Hi guys,
Anyone else feel like something with the AutoAlex channels has changed. Maybe its repetition, a lack of long term direction, or like they're doing the same thing with different cars?
The big overarching series have always been a fave of mine, but they don't have the same conclusions they used to, the build up episodes are great, they build tension and anticipation for a conclusion but when it comes around... the payoff isn't as good as it once was.
Something like the French Hot Hatch series, that was incredibly satisfying to watch. Buying the cars as potential rotters, putting all the effort in themselves with a ton of sweary love, then going through and finishing in a beautiful part of the world, truly showing the passion and attachment they had for the cars.
Conversely, spending 2 years of building anticipation for the classic car series and it finishes up with a single 45min episode? It feels like it doesn't do it justice. The Overlanders didn't seem to live up to what they were aiming at either, the idea of camping and off-roading, and I don't think they showed enough of that (though I will re-watch that later today to see if its the same as I remember).
Maybe they say something in the podcasts for the respective channels (I don't have time to listen to podcasts) about this but I can't say one way or another, obviously.
All that said, its hard to keep these sorts of channels fresh I know, and you need to endlessly one up yourself to keep an audience, but now it feels like the low hanging fruit is gone and its getting harder for them to make new, fresh content.
The their factor beyond their control is petrol prices, thats going to make things harder. Though there's an opportunity there. TDC did a fuel efficient car challenge, so maybe AutoAlex could give it a shot too, there's already been one hybrid on the channel (for Rory's mum Jackie!), why not find a few that have some sort of fun or character about them?
Look, this is by no means a slander piece. I do enjoy what they do and I don't expect them to change for just one man (unless that man is Alex!), I'm trying to see if others have the similar thoughts.