Chris Harris must modernise and up his game
Discussion
decrassius said:
balls-out said:
God help this self obsessed generation. I really DON'T want to watch videos about the life of Youtubers. I want to see cars.
I can see where you're coming from, and there will be plenty like you. There are plenty of serious car reviews for you. My dad for example has read every issue of Auto Motor und Sport since the 1960s. Those magazines go into intricate detail about how the latest 1.6 litre Golf is a wonderful engineering achievement because the degree of latitude on the bearing joint in the fuel path blah blah [obviously not a real life example but hopefully illustrative]But the vast majority just want to be entertained, in the context of something that interests them, like cars. That's why Top Gear is the most popular car show in history. It is first and foremost an entertainment show. It just uses cars as the context.
The key point here is that Chris is operating a business. He is using this to survive. I am saying that - for good or for worse (and I could point out that from the perspective of the viewer watching a youtuber it is hardly self-obsessed; quite the opposite) - I fear that his business will not survive if he doesn't move with the times and update his business model.
Edited by JockySteer on Monday 21st December 17:22
ukaskew said:
CS Garth said:
I'm a broad church kind of guy but non-ownership of a socket set is almost indefensible. You'd have a have a large amount of other "hallmarks" of a car enthusiast to make up for this.
We live in an age where new drivers may never see a spare wheel, and sealed power units are no doubt around the corner. Things are a changin'.The most frustrating thing about Chris Harris (for me anyway), is we still haven't seen anything much of his E30 M3 rally car. Yes, we saw the track control arm fail whilst testing but that was bloody ages ago.
How about taking it to Landau or Anglesey and for a bit of a hoon around Wales, if there's not a rally you fancy doing? Maybe even follow up on the Patrick Snijers video you did a few years back and take it for a blast around the Manx? In fact, there are a few E30 M3 here in Cornwall and the roads are quieter at this time of year.
How about taking it to Landau or Anglesey and for a bit of a hoon around Wales, if there's not a rally you fancy doing? Maybe even follow up on the Patrick Snijers video you did a few years back and take it for a blast around the Manx? In fact, there are a few E30 M3 here in Cornwall and the roads are quieter at this time of year.
Trouble is the general population consists of an exceeding high proportion of simpletons & morons.
Personally I'd rather eat a $hit sandwich than watch any more than the 2mins of schmee I've seen, same goes for TV soaps, X voice on ice strictly jungle big brother factor.
Thing is it sells & sells big. I like Harris' vids, Petrolicous too, tho I do like Roadkill too which is a different demographic, but I enjoy.
I can't see Harris selling out to make the schmee pulp stuff for window lickers, be a darn shame if he had to tho to make it pay.
Personally I'd rather eat a $hit sandwich than watch any more than the 2mins of schmee I've seen, same goes for TV soaps, X voice on ice strictly jungle big brother factor.
Thing is it sells & sells big. I like Harris' vids, Petrolicous too, tho I do like Roadkill too which is a different demographic, but I enjoy.
I can't see Harris selling out to make the schmee pulp stuff for window lickers, be a darn shame if he had to tho to make it pay.
Not a fan of Paul from Supercars of London or Shmee150, both are very into the bling bling, holla holla get dolla lifestyle rather than the actual cars themselves. Not too entertaining for petrolheads who are really into cars rather than exotica. I love Chris' videos for what they are, a proper in depth look into how the cars drive, the little technical details and just well produced. Also am a big fan of Harry's Garage.
Evolved said:
Must be the only one that doesn't like his style as I switch off after a few minutes. Can't stand the way he presents and listening to him bores me rigid. I know I'm in the minority though so what does it matter?'
Nope, I can't stand him and I know a few others who can't either, just the Quentin Wilson of today in my eyes.It is nice to know that im not the only person to dislike schmee150. I have mates around my age that ask if ive seen the latest vid and cant believe im not interested. I find him to be completely unwatchable and to be honest, annoying. In terms of his presentation i would agree with previous points about him speaking as though hes reading from a spec list or Top Trumps.
I like videos from chris harris and to some extent other channels such as harrys garage. They project themselves as true petrolheads who genuinely have a passion for the subject, just by the way the videos are presented. Im also more interested to listen to people who are actually capable of expressing a negative opinion occasionally rather than walking around believing 'its shiny and loud so it must be good'.
I like videos from chris harris and to some extent other channels such as harrys garage. They project themselves as true petrolheads who genuinely have a passion for the subject, just by the way the videos are presented. Im also more interested to listen to people who are actually capable of expressing a negative opinion occasionally rather than walking around believing 'its shiny and loud so it must be good'.
I lasted to 4'16" on those 3 gorgeous cars in blue. A one man crew and production values worth 1% of Harris' - an ad-hoc, winged, rambly loose mess. Feels aimed at primary school kids - can he actually 'drive'?
