Is the UK show 'Junk Yard Wars' fixed?

[Hail Ants]

We've been getting this show in the states on TLC for a few months now. It's a really neat show but I get the feeling that they're not always honest about things. In particular they often plant what the teams need in the junkyard.

The team that was making a blimp finally found a brand new roll of mylar in a car's trunk. And the episode where they built steamcars, it was pretty obvious that they just dumped 2 steam engines and 2 boilers out there for them. It's not just the obvious stuff either. Often I see teams using what appears to be new, cold-rolled steel stock, something you wouldn't find in a junkyard.

Also, its very clear that the teams are given certain instructions ahead of time, because they always take two different aproaches. Now I realize it's not the Olympics, and that a little constructive editing can make for a better TV show. But I don't think the fans of this show (myself included) are the type that likes to be lied or talken down to.

And by the way. I used to think that the male British guy host was annoying. But this new American guy is a complete and total a**hole. Every time he opens his mouth I want to smash his face in with a claw hammer. At least the brit babe is cute even if she isn't any smarter.

[barking frog]

I wouldn't be surprised if they did add certain hard to find and required materials (such as with the episode with the blimp, I don't think you'd find a roll of brand new mylar in a junk yard either, but the show would have been pretty boring if they weren't able to finish their blimp due to lack of materials). They probably also give the "experts" recommended designs so they don't both make the same thing, but do I mind? Considering the alternatives (which is either a) fairly high possibility of no competition in the end or b) they both make the exact same designs, and whoever wins only does because they found better supplies), not really.

Oh yeah, I also find the new American co-host extremelly annoying, the British guy wasn't great but in comparison he was much better, IMHO.

[wooba]

I think they pretty much have to plant required material.

Take a look at the steam engine power car episode.. there HAS to be steam engines in there.. you can't expect people to build a steam engine within 10 hours and install it in a car.

As for the approaches always been different.. I agree it does seem like things are pre-planned..
however, keep in mind each team gets an expert. The expert generally speaking is an expert on whatever the team does specifically.

The team can also over-ride what the expert says. Remember the episode where they had to launch a rugby ball? One expert wanted to make a thing like a clay pigeon launcher and the team captain put his foot down and said no.. they did a sort of cross bow instead.

I totally agree about this new male host.. he's brutal!

FYI, in the UK the show is called Scrapheap Challenge.

[Ankh_Too]

The American team from last year, the New England Rubbish Deconstruction Society (http://www.the-nerds.org) has an extensive website that covers all sorts of topics, including step by step recaps of their submarine and steamcar. In addition to a general FAQ, there is an extensive discussion of the seeding of the junkyard:

From [http://www.the-nerds.org/on-seeding.html"]On Seeding[/url]
The basic rule for seeding: If its not possible to safely improvise a part with the time and tools provided, they will provide something that can be pressed into service.

If there are specific safety regulations, the relavant parts will always be provided. For example, things like safety valves, regulators, and gas tanks will be planted, and will have their certification paperwork sitting in the directors briefcase. (and if we happen to find such a part that isn't one of the known good ones, they don't let us use it)

For example the wheels in the tractor pull. Sure they were there, but none of the differentials in the yard came close to fitting the bolt circle. If you wanted to use them, you had to make it work.

And this brings up another point: That same helpfull crew that hides essential parts, can just as easily remove them. They made sure that there wern't matching differentials for those wheels.


As far as the two different tacts taken by the teams in each episode, I wouldn't have any doubts that the experts brought in for each team are guided into two different plans, if their own outlook doesn't do it for them. The experts are the only ones who know the objective will be and are able to ask for "unusual" items, including the mylar already mentioned.

Gotta agree about the host though, Robert Llewellyn was annoying enough, this guy is off the scales.

[stuyguy]

Damn. Everybody posted while I was typing! I'll submit this and read what the rest of you have to say. Hope there's not too much redundancy.

God, I love JYW!

First of all, the scrumptious brit gal (I have a short hair fetish) is not just eye candy. She invented the show; she got the idea after watching the scene in Apollo 13 where they have to build a CO2 scrubber from misc. bits.

In the article I read (where I learned the above) it said the junkyard "is stocked and laid out expressly for the show." So yes, I think it's no secret that the place is seeded with prime, customized junk. (Yeah, that mylar-in-the-trunk scene set my eyeballs arollin' too.) Though, the earliest episodes looked a bit more legit in this regard.

As for the new steel stock, yes, I think there is an unlimited supply given to both teams. (In one of the episodes they actually showed the rack where they stock the stuff.) I don't have too much of a problem with this most of the time -- after all their given unlimited tools too... not exactly real life battle conditions -- but I too wince a little when I see the teams build 80% of their contraption out of new metal stock.

Bottom line, IMHO, is that they seem to feel the real sport of the show is in the head-to-head competion, not the design/scrounging/building aspect. (Another quote from the article: "After all, you can only film so much welding.") I know gearheads like you and me may not agree, but we're usually in the minority in life anyway, right?

[mongrel_8]

The link to the NERDS website FAQ posted by Ankh_Too is a must to read. It will pretty much answer any questions that you may have about the show, and several others that you haven't thought of.
This same subject has been brought up several times recently in MPSIMS so I suggest doing a search for those, also.

