URL: http://community.realitytvworld.com/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/rtvw2/community/dcboard.cgi
Forum: DCForumID54
Thread Number: 1172
[ Go back to previous page ]
Original Message
"What is this season lacking?"
Posted by Cygnus X1 on 10-19-05 at 08:27 PM
I don't want this to be merely another "This season SUCKS!" thread, but I felt it safer to start this on Bashers anyway.

What, specifically, is this season lacking compared to TARs past? Let's analyze it and put our fingers on it. (And that's NOT code for anything.)

One thing that came to my mind; there has been nowhere near the interaction with locals that you find when the teams are overseas. From the gleeful kids of Ethiopia, to the hordes of gawkers in India, to the goofy gypsy band in Hungary, to the simplicity of the bushmen in Botswana . . . those people help make the show what it is.

It's almost as if the families are running this race in a vacuum.

Your observations? Or do you think this Race is lacking nothing?


"Cygnus needs no defending - his position is undefendable." --Google

Table of contents
Messages in this discussion
"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by byoffer on 10-19-05 at 11:00 PM
This season is lacking places where the racers don't speak the language. Like India, Russia or Boston. Then they can show their adaptability skills - by YELLING REALLY LOUD IN ENGLISH at people who don't speak English.

Another thing that is missing is any opportunity to pick the first take-off flight vs the first landing flight. Having two buses take 8 teams to a location pretty much guarantees they will arrive in two groups.

This season hasn't made the racers make any choices about how to get to a location (i.e. mode of transit). It seems in the past they have had to decide when and how to spend their money on taxis, buses, etc.

And I seem to recall the last episode having at least one occassion when it was lacking a certain amount of butt-covering!!


"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by Earl Colby Pottinger on 10-26-05 at 00:49 AM
First, having the racers drive themselves still seems better to me, we do see them make very bad/good choices while doing so.

Second, speaking the local lanuage has nothing to do with it. For some strange reason this season's players avoid asking people who are local to the area questions - worse when they do ask they reject the answers given to them. It is almost like they think that since they are Americans they do not need to ask other Americans directions because all Americans know America

Ofcourse the fact that someone living in an area for all thier life may know more than them about local locations/conditions goes right over thier head.

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by Rhyn on 10-19-05 at 11:12 PM
I miss the interaction with locals, too, but didn't realize that until you said so. I remember everyone up in arms over "OHMYGOD, WE NEED A ROB RULE so no one will use locals" and I have to say, without it, it's much less exciting and fun and unpredictable. Vacuum, indeed.

I will tell you what this season is NOT missing, and that's bungee challenges.

My favorite simple challenges are shopping in a foreign market (so far, missing here) and "hunt for a departure time" challenges (because one or more idiot teams will make a stupid, rash decision that will cost them the game). For more elaborate challenges, I like things with local flair, and this season, so far, seems to have that.

All in all, I don't think it's necessarily "missing" anything, because it's an entirely different show with entirely different dynamics than regular seasons. I think I prefer a two-person team set up, though, because I really do love the international flavor this show usually has.

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by Earl Colby Pottinger on 10-26-05 at 00:52 AM
Come on, the Italian Bungee jumping was fun!
"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by dabo on 10-26-05 at 01:03 AM
I have to agree, Mama P. and Scairdy-boy were hysterical at the bungee jump.
"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by PagongRatEater on 10-20-05 at 00:06 AM
Finding clues is a simple matter of geography 90% of the time, taking a lot of the challenge out of the race. There are very few roadblocks and the tasks are relatively easy most of the time (climb the ladder to the top of the world largest office chair?). With no air travel there has been less opportunity to string the teams out and they have rarely gotten more than a 1 hour apart.

Interaction with locals IS lacking, but it could actually be there and be pretty interesting and broadening even without leaving the US. America is so diverse - geographically, culturally, etc. - that you could have somewhat duplicated that aspect of the race.

I think it just got too dumbed down and it's not making for compelling TV. I wouldn't go as far as saying it "sucks" but the family addition has really been less competetive than it could have been.


