When it's good, its great but there's a hell of a lot of back (and sob) story repeated over and over again. Totally unnecessary. Really doesn't need a presenter and should stick to current format.
17 Reviews
Brilliant informative and real
zack-deedat26 September 2019
A Real Race, No Games
brendonmccarthy29 March 2021
What I always wished reality shows like Amazing Race were like, a real race without the games or collusion or host getting in the way. Who can think on their feet, navigate an unknown country, communicate without language, and strategize over maps and transportation connections? The twist is, without modern technology, which was really only 10 years ago when we didn't have smart phones, had to use sketchy internet cafes or better yet, rely on helpful (and sometimes not) strangers. To round it out, a narrator keeps the viewer focused and shares just enough entertaining historical or current events about the different locations the teams visit to bring fun, hope, thrill and compassion to the show.
RACE ACROSS THE WORLD
alexzolte10 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
What a great show this was to take part in and also rewatch it. The journey was incredible a once in a lifetime opportunity priceless experience. 5 teams of 2 take part in a race travelling from London to Singapore without catching a flight or using any internet devices, with a budget of £1329 each.Each episode is a leg there is 6 legs including the last one in Singapore, 1 is Delphi in Greece, 2 is Baku in Azerbaijan, 3 is Tashkent in Uzbekistan, 4 is The ancient town of Huangyao in China, 5 is Island of Koh Rong In Cambodia and lastly Singapore. To make things interesting there is one elimination round in round 2.
a absorbing reflection on travel without 'planes and mobile phones
mjmmm-4404529 December 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable programme showing the realities of travelling without the 'benefits' of air-travel or mobile phones. Ignore the call from one misguided reviewer who wants a 'presenter' and road-blocks etc. There are enough natural barriers of weather and border crossing closures, plus dwindling finances to add some believeable hazards to the journey. Don't mess with what works.
Love, love, love this show
aj_eva9 January 2020
Flawed but meaningful ... especially when seen in 2020
jrarichards23 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
When father-son, husband-wife or best-friend pairings seek to win 20,000 pounds by travelling as quickly as possible by land or water (but not air) from London to Singapore in a series of legs over around 50 days, there's an obvious risk that most of us would identify straight away.
Namely, if speed is the essence of the thing, isn't most of the time going to be spent at bus stations?
And just how does that make for compelling TV?
In fact, quite a bit of what we see IS INDEED bus stations and the inside of buses, and taxis and trains. However, the show is leavened (more so as it goes on) by certain checks built into the formula. The first concerns the limited budget each pair have, which makes it almost inevitable that work will need to be found - and taken. This fact provides a lot of the extra interest in the programme, though the "directory" of available jobs is obviously a bit of a fix. You or I never got a day's work "at random" as easily as these guys do!
Fair enough, though - and a second reason is that the competing teams feel in themselves a desire to risk rejecting the speed formula from time to time, admitting they can't bear to go through certain countries or regions (of Europe and Asia) without stopping off to actually see something. The formula also encourages this, by requiring a day-long stopover at each checkpoint before travel resumes.
The race is also characterised - reasonably fascinatingly - by the refusal of the competitors to make it as cut-throat as it might be. Quite amazingly (if you believe it's all chance), different pairings find themselves funnelled along the same routes into the same places, and often at about the same times; and their tangible relief at seeing the other racers sees warmth and fellow-feeling regularly take the place of rivalry.
The pairings are chosen with reasonable care, though it is probably no secret that there is most "mileage" (excuse the pun) in estranged-ish father-and-son-from-Yorkshire team Darron (a bluff guy who looks a little older than his years) and Alex (who looks distinctly young and fragile). How these two develop and integrate as a team as things go on is probably the highlight of the show, and has its definite worth, even being moving at times. Also Yorkshire folk, husband and wife Tony and Elaine seem less interesting, but they stick at it with just the grit you might expect, and somehow leave many or most of us feeling that this is how WE might be on the trip, if we were there. The further pairings that we see for most of the show (others having been eliminated) are Natalie and Shameema and Josh and Felix - and the fact that they are similarly-aged best buddies and/or work colleagues (and frankly less easy to invest in emotionally) makes us realise that marriage or parenthood do indeed provide the more intense scenarios in life - a kind of worthwhile thing to know...
