[Closed] So, new Top Gear this weekend. (Now with Spoilers)

Bathtub

He's not a real Hamster

Races aren't real

I hate JC

That'll save a few posts.

Uncanny 🙂

They have some good pieces - far too much padding these days though.

I tend to record it and skip though

See "cycling magazines"
There's a limited amount of information that can be presented and only a few ways of presenting it. Hence it's just a re-hash of everything done before.

I'll watch it. Not much else on at that time.

I will also watch it, and enjoy it, although inevitably some features will go on too long. Same as it's been for years.

Be good to see the McLaren P1 vs Porsche 918 feature they said was coming "in the autumn".

There's a limited amount of information that can be presented and only a few ways of presenting it. Hence it's just a re-hash of everything done before.

The rod they make for their own back is the focus on actual 'top gear' - as in high end/super/dooper/hyper/uber cars. The problem is they make more programmes than there are new super cars to talk about and I think even they are bored of saying 'its the same as the xxxxxx that we've already done a feature on, but they've taken the radio out and now it costs £40k more'

Great news! I used to really enjoy it back in the day, but who is going to present it? John Peel was so good at... oh, wait.

I can't wait

And I will laugh

You haters can go on a Hora relationship seminar

Not a car fan by any stretch but great Sunday night escapism.

Uncanny.

Watch as life imitates art in this thread.

I wish people would post their opinions on Top Gear

New series. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are in Russia as the motoring magazine returns, taking part in a race across the urban landscape of St Petersburg. James defends the honour of the car in a very small Renault, Richard tries to prove that pedalling is faster by riding a bicycle, while Jeremy attempts to demonstrate that water is the quickest way across town by piloting a hovercraft. To make matters more complicated, all three presenters are racing not only one another but also the Stig, who is making his way toward the finish line by public transport.

Isn't that exactly the same as the show they did in London, when Hammond was on a bike?

Even by their standards that is pretty poor.

Isn't that exactly the same as the show they did in London, when Hammond was on a bike?

No it's in Russia not London so vastly different.

Damn. Off skiing. Will have to iplayer it when I get back. And Ep2 as well (although it seems to be repeated once I get back).

I shall not watch it, though every week I shall be on here complaining about, especially the JC man. It gives my sad life purpose.

Watch "an evening with Top Gear" on the iplayer*. They explain why they've done that again but in Russia

*God awful format/show/presenter

[quote=HoratioHufnagel ]I wish people would post their opinions on Top Gear
That's why this thread was started. Did you expect something else? 😆

[quote=maccruiskeen ] The rod they make for their own back is the focus on actual 'top gear' - as in high end/super/dooper/hyper/uber cars. The problem is they make more programmes than there are new super cars to talk about and I think even they are bored of saying 'its the same as the xxxxxx that we've already done a feature on, but they've taken the radio out and now it costs £40k more'I recall (must be 10 years ago?) they did a piece on the, then new, Honda Civic. James May actually said "[i]given this is a car you might actually buy[/i]" before discussing things like the interior, styling, comfort, noise levels etc. I guess that type of review has limited appeal though?

Top Gear seems to have replaced Last of the Summer Wine as a means of showing three late middle aged folks tumbling down a hill in a hastily designed contraption on a Sunday evening. All you need to do is to substitute the incidental music for Ronnie Hazlehurst and there you have it. Even the characters are starting to seem quite similar these days...

Seriously though, cars are boring. All you need to do is to watch some of the original TG episodes from the 1980s/1990s when they were testing hatchbacks and MPVs. I'd far rather enjoy some scripted entertainment instead. I like to see footage of Clarkson shouting "Poweeeeeeeer!" and sliding a Merc sideways, although I've no aspiration to do this myself.

As a side note, My missus uses footage of the famous Will Young in a reasonably priced car interview in her lectures. It's obvious that there's unlikely chemistry between Clarkson and Will Young. You can see that Clarkson steps out of character briefly.

There's always Call The Midwife on the other side!

Top Gear seems to have replaced Last of the Summer Wine

Bingo!

Yep may as well close the thread now Drac

^^ Yup kinda agree with TG being the new LotSW, very apt. I'll watch it though, watch it for the silly "made for telly" scripts and the odd funny comment or predicament they find themselves in. The mock ups and fake piss takes they can keep, but the adventure and travel and journeys they do will always find a moment or two in my eyes.

It's set to record.

PJM1974 disagree. Go back even just a few years and you get entertaining but informative and interesting programming from TG.

Watch this clip for instance and tell me its not entertaining yet actually informative?

Where they've gone wrong is gone too far to appeal to too many. They are trying too hard to be comedy. TG doesn't work as a comedy- the odd moments are funny but when it became mainly-content of jokes, fixed races, slapstick etc then the obligitory 'heres three hyper cars'. Well.

Pfttt! No need to go that far back.

I'd like them to bring back the cool wall. That was great, so it was.

