Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways

This could have been a fantastic show and in places it is. But what ruins it is the hosts oafness and condescending attitude to everyone and anyone.

'Look at these trains, all brand new and spotless...' when describing trains in Botswana or 'all the trains here are red', describing trains in Lithuania. Couple this with trying to communicate with locals by speaking slower and louder. He's like a Brit on holidays in Benidorm, surprised that everyone speaks Spanish.

He compounds the racial stereotype of a colonial explorer and frankly, shouldn't have made it past series one.

Thanks Chris for a fascinating program - I have just returned from visiting Jordan (Petra), crossing the Allenby Bridge as you did, and visiting Jerusalem. However in your program you wrongly described Jerusalem as the Capital city of Israel. It is true the Israeli's would like to see it that way and site their parliament in Jerusalem. However under international law, recognized by the British Government, Jerusalem is NOT the capital city of Israel. that is why international embassies are all situated in Tel Aviv. Unfortunately you have allowed Israeli propaganda to influence your programs.

I haven't seen all the episodes of this fine railway series hosted by Chris Tarrant, but so far I've seen the third episode of season 1 (the Konkan Line in India) and the first two episodes of season 2 where Chris took us to Thailand and Myanmar (ep 1) and the Andes (ep 2).

Chris has a wry sense of humor and he makes some very wisecracks, but is respectful of the locals in the various destinations, and all credit to the research team for we learn a lot about not only the railways but the local history and figures.

Also all credit to the production team as they capture the sights and sounds of the extraordinary places Chris takes us to. Chris is a contrast to his countryman Michael Portillo, who also hosts an impressive railway series in the UK, USA and Continental Europe.

It was some years ago that Monty Python star, Michael Palin, presented the series "Around the World in 80 Days", which set a high standard of travel documentary which was both informative and entertaining.

Extreme Railways, is very much of the same calibre, albeit focusing on railway journeys. What makes it even more watchable, is the humour of its presenter, Chris Tarrant. The journeys covered are a fascinating selextion from all over the World, and each gives a wealth of information and with Chris's unique style and conversations with the many people he encounters, is both charming and amusing. The true talent of Chris is shown on one episode covering the railways involvement in the Holocaust, which is tackled with seriousness and a touching sensitivity.

There are two other contemporary British documentaries attempting to cover railway journeys; Around the World by Train" hosted by Tony Robinson (more famous as Baldric in the sitcom "Blackadder"); and the BBC's Great Railway Journeys hosted by former Politician, Michael Portillo. Robinson's programme seems to be a hastily compiled and edited and instantly forgettable. Portillo, whilst informative, comes across as rather patronising and the humour largely forced and dull.

Having watched all episodes of Extreme Railways (more than once as still entertaining on the second/third viewing), without doubt, Chris and those behind this superb programme have raised the standard even higher than that set by Palin years ago, and fully deserves the top marks I have awarded it.

Chris a rude old man, that still lives like it was the midt 18th century british empire. He complains over small things, like sitting next to a toilet, while you see Several passengers standing and some being to skinny, sleeping and taking this route daily with a smile. He talks/yells back to people wich he/they doesnt understand. "Extreme railroads" is only extreme to him. Special season 2, were we see him sit in luxury trains like Japan and Canada is nice to see, but nothing "extreme", except luxury. This is also some of the rare episodes, where he is not being grumpy about comfort. And Instead of see the whole routes or get some history, we see him travel with car, plane or boat, in a railroad series!

Atleast 1/3 of this show is Chris. It is still pretty and good history, but theese parts is also rushed, special the parts were you finaly meet some intresting people or pretty landscape.

I know nothing about Chris, why he is the best suited host to this series, is a mystery. Special for so many seasons, he is too old and childish. There are is nothing wrong to be old and childish, infact i would love James May to be the host. But the way Chris is being old and childish, in the wrong ways, that is disrespectfull to many cultures, people and talk down to the viewers, with random personal history and facts you could find on Wikipedia in 10 lines. He never seem curious, intrested or present in the moments, more like "faster i can come home is better, or the longer the trip is, the more i get paid"

The editing is kinda annoying, like i mention earlier. It is rushed, special the landscape, wich you most of the time only can enjoy for 2 seconds. Then the people you meet, it is most "how long you been here?" Interviews. The facts are rushed, and you cant "geek/nerd" with the trains details. Also the many angles of the 1 cameraman, were they had to take 1 scene/questions many times to get the different angles. Im not saying there is only 1 camera dude, but in several scenes there angles that is impossible to get, without capture another camera guy, or its impossible because of the small space.

6/10 is high, but if you can ignore Chris, it is a fairly character.