This is not quite the limit of the wisdom that is to be taken in here, given the typical presence in this programme of smiles, helpfulness, some knowledge of English, and a willingness to develop some kind of strange pseudo-efficiency out of what looks at first glance like utter chaos. Cities are more or less beautiful, accommodation or modes of transport can (ocasionally) be downright yucky, but somehow this world of ours operates.
How ironic, then, to watch this in 2020, when just about all of that is shut down! While "Race Across the World" went out in 2019, it refers to the second half of 2018, and by golly we were laid back about things back then, were we not? Looking now at people endlessly shaking hands, hugging, kissing tickets, using unhygienic facilities, sleeping crammed in buses and so on, you're bound to be saying every 2 minutes "that's risky behaviour". Truth be told, it was a bit risky then too, but somehow we thought everything would end up OK. Perhaps it will this time too, but between 2018 and now we have SURELY had our lives and our world transformed, and "Race Across the World" makes that abundantly clear.
It's worth watching for that reason alone, though of course has a great deal more to offer visually and emotionally. But you'll be lucky if you don't leave this with a great punch in the face of nostalgic longing...
Namely, if speed is the essence of the thing, isn't most of the time going to be spent at bus stations?
And just how does that make for compelling TV?
In fact, quite a bit of what we see IS INDEED bus stations and the inside of buses, and taxis and trains. However, the show is leavened (more so as it goes on) by certain checks built into the formula. The first concerns the limited budget each pair have, which makes it almost inevitable that work will need to be found - and taken. This fact provides a lot of the extra interest in the programme, though the "directory" of available jobs is obviously a bit of a fix. You or I never got a day's work "at random" as easily as these guys do!
Fair enough, though - and a second reason is that the competing teams feel in themselves a desire to risk rejecting the speed formula from time to time, admitting they can't bear to go through certain countries or regions (of Europe and Asia) without stopping off to actually see something. The formula also encourages this, by requiring a day-long stopover at each checkpoint before travel resumes.
The race is also characterised - reasonably fascinatingly - by the refusal of the competitors to make it as cut-throat as it might be. Quite amazingly (if you believe it's all chance), different pairings find themselves funnelled along the same routes into the same places, and often at about the same times; and their tangible relief at seeing the other racers sees warmth and fellow-feeling regularly take the place of rivalry.
The pairings are chosen with reasonable care, though it is probably no secret that there is most "mileage" (excuse the pun) in estranged-ish father-and-son-from-Yorkshire team Darron (a bluff guy who looks a little older than his years) and Alex (who looks distinctly young and fragile). How these two develop and integrate as a team as things go on is probably the highlight of the show, and has its definite worth, even being moving at times. Also Yorkshire folk, husband and wife Tony and Elaine seem less interesting, but they stick at it with just the grit you might expect, and somehow leave many or most of us feeling that this is how WE might be on the trip, if we were there. The further pairings that we see for most of the show (others having been eliminated) are Natalie and Shameema and Josh and Felix - and the fact that they are similarly-aged best buddies and/or work colleagues (and frankly less easy to invest in emotionally) makes us realise that marriage or parenthood do indeed provide the more intense scenarios in life - a kind of worthwhile thing to know...
This is not quite the limit of the wisdom that is to be taken in here, given the typical presence in this programme of smiles, helpfulness, some knowledge of English, and a willingness to develop some kind of strange pseudo-efficiency out of what looks at first glance like utter chaos. Cities are more or less beautiful, accommodation or modes of transport can (ocasionally) be downright yucky, but somehow this world of ours operates.
