Special Forces: World's Toughest Test (2023– ) User Reviews

It's Not Bad

[frankie-08908 · 6/10 · 3 February 2023]

First let me set some of the previous reviewers straight. Just because an athlete retired doesn't make that athlete washed up. EVERYONE RETIRES. Danny Amendola is a 2x Super Bowl Champion. Dwight Howard is an NBA Champion and has an Olympic gold medal. The other athletes on the show are just as accomplished. Show respect for these incredible athletes.

As for the non-athletes, I have respect for some. Hanna Brown, Kenya Moore, get my respect. These two women have great will and determination. There are two who didn't get to show what they could have done because of injuries. The rest I would agree with those who say there's too much crying and whining. Jamie Spears may be the worst, she's totally on it just to be on the tv screens.

The obstacles they must overcome are legit. And they must overcome while drill instructors are in their faces yelling. It's fun to watch how they respond. It's also nice to see how these very rich and privileged individuals experience or get a taste of what our real heroes who serve go through.

Wastes time with people who shouldn't be there

[The_Dog_Father · 6/10 · 22 January 2023]

A very generous 6

The show could be so much better if they had selected people who had a chance to make it through a full interview in an Air Force recruiting office.

I understand it's a "Reality" show, probably more for couch veal types, but for the love of Christmas pudding, pick some people who didn't need to be institutionalized.

The first 45 minutes of the first episode was a drama rama fest of such a waste of time. Some of those people shouldn't even be legally allowed to drive there were so messed up. "I miss my kids...." "I'm a washed up singer...." "I used to act."

We all have issues, and challenges in life, and nobody cares if you are so and so sister, or boo-hoo, I'm not famous anymore. This should have been for the open public of the 10s of millions who didn't get to be an Olympic athlete, actor, or play pro ball. Or related to some celebrity.

These people are losers, and quitters, and a couple who were just bored. The ones that surprised me the most was an Olympic athlete, who quit. Actors are the least impressive, since most mediocre at best drop outs. Anyone can act and pretend, it's why drama and theater are so popular in high school and college. It's fun to pretend!

This could have been far more interesting if it was more challenging, instead of dealing with people who want to quit every 5 minutes on the show. It should have been more boot camp style. Make it harder leadership wise, and offer an internship or money as the incentive, instead of losers quitting in day 3 "Yeah, I'm done, I did what I came here to do." Quitters and losers, that show had no business selecting mental people for such an environment.

It's interesting though. If those loser had done 4 years of the Military when they were younger, they wouldn't have the issues they had as adults. The Military is the best kept secret in the world. Do the show again, and make it for the common person, with award and incentives with more leadership challenges.

Highly Entertaining

[bmfortier · 8/10 · 14 January 2023]

Something has always fascinated me about training tier-one units such as Delta Force and the SAS. Beyond just the intensity of the exercises, there is something that exposes the grit, determination, and inner character of the people willing to put themselves through treacherous conditions to become part of a tight-knit, war-fighting team.

This isn't the first time American media has dipped its toes into reality-based television wrapped in a military training package. Shows like "Combat Missions (2002)", "American Grit (2016)", and "The Selection: Special Operations Experiment (2016)" are American-produced programs that have featured a fusion of reality and competition TV. "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" is similar to "The Selection," where a cadre of former commandos agonizes - I mean, trains - a small squad of masochistic candidates.

What many people will notice is that "Special Forces" is a derivative of the UK-produced "SAS: Who Dares Wins (2015)". The formula and training environment directly pick up where the seventh season of that program left off, except this time, we are bearing witness to a troop of willing individuals with a bit more star power than someone plucked from their home and dropped into a production environment. Many of these contestants (and the cadre) have their own followings and fan bases, which is an immediate plus for viewer numbers. It also helps that (most of them) are charismatic, have a history of being in the public eye, and bring their own baggage to the training ground.

