Race Across the World Series 2: What the Must Watch reviewers think

Thursday 5 March 2020, 15:25

Every week, the Must Watch podcasters review the biggest TV and streaming shows alongside 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake.

This week, Hayley Campbell and Scott Bryan share their thoughts on Race Across the World series 2. Ten unlikely travellers embark on the adventure of a lifetime as they race across 16 countries in Central and South America without the trappings of modern life.

Have you watched it? What did you think? Leave your comments below...

Listen to the latest episode of the Must Watch podcast on BBC Sounds.

Subscribe here, and never miss an episode.

(Photo: BBC/Studio Lambert)

Hayley says: "I don’t want to join someone else’s terrible holiday"

"You come onto the show as a pair with your wife or sister, whoever it may be, and everybody has their different reasons for doing it — but I will never understand the theory that a badly planned tripped will fix a relationship, when even a well-planned one can break them.

"So I was thinking: this isn’t going to work, we have to get them out of this situation immediately. I don’t want to join someone else’s terrible holiday where they are just shouting at each other. They then go to Mexico and they’re sat in a lovely restaurant and one of the guys orders a spaghetti bolognese. Why are you travelling the world just to order a spaghetti bolognese in Mexico? It makes no sense.

"I found the whole show quite triggering because it reminded of a coach trip I took from Blackpool to Brighton. It isn’t a Must Watch. It will make you feel anxious and sweaty, like you’ve been on a long trip and not been able to have a shower for four days."

(Photo: BBC/Studio Lambert)

Scott says: "This show is only going to get bigger"

"I think it is the most exciting competition show we’ve seen reality-wise in years.

"The way they made the show is so unique, there are just two camera crew with each couple, who are competing and racing from one part of the world to another. They are following the contestants lead; the camera crew have no idea where they are going. Everything is made to ensure it is safe and that they’re adequately protected.

"It is also really interesting how this show has been building up steam. It started last year in a 20:00 PM slot on a Sunday, it built up ratings so much that it ended up being BBC Two’s most successful launches that year. They’re actually going to do a celebrity series, which will be moved up to BBC One. It’s only going to get bigger.

"This show makes you anxious and sweaty and needing a shower. I’m saying it’s a Must Watch for the exact same reasons that Hayley dislikes it."