S06.E16: Master v. Apprentice Live Finale

[thewhiteowl]

The 3 finalists tattoo live, eliminated artists confront one another, huge announcement.

 

 

[Honey]

Kruseman...Yayyy!!!!

[Kathira]

All right, Kruseman! I'm really glad they gave it to him. His tattoo really was excellent. The details on that ship were amazing. Chris's was fine, but there were too many areas of solid color. The inside of the girl's mouth was solid black. Kruseman's was clearly better. Just a gorgeous tattoo.

[MuMuGuy]

Yeah, I'm done with Ink Master. Matt had the best back tattoo, but he screwed himself on the pre-game tattoo. I agree with Big Ceeze when he stated that Kruseman should've been booted due to not attempting the challenge a couple of times.

 

Overall, this season was amateur hour. This season had the worst set of artists of any season.

[Madding crowd]

This finale had a really odd set-up in my opinion. They all did the back piece which took 35 hours, but then only two of the pieces were considered. So it really was all about the live tattoo. It should have been the other way around or they should be judged only on the back piece.

 

I like Kruseman way more than Chris, but I don't believe the judges liked his piece better. Since he was the underdog to begin with and his first canvas left, they thought this would be a better story. Hell, he didn't even get to hear the words You are InkMaster. All we heard was "Kruseman You" and then it was drowned out by the yelling. I thought Chris' was better actually, though I can't stand him.

[Kathira]

 

This finale had a really odd set-up in my opinion. They all did the back piece which took 35 hours, but then only two of the pieces were considered. So it really was all about the live tattoo. It should have been the other way around or they should be judged only on the back piece.

 

I agree. All three should have been judged. I think Kruseman would still probably have won, but Matt deserved to have his work considered.

[PepperMonkey]

Yay, Kruseman?!? At least he wasn't Chris... I guess.

 

K, that live finale was horrendous. Are they always live? Or did Dave just screw around a bunch? Did they have more people so no one on the show could hear what anyone else said?

 

Overall, I thought the final three all did a good job. I think they're all talented. That said, I HATED Kruseman's live piece. It looked like old Pennsylvania Dutch stenciling from the 1960s to me, instead of American traditional. I guess they were right about Matt's not having enough contrast, but it was beautiful.

 

I think Matt should have been in the final two instead of Kruseman and that Matt's would have beaten Chris' backpiece, also. Chris is a good tattooist, and the backpiece was good enough, but I didn't like that there was no breathing room in his either. They kept saying that in relation to Kruseman's but Chris' piece was just as busy.

 

I'll be back for the next season, even though I just love to bitch about the show. I'm hoping crazy as whale shit Sarah finally gives the series a female winner. She's nuttier than than hell, but she's talented. And I was so damned relieved they didn't bring back Tatu Baby: I was scared to death it would be her, what?, fifth appearance on the show.

Edited October 14, 2015 by PepperMonkey

[Bouffe]

This final show was horrible! Dave kept screwing up, no one could hear anything, it's like they were all drunk and no one knew what their lines. Horrible.

The fact the top 3 did the 35 hours tattoo and the final 2 was decided on the live tat was screwed up. It should have been the other way around. I thought Chris and Matt's live tats were the best. I didn't like Kruseman's. As far as the 35h tat, they were all solid. I think it would have to be personal preferences for me. I liked once again Matt and Chris's tats better.

I think Chris should have taken the prize. I think he was a better over all artist then the other two. Oh well.

[Merneith]

K, that live finale was horrendous. Are they always live? Or did Dave just screw around a bunch? Did they have more people so no one on the show could hear what anyone else said?

 

The finales are always live and always horrendous. And yes, always plagued with dodgy sound quality. I've stopped watching them.

 

Kruseman? Yeah, ok, why not.

 

They're having Sarah back? Really? Well at least it's not Emily. Still, I think I'd rather have Josh back, even though that would be totally ridiculous.

[Loki]

So...Matt spent 35 hours putting his all into a backpiece for nothing? All that work and he is eliminated before the judges even saw it?! That is just bullshit squared. I really did not like that change in judging at all. You could tell Matt was just crushed.

 

I also despise having the vote for best live tattoo BEFORE they even showed the tattoos! I guess we knew Chris was getting into the top two so at least so that slot wasn't wasted.

