We've been in withdrawal for a year now, since they cancelled last summer's season due to the Olympics. Frankly I would have preferred that they cancelled the Olympics because they interfered with Top Gear, but anyway...
But I am a bit bummed that they only have 6 shows this season - I would have hoped that they would have stacked their Summer budget and done enough for at least 10 shows.
For the first time, the new episodes will air on BBC America barely a week after they aired in the UK. The US version will start back up pretty soon as well, so we'll definitely get out Top Gear fill in the next few months.
It is good, something we can both agree on. I will check that out tomorrow night. Just today, I rearranged my/our DVR so I can watch programs in my favorite place. I had the DVR there, big mistake. My wife records every thing that I do not watch. There was always a conflict. Not anymore, she will move, not I.
[Edited 2013-01-26 16:08:18]
It is better to die on your feet, than live on your knees.
srbmod From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 16896 posts, RR: 51 Reply 13, posted (4 months 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 3931 times:
Quoting BMI727 (Reply 11): It's getting better, but still nowhere close to the UK version.
They're pretty much doing their own versions of the stunts that the UK version has previously done, which probably makes it easier to do shows. I'm sure many of the viewers of the US version of the show have not watched a lot of the earlier series of the mother show (BBC America has done a really great job with airing the earlier series of the show and most of the episodes are also available for streaming via Netflix [although some episodes from some seasons are not available].) so these stunts are new to them.
moo From Falkland Islands, joined May 2007, 3614 posts, RR: 4 Reply 14, posted (4 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 3910 times:
I'm withholding judgement until after tonights episode, but to be honest I don't have high hopes - half a season last year, no Christmas special (after a Christmas special the previous year that was totally panned), only 6 episodes this season and a low key run up to its start.
Last years season seemed a little forced as well, but then I was surprised that the three had signed 3 year contract extensions at the start of this year, so either they feel they've refreshed it enough so it won't totally die this year.
Dreadnought From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 7883 posts, RR: 22 Reply 16, posted (4 months 3 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 3808 times:
I'm still downloading the broadcast torrent - still an hour to go. I'm sitting here jones-ing like a drug addict
B777LRF From Luxembourg, joined Nov 2008, 1015 posts, RR: 3 Reply 17, posted (4 months 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 3776 times:
Well, the boys are back in form. Excellent footage, great cars and that wicked sense of humour you only get on the original TG. In fact, it it was not for the humour it would not be worth watching. Which is where, I believe, TG US falls flat on its face. Those 3 guys simply are not funny. Neither were the 3 ozmates.
For those still downloading, it will be worth it. Rallying a Bently Conti is such a preposterous idea, it cannot fail. And it does not. Jezza building his own car and trying to flog it at Dragons Den was brilliant. Fastest SIARPC ever as well. Sort of.
And there is a new fastest car on the TG track to boot.
From receips and radials over straight pipes to big fans - been there, done that, got the hearing defects to prove
armitageshanks From UK - England, joined Dec 2003, 3366 posts, RR: 16 Reply 22, posted (4 months 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 3724 times:
I work at a ski resort in Colorado and we had top gear here two weeks ago filming a segment on the ski slopes. They were racing a Bentley against a skier down the mountain. So look for that soon.
Dreadnought From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 7883 posts, RR: 22 Reply 24, posted (4 months 3 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 3686 times:
We saw something very new today - those active airfoil panels on the Pagani seemed to be very effective. I wonder how soon Ferrari, Lambo and others start doing the same on their hypercars.
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 19257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 25, posted (4 months 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 3793 times:
Hmm, it was one of those episodes where I probably wouldn't watch it again if I had the DVD. Too much sideshow, and not enough driving. James' Bentley segment ended abruptly, almost as if the film had run out.
BlueElephant From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2006, 1809 posts, RR: 6 Reply 26, posted (4 months 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 3777 times:
Brilliant Episode. The ending was hilarious as they managed to combine two of my favorite shows! Looks like its going to be a great season, and I hope to see Lewis Hamilton come back and get the top time.
Top Gear US starts on Tuesday for its 3rd season and while its not as good as the UK version (obviously), its gotten progressively better, and I will be watching it as well.
CPH-R From Denmark, joined May 2001, 5754 posts, RR: 4 Reply 27, posted (4 months 3 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 3838 times:
Bog standard Top Gear episode, so overall not too bad a way to spend an hours time. The Pagani is stunning, the Bentley rally segment was amusing, Damian Lewis equally so (terrible luck with the weather, I was hoping he'd be asked to come back on a slightly better day weatherwise), and the P45 segment went on for too long.
Looks like they'll have a US race of sorts, a Nile episode, and another train vs. car segment (but where to? They've done the TGV twice already, so Germany perhaps? Didn't look like an ICE though...)
RussianJet From Kazakhstan, joined Jul 2007, 6348 posts, RR: 23 Reply 29, posted (4 months 3 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 3747 times:
Anyone familiar with the British 80's children's tv show Rainbow may well enjoy this Top Gear spoof - not for the easily-offended though! It's hilarious, just look past the shoddily-assembled puppets and bear with it.
sturmovik From India, joined May 2007, 306 posts, RR: 0 Reply 30, posted (4 months 3 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 3649 times:
Quoting CPH-R (Reply 27): the P45 segment went on for too long.
