NBC has been touting its new reality television series Treasure Hunters as a “thinking man’s” show. Well, not only can I think, but I like reality television, too. So, I was sure it would be a fine fit for me. Now, after spending two hours of my Sunday evening watching it, I’m not as sure. But, I think the good outweighs the bad in this Amazing Race/Da Vinci Code hybrid and I’ll most likely keep watching it.
The Good
The locales and clue-finding bits were very interesting. For the contestants, it looked almost impossible, but for the viewer all was fine. But, hey, we’re just watching! I liked the educational and historical bits throughout the show. The scenery in Alaska and Hawaii, in particular, was breathtaking.
Viewers can answer a show-related clue/question by text messaging or on the NBC website and one person each week wins $10,000. I should have entered. Without going to Ask.com as advised on the show, I figured out that Thomas Edison nicknamed his son and daughter Dash and Dot due to the Morse Code in a show segment.
The Bad
There’s product placement to the point of taking over the show. The contestants use their Motorola Razr phones to keep in touch with the show host for clues; they were issued laptops to visit Ask.com and Orbitz sites to figure out clues and make travel arrangements. Not only were the sites mentioned, but half of the teams wore Ask.com shirts. (May I roll my eyes now? Please?)
There are ten teams of three, each saddled with nicknames like The Geniuses, The Ex-CIA, The Southies (Boston), etc. While I might get to know the teams, I know I won’t learn the individuals by name until they get booted or the season ends.
Although very attractive-looking, the host (Laird Macintosh) just didn’t have the spark that I see in Amazing Race’s Phil Keoghan or Survivor’s Jeff Probst. Maybe he’s too young, I don’t know. But he seems very replaceable at this point. (Well, at least in my opinion.)
Article comments
1 - Ty
"What’s with repeating “cliffhangers” after the return from commercials? We saw the situation before commercial, just finish it."
This is typical for NBC Reality, just watch the Biggest Loser. A DVR comes in handy here.
"I found it amusing that the “Geniuses” along with their matched team the “Young Professionals” were the only group who went to Mt. Theodore Roosevelt instead of Mt. Rushmore. Even I had guessed Mt. Rushmore as the clues unfolded " the names of all four presidents made it obvious."
Well the "geniuses" proved they are sometimes too smart for their own good.
"There’s a sneaky preacher who stole a clue from another team. Tsk, tsk."
If that lady hadn't have dropped the container the first time (When the air force guy was there), it never would have happened.
What I think is stupid: THESE DUMB NAMES FOR TEAMS. GENIUSES. YOUNG PROFESSIONALS. etc...sounds like Survivor with their "Young Men", "Older Women" and stuff...almost as bad as Amazing Race and their "Dating," "Friends," "Dating for 12 years, virgins" crap.
2 - Jackie
Ty - Can't argue with you... the names are silly. You're right on the NBC "cliffhanger"/commercial bit, too. Alas, I don't have a DVR. (Waah)