'One Car Too Far' TV series

Here’s something interesting …

I have been contacted by the Producer of a new TV programme due to be aired on Discovery Channel 19th September 2012 at 21:00 entitled 'One Car Too Far'. In a nutshell, I’ve been asked to come up with ideas for the next series which could quite literally be “anywhere in the world“ I was informed. Hardly a consultancy role, more like picking my brains (yes okay, it won’t take too long then – I’ll get in before you lot do ), but it’s interesting nevertheless.

To explain what the programme is all about, I’ve lifted the following from the Discovery Press site:-

Discovery Channel Shifts Into High Gear With 'One Car Too Far'

Meet survival's odd couple and strap in for a rescue mission like no other with ONE CAR TOO FAR, premiering SUNDAY, August 19th at 9PM ET/PT. The all-new five part series, the first Discovery Networks International originated co-produced series with Discovery Channel, follows former British Special Forces soldier Gary Humphrey and Southern California-based car fanatic and problem solver Bill Wu as they enter remote locations in Chile and work together to recover a four wheel drive vehicle that has been flown in and dropped into locations where no car has gone before. They're given a tracker to find the car, and once they do, the adventure begins.

Embeddable Clip here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihmo5xFZUYk

Over the course of three days, Gary and Bill employ unusual survival techniques and quirky mechanical tricks to achieve their main objective: return the car to civilization! Each episode of ONE CAR TOO FAR features a different climate in Chile, a country that hosts at least seven major climatic subtypes, including desert, alpine tundra, humid subtropical, oceanic, and Mediterranean. While the climates change in each episode, the one constant is the vehicle they must return to safety - a red all terrain jeep.

Teamwork is crucial as Bill's abilities to work with and maneuver the car through plethora environments are coupled with Gary's survival skills acquired after 17 years serving in the Royal Marines and the Special Forces. Together they transform the car into an all-purpose vehicle to get them over, under, around, and through just about any obstacle on the road back to safety. In addition to rescuing the car, Bill and Gary must also survive in harsh climates, and they use a range of techniques to do so, including taking ordinary parts from the car to create hunting weapons. With no real supplies, instinct and expertise take the front seat each week. ONE CAR TOO FAR ends each week with a spectacular do-or-die car challenge that requires conspicuous survival skills and supreme mechanical talent.

Throughout his time in the armed forces, Gary Humphrey honed his survival skills in every imaginable environment - from the Arctic, to jungles, to the desert. Bill Wu is a life-long car fanatic and has a penchant for car collecting and racing; his high-octane lifestyle suits his extremely high energy, upbeat personality. Bill prides himself on thinking far outside the box when it comes to solving even the most outrageous and complex mechanical problems.

I assume they will be using a Jeep wrangler TJ again, although nothing is certain yet. I will know more soon.

Maybe you could also help come up with ideas for the next series. I will give you an update when I know more about the format, then perhaps together we can come up with a cunning plan? Watch this space!

Okay, now know a bit more. Not allowed to say what exactly is coming up as the series hasn't been aired yet, but it won't come as any great surprise to hear that it will involve winching, extreme driving, river crossings, etc.

Any ideas no matter how daft or extreme are welcome. Don't forget this is television, so you may think a vehicle is about to topple of that mountain track (i.e. Top Gear, Ice Road Truckers - Most Dangerous Roads) but you don't see the cables making sure it doesn't actually happen. Whilst killing off celebrities would be wonderful for ratings, it makes recording a repeat series with the same presenters somewhat difficult.

Is this a case of how ingenuity can get you home. The most extreme I have heard is of a piston being made of wood. Probably bull poopie. But is that the idea.

Yep, that's about the size of it. Piston made of wood is great, far better than the TV company's quote of "fixing a leaking radiator with the white of an egg". I really hope that was just an example of what can be done and not what they will be actually doing, if so think I'll give it a swerve.

Interesting. Hope you don't mind but I've put the prog.info on FWDC as they'll love it.

No problem. I've been looking at the TV listingas but can only seem to find Discovery up to next Sunday, not the following Sunday. Anyone know any different?

When this program will be aired by Discovery Tom?

billl88 wrote:

When this program will be aired by Discovery Tom?

That's precisely what I'm attempting to find out, Discovery UK or USA?

Surely must be Discovery UK as the Producer works for a British company ... doesn't it?

my wife thinks I'm absolutely MAD 'c os i just spent almost an hour online trying to find this!

It is scheduled for Sun. Aug 19th at 9pm, but it is not listed in the current schedule. Will just have to keep an eye out!

I do daft things like that too, 'er indoors thinks I'm bonkers as well; join the club!

Thanks for that maadmaan10 (obviously living up to your name) - Discovery UK channel at 21:00 it is then.

Madmann is Mad or not, it is difficult to judge but for sure I am thankful to him. Discovery UK it is Tom on 19th Aug at 21:00, See you there...

Was looking forward to watch, now unable to, can not get Discovery UK

roamingman wrote:

Was looking forward to watch, now unable to, can not get Discovery UK

Better start asking your friends who has it. If not, I'll try and sort out a CD for you.

Don't now anybody with it,
so a CD would be good, thank you.

bugger i cant get it,,,,,,,

Another CD!

Anyone found the listing for this yet??

Well it wasn't on UK Discovery, if it had been I would have let you know in advance. Must have been restricted to Discovery USA - just an assumption. The TV company did promise they would sent me a CD once the first programme was aired and the 'cat had been let out of the bag', so I'll keep you posted of developments.

Well it wasn't on UK Discovery


Seems that we are not part of Europe all of a sudden!

Just noticed - this programme is on tonight at 22.00 on Discovery channel. Uncertain if it's the first one or midway though the series, but one of them is definitely on tonight.