 

I actually think we are going to see some great work next season. With the exception of St Mark none of the returning tattooists are terrible artists or rotten human beings. (I even like most of them!) I was pleasantly suprised (shocked) that they seemed to pick for talent instead of obnoxious reality personality! (Again, with the exception of St. Mark)

 

I thought Chris's tattoo seemed monochromatic to me. From afar it seemed all the same tones. Krusmen's really impressed me, I was not expecting that from him. I think his win was well deserved.

They're having Sarah back? Really? Well at least it's not Emily. Still, I think I'd rather have Josh back, even though that would be totally ridiculous.

 I've looked at  Sarah'a work online since she was on the show and her work is really amazing. I think maybe the pressure of the competition got to her last time, but she has that experience under her belt now. If she can tattoo like she does off the show I think she would have the best shot to be the first female winner.

 

Her instagram, for anyone wanting to check out her work: https://instagram.com/sarahmillertattoo/?hl=en

[Monty]

It's nice to see that Peck brought his formal toothpick. And his formal lack-of-shirt.

[azshadowwalker]

 I HATED Kruseman's live piece. It looked like old Pennsylvania Dutch stenciling from the 1960s to me, instead of American traditional. I guess they were right about Matt's not having enough contrast, but it was beautiful.

 

 

Kruseman half-assed it throughout the season, did an incredibly shitty live piece, and wins? As soon as they announced that he'd gotten the final spot over Matt, I quit watching. I actually thought Chris was going to win at that point, but I was too pissed at Kruseman's simple line drawing beating out Matt's tiger. I would have preferred Chris to win between him and Kruseman, just because Kruseman was mediocre throughout the season when he even bothered to do the challenges.

 

And fucking Marq again next season? Fuck you, Ink Master.

[Muffyn]

Between Peck's "formal toothpick" and Chris wearing something other than overalls, I almost thought I was watching the wrong show.  

 

Bouncing Matt based on his live tattoo was silly.  After doing a 35 hour tattoo, he should have been allowed to compete through the final.  With that said, I absolutely loved Kruseman's tattoo.  I want to stare at it for hours to see every little detail.  Not so much with Chris' tattoo.  So congrats to Kruseman.

Edited October 14, 2015 by Muffyn

[niklj]

What a terrible finale, both production-wise and the fact that Safe Sally Kruseman won after doing multiple lame tattoos only to do one good tattoo at the end whereas Chris did pretty much A tattoos the entire season.

 

And again, the fact that Kruseman didn't even do some of the challenges. WTF.

 

Boo, Ink Master, boo.

 

Glad to see that Dave got in some "meows" in there, though.

[qtpye]

I must be an idiot.  I could not recognize Chris without his overalls and Cruzeman without his flannel.  The main thing I liked about this season was that we actually had some good female tattooers that actually had some talent, where I often I feel they just go with someone who looks good in a leather bustier.  That being said, both Katy and Duffy looked pretty in the finale.  I think we got one shot of Katy without her usual "look" cheering on Matt while he was doing the back piece that did not matter and I was blown away about how pretty she was, though her "look" is quite cute.

 

It is obvious that St. Marq is doing a character for t.v. and I hate how the show rewarded him by making him one of the "most talented artists in ink master history" that is going to be competing next season.  There is no way he is that good and other previous artists deserved that spot.

 

I sometimes think this show needs to be renamed "Ink Bastard".

 

I want  to see a special episode where Oliver Pecker has to go up against his ex wife, Kat Von D.  They can have one round portrait and one round American traditional to be fair.

Edited October 14, 2015 by qtpye

[Demented Daisy]

Fast forwarded to the end to see who won.  O...kay?  Whatever.

 

Did I miss a reason for the females to be in thongs?  Since the tattoos did not, in fact, cover any part of their posterior?  I was amused, though, at the way Kruseman pulled the guy's shorts down since his, in fact, did.  Ugh, this show.

 

What was the "huge announcement"?

[Kathira]

 

What was the "huge announcement"?

 

I think it was the cast for the next season, including returning competitors.

[Kathira]

 

 

I've looked at  Sarah'a work online since she was on the show and her work is really amazing. I think maybe the pressure of the competition got to her last time, but she has that experience under her belt now. If she can tattoo like she does off the show I think she would have the best shot to be the first female winner.