How ironic, then, to watch this in 2020, when just about all of that is shut down! While "Race Across the World" went out in 2019, it refers to the second half of 2018, and by golly we were laid back about things back then, were we not? Looking now at people endlessly shaking hands, hugging, kissing tickets, using unhygienic facilities, sleeping crammed in buses and so on, you're bound to be saying every 2 minutes "that's risky behaviour". Truth be told, it was a bit risky then too, but somehow we thought everything would end up OK. Perhaps it will this time too, but between 2018 and now we have SURELY had our lives and our world transformed, and "Race Across the World" makes that abundantly clear.
It's worth watching for that reason alone, though of course has a great deal more to offer visually and emotionally. But you'll be lucky if you don't leave this with a great punch in the face of nostalgic longing...
A different take on the genre
noahsias9 May 2021
Anyone going into this expecting The Amazing Race is going to be let down but as a fan of TAR, this was a much welcomed change in pace.
Season 1 was really well done and the travel was interesting. I enjoyed the back stories and "story arcs" for each team. The lack of continuous elimination was very much welcomed because I personally can't stand pack toxicity when it comes to this style show. I really hate forced drama. Edited suspense wasn't too bad until the last couple episodes but wasn't awful (i.e. 2 teams look like they're neck and neck to reach the check in but in reality they were 2 hours apart). The winning team wasn't my favorite but they still earned it.
Season 2 left a little bit to be desired but was still watchable. Central and South America have similar landscapes and climates so the diversity wasn't quite as vast. Still beautiful though. I feel like the team backstories weren't quite as interesting/inspiring as season 1. Not to say their past isn't relevant, just didn't quite have the charm as the previous teams. Towards the end, I really started to not enjoy a couple of them due to their predictability and confrontations. Thankfully the winning team this season was my favorite throughout and I think it was their groundedness that kept me cheering them on.
All in all, it's worth a binge if you're in the market for a new competition show for the first season alone. Season 2 is still enjoyable, just a little different.
Season 1 was really well done and the travel was interesting. I enjoyed the back stories and "story arcs" for each team. The lack of continuous elimination was very much welcomed because I personally can't stand pack toxicity when it comes to this style show. I really hate forced drama. Edited suspense wasn't too bad until the last couple episodes but wasn't awful (i.e. 2 teams look like they're neck and neck to reach the check in but in reality they were 2 hours apart). The winning team wasn't my favorite but they still earned it.
Season 2 left a little bit to be desired but was still watchable. Central and South America have similar landscapes and climates so the diversity wasn't quite as vast. Still beautiful though. I feel like the team backstories weren't quite as interesting/inspiring as season 1. Not to say their past isn't relevant, just didn't quite have the charm as the previous teams. Towards the end, I really started to not enjoy a couple of them due to their predictability and confrontations. Thankfully the winning team this season was my favorite throughout and I think it was their groundedness that kept me cheering them on.
All in all, it's worth a binge if you're in the market for a new competition show for the first season alone. Season 2 is still enjoyable, just a little different.
Excellent
johninargentina-886-23702520 April 2020
Love this show. Having travelled in Asia (series 1) and lived in South America (series 2) I find this show particularly interesting recognising many of the places they pass through and with similar experiences and nightmarish journeys. A great cross section of participants each with their own backstory which is gradually revealed throughout the series. Looking forward to the next series assuming they can find another difficult challenge. It wouldn't be the same not travelling through 3rd world or unstable & unpredictable countries.
Brilliant Programme Spoiled By Kilometres
richardstorey-0486025 April 2023
Yet again a fantastic concept and delivery of a programme, ruined by distances being quoted in kilometres.
In this country, we still use miles as a distance measurement meaning the kilometres quoted mean absolutely nothing in relation to how far these people have to travel.
Very short- sighted gaff which spoils the whole concept and which has been mentioned by other people who are not necessarily of the "more mature" generation.
