Top Gear

[Ivo]

This thread was made to prevent the Nissan Primera thread from being derailed any more than it already had been.

Love it or loathe it, Top Gear has been very influential in its second incarnation, and Clarkson is said to be one of the most powerful men in the motor industry! Sometimes it has real classic moments, such as the trucking episode (well, maybe not the controversial Ipswich references), Blackpool, the Great North Run (I would have loved to see Tornado win that), and the convertible people carrier (first I saw). They do let us down a bit on occasion, such as when they tried to excuse James losing the London race, but for the most part it is excellent entertainment.

What do others think?

 

[43106]

As someone who last drove in 1973(!) I enjoy Top Gear - even the repeats on Dave. The 'races' (Verbier, Kristiansand, etc) are too contrived - they have to be in order to be filmed properly. Clarkson has TOO much power, cos he's pro-car and anti-everything else, including trains, AND he's too narrow-minded.

 

[GB]

I like TopGear, but why the duck do the BBC/TG insist on on having a recap episode at the end of each series...a series that these days is only ever about 5 or 6 episodes.

 

[HST Power]

I can understand why people dislike Clarkson. I wouldn't call him narrow minded, I'd say that he isn't afraid to speak to the truth, and he doesn't give a damn if his expressed opinions go down badly in society. But that's the whole point of the man. He can be outspoken, though at the end of the day, his criticisms and comments have a sting in them, stings that when analysed, can actually be quite interesting and truthful. I subscribe to the TG magazine, and his columns are full of bite and humor that make truly excellent reads. If I want a laugh, I'll watch Top Gear. They throw caution to the wind and have a good time. Sometimes, that's what you need.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

You do have to say that Clarkson was very nice about Tornado though, he certainly appeared to like it a lot more than I do!

 

[seagull]

One of the most 'person on the street friendly' car programmes on the TV I've probably ever seen - very easy to watch, most things get explained pretty well. And the testing they do seems quite consistently thorough, from what I've seen, which isn't all that much to be honest.

It's just difficult not to envy Clarkson and Hammond their job sometimes...!

 

[Ivo]

I can understand why people dislike Clarkson. I wouldn't call him narrow minded, I'd say that he isn't afraid to speak to the truth, and he doesn't give a damn if his expressed opinions go down badly in society. But that's the whole point of the man. He can be outspoken, though at the end of the day, his criticisms and comments have a sting in them, stings that when analysed, can actually be quite interesting and truthful. I subscribe to the TG magazine, and his columns are full of bite and humor that make truly excellent reads. If I want a laugh, I'll watch Top Gear. They throw caution to the wind and have a good time. Sometimes, that's what you need.

Maybe it's Doncaster? I've known one person in my life from Donny, and he was just as outspoken as Clarkson!

It's just difficult not to envy Clarkson and Hammond their job sometimes...!

Which Hammond - Richard or Philip? I'd quite happily have either's job!

 

[HST Power]

Maybe it's Doncaster? I've known one person in my life from Donny, and he was just as outspoken as Clarkson!

There are so many things about Clarkson. His car comments, his crazy sense of humor, his practical jokes on the road trips, his hatred for Peter Mandelson and the Labour Party....

 

[seagull]

Which Hammond - Richard or Philip? I'd quite happily have either's job!

Well yes now you mention it... same here! Though I bet Philip Hammond doesn't get to drive too many fast cars, or trains, come to that.

 

[starrymarkb]

Clarkson loves engineering, and is a big fan of Brunel

 

[Dennis]

One of the best things about the current format is the way the presenters interact with each other - it's good to see some blokish behaviour on mainstream telly.

James May....Top beer

 

[DarloRich]

As someone who last drove in 1973(!) I enjoy Top Gear - even the repeats on Dave. The 'races' (Verbier, Kristiansand, etc) are too contrived - they have to be in order to be filmed properly. Clarkson has TOO much power, cos he's pro-car and anti-everything else, including trains, AND he's too narrow-minded.

but that is an act - he projects part of his personality/acts out the expected in the show. he is not like that in real life. (well at least not as bad!)

 

[Chester025]

What you need to remember though is that all of these 'races' are fixed for the car to win. For example, the fault on Tornado on the Edinburgh race was staged and filmed on the light engine move back.

 

[DavidBrown]

What you need to remember though is that all of these 'races' are fixed for the car to win.

So why did the car come stone dead last in the race across London? The car also always seem to lose in the more bizarre races (such as aginst snowmobiles, flying squrrels, toboggan runs etc).

 

[Ivo]

So why did the car come stone dead last in the race across London? The car also always seem to lose in the more bizarre races (such as aginst snowmobiles, flying squrrels, toboggan runs etc).

Clarkson would reply thusly:

(a) Driven by Captain Slow
(b) Pulled over by "the rozzers" (a.k.a. Jon Tickle)

 

[SS4]

So why did the car come stone dead last in the race across London? The car also always seem to lose in the more bizarre races (such as aginst snowmobiles, flying squrrels, toboggan runs etc).

How did Clarkson get from Birmingham to Blackpool on an empty fuel gauge to turn on the Christmas lights?

I've got the impression that some of their stunts are fixed (like when Hammond set fire to his caravan 'patio')

I like some of their challenge episodes although star in a reasonably car is terrible though, they talk for far too long.

