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Original Message
"The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by Earl Colby Pottinger on 07-11-06 at 01:41 PM
As a TAR fan I can't help comparing the two shows and noting the things I really like in Treasure Hunters, plus a couple of things I dislike:

1) Everyone drives.
Good: Bad and/or dishonest taxi drivers don't kill off good teams.
Bad: We are not given a good idea of the driving times involved. On a long trip leaving early can be counter by another team driving faster.

2) Clues.
Good: People have to think to get to the next stage instead of being told directly where to go.
Bad: Some clues are poorly written, how they find the right place is beyond me sometimes.

3) Computers.
Good: In real life people would use computers anyway.
Bad: Not really the computers, players walking around with ASK.com on thier shirts and they are still lost?

4) Tasks.
Good: Some task are not easy.
Bad: Some tasks are too hard. One thing I noticed TAR starts with easy tasks, weeds out the weak then gets harder. TH is trying to kill it's players. Huummm, maybe that is a good thing.

5: Players.
Good: A wider range of players than we see on most reality TV shows period.
Bad: Some of these players should never have entered or should trained some more after they found out they were on.

Browns, took swinning lessons - needed more.

Browns, heaviest person too big should have choosen a lighter member, notice the other two are over-wieght but don't seem of have the same problem - fat is okay, obese is not.

Harlons, three Joshs stand a chance. The entire present team was outclassed by a single brain from any other team.

Fogal, showed thier hand too early. Whiner member in team.

Genuis, can't handle simple puzzles. Choose a team member who is in poor health. Genuises?

Still, I think TAR has a lot to learn from this show, and likewise this show from TAR.

Any other likes-dislikes in the nature of the show itself?

Table of contents
Messages in this discussion
"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by Snidget on 07-11-06 at 02:23 PM
TH seems to have some of the issues TARFE had in that with more people per team there seems to be not enough time to really get to know the team members. May get better as they eliminate teams.

At least they make every pitstop a bunch point so they don't have to add more during the show, but it is still sometimes annoying that each leg is equalized out. I guess if they are doing that I'd like to see the first place team get something each time, even if it is better accomidations or some luxury during the stopover.

I like that the clues are not so freaking obvious (although for some teams on TAR obvious doesn't help much) and they have to figure out where to go next or what to do when there. With so many teams there does seem to be very little complete info on how they arrive at the answer, I'd like to see more than the first team to arrive at something's figuring it out process.

They do seem to have much more physical risk involved in the challenges, but how much of the injuries have been bad luck vs they are really that much harder to do. People sprain themselves that badly on fairly good terrain all the time.

"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by Earl Colby Pottinger on 07-11-06 at 02:49 PM
Agree that the bunching at the pitstops seems to really cut down on mid-race bunch points so far. I am sitting on the fence about first place prizes. Prizes pull the teams to try hard to be first, but bad planning like Fogals would not be so clear then.

Clues are great. People who can get lost in a country where english speakers can be found, while having a local map are a lost cause anyway (pun intended).

Love to see more clue solving too. The Grad was an accident, can happen to anybody - anywhere, but the swamp was asking for trouble with any over-weight individual.

I am getting the impression that TAR scouts out more used/prepared routes/events. TH seemed to go to odder corners, some places are not as interesting to visit but they have not been tamed down for tourists either.

I see more places I am interested in visiting when watching TAR, I see more local places I don't know of watching TH.

"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by bullzeye on 07-11-06 at 03:06 PM
While overall I am enjoying the show, I too, find myself comparing the two programs and to me, TAR still sets the bar higher. This may have to do with familiarity though.

I do like the fact that the teams do seem more real - don't like the fact that we don't seem to get a chance to know them any better.

I do like the clues, but don't like the fact that there is not enough seperation between the teams so that some seem to be riding the coattails of others. Maybe if there wasn't so much bunching, all the teams would have to figure out the clues and we may have seen more of a seperation by now.

Agree that there shold be some motivation for finishing quicker and the time reward would be a logical choice.

Finally - I don't like the lack of continuity - as said elsewhere, at the end of the second episode they were in Montana - all of a sudden, they are in Boston? Part of the fun of TAR is the flight bookings - can a team gain an advantage from taking a different plane? Will there be an unexpected delay?

All in all, I do like it enough to stick with it - especially it being in the middle of the summer season.

