Escape to the Chateau DIY

It's interesting to hear the comments about the recaps being an American thing. I believe someone said it was "dumbing down" for the American audience. I am American and I thought it was a British thing because it is most frequently seen on British shows such as Grantchester, Endeavour, Midsomer Murders, etc. I enjoy all of the programs and just ignore the recaps. I'm sure American television shows are too dumbed down to be watched in the UK. It's not like British viewers would enjoy dumb American shows like Stranger Things, Friends, Big Little Lies, CSI or Breaking Bad, right? If you don't like the recaps or coming ups just fast forward.

I LOVE this show! The recaps are unnecessary but they don't really bother me. Some of the homeowners are more appealing than others. I do question the serial procrastination and suspect that it is done to create television drama. Once I got past Dick's moustache (please trim) I am very impressed by his skill and find him very amusing. Angel is incredibly clever and artistic. I have stopped questioning her plans because I know I will like it in the end. The wallpaper museum is an example. What is the story with the turbans? Not especially flattering. In season 2, episode 28, the couple doing up the bedroom suites did a lovely job. The curtains made for the ciel de lit were gorgeous but did they really not press the sheers? It ruined the entire look of the room.

As previous review contributors mention, this program of 45 minutes could easily be compressed to 25 minutes if it were not for constant recapping of scenes and narration. The scripted events, are amateurish and highly unrealistic - 14 guests are to arrive within two hours and one of the chateau owners is off in the forest searching for potting soil - do the producers believe we are of marginal intelligence?

The scenery is beautiful but the production is weak - but still better than the garbage produced for US television.

David Higgins says it all for us, a terrific series for lovers of France but completely spoilt by the recaps and to-ing and fro-ing between the various locations. A much better idea would be for each episode to concentrate on one Chateau and follow the story through with no recapping after the adverts. Most people have a memory span longer than the adverts. I have complained to c4 about this but of course no one has bothered to reply.

I'll give it an 8 just for having Dick and Angel in it, but wish the production company hadn't put so many recaps in the show and all those "Coming up" previews. Some popularized American thing we're very very sadly adopting. Recaps interrupt the flow of the show, as do these previews, the first 2m 10s of the show is best avoided as it spoils the 'surprise' of the show. And all the subsequent, "Coming up" numerous previews throughout, it is dumbing down the audience, spoon feeding the show for those who have a need to know what the show is going to be in 10 mins time before they've even seen it. Viewers will either watch the show all the way through, or not bother at all, do we really need to know what happened 10 mins ago or what will happen in 10 mins time.

All these Americanization program gimmicks are ruining our programs in the UK. Such a shame it has blighted this one. Maybe the show was made to be sold off to that market as well, hence the dumbing down of the show to suit those conditioned to such a format.

Location great, people in it great, presenters great, the show is great, a lot of hard work went into making the show no doubt, well worth a watch!, but there are just too many recaps & coming ups. Any further shows produced by this production company about anything, just cut down on the recaps & coming ups.