BBC Top Gear 2017 Thread
Discussion
Hitch said:
Fire99 said:
a decent driver too.
I'm not convinced it is him driving. I noticed before that on the shots of him caning the Aston around the track you could never see the driver.Almost all road race challenge exterior shots are done as set pieces while on the route back (without the stars driving). If it wasn't done that way you would need 100's of camera teams set up along the route, each just getting one shot. Instead they just film all those bits later.
Even on the track laps its never a single lap. Its multiple laps, with the crew moving around the track to get different shots.
Its simply how you make TV.
Edited by 98elise on Monday 20th March 20:11
Hitch said:
Marty Funkhouser said:
I thought the previous 3 guys were really good, what a pity.
Is this Tom Ford the pretentious film director/fashion dick?
I think it is more likely the motoring journalist of the same name who previously presented Fifth Gear...Is this Tom Ford the pretentious film director/fashion dick?
Quite good episode for me.
Apart from the almost random shoe horning in of the Alpine / loo cleaner gag... it went from "talk to us about your show" to "did you know there was this car that Renault came up with..." for me that was a serious WTF moment.
The muck spreader thing was less cringeworthy but a bit too random for me.
I really enjoyed the Golf around the nuerburgring. Sabine seemed to enjoy driving it.
Liked the Aston part as well, although I do like Astons and Bond!
Apart from the almost random shoe horning in of the Alpine / loo cleaner gag... it went from "talk to us about your show" to "did you know there was this car that Renault came up with..." for me that was a serious WTF moment.
The muck spreader thing was less cringeworthy but a bit too random for me.
I really enjoyed the Golf around the nuerburgring. Sabine seemed to enjoy driving it.
Liked the Aston part as well, although I do like Astons and Bond!
"It's the sort of car Wayne Giggs from Manchester Rovers would buy...." EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK. Clarkson would pretend he didn't know who the worlds most famous, most frequently publicised individuals were, so now his fans do the same... The difference being Clarkson is probably one of the most connected people in media circles... The joke wore thin a decade ago.
I just watched yesterday's show, I have to say that was the best TG I've seen for ages.
Yes I fast-forwarded the studio stuff with the celebrity as usual, and yes the police chase was a bit silly and for the kids, but overall quite a lot to enjoy. There was some genuinely amusing parts and really good footage of the cars I thought.
I wasn't sure how staged the 'ring piece was I could well believe that a 300 horse hatch in the hands of a pro racing driver who really knows the cicuit well could see off a few faster motors driven by regular punters. I see that's upset a few on here!
There's still scope for improvement but it was a good show and for me they are heading in the right direction, looking forward to the next one...
Yes I fast-forwarded the studio stuff with the celebrity as usual, and yes the police chase was a bit silly and for the kids, but overall quite a lot to enjoy. There was some genuinely amusing parts and really good footage of the cars I thought.
I wasn't sure how staged the 'ring piece was I could well believe that a 300 horse hatch in the hands of a pro racing driver who really knows the cicuit well could see off a few faster motors driven by regular punters. I see that's upset a few on here!
There's still scope for improvement but it was a good show and for me they are heading in the right direction, looking forward to the next one...
98elise said:
Clarkson was faily open that lots of shots have someone else at the wheel. Its how you make TV. If you need exterior shots then you can have anyone driving, while you are doing other stuff (like script editing)
Almost all road race challenge exterior shots are done as set pieces while on the route back (without the stars driving). If it wasn't done that way you would need 100's of camera teams set up along the route, each just getting one shot. Instead they just film all those bits later.
Even on the track laps its never a single lap. Its multiple laps, with the crew moving around the track to get different shots.
Its simply how you make TV.
Yeah I get that, hence why I'm not convinced it is him driving and therefore have no idea if he is a good driver. Almost all road race challenge exterior shots are done as set pieces while on the route back (without the stars driving). If it wasn't done that way you would need 100's of camera teams set up along the route, each just getting one shot. Instead they just film all those bits later.
Even on the track laps its never a single lap. Its multiple laps, with the crew moving around the track to get different shots.
Its simply how you make TV.
Edited by 98elise on Monday 20th March 20:11
I just watched yesterday's too and really enjoyed it. Finding it much easier going than Grand Tour, or even the last few series of Topgear, and it's still better shot and edited than pretty much anything else on tv.
Some of the shots in the Aston fil were amazing, the Fiat bit was ok and quite interesting (mx-5 is much prettier) and it was fun watching Sabine hammer round the ring even if the overtakes were a bit awkwardly staged.
