The Grand Tour

[E65Ross]

The last couple of episodes were definitely the better ones, so I'd recommend them if you didn't see the others.

Although it's good to know that despite not liking it you're going to watch the next episode. You persevere better than me; I didn't like a TV series that a couple had recommended to me. I got through the 1st series but because I didn't like it, I decided to not watch the 2nd series.

[PhantomPH]

I put the word 'watch' in little quotes above, because I will know within the first few minutes, whether or not I have the stomach for a full episode. Otherwise *close*

[Rich_W]

James May has tweeted.

"It’s tent time! #FlappingAbout @thegrandtour"



https://twitter.com/MrJamesMay/status/923077099296...


Fingers crossed it's better

[hairyben]

PhantomPH said:

I personally thought what I saw of the first series of TGT was utterly diabolical...but I will still 'watch' the first episode of series 2 (which will count in raw numbers as a plus point on their viewing stats). I will watch it because..well..it's 'free' and I may was well see if there is any improvement at all.

Free in this instance = bundled in with Amazon Prime which more than pays for itself in content I actually like, P&P benefits and music streaming. Basically, I get it whether I want it or not so all it costs me is time.

Thanks for the essential update

Its so important that all those who dont like the show keep watching and reminding us all they dont like it.... such a selfless act when they could try to find something they do enjoy with about a billlion channels of things to watch on the internets.

[MartG]

hairyben said:

Thanks for the essential update

Its so important that all those who dont like the show keep watching and reminding us all they dont like it.... such a selfless act when they could try to find something they do enjoy with about a billlion channels of things to watch on the internets.

[E65Ross]

MartG said:

hairyben said:

Thanks for the essential update

Its so important that all those who dont like the show keep watching and reminding us all they dont like it.... such a selfless act when they could try to find something they do enjoy with about a billlion channels of things to watch on the internets.

My thoughts exactly. What a bizarre post!

I pay for a TV licence. You know what, I might start watching Eastenders....I don't like it but hey, it's free, and it'll help their viewing figures!

[hairyben]

E65Ross said:

My thoughts exactly. What a bizarre post!

I pay for a TV licence. You know what, I might start watching Eastenders....I don't like it but hey, it's free, and it'll help their viewing figures!

Thats a great idea. I cant stand eastenders, right down to the wretched title tune.

Might start watching it though, then logging on to wherever they discuss it (mumsnet?) to inform them how terrible it is. And keep watching it and keep informing them that despite my posting of its failure, it has yet to improve. And keep watching. And keep reporting my dissatisfaction back.

There must be some hidden pleasure in this seemingly idiotic, masochistic behaviour?

[Emeye]

E65Ross said:

MartG said:

hairyben said:

Thanks for the essential update

Its so important that all those who dont like the show keep watching and reminding us all they dont like it.... such a selfless act when they could try to find something they do enjoy with about a billlion channels of things to watch on the internets.

My thoughts exactly. What a bizarre post!

I pay for a TV licence. You know what, I might start watching Eastenders....I don't like it but hey, it's free, and it'll help their viewing figures!

You miss the point that some people will continue to watch in the optimistic hope that they Clarksonnand co. produce something equal or close to the stuff they did at their peak. Even if it is just the odd video in an episode.

I cringed and spluttered my way through the first series of TGT, hoping for some glimmers of gold, but more often than not I was disappointed, though strangely I enjoyed the Live Die Repeat spoof episode.

I even watched the whole Chris Evans Top Gear series in desperate hope, though admittedly with judicious use of the FFW button.

I have been rewatching some of the Joey from Friends Top Gear episodes - more than can be said for TGT - I enjoyed the Aston Martin James Bond skit so much that I have watched it quite a few times.

My summary is that while the new Top Gear guys appear to be having fun, the The Grand Tour guys appear to be cynically taking the piss.

[anonymous-user]

hairyben said:

E65Ross said:

My thoughts exactly. What a bizarre post!

I pay for a TV licence. You know what, I might start watching Eastenders....I don't like it but hey, it's free, and it'll help their viewing figures!

Thats a great idea. I cant stand eastenders, right down to the wretched title tune.

Might start watching it though, then logging on to wherever they discuss it (mumsnet?) to inform them how terrible it is. And keep watching it and keep informing them that despite my posting of its failure, it has yet to improve. And keep watching. And keep reporting my dissatisfaction back.

There must be some hidden pleasure in this seemingly idiotic, masochistic behaviour?

Why would you start watching Eastenders if you don’t like it?

Posters on these top gear threads are complaining because they want to like it, as they liked other Clarkson stuff like old top gear but were disappointed by the grand tour.

There are loads of tv show threads on here where people get disappointed by a certain series and post about it.

What’s more odd is you fans slavishly lapping it up and trying to stop any criticism of the show.

[RB Will]

I think the problem most of PH has with GT is that you are wanting and expecting a car show. Clarkson etc have said in interviews that they are no longer a car review show they are an entertainment show that has some cars in.
The role of new Top Gear is to be like a tv version of the magazine which is why a lot of PH liked the last series.