Her instagram, for anyone wanting to check out her work: https://instagram.co...ertattoo/?hl=en

 

Wow, she is good. Especially at faces and color realism. Hopefully she will do equally well with all the wacky sh!t they throw at them. Also, it's like any of these shows (Project Runway being a perfect example) - being good when you have plenty of time and cooperative clients is different than being able to compete under time pressure and with difficult canvasses. 

[Demented Daisy]

I think it was the cast for the next season, including returning competitors.

 

So it's a mix of new and returning?  I really hate it when shows do that.  The returning competitors have a huge advantage over the new.  But it doesn't matter because I'm not sure we'll be watching, anyway.  My husband is pretty tired of the show, too.

[leighdear]

That was a 30 minute show stretched waaaaaaaaay out to cover 90 minutes.  I had it muted most of the time, and was doing schoolwork.  I normally like Dave but he was not in good form.  My boyfriend Chris Nunez looked delicious in that suit.  He cleans up nicely. 

 

As soon as Matt was eliminated, my only desire was for Chris to lose.  Happy that happened. 

 

Like PepperMonkey, I'll be back next season to bitch, gripe and moan alongside the poor, poor contestants!  ;-)

[leighdear]

And I would SO totally watch another season with Josh Hibbard, just for the entertainment value.  He's my favorite toothless villain!   

[psychoticstate]

Ink Bastard?  Good Lord, that's hilarious!

 

I second, third or whatever everyone else who was confused and pissed about the live tattoo eliminating Matt.  I would have been pissed over anyone being eliminated from that because what's the point of the 35 hour tattoo?  They should have had Chris move to the final 2 with that piece, then judge Kruseman and Matt on their master canvases and move one of them to compete against Chris and his master canvas.  That would have been far more fair.

 

I loved Dave's comment to the self-proclaimed Jesus of Tattooing - - and on the seventh day, God put down his machines.  Ha!  I love you, Dave Navarro.  Is there anyone that DOESN'T think St. Marq is a douche?  Seriously.

 

Not looking forward to seeing him again next season.  I'm good with the others.  Happy to see Jesse again, liked him during his season.  I would have loved for Josh to come back.  I am so hoping that Sarah wipes the floor with Tattoo Jesus.  The nameless newbies will likely be cannon fodder.

 

I'm happy with Kruseman winning.  I liked him personality wise better than Chris and I liked his master canvas better, although I thought Chris' live tattoo was beautiful and also liked Matt's.  As far as body of work during the season, Chris would have had that. 

[Jenkins]

Well, not much to say about the finale that hasn't already been said.

 

But come on production, get the contestants some damn earpieces! That came off as SO amateurish...

 

I AM really excited for next season. Definitely pulling for a Sarah win. She is crazy...but a good and talented crazy.

 

Only downside? St Douchebag coming back...

 

It is like production doesn't even care about talent, they just want drama. Seriously, what did the guy show that would put him ahead of the many other deserving artists from the past? Just drama...

 

I hate the fact the guy can come on and act like such a dbag and get a second chance. It means people will just copy his whole "act" hoping they get the same second chance. So prepare for a lot more St Douchebags in the future....

 

Oh and even though it has been said in just about every post in this thread, yeah...the whole getting eliminated by the live tattoo garbage was bullshit...that honestly cost Matt the competition. I truly think he would have won on his back piece.

 

And am I the only one surprised that the FANS voted Chris through? Guess it shows just because you have an opinion, not everyone shares it. I honestly thought he had ZERO chance of being voted through by the fans...look how many boos he got in the audience.

[leighdear]

Honestly, if you mute ALL of the sound of the show, and listen only to Dave's instructions to the hamsters, and then the judges comments, you would enjoy this show SO much more!  *LOL*  

[Nutjob]

 

Only downside? St Douchebag coming back...

Yeah, I don't know if I can stand watching him again, even for my weird love of Matti Hixson (What? I think he's cute!) and massive respect for Cleen Rock One.

 

Wait... Cleen. Yeah, Cleen will take St. Douche out. I might be back in.

 

Speaking of douches, I am of two minds on Kruseman's win (he's not the douche of which I speak). I'm glad he beat Chris because Chris is a douche, but I'm just not sure his overall body of work justified it. I guess I should look at is as a gift until Chris inevitably shows back up in a future season.

