In recent years, Justin Lee Collins has moved away from comical TV studio presenting to numerous series’ and one off specials, where he travels around the world in pursuit of athletic achievement, absorption of foreign cultures, or the tracking down of iconic yet long lost celebrities for candid interviews.
This latest hour long programme is firmly in the latter, where Collins hunts down one of his childhood heroes and eventually goads him into a number of personal conversations regarding his carer.
The Life and Career of Steven Seagal
Seagal is revealed to be a man of more than a few talents. Most famed for his numerous and still ongoing roles in action films, this semi documentary covers his early life, and his migration to Japan at a young age to study martial arts.
Less than a lifetime later, Seagal became the highest ranking westerner in his practice of Aikido. He began his acting career in the late 80s, where his profile of an action hero quickly rose, and gained an edge over the established titans of Hollywood action movies by displaying a genuine martial proficiency that was also highly entertaining for audiences.
But unbeknownst to many fans, Seagal is also a devout Buddhist. He plays guitar in a blues band, touring the world on a number or occasions. But most extraordinary of all, Seagal received the title of Deputy Sheriff in the Louisiana county of Jefferson parish. A Dog the Bounty Hunter style reality TV show charting his daily law enforcing exploits has recently been transmitted in America, going by the title of Steven Seagal: Lawman.
Justin Lee Collins digs deep
Seagal discusses these topics with Collins in the sanctuary of his extraordinary lavished home, and also goes into some detail about his family life. Collins is given a personal insight into his life outside the media, and the result is an informal exchange that fans of Steven Seagal will undoubtedly relish.
But there is a level of awkwardness accompanying this set up that is difficult to ignore. Justin Lee Collins proves himself to be a loyal follower of Seagal and seems to bend to his will in exchange for a quick complement. Seagal, though proficient in his respective talents often comes across as overly arrogant, and Collins reciprocates with further copious appreciation that often seems exaggerated and lacking in fortitude.
This imbalance of character makes this semi-documentary cringeworthy for the most part, and ultimately unsatisfying for many people watching.
Steven Seagal vs Justin Lee Collins was aired 14th February at 22:00 on Channel 5
Ashley Jacob - I'm 28 and currently residing in Bath, England with my son Caleb and my girlfriend Julie. Since my days of childhood, music and elaborate ...
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