Anyone watch "Top Gear"?

[Rhythm Thief]

It seems to me to me to be the TV equivalent of these - tasteless and lacking any content.

On the other hand, when it was genuinely about cars (back in the days when it was presented by Quentin Wilson) it wasn't "tasteless and lacking any content". It was informative. And very, very dull indeed.
As I say, I'm not what you'd call a diehard fan - Sunday's episode was the first one I've seen in well over 18 months - but it is occasionally quality entertainment. If I want to be informed about cars, I'll buy "What Car?" or something.

 

[twowheelsgood]

I've watched every episode since the relaunch a decade ago and probably will continue, however the laddishness is all getting a bit "last of the summer wine" to me now. I'm just waiting for the inevitable episode where Jeremy, James and Richard all buy bathtubs in different countries, decorate them with various ethnic stereotype accessories and then race down a hill somewhere in the Yorkshire Dales.

Clarkson like any opinionated bigot becomes pretty tedious once you know what his opinions are. You don't really need to see an interview with him because you can pretty well guess his answers and even hear his voice and inflections in your head.

Saying that, Sunday's episode was one of the best for a long time; Rowan Atkinson is always entertaining (even though he almost seemed embarrassed by his new film effort) and the train challenge was suitably silly. I was very happy they didn't destroy the Jag in the process, if I had a garage I'd think that was 4.5 grand well spent for some weekend fun.

 

[User169]

.....

Clarkson like any opinionated bigot becomes pretty tedious once you know what his opinions are. You don't really need to see an interview with him because you can pretty well guess his answers and even hear his voice and inflections in your head.

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You mean the outrageously politically incorrect opinions which he has every week to a deadline for the Sunday Times?

A bit long, but Stewart Lee, as ever is good value.

[youtube]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7CnMQ4L9Pc[/youtube]


The last minute or so is brilliant in view of, say, this from Jan Moir (don't say you weren't warned)...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/a...l-McIntyre-endures-jealousy-rival-comics.html

 

[wiggydiggy]

[QUOTE 1467169"]
I only saw the last 5 minutes, so I'll watch it again tonight.

I'm very surprised that a loco owner allowed them to drive it through a caravan. There is still a fair bit of bad feeling around the preservation community after TG "played with" Tornado.
[/quote]

Bad feeling? I've got the complete opposite impression indeed it was the A1 trust themselves that approached TG and it all seemed to go down quite well in promoting the new train.

TG I love, and yes at times I really wish they would just give up on the forced humour/characters and just make good films about cars (British Sports cars, Lancia, any of the 'expeditions'), but thats just me.

Andy Willman (producer) has a blog which can be interesting to read, and he agrees that at times they want to tone down the buffoonery/cartoon characters in favour of the car enthusiast stuff.

 

[swee'pea99]

I think it was Andy Willman I saw quoted as saying something like 'People seem to have this idea that Top Gear is about cars. It's not. It's about three middle-aged blokes having a load of fun acting like overgrown schoolboys. That's why so many people enjoy it so much.'

 

[Angelfishsolo]

It is one of those shows I love to hate, or hate to love. Clarkson is an arse but is also very funny. Add in Hammond and May and a wonderful synergy is created. As long as you do not take what is said seriously then even as a non petrol head the show is unmissable.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Agreed. If you want to watch a car program watch 5th gear. They have three extremely good drivers + some Joe average blokes. Oh and VBH is yummy

 

[wiggydiggy]

[QUOTE 1467213"]
Yes, bad feeling. Steam locos need to be treated properly, not thraped to death for a few action shots.
[/quote]

But who was doing the moaning sorry? From what I've read it was the makers of the train who wanted to do it, and wasnt it themselves manning the footplates with clarkson only acting a 'coal shoveller' I highly doubt TG were able to get the trust to 'thrape it for some action shots'.

TBH I'd have been more worried if I'd been the owner of that Black Shadow that hammond bunged up the fuel lines on

 

[Allirog]

I gather an ex member of Wham really enjoyed Clarkson's comment that " the Jaguar sticks its tail
out more often than George Michael".

 

[John the Monkey]

No. It only encourages them.

And Richard Hammond isn't even a real hamster.

 

[Hover Fly]

Compared with what the East and West coast pacifics did in revenue service every day for 20 or more years, Tornado is treated very, almost too, gently.

 

[wiggydiggy]

[QUOTE 1467217"]
You'd be surprised at what goes on with mainline steam.
[/quote]

I got to admit despite a healthy amateur interest in railroading I've never wanted to get further involved e.g forums, groups etc Possibly a little intimidated by how hardcore I imagine some to be

 

[John the Monkey]

[QUOTE 1467220"]
Some would suggest that it's because we're losing the people who dealt with the real thing back when we had steam on the railways.
[/quote]

When I visited the Llangollen Railway society, I know a few of the volunteers were worried about what would happen once the generation that had seen working steam began to dwindle.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

[QUOTE 1467220"]
<BR><BR>I'm on the fringes -involved with model engineering but know a mainline driver or two and a couple of boiler inspectors- and it is very interesting. Though I can see how easily it could take over your life (and budget!)<BR><BR>There's a shortage of mainline locos at the moment and that's down to several things, including a poor standard of engineering and the engines sometimes not being looked after and run properly. Some would suggest that it's because we're losing the people who dealt with the real thing back when we had steam on the railways.
[/quote]

One of my mates is heavily into Model Railway and Narrow Gauge stuff. Has a small track in his garden. Spends a fortune on the stuff but if it make shim happy

 

[fossyant]

Back to Cars, not steam engines... I need a GTR.