No more Americans! What can I say? The American team members are pushy and obnoxious -- which is what you'd typically find with an American-Engineer-Type Personality.

But seriously, I much prefer the UK versions of the show, and found that they are more geniune "tinkerers" (e.g. The Bodgers) than the MIT-trained geeks that come from the states.

My 2p

-- Eric (eric@brusseau.org), January 04, 2001

Answers

If you were to review and read the feedback from the sources available you would find that even the American viewing audience is aghast at the American version of the show. This somehow does not fit in with YOUR stereotype of an "American-Engineer-Type Personality" does it? What will make or break this show in the long run is how well the show does in the United States and since everthing comes down to the dollar (or pound) this is where the money is

My 2 cents

-- Tim Harper (tim.harper@motorola.com), January 04, 2001.

As a Brit living in USA, I have to agree and say that the American series is not a very good conversion. They kept the woman presenter, but Robert Llwelwyn's replacement just didn't cut it. Also something changed with the music, was it me or did they have more 'easy listening' background music during the show?

The selection of the teams wasnt much better. It seemed that the team that constructed the air-powered punkin' chucker had zero motivation. The dragster race was pretty cool and the final machines were well constructed.

Otherwise its ok. My colleagues where I work loved the British show with the zany Robert and it was always the lunchtime conversation!

Martyn

-- Martyn (sparky2010@hotmail.com), January 04, 2001.

"No more Americans! What can I say? The American team members are pushy and obnoxious -- which is what you'd typically find with an American-Engineer-Type Personality."

That may come off as so on the show, but you have to remember that we are only seeing about 45 minutes coverage, taken from about 14 to 20 hours of footage. Blame the producers/editors before you blame the teams.

I also preferred the UK shows more, but only because of the British humour, and not because of the tinkering abilities. Most teams that I have seen, both British and American, have come up with great ideas.

-- Rick (rsrickard@hotmail.com), January 06, 2001.

I concur with Rick's answer; the brit humour of the original show was one of the biggest draws, particularly Robert Llwelwyn's droll commentary and sarcastic remarks. He had a way of mildly and amusingly deprecating whatever ill-designed kludgy piece of scrap was being welded together at the time. Overall, the new American host is quite a disappointment for me. I can't say as much about the American teams, although as a bit of an Anglophile I did prefer the more British character of earlier seasons.

-- Eiki Martinson (eikimartinson@iname.com), January 10, 2001.

Howdy.

I think the big difference is probably cultural.

If you look at the Brit teams, they have a self-effacing / humble attitude which is endearing to most people. You hear lots of self- deprecating jokes which are quite funny.

On the other hand, you have the american teams that clearly display a more agressive/competitive style with perhaps a bit less focus on fun. They really want to win and they take the competition perhaps a bit too seriously.

It's hard to put a finger on it but both shows have very different "vibes". And frankly, I agree with most people here who dislike the americanized version.

The american host has got to go, he really reeks. His "southern" humor really really doesn't work. Bring back Roger.

- Yves

-- Yves Lacombe (yveslac@videotron.ca), January 11, 2001.

I am from the U.S. and I don't like the american version either. Roberts style was one of the best things about the show. The new guys perpetually furrowed brow, chin fuzz (just what the heck is that anyway?) and artistically designed 'cover my balding head' hairdo drive my wife and I to distraction! We can't enjoy the show at all. I feel the low-key approach of the british teams were funny. I noticed that Cathy is the producer. If the show was really popular here on the learning channel as a British show, why tamper with success?

-- Bud (budnjoe@i-is.com), January 12, 2001.

first off......enough with the hosts....they are only a small part of the show,albiet they do add some degree of flavor ! the us version does lack something(yankee here!) but i tend to belive that the variation in personal taste is also a big factor here. yes..americans are probably more pushy than brits. but what if the show was held in a country that has even more pushier type personalitys...i`ll not identify my personal opinions as to where, then these nationalitys would be assailed... its the teams end their personal interaction,and the aproaches to the obstacles theyve been presented that makes most of the show...

-- tim (milehiharley@hotmail.com), January 28, 2001.

I couldn't disagree more. I found that the vast majority of the British teams were made up of "three blokes who can weld," who stood around while the expert told them how they would meet the challenge, then ran out into the scrapheap to find the bits that the expert said they would need.

The N.E.R.D.S., on the other hand, received the challenge from Robert and Cathy, and then THEY started trying to figure out how to meet it. Much truer to the spirit of the show, no?

Imagine if there had been no experts. Do you suppose the Beach Boys would have been able to even begin to design a steam car? Whereas the Nerds would likely have been able to build the steam engine from scratch (perhaps not in the alloted time, but still...).

-- David Honsinger (dhonsinger@bigfoot.com), January 28, 2001.

AH, the British mentality.

While I preffered the British version of the show, I really don't think it had much to do with the nationality of the teams. In my view, the NERDS were far and away the best team; in the final they had the best machine, it just didn't win. I thought the Yanks vs Brits aspect of the finale added a nice flavour to it. All that being said, my favourite team was the Beach Boys.

Oh, and since nationality seems to be important, I'm Canadian, and am hoping that a Canuk team can make it to the show.

-- Mike Mavis (mantabo@aol.com), February 01, 2001.

it would be nice to see at least one team from all countrys that this gem of a show is viewed in! equal representation for all!

-- tim (milehiharley@hotmail.com), February 03, 2001.

No more Brits!!! They just ruin the show. The Yanks have built far more superior contraptions in the yard. If I hear the word "Bodge" one more time* ^#$@##(*

-- John Gap (mindthegap64@hotmail.com), February 04, 2001.

Yves,

Did you see the last three American shows? Looked to me like those teams were having amazing fun. The Art Attacks were far from your statement. Watch the re-runs in March if you don't have it on tape, can't believe you watched them. How can you possibly say too serious.

-- Mr. Sue (mrsue2u@hotmail.com), February 05, 2001.

The team that I was with, the "Three Rusty Juveniles" arrived at the airport wearing false braces, slings ect. The fun went on from that point until they got back home. Part of the lack of excitment on the part of the American teams is due to the lack of sleep. Our time is five or more hours behind the time in London, so we were having a tough time dealing with the change. I'm sure that some of the humor that was going on during the show was lost on the people of the Empire, as our heritage and culture is not the same. The show is still a great show, although I also liked the original format too. Let's see the positive in all of the episodes. We saw the first version of the show (originally filmed as Scrapheap Challenge, later edited to be Junkyard Wars) the last Monday, and it was good too, but a little rough, as all new creations have to start out. There seem to be a lot more people who love the show than there are who want it taken off the air, so relax and appreciate a good thing for what it is. We all had a great time making our episode with the staff of RDF television. I knew the expert of the competing team, Ron Toms, thru his website and by email for about a year before we filmed the show. I also knew Bill "Broad Dog" Thompson, who was the "judge/commentator" for the show. It was like a reunion when we all got together at the motel. We had great fun keeping secret the nature of the challenge until it was announced to the teams on the show. Waddy, "expert" for the "Three Rusty Juveniles" Air cannon vs catapult "Punkin Chunkin" episode.

-- Waddy Thompson (cthomp3851@aol.com), February 05, 2001.