I ahven't been seeing answers from any of the people on the list when typing a message are you dorks at RDF going to listen to the public!?!

-- Andrew Young (eminem_13_00_2000@eminem.com), January 05, 2001

Answers

I can assure that everyone at RDF involved with Junkyard Wars is aware of the strength of feeling on the issue, and has seen the posts on this board and other similar boards.

Personally, I am working all hours on another project at the moment(including weekends - like now!), so haven't had time to respond to all the posting on the discussion. I guess more generally RDFers haven't responded because it is difficult to know what to say. A TV programme speaks for itself, and if people don't like it is not like we can argue that you don't get it. Added to this it is disappointing for all the crew to see a largely negative reaction to something they have worked really hard on for many months, and so hard to respond on that level, too. I guess all we can hope is that you come round to appreciating the changes.

Just in case of any confusion, this isn't intended as an official company answer. It is just the way I see it (I didn't even work on the last series of Junkyard Wars - apart from tinkering with the website largely in my spare time).

-- Andrew Bell (andy.bell@rdfmedia.com), January 06, 2001.

I think they looked but don't want to say anything.

-- Richard Manahan (rjcyclesk8@hotmail.com), January 05, 2001.

They looked, but I don't think they care. I sent them an e-mail, and got a two sentence response to the effect of "yes, we've heard all the complaints, now go away"

-- Matt Rice (rice@geog.ucsb.edu), January 05, 2001.

I can't believe all the "Go away if you don't like it" responses I'm reading. If they keep telling people to go away there won't be anybody left on the discussion, except for former contestants and their friends and families.

-- Joe Debicki (jdebicki@hotmail.com), January 06, 2001.

Joe, I am sorry if the answer I posted came across as meaning 'go away if you don't like it'. That is not what I meant at all. I was trying to say that everyone at RDF has heard the complaints, and I was trying to give an explanation as to why RDFers haven't been vocal in defending the show.

Obviously we are hugely concerned about the Junkyard Wars fans who don't like the new version (on a practical level, we can only keep making the show as long as people want to watch it - and the people here love making the show).

-- Andy Bell (andy.bell@rdf.co.uk), January 06, 2001.

I truly hope that RDF and others feel the excitement raised by this show. We managed to get quite a bit of coverage from the print and radio media in our area before the show aired. The response we have received is phenomenal. We now find that school teachers are asking their students to make the show a must watch. We have been asked to make presentations at a number of schools. We are getting requests to build all sorts of things for other competitions. My favorite comment about the show; What a great show , we wish you would have won, but, we are hooked!!!

-- justjay-Captain-Three Rusty Juveniles (justjay@neo.rr.com), January 06, 2001.

First, let's all calm down. It's just a television show, and one of the most interesting on the air. The British shows were more gentile and -- dare I say? -- British than the first two US shows. American competitive culture seems to be more in-your-face than British, and we cannot realistically expect them to be the same. Even if you don't like having hyper-competitive Americans and George on the show, keep watching. It's still one of the freshest ideas to hit TV in a LONG time.

George's screen persona in the first two shows is thoroughly American. He comes off brash, loud, and intense. In this role, he would fit in fine as an announcer or interviewer on "Battlebots" (he should send them a resume, they could definitely use better interviews).

Having said that, I think both series are fine, and I look forward to more US shows. (Am I the only one that noticed that both US dragsters were much faster than the UK machines?)

One more thing: I am in love with Cathy Rogers, and so are both my sons. Do you think she would mind that I'm already happily married?

-- Rick

-- Rick (rick@raf.com), January 08, 2001.

If JW continues being like the first American episode, I'll probably continue to watch it, but less enthusiastically. It may come to the point where I just start forgetting to watch it. I don't see why we should have to accept the new host. Just bring back Robert, or if that's utterly impossible, then get an American host with some comedic talent and hosting talent. Recruit some guy from a stand up comedy club if you have to. George is very awkward and insults my intelligence.

-- Richard Manahan (rjcyclesk8@hotmail.com), January 08, 2001.