Drac- agree but then they have odd 'moments' then suddenly fall straight back into slapstick.

Top Gear seems to have replaced Last of the Summer Wine as a means of showing three late middle aged folks tumbling down a hill in a hastily designed contraption on a Sunday evening.

I watched that rubbish "evening with Top Gear" thing that was on and the presenters themselves said this.

I'll enjoy it, the threads about it that are exactly what is in the OP will perhaps make me want to nuke the forum from orbit.

Drac- agree but then they have odd 'moments' then suddenly fall straight back into slapstick.

Yup but the original Top Gear was dull that's why it went off the air.

I've reached the point with TG that I did with Night Clubs in my 20's I'm sure I'm over it these days, but I keep watching in case I miss the best thing ever.

Going in with low expectations, but maybe if it's annoying to me as it can be I might finally break the habit, maybe.

Yup but the original Top Gear was dull that's why it went off the air.

Absolutely, the BBC dropped it, the stars (minus JC who'd left old TG previously and James May - most forget he was actually on old TG for a bit) jumped ship to channel 5 and relaunched it pretty much where the BBC left off - it died on it's arse, they tried everything to reignite the format, they tried to be more old TB, they tried to be new TG they tried something different completely and they lost more and more and more viewers - is it still going at all now?

I watched that rubbish "evening with Top Gear" thing that was on and the presenters themselves said this.

Well they said they're aware that people have pointed it out and that they nicknamed it Last of the Summer Top Gear and then made a joke about it.

Well they said they're aware that people have pointed it out and that they nicknamed it Last of the Summer Top Gear and then made a joke about it.

This is a Top Gear thread, it's not the place for people who have actually seen the show and paid attention. Nor is it the place for facts. Move along, petrol headed ruffian.

This is a Top Gear thread, it's not the place for people who have actually seen the show and paid attention. Nor is it the place for facts. Move along, petrol headed ruffian.

Damn rumbled!

Ermmm! Did a caravan explode?

but maybe if it's annoying to me as it can be I might finally break the habit, maybe.

Which is great.

Unfortunately, others on here [i]hate[/i] Top Gear. They then watch Top Gear to see how much they hate it. Afterwards they are sat at home; quivering with pent up anger.

So they then start a thread about it. It's no good having an opinion, unless everyone knows you're having it.

I will unashamably say I love fifthgear (minus the two weirdos who minced around abit on leather sofas.

When Plato handbrake turned a Volvo into a parallel park and surprised even himself!

Saying this. BTCC racers on TG = win every time.

When Plato handbrake turned a Volvo into a parallel park and surprised even himself!

Wasn't that about 5 years ago?

Haven't watched fifth gear in years, didn't know it was still on

Haven't watched fifth gear in years, didn't know it was still on

This^

The last time I paid any attention to Fifth Gear was when they bought an old Mk 2 Golf and had it tuned.

It's the self-parody which keeps me watching Top Gear.

It is supposed to be entertaining and it is, everybody calm the **** down.

Afterwards they are sat at home; quivering with pent up anger.

As any recent thread has shown, the lovers get way angrier than the haters. Quite funny to watch. (But not as funny as TG obvs.)

I used to like the rally reports with Tony Mason and his hat

Best TG's involve:

An Aerial Atom V8 or R500 Caterham or BTCC drivers. 😀

Looking forward to more of them- gems included the bus racing/trucks and the stretch limo getting very sideways and still keeping it on tarmac.

[img] [/img]

To be brutally honest I'd watch even American TG. Anything with motors in and heaven forbid someone parks up outside Halfords etc in a decent car. (Mrshora) "whys it taken you so long to buy some engine oil" ..."A Sikh bloke there had a lancia delta integrale". So tbh even though I'll class myself as a hatez I'll be watching it Sunday. 8pm sharp.

I loved last of the summer wine too, I'll be watching

minus JC who'd left old TG previously and James May - most forget he was actually on old TG for a bit

Isn't VBH's bloke part of the TG production team? Always assumed that's why earlier new TG and 5th Gear were trying to out-copy each other.

andytherocketeer -

Isn't VBH's bloke part of the TG production team? Always assumed that's why earlier new TG and 5th Gear were trying to out-copy each other.

Jon Bentley was a producer on Top gear when the show got cancelled, and they subsequently all went to Ch5 where he produced Fifth Gear. I don't know if he's VBH's bloke. I think a number of key production personnel from Top Gear went to Fifth Gear, not just the presenters.
Initially they weren't trying to copy TG, they were trying to make TG only the BBC wouldn't let them use the name.

Anyway, current Fifth Gear has the balance right (minus the jonnie character) and if you have an interest in cars it's much better than TG. having said that, Youtube is better again.

People on here who like Top Gear seem really offended if you don't like it.

Always amazes me a program aimed at middle-aged middle-England middle class whiny cockbags is so popular on STW. Can't think why.

People on here who like Top Gear seem really offended if you don't like it.

