Since there hasn’t been a new episode of Storage Wars for a few weeks–and I’ve already seen all the re-runs–I’ve recently started getting into Ink Master, a reality show on Spike, which just so happens to be the next channel up the dial from A&E on my local cable.  Part L.A. Ink, part American Idol, this show is a competition between a group of top tattoo artists to see who’s the most well-rounded tattooer.  Every week features a new category, with the weakest link voted off by the judges.  I gotta say, I first came across this show a coupla weeks back, and now I’m hooked!

The show is hosted by Dave Navarro, who let’s face it, has a lotta tattoos, and judged by Chris Nunez from Miami Ink and Oliver Peck from Elm Street Tattoo in Dallas along with a special-guest judge each week.  Usually, it’s a guy from a tattoo magazine or something, but last week they had on Chris “Birdman” Andersen–a guy who also has a lotta tattoos.  Although these artists are all pretty good, the judges really know their stuff, and often rip ‘em to shreds.

The cast doesn’t quite go at it like the Storage Warriors, although things have been heating up a bit as we get further into the competition.  Everybody seems to have their own specialties though, like Shane O’Neill, who’s great with black-and-greys, or Josh Woods, who can really do traditional tattoos.  For me, this show isn’t about the drama so much as it’s about the art, creating a piece of artwork on a human canvas–and of course about the competition.  Just like the storage auction bidding wars add excitement to a buncha old lockers, Ink Master has me tuning in to see who drew the best tattoo this week, and who’s going to get voted off.  And yes, watching this show kinda makes me wanna get inked again.  It’s been a little while…

Ink Master airs new episodes weekly Tuesday nites on Spike at 10 pm, the same timeslot that A&E used to show new episodes of Storage Wars.  On that note, I hear that there’s gonna be a new Storage Wars this Sunday at 9:30.  Hmm, I wonder which exclusive made-for-TV movie will be airing afterwards…

UPDATE 2/29: Well, it looks like Josh Woods got voted off last nite, so we’re down to the final three.  He was not happy about it, either!  I will say that I thought he did a slightly better tattoo than James Vaughn, but I’m not the expert here.  I do think James is the nicest guy left on the show, though, and if I lived in Carolina, I’d come into his shop  The final episode will let each artist do their own choice of tattoo, so that should be interesting!  I know I’ll be sure to tune in next week…