[Rhodes22-list] Escape from Experiment Island

[rhendy]

Roger,
   You hit the nail on the head as far as I am concerned with the
limitations of what they could possibly ask us to do, but after seeing the
ideas they came up with, I don't doubt these people's creativity.  The
credentials of the creative staff are phenomenal.  I had a great time and
meeting the people who dream up all of the challenges and the whole trip was
fascinating.  I met more than one person who summitted Everest more than
once, the number of Ph.Ds on the island was embarrassing (Me with my lousy
Masters in Aeronautical Sciences), I met the crew chief for the Brietiling
Orbiter and Steve Fossett's Globe circling balloon.  (Interesting guy!)  The
list goes on, and that was only for MY episode.  Believe me, the BBC doesn't
scrimp.
   The dynamics of four strangers placed into such a stressful situation and
then asked to perform at a very high level for five straight days produces
fireworks which make for interesting viewing.  This is the essential
difference between "Escape" and "Junkyard Wars."  How to make the team of
four strangers function as a cohesive unit was (in my estimation) the most
important challenge of all.
   As for the rest of your observations, the show tried to cram 5 days into
one hour.  A lot of the detail was lost.  That's television!
   Also, as you watch, remember:  On "Junkyard Wars" the teams get an expert
to assist them.  On this show, you get the brains you walked onto the island
with.  Monday morning quarterbacking (and I'm not accusing you of this) is
going to be easy....(Why did they do it THAT way???) but it's a real handful
when you are the person in the crucible.  If you appreciate challenges under
pressure, you will appreciate this show.
Fair Winds,

Bob Hendrickson
S/V Getaway


----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Pihlaja" <cen09402@centurytel.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 6:55 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Escape from Experiment Island


> Bob,
>
> I was able to catch most of the Wednesday night episode.  Neat show!  I
> really enjoyed it.  However, the format might be a little bit limited.  I
> mean, how many different types of escape contraptions are reasonable &
safe
> to build to build with limited time & means?  But, there should be at
least
> one season's worth of scenarios.  As you might imagine, I'm a real fan of
> Junk Yard Wars.  If a way to get around the limitations of the format can
be
> found, then I think Escape From Experiment Island could compete
head-to-head
> with Junkyard Wars.
>
> The team dynamics were interesting to watch.  These were real people!
>
> It's a good thing the blue team hung such a big rudder off the back of
their
> boat because they certainly needed every square inch of rudder area they
> had.  The show didn't really discuss it, but the blue team's boat looked
> like it handled like an absolute pig & was probably in danger of being
> swamped by its own bow wave!  It's a good thing the race was held on calm
> water.
>
> Not only were the red team's paddlewheels much too small, but they were
> turning much too fast & simply cavitating.  It made a pretty good atomizer
> though.  I thought their steering mechanism was very creative.
> Historically, side paddlewheel tug boats held on in commercial service a
> couple of decades longer than any other paddlewheel use because of their
> excellent low speed thrust & manuverablity.  Side paddlewheel tugs could
> also individually control the direction & speed of each paddlewheel.
>
> Roger Pihlaja
> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Alm" <salm@mn.rr.com>
> To: <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 2:09 AM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Escape from Experiment Island
>
>
> > Bob,
> > Just saw the Wed. night episode.  Coooooool!
> > Propeller beats paddle.  Duh.  :-)
> > Can't wait for next week.
> > Slim
> >
> > On 1/3/03 12:19 PM, "rhendy" <rhendy@earthlink.net> wrote:
> >
> > > Okay, my wife says I need to let everyone know.  So here it is.
> > >
> > > Last summer I participated in the filming of a new BBC Television
series
> on
> > > TLC called "Escape From Experiment Island."  It is sort of a cross
> between
> > > Junkyard Wars, McGuyver, and Gilligan's Island.  Two teams compete to
> build an
> > > escape vehicle to escape from the isolated island.  We shot episode #2
> > > (Hovercraft) over a one week period in July of 2002.  The show will
> begin this
> > > Wednesday night on TLC and my episode is to air on Wednesday, January
> 15th.
> > > (Check you local listings, and all that.)
> > >
> > > If you want to get a taste of what it's all about, visit the website
for
> TLC.
> > > A link is provided below.
> > >
> > >
http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/experimentisland/experimentisland.html
> > >
> > > I had really hoped we would get to build a sailboat, but it didn't
work
> out
> > > that way.......Maybe next season.
> > >
> > > Fair Winds,
> > >
> > > Bob Hendrickson
> > > S/V Getaway
> > > _________________________________________________
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> >
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>
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