Top Gear - Wilman answers back

[Rich_W]

http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2009/12/20/s...

Well there you go. I'll wait before adding my thoughts.

[diesel head]

I just think that TG needs to stop trying too hard. The boys need to drop their 'characters' because they were fine as they were.

[bonsai]

His blog was essentially saying,

"I understand what you're complaining about, but I'm going to continue doing it my way regardless".

which is fair enough I suppose, the newer style has certainly brought in millions more viewers.

What I would be pleased to see is just a few less of the "accidents" and the presenters faux reactions to them, inspite of the fact we all know it was planned to a T in hundreds of pre-production meetings.

[davidspooner]

Who's that Monk bloke?

Seems fair enough in general to me.

[jep]

davidspooner said:

Who's that Monk bloke?

Seems fair enough in general to me.

Was just wondering that myself... found myself agreeing with most, if not all he said in that blog...

[khevolution]

Also agree with alot of what has been said, and although i am not a fan of this new direction Top gear seemed to be steering towards, i am a fan of them trying something different.

[callyman]

Interesting read, I totally agree with his point of the viewer will judge them with the 'on'/'off' switch, but this isn't the case as every week the haters of the show watch it then complain about it. Would you (the haters) go on holiday again and again to a country you previously didn't like in the hope it might get better?

[Stuart]

davidspooner said:

Who's that Monk bloke?

Seems fair enough in general to me.

Don't know who he is, but Wilman is referring to comments on the transmission blog. The_Monk is fond of long (albeit well expressed) diatribes about why the show is so rubbish.

[davidspooner]

callyman said:

Interesting read, I totally agree with his point of the viewer will judge them with the 'on'/'off' switch, but this isn't the case as every week the haters of the show watch it then complain about it. Would you (the haters) go on holiday again and again to a country you previously didn't like in the hope it might get better?

Or back to a country that used to be nice, a long time ago but now appeals to a different audience? I enjoyed tonight's top gear, thought the gallery bit was a bit long, but hey good to have something worth watching for once!

Edited by davidspooner on Sunday 20th December 21:19

[Rich_W]

bonsai said:

His blog was essentially saying,

"I understand what you're complaining about, but I'm going to continue doing it my way regardless".

Dress it up whichever way he (Wilman) wants. It's still arrogance! Particularly when he goes onto say they will continue to try new things. When last weeks show was a copy of things they did before. utility vehicle race with touring car drivers, german jokes in the news. a disgruntled "viewer" writes a letter asking for a proper review"

All the criticism levelled at TG recently is the same "Don't like SIARPC, dont like it being so obviously scripted. Get bored of powerrrr tests on track" You'd think that would resonate at some level?

bonsai said:

which is fair enough I suppose, the newer style has certainly brought in millions more viewers.

6.09m according to http://www.barb.co.uk/report/weeklyTopProgrammesOv... . It has dropped since the new series started 6.4 at first episode.

[Halb]

I like best the recognition of the three becoming cartoon characters and this;
“Can we have our three old mates back?”
I hope we can.

Seems to be good thoughts, but has tis fella got to do with it?

[bobthemonkey]

Rich_W said:

bonsai said:

His blog was essentially saying,

"I understand what you're complaining about, but I'm going to continue doing it my way regardless".

Dress it up whichever way he (Wilman) wants. It's still arrogance! Particularly when he goes onto say they will continue to try new things. When last weeks show was a copy of things they did before. utility vehicle race with touring car drivers, german jokes in the news. a disgruntled "viewer" writes a letter asking for a proper review"

All the criticism levelled at TG recently is the same "Don't like SIARPC, dont like it being so obviously scripted. Get bored of powerrrr tests on track" You'd think that would resonate at some level?

bonsai said:

which is fair enough I suppose, the newer style has certainly brought in millions more viewers.

6.09m according to http://www.barb.co.uk/report/weeklyTopProgrammesOv... . It has dropped since the new series started 6.4 at first episode.

a .31 drop is barely anything in terms of ratings, and probably a bit less that one would normally expect at this point in the series.

[T89 Callan]

A good read, I'm glad Willman doesn't car about what internet posters have to say. They should make the show that they want to make and let the viewers decide with their remotes.

I'm seriously looking forward to the South American special now.

[The Hypno-Toad]

I'm beginning to think we are very close to the end of Top Gear. One of the reasons is the amount of crappy Stig merchandise in the shops this Christmas.

I can imagine many posters scene on Christmas morning as they open their presents;
"Great. Stig socks, yes I do like Top Gear Mum,"
"Great. Stig bubble bath, yes I do like Top Gear Aunt Mabel,"
"Great. Stig board game, yes I do like Top Gear Uncle Albert,"
"Oh a DVD!... Great. The Stigs greatest laps.. No,no, I love it,"

& on & on..

Its now become the default cheap present for any bloke you don't know what to buy. "He likes Top Gear, get something with The Stig on it," The very market both the cheap tat and TV programme will swiftly become bored with all of this. But with amount of rubbish on sale this year, I'd say they're getting close to taking the money and running.

Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Monday 21st December 07:32

[Lefty Two Drams]

3 mates mooching about, enthusing about cars.

That sounds like a perfect recipe and I wish them luck with it!

[clonmult]

The Hypno-Toad said:

I'm beginning to think we are very close to the end of Top Gear. One of the reasons is the amount of crappy Stig merchandise in the shops this Christmas.

I can imagine many posters scene on Christmas morning as they open their presents;
"Great. Stig socks, yes I do like Top Gear Mum,"
"Great. Stig bubble bath, yes I do like Top Gear Aunt Mabel,"
"Great. Stig board game, yes I do like Top Gear Uncle Albert,"
"Oh a DVD!... Great. The Stigs greatest laps.. No,no, I love it,"

& on & on..

Its now become the default cheap present for any bloke you don't know what to buy. "He likes Top Gear, get something with The Stig on it," The very market both the cheap tat and TV programme will swiftly become bored with all of this. But with amount of rubbish on sale this year, I'd say they're getting close to taking the money and running.

Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Monday 21st December 07:32

I've only succumbed to one of these Stig type things - a book, "Wheres the stig". Its quite entertaining, and its something that I can sit down with the kids and look through.

They've possibly gone a little too far though, and no doubt its making total commercial sense.

I wonder if they'd consider a slight format change - rather than a full series with a few epic episodes (the southern drive, Korea, africa, etc.), just focus on some of these epic shows. They're generally very entertaining, slightly educational, and visually absolutely stunning - the cinematography is absolutley top quality.

[HeavySoul]

This was the most interesting part for me:

Wilman said:

It's fair to say this incarnation of Top Gear is nearer the end than the beginning, and our job is to land this plane with its dignity still intact.

I would say the plane has over shot the runway personally but it is obvious there are some major changes on the horizon.

[crofty1984]

callyman said:

Interesting read, I totally agree with his point of the viewer will judge them with the 'on'/'off' switch, but this isn't the case as every week the haters of the show watch it then complain about it. Would you (the haters) go on holiday again and again to a country you previously didn't like in the hope it might get better?

Well I go to work every day with that attitude if that counts?

[Tiggsy]

Haven't watched in while....flicked on the other day and caught Hamster (who appears to have the dress sense of a child from 1980....how hard did he bang his head?) cutting a car in half.......at which point someone suggested it was a hire car. Realising it is still an odd mix of car show and sketch show....i turned off again.

[Halb]

I got the Where is Stig book, along with the annual.