Other production values are great, well filmed and presented all round otherwise.
Each episode does leave you looking forwards to the next, the kilometre thing, irrespective of Canadian distance measurements shouldn't have been overlooked.
Attempting to calculate the quoted distances becomes pointless and should have been thought out, prior to screening.
In this country, we still use miles as a distance measurement meaning the kilometres quoted mean absolutely nothing in relation to how far these people have to travel.
Very short- sighted gaff which spoils the whole concept and which has been mentioned by other people who are not necessarily of the "more mature" generation.
Other production values are great, well filmed and presented all round otherwise.
Each episode does leave you looking forwards to the next, the kilometre thing, irrespective of Canadian distance measurements shouldn't have been overlooked.
Attempting to calculate the quoted distances becomes pointless and should have been thought out, prior to screening.
Love this show it's such great Sunday viewing
selinasauv15 March 2020
Cheap BBC entertainment
imdb-9208321 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
For £20k in Series 4, less than half the average current wage, split between 2. The prize is inconsequential today.
Contestants have decent motives, travelling on limited budgets, having done The Camino on under £1k, you understand hardship. They squander money on expensive hotels early, counting them out early.
Getting jobs to support them, some contestants are real, the others, fake influencers in today's world. Some look for adventure, some pass by the beauty, looking for fame.
It allows families to forge relationships in adversity, as they run out of money. Documenting their experience on mobile phones given by producers, do these not have WiFi? You can log into personal accounts, WhatsApp etc via a web browser - what is the point?
Sneak off to an internet cafe! Kind of pointless.
Banning the use of certain transport because it is too fast, shortening the show. Series 4 is not Across The World at all, more like a few thousand miles south. If you want to see Race Around The World, go for Long Way Round. 3 chaps on bikes, cameraman included.
Contestants have decent motives, travelling on limited budgets, having done The Camino on under £1k, you understand hardship. They squander money on expensive hotels early, counting them out early.
Getting jobs to support them, some contestants are real, the others, fake influencers in today's world. Some look for adventure, some pass by the beauty, looking for fame.
It allows families to forge relationships in adversity, as they run out of money. Documenting their experience on mobile phones given by producers, do these not have WiFi? You can log into personal accounts, WhatsApp etc via a web browser - what is the point?
Sneak off to an internet cafe! Kind of pointless.
Banning the use of certain transport because it is too fast, shortening the show. Series 4 is not Across The World at all, more like a few thousand miles south. If you want to see Race Around The World, go for Long Way Round. 3 chaps on bikes, cameraman included.
missed opportunity for a competitive reality race program
peterrichard3023 September 2020
We've had various attempts to do an Amazing Race style program over the years instead of actually taking on the American franchise. This is the latest one and it just makes you wish that our audience knew what they were missing. The backstories can get annoying, the totally unexplained sight seeing sections (even though it's meant to be a race). The nearest you get to challenges are them doing local jobs to get money, but these are normally very boring to look at.
I expect some teams are told they have to go a different route for variety, or to visit particular attractions so they can get good camera shots. It feels so manipulated and there's hardly any tension in most legs. There aren't many episodes and there's few teams. They should trust the British public to be able to cope with a more competitive and tense and exciting format. Lost from 2001 was a more interesting version of this kind of race, and with more daring casting. But best of all would be to just do an Amazing Race.
I expect some teams are told they have to go a different route for variety, or to visit particular attractions so they can get good camera shots. It feels so manipulated and there's hardly any tension in most legs. There aren't many episodes and there's few teams. They should trust the British public to be able to cope with a more competitive and tense and exciting format. Lost from 2001 was a more interesting version of this kind of race, and with more daring casting. But best of all would be to just do an Amazing Race.
The perfect show while we are all in lockdown!
graham-harvey28 December 2020
I travelled a little bit of EU & Asia, & series 1 sure has me keen for more!
