I don't believe its fair to say Grandstar is a series with bad set-design with appeal to attract only young teen audiences who like cartoons. Dude, how rude!
Grandstar is a fledgling sleeper of a series that is destined to grow in both appeal and higher set value as its audience catches on to this gem in the rough.
Its cast consists of some strong performances with the occasional over-acted or just plain badly acted bit part from a few weaker members in the cast. However due to the potential in the shows development, its bound to improve (albeit a few cast switches may be needed).
This series will appeal to a wider audience then you've given credit to. Its analogies to modern times and moral story thread (albeit a bit idealistic), is strongly lacking in most TV series today - giving it a nostalgic story telling approach.
I believe this show if tweaked properly could grow as wide in popularity as Star-Trek did. hmmm... I believe that got canceled before its market was realized when it was first introduced.
My advice to people concerning this series: Watch season one straight through and see if your not wanting to see more. Trust me, you'll like it despite its apparent low-budget flaws and find it to become a guilty nightly pleasure.
Awesome actor Kudos:
Tyler Johnston <-- yes gorgeous , but also passionate , dynamic, convincing. Plays his character well. Great choice for the part! Looking forward to seeing him in future roles - big screen potential there. (but don't know quite how to feel about the 'young Tom Cruz' comparison some might give).
Peter Hudson <-- another very convincing and talented actor. Wonderful supporting role he plays as a father to the impetuous Cal Ragg (Tyler Johnson).
James Gerard <-- the ultimate villain with potential to redeem himself. excellent representation. He too I would love to see again in another bad boy role - a historical epic, perhaps.
These three actors performances propel the story along enough to make the trip interesting. Others were less steady in their performances - In need of either better dialog and/or different direction (it is perhaps at these moments that set design or other minor detractors take forefront to the acting).
Kudos also to a bit actors performance. He played the doctor towards the end of season one (unfortunately, I can not remember his name). He was twisted. I liked his potential I only wish he had better dialog (it molded one of his scenes in particular).
My perhaps one real complaint of the series (keeping in mind its newness): A Constant rosy non-life threatening scenario is just not realistic, I hope in time this becomes a bit more mature as it eludes to. Even Star Trek killed people.
Other then that, Great job. I hope this one develops into a long series.