[WickedTuna]

Kruseman wins!?!? Ack. The guy kruse'd (get it? Kruse'd Ha. I know I know...I'm not as funny as I think I am) through the whole season and still won? Looks like I'm going to have to watch the episode to see his tattoos.

I did tune in for a minute thinking it was time to announce the winner and it was just announcing Chris had been voted through by the voters. I was really disappointed and couldn't turn the channel fast enough.

[Charlesman]

I don't think Matt got booted for his live piece.

 

I think the producers/judges had looked at all three back pieces ahead of time and ranked them. So if the best back piece was not voted by the audience as one of the final two, the best back piece/eventual winner would still be in the competition as the judges choice.

 

I don't believe for a moment that Dave, Nunez, and Peck were able to debate and discuss and hash out everything required to name a winner of the live piece or the final piece in the eight seconds of huddling we saw. I'm pretty sure at one point Nunez even cracked a smile and said "Ok, now I'll pretend to talk for a while" when they were supposed to be discussing things.

 

Similar to how they handle the "human canvas jury" during the season. The producers/judges select their bottom 3. The jury votes. If they vote for someone not in the real bottom 3, that fourth person is sent down but never voted out. The real bottom person is voted out. They are not really "up for elimination", just experiencing the stress that they could be, I guess.

 

So, the judges picked Kruseman as the winner before filming even started last night. Ranked Chris or Matt as the #2, so if Kruseman wins the audience vote and gets selected for Final 2, fine, but if Matt won it, Chris walks, if Chris wins it, Matt walks.

 

 

 

Oh, and the live show is always terrible. Really, do yourselves a favor and DVR it and just skip to the end. You only need to really watch the 4 minute segment that recaps the 35 hour tattoo in their home shop, then the final critique part, and then the winner announcement. 10 minutes, tops, 12 if you want to see what's up for next season.

[Hana Chan]

This is bullshit.

 

Ink Master has been a classic case of diminishing returns for a few seasons now, but Kruseman winning after outright biffing on multiple challenges and playing it so safe that I was expecting him to appear in a State Farm ad really pissed me off. His body of work all season didn't justify him getting to the finals at all, let alone winning the whole game.

 

It was very unfair for Matt to do that gorgeous back piece and then not to have it even be considered. Even just judging the pieces done by Kruseman and Chris, I much preferred Chris's pin up. I love good American Traditional, but Kruseman's was so cluttered with elements that it took away from what should have been the focus (the ship) and just was a big mess. It was throwing everything in and it didn't work. But the judges make their choice and that's that.

 

It really sets a terrible president that trying to excel throughout the whole competition won't secure you the win. Just skirt along the bottom and avoid getting sent home so you can pull out all the stops at the end.

[Apatee]

Meh finale. As much as people don't like Chris, he is a better artist than Kruseman. I think they were afraid of similar backlash as Scott's win over Sausage. That being said, Kruzeman definitely put up a better back piece than I thought he would. You can tell he put the work in and I can live with him winning.

 

Matt being eliminated from something other than his final tattoo is straight garbage. Have the audience popularity vote win the car or something. I'd be surprised if he won without doing color, but at least let him compete. The people who run this show repeatedly make terrible decisions, in both production and contest stipulations.

 

For the first time, I'm actually looking foward to the next year after the announcement. Lot of great artist in the pile they chose, probably the closest we will get to an "All-Star" season. I'm guessing a lot of the new people will be fodder to keep St. Marc talking smack for a few extra weeks though.

[Muffyn]

It is obvious that St. Marq is doing a character for t.v. and I hate how the show rewarded him by making him one of the "most talented artists in ink master history" that is going to be competing next season.  There is no way he is that good and other previous artists deserved that spot.

 

I sometimes think this show needs to be renamed "Ink Bastard".

Ink Bastard says it all.  Show me talent, not douchebags.  I can only hope St. Marq loses the first challenge next season.

 

I know Oliver is a renowned tattooist, but I would so much want to slap that toothpick out of his mouth, I would have a hard time sitting for a tattoo.

[Guest dutronc]

I can't really add anything--I wasn't even sure Kruseman won, but he somehow looked rather bangable last night (it's the tattooed altar boy look, and his ensemble looked nice, unlike Matt's Going to Court suit). I loved his back piece, hated his live piece, and I can't believe he even made it the finale because all I can think of is Melted Army Man face from the portrait challenge. I thought Matt's backpiece was great, and much better than Chris's, which was designed but seemed too like it was too solid. I just didn't like it. 

