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Junkyard Wars Needs A Few Good Contestants

Andy B writes: "At long last, we have got an address for aspiring contestants to send their Junkyard Wars applications to (Slashdot slightly jumped the gun last autumn). Hurry to get you applications in, as the deadline for applications is Fri 16th Feb."

3 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. Junkyard wars - a product of nationalisation. by Urban+Existentialist · · Score: 4
    Junkyard Wars is an excellent program, and it could only be a product of a nationalised television broadcasting agency. Consider what would happen if a commercial bigwig were presented with the idea. His reaction would probably be "Are you mad? I asked for a 'Who wants to be a Millionaire' clone. Get the fuck outta here!".

    It is then a good job that Nationalised television exists in Britain in a happy symbiosis with the private sector, and is therefore free to bumble along making programs for their own sake, for the love of it, and not because of what focus groups and market ratings say. Thats what happened with Monty Python - it was literally made in a fit of absent mindedness by the relevant authorities at the BBC. If only America had a similar system.

    It would greatly improve American Television, IMHO, if they were to greatly increase funding for PBS, such that it would have money to not just show BBC reruns, but to make its own innovative programs for a variety of channels as well. The beauty of this is that it would force the commercial companies to stop making pap, and start focusing on making interesting programs for once. Things could only improve.

    You know exactly what to do-
    Your kiss, your fingers on my thigh-

    --

    You know exactly what to do-
    Your kiss, your fingers on my thigh-
    I think of little else but you.

    1. Re:Junkyard wars - a product of nationalisation. by peter+hoffman · · Score: 4

      This point is illogical.

      1. I like this program.
      2. This program is the result of nationalization.
      3. Therefore, nationalization produces the best programs.

      The best we might be able actually deduce from the statements is that the programs that have appealed to you the most so far happen to have been the product of nationalized institutions.


      OpenSourcerers
  2. Re:Where they get the parts? by Livn4Golf · · Score: 4

    The issue of "seeding" the yard has caused the most ire from JYW fans. Most times objects such as rocket engines, and steam engines are planted in the interest of safety laws and time constraints. Before the competition takes place, the expert submits a list of parts they would like and their preliminary plans for the build. The producers then decide what items will be hidden (such as mylar for the blimp in the bombing episode). It is not always as extreme as that--most times it's just throwing a few more old cars on the heap.

    Also, the UK has very stringent laws about safety that the show has to obey. For example, every valve and connector for air, fuel, etc. has to be brand new and installed by a certified installer. It's all done for the safety of the participants. For a more detailed description check out the website of The N.E.R.D.S. at Answers to its fake, they seed the yard