I just finished watching the big junkyard showdown between ILM, Jim Henson's Creature Shop, and KNB. KNB came in third, crap on it all. They had the coolest machine, surprise surprise, but they didn't have a big enough compressed air tank for their rapid-fire golf-ball cannon, and the guy driving during the flamethrower competition shot at the wrong thing and wasted a lot of time.
But still, it was one of the coolest episodes of what was once my favorite show that I've ever seen. After the original hosting team of Kathy Rogers and Robert "Kryten" Lewellyn (I think I spelled that wrong) left, it was less fun to watch. It really should only have run for a few seasons, they're just re-using ideas now.
Brother R
I stopped watching partly because they got obnoxious new hosts, always screaming; but also because it became cars, cars, cars, all the time.
I hear ya, Brother Rag.
Bob and Cathy were fun, and not annoying. The American hosts....it just don't work. I like the mix of Brit and Yank teams, as the social dynamic contrasts nicely.
While i've yet to hear some one ask bob "So, whens the next Red Dwarf film comming out?", i did see one Terry Practchett referance, when the chick capt. of a team, in an older show, called her machine "Binkey", after the horse of Death.
I did watch the episode with ILM, KNB and the Henson Shop. Robert Lewellyn was good, but I'd have to agree the new hosts are pathetic. I used to get a kick out of the show, but haven't been watching it lately.
I like the episode where they had to build contraptions to throw cars. One team made a giant wooden structure designed to fling the car up and over and toss it forward. Unfortunately shortly after lifting the car it twisted out of shape and collapsed , but it was an impressive sight.
Oh yeah...The Trebuche! Always a good time with those.
I wonder how many teams just blew it so bad, there was no compition to start a show with!