I already know you don't, but I REALLY want to believe you look like the Pringles guy. J Slice

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by bystander on 10-24-05 at 04:15 PM
With no air travel there has been less opportunity to string the teams out and they have rarely gotten more than a 1 hour apart.

I always thought the air travel kept all the teams closer together. If the choice is wait for an airplane for 2 hours or continue driving (car, not bus) then I think the teams can spread out more. Waiting for the plane always allowed other teams to bunch up.


"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by Earl Colby Pottinger on 10-26-05 at 01:00 AM
You are right on the challenges. When they went to the Shoe House I expected them to have to do something with shoes like cobble on X number of heels or even a simple shoe shining but up to the standards of some inspector.

Same with the giant chair - I expected them to have to assembly a small chair to finish. I would even settle of laying out X number of those evil beach folding chairs that no-one seems to be able set up.

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by mysticwolf on 10-20-05 at 00:08 AM
So far, taking the obvious International flair out of it, it's lacking in showing what an incredibly diverse set of cultures we have within the U.S.

Gas stations, empty trailer homes, giant office furniture... Come on!

How about a real NO, or D.C. challenge? How about Harlem? The west, with Native American, or even rancher, culture? Our great Parks system? Farm communities in the mid-west, Alaskan wilderness culture, Hawaiian culture? Cave and cavern systems, wet, and dry, that exist in many regions. Special fossil desposits that exists in many places, from Ohio to Montana. Our incredible museums and historical sites. And much more.

I'm watching, but so far it's been lame. Really, really, lame. IMO, it didn't (doesn't) have to be, even without leaving the States.


A Tribephyl Awesome Autumn

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by Cygnus X1 on 10-20-05 at 00:32 AM
Myst, you just led me to another thing this TAR is lacking:

Nowhere off the beaten trail. Middleburg is about as close as they came. Tourist spots all.

I mentioned in another thresd similar thoughts to yours. There are HUGE underexplored sections of the USA (Montana and eastern Kentucky (hi UKyRox), for two). Why not go there? Why stick to the road more traveled?

Maybe they'll do stuff like that later on, but I have my doubts.


"Cygnus needs no defending - his position is undefendable." --Google

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by dabo on 10-20-05 at 01:53 AM
Well if you ever plan to motor west
Just take my way that's the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66

I actually am enjoying this series. It just really isn't TAR to me, though, more just an offshoot variant. TAR is a race around the world by planes, trains and automobiles, not a rally race around the good ol' USA.

The biggest difference, I think, is what has resulted from having the "Babies On Board." Having kids around has forced them to alter the nature of the challenges, they aren't as spectacular, more like playtime. This may have a few upsides, like perhaps maybe this time we won't be subjected to a gut-busting food challenge of some sort. But it also makes this more of an American Family Vacation Home Movie Race, not the adventurous journey around the world that TAR was previously.

Mixed bag. I am enjoying this one, as I say. It just seems cutrate, though.

ARRRRRRR!!!!

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by Max Headroom on 10-20-05 at 01:35 PM
Unhappily lacking:

Frantic attempts to book and rebook air travel
Jet lag/travel disruption (everyone still seems fresh)
Cultural/language barriers
Travel choices resulting in significant time separation between teams
Travel to unfamiliar places
Exotic travel scenery
Challenging roadblocks and detours
The Yield

Happily lacking:

Excessive unnecessary bunching - "Hours of Operation"
Teams yelling at each other
Non-elimination legs (bet that changes next Tuesday)
The mandatory TAR leg through India
Jonathan & Victoria
Fear Factor-style challenges

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by cahaya on 10-21-05 at 02:53 PM
Good summary, Max, I'm in complete agreement with.

And to add... no Fast Forwards. (probably happily lacking, as I didn't like the way FF's moved weak teams up to the top)


A spooky tribephyl creation

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by CouchTater on 10-20-05 at 02:55 PM
I think this season is lacking all the variations that can happen. Everything seems TOO set up. I’m mean, go to the race track museum and look for the clue box. IT’S RIGHT THERE AS SOON AS YOU WALK IN! Hello, where’s the challenge?