I can't think why.

Always amazes me a program aimed at middle-aged middle-England middle class whiny cockbags is so popular on STW. Can't think why.

Ah! That'll be why.

It's all scripted and it's not really about the cars anymore.

[quote=jekkyl ]It's all scripted and it's not really about the cars anymore.

Bingo!

I'd be in the still watching just in case they accidentally do something as good as they used to rather than just repeating the same old rubbish camp, if it wasn't that I've developed a completely rational hatred of Jezza after realising that it isn't all an act.

Personally I'd rather they just commission more of May doing stuff like sending action man into space.

The preview show was awkward and pretty dire

However , I like Top Gear. JC is a knob but he makes me laugh

Yes it's scripted, yes it's stupid

but I enjoy it

and I'm still completely baffled why people get so wound up about it

turn over

It's all scripted and it's not really about the cars anymore.

So?

This forum isn't about cycling anymore either.... 😉

Personally I'd rather they just commission more of May doing stuff like sending action man into space

Most TV is scripted.

However , I like Top Gear. JC is a knob but he makes me laugh

Yes it's scripted, yes it's stupid

but I enjoy it

and I'm still completely baffled why people get so wound up about it

turn over

Couldn't agree more. But I am prepared to be shouted at by the usual bores who bang on about it on here.

I'm getting pretty bored of it now, but doubtless I'll still watch it and be underwhelmed.

For my tastes it would be x100 better if someone told them they didn't have to be nobheads to get ratings - they set up some interesting escapades and adventures using more-or-less suitable / interesting cars and just as I'm starting to vaguely enjoy it they inevitably get to the bit where they have start vandalising each other's vehicles, which I just look at and think "you're deliberately being a dick - why am I supposed to be impressed by that?"

It does make the BBC A LOT of money though.
😐

There's always Call The Midwife on the other side!

Excellent, that's my evening viewing sorted, and they ride bicycles as well 🙂

[img] [/img]

Can I just make a little suggestion, that rather than discussing this on a bike website you go to motoring willy wavers and dicuss it there as this endless tedious discussion is a tiny bit dull.

Can I just make a little suggestion, that rather than discussing this on a bike website you go to motoring willy wavers and dicuss it there as this endless tedious discussion is a tiny bit dull.

Another idea, why not just not read the thread if it upsets you that much... 🙄

Can I just make a little suggestion, that rather than discussing this on a bike website you go to motoring willy wavers and dicuss it there as this endless tedious discussion is a tiny bit dull.

Read a different thread then, there is plenty of content here for everyone.

Can I just make a little suggestion, that rather than discussing this on a bike website you go to motoring willy wavers and dicuss it there as this endless tedious discussion is a tiny bit dull.

It's a chat forum. It's open anything that doesn't break the rules.

as this endless tedious discussion is a tiny bit dull.

It's a shame you couldn't bring anything to it that might make it more interesting.

Clarkson out.
Martin in.
That would stop Hammond acting like a total **** as well.

It is just a light entertainment show and has occasional flashes of brilliance. The Reliant Robin in Sheffield springs to mind.

Top Gear's had it's day. JC is even being upstaged by [url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30932747 ]Ray Mears[/url]

I do sometimes wonder if people actually read before they comment.

This thread has just cemented it as a resounding no.

I have nothing useful or pertinent to add. Top Gear threads are usually the place for this.

Does anybody else wonder if people read before they comment?

Drac - Moderator
[s]Bathtub

He's not a real Hamster

Races aren't real

I hate JC[/s]

[u]I don't like other people's opinions on this[/u]

That'll save a few posts.

I do sometimes wonder if people actually read before they comment.

Read what?

I get the impression that most people, other than jekyll, didn't even read the OP.

Wait what? I thought you could only read the last page of the thread.

say what you like it will never be cancelled because it makes to much money for the BBC 😉

I enjoyed the "build your own caravan" and the one with the exploding train.

It's also amusing to watch JC "prod the dog" to see how far he can go with it before he gets bitten...

Drac - Moderator
[s]Bathtub

He's not a real Hamster

Races aren't real

I hate JC[/s]

[u]I don't like other people's opinions on this[/u]

That'll save a few posts.

FTFY

Well you fixed for yourself I'd say.

It's also amusing to watch JC "prod the dog" to see how far he can go with it before he gets bitten...

I assume this is some sort of figurative thing but JC getting bitten by a dog is something I'd happily watch again and again. I'm not one of the haters and I will be watching it, but a dog sinking its teeth into Clarkson's leg would make fantastic telly. 👿

His ice bucket 'challenge' is on youtube if you want to see his son dump a bucket of water over him while he was napping in the garden.

Also whilst we're on the subject, did may and hammond get the job by replying to open auditions that the bbc held or did I just dream it?

The previous TG was completely different with tiff needell and a couple of other blokes as well as Clarkson doing the car bits.

I assume this is some sort of figurative thing

"There's a slope on it..."