Viewers started to notice a slight British accent on Ben and theyd be correct, as he wasnt born in Passadena, California, where he now lives. For example, he has been hired as a U.S. military contractor, offering his knowledge as a martial arts instructor. Wil Willis is a former Army soldier of the Third Ranger Battalion and also a decorated Air Force Pararescue Specialist. Original cast member Wil Willis left Forged in Fire in the spring of 2020 after Season 7 wrapped up. The revamped Forged in Fire now helmed by Grady airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. He was born in England, and moved to the USA when he was younger. Fans are curious about the 2020 season 8 host so lets get the situation explained and consider Wil Willis absence. Despite how Forged In Fire hasn't progressed to literal gladiator battles (yet), there's still a ton of super-interesting things about it. This demonstrates just how skillful he is as a blacksmith, having crafted weapons for some 20 years. Wont be the same without him tbh," became prevalent after the announcement. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Job: Willis is a former Army Ranger and Air Force Pararescueman who now hosts Forged in Fire, the History Channel show in which world-class bladesmiths create iconic historical weapons before a panel of judges. Despite the upset feelings generated by the loss of Wil on Forged in Fire, fans have been having a blast (no pun intended!) Furthermore,why did wil willis quit forged in fire? 114k Followers, 229 Following, 624 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Wil Willis (@whiskey2whiskey) Who is the youngest person to win forged in fire? Already clowning me! I believe pop culture can both entertain and affect us, and so reality blurred's goal is to amplify the best and hold the worst accountable. Weve created a community that connects people through open and thoughtful conversations about the TV were watching and the stories about it. Wil Willis is an American hero and military veteran who served his country from 1993 to 2008. However, there was a reason behind Wil Willis leaving Forged in Fire.In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family.Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. Wil was part of a couple of shows premiering on the Military Channel,such as Special OpsandTriggers. Who is the new host of Forged in Fire 2020? There's a strong chance that he was eager to spend more time with his family, which made him more inclined to leave Forged in Fire. Knight works as a consultant and designer for Winkler Knives. Photo: Facebook/WilWillis Doug Marcaida is the martial arts expert on Forged in Fire. He and his wife had a boy in March 2020, thus he is now spending time with them. That gives loyal viewers some hope that his hiatus isnt permanent. Meet the new History show presenter! Neilson is the resident expert blacksmith on Forged in Fire. On Forged in Fire, David Baker often works as the man who is responsible for judging how good the weapons produced by the blacksmiths look. Yes, two! All reality blurred content is independently selected, including links to products or services. However, there was a reason behind Wil Willis leaving Forged in Fire. There are four judges, and Wil has served as the show's host for quite some time. Many fans rushed to Twitter in the aftermath of the promo's release and expressed in a frenzy that Will Willis was not visible . As an ex- Air Force recruit and overall military specialist, Willis' persona offered something unique to the show's construct. Instead, wildlife reservations and things like that get the meat in order to keep it from going to waste.. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. He has also helped to advise security companies and law enforcement agencies. He was last seen hosting the show's spinoff. What's the real. Because of this, its not the most edible meat for humans. In fact, back in Season 3, fans worried J. has decided to leave the show when he went missing from the judges' panel. So, its likely that he was spending time with his family when preparations for the show were underway and decided to take a break. Jason Knight is an American bladesmith and TV personality, born on 25 September 1966, in Charleston, South Carolina USA. Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. While so many other reality shows focus on love & life, food, and home improvements, Forged in Fire has an entirely different focus. Forged in Fire relies on the talents of its presenter Wil Willis and a selection of judges to help evaluate each weapon with pure expertise. In fact, before he started working on TV he was an Army Ranger and also worked as an Air Force pararescue specialist, receiving several decorations for his service. Four custom knife makers compete to make the best usable knife through a series of challenges. Forged in Fire is truly a one of a kind reality show. He had to step down from his judging role to have surgery on his hand. History didnt provide a reason for the host change but it can reportedly be due to a creative choice or something financial, whether thats a desire to improve ratings or cut costs by hiring someone at a lower rate, Trib Live reports. "While we appreciate