Scrapheap Challenge: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:54, 26 August 2005

Revision as of 09:10, 27 August 2005

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'''''Scrapheap Challenge''''' is an engineering [[game show]] produced by [[RDF Media]] and broadcast on [[Channel 4]] in the [[United Kingdom|UK]]. In the show, teams of contestants have 10 hours, in which to build a working machine that can do a specific task, using materials available in a [[junkyard]]. The format has been exported to the [[United States]], where it is known as '''''Junkyard Wars'''''. (The US show is also produced by RDF Media, and is shown on [[The Learning Channel]].)

The UK programme is presented by [[Robert Llewellyn]], joined in series 2-5 by [[Cathy Rogers]], and in series 6 onwards by [[Lisa Rogers]] (no relation).

A typical episode will feature a competition between two 4-persson teams, each consisting of three regular members, plus an expert in that field. The judge for each episode will typically be a specialist in (non-junk) versions of the machine being constructed.

A typical episode will feature a competition between two 4-perssonperson teams, each consisting of three regular members, plus an expert in that field. The judge for each episode will typically be a specialist in (non-junk) versions of the machine being constructed.

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The challenges are many and varied, but usually involveinvolving teams constructing a machine to achieve a particular objective. Challenges usually involve understanding of a particular scientific principle, such as [[ballistics]] or [[navigation]]. The final showdown usually consists of either head to head races or individually run timed events.

Examples of challenges include making a jet car, a bridging machine, a car-crusher, or a machine to fling a [[mini]] as far as possible.

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The idea for the show came from a scene in the movie ''[[Apollo 13 (movie)|Apollo 13]]'', where [[NASA]] engineers had only a short period of time to construct an air filter out of parts available on the space capsule. The show also draws its inspiration on the 1980s TV series '[[The Great Egg Race]]'.

''Scrapheap Challenge'' originated on the British [[Channel 4]], but was imported to United States television under the name ''Junkyard Wars.'' Later, an American version of the show was created with the same name.

In the [[United Kingdom]], the two programs have distinct names, but American audiences only see the ''Junkyard Wars'' title. Sometimes, video of the UK version is even edited to blot out the name ''Scrapheap Challenge.'' In 2004, a series of the US programme was broadcast on Channel 4 under the title ''Scrapheap Challenge USA'', but only the title sequence was changed and the rest of the programme, including logos and verbal references to "Junkyard Wars" remained intact. The UK programme was originally presented by [[Robert Llewellyn]], joined in the second series by [[Cathy Rogers]] (who was also producer and co-devisor of the show). The latter was replaced on screen by [[Lisa Rogers]] (no relation) in 2002.

The first series of the show, in the UK, pitted the same two teams against each other each week, and was simply titled ''Scrapheap''. The ''Challenge'' part was added when the gauntlet was thrown down to new competitors, and a knockout championship process was created.

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*[http://www.ukgameshows.com/index.php/Scrapheap_Challenge UK Gameshows Page: ''Scrapheap Challenge'']

*[http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/S/scrapheap/index.html Channel 4: ''Scrapheap Challenge Microsite'']

*[http://junkyardwarsonline.tripod.com/] A comprehensive Junkyard Wars fansite]

[[Category:Channel 4 television programmes]]