He appeared in seasons one and two, but in season three he took a leave of absence due to an injury on his hand. By: Caroline John - Published: November 2, 2020 at 7:45 am. Fans are curious about the 2020 season 8 host so lets get the situation explained and consider Wil Willis absence. He criticized his trailer and the slow filming process. Wil left Forged in Fire in 2020 after welcoming his first child into the world. At least, thats what Doug Marcaida believes. While he is still a regular judge on the series, he has occasionally been replaced with Ben Abbott, a past winner on the show. 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. Fortunately, for those interested in getting the lowdown on the Forged in Fire cast, here are all the juicy details you wanted to know. But his reason for leaving may very well involve a new addition to his growing family. Today, I review and recommend reality shows, documentaries, and nonfiction entertainment; analyze news and report from behind the scenes; and interview people who create and star in reality TV shows. The reason he appears to be so knowledgeable on Forged in Fire is because he has plenty of experience in handling weapons thanks to his military career. During his time on the show, which aired from 2015 to 2019, Wil gained immense popularity among viewers. The abrupt change didn't bode all that well with fans, many of whom immediately took to Twitter to express their disapproval. Contents1 Early Life and Education2 Career2.1 Debut and Awards2.2 Forged in Fire2.3 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. Forged in Fire is an American competition series that airs on the History channel and is produced by Outpost Entertainment, a Leftfield Entertainment company. While fans were still eagerly awaiting the return of Forged in Fire back in November, rumors started bubbling that Wil was replaced as a contributor on the popular History Channel series. Weve created a community that connects people through open and thoughtful conversations about the TV were watching and the stories about it. by Alt-Centrist Anyone else notice that Wil Willis's bulge seems to be the second co-host on Forged In Fire? So, are the latest rumors anything to go by? Wil joined the Army in 1993 and was assigned to A Co. 3d Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment. It was not a big space., He said that it took three to five days to film an episodeits the slowest, most boring process in the world.. ': Fans think they spotted duchess in 'The Crown' scene. What happened to Wil Willis? The host took to Instagram to welcome the birth of his son Flash Orion Willis on Mar. Distractify is a registered trademark. As a press release issued by History reveals, there might have been more to the casting changes, however. So what happened to Wil? He has plenty of experience in using the kinds of weapons that the contestants make on the show. All reality blurred content is independently selected, including links to products or services. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia. But, can you blame me? Read |Emma Corrin reacts to criticism and reminds netizens 'The Crown' is 'fictionalised'. Wils responsibilities on the show included giving competitors specifications to meet for their blades and offering advice. They are curious if he quit, was fired, or is on a temporary break. After his success in Forged in Fire, he became the host of the spin-off show,Forged in Fire: Beat the Judges. 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? 114k Followers, 229 Following, 624 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Wil Willis (@whiskey2whiskey) It turns out, after getting eliminated on the show, contestants are required to leave behind any blades and weapons that they were working on. 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. As an ex- Air Force recruit and overall military specialist, Willis' persona offered something unique to the show's construct. Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. The reason for this is because David Baker has worked as a prop maker in Hollywood, making realistic looking weapons for television and film. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Michael. The weapons expert has a great career having been a military contractor as well as weapons designer with Fox knives Italy. It was created in 2000 byAndy Dehnart, who's still writing and publishing it today. Just watched the new episode of #ForgedInFire and where the hell is #WilWillis ?!?! Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? The official reason, according to what History told Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen: 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. In fact, back in Season 3, fans worried J. has decided to leave the show when he went missing from the judges panel. #Why did wil willis leave forged in fire series# The weapons featured on the show are put to a series of rigorous tests. Before starting his television career Wil was Army Ranger for four years, and an Air Force Pararescueman for 10 years. The first was the 2009 show Special Ops Mission and the second was a 2011 series called Triggers: Weapons That Changed the World. @HISTORY how am I going to watch forged in fire without Will Willis?!?! Why did Jay Neilson leave Forged in Fire? February 27, 2023 alexandra bonefas scott No Comments . You had me until the "inaccurate death count" bit. WATCH FORGED IN FIRE: KNIFE OR DEATH ON NETFLIX NOW, AND GET FREAKY WITH US ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND TIKTOK. After he retired from the military, Willis began using his expert weaponry knowledge as a commentator on various TV shows and even an actor in hit movies. 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. Original cast member Wil Willis left Forged in Fire in the spring of 2020 after Season 7 wrapped up. Wil Willis: Forged in Fire was 'the slowest, most boring process in the world' Forged in Fire judge J. Neilson tests a weapon on a block of ice. New season of Forged in Fire QVC/HSN Layoffs in 2023: Which On-Air Personalities Were Let Go? It's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. Jason Knight is an American bladesmith and TV personality, born on 25 September 1966, in Charleston, South Carolina USA. This is because the show is filmed in New York, and New York knife laws state that it is illegal for a weapon to be manufactured on television unless that weapon is a prop. Already clowning me! 