After 27 years 10 months and 16 days, come Sunday night I will no longer be reigning champ of ABC's travel doco-making show Race Around the World. Hallelujah. What a great reboot it's been.
I’ve watched it all, and have mixed feelings about how successful it is in the context of the new world of always-on video. It was such an incredible concept the first time around, and while I understand that the contestants are under pressure (100 days on your own like that is huge), it is missing that sense of jeopardy and of novelty. Some of them have been way too ‘content’ flavoured for me. Zan has been outstanding. But what’s really ruined it for me is the ridiculous scoring. As you say not enough nuance and a few of them would be much higher up (Michayla sorry not sure about the spelling) if every film got a score. I have still watched it all though so clearly like it much more than my comment suggests!
It’s been very watchable, I think the decades of content creation have changed participant and audience expectations. Many of us were true amateurs and first timers. That’s changed a bit. But it hadn’t felt like a stream of insta reels, and that’s a win.
I’ve loved your reflections and advice before the show Tony, and enjoyed tour reflection now after seeing 9 eps. I enjoyed the original series and have been totally engaged this time around. I would have enjoyed seeing you as a judge but ah well.
I tried to watch it but having a visceral reaction to one of the contestants in particular decided this is not for me. Hence why I did not follow any of the controversy in recent weeks. Also I have bounced Facebook off my phone after the paramedics came to work due to stress from that app in particular.
It's just too distracting when I am on calls. I am not meant to be looking at it then anyhoo! We need to leave our phone on for 2FA. I miss when it actually had to be off!
You "love(d) this show"....& I loved your informed summation, Tony. Indeed, I wonder if your nostalgia vibes helped to fuel the infectious energy in this piece?! :) Anyway, totally agree --- there was still some magic in this Race reboot...just different magic...& compared to the mainstream media response to this series, your article gets my 2 points :)
I’ve watched it all, and have mixed feelings about how successful it is in the context of the new world of always-on video. It was such an incredible concept the first time around, and while I understand that the contestants are under pressure (100 days on your own like that is huge), it is missing that sense of jeopardy and of novelty. Some of them have been way too ‘content’ flavoured for me. Zan has been outstanding. But what’s really ruined it for me is the ridiculous scoring. As you say not enough nuance and a few of them would be much higher up (Michayla sorry not sure about the spelling) if every film got a score. I have still watched it all though so clearly like it much more than my comment suggests!
Just to add I’ll watch the final, though I don’t feel especially invested like I was with Olivia Rousset, I also was in love!
It’s been very watchable, I think the decades of content creation have changed participant and audience expectations. Many of us were true amateurs and first timers. That’s changed a bit. But it hadn’t felt like a stream of insta reels, and that’s a win.
I’ve loved your reflections and advice before the show Tony, and enjoyed tour reflection now after seeing 9 eps. I enjoyed the original series and have been totally engaged this time around. I would have enjoyed seeing you as a judge but ah well.
Thanks so much Ian
Disappointed you won’t hold your reigning champ title, even if it has been a great season. #slay 😉
Never stop #slaying. X
I tried to watch it but having a visceral reaction to one of the contestants in particular decided this is not for me. Hence why I did not follow any of the controversy in recent weeks. Also I have bounced Facebook off my phone after the paramedics came to work due to stress from that app in particular.
Facebook is dreadful. I cut it off phone too
It's just too distracting when I am on calls. I am not meant to be looking at it then anyhoo! We need to leave our phone on for 2FA. I miss when it actually had to be off!
You "love(d) this show"....& I loved your informed summation, Tony. Indeed, I wonder if your nostalgia vibes helped to fuel the infectious energy in this piece?! :) Anyway, totally agree --- there was still some magic in this Race reboot...just different magic...& compared to the mainstream media response to this series, your article gets my 2 points :)
Thanks Lawrence