The editing is driven by a need to create drama among the contestants. I do not doubt that the show is presented non-linearly (from Day 1 to Day 10), with the need for the post-production team to put an early focus on those contestants struggling, dominating, and/or having emotional reactions to the environment they are subjected to.

What I enjoy most about these sorts of shows is that we quickly find that physical dominance does not necessarily make a contestant a top contender. Those with solid minds and grit will rise to the top. However, a bad attitude and a lack of military bearing can keep an individual from passing the course, even if they pass all the challenges.

The training exercises and stunts remind me of "Fear Factor," except with an apparent military influence. It's fantastic to see the cadre demonstrate the activity, proving that they can perform. Water is the great equalizer, so I expect many more challenges to involve water.

This show is highly entertaining, especially for those who enjoy military-oriented shows like those mentioned above. The curated drama is an unfortunate side-effect of a fascinating look into the once-hidden world of special forces selection, but this doesn't keep the show from being unwatchable. Bringing in contestants with some popularity allows an otherwise ignorant audience to become engaged with them and their adventure. I will certainly be watching this program through to the end.

Actually really enjoy this one

[mammajammaAH · 10/10 · 27 January 2023]

We're actually really enjoying this show more than most reality shows out there. I appreciate the rawness of much of it. Yes, we don't know who many of these celebrities are, but they are showing you who they are. They are people too just like you and I. Some of them have shown their crappy sides right away, but some are also beginning to show their true grit and its pretty cool to watch. (You have to remember, its still a reality show.) I could not do half the things they are doing and overcoming on this show! It also makes us appreciate our true special forces more as well! Looking forward to more!

It's entertaining, but...

[amsterdamjen · 6/10 · 4 February 2023]

I've recently watched SAS Australia season 4. Essentially it's the same concept, celebrities (from Australia) are competing, but they absolutely get the $*!# beat out of them. Of course there's only so much these guys can put anyone through on a made for TV SpecOps training course, but at least there's literal blood, sweat, and (of course) made for TV tears. This version of the popular SAS series makes Americans look like proper babies (which they're not). Yes, it's mildly entertaining and a good foot in the door for the US audience. However I do recommend SAS: Who Dares Wins (UK version, non celebrity) as well as SAS Australia because they're much, much better.

Surprisingly Educational

[jensonseifert · 9/10 · 22 January 2023]

I love that this show exposes my own deep rooted issues and inspires me to challenge myself to do hard things, to be uncomfortable, and to possibly move towards change. A quick note: the arm chair quarterbacks giving this one star are only doing so because in their delusional world, they think they could do better than olympians. This show is unique and honest. These "celebs" have agreed to be yelled at, disrespected, and put in incredibly harsh and difficult conditions. Sleeping on a cot with crap for food is, in itself, a serious ask for any of us watching from home. There's a reason people dropped out in the first day. It's because 108 degree heat causes a two mile jog to be devestating. I think this show is great and I would love to see more of it. Yes, some participants are ridiculous (Nastia) but most are on a personal and real journey and they have allowed us to witness it. How cool is that!

It's okay

[pckjvqcz · 6/10 · 24 January 2023]

The show is just okay. I was excited to learn why these celebrities went on, but feel some gave up too early. The blond gymnast was super whiny and wimpy and I was very glad when she left. The British narrator voice is annoying and difficult to understand. The "yes staff" is annoying as well. Why can't they just say "yes sir". Obviously they can't put in real special forces training, a lot of these people aren't fit to hardly get up the cliff. I imagine it is similar in the mental difficulty, for where these people are coming from anyway. Overall it is just okay, but I feel there are many ways they can improve.

Well I like it

[jay819 · 9/10 · 21 February 2023]

I think this series is great. Yes it gets better as it progresses and the whiny annoying ones are gone. Some of the casting was iffy...I mean Kate Gosselin? Ew. Jamie Lynn Spears? Lol. And a couple others I can't even remember who were gone early I wasn't too disappointed about. But as it gets closer to the end I really enjoy watching and respect the effort put forth by everyone on there. It's an interesting group from a wide range of backgrounds, from athletes to politicians to entertainers to washed-up reality tv "stars", and they all seem to get along really well. The challenges are really intense. Overall it's entertaining and worth a watch!

