Finally!
The debut of my TV show — “Trial by Fire” — will air this Thursday, 12/4, at 11pm ET/PT on The History Channel. It’s been two years in the making.
I’ve been told that the times are 11pm ET, 10pm CST, 9pm MT, and 11pm PST. Double check to be safe on the History Channel schedule.
This could very well be the only time you are able to see this show. It’s a pilot and not guaranteed to become a series, so please tune in and also Tivo!
In this post:
1) The concept
2) Live Q&A following show – join me after the broadcast to ask your questions and learn about how to pitch a TV show, the “reality” behind reality TV, behind-the-scenes details, omitted scenes, and more. The Q&A won’t make sense unless you’ve seen the broadcast.
3) Immediate competition and prize for rallying the troops (sooner is better)
The Concept
The concept is simple: I have one week to attempt to learn what is usually learned over 5-20 years. I either crash and burn — or survive by the skin of my teeth — in a final test (trial by fire) each time.
If it’s made into a series, which depends entirely on viewership numbers on Thursday night, I’ll deconstruct a new complex skill each week. It will show you exactly how I approach learning, and no fake TV drama will be required to make the stakes real.
This episode was shot in HD in Tokyo and the mountains of Nikko, where I rolled the dice on Japanese horseback archery, or yabusame: full gallop, no hands, no safety gear, with wooden poles lining the track on either side of the horse. Please don’t do this at home. I had access to the best in the world, and you’ll get to see some never-before-seen footage of a rare and brutal samurai sport few non-Japanese have ever attempted. The show preview is here.
Live Q&A After Broadcast Thursday
I’ll be holding a live Q&A on this blog after both broadcasts (11pm ET for ET, CST, MT; 11pm PT for PT). Note down questions during the show on things you’d like to know. No-holds-barred. Just keep an eye on this blog and my twitter page for more details.
Immediate Competition to Rally Troops
This is a one shot, one kill affair. To become a series, this show needs massive viewership on Thursday to prove to History Channel that people want more.
The competition, limited to the next 48 hours, is simple: promote the below links and leave a comment here with 1) what you did to spread the word, and 2) what challenge you think I should tackle next.
Some options: Facebook, e-mail, Twitter, blogs, FriendFeed, etc. Bonus points go to people who act sooner vs. later.
The links:
The preview (first choice): http://tr.im/1rak
This post (second choice, if video is removed): http://tr.im/1re6
Prize to best promoter: my favorite travel bag in the world, the $500 retail Victorinox Swiss Army 25″ Trek Pack Plus. I used an older version during my 15-country world trip in 2004, and the latest model is even better.
Thanks in advance for your help with spreading the word! More to come soon! Woohoo!
Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That's how we're gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you're rude, we'll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! (Thanks to Brian Oberkirch for the inspiration.)
My Ass-Kicking Superhero strikes again … Much respect Bro.
I'm on the road at the moment so havent seen the show, but just the concept sounds fantastic and inspirational as ever! I'm crossing fingers at the moment to make it on a tv show in Australia to meet you actually – http://www.6beersofseparation.com.au/ check out page 7, i'll be the girl spouting flowery compliments bout you – video is called Finding Timothy Ferriss. lol. If i make it, I'll have to prove this whole 6 degrees of separation theory is not a bunch of rubbish and somehow get to meet you through 5 other people. Challenge? Hell yeah, but I'm up for it! 🙂 So if all goes well, I'll get $12k, 18 days and 6 steps to meet you somewhere in the world. I'm crossing every single appendage at the moment and hoping you drink beer? Bring it…
There are 2 books that I have recently that are I thought were quite credible in terms of mastery of anything- 1.Talent is overrated by Jeff Covlin 2. Outliers by Malcom Gladwell Both authors deconstruct the sucesses of Bill Gates, Mozart, Warren Buffet and other world class experts in thier fields. It seems that the benchmark of world class expertise tends to be around 10 years or 10,000 hours. Thier argument is that the secret to sucess has nothing to do with natural born talent or genuis. Thier arguments to thier point seem to make sense to me . However, I would love to see you prove this wrong. Good luck, Tim
Show sounds cool. Have you learned to deconstruct and hack how to have a TV show that gets past a pilot yet? I guess we shall see!
For people who missed the show, it's already being sold in DVD on History Channel's website: http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=82130 I couldn't make it so I'll buy it, for sure. Hope you become a sucess series too! best regards! ### NOTE FROM TIM: Fernando and all, please note that this DVD is from a documentary they did years ago, apparently, and it is not my recent show! Thank you taking the time to find this though — I wish it were 🙂 All the best, Tim
Dear Tim, The use of the club as a training tool stretches back milenia. Physical cultures around the world have used it to hone their strength and skill. Most noted of these athletes are those of the Pahlavani traditions of Iran and the wrestlers of the Indian Peninsula. In the modern era, practitioners around the globe have rediscovered these ancient practices through the popularization of the Clubbell as part of the Circular Strength Training system. The ultimate test of the Clubbell athlete is called the Trial-by-Fire (visit www.squidoo.com/trialbyfire to learn more). It seems serendipitous that your show would bear the same name. Please consider trying your hand at this ancient and challenging discipline as part of your adventure. Cheers, Adam
Yo Tim, I've just recently heard about you and and what you do. Very intriguing. Especially since we live in a society (and increasingly a world) that keeps itself "busy", as it is thought to hold some kind of value to the life you've lived. But, as it appears you have taken the bull by the horns on this one, the "busy" is actually what keeps us from being productive. I've striven, especially in the last couple of years (especially upon having begun a family) to be less busy and more efficient, more productive. To ensure that there is quality in the time that I'm able to give to my wife, my kids, myself, which most especially translates into the quality of time I am able to put into others, that they may find that for themselves too. From a physical training stand point, that's taken me over the last few years thru the realms of Kettlebells and most recently in the last year, Circular Strength Training. After the last 15 years of trying all kinds of different stuff, this so far makes the most "sense". It actually touches on methods for removing the blockages, to thus increase the rate and efficiency at which you learn. I think you would probably really dig it. So I'm going to second Mr. Steer's above invitation to check out the Clubbell Trial by Fire challenge for your show (you can't help but love how perfectly it fits with the name of your show). It is a test in neurological coordination, mobility, strength-endurance and mental toughness. That and it just bleeds old school warrior rites of passage. Who doesn't get into that! Of course then you can balance it out with something like, learning to play the harp…….I'm not poking fun people……I love the harp…..really…… Congrats on the show and hope it generates the critical mass to keep going. It looks like a blast! All the Best, Shane.
