BBC Top Gear 2017 Thread
Discussion
suffolk009 said:
So the viewing numbers are similar for the thrid week in a row. Not good news, but as somebody wrote elsewhere, it's all about how well it sells overseas. If that's not good then TG is going down the fifth gear plughole.
Unlike many people on here I was very disappointed with this weeks show. A new Aston Martin to review - ooh, I know lets do James Bond. A VW Golf around the Nurburgring "overtaking" expensive exotica. Wow. Cutting edge TV there.
SIARPC has managed to be worse than the original version, and possibly even worse than the Evans creation. Take a look at Jay Leno to see how to do celeb guests and cars.
And I really don't understand why Chris Harris appears to be a snide know-it-all who is rude to guests. Whoever thought that was a good idea?
The problem is this weeks figures are not really in line with the first two weeks. Its down 15% this week alone. Last weeks drops were put down to the final episode of "Call the Midwife" (same time slot), but now it looks as if last years audience tuned in to the first two, and have given up.Unlike many people on here I was very disappointed with this weeks show. A new Aston Martin to review - ooh, I know lets do James Bond. A VW Golf around the Nurburgring "overtaking" expensive exotica. Wow. Cutting edge TV there.
SIARPC has managed to be worse than the original version, and possibly even worse than the Evans creation. Take a look at Jay Leno to see how to do celeb guests and cars.
And I really don't understand why Chris Harris appears to be a snide know-it-all who is rude to guests. Whoever thought that was a good idea?
I've not seen anything official about overseas's sales, but the 2016 season had a bigger budget but was 2 episodes short (6 vs 8) plus had no specials/Christmas episodes. That alone means oversea's revenue will be down at least 25-30%. I know it wasn't well received in the USA, and they suffered a similar viewer slump so its probably fair to assume that something similar happened in most markets. Thats less shows, and less viewers per show.
The BBC of course don't rely on advertising, however they do not have the money to do big budget productions without some sort of return in overseas markets. If budgets drop then the show is screwed because the slick cinematography and worldwide travel costs money.
You know what? I think there is way too much in-depth analysis of what is meant to be an entertaining car show - you either watch it or you don't, but what has surprised me is that for the first time in ages, I really want to go back and watch this episode again*.
And this is coming from someone, who back in 2008, had 4 months off work, and spent most of that time sat around in his pants watching TG repeats on Dave - sometimes both the morning and the repeat showings in the afternoon.
And this is coming from someone, who back in 2008, had 4 months off work, and spent most of that time sat around in his pants watching TG repeats on Dave - sometimes both the morning and the repeat showings in the afternoon.
- =I'll fast forward the woman from the Archers, the same as I turn off Radio 4 as soon as it comes on
ash73 said:
The Beeb has nailed it, Top Gear is back to its best. Some very entertaining moments, it shows you can be funny without being offensive. I'll enjoy watching that again on iPlayer.
Would have liked to see more of the Mk II Golf, the Polo GTI is probably a better comparison these days.
I have enjoyed this season but it isn't back to its best by a long shot.Would have liked to see more of the Mk II Golf, the Polo GTI is probably a better comparison these days.
The out of studio segments have been far more fresh and original (with the exception of the tedious police chase this episode), but the studio segments are now unwatchable.
Seem to be polarized opinions so put me down in the middle. It is well worth watching, but the presenters aren't nearly as good and the SIARPC taking over the whole of the studio section means that we skip all of this as well.
suffolk009 said:
So the viewing numbers are similar for the thrid week in a row. Not good news, but as somebody wrote elsewhere, it's all about how well it sells overseas. If that's not good then TG is going down the fifth gear plughole.
Unlike many people on here I was very disappointed with this weeks show. A new Aston Martin to review - ooh, I know lets do James Bond. A VW Golf around the Nurburgring "overtaking" expensive exotica. Wow. Cutting edge TV there.
SIARPC has managed to be worse than the original version, and possibly even worse than the Evans creation. Take a look at Jay Leno to see how to do celeb guests and cars.
And I really don't understand why Chris Harris appears to be a snide know-it-all who is rude to guests. Whoever thought that was a good idea?
