Review: 'Straight Up Steve Austin'

Whether he's wrestling as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin or hosting "Stone Cold's Broken Skull Challenge," Steve Austin really only has one persona. He was the same person on the WWE as he was when was acting on "Nash Bridges." A gruff, no-nonsense guy who manages to walk that line between being no-nonsense and slightly scary. But he never comes off as a jerk on camera and if you spend any time watching him, it's apparent that beneath that gruff interior is a guy with intelligence and depth. And given all of that, it's not surprising that his new half-hour semi-talk show "Straight Up Steve Austin" is both entertaining and enlightening.

The format of the show isn't ground-breaking. It's essentially the same format as a dozen other pre-taped talkers. In each episode, Austin spends some time interviewing a celebrity, while taking them around to experience some things that fit their background and personality. It's a style of television that fits Austin and gives him the opportunity to put both himself and his guest at ease. Austin isn't someone who would be much good sitting behind a desk but based on the two episodes of the show I've seen, this format allows him to ask questions in a more natural setting.

Episode one is with Rob Riggle, who is an actor and comedian, but also a retired Marine. Of course that means Austin and Riggle will be out on the range firing tanks and shooting big guns, but given both of their backgrounds, it doesn't come off like some Hollywood gun porn. And along the way, it's fascinating to hear Riggle discuss why he joined the Marines and his takeaways from being a Marine and reservist for 20 years. 

It sounds like faint praise to describe "Straight Up Steve Austin" as pleasing to watch, but that's a legitimate compliment. Both the Riggle episode and next week's episode with "Impractical Jokers'" Sal Vulcano offer up a fun mix of goofball male activities with some thoughtful conversation. It's not rocket science, but it's still not easy to pull off without feeling clunky.

"Straight Up Steve Austin" is a palate cleanse for your brain and that's something that we all need in 2019.

"Straight Up Steve Austin" premieres Monday, August 12th, 2019 at 11:00 p.m. ET on USA.