I think Harris and MLB actually have quite good natural chemistry and i like both as presenters and thought there were a surprising amount of funny moments in this epsiode. I even thought the toilet cleaner bit was genuinely very funny an seemed unscripted/unforced and quite amusing. Not a Tamsin greig fan but she was alright, I would still prefer them to find people who actually care about cars and driving but maybe that's not so easy in the celeb world.
Anyway, good all round and think this series will be really enjoyable and easy watching.
Some of the shots in the Aston fil were amazing, the Fiat bit was ok and quite interesting (mx-5 is much prettier) and it was fun watching Sabine hammer round the ring even if the overtakes were a bit awkwardly staged.
I think Harris and MLB actually have quite good natural chemistry and i like both as presenters and thought there were a surprising amount of funny moments in this epsiode. I even thought the toilet cleaner bit was genuinely very funny an seemed unscripted/unforced and quite amusing. Not a Tamsin greig fan but she was alright, I would still prefer them to find people who actually care about cars and driving but maybe that's not so easy in the celeb world.
Anyway, good all round and think this series will be really enjoyable and easy watching.
mx-6 said:
I just watched yesterday's show, I have to say that was the best TG I've seen for ages.
Yes I fast-forwarded the studio stuff with the celebrity as usual, and yes the police chase was a bit silly and for the kids, but overall quite a lot to enjoy. There was some genuinely amusing parts and really good footage of the cars I thought.
I wasn't sure how staged the 'ring piece was I could well believe that a 300 horse hatch in the hands of a pro racing driver who really knows the cicuit well could see off a few faster motors driven by regular punters. I see that's upset a few on here!
There's still scope for improvement but it was a good show and for me they are heading in the right direction, looking forward to the next one...
I agree, thought it was great.Yes I fast-forwarded the studio stuff with the celebrity as usual, and yes the police chase was a bit silly and for the kids, but overall quite a lot to enjoy. There was some genuinely amusing parts and really good footage of the cars I thought.
I wasn't sure how staged the 'ring piece was I could well believe that a 300 horse hatch in the hands of a pro racing driver who really knows the cicuit well could see off a few faster motors driven by regular punters. I see that's upset a few on here!
There's still scope for improvement but it was a good show and for me they are heading in the right direction, looking forward to the next one...
I've seen enough videos of people on the 'ring passing apparently faster cars, it depends how hard the other one is trying and if they are paying the bills should they ditch it. We know she can drive and particularly so at that location. It seemed to me that Rory made up the price challenge a couple of cars in so it wasn't planned for weeks in advance but could have been done over a few laps, not sure it matters to be honest.
I enjoyed the Fiat review because it was the most honest one I've seen yet, he wasn't a fan and said as much.
OK, I liked the Aston piece but FFS, why do we have to have 007 in every Aston piece ever.. the humour was slightly painful too but the photography was brilliant.
I still can't take to Harris. I respect his opinions and analysis but he is less John Geilgud and more John Inman with his obviously uncomfortable social poses, hands on hips, while still dressed like a 15 year old hanging round the shops.
Rory is a bit of a spare part, still a bit green and with bit parts.
Matt The White is their strongest suit. I liked his Fiat 124 piece as well.
The muck-spreader is bad TG of old.
Now for the contentious stuff - Sabine is a loud German who brays and squawks and I cannot bear to watch her. Good driver, for sure but that's all. I'm also bored by Golfs, however good they are.
I thought Tasmin Greig was excellent and rather funny (so why the long face etc)and her telling off Harris was actually amusing. I quite like the extended guest piece as it allows them to be more interactive, outside of the brief "ad slot" for whatever they are pushing (she didn't really seem to be pushing anything in fairness)and I liked her chiding Matt for not asking her any questions. In TG of old, it was painfully obvious they were there to plug something, this gives them a little rein to engage on a more human level.
Overall, I found the whole product better than TG of old, less outlandish, more about the cars.
I still can't take to Harris. I respect his opinions and analysis but he is less John Geilgud and more John Inman with his obviously uncomfortable social poses, hands on hips, while still dressed like a 15 year old hanging round the shops.
Rory is a bit of a spare part, still a bit green and with bit parts.
Matt The White is their strongest suit. I liked his Fiat 124 piece as well.
The muck-spreader is bad TG of old.
Now for the contentious stuff - Sabine is a loud German who brays and squawks and I cannot bear to watch her. Good driver, for sure but that's all. I'm also bored by Golfs, however good they are.