I watched as our viewing habits remain fairly linear - we cant keep up with that despite SKY+ or the Humax PVR - and wanted to keep up with the kids. My kids do stream KSI, Comedy Shorts,d Zoella and Tanya Burr on their devices (before Daddy auto WiFi cut off time kicks in...he he) but for me these 'programmes' values and content are so weak compared to properly formatted TV. But that doesnt seem to bother them as they connect with the jump cut ridden content and chat about them in school with their mates. I always thought it was about editorial, narrative and structure, but wing it and bash it out seems to work fine!
Right, Last Panthers now after yesterdays Homeland
I watched as our viewing habits remain fairly linear - we cant keep up with that despite SKY+ or the Humax PVR - and wanted to keep up with the kids. My kids do stream KSI, Comedy Shorts,d Zoella and Tanya Burr on their devices (before Daddy auto WiFi cut off time kicks in...he he) but for me these 'programmes' values and content are so weak compared to properly formatted TV. But that doesnt seem to bother them as they connect with the jump cut ridden content and chat about them in school with their mates. I always thought it was about editorial, narrative and structure, but wing it and bash it out seems to work fine!
Right, Last Panthers now after yesterdays Homeland
I have never seen anything by schmee, and never will. I've read enough here to understand what it's about, though, and have seen similar content from others.
I'm no fan of CH but how anyone can seriously compare the sort of content that Harris produces with the kind of s
te that these clueless kids are churning out for their audiences is beyond me.
It's typical of the reality-TV/Facebook generation that watching poor quality output of other people just doing 'things' has become big business.
I'm no fan of CH but how anyone can seriously compare the sort of content that Harris produces with the kind of s
te that these clueless kids are churning out for their audiences is beyond me.It's typical of the reality-TV/Facebook generation that watching poor quality output of other people just doing 'things' has become big business.
Edited by PorkInsider on Monday 21st December 22:38
I've just watched several of schmee's videos, the expensive cars driving up the road stuff is not very interesting, the walk arounds could be good if you are looking to buy one of these cars. Generally he seems to be more about specs, toys and bling than driving so not my thing really, nothing wrong with enjoying cars in your own way though and he is clearly an enthusiast. Picking up his FF was a reasonable watching experience from his more recent output, I watched parts of about five videos from his first three years of videos. For me then his output is maybe three videos a year.
I'll watch a video by CH and not fast forward or want to flick back to find something else.
I'll watch a video by CH and not fast forward or want to flick back to find something else.
Digga said:
EricE said:
The whole concept of watching objective car reviews on a small youtube channel is fundamentally broken.
Reviewers rely on the manufacturers to provide the cars so they won't bite the hand that feeds them.
TBF, two of his best reviews, ever, IMHO were both of his own cars; his 2CV and his 997.2 GT3RS winter hibernation piece. (Granted the 911 would not be wholly independent of Porsche UK.)Reviewers rely on the manufacturers to provide the cars so they won't bite the hand that feeds them.
I think Harry Metcalfe does by far the best car videos, period.
I just like the fact you can mix it up a bit... do I have 5 mins? 15? or an hour?
I can watch Schmee "Hi I'm Schmee...(this what I'm going to do)...(this is the colour).."it's a-mazing to drive!"...(this is what I've done)....cheers!" and enjoy the disposable nature of seeing some gorgeous cars, whilst I'm doing something else..
Even Seen Through Glass and his EVO COTY rip off was quite amusing...
Or I can set aside an hour, get a drink and some nibbles and concentrate on watching something polished which focuses on much more in depth stuff.
It does grate that everything is awesome...but I understand why...and it does frustrate that CH doesn't produce more...
I'm enjoying Savagegeese a lot at the moment too... two Americans...one balding nervous semi serious bloke who does 80% of the tests and a very dry/funny mechanic... some bad language and worthy attempts at humour thrown in. Fairly limited material though as they seem to be working their way through their local Kia dealership. Their S2000 vs GT86 was fun though. They have outakes too...
Speed Acadamy have agood balance..
I can watch Schmee "Hi I'm Schmee...(this what I'm going to do)...(this is the colour).."it's a-mazing to drive!"...(this is what I've done)....cheers!" and enjoy the disposable nature of seeing some gorgeous cars, whilst I'm doing something else..
Even Seen Through Glass and his EVO COTY rip off was quite amusing...
Or I can set aside an hour, get a drink and some nibbles and concentrate on watching something polished which focuses on much more in depth stuff.
It does grate that everything is awesome...but I understand why...and it does frustrate that CH doesn't produce more...
I'm enjoying Savagegeese a lot at the moment too... two Americans...one balding nervous semi serious bloke who does 80% of the tests and a very dry/funny mechanic... some bad language and worthy attempts at humour thrown in. Fairly limited material though as they seem to be working their way through their local Kia dealership. Their S2000 vs GT86 was fun though. They have outakes too...
Speed Acadamy have agood balance..
