10. Kat Has Left the Building. --No more whining. No more Hollywood ego. Remember poor Beth from American Chopper? She wanted an armband and Kat refused because it was too 'first grade.' This coming from someone who gets a name tattoo of every guy she dates and has a tomato tattooed on her finger. I'm just sayin'...
9. The Guys. --Ami James, Chris Nunez, Chris Garver, Darren Brass, and Yoji Harrada. Take notes, these are the correct spellings of their names. (Not Omni, Carver, Darrick, or Yogi.)
8. Normal People. --This show primarily revolves around normal people with real stories. Not very often do you see some Z-list celeb trying to get you to buy his/her new album. Just normal people, telling stories, and getting works of art.
7. City of Miami. --Los Angeles is nice, but Miami isn't nearly as fake or shallow. Hollywood is okay if you wanna be a star or stalk Paris Hilton, but Miami is much more down to Earth and just as beautiful. Oh, and our vocabulary consists of much more than just 'dude'.
6. The Shop. --The MI shop is just set up better. Unlike the LA Funhouse that is Kat's shop, there is no str!pper pole, skate ramp, or hairless cats. There are tattoo machines and actual artwork on the walls done by the artists--not hubcaps, HIM symbols everywhere you look, an alter of creepy candles in the office, or those vomit inducing pink walls.
5. Good Work Ethics. --The guys take tattooing seriously. They are good with the clients and get their jobs done. They don't smoke or drink in the shop or build skateramps right next to the tattoo stations. This also ties in with Reason 4.
4. Maturity. --The boys are serious when it comes to marking someone for life, but that doesn't mean they don't have fun. Although they do party and joke around, they know when it's time to be serious, since it's their reputations at stake. They keep it safe. Not once did MI have a warning at the end credits.
3. Closeness. --The guys of Miami Ink pretty much learned the art together so they certainly have a bond. For example, Ami and Nunez. They have multiple businesses they run together successfully--Miami Ink being no exception (they actually own another shop in the area). I've yet to see a real closeness with the artists from LA Ink.
2. Original. --I remember seeing the promos for this show back in the summer of '05 I think it was. I could'nt wait for TLC to premiere it. It was the one and only original 'Ink' and always will be.
1. Tattoos. --The art of tattooing isn't exactly mainstream and Miami Ink does a much more efficient job of breaking down the stereotypes and stigmas. It does a better job of showcasing the diversity of people that respect the art. Three of the four artists at LA Ink produce some amazing artwork, but the 'star' of the show conflicts with it and gives the industry a very bad name. Between the two, Miami Ink has always been more reputable and a better representation of the business.
Agree or disagree. I don't care. Respond or don't respond. I don't care. Jimmy cracked corn. I don't care.
Daisy - That is BY FAR the best post I have EVER seen on this or any forum concerning Miami Ink! I have always enjoyed reading posts of your opinions...even when I don't agree. But what you said here, and how you said it, was absolutely perfect!
I love this show and have loved it since it debuted. I have much respect for tattooing and all the artists that take this business seriously.
I'm not knocking the artists of LA Ink in anyway--they are amazing (I'll even give Kat props for her portraits), although, I am ecstatic about the new season of MI taking over...
Well it seems to me that every one of your reasons for loving Miami Ink contains a subtle (or not so subtle) dig at Kat and/or LA Ink... Kat has moved on and is successful. If you don't like her show, simply don't watch it. Both shows are good, obviously they're different and appeal to different people. I enjoy art and tattoos too and definitely prefer Miami Ink but really, let the thing with Kat go already, it's ancient history..She's where she belongs now doing things the way she wants to. We should all be that fortunate. Peace and be happy!
Oh and by the way Miami Ink is great show that stands on its own merits. It's totally unecessary to make comparisons to other tattoo shows to make it seem better. That being sad, I love the art and tradition of tattooing and seeing the different personalities and styles of the artists and the clients
Ok Misery, while I respect your opinion, allow me to serve you with a rebuttle.
We agree that Miami Ink can stand on merit alone, BUT, I believe comparison reinforces validity.
If you were out looking to buy a car, you would not just buy the first one you see, you would compare and contrast to find out which one is better. Comparing the shows is how I lay out what I see to be true--to give evidence of how one is better, instead of just giving vague support to one or the other.
Although I don't like LA Ink I still have the right to watch it for the tattoos, so please don't tell me not to watch. Don't get aggitated because I think Kat needs to grow up. She has so much potential, she's just letting her fame go to her head.
Hey everyone, Does anyone have info on upcoming shows. My daughter is suppose to be on this season. I'm trying to find out which episode. Any help is appreciated. It was a great experience and your posts are great. they are great guys!!
I think Miami Ink is a much better show than LA ink. LA ink seems to have more celebrities on their to plug their movies or band members promoting new albums. Miami Ink has real every day people that share some amazing stories.
I wanted to thank the show for having Mark Lunsford on. He has changed the laws regarding sex offenders in many states and is not stopping. I've always respected Mark and his story has broken my heart each time I've heard him speak. Thanks Miami Ink for getting him on the show and letting him share his story. Hopefully viewers will change their opinions on "rehabilitating" pedophiles. Like Mark's tattoo the only true justice is a hangman's noose. We have to make the laws harsher and break the cycle.
Eva381, I totally agree about Lunsford! Pedophiles should be electrocuted... I'm real happy he was on. Miami Ink is kicking azz right now! It's so much better this season...
I agree with the point in #1 that three of the fours artists on LA Ink are great artists and do their field proud. I would actually love LA Ink if it weren't for Kat and her fake, pretentious, fame-wh0ring.
