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Jan 17, 2006 10:44:31 GMT
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Perhaps I was a tad unfair earlier, I agree that as an entertainment show it works well. Clarkson, Hammond and May make quite a good team, and I even enjoy quite a lot of Clarkson's non-TG work (like his book "I Know You Got Soul"). At least the mrs doesn't complain about me watching TG like she does if it's the touring cars or rallying!
But, oh for the days when you could tune in on a thursday night and see beardy Goffey, showing you the engine and boot-space in a new Maestro, R21 or whatever....
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My fleet: Suzuki GSX-R600Y SRAD with bald, melted tyres A borrowed Mondeo
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Jan 17, 2006 11:54:52 GMT
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Top gear is fantastic for entertainment, and that's how it should stay. The current format is the best I've ever seen IMHO
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Jan 17, 2006 12:44:50 GMT
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Top gear is fantastic for entertainment, and that's how it should stay. The current format is the best I've ever seen IMHO I agree, I really enjoy watching Top Gear, I think if they were to return to the old style format it would appear as dull as dishwater. Yes, the BMW error was glaring & in-excusable, but generally the technical info is correct if rather brief. TBH I think the balance of info to entertainment is about right considering its wide appeal. I thought the review pitching the BMW 130 against the new Golf R32 in the last program was very good & highlighted the one series' shortcomings as a practical car i.e lack of luggage & rear passenger space - which would be very useful info for someone thinking of buying one.
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Jan 17, 2006 13:01:17 GMT
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As far as entertainment goes, I'd rather watch CSI. Or indeed pretty much anything.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Jan 17, 2006 14:46:39 GMT
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I think Top Gear is great...you just have to turn off your car-brain before you watch it and enjoy the show!
Why on earth isn't one of the digital channels showing old-format re-runs? The series dates back to 1978 - I watch loads of naff old shows just for the cars, so I'm sure old shows actually actually about cars would go down a storm. Although it would mean NoelEbmunds would get repeat fees...but that's a necessary evil I suppose.
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MWF
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,945
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Jan 17, 2006 15:34:02 GMT
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I find it quite odd that anyone could express any particulary negative thoughts towards Top Gear. I can understand someone not caring for it's juvenile attitude but that's a double edged sword.
The fact is we are spoilt for car related TV thesedays, there's enough negativity in the world, lets not go directing some more at just one car show that aims at mass appeal.
I personally feel Jeremy Clarkson and his production crew are one of the best teams out there for presenting information in an entertaining way. They opinionated and unfair, childish, argumentative and bias. They are like real people talking about cars. They are not trying to big up their ex-racing pedigree by complaining the new Jag doesn't pitch with quite the turn in they demand on a tight circuit, while remaining totally sicafantic to the brand in the hope they'll give them an XK to test when it comes out.
Needless to say James May and Richard Hammond are big car fans, guys I'm sure many of us would enjoy a pint and a chat with. So they get the odd technical thing wrong, that's to be expected. Find me someone who knows everything there is to know about modern and classic cars who's also a very good TV presenter.
In this thread I'm detecting some resentment towards Clarkson and his show.
I guess the big question is, if those who are willing to critique Top Gear quite so much then could you do it better? And if you can why aren't you?
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Jan 17, 2006 15:59:06 GMT
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Fat guy was replaced by moth ball james may. ----------------------------------------------------------- Agree with this statement most i think. Hmmm. The format of TG is (and has always been) a 'magazine' show. Right now, it's a very glossy magazine, filled with good humour and some stunning camera work. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, raises the bar for other shows to attain. Some of the car-related stuff on M&M is so terminally dreary in it's style it makes me wanna switch off my tv set & do something less boring instead*, even though I may be actually interested in the content. *did anyone one else instantly turn the telly off the second 'why don't you?' came on??I'm Heading for an happy medium with my project. The camera work on TG is amazing, and the way they make cars entertaining is great too, even g/f's and housemates and parents can watch with you, so they got that right. generally i like clarkson, but it is an extension of his ego and it bores me when i see toffs droning on together. Hammond is great but seems to be too scripted. So cater for enthusiast but make it entertaining. that is a fine line. Oh and the Beeb have loads of money. Fifth gear is a terrible copy though, and M&M seem to have too much police camera etc stuff etc on there, and ironically before 11am saturday it was womens aerobic equipment shopping programme
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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MWF
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,945
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Jan 17, 2006 16:07:48 GMT
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The rule I've always applied to Top Gear "It's not so much a car show that's entertaining, more so an entertainment show that just so happens to be about cars."
The point about being able to watch with the GF and housemates is a very valid and important one.
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MWF
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,945
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Jan 17, 2006 16:09:18 GMT
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Also a random point which probably goes to highlight how TG is very conciously structured towards mass appeal is that the studio organisers demand a 50/50 male female ratio. I believe they even go as far as to check audience cars that come in to make sure they have as many girls as boys attending.
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Jan 17, 2006 17:06:44 GMT
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only because its all made by granada and the presenters are either non car or granada staff usually doin radio
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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Jan 17, 2006 17:32:34 GMT
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i completely agree with MWF, Ed etc
You have a long weekend working on the cars, you're dirty and grimy and want something easy to watch with a beer before you have to face work again tomorrow. Top Gear is PERFECT!!! Seeing them race across Europe, or a Bugatti Veyron is PRECISELY what i want to see when i feel like that - tv that i can go "YEAH!" to and not have to think about!
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,945
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Jan 17, 2006 18:20:21 GMT
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Bring back Mason he made some magic gaffs!!! ;D
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том
Posted a lot
"If in doubt, flat out!"
Posts: 2,707
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i love top gear, its just great entertainment, and i think thats all it really aims to be. oh, the clip that started this thread... (just to throw more coal on your rage)
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1988 V8 Rangey Bobtail :: 1968 Volvo Amazon 133 Ratrod :: 1977 Land Rover 88 :: 1985 Opel Monza GSE :: 1983 MKII Fiesta
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Thats crazy, In Hammonds defense it was probably scripted and another car turned up for the shoot. Even though Beemas look similar, you'd think he'd of noticed though, and plenty of room in post production to watch it over and over again too. We all make mistakes, some more embarrassing than others...!
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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