I’ve enjoyed all the Strapped seasons for a variety of reasons. West Texas included. After seeing the debate back and forth about the role of the budget in the series, I’ve started re-watching from the beginning. Some impressions–
The boys are young! Wow.
I get that the video equipment has evolved, but even in Iowa (#1), DJ did a great job tying everything together in a compelling way.
Regarding the “purpose” of the Series: Per DJ in Episode 1 of Iowa: “This is a show about a few different things. It’s about the places you can find in your own backyard. And it’s about how golf can take you to other people’s backyards. And just to make it more fun, we gave Randy and Neil a really small budget to work with.”
These are just as good on re-watch.
Seems that there was more golf in the first bunch of episodes
The tight budget makes for lots of compelling drama and creativity. The Reno series betting “line” was a good example of being able to “create” some money. Hard not to admit that the budget was a compelling invisible character that shaped the series.
I love how these guys always have each others’ back.
The C-Suite used to be much more involved.
So, my first overwhelming takeaway was the complete absence of the C-Suite in West Texas, even though the Mega-Bonus did flicker into view briefly. On last week’s Sunday wrap-up Pod during the plug for the release of “Strapped” on April 30th, Soly poo-pooed it by saying something like “you guys destroyed the spirit” of the series. Oof. Didn’t like hearing that. Sure made me tune in though! Well played…
I like D4ndrews point about inflation…perhaps means testing each location for what $500 would be in today’s dollars would be a fair away to institute a right-sized “really small budget” (per DJ) to “make it more fun” and keep the “Strapped” title alive. If that’s desired.
Or not, and end this particular series, and let the series morph into something different that takes into account the maturation of the boys and where they are now in their lives. They are smart and creative enough to come up with something. Those of us that are a bit older can certainly relate to golf life pre-kids vs. post-kids.
But, by all means, keep the Neil/Big saga alive in some form with all their bits, buddy golf, and healthy antagonism with the C-Suite. I think we’d all miss it.
Anyway, cheers from DC (which, OBTW, has 3 compelling muni-style courses–Randy has helped raise money for ‘em), and by all means keep hittin’ 'em straight and long,
West Texas was such a push back on South Carolina imo. The final episode was an all timer because of the lead up to it. But if I’m putting myself in their shoes, that entire trip SUCKED. Mainly cause of the weather but also the ax murder house.
I know if I was in their shoes I wouldn’t want to keep staying in super shitty airbnbs
Without wanting to Monday Morning Quarterback the episode, was there any consideration given to playing Ratliff Links, which appears to be located next door to Ratliff Stadium? The current google map looks, uh, crispy.
I had never encountered the FNL book, film, or series other than seeing commercials for the tv series during 14 years in the US. I did watch the film on a recent EDI-IAD flight where my airline-issued headphones meant the sound quality was awful. I’d like to watch it again properly. Perhaps even read the book.
As someone else mentioned above, I too am doing a Strapped rewatch. Currently on Season 3 in Louisiana.
It is very interesting to see how different it is but also the same.
I don’t mean this in a good or bad way, but biggest takeaway so far is it feels like it has gone from a documentation series to a “travel?” series. (West Texas made it seem much more like West Texas was the main focus and not the guys)
Btw, would love a podcast episode of three guys discussing the trip, etc. I think they have done that in the past for Strapped seasons?
They asked Richman Houston, from Midland, if they should play there or play the second 18 at the course they’d already played and he told them not to play Ratliff so they didn’t. Iirc.
First time watcher now thru Southern California…
Not sure what it is exactly but Season Two (northeast) and Season Three (Louisiana) are exactly what I’m looking for. These seem so much more spontaneous and goofy. I could watch those two over and over again.
I think with the guys growing ups and starting families, Strapped should transition to something more relatable to men at that point in their lives.
I can really envision a studio show where they talk about doing projects around the house, like installing a garbage disposal or putting up a fence. Randy would be very methodical and by-the-book on things, but Neil would always want to scale things up beyond what is really needed and make things more powerful. I could definitely see that leading to some laughs!
In order to get to that 1pm Tee time at the local muni, you first have to take the kids to soccer, mow and trim the yard before picking up the kids at soccer and dropping them off with the in-laws.
Mega bonus is getting there in time to hit a small bucket before the round.