Wil and everything he brought to the series we are excited to start this new chapter and welcome Grady into the 'forge' as our new host.". Given that the film and television industry was perilously affected due to the pandemic and successive lockdowns across the world, there might be a good reason Wil had to sit this season out. Play trailer 0:31. Related: Americas Next Top Model: Reality TV Nightmare Or Novelty. You may recognize his catch phrase it will kill. He utters this upon disemboweling test dummies. It turns out, after getting eliminated on the show, contestants are required to leave behind any blades and weapons that they were working on. In a lengthy interview with the B3f podcast, Wil got candid about working conditions on the show. By commenting below, you confirm that youve read and agree to those rules. It is these people who decide which contestant walks away with the $10,000 cash prize. He previously worked on two military-focused series on what was known as the Military Channel but is now called the American Heroes Channel. Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. According to Trib Live, the History Channel said that the decision to replace Wil with Grady was made to earmark a "new chapter" in the show's existence, and with the new year underway it makes much more sense now. Wil Willis was born in 1975. New host So, if the series is recommissioned for another round by September 2021, we expect Forged in Fire season 9 to release sometime in Q4 2021 or Q1 2022. Why is it illegal for Forged in Fire contestants to keep their weapons? < What happened to Wil Willis? Season 8 of the History channel show, started airing on November 18 and fans are already tuning in to watch their favourite bladesmiths carve some impressive weapons and challenge the remarkable judges on the show. During his time on the show, which aired from 2015 to 2019, Wil gained immense popularity among viewers. Do the contestants appearing on Forged in Fire get a standard fee? David saw fans concerned about him and clarified that he was just fine, but had sustained an injury to his eye the day before shooting, necessitating the patch over his wound as it healed. What happened to Wil Willis? In fact, back in Season 3, fans worried J. has decided to leave the show when he went missing from the judges panel. It asks that the contestants put their talents to the metal and recreate some of historys most well-known blades and edges. He also has two children from his previous marriage. All Rights Reserved. Enjoyed every show. In fact, before he started working on TV he was an Army Ranger and also worked as an Air Force pararescue specialist, receiving several decorations for his service. 6 Why did J Neilson leave forged in fire? Since Forged in Fire is still in the middle of its eighth season, The History Channel has made no official announcements regarding the release date for season 9. "The smell was outrageous I swear to God it was probably 4 feet by 6 feet total. He criticized his trailer and the slow filming process. why did ben abbott leave forged in fire. While we appreciate Wil Willis and everything he brought to the series we are excited to start this new chapter and welcome Grady Powell into the forge as our new host. Wil has previous experience on television shows that premiered on the Military Channel: Special Ops and Triggers. In fact, he holds the rank of Mastersmith with the American Blacksmith Society, an honor that just 100 or so people hold across the United States. What does Forged in Fire do with the weapons? Who are the new judges on forged in fire? Havent we already had a bad enough year?! As a fast-spreading rumor has it, only the winners get paid. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? He was replaced by former US Army Green Beret Grady Powell. People who have seen previous seasons of Forged in Fire are probably familiar with Wil Willis, who hosted the show's first seven seasons. However, there was a reason behind Wil Willis leaving Forged in Fire. #flashdaddy #boydad #dadlife #grabthetigerbythetail #grabthebullbythehorns, A post shared by Wil Willis (@whiskey2whiskey) on Oct 15, 2020 at 10:18am PDT. (Abbott was actually a two-time winner on the show before ascending to the judge's seat), host Wil Willis and Doug Marcaida came to the series with exactly zero bladesmithing knowledge. Have something to tell us about this article? Forged in Fire was not the first presenting job that Wil Willis had on television. @HISTORY how am I going to watch forged in fire without Will Willis?!?! Michael. Fans speculate that Willis is focusing on his son and fatherhood and has therefore taken a break from the new season. Distractify is a registered trademark. Wil Willis is the host of 'Forged in Fire' and has been the host since the start of the show. While Im doing all that waiting around and fucking complaining, he said, the whole time that Im freakin doing this, theres a crew thats setting up shots, getting lighting right, getting all the anvils where they need to go, including herding the [contestant] smiths from interview to interview., Theres 250 hours of footagenow throw in the set up, the cameras, all the work that goes into that. IMDbPro Starmeter See rank. So what happened to