Talk:Ice Road Truckers

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[edit] ice road truckers

I need help, I will add more after the 1st show. It needs images. --Seth slackware 17:21, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

We need an Ice Road Truckers image, seth. Kylejohnston 12:47, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

Added Quotes there from the promo clip online, I don't know if they need the subscript source thing --Seth slackware 13:53, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

Got the image --Seth slackware 14:06, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

I'm going to expand the history and make an episodes list later tonight/tomorrow --Kylejohnston 18:21, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

So we are pretty much good until the shows starts, unless we dream up something good in the mean time --Seth slackware 02:38, 13 June 2007 (UTC)

Can someone add the name of the commentator to the page?

I cleaned up a lot of the duplicate info. For example, there were three separate mentions of the premiere date. Also fixed some grammar and sentence structure problems. Only change to the layout was, I moved the description of the minisite and games to a new 'Website' section, away from the critical acclaim section, as its being there made no sense. 97.82.247.200 15:03, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Viral Shilling

This article reads like a producer of the show created this wiki. At the end the history channel website and the DVD are pimped. I dont think this should be. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.226.107.41 (talk) 04:01, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Northwest Territory/Northwest Territories

I changed "Northwest Territory" to "Northwest Territories" because the former links to the U.S., the latter to the part of Canada that the show takes place. JanderVK

[edit] Ripoff?

Any reports out yet about this being a ripoff of Deadliest Catch? Seems pretty straightforward to me from the theme song to the area of the world they're shooting in, but I'm not going to put anything in the article that isn't cited. JHMM13(Disc) 22:21, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

Look man, there is no place for that on this page. Thats just your opinion --Seth slackware 00:50, 23 June 2007 (UTC)

Well that's my point, Seth slackware. I have no intention of bashing this show. If I wanted to do that, it wouldn't be on Wikipedia. The point is that there is a significant issue here that might be worthy of inclusion if it's been addressed my news outlets or reputable sources. It's the History Channel, so why are they deviating so drastically from their beaten path of documentaries about history and going to this show after they've sustained a rough period of low ratings following the recent successes of the Discovery Channel, especially the Deadliest Catch. They said "This is a great start to a series that showcases why history is so fascinating" [1], but what has it got to do with history? This review by the NYT also paints it as a show created in the mold of Deadliest Catch, and isn't the show's creator and narrator the same guy who created Deadliest Catch? Are these things all really "just my opinion?" It's important to note it for its historical context in this article, but we need some really good sources, I think. Perhaps the Times article is good enough. JHMM13(Disc) 06:43, 23 June 2007 (UTC)
There used to be a spot in the history section talking about how Ice Road Truckers is similar to a Deadliest Catch-style show, but with more a of an objective, documentary-style approach as opposed to the dramatic behind-the-scenes stuff of Deadliest Catch. It looks like it has been replaced with "It is produced and narrated by Thom Beers, who has a history of producing shows chronicling men performing perilous duties (he is the mind behind the Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch)." I could add it back in. Also, the same idea is skirted around in the Critical Acclaim section with "...some praised the show for its documentary-style approach and cinematography[5]," although in that line it's not being compared to Deadliest Catch. Kylejohnston 12:56, 23 June 2007 (UTC)

You bring up a good point JHMM13, add it Kyle! --Seth slackware 21:33, 23 June 2007 (UTC)

If you watch both shows together, Truckers seems to be a big ripoff. The title sequence is done in the same style as Deadliest Catch, with the truckers standing near their trucks with their names, just like the crew and captains of the crab boats and their boats in deadliest catch. Also, the map of the trail is shown in a style similar to the map of the bering sea in deadliest catch, with positions given in relation to the next person. Finally, Truckers has a count of the trips made by the truckers that is presented just like the crab count tally is presented in Deadliest Catch. Jollyjoegiant


Regardless, your OPINION is not a citable source. Kylejohnston 01:30, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Technically, a ripoff would be if someone made another identical show about Alaskan crab fishing. As they only used the format for an entirely new subject, this show is actually more of an adaptation, which happens all the time. Actually, I defy anyone to find a show on TV today that wasn't partially, (if not totally) adapted from something previously aired. 97.82.247.200 15:07, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

I am having a difficult time understanding your assertion that it is a "rip-off"... How the hell does Thom Beers rip off himself? 71.77.202.175 05:43, 14 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Not a ripoff

This show is NOT a ripoff of Deadliest Catch, and here's why: both shows are produced by Original Productions, the people who make Deadliest Catch (and also Monster Garage and other shows). The company simply sells their shows to the highest bidder, or does contract work. Deadliest Catch ended up on Discovery and History got this one. I don't think it's fair to accuse Original Prod. of ripping off their own work. That's like accusing an automaker of ripping off one of their own cars when making a new model.