I thought so too. Wasn't too funny towards the end, but maybe that's because I wasn't entirely clued in on Dragon's Den. The Pagani was just awesome, and I agree with the Hamster when he said that Pagani are doing what Lambo and Ferrari did a few decades back. And a 1:13 time..! I'm waiting for the day something does the TG track in under a minute
Overall, the montage for the season looks promising, however I doubt they'll beat the specials of the past (Namibia, Vietnam).
dazbo5 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2005, 2601 posts, RR: 2 Reply 31, posted (4 months 3 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 3637 times:
Quoting sturmovik (Reply 30): I'm waiting for the day something does the TG track in under a minute
It's already been done, 59 seconds from memory, just not by a road legal car! It's amazing to see how the times have fallen since the new format Top Gear started. Only a few years ago, there wasn't much to beat 1 minute 20 seconds. Now look at the times. It show's how much engineering and technology is improving year on year.
Darren
Equipment: 2x Canon EOS 50D; Sigma 10-20 EX DC HSM, 50-500 EX APO DG, Canon 24-105 f/4 L, Speedlite 430EX
Dreadnought From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 7883 posts, RR: 22 Reply 32, posted (4 months 3 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 3637 times:
Quoting sturmovik (Reply 30):
Overall, the montage for the season looks promising, however I doubt they'll beat the specials of the past (Namibia, Vietnam)
It's a tough one - when they first started doing special, full episode shows (in order: Winter Olympics, North Pole, Botswana, Vietnam, Bolivia, Middle East, India) it was new and different. Now we have come to a point that we expect a special show at least once a year. You can only do Africa or jungles so often before you start repeating yourself.
India was panned for a lot of reasons - but mostly because bits were obviously scripted and they pretend it isn't. C'mon, the placement of the signs on the trains was just a little too convenient, getting ripped just in the right place. Some moments were just stupid - did they really expect their dinner party in Delhi to be anything but a complete failure? It's so embarassingly bad I fast forward through that whole part if I rewatch it. You did not get that sense of "pushing too hard" from the earlier attempts like Botswana or North Pole.
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 19257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 33, posted (4 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 3617 times:
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 32): You can only do Africa or jungles so often before you start repeating yourself.
I'm looking forward to next week's race, which is supposed to be Vegas to Los Angeles to the Springs, then on down to Mexico. I still think the best full-episode race/special was the in-episode Challenger-Corvette-Cadillac race to the Salt Flats in series 12. They were still doing mainly pure driving rather than making the local antics the focus of the show.
The India special failed because it was just a road trip, with European sourced cars - all of the other road trip style specials had a goal (beat the cost and convenience of a fly-drive, find the best road for driving, drive the spine of africa etc), challenges set by the crew and most of them had an inbuilt source of amusement in cars that invariably failed, while India was nothing more than "we spent thousands of pounds on imported cars, and had a drive round".
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2671 posts, RR: 12 Reply 36, posted (4 months 3 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 3565 times:
Quoting srbmod (Reply 1):
For the first time, the new episodes will air on BBC America barely a week after they aired in the UK. The US version will start back up pretty soon as well, so we'll definitely get out Top Gear fill in the next few months.
I gave the US version a chance at first, but it's shorter because of commercial breaks and not nearly as good as the UK version. I haven't watched it since the 3rd episode of Season 1. The chemistry of the hosts can't compare to Hammond, Clarkson and May.
Quoting francoflier (Reply 7): They look expensive and long to produce, but it can't be more than a drop in the bucket for the BBC.
I read somewhere that Top Gear UK is the most watched TV show in the world. If the BBC isn't making bucket loads of money off this show something's wrong.
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 32): You can only do Africa or jungles so often before you start repeating yourself.
This year they're doing another Africa special where they're going to use estate cars bought online. I really liked the last Africa special where Hammond drove Oliver.
Easily one of the best shows on TV worldwide, I can't wait for this season.
BlueElephant From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2006, 1809 posts, RR: 6 Reply 37, posted (4 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 3515 times:
Quoting canoecarrier (Reply 36): I gave the US version a chance at first, but it's shorter because of commercial breaks and not nearly as good as the UK version. I haven't watched it since the 3rd episode of Season 1. The chemistry of the hosts can't compare to Hammond, Clarkson and May.
While I agree it does not compare to the UK version, I have to admit that it has gotten much better since the first season, their chemistry has certainly improved and at least (for the most part) U.S. people can identify with most of the cars.
I'd give it another chance. 3rd season starts tomorrow.
Braniff747SP From Spain, joined Oct 2008, 2649 posts, RR: 1 Reply 38, posted (4 months 3 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 3492 times:
Quoting canoecarrier (Reply 36): I read somewhere that Top Gear UK is the most watched TV show in the world. If the BBC isn't making bucket loads of money off this show something's wrong.
It is by far the most popular show that the BBC has; they make millions, more than anything else they do.
