I can fully understand why someone really into cars, as I used to be when I was driving daily for fun and leisure, running a website about cars, turning up to meets, track days etc, can be disappointed that the programme has become nothing more than general entertainment with cars featuring occasionally in the show (slight exaggeration, but you get the idea).
In some respects, I have turned more into the type of person with less of an active involvement with cars so I don't watch the tests on the basis that I might actually buy one of the cars featured (back in 2002, I did buy one of the cars they featured - and Clarkson slammed it, while the magazine gave it car of the year! - A Focus RS for anyone that's interested).
It's good that it has become a very successful show, and a great export, but it's no different than any TV show, or a band, that progresses and 'loses' its original fans/audience. However, from a business point of view you can usually see why that often makes sense (attracting new audiences, keeping fresh etc).
I think Top Gear has become a little too slapstick and perhaps a cut in money has resulted in more banter in the 'studio' (hangar). The car tests are now dumbed down because most people don't care for them and simply want it over to the next 'car vs xx' scene. There are only so many ways to sex up the shots of cars going around a track or down a runway, so it's not surprising they can get boring. But, they have to keep them to try and retain any impression that it's about cars.
But I get it. I do enjoy the banter, even if it is often very contrived, and think TV would be worse off should it ever be axed - but it probably can't go on forever as they will have done everything possible that makes for good entertainment and will either have to start over, or become very mundane.
In some respects, I have turned more into the type of person with less of an active involvement with cars so I don't watch the tests on the basis that I might actually buy one of the cars featured (back in 2002, I did buy one of the cars they featured - and Clarkson slammed it, while the magazine gave it car of the year! - A Focus RS for anyone that's interested).
It's good that it has become a very successful show, and a great export, but it's no different than any TV show, or a band, that progresses and 'loses' its original fans/audience. However, from a business point of view you can usually see why that often makes sense (attracting new audiences, keeping fresh etc).
I think Top Gear has become a little too slapstick and perhaps a cut in money has resulted in more banter in the 'studio' (hangar). The car tests are now dumbed down because most people don't care for them and simply want it over to the next 'car vs xx' scene. There are only so many ways to sex up the shots of cars going around a track or down a runway, so it's not surprising they can get boring. But, they have to keep them to try and retain any impression that it's about cars.
But I get it. I do enjoy the banter, even if it is often very contrived, and think TV would be worse off should it ever be axed - but it probably can't go on forever as they will have done everything possible that makes for good entertainment and will either have to start over, or become very mundane.