[E65Ross]

RB Will said:

I think the problem most of PH has with GT is that you are wanting and expecting a car show. Clarkson etc have said in interviews that they are no longer a car review show they are an entertainment show that has some cars in.
The role of new Top Gear is to be like a tv version of the magazine which is why a lot of PH liked the last series.

I didn't think many PHers liked the last series? I thought it was OK, nothing more. A few good reviews, but others not so. TGT, in my opinion, was quite poor to start with, but the last 2-3 episodes were very much worth watching, if you liked TG as it used to be.

It seems some PHers also want TG to be a "proper" car show (ie anoraks discussing all minor details, kind of like it was many years ago....the one that got canned).

[turbomoped]

having seen snippets of the bolivia thing earlier today they really did beat themselves up in the past. They are a hell of a lot older and less fit than that now so I doubt we will hit the high's of the past.
I dont want to see then seriously hurt so expect more fakery ,The young children watching wont be able to tell.

[PhantomPH]

Emeye said:

You miss the point that some people will continue to watch in the optimistic hope that they Clarksonnand co. produce something equal or close to the stuff they did at their peak. Even if it is just the odd video in an episode.

Yes they did. Even tho my quote spells that out (saying I may as well check for improvement since it’s free). But, I suppose reading and absorbing a full post would prevent the oh-so-fun things that make Internet forums great.

[hairyben]

Emeye said:

You miss the point that some people will continue to watch in the optimistic hope that they Clarksonnand co. produce something equal or close to the stuff they did at their peak. Even if it is just the odd video in an episode.

I cringed and spluttered my way through the first series of TGT, hoping for some glimmers of gold, but more often than not I was disappointed, though strangely I enjoyed the Live Die Repeat spoof episode.

I even watched the whole Chris Evans Top Gear series in desperate hope, though admittedly with judicious use of the FFW button.

I have been rewatching some of the Joey from Friends Top Gear episodes - more than can be said for TGT - I enjoyed the Aston Martin James Bond skit so much that I have watched it quite a few times.

My summary is that while the new Top Gear guys appear to be having fun, the The Grand Tour guys appear to be cynically taking the piss.

I watched most of one episode of CHRIS EVANS gear, qualified myself to slag the talentless hack off, did so a couple of times then never watched it again. That was all I needed to know and all you (I feel) needed to know.

[Blakewater]

RB Will said:

I think the problem most of PH has with GT is that you are wanting and expecting a car show. Clarkson etc have said in interviews that they are no longer a car review show they are an entertainment show that has some cars in.
The role of new Top Gear is to be like a tv version of the magazine which is why a lot of PH liked the last series.

The problem with that is people who aren't into cars won't enjoy it, while everybody will watch an entertainment show with a few cars whether they're into cars or not. That's why TG used to have such a wide appeal and so many viewers.

TGT arrived with a lot of fanfair and a visually spectacular first episode, but the producers seemed to think we wanted TG on a different channel and made too much of making a point about their legal restrictions that prevented them copying features. I think people also expected the touring to mean every episode would be like a Top Gear special with something being made of the country they were in. I did. I've read the first new TGT may be from the Cotswolds simply because Jeremy has been too unwell to travel.

Some parts they didn't seem to put the degree of effort into that they used to. The custom cars being ready built instead of them showing what they were derived from and pretending to build them. The Maserati feature being cut short with a race around a dockyard and firing a car onto an old boat.

It has so much potential, it's not crap like those trying to be too cool for school try to make out, it just needs taking by the scruff of the neck so it doesn't feel like the effort of a few blokes a week away from their retirement payoff just going through the motions.

[hyphen]

Not sure if already posted, but The Grand Tour is no longer a tour. The tent is now permanently in the UK http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5000588/Gr...

Should make it a better show as the travelling studio was not done as it should have been done.

[johnxjsc1985]

hairyben said:

I watched most of one episode of CHRIS EVANS gear, qualified myself to slag the talentless hack off, did so a couple of times then never watched it again. That was all I needed to know and all you (I feel) needed to know.

same here he it was awful but I didn't then come on to PH and spoil it for others.
I liked a lot of TGT it got better and I have an affection for three middle aged blokes doing stupid things with Cars.If its not very good I can switch off.

[E65Ross]

Do we have any idea as to when the new series starts?

[anonymous-user]

johnxjsc1985 said:

hairyben said:

I watched most of one episode of CHRIS EVANS gear, qualified myself to slag the talentless hack off, did so a couple of times then never watched it again. That was all I needed to know and all you (I feel) needed to know.

same here he it was awful but I didn't then come on to PH and spoil it for others.
I liked a lot of TGT it got better and I have an affection for three middle aged blokes doing stupid things with Cars.If its not very good I can switch off.

How on earth does someone criticising a tv show “spoil it for others”? People have different opinions. Do you only want to listen to people that like the show? Seems a bit odd.

There are loads of threads about tv shows where people post that they don’t like a series or are disappointed with how a series has gone. There aren’t people like you lot getting all upset about it.

[anonymous-user]

E65Ross said:

Do we have any idea as to when the new series starts?

This is indeed the big question to which no one seems to have an answer.