The 747 will always be the TRUE queen of the skies!
Dreadnought From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 7883 posts, RR: 22 Reply 39, posted (4 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 3471 times:
Quoting canoecarrier (Reply 36): I read somewhere that Top Gear UK is the most watched TV show in the world. If the BBC isn't making bucket loads of money off this show something's wrong.
No advertising on BBC2 - most viewers download it off of the 'net. Not that much money to be made that way.
Quoting BlueElephant (Reply 37): I'd give it another chance. 3rd season starts tomorrow.
The first season was a simple re-hash of the British episodes. Second season they are starting to do their own thing.
But I am hoping that they stop being so US-centric, and start spending a little time on the international front. It might be fun seeing those three trying to deal with Africa or Asia
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 19257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 40, posted (4 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 3469 times:
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 39): No advertising on BBC2 - most viewers download it off of the 'net. Not that much money to be made that way.
No, most viewers watch it on commercial stations/networks around the world who pay the BBC a licensing fee to broadcast the show. It works just like a syndicated show to independent stations in the US would work.
LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12365 posts, RR: 12 Reply 41, posted (4 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 3450 times:
I am of mixed feelings of the UK Top Gear and the US version. Showing exotic cars pushed to limits, some parts of their 'on the road' shows are great, but some of their behavior is just cringe producing and insulting to locals. Sometimes their humor is a bit childish. I am online with some people in the UK who love British Cars, especially those of Austin/Rover/Jaguar/Morris et al, and bash Top Gear UK for their apparent hatred of and destroying fine examples of such cars (like a Marina) as well as the host's behaviors.
.
If you want something a bit different there is Fifth Gear. In the USA it is shown on the Discovery-Velocity cable/dish channel A bit less silly and destructive, they have in their 3-4 main players an adult woman, and in recent episodes I have seen one of Asian Indian heritage - it's not just a white man's club as TG UK and US are. I am surprised that the US version didn't have a better mix of hosts.
Yes, I will watch UK TG when on BBC America (with it poor grade commercials) and US TG, and if I catch it, Fifth Gear.
BlueElephant From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2006, 1809 posts, RR: 6 Reply 42, posted (4 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 3425 times:
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 39): But I am hoping that they stop being so US-centric, and start spending a little time on the international front. It might be fun seeing those three trying to deal with Africa or Asia
I agree here, but for what it's worth, I don't think TGUK did anything internationally (outside of Europe) until season 7 or 8. They have to get a bigger budget.
But as we have some time till the next episode, probably my favorite TGUK challenge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtTnfFH2Hjc
and Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhwoUxeTWsA
The first 15 seconds of this clip - sums up just about everything I love about Top Gear UK
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2671 posts, RR: 12 Reply 43, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 3400 times:
I loved the first episode of TG UK Season 19, glad I found a way to stream it online. I think May wears the same shirts every year.
Quoting BlueElephant (Reply 37): I'd give it another chance. 3rd season starts tomorrow.
After I watched the TG UK episode tonight I watched the US TG Season 3 Episode 5 by random to give it a chance. It was the "Tractor Challenge". 75% of the episode was 3 guys in tractors trying to cart cows around or move barns to a farmer's house before they even started talking about cars. No thanks, completely boring. The NY guy is annoying and I may be wrong but the only one of the three hosts that drives a car that goes over 200 mph is a race car driver. At least on TG UK all three of them do that. Mr. Slow even holds the record for going the fastest in a supercar on the UK version.
I'd like to watch the Aussie version to give it a try as well. They were guests on the UK show when they did the top bottom car race. Anyone got a link?
BMI727 From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 14410 posts, RR: 26 Reply 44, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 3398 times:
Quoting canoecarrier (Reply 43): After I watched the TG UK episode tonight I watched the US TG Season 3 Episode 5 by random to give it a chance. It was the "Tractor Challenge". 75% of the episode was 3 guys in tractors trying to cart cows around or move barns to a farmer's house before they even started talking about cars.
I like the variety per episode of the UK version much better than the US version. Usually it seems that the pattern is a big challenge followed by a race with something cool.
That said, I can understand why they do it:
1) The US version has sponsors, so doing car reviews like the UK version could get awkward as they need ad revenue. I know this issue was talked about a lot leading up to the debut of the US version but I haven't heard much since. The producers probably like the crazy Top Gear stuff more than just being a funnier version of Motorweek anyway, which leads to the second point.
2) They have less time. Losing twenty minutes or so per episode is no small matter. I think in the US the UK versions usually have the news segment cut and sometimes part of the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car interview. Again, I can see why the showrunners would want to spend the time they have on fun stuff.
3) It has better rerun value. I like the old Top Gears they show here, but while the challenges and races are always excellent, even I lose some interest if they are reviewing the last generation 5 Series or something like that. Not having the more serious newsy bits helps the show play better in the future.
Quoting canoecarrier (Reply 43): The NY guy is annoying and I may be wrong but the only one of the three hosts that drives a car that goes over 200 mph is a race car driver.
