Top Gear 2016 Official TV show thread *contains spoilers*
Discussion
I think there are two debates here, and they are only loosely connected.
One is whether or not Top Gear v3.0 is / will be successful or not. Viewing figures and revenue would certainly be a barometer for that, but frankly I don't think many people are particularly interested in that debate although some clearly are.
The other is whether people enjoyed it or not. You can scream FACT! all you want at this, but that doesn't alter how someone felt about the show on an individual basis. That's down to personal taste, surely?
One is whether or not Top Gear v3.0 is / will be successful or not. Viewing figures and revenue would certainly be a barometer for that, but frankly I don't think many people are particularly interested in that debate although some clearly are.
The other is whether people enjoyed it or not. You can scream FACT! all you want at this, but that doesn't alter how someone felt about the show on an individual basis. That's down to personal taste, surely?
Edited by ClockworkCupcake on Wednesday 1st June 11:13
Watching last night, I felt like I had been transported to a parallel, but crappier, universe where things looked familiar but were not as good. 
Looking forward to Clarkson's Amazon adventure more than ever now. He's the winner out of all this really.
The old format was on its last legs, as were the presenters after a grueling filming schedule, so something was going to give anyway.
Looking forward to Clarkson's Amazon adventure more than ever now. He's the winner out of all this really.
The old format was on its last legs, as were the presenters after a grueling filming schedule, so something was going to give anyway.
LDM said:
The SIARPC was always really just a filler and I never took it seriously although enjoyed it when guests took is seriously. Despite the name not really fitting I quite like the idea of the new format - even if surface is no longer consistent
If the new format continues to be pitting a super rich car enthusiast against someone with zero interest in cars and driving, whilst the G.T. gets over-excited and shouts a lot ("He's trail braking!") then you are welcome it. SIARPC was always the least interesting part of Clarksons TG for me, but somehow they've managed to make it much worse.suffolk009 said:
Just been out in the car, the moment I turned it on he was on the radio gloating about the viewing figures.
Which is all well and good, but as others have said, a massive percentage of those watching last Sunday will have watched out of curiosity. If they're expecting change/an improvement/confirmation of how bad it really was, they'll get the latter as unless there's going to be some hastily edited/re-shot stuff, nowt will change for this Sunday's show.On the basis nothing will have changed, I'd be surprised if the viewing figures increase. Though saying that, if plenty have returned to work yesterday morning telling their workmates ( who didn't watch it) how dire it was, there's a chance plenty will tune in to see/judge for themselves.
Either way one can't help but feel Mr Evans is being a bit premature tweeting his "success" at this early stage in the proceedings.
Mr2Mike said:
LDM said:
The SIARPC was always really just a filler and I never took it seriously although enjoyed it when guests took is seriously. Despite the name not really fitting I quite like the idea of the new format - even if surface is no longer consistent
If the new format continues to be pitting a super rich car enthusiast against someone with zero interest in cars and driving, whilst the G.T. gets over-excited and shouts a lot ("He's trail braking!") then you are welcome it. SIARPC was always the least interesting part of Clarksons TG for me, but somehow they've managed to make it much worse.Both would have been better evaluated/briefed by old/new top gear
Had a bad idea this morning , decided to try and watch CE and co again. Jesus H Christ , talk about change my mind. I watched it first time and thought it not good, dire or naff, unlike now.
This second time I only managed around 5 mins in before the off switch was flicked. TG is not naff or dire, its appalling ,utterly so, no other word or phrase for it. Real Storagehunters appalling.
I was going to watch the next 2 episodes, see what pans out , decided not to bother , will wait and see if its just more of what we've been inflicted with. Have better things to do!
Only two good things have come out of this , the great hope that JC JM RH and perhaps most importantly AW can work their magic with the huge Amazon funding , plus that aparatchik Danny Cohen is still unemployed , still thats what deliberately forcing your bosses hand and naked , blind ambition can do, bite ones own arse.
