Charley Boorman's Sydney to Toyko
Discussion
I notice that PH Favourite Charley Boormans' new series started last night upon the BBC.
The conceit is that he will be travelling from Sydney to Tokyo via PNG, Indonesia and the Philippines using multiple modes of transport.
I'm not sure he merits much of the criticism levelled at him, fair play to him forging out a niche in television from being a bit-part actor with a famous friend. I'm sure we'd all jump at the chance to go on such journeys given the chance.
True to form he injured himself dicking around on a motorcycle in episode one.
I was initially impressed by the replica Spitfire, but once you learned it was only 90% scale and was powered by a Chevy V8 it then seemed like one of those MR2 based Ferrari kitcars.
A bit more technical information on each vehicle would be good, all we learned about the battery powered Mazda was that its batteries didn't get hot, but I guess they have to dumb things down so as to not exclude the hard of thinking during primetime.
On the whole, and interesting hour of television and one to add to Series Link.
The conceit is that he will be travelling from Sydney to Tokyo via PNG, Indonesia and the Philippines using multiple modes of transport.
I'm not sure he merits much of the criticism levelled at him, fair play to him forging out a niche in television from being a bit-part actor with a famous friend. I'm sure we'd all jump at the chance to go on such journeys given the chance.
True to form he injured himself dicking around on a motorcycle in episode one.
I was initially impressed by the replica Spitfire, but once you learned it was only 90% scale and was powered by a Chevy V8 it then seemed like one of those MR2 based Ferrari kitcars.
A bit more technical information on each vehicle would be good, all we learned about the battery powered Mazda was that its batteries didn't get hot, but I guess they have to dumb things down so as to not exclude the hard of thinking during primetime.
On the whole, and interesting hour of television and one to add to Series Link.
I like Charlie Boorman, seems like a normal, bungling bloke, yes he makes mistakes and can come across badly sometimes, but who here has never been an idiot. I think he's more like most of us than we'd like to admit, maybe thats why some people don't like him!
I think its more about jealousy though, while we go into our 9-5 soul destroying workplaces, he's out there seeing the world, living the life most of us dream about. He's a good bloke by all accounts and I say good on him for having the balls to go for it. If more of us did maybe we could be living the dream too.
I think its more about jealousy though, while we go into our 9-5 soul destroying workplaces, he's out there seeing the world, living the life most of us dream about. He's a good bloke by all accounts and I say good on him for having the balls to go for it. If more of us did maybe we could be living the dream too.
I really enjoyed it last night, but did anyone else feel they jumped into the journey a little too quickly, as soon as the titles were over they were on their way, and I really like the preparation aspect these programs usually have, there was no introductions to the crew or anything.
I also found it a bit too much Charlie, the support crew usually play a big part too, Claudio is always funny and it’ll be nice to see a bit more of him in future episodes.
I also found it a bit too much Charlie, the support crew usually play a big part too, Claudio is always funny and it’ll be nice to see a bit more of him in future episodes.
Edited by philwhite on Monday 28th September 11:44
Although all the tubbyboohooing at the start of the last "By Any Means" when he complained was going to be away from his family was a bit tiresome.
Perhaps they were trying to pretend that this series follows straight on from the last one, and know need to show any pre-amble or preparation.
Perhaps they were trying to pretend that this series follows straight on from the last one, and know need to show any pre-amble or preparation.
MartG said:
Not watched it yet, but I see from the credits that Russ Malkin ( Director and companion from the first series ) seems to be missing - IIRC they had a bit of a falling out at one point in the last series but has he now gone for good ?
why does him not being there mean he has fallen out with Charley? Its his production company I doubt he goes to every single shoot his guys do.I thought it was kind of s
t, but I think that was down to being no warm up or prep, just straight into the hitchhicking.If i remember rightly though, wasn't everyone complaining last year, and with both the Long Way Roound/Down series that they had a whole, mostly boring episode, of the preparation.
I like to see the preparation stuff aswell but i got a feeling alot of people didnt, they could have used half the episode for it.
anyway, not even seen it yet, my afternoon at work will be spent on iPlayer.
I like to see the preparation stuff aswell but i got a feeling alot of people didnt, they could have used half the episode for it.
anyway, not even seen it yet, my afternoon at work will be spent on iPlayer.
patmahe said:
...I say good on him for having the balls to go for it. If more of us did maybe we could be living the dream too.
I really enjoy this prog, even thought it's mindlessly formulaic and he's certainly a very decent chap.However, the ability to be a freelance, media playboy is in most cases directly proportional to your pater's position as international, quasi-film mogul, it must be conceded and very little to do with one's onion diameter!
he's a harmless buffon, and a chancer of the 1st order.
Fair play to him for having a bit of a go, but its all a bit wince-worthy for me.
He's out of his depth, and I imagine has done no growing-up at all in the last 25 years. I can imagine all the backpackers laughing at him in the hostel.
Fair play to him for having a bit of a go, but its all a bit wince-worthy for me.
He's out of his depth, and I imagine has done no growing-up at all in the last 25 years. I can imagine all the backpackers laughing at him in the hostel.
Long Way Round was great, particularly the stuff in Eastern Russia.
Race to Dakar was awesome - respect to Boorman for doing the Dakar, which takes balls...especially when for part of it he rode with a broken hand
Long Way Down a bit dull and clearly a holiday for Mr. and Mrs. McGregor rather than a real boy's adventure.
By Any Means was just tedious..."Ok we're in Timbuktu! Its amazing! Right next. Now we're in Neverland! Also amazing! Next..."
This sums it up nicely i think:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xorQyl121I
Race to Dakar was awesome - respect to Boorman for doing the Dakar, which takes balls...especially when for part of it he rode with a broken hand
Long Way Down a bit dull and clearly a holiday for Mr. and Mrs. McGregor rather than a real boy's adventure.
By Any Means was just tedious..."Ok we're in Timbuktu! Its amazing! Right next. Now we're in Neverland! Also amazing! Next..."
This sums it up nicely i think:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xorQyl121I
Truckosaurus said:
I was initially impressed by the replica Spitfire, but once you learned it was only 90% scale and was powered by a Chevy V8 it then seemed like one of those MR2 based Ferrari kitcars.
Yep, first rule of replicas (be it wings or wheels) is to use the same engine configuration I reckon.Looked like great fun, but I'm far from an expert and it was still clearly not an original.
I thought htis series was good. I have to say Charlie has grown on me since his first efforts with Ewan - i initially thought he was a nobody just trying to get his face known on the back of his more famous friends, but i have changed my mind now. You can tell he really is a passionate motorbike enthusiast, much more than Ewan ever was, and he think he genuinley enjoys travelling.
Good on him, lets have another series soon.
Good on him, lets have another series soon.
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