That's another issue with the US version that made it a bit less entertaining than the UK version although it seems to be getting a bit better. In the UK version, all three of the hosts are for the most part equally inept, although each in his own way. In the US version, Tanner is a better driver than the other two so he either stomps the others or the challenges have to be made so they don't favor a professional driver. I think that any of them could and would do a high performance segment, but when you put them head to head it isn't a fair fight.
Why do Aerospace Engineering students have to turn things in on time?
sturmovik From India, joined May 2007, 306 posts, RR: 0 Reply 45, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 3339 times:
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 32): You did not get that sense of "pushing too hard" from the earlier attempts like Botswana or North Pole.
Quoting moo (Reply 34): while India was nothing more than "we spent thousands of pounds on imported cars, and had a drive round".
Indeed. There were so many challenges they could've set themselves here, instead they just drove up some hills and left their cars there. It was really disappointing. From this season's montage, it looks like they're going to be following the river Nile in Africa. I hope it doesn't end up like the India special.
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 35): To drive the entire length of the old Trans Siberian Railroad in Soviet-era Russian cars.
Or, maybe race the Trans Siberian (maybe a portion of it, considering vast stretches of roads in that neck of the woods aren't worth writing home about) on another mode of transport. They really ought to do a Russia special, I'm sure there's tons of possibilities in a country that huge. Maybe James can fly one of his little airplanes into Red Square retracing the path of Mathias Rust while Pinky and Perky chase him down in BMP-3s carrying Igla missiles.
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2671 posts, RR: 12 Reply 46, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 3230 times:
Quoting BMI727 (Reply 44): I like the variety per episode of the UK version much better than the US version. Usually it seems that the pattern is a big challenge followed by a race with something cool.
I agree, the UK version is much better because of the variety. Mostly each host gets a segment all to their own and they sometimes get them all together as well.
Quoting BMI727 (Reply 44): The US version has sponsors, so doing car reviews like the UK version could get awkward as they need ad revenue.
The US version could add variety if they looked at the time between each commercial break as a segment and give each host individual time like the UK version does. That said, Europeans are much more interested in supercars than Americans. I'm not sure that format would work.
Quoting BMI727 (Reply 44): They have less time. Losing twenty minutes or so per episode is no small matter. I think in the US the UK versions usually have the news segment cut and sometimes part of the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car interview. Again, I can see why the showrunners would want to spend the time they have on fun stuff.
I think there is a lot of fun stuff in the UK version. And, a lot of Hollywood folks like the show and show up there. Admittedly, I don't watch the US version much but it would be nice if they could pull off a Star in a Reasonably Priced Car here with the US version.
Polot From United States of America, joined Jul 2011, 1591 posts, RR: 0 Reply 47, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 3229 times:
Quoting canoecarrier (Reply 46): I think there is a lot of fun stuff in the UK version. And, a lot of Hollywood folks like the show and show up there. Admittedly, I don't watch the US version much but it would be nice if they could pull off a Star in a Reasonably Priced Car here with the US version.
They use to, but they haven't a "Big Star, Small Car" (as they call it) segment in quite a while. That is completely fine with me, it use to be one of the worse segments of the show and honestly the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car is generally one of the weaker points of the UK show.
Geezer From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 1467 posts, RR: 2 Reply 48, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 3196 times:
Wow ! After reading about 20 posts so far, I'm beginning to think I must be the only guy in the whole world who doesn't watch "Top Gear" ! BTW...............what is it anyway ? Something about cars ? If so, it's probably why I don't watch it; (not too interested in cars)
Charley
Stupidity: Doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting a different result; Albert Einstein
Dreadnought From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 7883 posts, RR: 22 Reply 49, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 3183 times:
Quoting Geezer (Reply 48):
Wow ! After reading about 20 posts so far, I'm beginning to think I must be the only guy in the whole world who doesn't watch "Top Gear" ! BTW...............what is it anyway ? Something about cars ? If so, it's probably why I don't watch it; (not too interested in cars)
I think you'd enjoy it. It's not a car geek show like 'Motorweek'. It's fun.
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 19257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 50, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 3183 times:
Quoting Geezer (Reply 48): what is it anyway ? Something about cars ?
The quick and dirty: Three bumbling middle-aged English blokes drive around in supercars (preferably) using challenges and films of mini-documentary form, where things usually end up badly for either the car or the presenter in the end. When things actually go right, there's much cheering throughout the land. There's also a masked driver, who is supposed to be of F1 caliber, who does a serious bit where he takes one of the subject cars around the track at a marginally-used airport in the UK where the base of operations for this program takes place.
All in all, not a bad way to kill an hour if you love the smell of petrol in the morning.
Dreadnought From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 7883 posts, RR: 22 Reply 51, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 3174 times:
Quoting AeroWesty (Reply 50): All in all, not a bad way to kill an hour if you love the smell of petrol in the morning.
Even if you don't. My wife would not know a carburetor from a chicken casserole, and she enjoys watching it.
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 19257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 52, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 3162 times:
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 51): My wife would not know a carburetor from a chicken casserole, and she enjoys watching it.