[madd1]

Yup, I liked JYW too, until the Mylar trick.

If the show had some kind of disclaimer at the beginning, I would have found it much easier to take when that roll showed up. However, I felt I was lied to and started watching the show more critically. That really took allot of the fun out of the show for me.

For instance, the large number of working motors lying around, the moped just lying there, unending roles of brand-new duct tape, rope, and wires.

It's still fun to watch, just less so now.

[Tristan]

I still like it, and can always ignore the new guy...

I am bothered by the fact that it seems like the new season was MUCH shorter than the last one.... also I think that the locale has changed to the US, as now the vehicles have Left Hand Drivers seats and whatnot...

And even if stuff is planted, after watching the guy carve a working propeller out of a piece of fricking burnt fence!!!! I am even more hooked. I just wish it weren't ending so soon.

How would one go about getting on the show? Anyone know?

[Hail Ants]

Speaking of that chainsaw carved propeller...

After checking out The Nerds link above I read that they're supposed to be sticklers for safety. Belt guards, gas tanks, seat belts etc. How is it then that they allowed that hand carved propeller?! I have personally experienced exploding props. Once in a Scat hovercraft and once 300 feet in the air in an ultralight. Both times were extremely violent and dangerous. While you gotta give that guy with the chainsaw an A for effort, I don't see how that prop could have been considered safe.

[wooba]

Originally posted by Tristan
I still like it, and can always ignore the new guy...

I am bothered by the fact that it seems like the new season was MUCH shorter than the last one.... also I think that the locale has changed to the US, as now the vehicles have Left Hand Drivers seats and whatnot...



No, it's still filmed in the same set/junk yard in London.

I remember reading several months ago, long before the US show started that they would still film it in the same place. I would guess that they are bringing in left hand drive cars (easily had from Europe) for the sake of not confusing Americans who may never have driven on the right hand side. I remember one episode (I think the steam one), one of them used one of those shit box 3 wheeled cars that used to be around in the UK in the late 70's early 80's. One of the players made a comment like "did people actually drive these things"

I think if it was in America, they would use all American hosts.

[peepthis]

I heard an interview with the British woman who created the show (can't remember her name) on the radio last week. She claimed that nothing was planted, and that the junkyard they use is some kind of huge super junkyard, in her words, in which teams could find everything without planting items. After reading the above posts, however, I see that she was lying her ass off.

[Pismonque]

The teams often come very close to not completing their constructions. Have they ever had a team that just didn't make it? Or do they take measures to ensure this doesn't happen?

[friedo]

Originally posted by Pismonque
The teams often come very close to not completing their constructions. Have they ever had a team that just didn't make it? Or do they take measures to ensure this doesn't happen?

There was one episode last season (I think it was the land-yacht one) where both teams were nowhere near done after ten hours. They gave them a couple more hours, plus the usual hour of tinker-time before the competition.

[London_Calling]

OK, lets see if I can post to the actual bloody thread……………


Hey people, this subject has been covered a few times. I’ll do the Thread Nazi thing here because the OP was answered (I think in the first Thread below). There are also links to the official web sites in my post:


http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=47959

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=51112

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=30548


I think the show is great fun, also !

[psiekier]

Originally posted by Ankh_Too Gotta agree about the host though, Robert Llewellyn was annoying enough, this guy is off the scales.
What is it with the cast of Red Dwarf (http://us.imdb.com/Details?0094535) doing these reality junk-fighting shows?

Craig "Lister" Charles was the host of Robot Wars, and now Robert "Kryten" Llewellyn is in on the act?

How come they can't get Kochanski to pony up and be the babe that interviews the teams before the matches?

---
Pete
Long time RGMWer and ardent AOLer

[rpinrd]

YESSSS!!!

London_Calling picked up my thread. I'm the middle one in London's list, the third person to start such a thread. I feel honored to be cited. Even if it was for my utter lack of search engine use.

Plus, I'm no longer the most recent person to over-post on this topic.

FWIW, I finally caught another bit of Robot Wars on PBS this past weekend. That show so whoops up on Comedy Central's BattleBots.

[Whammo]

Whammo said... in thread http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=47959...
SOMETHINGS FISHY IN JUNKYARD LAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALRIGHT... so I'm watching the one where they build the flying machines to drop the "bomb" on the target. Everything looks well and good until the airplane team just "HAPPENS" to find a propeller. Let me tell you, I worked in a hobby shop for almost 5 years and what they found was a model airplane propeller that was an EXACT PERFECT match for the gas leaf blower engine they found. Let me reiterate... a PERFECT non chipped Model airplane prop JUST the right size (there are hundreds of sizes) for the 22cc (or so) engine they found. Those props cost $15 -$20 a piece and they just dont get thrown into a junkyard.

EVEN WORSE!! The "blimp" team after hours of searching for plastic they could make their airship out of and not finding anything JUST HAPPENED to find AN ENTIRE HUGE ROLL OF BRAND NEW LOOKING MYLAR in the trunk of an abandoned car!!!!!!!!! MYLAR!!!!! Geeeee... mylar would be perfect wouldn't it?


Things that make you go Hmmmmmm!

To quote myself of course... I agree whole heartedly, you're not the FIRST person to notice this.

However its STILL a kickass show! :D