Russian TV nabs ex-wrestler, governor
UNITED STATES: Jesse Ventura, the former US Navy Seal turned professional wrestler who eventually became Minnesota’s governor, has never been fond of decorum or the media.
As ‘‘The Body’’, a villainous Ventura provoked ire inside the ring and went on to become ‘‘the most controversial announcer in WWE‘‘, according to his WWE profile.
He has written a book advocating for marijuana legalisation, taught about wrestling and politics at Harvard, and found himself in a legal battle with the estate of ‘‘American Sniper’’ Chris Kyle that earned him sharp criticism from some in the military community.
Now, Ventura will star in his own reality show, The World According to Jesse,’’ on RT America - the Washington, DCbased branch of Russian state television.
Known previously as Russia Today, RT is funded by the Russian government and describes itself as a TV channel ‘‘for viewers who want to Question More’’. Critics call it a propaganda tool with poor journalism standards.
Ventura said he had been reassured by RT that he would not be censored.
‘‘I have total artistic control and I can talk about anything I want. We’re more interested in talking about our country. I didn’t join RT to report on Russia.’’
Ventura’s show premieres this month and will air on Fridays, with weekend reruns, according to RT. He will do 16 shows this year and 16 more in 2018.
The episodes will capture ‘‘the feeling of freedom’’, Ventura says in a promotional video for the programme, which shows him zooming down an isolated road on a motorcycle, wearing a sleeveless leather jacket. ’’Everyone in the world should experience the feeling of freedom, and you get it on the open road,’’ he says.
- Washington Post