Geezer From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 1467 posts, RR: 2 Reply 53, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 3087 times:
We have Dish Network with about 150 channels.........I wonder if it's on there ? What day is it on ? Anything that that can cause THIS crowd to "agree" on anything must really be spectacular !
BTW.........I used to watch "Motorweek"..........I kinda liked that guy !
Charley
P.S. Be sure to check out may "account" of a vehicle-related incident in the thread "car that gets 115 mpg"
Stupidity: Doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting a different result; Albert Einstein
BlueElephant From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2006, 1809 posts, RR: 6 Reply 54, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 3081 times:
Quoting Geezer (Reply 53): We have Dish Network with about 150 channels.........I wonder if it's on there ? What day is it on ? Anything that that can cause THIS crowd to "agree" on anything must really be spectacular !
BBC America this coming Monday Night 9pm EST / 8pm Central
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2671 posts, RR: 12 Reply 56, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 3030 times:
Quoting BlueElephant (Reply 54): BBC America this coming Monday Night 9pm EST / 8pm Central
I found it online as well Charley, it takes a little more work to find but you can watch it nearly as soon as it is broadcast on the BBC.
GDB From United Kingdom, joined May 2001, 12735 posts, RR: 79 Reply 57, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 3017 times:
Quoting Geezer (Reply 48):
ow ! After reading about 20 posts so far, I'm beginning to think I must be the only guy in the whole world who doesn't watch "Top Gear" ! BTW...............what is it anyway ? Something about cars ? If so, it's probably why I don't watch it; (not too interested in cars)
AeroWesty did a good summation, to add to it, here is a piece by US channel CBS;
thunderboltdrgn From Sweden, joined Jan 2012, 147 posts, RR: 0 Reply 58, posted (4 months 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 2760 times:
Quoting Geezer (Reply 48): Wow ! After reading about 20 posts so far, I'm beginning to think I must be the only guy in the whole world who doesn't watch "Top Gear" ! BTW...............what is it anyway ? Something about cars ? If so, it's probably why I don't watch it; (not too interested in cars)
GrahamHill From France, joined Mar 2007, 2540 posts, RR: 1 Reply 59, posted (4 months 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 2760 times:
Quoting Geezer (Reply 48): Wow ! After reading about 20 posts so far, I'm beginning to think I must be the only guy in the whole world who doesn't watch "Top Gear" ! BTW...............what is it anyway ? Something about cars ? If so, it's probably why I don't watch it; (not too interested in cars)
It is THE best car show in the world. And no need to be a car maniac, I've seen people who don't care about cars being hooked to the show.
There are some episodes available on Youtube. You can already have an overview of what to expect
"A learned fool is more foolish than an ignorant one" - Moliere
BBC America is running a Top Gear marathon leading up to tonight's season premiere. Already had an appearance by the Stig's Italian cousin and Kung Fu Stig.....
ZANL188 From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 3258 posts, RR: 0 Reply 61, posted (4 months 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 2718 times:
Quoting Geezer (Reply 53): We have Dish Network with about 150 channels.........I wonder if it's on there ? What day is it on ? Anything that that can cause THIS crowd to "agree" on anything must really be spectacular !
On Dish BBC America is channel 135. I've got my DVR all set and ready to go for more Top Gear...
Legal considerations provided by: Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe
caliatenza From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 1148 posts, RR: 0 Reply 63, posted (4 months 2 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 2664 times:
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 39): But I am hoping that they stop being so US-centric, and start spending a little time on the international front. It might be fun seeing those three trying to deal with Africa or Asia
yeah they need to go international; i couldnt get into the US Top Gear though..
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 19257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 64, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 2548 times:
Quoting Braniff747SP (Reply 62): Yesterday's episode, the American road trip, was good fun.
Perhaps I'm totally out of what's cool for supercars of recent vintage, but I had to have a laugh at the color of James' Aston. In high school in the 1970s that color was known as 'Monster Blue'. I was waiting for him to show off the sound of his Glasspack mufflers! (Oh, what kids did to Chevys and Fords back then.)
Dreadnought From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 7883 posts, RR: 22 Reply 65, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 2521 times:
Quoting AeroWesty (Reply 64): Perhaps I'm totally out of what's cool for supercars of recent vintage, but I had to have a laugh at the color of James' Aston. In high school in the 1970s that color was known as 'Monster Blue'. I was waiting for him to show off the sound of his Glasspack mufflers! (Oh, what kids did to Chevys and Fords back then.)
Hey, don't knock glasspacks. They were classy
Not to mention illegal as hell. I had to coast whenever I saw a police car.
sturmovik From India, joined May 2007, 306 posts, RR: 0 Reply 66, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 2505 times:
Quoting Braniff747SP (Reply 62):
Yesterday's episode, the American road trip, was good fun. I'm liking this series.
I liked the bit with the marchettis, they definitely oughta do more segments with planes in them
Which got me thinking.. what would a Top Gear equivalent for airplanes look like?
B777LRF From Luxembourg, joined Nov 2008, 1015 posts, RR: 3 Reply 68, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 2496 times:
Episode two of this series is the best Top Gear has produced in a very, very long time. I know it's scripted, but they've re-invented themselves just enough to make it sound and look more authentic than the last couple of seasons, and the satire is just dripping off the screen. The boys really are back on form, and I for one can't wait until they broadcast the special later this month.