 

I could have lived with Craig in the final three. Kruseman, like Duffy, was kind of hot and cold for me all season.

 

As usual, the finale itself was terrible. Does Spike not have the budget for stage directors to tell people where they should stand? Dave was running the show like a yokel talent pageant. Sarah looked great, but what was with having the live tattoos from Kleen, Jime and Sarah and then not showing them

 

Most of all, I found myself wondering why the Dodge Challenger looked so familiar. I don't know anyone who has one, and I don't see one often in town. Then I realized-it looks like Calculon from Futurama. 

[Jenkins]

Sarah looked great, but what was with having the live tattoos from Kleen, Jime and Sarah and then not showing them

 

You know, I completely forgot about that.

 

Yeah, what WAS the point of that if they weren't at least going to show them tattooing?

[Eliza422]

 

As usual, the finale itself was terrible. Does Spike not have the budget for stage directors to tell people where they should stand? Dave was running the show like a yokel talent pageant. Sarah looked great, but what was with having the live tattoos from Kleen, Jime and Sarah and then not showing them.

I'm not sure if anyone remembers the first live finale, this one is much "better" than the first one they did.

It still sucked balls, but it's fucking Shakespeare compared to the first year they did it!!!

[Guest dutronc]

And sadly, I would agree! This was much more upbeat this go-around. I think the master/apprentice vibe mellowed out a lot of the bitchery. What I recall from past finales was the prodded commentary about who hated whom, etc. The apex was probably when Natalie, the first canvas to leave an artist on ink Master, was Invited back, provoked into an argument, and then not allowed to really speak. This was like some sort of group hug in comparison. The worst was when Katie said that St. Marq is a douche, and the bicker-factor seemed pretty low, apart from some scattered shade.

[Darian]

Glad Sarah's coming back. Even though she did some good work her season, I felt she was someone who could do better outside the competition. Hope she's ready to kill it when she comes back.

 

So, was Dave a little toasted or was it a slip that he called Oliver "Oliver Pecker?" I know I heard it. Has he done that before? 

[Jenkins]

I think Oliver goes by "Pecker" as sort of a nickname or something since his Twitter handle is @OLIVER_PECKer.

[Guest dutronc]

He also called Chris "Noonie", which made me giggle.

[qtpye]

I would totally watch a show called "Pecker and Noonie", which conveys my bad taste in t.v.  Did anyone else notice, that despite the lackluster season there really did seem to be genuine respect and affection between the masters and apprentices, except for St. Marq?  His apprentice seemed like he could not stand him and I would have to agree with that assessment.

[TattleTeeny]

It's nice to see that Peck brought his formal toothpick. And his formal lack-of-shirt.

But what the hell was Dave wearing under his jacket? He looked shirtless but as if he had an undone tie on under there, and it was getting all caught up inside the armholes or some shit! 

 

What a shit-show this was, production-wise. And, yeah, what's with basically ignoring one of the three back pieces? That's nuts. I don't disagree with the winner, though I thought Chris's was fabulous too. And Chris's live piece was gorgeous, dark background or not. 

 

Yeah, I don't know if I can stand watching him again, even for my weird love of Matti Hixson (What? I think he's cute!)

 

He is definitely cute (but keep in mind that's from a person whose celebrity BF's are Rob Zombie and Louis CK). And IIRC, he seemed like a cool guy too.

Edited October 15, 2015 by TattleTeeny

[phantom]

As always with these finales, I am so glad I DVR'd it. Painful and awkward to watch. And what happened with those three live tattoos done for audience members? 

 

I was shocked that Kruseman won. I'm no tattoo expert and don't have any, but Chris' back piece was phenomenal in my opinion. It looked like a magazine photo had been transferred to her back. Other than the ship on Kruseman's, it was hard to "read" from a distance, as the judges were so fond of saying during the season. Based on the critique I was sure they were leaning to Chris since they had nothing bad to say except the sky took up too much space up on her shoulders. And if it was a draw on the back pieces, then Chris clearly had the advantage both in terms of overall quality of work through the challenges and from the live tattoo. Matt was robbed by not having his back piece judged - he was the one who attempted a style that was not his usual go-to and I thought the risk really paid off. 