"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by volsfan on 07-11-06 at 08:54 PM
TAR still sets the bar higher.

This is where I disagree...I am hoping TAR can learn something from Treasure Hunters...actually have clues to where the peeps have to use their brain. I am really getting tired of TAR telling the teams to run to a certain place to get their next clue.

"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by Dakota on 07-12-06 at 05:20 PM
I agree, Vols. I like the clue factor on TH. The bunching can be a problem, but it's still better than watching Amber milk a goat or Rawb try to each 4 pounds of meat. (Especially for a vegetarian!) Getting to know the characters is always a problem on these shows, even Survivor, in the first few weeks until the number of people diminishes. Overall, I really like this show.

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"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by aquariaqueen on 07-20-06 at 09:36 PM
I definitely like TH's clues better...they're clues, not detailed instructions.

Love the show.

"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by syren on 07-11-06 at 03:44 PM
To me this show isn't based off of TAR...maybe that's the reason I actually like it. It's bases is from National Treasure, just an elaborate version, the beginning is almost the exact same story as in National Treasure.


"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by bullzeye on 07-12-06 at 10:20 AM
I hadn't thought of that but I agree - the more appropriate basis of origin would be "National Treasure".

"RE: The Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by michel on 07-12-06 at 10:26 AM
It was TAR's success that sold this idea and it will be judged in comparison to TAR. If there are still doubts about a second season, there won't be TH edition 9 that is for sure!

"RE: The Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by syren on 07-12-06 at 11:57 AM
Just like Survivor was the basis for shows like Big Brother...it doesn't mean it's the same show or that it should alike in every format.

No the place you come in really doesn't matter, there are not any roadblocks or whatever, but if you watch the movie, it is pretty much in line with the movie.


"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by Cyndimaus on 07-18-06 at 12:16 PM
I was thinking of that when my kids were watching National Treasure last night. The "bad guys" even used a laptop to search out a clue. (And for most of the movie the "good guys" are working as a team of three...although that may be a bit of a stretch!)


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"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by qwertypie on 07-11-06 at 04:01 PM
I agree with all the points - a couple of bads where I think TAR is much better

1) Host - Phil has whats-his-face beat by a mile with personality. Phil actually travels to the pit stop instead of phoning in by remote (is what-his-face even real, or is he computer generated?).
2) We used to knock Phil where he explained to us EVERY SINGLE EPISODE what a detour and a road block were (also gave us an opportunity to drink a shot in the TAR drinking game), but I find listening to the same the freakin' clue for every freakin' team annoying (not to mention the alcohol poisoning that would ensue)



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"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by StarryLuna on 07-11-06 at 11:33 PM
Agree on the clue repetition! How many times last night did they show us the drinking gourd song and highlight the words "sun," "pheasant," or "old man," whenever a team found one of the boxes??? I get the point already! Sheesh.


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"RE: The Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by michel on 07-11-06 at 06:15 PM
Besides all the negative points already mentioned, (I won't ride coattails!), I'll add:
-Calling other teams on the cell isn't part of a competition as far as I'm concerned. TAR allows team to help each other but it isn't as blatant and generalized. TAR allows help from locals and it often creates great interactions.

-Having a choice of detour, deciding who'll do the roadblock, if the Fast Forward or the yield should be used forces team to strategize. TH is mainly follow the leader or who to team up with.


"RE: The Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by Earl Colby Pottinger on 07-12-06 at 01:37 PM
LAST EDITED ON 07-12-06 AT 01:40 PM (EST)

This I consider a major failing of TH. In TAR even when teams arrive at the same time/location the use of detours and roadblocks break up teams that are helping each other or just 'coattailing'.

FastForwards would be very bad for TH I believe, but detours play on the diffirences between the teams. Sometimes the choices on what is the easy task is clear, but sometimes which is hardest is major surprise.

"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by HistoryDetective on 07-12-06 at 01:49 PM
When comparing "Treasure Hunters" and "The Amazing Race," I think that we have to remember that "The Amazing Race" has had a chance to evolve, grow, and work out the kinks in the course of nine seasons.

The clues were more rigorous in the first season. I liked that better.

If "Treasure Hunters" gets another season, then perhaps we will see changes to some of the game mechanics that do not work.


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"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by tvgeek401 on 07-12-06 at 07:47 PM
I'll just mimic everyone else in saying that the clues are much better--reminiscent of the first season or two of TAR.

