Guys, chill out.

Everyone seems to think that the few modifications for the (now pay attention here) American-team version of the UK-produced show have completely changed the program. Well, here are a few facts to keep in mind:

- The show has not been 'Hollywoodized' - it is still produced by the same people. - The science bits are still there. The explainations are still being given, and the expert stories are still being told. - The format _has_ been modified slightly to fit the American program scheduling (commercial break transitions have been added, as well as a show wrap-up). The UK versions have to be edited to add these elements when converted for the US audience. - They got a US host for the US show because the producers felt that the US audience would connect easier with the host. Also, this is an all-american-team version, and the new host also represents this difference. - The show is still shot in the same junkyard. - We've only seen two shows so far. - The brits have boring teams too.

So, while I agree that the changes are a little dramatic when added together and the two series are compared together, I also feel that people just need to chill out and be patient. Let's see where the US version goes from here. Keep in mind that there will be upcoming US and UK series, so there will be plenty of chances for improvement (as well as shows to watch) in the future.

+Chris

-- Chris Rake (car@technologist.com), January 04, 2001

Answers

Right on!!!

-- Duane Flatmo (Flatmo@humboldt1.com), January 04, 2001.

RE: "They got a US host for the US show because the producers felt that the US audience would connect easier with the host. "

Connect easier with him? He's not like most Americans, and IMO no funny. People in UK are probably laughing at us thinking we're all like him. It is the UK flavor that makes me like the show.

RE: "The brits have boring teams too. "

The American teams are fine, just bring back Robert. I like seeing American teams now and then, there is just no need to change the host.

-- Ben David (ke4hlx@qsl.net), January 04, 2001.

--Quote-- - The show has not been 'Hollywoodized' - The format _has_ been modified slightly to fit the American program scheduling (commercial break transitions have been added, as well as a show wrap-up). The UK versions have to be edited to add these elements when converted for the US audience. - They got a US host for the US show because the producers felt that the US audience would connect easier with the host. --End Quote--

And who was the person who decided that "the US audience would connect" better with a US host? No one asked me!

What everyone seems to be over looking is this: The first 2 seasons of the UK version of JYW's was popular here in the US BECAUSE is was not like most TV in the US. US TV is generaly scripted, boring, low- key gutter humor that is more insulting then anything else.

We here in the US liked the UK version, and thats why we watched it. So it had to be edited. So what? We didn't care for the first two seasons. We're not going to care for #3.

A perfect example of where this is going is "Whos line is it anyways?". UK version is great. US version is boring seemingly scripted dibble, and it's not getting any better. Thats because they tried to taylor the show to what they THINK the American population wants to see, AKA: Americanized, rather then leaving it alone.

All I can say is I hope they run some UK version reruns really soon so the newbies to the show can see the difference.

-- Robert Klace (artlover.thebox@netzero.com), January 05, 2001.