Name: Pros vs. Joes
Genre: Reality
Released: 2006-03-06
Rating: 8
Cast: Jay Glazer, Michael Strahan

Middle-aged dads discovering they can't outrun NFL legends. Beautiful.

Watch(US)

masochistic nostalgiaathletic hubrisSpike TV chaos

Latest Episode

60 min

Season 5 • Episode 8

Latest

Can't Shake Lavar

Sep 8, 2010

Overview

Reality

Pros vs. Joes is an American physical reality game show that airs on Spike TV. The show features male amateur contestants matching themselves against professional athletes in a series of athletic feats related to the expertise sport of the Pro they are facing. For its first three seasons, the show was hosted by Petros Papadakis. Since Season Four, it has been co-hosted by Michael Strahan and Jay Glazer. The first two seasons were filmed at Carson, California's Home Depot Center, which was referenced in aerial shots.

Content warning

professional athlete sports show game show

mortality and agingprofessional vs. amateur dividemasculine egothe American dream deferred

Standout Aspects

Practical Effects

Real retired athletes absolutely destroying civilian dreams on camera.

Production

Home Depot Center aerial shots screaming 2006 cable budget.

Best for:Friends·Background·Rewatch

Creator

Tony DeRosa-Grund

First AiredMar 6, 2006

StatusEnded

Vibe

Pacefast

Intensityhigh

Tonelight

Feellight

Seasons5·Episodes46

Top Cast

Michael Strahan

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

Peak 'Spike TV' programming—this network literally branded itself 'the first network for men' while airing this and Ultimate Fighter back-to-back.

Trivia

Michael Strahan was still an active NFL player when Season 4 filmed in 2009; he literally co-hosted this between Giants practices before his 2007 Super Bowl win.