Wil? Forged in Fire" In June 2015, History Channel started what became a highly-popular reality TV series by the name "Forged in Fire", and this show made Doug famous across the US, as evidenced by the show currently running its fifth season, and it seems that audiences are still captivated by the adventures of blacksmiths and their judges. ", He also spoke candidly about the filming process, saying it would take "three to five days to film an episode its the slowest, most boring process in the world." If you watched 101 Weapons that changed the world, yes that was me in an eye patch. This means that in the main Forged in Fire series, meat is often sitting in a hot warehouse all day. Fans can likely expect the show to continue running, as the network has announced no plans to cancel the popular game show. Meet the Real Steel Experts Who Judge 'Forged in Fire', 'Forged in Fire' Isn't Daniel Casey's First Stint on the History Channel, Bob Harte's Death Still Weighs Heavily on Fans of 'The Last Alaskans'. History then released the following statement after Wil's exit, Trib Live reports: As with any legacy series that has had the privilege of being on the air for five-plus years, fans will notice new names and faces from time to time Will Wil Willis return to Forged in Fire, What is Wil Willis doing now, Wil Willis . EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. He criticized his trailer and the slow filming process. A US military veteran, who served in the US Air Force for 8 years, and then pursued a career as a Respiratory Therapist for 20 years, all the while teaching and honing his skills as a Filipino martial artist. Brad Johansen Leaving NBC4 Columbus: Where Is the Anchor Going? Do they use real pig carcass on Forged in Fire? Why did Jay Neilson leave Forged in Fire? New season of Forged in Fire On the show, Neilson tested the blades for their durability and technical aspects. In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family. In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family. Willis is a . History then released the following statement after Wils exit, Trib Live reports: As with any legacy series that has had the privilege of being on the air for five-plus years, fans will notice new names and faces from time to time. It was not a big space. However, recent revelations may have come to change his role on the show entirely. Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. I mean, he seems to wear tight pants and stand with a wide stance for maximum effectiveness at all times to ensure his battle buddy receives maximum air time. Who is Grady Powell? Wil and his wife Krystle Amina had their first child Flash Orion Willis in March 2020. In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family. In fact, some even went as far as making jokes about a potential crossover between Forged in Fire and The Mandalorian sometime in the future due to both shows having some skilled blacksmiths. He's widely recognized for his award-winning work as a knife-maker, and for appearing in the third season of "Forged In Fire" as a judge. It turns out, he needed to take a leave of absence to have surgery on his hand, and fellow ABS Master Smith Jason Knight stood in for him while he recovered. Im Andy Dehnart, a writer who obsessively and critically covers reality TV, focusing on how its made and what it means. As a result of his expertise in martial arts, Doug Marcaida has worked as a consultant for many different organizations. Wil Willis was replaced on Forged in Fire, leaving viewers curious about what happened to the former host and why the decision was made in the first place. Contents1 Early Life and Education2 Career2.1 Debut and Awards2.2 Forged in Fire2.3 The History Channel show 'Forged in Fire' has returned with its eighth season. The Forged in Fire meat is typically donated. When he is not busy with judging on Forged in Fire, J. Neilson still works as a blacksmith, crafting weapons. Try to take a decent photo and this happens! He criticized his trailer and the slow filming process. Did J. Neilson Leave the Show? Offers may be subject to change without notice. Copyright @ 2000 to 2022 Reality Blurred LLC and individual contributors, reality TV reviews, news, and analysis since 2000, what History told Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen, The Mole behind the scenes: how it was produced, Desi Williams on her DQ, rules, theft, and more: not everything in The Challenge is fair, How The Amazing Race started: an oral history of CBSs first race around the world, interviews with producers and reality stars. In each episode, four bladesmiths compete in a three-round elimination contest to forge bladed weapons, with the overall winner receiving $10,000 and the show's championship title "Forged in Fire Champion". Bring back Wil Willis. However, there was a reason behind Wil Willis leaving Forged in Fire. (Photo by Miller Mobley/History) In a. Forged in Fire might seem like a strange idea for a television series but that hasnt stopped it from becoming one of the History Channels biggest hits. Robert from the 100th Forged in Fire episode seemingly commented on a Reddit post, confirming, The meat gets donated to places, typically not for human consumption. Flash