Think, if they didn't want Danny to come off as this everyday type (oh , the HORROR of that, to actually have someone be normal and not so macho, buffed out steroid abuser who is ready to fight any random monster that comes at him, I mean for an architectural show this would be totally appropriate) then it wouldn't be edited for him to come off as such a whiner. Do you think that they do everything in one take? If they wanted him to be another Mike Rowe or whatever, they'd tell him to stop, or that he can't say he's afraid of heights (if he even is), etc. They also wouldn't get some thin kid who wears stylish jeans and looks like a stereotypical geek to host the show either. I know he whines. A lot. But that's what gives character to the show for me, and what actually makes me watch. The information and the layout is kind of dry for me, but Danny adds to it, and I actually enjoy watching it because of him.
Obviously this is what Discovery was going for. It's probably not going to change anytime in the near future, because apparently they want a show with an everyday guy. If suddenly Danny was stripped of his glasses and girl jeans, and made into this tough guy that is like " yes I'll climb up the top of that 100000000 foot building. it'd be a different show, probably a boring show. I think it's about as much about the cool buildings as it is about Danny's whininess and his attempts to overcome his fears. And since I would behave the same way as Danny, maybe worse, as would the other 1.6 million viewers no doubt, I feel like I can really relate and actually do learn something from the program. And I'm guessing that's what Discovery was going for.
If you honestly cannot stand Danny and he just makes you want to rip your eyebrow hairs out, please to spill your heart out on the forum and whatever, but obviously the show isn't for you .
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kim g,
I love shows like Build it Bigger and Extreme Engineering. But Danny is sooooo annoying. I really really wanted to watch the new episode with the chinese tower but after 10 mins of Danny, I had enough.
You know what, nevermind. I didn't know swearing wasn't allowed and my message got edited all to heck by the moderator, and totally lost its purpose. So ignore it.
There's a fundamental flaw in this thread.. No one seems to be talking about how they feel when they watch this show. Everyone seems to be talking about how they feel when they hear the host. Whether you like the guy or not..This isn't the 'Danny' show.. its a multi-million dollar franchise that Discovery is busting their tails to produce for us. If you're watching this show because you like the host.. than you probably are missing the whole point of the show to begin with. Its supposed to be entertaining and informative.. but the host clearly has too much pull, and distracts from the power of this really awesome show.
Why do his jeans look girlish? They look like regular jeans to me. Are they the faded type? The ironworkers brought that up in the roller coaster episode.
Ok, so first of all Danny is not a whiner. I would like to see anyone else get up 1300 feet above the ground for the first time and be all ok with it. It is just not going to happen and futhermore about the pants, they are hot. He is a man and therefore it would be embarassing if he was walking around a job site with big baggy jeans or slacks.
The problem isn't the host's personality....the problem is that the show is completely focused on him, instead of on the jobs and sites and workers. Although I find him annoying, personally, even a manly Mike Rowe type would be an unwanted distraction. THis format is the fault of the show's producers; who obviously think that this is what the kids want. Next, we'll start seeing annoying little hyperactive computer graphics popping up all over the screen. Oh, wait....
As the series producer, I appreciate reading all of your comments. Rather than take on complaints about Danny or defend him (which I could do ad nauseum and with real enthusiasm) let instead ask a questions:
As we go forward, how would you like to see the show change (aside from saying: "dump the host, please). We have our own list of changes we'd like to make to improve the show, but input from viewers (at least those motivated enough to post on the message board) is very valuable and I would honestly like suggestions.
Also, if you have specific questions for me I'd be happy to respond.
First of all, don't dump Danny. His energy and enthusiasm add a lot to the show. Don't focus on his fear of heights so much (the Shanghai Tower show was just painful to watch); yeah, it humanizes him, makes him more of an everyman, but he's got enough personality to carry the show without making it into a low-grade horror movie.
You (and he) seem to be going for a different audience than the usual <b>Construction Project Documentary</b>. I think that's great. Through his nerdy construction-worker-wanna-be character the show becomes as much about the workers as the project; I think his respect and admiration for the workers and for the demanding, dirty, and dangerous work that they perform shines through.
The computer graphic segments are great, especially when they illustrate how the project is put together. [When do they ever "pop up all over the place?" He must be thinking of an NFL game.] Just keep Jason's camerawork unobscured the rest of the time; like Danny, his perspectives add a lot to the flavor of the show. But this nerd actually would like another well-done CG animation segment or two, though keep 'em brief.
The thing I like least about the show? The name. I just don't think it fits. Not sure I could come up with a better one off the top of my head, and it's too late now, anyway... But something about the <i>marketing</i> seems a bit off. Yes, it's a somewhat quirky documentary about some <i>huge</i> construction projects, but it usually tells a dynamite story, too. Discovery seems to market its programming either as machismo, voyeurism, or geek chic. I don't think any of those quite work here. So my suggestion isn't to change the show as much as market it better. It's about human endeavor as much as pumping concrete two thousand feet high.
I agree with you 100% on all counts. Those attributes of the show that we can effect, we will do our best. Others are out of our hands (title, marketing).
I've caught a couple episodes. I love the show and its great to be entertained and informed at the same time. And - any opportunity to catch a documentary of large engineering projects on HD, hey.. can't go wrong with that.
I remember in one episode, Danny almost accidentally hit a construction worker. I can't remember the exact circumstances and I think it was the Trump tower in Chicago. When I saw that I thought to myself, "oh my god, did they really just show that?" The only thing I'd change is to be mindful of those situations and edit them out. Other than that, love Danny as the host.
Danny is an excellent host! He is genuinely pleasurable with his geeky, yet sociable, approach. I particularly like the idea of him being “just a guy” and not the typically overtly intense and macho-ridden male television personality.
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