To address common issues in this thread:
1.) Chris Harris has posted a video of him going to the car wash, it was and still is a decent video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEucVVy4HoM, this addresses the "It would be boring if he did those type of videos"
2.) To those saying this generation etc, quite a lot of people enjoy Chris Harris's videos, they are expensive to make and if patreon didn't exist then I highly doubt the hypercar video would be made as well as the other videos.
3.) You need money to make the videos we all prefer and unless you're donating towards his patreon then I can't see anything wrong in suggesting he makes more videos based around trivial activities, that's unfortunately the way the youtube model works, consistent uploading will get you more views and subscribers and therefore more money.
4.) Using this money we can enjoy more of his usual content which is fantastic.
Think of it like this; the Porsche Cayenne, not many people liked the idea/concept at first, however it's probably allowed Porsche to continue making the GT3 and produce the 918.
1.) Chris Harris has posted a video of him going to the car wash, it was and still is a decent video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEucVVy4HoM, this addresses the "It would be boring if he did those type of videos"
2.) To those saying this generation etc, quite a lot of people enjoy Chris Harris's videos, they are expensive to make and if patreon didn't exist then I highly doubt the hypercar video would be made as well as the other videos.
3.) You need money to make the videos we all prefer and unless you're donating towards his patreon then I can't see anything wrong in suggesting he makes more videos based around trivial activities, that's unfortunately the way the youtube model works, consistent uploading will get you more views and subscribers and therefore more money.
4.) Using this money we can enjoy more of his usual content which is fantastic.
Think of it like this; the Porsche Cayenne, not many people liked the idea/concept at first, however it's probably allowed Porsche to continue making the GT3 and produce the 918.
Edited by flibbage0 on Tuesday 22 December 01:04
I think Chris has done his best to meld making videos "on his own" with being a proper motoring journalist but his competition is VERY different and I think they might have the upper hand because they make videos about their everyday lives (not something they have to wait to be invited to/fly to etc. etc.)
Tim 'shmee150' Burton has access to some nice cars and can clearly afford to spend loads of time doing videos about them but he's DRY and DULL. Everything he sees is amazing and wonderful and fantastic and I have no need to watch anything he makes because I already know what he's going to say about it...
2 of his mates/competitors - 'Seen Through Glass' and 'Supercars of London' - even managed to make 2 videos in the SAME CAR this week, soon they'll be videoing each-other videoing each other - perhaps the massive drop in Youtube earnings can't come soon enough there?
Cross the pond and you have the likes of salomondrin who owns about $10m of cars and is - well - also utterly and totally dull to watch - that you have nice things doesn't mean we care what you THINK of those things u'see...
Matt Farah continues to make interesting videos in other people's cars (One Take) and DRIVE makes some interesting 'Top Gear' style stuff but that's locked behind a paywall for the most part. Even Jay Leno is making 'TV' TV from his Garage now (he still does the weekly freebie but the quality of that seems to have dropped-off sharply!!)
Then there's Car Throttle - terrible name but a MASSIVE following and almost certainly the 'future of online car shows' (if it has one) - they do a wide range of content, spend not much doing it - draw in the likes of Lord whateverhisnameis and quietly probably redefine what people expect.
Look on the bright side tho - you could be Clarkson, Hammond and May trying to tout your new show on the basis of having the holy trinity of supercars on it - but Chris Harris has already done that - SCD.TV did it before him - the world has moved on boys.
Tim 'shmee150' Burton has access to some nice cars and can clearly afford to spend loads of time doing videos about them but he's DRY and DULL. Everything he sees is amazing and wonderful and fantastic and I have no need to watch anything he makes because I already know what he's going to say about it...
2 of his mates/competitors - 'Seen Through Glass' and 'Supercars of London' - even managed to make 2 videos in the SAME CAR this week, soon they'll be videoing each-other videoing each other - perhaps the massive drop in Youtube earnings can't come soon enough there?
Cross the pond and you have the likes of salomondrin who owns about $10m of cars and is - well - also utterly and totally dull to watch - that you have nice things doesn't mean we care what you THINK of those things u'see...
Matt Farah continues to make interesting videos in other people's cars (One Take) and DRIVE makes some interesting 'Top Gear' style stuff but that's locked behind a paywall for the most part. Even Jay Leno is making 'TV' TV from his Garage now (he still does the weekly freebie but the quality of that seems to have dropped-off sharply!!)
Then there's Car Throttle - terrible name but a MASSIVE following and almost certainly the 'future of online car shows' (if it has one) - they do a wide range of content, spend not much doing it - draw in the likes of Lord whateverhisnameis and quietly probably redefine what people expect.
Look on the bright side tho - you could be Clarkson, Hammond and May trying to tout your new show on the basis of having the holy trinity of supercars on it - but Chris Harris has already done that - SCD.TV did it before him - the world has moved on boys.
Edited by 405dogvan on Tuesday 22 December 01:20
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