Highly recommended.

Airs Sunday Nights at 8 pm.