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| Written By Rick
Ellis, Tuesday, March 27th, 2007 Some of the best reality TV shows are really more like episodic documentaries. They expose viewers to a lifestyle or profession that is new to them, and when producers pick just the right participants, the results can be compelling. One show that certainly in this category is A&E’s “Driving Force.” The network has made a cottage industry of this type of show, focusing on everything from women’s roller derby and competitive bullriding to car salesmen. But the best of the group might be this series, which follows the competitive world of professional drag racing. Despite the fact that I grew up in the Midwest, I’ve never had any particular interest in drag racing, but that didn’t keep me from getting caught up in the first season of “Driving Force.” The series focuses on racing legend John Force, who has won 15 NHRA National Championships. He’s focused and successful, and by itself that might be enough for a decent show for sports fans. But what draws the interest of everyone else is his family. He annoys wife Laurie sufficiently that she makes him spend much of his time at a separate apartment. He has four daughters, three of which are burgeoning drag racers who are attempting to follow in his footsteps. John Force means well, and obviously loves him family, but he has some of the worst parental skills I’ve ever seen. He seems to lack the ability to distinguish when to be tough and when to be kind to his daughters, and has this mercurial personality that is fascinating to watch. Although I suspect it’s not an easy one to handle if you’re one of his daughters. Initially, the show focused on the fact that he didn’t have any sons, and his desire to push his daughters into participating in drag racing. But it was quickly obvious that his family dynamic was much more complex, and that complexity is at the heart of the first two episodes of season two. In the season premiere, John Force is making plans to move daughter Ashley Force into the professional level of the Funny Car division. It’s not at all clear that Ashley wants to go pro, but her father is already lining up sponsors and an entire support crew. But a potentially serious crash leaves John Force shaken, and he realizes that he has subtly pushed Ashley into racing. His fear that she may be injured or even killed is heartfelt, and really sweet. Of course, he’s also gripped with some serious episodes of inappropriate behavior, including dragging his daughters to a mortuary to pick out a coffin. He wants to bond with them, but it’s a tone-deaf bonding that really is mystifying to watch. That thread extends into episode two, which focuses more of John Force’s race to win another national championship. “Driving Force” has oftentimes paid scant attention to the actual sport of drag racing, but this half hour really gives an almost artful, documentary look at the sport. The episode also provides a truly sad and insightful moment, as John Force prepares for the final race of the season. He sits in his trailer lat at night, practicing with a gadget that allows him to test how quickly he can respond to the green light at the start line. He relentlessly stabs at the gadget’s button, while muttering an emotional string of comments about his lack of focus and the importance of winning. It is as raw and compelling a sports moment as anything I’ve ever seen on television. "Driving Force" is a tour-de-force of reality TV programming. It’s honest, enlightening and every episode offers up a sparkling look at a world that most viewers have never experienced. It’s not just worth watching, it’s worth watching again. Season two of "Driving Force" premieres on the A&E Network on Tuesday, March 27th, 2007. |
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