Advice to NBC for next year

Over the Labor Day weekend, they had a marathon of the original Ninja Warrior (Sasuke) from Japan. The best part of their shows, and what made it a lot more enjoyable, was that they had almost no backstories, and let the action carry the show. The Japanese version was a little crazy, with people in costumes and crazy gimmicks. One guy showed up each year in a hang glider, and parked it right at the starting point, and then unbuckled himself and started the course. Another guy would bring an octopus with him, and put it down before starting. He went out on the first obstacle every stinkin' year, but came back year after year, like for 15 competitions in a row. Most of these folks didn't get past the first obstacles, but it was entertaining, because you don't really care what their backgrounds are. She's dressed like a chicken? Must have a reason. And she goes down on the first quintuple step. Next!

They have 100 people who start out, and they show 30-40 each of three shows, to get through the first stage. They save the people who have made it in the past until the end of each show, so there's a reason to keep watching. Then, they take those ten or twelve or six or however many, and show them going through the next stages.

Not everyone is a rock climber. Grip strength should be important, but not the only deciding factor. The Japanese version had obstacles that required the whole body, not just the forearms.

Just my $0.02.

Strength and Honor
Parkatola

They should give money to the person who gets the furthest the fastest even if he/she doesn't make it to the end of Stage 4. It can be a smaller amount e.g. $100,000.

So they can still save the $million for the person who finishes Stage 4 for the fastest, but give at least one person some prize money each year.

As a faithful viewer, I want to see someone win a prize at the end of it all.

I think they should only change the finals:

30 best runs (a combo of how far someone got and how fast) should compete on stage 1. No time limit.
There are 10 eliminations.

20 best on stage 2. No time limit.
There are 10 eliminations.

10 best on stage 3. No time limit.
There are 5 eliminations.

5 best on stage 4. No time limit.
Top 3 win. 1st, 2nd, 3rd prize. They can still have a special/better prize just in case (a) someone was in first place on all four stages, (b) someone completes all four stages.

Each stage of the finals should be its own two-hour show. Since only five people are competing on stage 4, make the first hour clips from throughout the season that hadn't aired before (so while the season is progressing, they save some interesting, funny etc. stuff that happened, maybe including some behind the scenes stuff, bloopers, etc.)

For one, it sucked not even seeing stage 4. And we only got to see two people try stage 3. The show is more fun when you get to watch many different people attempt the same course.

They also need to keep up the creativity on the obstacles. There should be at least a couple new obstacles every week. Maybe have a competition for obstacle design, too.

If you're going to highlight someone, highlight Geoff and Isaac (the two people who have actually complete the courses). I can't believe after all these seasons NBC finally gets two people to win last season, yet they barely mention them this season. It's like the NBA ignoring Magic and Larry. Isaac didn't need to run, but couldn't they bring him back as a commentator? Or have him sy something to the other competitors to cheer them on? I'd find ways to include them more.

And, like everyone else said, show all runs in Vegas.