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. A post shared by Forged In Fire (@forgedinfire). 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. "The smell was outrageous. People who have seen previous seasons of Forged in Fire are probably familiar with Wil Willis, who hosted the show's first seven seasons. While many worried the meat was going unused, Bill Goldberg, the host of the Forged in Fire spinoff series, Knife or Death, confirmed that the meat does not go to waste. Why is it illegal for Forged in Fire contestants to keep their weapons? Waiting for next season. Wil has previous experience on television shows that premiered on the Military Channel: Special Ops and Triggers. While the showrunners are yet to comment as to why Wil has been absent in the promo and the first episode of season 8, it has become clear that he will not be seen in Forged in Fire Season 8. While the clock is going, thats the real stuff.. One of the judges is Doug, and he shares his vast . Thankfully nobody has ever been seriously harmed on the show. ", 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." Do you know what happened to the host Wil on Forged in Fire? Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. Related: Americas Next Top Model: Reality TV Nightmare Or Novelty. Copyright 2023 Distractify. This was because he had an injuryon his hand that needed surgery. Forged in Fire: With David Lain Baker, Doug Marcaida, Ben Abbott, Wil Willis. Jason Knight Wants to Be Known for His Craft, Not a TV Show. 1 Why did Jay Neilson leave Forged in Fire? While many television shows halted production due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, there might have been a good reason Wil had to sit the 2021 season out. He has also helped to advise security companies and law enforcement agencies. Willis spent ten years as an Air Force Pararescueman, and four years as an Army Ranger. 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! A post shared by Wil Willis (@whiskey2whiskey). He appeared in seasons one and two, but in season three he took a leave of absence due to an injury on his hand. 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. He can also make high-quality handles for any bladed item and produce sheaths to safely house those blades. To share our perspectives and exchange ideas in a welcoming, supportive space, Ive created these rules for commenting here. I swear to God it was probably 4 feet by 6 feet total. 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. This demonstrates just how skillful he is as a blacksmith, having crafted weapons for some 20 years. Wil Willis Is Not Part of New Forged in Fire Season Wil Willis, the former Army Ranger, has been the host of Forged in Fire since it began. While so many other reality shows focus on love & life, food, and home improvements, Forged in Fire has an entirely different focus. He has mentioned on the show that he was inspired to join the military by his father's own service in the US Army until 1991. However, there was a reason behind Wil Willis leaving Forged in Fire. Considering Wil has been with Forged in Fire from the start, its hardly surprising that the series devoted admirers are a little taken aback. I created reality blurred 22 years ago as a place to collect interesting links I found. Who is the new host of Forged in Fire 2020? Welcome! So, what happened to Wil? All Rights Reserved. The shows host is Wil Willis. I miss This round is OVER (with a hand gesture)!. The meat used on Forged in Fire is not going to waste. Should Wil return, History would likely make an announcement after the season has been greenlit. Wont be the same without him tbh. By Leila Kozma. Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. While Forged in Fire will be a crowned jewel in Wil Willis' television experience, he has also been a part of other shows. He is no longer the host of the History Channel show but has certainly been missed by longtime viewers. Article continues below advertisement. 7 Who are the new judges on forged in fire? In fact, Forged in Fire relies on the talents of its presenter Wil Willis and a selection of judges who help evaluate the weapons made by the blacksmiths. Wil Willis hosted Forged in Firea History Channel reality competition thats like Chopped but for creating knives, rather than using themfor its first seven seasons. This beloved American competition series premiered back in 2015 and earned such an admirable fanbase over the second half of the last decade. The smell was outrageous. Meet the Real Steel Experts Who Judge 'Forged in Fire', Yep, 'Forged in Fire's David Baker's Eye Injury Happened on the Job, 'Forged in Fire' Isn't Daniel Casey's First Stint on the History Channel. . However, his last post on Instagram was in May earlier this year. According to IMDB, Willis enlisted in the army after graduating high school in 1993. The History Channel show 'Forged in Fire' has returned with its eighth season. In fact, back in Season 3, fans worried J. has decided to leave the show when he went missing from the judges' panel. 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 . During the same month, Wil shared on LinkedIn that he became the director of membership and communications for Management Connection in California. He was born in England, and moved to the USA when he was younger. I swear to god it was probably 4 feet by 6 feet total. You'll also find other people's insightful takes on reality TV in these pages, too. 