This second time I only managed around 5 mins in before the off switch was flicked. TG is not naff or dire, its appalling ,utterly so, no other word or phrase for it. Real Storagehunters appalling.
I was going to watch the next 2 episodes, see what pans out , decided not to bother , will wait and see if its just more of what we've been inflicted with. Have better things to do!
Only two good things have come out of this , the great hope that JC JM RH and perhaps most importantly AW can work their magic with the huge Amazon funding , plus that aparatchik Danny Cohen is still unemployed , still thats what deliberately forcing your bosses hand and naked , blind ambition can do, bite ones own arse.
hairyben said:
Mr2Mike said:
LDM said:
The SIARPC was always really just a filler and I never took it seriously although enjoyed it when guests took is seriously. Despite the name not really fitting I quite like the idea of the new format - even if surface is no longer consistent
If the new format continues to be pitting a super rich car enthusiast against someone with zero interest in cars and driving, whilst the G.T. gets over-excited and shouts a lot ("He's trail braking!") then you are welcome it. SIARPC was always the least interesting part of Clarksons TG for me, but somehow they've managed to make it much worse.Both would have been better evaluated/briefed by old/new top gear
djdest said:
If that happens I'd watch it 
I wonder how many feel the same
Why are people so angry? If the BBC had canned the show it would never have returned so just be thankful that there is a car programme with a big budget on free TV. It will get better. Hopefully that will happen as Compo and Co come back with more of their antics in TGT and we'll have two decent shows. That's a good result right?
Oh, and the BBC were always going to keep the format because, well, they paid Clarkson and Wilman an absolute f
king fortune for it so they need to make it work else they'll get slammed for wasting public money.
The interesting bit in this 'debate' is that there are very few ideas being banded about. Just lots of whinging. How would people make it better?
Oh, and the BBC were always going to keep the format because, well, they paid Clarkson and Wilman an absolute f
king fortune for it so they need to make it work else they'll get slammed for wasting public money. The interesting bit in this 'debate' is that there are very few ideas being banded about. Just lots of whinging. How would people make it better?
djdest said:
At least its from a credible source...HoHoHo said:
djdest said:
If that happens I'd watch it I wonder how many feel the same
Hitch said:
Why are people so angry? If the BBC had canned the show it would never have returned so just be thankful that there is a car programme with a big budget on free TV
Angry? Nope, dismay , yes, maybe ,disappointed even, but angry, no. Incidentally, if you live in the UK there is no such thing as free TV. If you wish to receive a live TV broadcast from anyone you are forced by law to pay the BBC £145+ a year.
chris watton said:
Yes, with the Ramsey piece, it felt like a 'look how rich and great I am' love-fest between Evans and Ramsey.
Away back in one of the 'Chris Evans announced as TG presenter' threads I mentioned that particular trait of Evans in relation to the Children in Need auctions. The big-ticket items that he spends most of his shows bigging-up tend to go to the same bidders year-in-year out, and many of the winners have become part of his little cabal of rich sycophants.
Not suggesting anything untoward is going on now, nor am I getting into any 'poor jealous of the rich' arguments, but I'm just saying that Chris Evans has always been very guilty of assuming that his frame-of-reference is everyone's frame of reference and he can alienate a large part of his audience at a stroke as a result. When Sir Terry ran the auctions he deliberately (and inclusively) interspersed big-ticket auctions with more attainable items like celebrity donated memorabilia or even a Radio 2 T-Shirt! Evans' approach means his show ends up targeting an audience of maybe a few dozen people while everyone else who has no interest or involvement in the auctions either switches off or gets bored.
With regards to 'look how rich and great I am', we all know that celebs live particular lifestyles, but there is a fine line between enjoying the fruits of one's labour and distastefully showing off.
Also, talking of sycophantic cabals, the guest list for this series of TG has some depressingly familiar names on it.
Edited by r11co on Wednesday 1st June 14:10
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