I'm only half way through the first episode and had to see if my initial opinion was matching others. Sure enough; Excited for this concept, but the criteria and critiques need serious review before making a second season.
Judges don't seem to respect the competitors or eachother. Their comments are often insulting and petty. These are BOTH amazing artists and fabricators and at one point they express who's an artist and who's a 'real' fabricator.
One of the men had a prefabricated piece at home that showed up on site but wasn't called out for it. I can be petty too... are chains and motors not prefabricated?
Producers see these home videos and can't send out a memo to all the competitors? The forced 'drama' isn't needed, because the working with the metal is interesting enough!
At one time the welding sparks causes comments and seconds later the overview of the shop shows several competitors AND the crews without safety jackets. Seems like they're picking on certain people more than others.
I'm ok with the Host not knowing a lot about what's happening. That allows him to ask questions that viewers want to know too.
Maybe the judging should be blind?
Maybe get different judges?
Maybe technical 'discussion' during the challege isn't done by the judges?
I'll watch a second season if these kinds of edits we're all suggesting can be made.