I call this "Jerry Lewis Syndrome" - I named it because of his movies, but it certainly applies here as well. It's when a really funny guy gets too much control (of his film, show, etc.) and suddenly becomes unfunny. Even the funniest guy needs editing, directing, and someone to keep his egomania in check.
That sounds like Malachi Throne narrating the original Star Wars trailer - he was a very nice guy, but he could get a little "Handsy" after a few drinks.
In late 1958, I was cast as Mary Todd Lincoln in a Columbia Short that was to be called "Violent is the Word for John Wilkes Booth", but Columbia closed down their shorts department a few weeks later, and the film was never made. One positive result was that I met Jules White, who helped me get my role as Sita in “Belly Dancers From Bali-Bali”.
We have a winner. 100% correct.
Trains suck in the US because we have alternatives that better fit our needs as a very large, relatively wealthy country.
As Edward notes, the exception is commuter trains to city centers - to which I would add rapid transit (subways & light rail).