Trials In The Desert

[atlasmb · 7/10 · 24 February 2023]

This reality show is a competition, but the participants do not compete against each other. They are subjected to physical and mental tests that are based on military training.

The sixteen celebrities are taken to a remote desert location where they live for ten days under a military-style regimen designed to test them. They are taught various skills that might aid survival in a combat environment.

Competitors drop out if they cannot handle the stress. Along the way, some tap out for emotional reasons, others due to injuries. It becomes abundantly clear that mental obstacles-like a fear of heights---make the challenges very difficult for many.

There are some surprises in who survives till the end of the course. It is interesting to see the competitors assess and reassess their prospects throughout the show. In the end, it appears that almost every celeb learned something about him/herself. Introspective viewers can also learn about themselves.

It's basically the "I'm a celebrity get me out of here" show

[mattpavan · 3/10 · 6 January 2023]

Same format as the SAS shows. Mostly a bunch of whining ex-celebrities with zero chance of completing the course no business being on it to start with.

Who does the casting? 3 or 4 decent participants along side a bunch of fatties that complain on day one, that they are scared of water, scared of heights, have zero cardio fitness and always seem cry about how they "should be at home with their kids" and "I miss my kids". You singed up for a week. Shut up.

I would much rather see a group of determined, fit and capable people that want to be there and not spend every spare moment wiping up each others tears (and there are many tears). There will always be attrition due to injury or illness but to see people quit or even just complain about heights or jumping into water seems to be an insult to the "special forces" brand. It's an insult to the viewer too. What did they think they were signing up for? Obviously just a paycheck or attempt at putting themselves back in the spotlight.

A non-celebrity version would be much better.

Really shows what these celebs are made of!!

[Antruee · 9/10 · 13 February 2023]

While I agree the cast could use some more realistic choices as many of those chosen had no chance from the start. I understand why though as there has been 1 constant who has dominated without any expectations whatsoever.

We really get to the deep characteristics of these people as they broken down mentally, physically and emotionally.. It's truly one of the best parts of this show. Makes these celebrities seem so much more relatable to the average man

Of course it's a watered down version of the real training but it's a TV show! It's entertaining and no joke by any means. They are doing grueling tasks the average joe would quit on an hour.

If they cut out the unnecessary drama and throw in some better contestants, this could be a successful formula for the ages.

A dumbed down, guardrail version of the selection

[adamsmajstrla · 6/10 · 25 February 2023]

This show gets a generous 6, mainly because I find the concept interesting and the show watchable for easy entertainment. After coming off watching the selection, a show about 30 civilians undergoing real training, it's hard to get on board with the "celebrity" version where there are much easier days and lots more hand holding and pats on the back. It just feels fake in comparison. To be honest, most of the challenges just seem like fun mental exercises that I wouldn't mind trying... Haven't seen them make everyone do 1000 situps yet though.

I feel like the Olympic skier summed it up the best during the car crash into water challenge when he one member got special treatment, "I can guarantee that real military training would never do that". If you want a realistic look at special ops training this isn't it, this is a place for c-list (also generous) celebrities to get there 30 mins of face time on tv and do some medium difficulty challenges. I do however enjoy the staff and feel they are there for the right reasons, just got stuck with a bunch of soft people who can leave when they feel like it.

What a joke

[rwall-15147 · 1/10 · 7 January 2023]

It's a shame that they apply the term "Special Forces" Training to this, because not one of these celebrities could handle Air Force Basic Training let alone special forces. Sure they may be doing some (or modified) special forces tasks, but in no way is it even remotely close to what it's like. Even the "Athletes" on the show would not be able to handle even a taste of what real soldiers had to endure. I feel embarrassed for the training officers as they themselves must think the candidates are just a joke. Next time they want to tackle a show like this, pick some candidates that are in good shape and are not constantly crying.

Gives celebs a taste of the real world.