 

Seeing those 35 hour tattoos is always the highlight of the season. It's like seeing the fashion week shows by the Project Runway designers - you finally get to see what the contestants can do without ridiculous time/theme/material restrictions.

[Guest dutronc]

I don't think Matt got booted for his live piece.

 

I think the producers/judges had looked at all three back pieces ahead of time and ranked them. So if the best back piece was not voted by the audience as one of the final two, the best back piece/eventual winner would still be in the competition as the judges choice.

 

I don't believe for a moment that Dave, Nunez, and Peck were able to debate and discuss and hash out everything required to name a winner of the live piece or the final piece in the eight seconds of huddling we saw. I'm pretty sure at one point Nunez even cracked a smile and said "Ok, now I'll pretend to talk for a while" when they were supposed to be discussing things.

 

This was so, so fake--but why couldn't they show a clip of them sitting around judging the tattoos? Well, them or whatever mysterious cabal actually decides. If we can see the canvases and artists and a million other recaps, why can't they show Dave, Noonie and Pecker Skyping from their shops/offices about the merits of the tattoos? I have no idea how the actual judging is done, but I don't think it would hurt the Ink Bastard brand to show a little transparency in the judging. But then I recover and remember I'm watching Spike. 

 

Completely unrelated, I found out my sister is one or two degrees of separation from one of the contestants. I'll see if she has any inside information. 

[MaKaM]

Whew, got caught up yesterday and their live finale is always amateur hour. Same production company for the Biggest Loser finale maybe? At least invite the people to a rehersal or pipe some audio to the contestants. And it doesn't seem like it should be rocket surgery for the host of the show who is mic-ed to be able to be heard over the crowd. Also, America doesn't need their vote to help name the most popular person (or one with the largest social presence) prom queen. Total bullshit--should have had the eliminated contestants vote. THAT would have been drama. "I hate Chris, but his tattoo is definitely the best." "I think Matt really hit it out of the park, plus, screw you Kruseman!" etc. Finally, the live finale with cheering fans is just a stupid format anyway.

 

Future contestants: a touch of humility (just a touch) really goes a long way with the audience. "I put my heart and soul into this and I think it is a winning piece" works a thousand times better than "I put my heart and soul into this and I KNOW it is THE winning piece." We just root for comeuppance at that point.

 

Who won? Who cares? None of them could out-tattoo any of the previous winners. And I am with the rest of y'all in my hatred of the producers for casting Mark again (I ain't doing that rediculous "St." shit). I just fast forward through the loft stuff anyway and I'll know to fast forward through any of his talking heads because the only thing he knows how to do for the camera is give himself a tongue bath.

[candall]

I took the advice offered here and skipped to the last 15 minutes.  I liked the pinup and apparently Chris did one helluva job on the asphalt, but I had trouble looking away from those hands--big bear paw next to a little monkey paw.  How are you not aware you're doing that?

 

My first impression of Kruseman's was "ship with a bunch of design," but the longer I looked at it, the more I appreciated the details.  I finally ended up loving it and thinking it looked like a rich embroidered tapestry.  That guy will probably never wear a shirt again.

 

Annoying to see the woman displayed wearing a string, when she didn't need to, instead of the man, who did.  How very Spike.

 

I tried to spot check the rest of the show to see Matt's back, but I only hit gristle.  Sorry, Matt, raw deal.

[Guest dutronc]

The pin up hands looked like a potato and a waffle to me, but I like bear paw and monkey paw better.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

The most surprising thing about the finale was that Chris is capable of wearing actual pants!

 

The worst thing was that the stupid fan vote took place before everyone saw the three finalists' tattoos so it was just a straight popularity vote that wasn't based on the merits of the tattoos from the finale. I guess you could argue that at this point in the seaon, people will just vote for whoever they like regardless of what their finale tattoos actually look like, but geez, at least try to make it look like this is based on merit.

 

I hated just about everything about this finale from the stupid last minute thigh tattoo to the unnecessary live audience to not having all the microphones turned on the whole time. And shouldn't the winner be based solely upon the 35 hour tattoo? Regardless of how much I liked Matt's tattoo, that should have been the deciding factor, not something he did on the stage.