Tag: Ultimate Tag

Twitter reacts to J.J. Watt and Episode 1 of Ultimate Tag

Twitter enjoyed the premiere of “Ultimate Tag” starring Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt and his brothers, Derek and T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt and his brothers, FB Derek Watt and OLB T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, hosted their premiere of “Ultimate Tag” on FOX Wednesday night.

The show was actually filmed during the summer of 2019, which is why the familiar imagery of people sitting in crowds with maybe six inches of social distancing between each other was on display amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

As expected, J.J. was bullish in his promotion of the reality-like game show, which features complex and action-packed takes on the traditional playground game of tag.

“ULTIMATE TAG on FOX now!!” Watt tweeted. “Let’s Go!!!!!!”

Kristen Rogers from FOX 29 in Philadelphia described the show as “parkour meets tag meets flag football.”

Given that it was something competitive and as much of a contact sport as basketball, some viewers watched “Ultimate Tag” for its resemblance to the sports people love.

As more people tuned into the show, or at least gave it a chance, the more they saw how exciting the premise was.

The first event professional taggers chasing around amateur taggers on an obstacle course. The method by which players were “tagged” was actually by pulling off flags on their vests, much like flag football.

The second event was more of dodging the taggers while pressing a button at the end of the course.

The third event involved playing tag about 15 feet above ground and incorporating elements of monkey bars and multiple levels in a miniature dome.

One of the reasons FOX must have gone with the Watt brothers is because of J.J.’s natural charisma in front of the camera, and they wanted to see how that would play with his brothers. As expected, J.J. poked fun at his Steelers siblings.

And the punchline delivered the knockout FOX was looking for.

Don’t be surprised if a new catchphrase to come out of all of this is J.J. saying, “It’s time to play some tag!”

And if J.J. isn’t going to say it on a never-ending loop, little kids across the nation might.

“Ultimate Tag” reminded the audience of another studio obstacle course program in TV history: American Gladiator, which was also hosted at one time by a gridiron great in Washington quarterback Joe Theismann.

“Ultimate Tag” also reminded some of the viewers of other shows in the genre, chiefly Nickelodeon’s GUTS, Ultimate Gladiators, and American Ninja Warrior.

One of the reasons the producers conceived the show the way they did by giving personalities to the pro taggers was to get the viewers habituated to rooting for their favorite taggers; to make it about more than just the Watt brothers and their entertaining antics.

The action returns on May 27 at 8:00 p.m. Central on FOX.

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J.J. Watt’s ‘Ultimate Tag’: Time, TV schedule and streaming info

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is co-hosting “Ultimate Tag” with his brothers, FB Derek Watt and OLB T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The NFL may still be in its virtual offseason, but Houston Texans fans will get to see J.J. Watt in action on FOX.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year is co-hosting “Ultimate Tag,” an action-packed take on the traditional playground game, with his brothers, fullback Derek Watt and linebacker T.J. Watt, both of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Unlike the Watt brothers, the competitors are average joes like the rest of us and tumbling through obstacle courses with the simple goal of not getting caught. An interesting twist is added that the amateur taggers go against “pro” taggers in each episode.

“These people take true pride in it, and they’re showing unbelievable athletic skill and strength and stamina,” J.J. told Entertainment Weekly. “It’s tiring as hell from our perspective.”

The show could become appointment viewing, not just for Texans and Steelers fans eager to see the Watt brothers, but for people missing what makes sports compelling: drama and competition.

“You’re going to cheer for people that you like,” J.J. said. “You’re going to cheer against taggers that you don’t like. For us even hosting it, it’s a lot of fun to watch it, and see storylines develop.”

 

How to watch

“Ultimate Tag” — Wednesday, May 20 at 8:00 p.m. CT

TV channel: FOX

Live stream: FuboTV (try it free)

Ultimate Tag to debut Wednesday with Watt brothers hosting

T.J. and Derek Watt to host Ultimate Tag.

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There might not be any sports right now but if you are just itching for some sort of competition, the Watt brothers might have you covered. On Wednesday, the new show Ultimate Tag will make its television debut with several familiar faces hosting.

All three of the Watt brothers are hosting with J.J. the main host and Pittsburgh Steelers teammates T.J. and Derek more of the sideline reporters. If you feel like there isn’t enough competitive tag with more than a touch of American Gladiators nostalgia thrown in, this is the show for you.

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