Reply #4: I used to watch the show in Germany

[JVS]

It was better there. For example, the goal of the show is to get enough candidates through the obstacle course to win the final battle where the contestants and the Count's (Count Takeshi)army drive around in little cars and try to shoot holes in paper targets with blue dye squirt guns. This is very difficult and I've only seen a few challenging armies win. They also did not dwell as much on individual candidates, but rather show a sampling of candidates rather quickly. The show is much more enjoyable when you can see them working towards a goal.