I watched the episode this morning, and have to basically agree with what you say . I did enjoy the first half of the Aston article , but the rest was poor. Historically, the weakest part of TG for me was SIARPC, although there was the odd highlight (Ran Fiennes comes to mind) but as said, its worse . The rest was not much better either, again, I've never liked Sabine as a presenter, too shouty, the spreader raised a chuckle , but thats about it . Not looking good , if no different over the next couple of episodes, I'll likely not bother , still, there is Robotwars, and , Battlebots on Demand 5, so not all gloom. Unlike many people on here I was very disappointed with this weeks show. A new Aston Martin to review - ooh, I know lets do James Bond. A VW Golf around the Nurburgring "overtaking" expensive exotica. Wow. Cutting edge TV there.
SIARPC has managed to be worse than the original version, and possibly even worse than the Evans creation. Take a look at Jay Leno to see how to do celeb guests and cars.
And I really don't understand why Chris Harris appears to be a snide know-it-all who is rude to guests. Whoever thought that was a good idea?
Gary29 said:
eps said:
Don't think it was staged at all
I think you need to familiarise yourself with how TV works.JC was happy to confirm that sequences were not done in one take, and its not always the same driver in exterior shots. As you say, its how TV works.
124spiderfan said:
I liked this week's episode, despite them ripping my car to shreds at the end. 
Oh? Was that Volvo yours? 
I think I noticed an error in Extra Gear. When Rory was on about the Fiesta ST200, they showed an interior shot that, as far as I'm aware, is not from a Fiesta, unless it's the US version?
Balmoral said:
98elise said:
Gary29 said:
I think you need to familiarise yourself with how TV works.
As you say, its how TV works.It's transmitters, signals, receivers, that's how TV works.
If you were joking or tongue-in-cheek then please accept my apology and one of these:
poing said:
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.
'tis worth focusing in on this observation - yes, it was refreshing to hear all three of them agreeing on their 'indifference' to the charms of the Abarth; they all went up in my estimation a notch.I can't imagine that Fiat would be very happy hearing that review on national TV, particularly with the potential for it to be screened globally. However, it does reinforce the premise that the BBC is an independent, impartial institution (at least when it comes to the influence of car manufacturers).
I remember the effect Clarkson had when he reviewed a Vauxhall and the furore that caused - the Fiat 124, is it the new Vectra?
suffolk009 said:
SIARPC has managed to be worse than the original version, and possibly even worse than the Evans creation. Take a look at Jay Leno to see how to do celeb guests and cars.
Yes, but to do that sort of piece you have to be Jay Leno to start with. After the last few years of disaster, it's going to be a long time before we see the likes of Tom Cruise on the show again. I agree it'd be nice for serious petrol heads to open up about their car habits, but for now this show is going to struggle to get stars of any sort to come on. The problem is that with a weekly 'almost live' slot, they're very limited for choice, and that limits the quality of the interviewee. Old Top Gear had the same problem with the occasional guest who apparently hated cars, but the new show doesn't (yet) have the 'safe hands' reputation that Clarkson built up.Tuna said:
suffolk009 said:
SIARPC has managed to be worse than the original version, and possibly even worse than the Evans creation. Take a look at Jay Leno to see how to do celeb guests and cars.
Yes, but to do that sort of piece you have to be Jay Leno to start with. After the last few years of disaster, it's going to be a long time before we see the likes of Tom Cruise on the show again. I agree it'd be nice for serious petrol heads to open up about their car habits, but for now this show is going to struggle to get stars of any sort to come on. The problem is that with a weekly 'almost live' slot, they're very limited for choice, and that limits the quality of the interviewee. Old Top Gear had the same problem with the occasional guest who apparently hated cars, but the new show doesn't (yet) have the 'safe hands' reputation that Clarkson built up.Dolomite Sprint apart, I think Rory needs to pop back and revisit the might of the Vauxhall Droop Snoot Firenza, the Capri RS3100 and that other car, oh what was it, some Escort with RS badging that did quite well in the odd competitions, spawning the RS2000. Sure, the Golf GTI was a FWD revelation and probably a build quality revelation but there were other options.
An option to Helen Skelton is, of course, Laura Hamilton on A Place In The Sun.
Maybe they need a daytime female TG...I'd probably watch....
An option to Helen Skelton is, of course, Laura Hamilton on A Place In The Sun.
Maybe they need a daytime female TG...I'd probably watch....
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