[airmangorman · 8/10 · 23 February 2023]

I absolutely love this show for several reasons. First it takes celebrities, semi-famous or not, and slams them back down to Earth from their cushy lifestyles. Yes this is a highly modified version of the actual special forces, or any military training for that matter, but even a modified version can be brutal. Second you have actual former special forces members leading this program. They understand that the celebs are in no way physically or mentally equipped for the actual training but nevertheless still push them beyond their limits. In a way it humbles the celebs and seeing this transition is quite gratifying. I hope this show continues with over celebs who want to take on the challenge....if they dare.

Literally taking washed ups and sending them through the ringer....

[windwzrd · 6/10 · 15 January 2023]

I would love to see a bunch of the S. F take on these skills with the winners of the guys that do the world's fitness people..and see who is actually tougher none of the S. F remotely fit yet all the fitness guys are shredded, see if shredded rips dad bods....just saying..I truly believe if this was actually hard a bunch of celebrities especially age 40 and above wouldn't come close to being able to do really any of them, let alone 10 days repel and such one thing but the stuff I remember doesn't come close to that it literally slapped you silly daily and most was weapon related over standard p.t stuff anyways let put the fitest against the finest....

Very entertaining!

[Leeonemil · 10/10 · 8 November 2023]

This is the first time I ever noticed my wife putting her phone down to watch a show, therefore this is a good indicator the show must be good.

After serving in the army reserves I find this show pretty realistic in how the trainers interact with the recruits and the mental challenges involved. Also the physical challenges and never knowing how long they are going to last. Punishing the group for one recruits behaviour is classic training protocol.

I look forward to watching more seasons. Unfortunately, only season 2 is available where I live. I would be interested in watching season 1 as well.

Very Satisfying

[ripdel · 7/10 · 27 October 2023]

The biggest pleasure in watching this show is how easily these "celebrities" quit and whine and break. It's a great way for these people, lest just about everyone in current society, who live lives of delusion, thinking that because they get lied to and cuddled and because they get likes on social media, they are somehow "mentally strong" or that they are better than anyone. Surprise! They are not. Playing video games doesn't make you an operator. Not even being fortunate enough to have found fame or being lucky enough to be financially "successful" doesn't matter when reality hits. I must admit, I do not watch a lot of TV shows but, I watch this show in anticipation of seeing people get a dose of what they are certainly not used to... a bit of softened, safe, sterile, and washed reality.

Not close

[danmunger15 · 1/10 · 9 January 2023]

Not even close to being a special forces show. The celebrities are all whining and complaining and supposedly getting hurt too easily. It is not challenging enough. Are these celebrities really wanting to be there or they're just collecting a paycheck? There continues to be a back story every time they are breaking down and crying. Reality shows are fake and ridiculous, and yet they keep coming out with them. I had to stop watching after the first 20 minutes. I couldn't take anymore. They didn't even show everybody jumping out of the helicopter, Only the ones that were fear of falling or drowning.

Booooo!! 🍅🍅

[ssq-91292 · 1/10 · 16 January 2023]

I was extremely disappointed by the lack of true grit and determination displayed by the contestants. Instead of pushing through and rising to the challenge, they were preoccupied with complaining and making excuses. The exercises they were given were far too easy and did not even come close to true special forces training standards. The selection of contestants was also questionable and many of them were not physically or mentally prepared for the task at hand. Overall, this show was a huge disappointment and not worth your time. I recommend watching "The Selection" on the History channel instead.

I wanted to love this so bad!

[gettingallthestuff · 1/10 · 21 September 2023]

What exactly were they going for here?

This show tries to fool viewers and it just... Doesn't work. We all know its not legit SF training. First of all- no one goes directly into special forces training raw. You go to regular boot camp FIRST. Meaning by the time you get to SF training you already have some significant physical and mental strengthening. You already know how to regulate water intake. You're in shape. You are used to carrying packs and running in boots. Etc. Kicking out Dr. Drew because he was dehydrated when they never taught the group how to properly hydrate is just dumb.