 

[90019]

For example, the fault on Tornado on the Edinburgh race was staged and filmed on the light engine move back.

But the car did win the race, and was there before the train.

 

[The Barlow Boy]

How did Clarkson get from Birmingham to Blackpool on an empty fuel gauge to turn on the Christmas lights?

I've got the impression that some of their stunts are fixed (like when Hammond set fire to his caravan 'patio')

I like some of their challenge episodes although star in a reasonably car is terrible though, they talk for far too long.

No! Really?
If the stunts weren't fixed there'd be no entertainment. Top gear is an entertainment show. Before Clarkson rescued it it was just another boring motoring show with mostly boring/unsuitable people presenting it. Don't get fooled by his public persona, it's a carefully (by his agent wife) contrived bit of smokescreening.

 

[SS4]

No! Really?
If the stunts weren't fixed there'd be no entertainment. Top gear is an entertainment show. Before Clarkson rescued it it was just another boring motoring show with mostly boring/unsuitable people presenting it. Don't get fooled by his public persona, it's a carefully (by his agent wife) contrived bit of smokescreening.

Agreed although I find it more bothersome that they often attempt to make it seem spontaneous.

 

[flymo]

I do like a bit of Top Gear from time to time, particularly partial to the challenges they do. The ones across Botswana and Vietnam were pretty good I thought. The best one ever was the US one where they almost got lynched on the way to New Orleans. Still chuckle at that one..

 

[HST Power]

I like some of their challenge episodes although star in a reasonably car is terrible though, they talk for far too long.

This is my one gripe about TG. I agree, the reasonably priced car goes on forever. I just switch over to ITV4 and watch Traffic Cops until they finish and move on!

 

[strange6]

This is my one gripe about TG. I agree, the reasonably priced car goes on forever. I just switch over to ITV4 and watch Traffic Cops until they finish and move on!

I think they spend too much time with exotic cars that nobody can afford; gets boring after a while. They should have a railway equivalent - something like 'Top Track'

 

[HST Power]

I think they spend too much time with exotic cars that nobody can afford; gets boring after a while. They should have a railway equivalent - something like 'Top Track'

The problem is, where would the fun be in power sliding a Ford Fiesta, or whipping round Hammer Head in a Honda Jazz?

However, I was on a flight to Dubai last year, and they were showing a TG episode where Jeremy tests the new Ford Fiesta. When I say test, I mean driving it through a....

I won't spoil it. But if you haven't seen it, you should give it a shot!

 

[ralphchadkirk]

I think they spend too much time with exotic cars that nobody can afford; gets boring after a while. They should have a railway equivalent - something like 'Top Track'

And how do you propose they have a railway equivalent?

 

[Sun Chariot]

And how do you propose they have a railway equivalent?

Hmmm, well...
Show opens inside Barrow Hill, with the presenters (TOC chief execs) standing on the turntable. Features include:
"The News" - gen, sightings.
"Top Track Challenges" - something involving 380 failed doors, rush-hour, and two hundred angry Scottish commuters. Or mistakenly driven, not through the washer, but into the asbestos-removal incinerator.
"A Racer in a reasonably-bad Pacer" - yes, motorsports drivers attempt to get a Pacer down Old Dalby test track in the quickest time.
"Loco bashing" - think what they do to caravans...only this time with old locos.

Naah, I can't see it catching on.

 

[GearJammer]

Sometimes it has real classic moments, such as the trucking episode (well, maybe not the controversial Ipswich references)

Ive yet to find a truck driver who took offence to that comment, i think most were to busy laughing, best bit was when Hammond said it was easy and he knew what he was doing and tried to connect the truck and trailer, only for the trailer not to be connected and fall on the floor when he pulled away, it was SO funny and as a trucker i could see EXACTLY what was gonna happen but i was still funny!

TopGear is a great show, just don't take it all so seriously, at the end of the day its just three blokes having a laugh.

Quick question, has anybody here been to the TopGear test track? I can say i have!

 

[HST Power]

TopGear is a great show, just don't take it all so seriously, at the end of the day its just three blokes having a laugh.

Exactly! Sometimes, a bit of laugh is just what we need. Nice truck by the way.

 

[Ivo]

The problem is, where would the fun be in power sliding a Ford Fiesta, or whipping round Hammer Head in a Honda Jazz?

However, I was on a flight to Dubai last year, and they were showing a TG episode where Jeremy tests the new Ford Fiesta. When I say test, I mean driving it through a....

I won't spoil it. But if you haven't seen it, you should give it a shot!

You mean the one where Clarkson gives it a proper test, with various questions [one of which is "Is it green?", to which he replies "Yes... Very], and ultimately finishes with something to do with water? The one where "Basingstoke" appears in the credits?

 

[ralphchadkirk]

You mean the one where Clarkson gives it a proper test, with various questions [one of which is "Is it green?", to which he replies "Yes... Very], and ultimately finishes with something to do with water? The one where "Basingstoke" appears in the credits?

Well, the very very in-depth test.

 

[Hydro]

Well, the very very in-depth test.

I liked the alternative use for the cup holder, and the ease at which the front seat passenger could wield his...luggage.