I thought Tasmin Greig was excellent and rather funny (so why the long face etc)and her telling off Harris was actually amusing. I quite like the extended guest piece as it allows them to be more interactive, outside of the brief "ad slot" for whatever they are pushing (she didn't really seem to be pushing anything in fairness)and I liked her chiding Matt for not asking her any questions. In TG of old, it was painfully obvious they were there to plug something, this gives them a little rein to engage on a more human level.
Overall, I found the whole product better than TG of old, less outlandish, more about the cars.
Edited by LuS1fer on Monday 20th March 23:01
MLB and CH definitely getting better, Rory reminds me of Jason Dawe but nowhere near as good.
SIARPC is still rubbish.
Overall I think it's getting up to the standard of Old Top Gear. Personally I'd love more challenges/2nd hand cars / road trips and much much less scripted cocking about cringe.
SIARPC is still rubbish.
Overall I think it's getting up to the standard of Old Top Gear. Personally I'd love more challenges/2nd hand cars / road trips and much much less scripted cocking about cringe.
Just watching episode 3 and definitely an improvement over Evans etc. The Aston bit was a bit cliché but showed how ugly that Merc is. SIARPC was a bit cringe but I guess it fills some time? Rory just annoys with his "humour" and inability to pronounce words like "something". The whole "overtaking slower cars, whilst driving a bit faster" wasn't even entertaining. The car values bit was just stupid. I drove a Vauxhall Zafira diesel up the M4 and overtook half a million pounds worth of HGV's! Wow, way to go!
I hope TG sticks around and succeeds though. Chemistry just takes time and hopefully CH will become less wooden.
I hope TG sticks around and succeeds though. Chemistry just takes time and hopefully CH will become less wooden.
PixelpeepS3 said:
Countryfile 6.9 million.
Antiques Roadshow's 4.9 million.
Phillip Schofield's new game show 5 Gold Rings 2.8 million viewers
Top Gear 2.4 million.
Its the public that are the problem, not the show!!
Big difference between Countryfile & Top Gear is............ Helen Skelton. I only watch Countryfile because she may be in it.Antiques Roadshow's 4.9 million.
Phillip Schofield's new game show 5 Gold Rings 2.8 million viewers
Top Gear 2.4 million.
Its the public that are the problem, not the show!!
So, to solve the problem I'd suggest getting rid of Harris & replacing him with Skelton.
The Spruce goose said:
i think it is good, if they chase the ratings if could fail, i think it will grow in time, not to the 6 million at the prime but 3 million.
The obvious concern is that if the ratings remain low then the funding for it will be seriously cut meaning more cheap studio stuff and less glamorous eye-candy stuff.Didn't raise a single smile (and I'm not intentionally miserable!) same old tired jokes, only bit I enjoyed was the Volvo going through the muck spreader, you wouldn't want to fall in that thing by accident.
Celeb interview had my skin crawling, even the introductory hugs were proper awkward. The forced laughter from all parties, they need a 'celeb' who can drive a bit soon, her lap was slow and boring (not a criticism of her).
Sabine is annoying, and RR getting his pen out to start writing down cars they've overtaken half way round a lap ...huge facepalm...they should've chased the lap time of a supercar or something rather than adding up the value of cars 'overtaken' and then shrieking like they'd won the lotto when they hit their own target of a £1M which they'd just plucked out of thin air.
I'm in my 30's now so maybe I'm not the target audience, but I'll still watch it every week though as there is nothing else I watch on TV, and hope other people are enjoying it.
Turn left at the hammerhead
Celeb interview had my skin crawling, even the introductory hugs were proper awkward. The forced laughter from all parties, they need a 'celeb' who can drive a bit soon, her lap was slow and boring (not a criticism of her).
Sabine is annoying, and RR getting his pen out to start writing down cars they've overtaken half way round a lap ...huge facepalm...they should've chased the lap time of a supercar or something rather than adding up the value of cars 'overtaken' and then shrieking like they'd won the lotto when they hit their own target of a £1M which they'd just plucked out of thin air.
I'm in my 30's now so maybe I'm not the target audience, but I'll still watch it every week though as there is nothing else I watch on TV, and hope other people are enjoying it.
Turn left at the hammerhead
Also looking forward to the Ducati review. MLB loves his bikes, Harris is more than happy to go up against them and judge them on their merits, plus the fact that a significant percentage of the audience, both actual and potential, will ride bikes and enjoy seeing them on Top Gear (without the show losing its car focus, obviously).
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