Series 2 is Central & South America.
A good variety of people have been chosen from all kinds of ethnicities & other social backgrounds. The challenges of traveling in different countries with the variety of challenges & beautiful exeriences are great to view from home. Its like being there. And we get to see how each couple plot plan & deal with the challenges that arise.
This is a brilliant series.
My only musing of how to improve would be to reduce the race aspect for certain parts & raise the experiences. It could be like completing certain social assistance work in different places.
An amazing race!
the_mikatu2 May 2024
It is impossible to talk about this show without talking about another show: The Amazing Race. Both shows are quite different and I love both.
However The Amazing Race stopped being a race some years ago and now is just "an amazing tour around the world" where the teams are flown from place to place and then compete in challenges.
In the Race Across the World we go back to the roots and the teams are really racing.
I love this show. The teams really need to plan their trip and then they need to race. You get to see places that you wouldn't see otherwise and it is all about the race. Since each team is free to pick the itinerary you will see different routes and styles of travel.
The teams also find jobs here and there to collect additional money to keep traveling. I find those misleading because they are easy to find everywhere and are relatively well paid. That is the unrealistic part of the show. In real live it would have been hard to find those jobs, but at least give us a good look into the life of the locals and many times the racers learn valuable lessons.
Overall both shows complement themselves and are both recommended for anyone that enjoys shows about travel.
Here the pace is quite high and each episode is one leg, where the contestants need to reach a new checkpoint, many miles away from the starting point.
However The Amazing Race stopped being a race some years ago and now is just "an amazing tour around the world" where the teams are flown from place to place and then compete in challenges.
In the Race Across the World we go back to the roots and the teams are really racing.
I love this show. The teams really need to plan their trip and then they need to race. You get to see places that you wouldn't see otherwise and it is all about the race. Since each team is free to pick the itinerary you will see different routes and styles of travel.
The teams also find jobs here and there to collect additional money to keep traveling. I find those misleading because they are easy to find everywhere and are relatively well paid. That is the unrealistic part of the show. In real live it would have been hard to find those jobs, but at least give us a good look into the life of the locals and many times the racers learn valuable lessons.
Overall both shows complement themselves and are both recommended for anyone that enjoys shows about travel.
Here the pace is quite high and each episode is one leg, where the contestants need to reach a new checkpoint, many miles away from the starting point.
The Amazing races uglier cousin
babyclothingsu17 May 2019
Show needs a presenter, check points, road blocks and challenges with each leg having an elimination, no wait I'm thinking of the "amazing race" ( UK readers check it out)
Race across the world does have a last of the summer wine pace about it, which is appealing.
Overproduced
fasterquieter14 May 2024
I half love and half hate this show. I love seeing the new places, the challenge of it, even though that often doesn't makes sense, but also the people. How the different people rise to the challenges they face each day.
What I really struggle with are the forced human interest narratives the producers push on the contestants. Each person has to be on a "journey" and must "grow" over the course of the episodes. Maybe this does happen to some extent, but the forced over the top way it's presented is so inauthentic and repetitve it becomes nauseating.
I lasted the whole first season, but could only take one or two episodes of each subsequesnt season. I could see the story arcs the producers were glomming onto the contestants and it was too cringe to continue.
Reality TV in general is spoiled in this way, but I think this show had real potential and would have been so much better with a lighter touch.
What I really struggle with are the forced human interest narratives the producers push on the contestants. Each person has to be on a "journey" and must "grow" over the course of the episodes. Maybe this does happen to some extent, but the forced over the top way it's presented is so inauthentic and repetitve it becomes nauseating.
I lasted the whole first season, but could only take one or two episodes of each subsequesnt season. I could see the story arcs the producers were glomming onto the contestants and it was too cringe to continue.
Reality TV in general is spoiled in this way, but I think this show had real potential and would have been so much better with a lighter touch.
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