Ok Tim, I hate to be the impatient one but I have to ask, when will we get an announcement on the winner of the lil promotional competition? Did you already announce during the post show Q&A (technical problems kept me from seeing the whole thing). Thanks for the newest post on strength training, love it. I've been doing CrossFit for last year or so and this might be a good 'vacation' for me to build more mass and strength. Speaking of CF, what's your fav kettle bell workout? Later, J. Raley J. Raley
In case it's been missed in the other post, here's a replay of the show (for now): http://tr.im/2m0h enjoy! -AK
Great show, Tim. Hopefully they'll pick it up. It's interesting to watch difficult activities tackled within a short period of time using a particular ideology. There are so many other tasks around the world that would be worthwhile show topics. It can also be used for cultural understanding.
Tim, have not hear if "Trial by Fire" has been picked up, but I strongly suggest that I consult you and make you a Magician or Mentalist in one week! It takes a lifetime to master sleight of hand and subtle mind and body magic. I've taught thousands of magicians effects and have best selling products on the market. I didn't know how else to contact you and wish you the best… Bring me on for the magic and mentalism and we can accomplish some amazing things in a week. I'm a well known full time magician myself that thinks this show is a wonderful idea. Hope to hear back.. happy new year!
c'mon, people. nowhere online yet?
hm, Tim. about the History Channel's DVD, it's weird that their description says it's about this recent show: http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=82130. Have a look at the description: "Tim Ferriss, best-selling author and all around expert on everything from mixed martial arts to ballroom dancing and linguistics, will take everything we know about how to succeed and turn it on its head. Tim applies his methods of efficiency,organization and simplification to challenges he will face throughout the series. His method of learning will allow viewers to obtain a deeper understanding of the amazing skills people from around the world have mastered throughout history."
I blasted all my friends and family with the link to the trailer. More power to you Tim!
Tim if you have the cojones, then read these two words carefully. Standup comedy. There is NOTHING more brutal or mysterious than trying to get an audience to laugh. Your skill at deconstructing and mastering skills can't crack this egg. At least in less than one week. The challenge is on.
So did this series make it past the pilot or what? I'm a bit out of the loop! Either way, is there anywhere online I can watch the pilot (and other) episode(s)? Thanks 🙂 Another quick question to Tim: You mentioned in the trailer that you learn new things by deconstructing, streamlining and remapping the challenge. Would you consider writing a blog on how you do these things and maybe a few examples of how you applied them to some of the different things you've done (kickboxing, tango, languages etc).
Bought the DVD. Hopefully it will lend a helping hand in showing that there is indeed a demand for your show. If they don't turn it into a show, you may want to consider writing a book on "accelerated learning." This book, in my opinion, would be BIGGER than the 4HWW. The ability to learn skills, traits, and improve ourselves is what makes the human race so successful, yet most of us lack the ability to learn efficiently and effectively, as you apparently are able to do so well.
Any word on if the show is going to be picked up?
Tim, My father is creating a media, telecom and advertising company that will finally offer converged, fully mobile broadband and TV services regardless of platform or location (I can share more about the company with you privately.) The company is currently negotiating with content owners big and small, and I think your program would make a great addition to their travel and culture channel. I am not sure what your contractual obligations are with the History Channel, but hopefully you retain some rights or can put us in contact with the appropriate parties. I know you are busy with your next book, but we need to move forward quickly. I look forward to hearing from you soon and helping to get your show the audience it deserves.
Tim [or anyone else that might know]: I didn't see the show when it came on. Is there somewhere online that you can view it at? [YouTube, Hulu, etc.] Thanks for your help.
Well, apparently you can only buy this DVD with one episode for $24 (http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=82130) I didn't had any success finding it over the internets. Good luck, and if you find please comment here.
Hey your website is wonderful!
Tough Timothy always stirring up some madness! Yeahhhhhh!!!
Thanks for this useful info. Concept is very interesting. I am so excited to watch this show.
fantastic points altogether, you just received a brand new reader. What would you suggest about your publish that you made some days ago? Any certain?
@Fernando, You are totally right — that is the show! Sorry that I missed that. There is another Trial by Fire DVD on the History Channel website that is an older show. Thank you for pointing this out! Tim
Hi Riley and All, At this point, I've shelved the show for now and am focusing on the next book. I'll get back to TV afterward 🙂 All the best, Tim