The only letdown was having Fleetwood in the SIARPC. Great musician, but a bit of a boring old duffer.
From receips and radials over straight pipes to big fans - been there, done that, got the hearing defects to prove
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 19257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 69, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 2453 times:
Dreadnought From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 7883 posts, RR: 22 Reply 70, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 2448 times:
Quoting AeroWesty (Reply 69): LOLOL, okay, that made my day. You of all people with glasspacks! What kind of car were you driving then?
At the time it was a black 1977 K-5 Blazer with a seriously suped-up 350, 4 speed manual on 38 inch tires and an 8-inch lift. No mufflers or catalytic converters - the glasspacks were the only thing that "kinda" quietened the thing down. I called it the DeathMobile.
BTW, It got 4 MPG, but would suck the headlights out of a Porsche up to around 50-60 MPH when areodynamics took over. It was basically like driving a brick wall around.
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 19257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 71, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 2441 times:
Dreadnought From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 7883 posts, RR: 22 Reply 72, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 2431 times:
Quoting AeroWesty (Reply 71): Oh my stars. I guess something like this, but in black.
Make it black and add a whole lot of rust, and that was the Deathmobile
Edit: I found a picture that looks shockingly like the Deathmobile - in fact if it weren't for the fact that this one isn't rusted away, I'd say this could be it.
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 19257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 73, posted (4 months 1 week 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 2420 times:
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 72): Make it black and add a whole lot of rust, and that was the Deathmobile
zkojq From New Zealand, joined Sep 2011, 817 posts, RR: 1 Reply 74, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 2319 times:
Quoting B777LRF (Reply 6): finalgear.com is your friend if you're not in the UK. They'll usually provide a link for downloading within 30 minutes of the show having aired.
Cheers.
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 35): Here is an idea for a future special. To drive the entire length of the old Trans Siberian Railroad in Soviet-era Russian cars.
That could make several very good episodes out of that.
Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 41): If you want something a bit different there is Fifth Gear. In the USA it is shown on the Discovery-Velocity cable/dish channel A bit less silly and destructive, they have in their 3-4 main players an adult woman, and in recent episodes I have seen one of Asian Indian heritage - it's not just a white man's club as TG UK and US are.
Several of the Fifth Gear presenters used to be presenters of the 'old' Top Gear (before Clarkson, May and Hammond arrived).
Quoting sturmovik (Reply 45): Maybe James can fly one of his little airplanes into Red Square retracing the path of Mathias Rust while Pinky and Perky chase him down in BMP-3s carrying Igla missiles
For those interested; James May's aircraft is registered G-OCOK.
Quoting B777LRF (Reply 68): The only letdown was having Fleetwood in the SIARPC. Great musician, but a bit of a boring old duffer.
I question the relevance of even having the SIARPC segment. Much of the time the 'star' is relatively unknown outside of the UK, which isn't much use to Top Gear's large international audience. While Mick Fleetwood might have been a bit dull, at least most viewers know who he is.....more than what could be said for the 'star' who was on the previous week's show.
bueb0g From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2010, 547 posts, RR: 0 Reply 77, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 2311 times:
Quoting zkojq (Reply 74): While Mick Fleetwood might have been a bit dull, at least most viewers know who he is.....more than what could be said for the 'star' who was on the previous week's show.
Damian Lewis? Star of Band of Brothers and Homeland? I think a lot of people know who he is, he's legitimately a "star"...
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2671 posts, RR: 12 Reply 78, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 2292 times:
Quoting EDKA (Reply 75): I am pretty sure Clarkson has been at Top Gear from the begining (1980's)
Here's Clarkson's first appearance on Top Gear in 1988.
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2671 posts, RR: 12 Reply 80, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 2263 times:
Quoting bueb0g (Reply 79):
Haha... His Yorkshire accent is much more pronounced than it is now. Interesting stuff.
Yeah, this clip is a little longer that really gives an idea what the show was like in the late '80s.
Clarkson's whit is there but it's still not as interesting as the show is now. I don't think I realized that they kept the show's musical theme when they transitioned to the new format.
zkojq From New Zealand, joined Sep 2011, 817 posts, RR: 1 Reply 81, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 2242 times:
Quoting EDKA (Reply 75): I am pretty sure Clarkson has been at Top Gear from the begining (1980's)
He was. Clarkson was a presenter from the late 1980s to 1999 when he left (returning in 2002 with the new format show). After Clarkson left, Top Gear was presented by Tiff Needell, Vicki Butler-Henderson and Quentin Willson who defected to Fifth Gear (on a rival channel) when 'old' Top Gear was cancelled.
Today Fifth Gear is a more formal and informative car show; a TV show that you would watch if you wanted to know if a car you were thinking of buying is any good. Top Gear meanwhile is just (very good) entertainment but little use to all but the wealthiest of consumers.
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2671 posts, RR: 12 Reply 84, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 2125 times:
Quoting MIAspotter (Reply 76): and James tests drives a DeHavilland Comet
James would be in a Constellation or PanAm Clipper, talking about the glory days of comfort travel when it didn't matter when you arrived it's how you got there.