Then you've got how they treated Jamie Spears. Her reaction to the fall CLEARLY indicated a PTSD response. They're military- they certainly know this. They know how to coach someone through those moments and how to give them the tools to overcome monetary PTSD reactions and develop internal contractions to triggering situations. Instead their response is entirely insulting to anyone and everyone who has PTSD: "Get over it- its in the past and you're not dead." This is beyond a disgusting response. Its not how its handled in the actual SF either- which made it that much more dumb. This could have been a really strong moment. It could have been an incredible opportunity to address PTSD. They completely missed it.

It really just seems like they were so dedicated to filming this quickly and in reality tv fashion that they skipped really necessary things that would make the show believable. Instead it ends up feeling extraordinarily phoney. A bunch of out of shape people declaring how real this is and how this is actual training is just insulting.

Who filmed this?

[xpjptpb · 1/10 · 26 September 2023]

Can not get into this show at all. Don't think I'll ever watch this again. Can't hear a damn thing. Music is too loud and voices to quiet.

Guess yelling at people makes the instructors feel like men. Special forces does not mean belittling people. It is the challenges, disappline, and heart. You can't applaud your teammates? That's not feeling like a team and does not motivate everybody. I know it's an individual challenge, but come on. Get a grip and a new film crew.

I will definitely be deleting, canceling the pvr, and NEVER watching this series again. Nor would I EVER recommend this show to anyone!

A Low Point for Carli Lloyd (and everyone else involed)

[obtuseangle65 · 1/10 · 13 August 2023]

Wow, after watching Carli Lloyd's excellent commentary of the FIFA Women's World Cup games this summer (2023), I happened to be channel surfing one night and caught of few minutes of this drivel. What an awful reality show for all involved. You know what they say in Hollywood: "Reality Show = Non-Reality". Actually, they don't say that in Hollywood, but I say that. You know why these celebs are involved in something like this: for the PAYCHECK.

What's the point of this show? To create fantasy outcomes of what one might experience if they were going through this rigorous training? It's all a big fake fantasy, in that insidious reality show fashion. It's really bad, and I'm sorry that I had to see Carli Lloyd involved in this.

This is bad

[kgborrell-34146 · 1/10 · 18 January 2023]

This is just bad. This is not special forces, this is not even air force level hard. Bunch of washed up celebrities and the other half are a bunch of washed up nobodies. I mean at least get some decently in shape celebs to do this. They are never in any danger. They are treated with kid gloves. After a short jog and a 10 foot drop out of a helicopter half of them are breaking down. Send them through REAL military training then see how they would do. Painful to watch for anyone who has ever been in the military. For the average person I'm sure they will think this is really hard stuff. Don't waste your time.

A Total Waste of Time

[tt-rs · 1/10 · 30 January 2023]

I've never seen a show this poorly scripted.... The narrator is more effective than a sleeping pill. They should change the name of the show to "Celebrity Whiners" or better yet "Celebrity Quitters".... I'm not sure what Fox was thinking when they approved this show.... I actually made it through 4 episodes but I'm done.... I can't take it anymore.... The celebrities on this show must be extremely desperate for attention and money to be associated with such crap.... There's way too many good shows out there to watch.... They should have asked Taylor Sheridan for input as he has the right formula.... I think I will watch more Yellowstone reruns.

It's a tv show, calm down

[Itwassoannoying · 1/10 · 7 October 2023]

The "staff" is so overly serious it's so funny, it's so camp, it's hilarious and a bit annoying. Like the celebrities are really supposed to take these old men trying to break into the acting industry seriously? Like they aren't scary, there are no stakes, this is just some drivel for old conservatives to watch and hate on celebrities while they sit on their couch. And calling them "staff" is so weird, the weirdest choice of word, especially for the celebrities to be calling people staff? How strange. Also everything is clearly made to be so incredibly safe there's really no tension. Like they're really gonna let something happen to Jojo Siwa? Lol yeah right.