TV: Expedition Africa

[RedLeader]

Anyone else attempting to watch the History Channel's summer superstar? I was really looking forward to this one, but then was heavily dissapointed by the premiere. I taped the second episode, and am going to watch it right now. Hopefully it will get better, because I really want this to be good (and I generally like History Channel's recent stuff).

I don't like the characters much, and it seems like they intentionally casted them so that they'd bicker and clash. Much rather would have seen that Bear Whatever guy than these types.

Also, I feel like it's very staged and their obsession with talking about David Livingstone and recreating his journey is (negatively) juxtaposted against the huge production efforts.

But I am really hoping that it improves.

Anyone else?

 

[Bardeaux]

I've been watching this. I agree with you about the characters, to me it seems like they edit it to be a dramatic conflicted soap opera type just like any other reality show. The characters started bitching about each other in the first episode and the bickering hasnt subsided as of yet.

Overall, I think its somewhat entertaining so far. But it isnt as interesting as I thought it was going to be.

 

[RedLeader]

Ya. The fact that they complain about water, yet if anyone was actually in danger of dying from lack-thereof, the camera-crew would throw them a bottle or two. Or if a lion was coming at one of them with full force, it would be shot dead. I don't know, it just takes away all of the element of danger, and makes the drama be evermore what I end up focusing on.

In my opinion, no production crew at all and make them all use handheld cameras. Or at most, one or two camerapeople, who are in just as much realistic danger, and are introduced to the audiance as part of the team. Fact is, Livingstone probably did get eaten or something. They talk the talk, but aren't actually walking the walk...

If I want to see beautiful scenery and such, I'll watch Planet Earth or something like that.

 

[Bardeaux]

In my opinion, no production crew at all and make them all use handheld cameras. Or at most, one or two camerapeople, who are in just as much realistic danger, and are introduced to the audiance as part of the team.

Exactly. It would be interesting to see whats going on in 360 degrees. I picture a sound team, a camera crew, some producers ect. Not to mention the entire tribe of locals leading them.

These 'explorers' are more like hired tv show hosts imo.