NBC’s “The Great American Road Trip” has slowly transitioned itself from a highway journey to more of a competitive drama.
Because the show is supposed to take place on Route 66, this might be bad news. But because “Road Trip’s” producers have made so many boneheaded decisions and often skipped large sections of the road, it’s sort of a wash.
Week 6 of the show devoted nice footage to the Route 66 town of Seligman, Ariz., including the Roadkill Cafe.
But, again, “Road Trip” went away from the Mother Road and spent most of the time in Las Vegas and Boulder Dam — which, admittedly, are common side trips for Route 66 travelers.
Noteworthy moments:
— The Pollard family, after winning its first challenge of the show’s run, graciously invited the DiSalvatore family to their luxury hotel suite to celebrate. The Coote family, suffering its first defeat, sulked in their RV.
— Quote of the week: “He gurgilates when he talks,” said Silvio DiSalvatore when explaining that he found it difficult to understand Ron Pollard’s Southern drawl. The DiSalvatores have really grown on me.
“Great American Road Trip” dropped from second last week to third in the ratings this week. But the number of viewers has grown to 4.4 million.
If Silvio thinks Ron Pollard is hard to understand…..Silvio, while he does grow on you, has an annoying personality (as evidenced by his wife leaving their motorhome and riding with the Pollard women) and plainly I have difficulty understanding his accent as well. I though it gracious of the Pollard family to offer to let everyone stay in their luxury hotel suite, but the Cootes’ showed their true colors by sulking and walking out. It’s like if they can’t win, they aren’t going to play ball anymore. Sore loosers. Thought the visit to Seligman was great and I still enjoy the scenery, regardless of where it is. I’m afraid I’m hooked and the show is almost over!
How could they not spend more time in Seligman? Don’t people live in these towns? Why can’t we meet anyone. I know the the guy that ran the Roadkill Cafe passed away awhile back. He does have a brother that got Seligman back on the map after the interstate bypass. Unless he too passed away you can find him in his barber shop. Great towns and great people! Let’s see more of them. The show is almost over (thank goodness) I won’t get my hopes up. Las Vegas? Please!!!!
Steve, I believe you’re thinking of the Sno Cap and the Delgadillo family, not the Roadkill Cafe, however you are absolutely right about the show not talking to any of the people along Route 66. That would have added a great deal to this “reality” show.
The guy you are thinking of was Juan Delgadillo and he owned the Snow Cap Drive-In. His brother, Angel, who is very much alive, owns the barber shop in Seligman and he is the one that is credited with bringing back life into Route 66. Not sure who owns the Roadkill Cafe. We’ve been to Seligman and visited the Snow Cap Drive-In and were entertained by Juan before he passed on. Seligman is a great little town and one you could spend all day in.
Sorry everybody. (that’s what NBC should say) When they started to read off some of the menu item’s right away I thought of Juan. I know he also had a wicked sense of humor.