Phil is, IMO, one of the best hosts of any reality show. Whats-his-name is just meh.

I think there should definately be an advantage for coming in first. Everyone else can just coast along while the two or three weakest teams battle it out for last. Some median between TH and TAR bunchwise is best.

I do like the travels around the world in TAR. I've read/seen a lot more US history than world history and I love seeing new places, so TAR definately has the advantage in that area.

And I hate the blatant advertisements of TH. "Oh. We got a motorola message." But TAR is starting to head in that direction...the travelocity gnome search games.

So basically, I should create a reality show with a nice mix of TAR and TH and it'll be perfect.


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"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by dragonflies on 07-13-06 at 00:09 AM
*sits next to the geek*. You said what I was going to say. Almost verbatim.


"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by tvgeek401 on 07-13-06 at 01:33 AM
I'm glad to be in such great company.
"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by dragonflies on 07-13-06 at 10:01 AM
*smooch*

Hey, did you just call me fat?

"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by tvgeek401 on 07-13-06 at 05:47 PM
*gasp*


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you caught me!

"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by volsfan on 07-15-06 at 07:09 AM
I've read/seen a lot more US history than world history and I love seeing new places, so TAR definately has the advantage in that area.

I know a lot of people say this and some didn't like TARFE because they stayed in America (mostly) but I have found myself learning a thing or two along the way.

"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by Earl Colby Pottinger on 07-16-06 at 10:36 AM
As an English born, Jamacian raised, Canadain Citizen I too learn alot watching the show.
"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by tvgeek401 on 07-17-06 at 02:17 PM
I've definately learned stuff, too, but watching people roam across Boston isn't as exciting as watching them roam across a region I don't know much about and I certainly haven't seen in real life.


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"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by Earl Colby Pottinger on 07-17-06 at 04:44 PM
Well, I have never been to Boston either.
"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by tvgeek401 on 07-18-06 at 02:19 PM
But Boston is a lot more similar to where I live and have been to than, say, Mongolia or something.


--gotta love Tribe and his awesome siggies!
I haven't been to Boston, either.

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Posted by realitybites on 07-18-06 at 03:05 PM
>But Boston is a lot more similar to where I live
>and have been to than, say, Mongolia or something.

Did somebody say Mongolia?

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"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by cdru on 07-18-06 at 08:42 AM
1) Everyone drives.
Good: Bad and/or dishonest taxi drivers don't kill off good teams.
Bad: We are not given a good idea of the driving times involved. On a long trip leaving early can be counter by another team driving faster.
TAR Family Edition had most teams driving themselves. With 3 people, it's hard to fit everyone in a car, plus a taxi driver, plus video and sound crew. Driving seems to be a lot less of a deal with TH. More of an emphasis has been put on performing the task, not getting there. I think this is the way things should be.

2) Clues.
Good: People have to think to get to the next stage instead of being told directly where to go.
Bad: Some clues are poorly written, how they find the right place is beyond me sometimes.
I think it's almost guaranteed that teams are getting extra help. You don't spend 11 hours in a mine and then have a eureka moment and figure it out. Another example was when they were in the subway tunnel. The first team forgot the book/glasses, but all the other teams appeared to instantly start looking for it and then immediately knew they found what they were looking for before even opening it. How the heck did they know that? There have been a few other instances where I thought production crews may have given them a hint if they didn't tell them flat out. But I agree that some are too cryptic, but overall I like them more then TAR clues that tell you exactly what to do. But I think the difference is more about what the race is about. TAR isn't a puzzle as much as TH is; if TH gave detailed clues, it wouldn't be a hunt, it would be a go-get.

3) Computers.
Good: In real life people would use computers anyway.
Bad: Not really the computers, players walking around with ASK.com on thier shirts and they are still lost?
The use of laptops is solely for the ask.com sponsorship. If they didn't have them as a sponsor, I can almost guarantee that they wouldn't have them.

4) Tasks.
Good: Some task are not easy.
Bad: Some tasks are too hard. One thing I noticed TAR starts with easy tasks, weeds out the weak then gets harder. TH is trying to kill it's players. Huummm, maybe that is a good thing.
I wouldn't say tasks are too hard, but rather some of the tasks have been cryptic. The polished cylinders that showed the picture when put on the back of the map was an example of things being too cryptic. I do like the more physical challenges though. The swamp challenge has been the best one I can remember in a long time for both programs.