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. TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. By commenting below, you confirm that youve read and agree to those rules. In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family. Wil became an Air Force Pararescue Recovery Specialist. Because David Baker is an expert in the history of weapons, he is perfect for judging if a sword or knife is historically accurate. He is no longer the host of the History Channel show but has certainly been missed by longtime viewers. The reason he appears to be so knowledgeable on Forged in Fire is because he has plenty of experience in handling weapons thanks to his military career. Doug Marcaida military service and career life. He appeared in an episode of TV series documentary Rescue Warriors Last Call with Carson Daly. Wil was inspired to join the military by his father's own service in the U.S. Army until 1991. Its been a while., Another penned: YOU are missed in FIF. Forged in Fire was not the first presenting job that Wil Willis had on television. < What happened to Wil Willis? Willis is a . However, there was a reason behind Wil Willis leaving Forged in Fire. When J. Neilson was incapacitated and could not appear on Forged in Fire, he was briefly replaced with Jason Knight. Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. 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. After he retired from the military, Willis began using his expert weaponry knowledge as a commentator on. vv. forged in fire is not the same without wil willis. So, its likely that he was spending time with his family when preparations for the show were underway and decided to take a break. While recovering, he couldnt appear on the show as he would not be able to handle the weapons or do his job effectively. Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. This show encourages previous Forged in Fire champions to face off against one of the four judges for an additional $10,000. Grady Powell became the shows new host after his sudden exit. In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family. While its uncertain why Wil wasnt in the trailer for the new season, fans speculate that hes having time off with his family. But the new teaser for the upcoming season shows that Ben Abbott is going to host the show. One follower wrote: Are you alright? But now that the show is back with its new season, Wil is not there. In other words, Im here to call it out when it sucks and celebrate it when its amazing. One judge to come and go from Forged in Fire is Jason Knight. 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. Copyright 2023 Distractify. So, in other words, the network isnt saying much on the record. 2 What happened to Wil Willis from Forged in Fire? He was replaced by former US Army Green Beret Grady Powell. 5 Do they use real pig carcass on Forged in Fire? . The History Channel hasnt made an official statement. However, recent reports have surfaced claiming that the beloved Forged in Fire host Will Willis has reportedly quit the show. While appearing on the BF3 podcast, the first thing he did was quash any rumors of bad blood between him and the " Forged In Fire" team. 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. Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. Brad Johansen Leaving NBC4 Columbus: Where Is the Anchor Going? Willis hasnt said anything, either. At present, it's uncertain if Wil had any intention of returning to the show. What happened to Wil Willis?" Despite said complaints, he still gave props to the crew of the show, calling them the ones that are "making sure that all of these pieces that make Forged in Fire what it is come together into this show that everybody loves.". Many fans rushed to Twitter in the aftermath of the promos release and expressed in a frenzy that WilWillis was not visible in the promo. What happened to the longtime host, Wil Willis? The shows format has remained more or less consistent, although there have been some changes in the cast. All Rights Reserved. Im Andy Dehnart, a writer who obsessively and critically covers reality TV, focusing on how its made and what it means. 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. He criticized his trailer and the slow filming process. The abrupt change didn't bode all that well with fans, many of whom immediately took to Twitter to express their disapproval. Wil often hosted Mental Health Mondays on his Instagram page, but fans have noticed that they havent seen him go live for a while. Bring back Wil Willis. "Watching since the beginning. Wils net worth is $500,000, Celebrity Net Worth reports. Since the trailer emerged without humble host Wil, a number of fans have flocked to Twitter to weigh in with their thoughts and reactions. Enjoyed every show. 2023 GRV Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Being a fan favorite, the former veterans fans are asking if Wil Willis has quit the show or has taken a temporary hiatus. The former host wasnt just a presenter but also appeared in the movies Beerfest in 2006 and In the Valley of Elah in 2007. 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Does the runner up on Forged in Fire win anything? Unfortunately, Willis hasn't spoken out about what led to his departure from the series. As one of his posts attests, he also attended a K-9 dog selection event with his brother, who works as a special operations lieutenant in Arizona. Wil has previous experience on television shows that premiered on the Military Channel: Special Ops and Triggers. one viewer tweeted at the time. Wil Willis is a former Army soldier of the Third Ranger Battalion and also a decorated Air Force Pararescue Specialist. Writer. Learn more. Today, he is most popular as th4e host on Forged in Fire, and is married to an artist named Krystle Amina. There are four judges, and Wil has served as the show's host for quite some time. #flashdaddy #boydad #dadlife #grabthetigerbythetail #grabthebullbythehorns, A post shared by Wil Willis (@whiskey2whiskey) on Oct 15, 2020 at 10:18am PDT. Fans speculate that Willis is focusing on his son and fatherhood and has therefore taken a break from the new season. The revamped Forged in Fire now helmed by Grady airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. They arent entirely far off in assuming that the ex-Army Ranger has quit the show. Wil and his wife of nearly four years, Krystle Amina, welcomed a son, Flash Orion, in March of 2020. Read |What happened to Prince Andrew? Furthermore,why did wil willis quit forged in fire? Thats when the reality starts: when the clock starts. There are all kinds of reasons a show can replace a regular cast member, from something as simple as a scheduling problem to someone being fired.