They are always driving in a new SUV from place to place. How about making them drive some old beaters, or maybe school busses, or an English car with the driver’s side on the other side. I don’t know anything but an SUV.

Also, there are no other tourists where they go. The race track, the space museum, the Amish farm- I’ve been there and there are always people there, how about getting them through Disney World at the height of the season and having them find some rinky dink booth selling special snow cones, while dealing with throngs of tourist?

The challenges are boring and the even the places where the clues boxes are, are boring. Go to the big office chair? How about having them rappel down the chair, just for something different? It’s really stupid. I think that they made this show to appeal to 5 year olds. I can’t wait for TAR 9, I hope it’s a lot better, or at least that this one picks up.

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by noliferealityfan on 10-21-05 at 12:50 PM
"RE: What is this season lacking?"


interest.

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by escapedude on 10-23-05 at 10:36 PM
Its "safe" for the whole family.Yes that makes it boring.
"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by Earl Colby Pottinger on 10-26-05 at 01:09 AM
LAST EDITED ON 10-26-05 AT 01:16 AM (EST)

I don't mind the SUVs, the built in cameras give us some great shots - but you are very, very, very right about the lack of other people. Most TARs have people just going about thier life, not aware that they were interfering with racers just by being there.

Like you said, find the box would have been harder if the museum was full of people and the box hidden in a little corner somewhere.

Because TAR is well known in America I would expect they would have to change colours of the flags and the design of the boxes - but I think it could have been done.

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by redbaronii on 10-26-05 at 10:42 AM
I don't know if it's one of them, but this season lacks the "interview scene between the task/in the task" things (like they would not cut to the teams talking about the task at the interview at pitstop when they have trouble/comment on the task)

Otherwise...
1. Interesting tasks: I mean, some tasks are lame...go to BP Station??? What the heck...I mean, they could have make easy roadblocks that are still interesting...
2. Team dynamics: Except the Paolos, all the others seems to just "drive/run around and find clue box". Except the hate of Weavers...but that WAY less than other seasons
3. Interaction with Locals: Even in Panama, they just seems to "run around"

What lacks that I don't miss?
1. Bunching every episode: They do have bunching, but the one this time are better than the lame "Hours of Operation"
2. Romber: YES, they do make the show interesting, but I'm watching TAR, not Big Brother.

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by indy42 on 10-27-05 at 00:53 AM
I think the team dynamics are very different compared to the 2 -person TAR. Mainly, the family teams have not had many opportunities to create friction between each other. Episode 5 had a few glimpses of friction: the batting and the Mom Weaver's comments on the boat.

That type of animosity has largely been absent and made entertaining TV in the past seasons of TAR.

Grudges are good TV!

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by Tahj on 10-27-05 at 11:26 AM
What it doesn't lack is people. There are too damn many of them.

What it does lack, along with what everyone else has said, is interesting characters with some personality. Where are the fat, bald brothers when you need them, falling out and off of things around the world; Derek and Drew leaving their backpacks in a cab, IN MEXICO CITY, asking the driver sweetly, "You'll wait, right?"--and on and on...


Moves courtesy of Syren

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by notamonster on 10-27-05 at 01:09 PM
I think it might pick up as more teams drop off. The production was probably to hard to handle with that many people. Kinda want the Gaghan family to win, but the Mom sure got stressed that last episode being on that slow boat.

BTW, I grew up in Anniston AL and never saw that chair. It should tell you how interesting my life was there, when a huge chair is the highlight of the town.

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by zipperhead on 11-30-05 at 09:20 AM
LAST EDITED ON 11-30-05 AT 09:21 AM (EST)

bump-ba-da-bump-bump


Welcome newbies!

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by slw1 on 11-30-05 at 10:28 AM
For me, what this season lacks is a team to root FOR. Any team except the complainers.

I miss the excitement of other countries around the world.

"RE: What is this season lacking?"
Posted by rock321 on 12-01-05 at 01:21 PM
easy a gay team although rolly's gotta have some mother issues and the oldest godewlski is being watched so maybe nothing
this total wast of a post brought to you by caffine the wonder drug