5: Players.
Good: A wider range of players than we see on most reality TV shows period.
Bad: Some of these players should never have entered or should trained some more after they found out they were on.
Agreed for the most part. But every reality tv show has always had the person that was woefully underprepared for what was going to happen.

Browns, took swinning lessons - needed more.

Browns, heaviest person too big should have choosen a lighter member, notice the other two are over-wieght but don't seem of have the same problem - fat is okay, obese is not.

All three of them are probably clinically obese. Their size is a disadvantage, but I think it could have been overcome. However the canoe thing put them at a definite disadvantage as did the essentially complete lack of swiming ability of the one member of the team.

Harlons, three Joshs stand a chance. The entire present team was outclassed by a single brain from any other team.
They were definitely outclassed and were out of the league of the other teams. But they were great for comic relief. I think they were the polar opposites of the Genuises. They were so dumb that they were looking at everything way to simply. If they would have just used their heads a little they would have realized that not every little piece of litter was a clue.

Fogal, showed thier hand too early. Whiner member in team.
I don't think they showed their hand too early. They did burn bridges too early though. After the last episode I can understand more why the elder Fogels treat Kayte the way they do, but I still don't approve of it. I'd have serious issues with having him be the pastor of my church. I think this family are distant relatives of the Weavers. Definitely the vilans of the hunt.

Genuis, can't handle simple puzzles. Choose a team member who is in poor health. Genuises?
This is a common problem amoung "geniuses". They are so use to looking at complex issues that they can't see simple solutions. My father was tested as gifted a few years back and has the same problems.

Any other likes-dislikes in the nature of the show itself?
Here's my list:
1. Obvious invervention by production crews, even on camera. During the first episode, one of the Brown members needed to be dragged to the beach by a jet ski because he couldn't swim. I'm not saying that there shouldn't be safety measures in place, but as soon as production crews help advance a team through a task, they should either be penalized or eliminated.

2. Inconsistancies - Why was it that the grad students weren't given the opportunity to advanced without the 3rd injured member, but the Browns were. Once the Browns were eliminated, they should have stayed eliminated. Where did the 6-hour penalty come from? There is just too much that make it look like the rules are being made up as they go.

3. Please for the love of God get rid of the host. He is the most annoying person I've ever had to listen to.

4. Along those same lines, find better ways for product placements. The forced down your through nature of Ask.com, Motorola, etc gets really old really fast. The fake overlaid signs for that insurance/investment company also suck. The only product placement they have done a decent job of not shoving down your throat has been Toyota.

5. I really like the bunching at the pitstop/everyone starts at the same time. You are always going to have bunching somewhere, but this way production crews can control it. The advantage though is getting done early to get rested up. For instance last night some of the later teams that didn't get done until 3, 4, or 7 in the morning are going to be at a disadvantage as compared to Air Force that finished late in the afternoon/early the evening before.

"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by michel on 07-18-06 at 08:51 AM
CDRU: Very good analysis. For bad points, I'd add that last night's episode made me want to see a TAR-like bunching point as it was almost obvious the Browns were out. For making you wish for a bunching point can only mean that there isn't parity between the teams.

"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by catsnotkids on 07-18-06 at 02:57 PM
CDRU - I also agree with your analysis. The planted sponsorships are annoying, but it's worse that the crew seems to be giving hints to the players. Some of the clues are just a little too difficult. Hopefully there will be another season and they'll get a little better at figuring out how to peg the clues at a reasonable level of difficulty.
"RE: The Good and the Bad of Treasure Hunters "
Posted by HobbsofMI on 07-20-06 at 12:19 PM
LAST EDITED ON 07-20-06 AT 12:23 PM (EST)

Bad but the same as TAR’s: Elimination by luck. During the digging for the mask if the Browns caught up and dug up the mask first I would want to shoot the TV. But even with a 6 hour penalty and searching 3 hours in the theater, though 10 minutes behind the Geniuses, they never made it there.

P.S. Now that I think of it the Geniuses were digging for over 4 hours and the theater is 15 miles from the dig site...so what why would it take the Browns over an hour to get there? Or did I miss something or did they go for a cat nap? Ans: read the summary...they had to go to the Fort...then 15 miles....

Good: They give us times along the way.


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