Other points: Many of the production crew are the same between both shows. Compare the episode credits from both shows. The biggest difference is in who narrates. Thom Beers (who narrates most of their productions) does this one and Mike Rowe does the other show. Beers also narrated the "Deadliest Season" pilot film which directly inspired Deadliest Catch. The connections are numerous.

No doubt part of the reason this show got made at all was because Original Prod. had a proven track record making hit shows about cold-weather jobs. Patrick AWA 00:32, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Ice Road a proper name?

Shouldn't the term "Ice Road" be capitalized throughout the passage when referring to the road itself since that would be the road's proper name? --UntilMoraleImproves 16:14, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

I guess Seth slackware 03:19, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] 12,000 medical bill?

Not having seen the episode - I'm a bit confused. I thought within Canada healthcare is free, and thus, you would not be billed for health care? Kate St. John 00:37, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

  • My understanding is that only citizens of Canada are eligible for healthcare. That does not cover visitors, as many of the truckers are just living in Canada for the season and then returning to the United States.
    • All of the drivers are Canadian. There's more info on the History Channel's website forums for the show here about the medical bill Rasa 18:21, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
    • I would understand that, however, the History Channel's website lists T.J. as coming from Hillsburgh, Ontario. It will be interesting to see what the episode reveals.Kate St. John 23:13, 12 August 2007 (UTC)


TJ'S Bills were completely covered (he did not have to pay for it). See his message here: http://boards.historychannel.com/thread.jspa?threadID=800027318&messageID=700241421. There was probably a period of time between when he received the bills and the bills were paid by insurance.Lhbbe 23:52, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

TJ hurt himself on the job and he failed to report it to his boss. Therefore his workers compensation did not kick in. He then went to work for another person and failed to tell him that he had hurt himself on the job. Once again no workers Compensation coverage. TJ was on the hook for the whole bill because WC would have paid it had he reported it. It turns out that Original Productions paid his bills for him. Just thought you should know. Nmac-YK (talk) 02:24, 29 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Season 2?

This show seems to be pretty successful; is there any talk of season 2? --hello, i'm a member | talk to me! 07:18, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

History Channel aired a promo for season 2 during the season 1 finale, but they didn't announce a premiere date yet. Wl219 07:59, 20 August 2007 (UTC)
I think if they do a second season it'd probably be in the middle of next summer. They'll start the prep work for the ice road in December, and as I understand it the actual season will start in February and depending on the weather go about 60 days. 47of74 16:39, 22 August 2007 (UTC)
I posted an edit which was removed because it was "unverified" (whatever the heck that means?) "The History Channel has been running advertisements for Ice Road Truckers along with other shows which are planned for 2008 release." I'm not really sure how you'd verify me witnessing something with my eyes but whatever. In any case, season 2 looks pretty likely. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.67.64.10 (talk) 17:21, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

I would guess that the new rule prohibiting commercial filming, is there to protect The History Channel's rights to make the film and don't want rivals chancing a series? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 62.56.93.159 (talk) 20:35, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

How silly the previous comment is! The history channel has NO rights on filming on the road. No commercial filming will be allowed by ANYONE. Original productions made such a mess there that they and any other film crew will not be allowed back. Nmac-YK (talk) 02:37, 29 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Fluff

This whole article is a bunch of fanboy fluff and a disgrace. It's pretty telling how all references to The Deadliest Catch is edited out, despite the fact that it's produced by the exact same company, and an obvious(to any moron, this isn't subjective) attempt to latch onto the same audiences who watch it. And it's great there are mini-biographis on every single character, and synopsises of every single episode, all crammed into this entry. Way to contribute to the "wikipedia is a joke" meme. I could counter the 'critical acclaim' fluff with a criticism section, primarily over the way events in the show are heavily edited to manufacture drama, but we all know it will be edited out by some slavering fanboy as 'irrelevent' or some such crap. Disgusting. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.253.177.76 (talk) 22:00, August 29, 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not a soapbpx. Either improve the article youself our take your whining someplace else. 129.108.206.1 20:18, 19 September 2007 (UTC)
It's not a fansite, either, but that doesn't stop people from responding to a 'criticism' section in numerous articles by either removing them, or adding a 'criticism rebuttal' section. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.253.177.76 (talk) 20:26, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Units

>Jay hauls a 17-ton water tank

Can someone clarity what a 'ton' is? It's a programme about Canada, so my first assumption would be that it refers to tonnes. On the other hand, there was a reference earlier to 'miles', so the programme might have been edited for US audiences, in which case short tons are intended. Anyway, it's unclear. Blaise (talk) 17:36, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

When Jay was getting ready to take the huge ore scrubber on the road, the dispatcher told him it weighed 95,018 pounds. Also, all the load weights shown on screen were given in pounds; this suggests that the "tons" are in fact short tons. 71.75.251.195 (talk) 01:51, 2 June 2008 (UTC)