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2671 posts, RR: 12 Reply 85, posted (4 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1904 times:
I don't know when TG Season 19 episode 3 was shown in the UK. It's still not here in the States, but I just watched the torrent of it. Great episode. I hate watching TG on BBC America with all the commercials. Although I have no idea who Amy Macdonald is, she was a great guest for the show. Nice to have a motor head woman as a guest.
Wasn't that Jeremy's GT he drove? I thought he owned one of those already. I know they do these public transportation vs. the car thing from time to time, but it's still funny.
edit: funny how Captain Slow rides a bike and Hammond runs.
srbmod From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 16896 posts, RR: 51 Reply 86, posted (4 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1896 times:
Quoting canoecarrier (Reply 85):
I don't know when TG Season 19 episode 3 was shown in the UK. It's still not here in the States, but I just watched the torrent of it. Great episode. I hate watching TG on BBC America with all the commercials. Although I have no idea who Amy Macdonald is, she was a great guest for the show. Nice to have a motor head woman as a guest.
S19E3 will air here in the US on BBC America next Monday as the new episodes air a week after they do on BBC 2. This is better than in the past when it was a few months after the episodes originally aired before they aired them on BBC America.
Quoting B777LRF (Reply 68): Episode two of this series is the best Top Gear has produced in a very, very long time. I know it's scripted, but they've re-invented themselves just enough to make it sound and look more authentic than the last couple of seasons, and the satire is just dripping off the screen. The boys really are back on form, and I for one can't wait until they broadcast the special later this month.
I haven't laughed that hard watching Top Gear in quite some time. Jezza's "beat the meat" comment was classic.
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 39): But I am hoping that they stop being so US-centric, and start spending a little time on the international front. It might be fun seeing those three trying to deal with Africa or Asia
You'll be getting your wish as the US Top Gear crew were recently in Iceland doing some filming.
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2671 posts, RR: 12 Reply 87, posted (3 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 1687 times:
I enjoyed half of S19 E4. The part where they had Matt LeBlanc and Eric Clapton with the Kia was funny. I also enjoyed the Rugby scrum at Twickenham. As much as they give Americans a hard time, that was basically just a demolition derby with a rugby ball in the middle. I did feel bad for the groundskeeper though.
The part with Hammond in Mexico and the three car comparison was not so interesting.
I did some research and it looks like that was filmed pretty recently (I'm talking about that particular segment, not the actual show which was very recent as it included jokes about horse meat and the pope resigning). And yet Twickenham is currently being used for the 6-Nations rugby. Were they due to resurface it anyway which was why they let this go on there? The damage looked pretty severe - the part during the scrum looked like the car wheels were buried up to 6" in mud.
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 19257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 93, posted (3 months 3 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 1428 times:
Quoting moo (Reply 91): They've just signed 3 year extensions to the contract, so I doubt it.
Hopefully we won't see them missing a summer series or Christmas special again, and see the new contract usher in a healthy schedule without episode-padding.
Braniff747SP From Spain, joined Oct 2008, 2649 posts, RR: 1 Reply 94, posted (3 months 3 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 1418 times:
Quoting canoecarrier (Reply 85): Wasn't that Jeremy's GT he drove? I thought he owned one of those already. I know they do these public transportation vs. the car thing from time to time, but it's still funny.
As far as I know, no. He had a Ford GT, not a Mustang GT... I'm not sure he even has it anymore.
The 747 will always be the TRUE queen of the skies!
moo From Falkland Islands, joined May 2007, 3614 posts, RR: 4 Reply 95, posted (3 months 3 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 1414 times:
Quoting AeroWesty (Reply 93): Hopefully we won't see them missing a summer series or Christmas special again, and see the new contract usher in a healthy schedule without episode-padding.
The current season is the only one planned for this year, with no Christmas special again either.
Where would you be getting that info from, because there hasn't been a season 20 announced, and there's nothing currently in the BBC production schedule for the rest of this year for Top Gear.
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2671 posts, RR: 12 Reply 98, posted (3 months 1 week 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 1043 times:
Anyone else enjoy the 1st part of the Africa special? I owe some thanks to whoever put me on to finalgear.com. A lot of it is rubbish like the fact that no one has ever found the source of the Nile, but it was entertaining. If anything I like seeing the landscape of countries like Uganda.
Dreadnought From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 7883 posts, RR: 22 Reply 99, posted (3 months 1 week 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 1048 times:
Quoting canoecarrier (Reply 98):
Anyone else enjoy the 1st part of the Africa special? I owe some thanks to whoever put me on to finalgear.com. A lot of it is rubbish like the fact that no one has ever found the source of the Nile, but it was entertaining. If anything I like seeing the landscape of countries like Uganda.
It was very good - on par with Bolivia and Vietnam IMHO.
Part 2 on Sunday, and I hear that they are back again in summer
aerorobnz From Rwanda, joined Feb 2001, 6368 posts, RR: 13 Reply 100, posted (3 months 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 946 times:
reminded me of my backpacking around east Africa. Enjoying it very much. I actually want to buy a secondhand car and drive the whole of africa, have been meaning to do so for some time.
