I wanted to give it a fair chance. I really did.
The production values were high, the basic structure of the show and the "challenges" were alright, but the show had a more artificial feel than TGUK (which is saying something). Less was explained about the trucks or what they were doing with them, more time was focused on what seemed like a somewhat forced rapport between the presenters.
But for me the nail in the coffin had to do with the premise of the episode. The point of the Alaska challenge was to determine "America's toughest truck". They spent much of the program bashing the Toyota that was brought along as the punishment for failure. They worried that if their truckes failed, they'd be forced to admit that an "import" was better. They failed to mention that the Toyota Tacoma is made in Mexico and Canada these days - just like the big "American" trucks!!!It was pure patriotic sillyness, since I live in Alaska and can tell you that their are tens of thousands of outdoorsy types that swear by the Hilux/Tacoma - a vehicle that TGUK has also been at great pains to explain is the toughest in the world. I have owned two myself, and I can vouch for the fact that they are very sturdy beasts.
Sorry if I'm months behind on this rant, but I had to let it out. I liked Tanner Foust though, he seemed alright. I've watched TG Russia and it's not much to write homa about either. Haven't seen TG Australia. If TGUS gets a few seasons under its belt it may mature into something worth watching, but that's a big "if".
My thoughts on TGUS were that it would've been a good show had I never seen TGUK. But in my mind, I kept comparing it to TGUK and of course, it was not as good. I'd find fault with it, or find them doing things that TGUK already did. I'll still watch TGUS because I have nothing better to do on Sunday nights, but I'll always prefer TGUK.
