First off, let me be clear.... I loved Legends of the Hidden Temple in the 90s and was/am extremely excited they brought it back for adults (I even applied to be on it)! However, after watching the first episode I am questioning whether the producers have any idea what excites true fans of the show.
Specifically, WHY did they choose the episode they did for the premier? They gave us former Survivor and Ninja Warrior contestants who looked like they would rather be anywhere else but competing on Legends and another team that was extremely cringy to watch and took attention away from the game. I've seen articles about how many people applied, and THIS is the best you could do? Where are the super fans? Also, the winning team's temple run was pathetic. The original series' premier episode had one of the most exciting temple runs ever. Does this mean the rest of the temple runs this season are worse? Besides that, cutting to a commercial in the middle of a temple run is offensive.
In addition, the host Cristela tries her best, but sounds more like a mom rooting on her kids rather than the exciting sports commentator style of Kirk Fogg. I'm not saying Kirk needs to host it, but I do think having someone who can bring energy to the competitions (especially when there's no audience) would make a huge difference. Speaking of Kirk, I think they missed an opportunity to put more Easter eggs from the original series in the show. Maybe Kirk handing over the pendants of life to Cristela in the first episode, having original contestants compete again as adults, using the original (or slightly updated version) of the original temple run music, etc. The entire audience for the show are 90s kids who loved the original and I feel like they were pandering to some completely different audience.
Finally, the good: The format of the show mostly stayed the same and Dee Baker returned as the voice of Olmec! I don't mind the four team format either, it makes it easier to follow. The steps of knowledge use to be my least favorite part, but is now my favorite due to it being so close to the original and not tainted
I do plan on continuing to watch on Sundays. My 11 year old son actually loved it and I enjoyed bonding with him over a show I also watched at his age. I just hope that maybe the producers are holding back some much better episodes that we will get to see eventually. However, I also feel bad for them if that's the case because I think they should have come out swinging with the best they had for the premier to get everyone on board.
Specifically, WHY did they choose the episode they did for the premier? They gave us former Survivor and Ninja Warrior contestants who looked like they would rather be anywhere else but competing on Legends and another team that was extremely cringy to watch and took attention away from the game. I've seen articles about how many people applied, and THIS is the best you could do? Where are the super fans? Also, the winning team's temple run was pathetic. The original series' premier episode had one of the most exciting temple runs ever. Does this mean the rest of the temple runs this season are worse? Besides that, cutting to a commercial in the middle of a temple run is offensive.
In addition, the host Cristela tries her best, but sounds more like a mom rooting on her kids rather than the exciting sports commentator style of Kirk Fogg. I'm not saying Kirk needs to host it, but I do think having someone who can bring energy to the competitions (especially when there's no audience) would make a huge difference. Speaking of Kirk, I think they missed an opportunity to put more Easter eggs from the original series in the show. Maybe Kirk handing over the pendants of life to Cristela in the first episode, having original contestants compete again as adults, using the original (or slightly updated version) of the original temple run music, etc. The entire audience for the show are 90s kids who loved the original and I feel like they were pandering to some completely different audience.
Finally, the good: The format of the show mostly stayed the same and Dee Baker returned as the voice of Olmec! I don't mind the four team format either, it makes it easier to follow. The steps of knowledge use to be my least favorite part, but is now my favorite due to it being so close to the original and not tainted
I do plan on continuing to watch on Sundays. My 11 year old son actually loved it and I enjoyed bonding with him over a show I also watched at his age. I just hope that maybe the producers are holding back some much better episodes that we will get to see eventually. However, I also feel bad for them if that's the case because I think they should have come out swinging with the best they had for the premier to get everyone on board.