GDB From United Kingdom, joined May 2001, 12735 posts, RR: 79 Reply 101, posted (3 months 1 week 5 days ago) and read 906 times:
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 99): It was very good - on par with Bolivia and Vietnam IMHO.
For me, the Vietnam one is, so far at least, their crowning glory.
The Bolivia and North Pole ones are great, many people's favourites.
But think of the Vietnam one, a car show that does a special, with no cars involved!
Yet it still works brilliantly!
Perhaps also illustrating that much of the audience, myself included, is not really interested in cars at all.
CPH-R From Denmark, joined May 2001, 5754 posts, RR: 4 Reply 102, posted (3 months 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 871 times:
On the subject of favourite specials, I personally rank the Botswana one as #1 by a mile, followed by the North Pole & Bolivia ones. Vietnam was good, but once you realise how heavily scripted it was, it takes away a lot.
The Nile special is shaping up pretty damn good so far, can't wait for tomorrows conclusion.
Polot From United States of America, joined Jul 2011, 1591 posts, RR: 0 Reply 103, posted (3 months 1 week 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 866 times:
Quoting GDB (Reply 101): Perhaps also illustrating that much of the audience, myself included, is not really interested in cars at all.
I don't think anyone really watches Top Gear for the cars anymore. The (few) "reviews" are generally all the same now- this special is going to end with them all saying that despite all the problems the cars were having it is amazing to think that they only got them for 1500 pounds and how they acted as homes for them for several days and how they hold a special place in their hearts yada yada yada. The standard supercar review is one saying hey look how beautiful this car is- point out some quick flaws- then say but look at this with shots of burnouts and drifting and Jeremy screaming in delight. Then depending on the review, another person will appear in a similar competitor (usually in a low shot of the first car where the second car turns out from behind it) and they do the whole thing over again.
Everyone watches for the interactions between the hosts (which is one of the reasons why SIARPC is usually one of the worse segments).
The new McLaren - being driven by Ron Dennis - does the lap 10 secs faster than the next quickest. Ohhh, I wanna see that. Put it in the hands of the Stig and who knows...could be less than 1 min.
Polot From United States of America, joined Jul 2011, 1591 posts, RR: 0 Reply 105, posted (3 months 1 week 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 809 times:
Quoting bristolflyer (Reply 104): The new McLaren - being driven by Ron Dennis - does the lap 10 secs faster than the next quickest. Ohhh, I wanna see that. Put it in the hands of the Stig and who knows...could be less than 1 min.
Without knowing the tires that were on it you can't really say all that much. It could have been done with slicks for all we know. 1.13.8 isn't the fastest time of a car around the track ever, it is just the fastest time of a road legal car able to clear a speedbump with road legal tires. (and even then Pagani got some flack with the Huayra for using road legal, albeit barely, modified Zonda R tires for its speed run while using the standard tires for filming the actual segment about the car.)
777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 11350 posts, RR: 17 Reply 106, posted (3 months 1 week 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 755 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
Top Gears production team arrived today in New Zealand's Far North (minus the three presenters) to prepare for filming on 90 Mile Beach. Top Gear have been granted permission by the local Council to film a race and other events on the popular beach. The local Maori's (one of New Zealand's cultural people) are all up in arms and angry with the Council for not informing them about Top Gear's plans. The Maori's meet today and asked Top Gear's production team if theres anything in it for them
kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11996 posts, RR: 36 Reply 107, posted (3 months 1 week 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 688 times:
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 99): Anyone else enjoy the 1st part of the Africa special? I owe some thanks to whoever put me on to finalgear.com. A lot of it is rubbish like the fact that no one has ever found the source of the Nile, but it was entertaining. If anything I like seeing the landscape of countries like Uganda.It was very good - on par with Bolivia and Vietnam IMHO.Part 2 on Sunday, and I hear that they are back again in summer
Just watched the second part of the Africa special - loved every minute of it and would have easily sat through another hour; they just work so well together; it was perfect Sunday evening entertainment. Just immensely, immensely easy to watch and enjoyable. The photography and the general atmosphere were wonderful too.
I do agree that it's not so much about the cars anymore; they could be talking about breeding yaks or knitting pullovers.
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2671 posts, RR: 12 Reply 108, posted (3 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 524 times:
Quoting kaitak (Reply 107): Just watched the second part of the Africa special - loved every minute of it and would have easily sat through another hour; they just work so well together; it was perfect Sunday evening entertainment. Just immensely, immensely easy to watch and enjoyable. The photography and the general atmosphere were wonderful too.
Some parts were a little contrived like everyone running around looking for the "real" source of the Nile and James breaking an axle right at the end, but that's what Top Gear is really. It would have been funny if they had The Stig show up at the very end and be standing over the Nile source before they got there. I enjoyed the special overall and I can't wait for them to come back in the summer.
Have they given up the Cool Board? I haven't seen that in a long time.
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For those interested; James May's aircraft is registered G-OCOK.
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