Orion Willis 7 lbs 7 oz Docs had to go in for this guy but happy to say he and Momma are doing great! Learn more. As he told B3F Podcast in December of 2020, he is interested in pursuing a career as an independent filmmaker. The show Forged in Fire was Wil's big break, as he is also the host of the spin-off show, Forged in Fire: Beat the Judges. A post shared by Forged In Fire (@forgedinfire). #flashdaddy #babywatchisover #thefunhasarrived #laboranddelivery, A post shared by Wil Willis (@whiskey2whiskey) on Mar 6, 2020 at 7:21pm PST. Should Wil return, History would likely make an announcement after the season has been greenlit. Age, job and Instagram revealed! One follower wrote: Are you alright? Me: Yes! In the meantime, fans can catch up with him and little Flash on social media. Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia. While Forged in Fire will be a crowned jewel in Wil Willis' television experience, he has also been a part of other shows. 5 Do they use real pig carcass on Forged in Fire? Hes been replaced by Grady Powell, who was once on NatGeos Ultimate Survival Alaska and has since twice replaced other people on reality shows: Why was Grady brought in for season eight? Wil even done a guest appearance on Pawn Stars in 2021 which reminded fans of his welcoming on-screen presence. Unfortunately for fans, History has yet to issue a press release addressing the fast-proliferating rumors. "As with any legacy series that has had the privilege of being on the air for five-plus years, fans will notice new names and faces from time to time," the network shared in a statement. One member of the panel will ensure that the tests are all possible under the conditions set by doing it themselves. He also lists himself as a self-employed executive producer. He is incredibly experienced in crafting weapons using traditional methods. "Just saw a promo for the upcoming season of Forged in Fire and it said there's a new host. "The smell was outrageous. He is also a Mastersmith in the American Blacksmith Society and has decades of experience in crafting metal objects. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. He appeared in an episode of TV series documentary Rescue Warriors Last Call with Carson Daly. by Alt-Centrist Anyone else notice that Wil Willis's bulge seems to be the second co-host on Forged In Fire? Kali uses improvised weapons such as sticks and knives and does not have a conventional belt system as opposed to other forms of martial art. On his official Instagram, the television star has spoken about his experiences in the military. Wil Willis was replaced on Forged in Fire, leaving viewers curious about what happened to the former host and why the decision was made in the first place.Grady Powell became the show's new host after his sudden exit. However, if you buy something after clicking an affiliate link, I may earn a commission, which helps support reality blurred. #ForgedInFire #WilWillis #historychannel, still from Forged in Fire, Outpost Entertainment, YouTube. Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. Copyright 2023 Distractify. Willis spent ten years as an Air Force Pararescueman, and four years as an Army Ranger. re-watching episodes that still showcased their favorite longtime host. FACT CHECK: Dave Ramsey Made a Statement About America Online, FACT CHECK: CIA Director Gina Haspel Found Dead, FACT CHECK: Kwik Trip Launches Kwik Strip Gentlemens Clubs. Wil left Forged in Fire in 2020 after welcoming his first child into the world. on the host of Forged in Fire. Next: 15 Strange (But True) Facts About Reality TV. Additional Crew. Season 3 of Forged in Fire saw J Neilson leave Forged in Fire. Do you know what happened to the host Wil on Forged in Fire? Former Monroe Native Drew Goodson has been interested in blacksmithing as far back as he can remember and his smithing dreams recently came true on Tuesday, May 1, when at 18 years old he became the youngest ever champion on The History Channels Forged in Fire., 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved Since Season 4 of Forged in Fire, J. Neilson has not appeared in every single episode. Being a fan favorite, the former veterans fans are asking if Wil Willis has quit the show or has taken a temporary hiatus. He is no longer the host of the History Channel show but has certainly been missed by longtime viewers. Jason Knight Wants to Be Known for His Craft, Not a TV Show. World-class bladesmiths compete in recreating historical weapons on the program. After he retired from the military, Willis began using his expert weaponry knowledge as a commentator on. Blacksmith would be high-paying his lifelong dream by joining the military a profession like being an blacksmith. #ForgedInFire, New season of Forged in FireMe: Yes!New host Me: pic.twitter.com/tbAcsMWqdV. Will Wil return to Forged in Fire? But the new teaser for the upcoming season shows that Ben Abbott is going to host the show. Neal Estano Leaving WNYT: Where Is the New York Meteorologist Going. Im not sure how I feel about Forged In Fire without Wil Willis. Rita Thurman won Forged in Fire when she crafted a beautiful Sodegarami, which is a Japanese barbed weapon that was used for catching criminals by Feudal Lords and officers.