The Grand Tour

[Ian Geary]

I finally watched the last episode of TGT today, and thought it was well done.

But the scene with James May behind the desk intrigued me (tried to upload screen shot, but couldn't...)

i) how well the suit looked on him (instead of daft blouses)
ii) not noticing the lady filing for the first couple of seconds...


I'm sure the 70s didn't all look like that

[Teddy Lop]

Shakermaker said:

SV_WDC said:

Amazon have been reigning in the budget for many years.

First season they had a show in a different country every week. Think season 3 it was in a different English location each week, now it's a static thing.

What this shows is that the format has simply not worked. Not for Amazon anyway. The specials are the things that people remember and enjoy the most, makes sense for them to be the ones that are now focused on. Surprised by Clarkson's reaction though. The studio part of TGT was 10mins of each episode. They don't even have a special guest on anymore

But its not just the studio part, its the entire magazine format of the show that's changing. Just specials now, which is fine, but for them, it'll be no more car tests on their track, no more films like the one about Jim Clark or Lancia etc.

that doesn't make sense, the exotic specials must be by far and away the most expensive films to make, if you can make a series 2:1 with tent/local stuff, films about iconic cars/brands/people, tracking cars, small challenges etc which despite repeatedly failing the standards of the critical elite of pistonheads the masses will all watch and enjoy, that's a cheaper series (and I think stuff like the tent keeps them more connected with the public than just "stars on jaunts")

[uknick]

Clarkson et al wind up Chump Holdings Ltd, the company they set up to deliver Grand Tour.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news...

[Shakermaker]

Teddy Lop said:

that doesn't make sense, the exotic specials must be by far and away the most expensive films to make, if you can make a series 2:1 with tent/local stuff, films about iconic cars/brands/people, tracking cars, small challenges etc which despite repeatedly failing the standards of the critical elite of pistonheads the masses will all watch and enjoy, that's a cheaper series (and I think stuff like the tent keeps them more connected with the public than just "stars on jaunts")

they don't need to make a cheaper show, would be my summation from that. Amazon have given them enough money and put enough into the production that they can make all the expensive stuff.

They could make a cheaper show, but they clearly feel that isn't right for them any longer

[LuS1fer]

Shakermaker said:

they don't need to make a cheaper show, would be my summation from that. Amazon have given them enough money and put enough into the production that they can make all the expensive stuff.

They could make a cheaper show, but they clearly feel that isn't right for them any longer

I imagine the arduous hardship of specials is enough without having the additional burden of studio work. None are getting younger so seeing the world at Amazon's expense is probably a better swan song, before dementia sets in.

[carl_w]

uknick said:

Clarkson et al wind up Chump Holdings Ltd, the company they set up to deliver Grand Tour.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news...

One of the companies they set up to deliver the Grand Tour. W Chump & Sons Ltd and Chump Productions Ltd are still active.

[abzmike]

Ian Geary said:

I finally watched the last episode of TGT today, and thought it was well done.

But the scene with James May behind the desk intrigued me (tried to upload screen shot, but couldn't...)

i) how well the suit looked on him (instead of daft blouses)
ii) not noticing the lady filing for the first couple of seconds...


I'm sure the 70s didn't all look like that

I thought he looked like Paul Raymond... It was well done

[MitchT]

Just got round to watching the last one. My dad always had Japanese cars but I could relate to the whole Ford/Dad sentiment. Always loved the original Sierra Cosworth. Hilarious that it lapped faster than the Countach!

[simonrockman]

The problem with going specials-only is that it becomes a travel show with cars in it not a car show with travelling in it.

[Gary29]

simonrockman said:

The problem with going specials-only is that it becomes a travel show with cars in it not a car show with travelling in it.

That's not a problem, the masses don't want a car show, Fifth Gear and BBC Top Gear have proved this.

[LuS1fer]

Gary29 said:

That's not a problem, the masses don't want a car show, Fifth Gear and BBC Top Gear have proved this.

True. I watched Car Years, I think it's called where VBH and someone else choose the "best car" from a particular year - the one I part watched was1964 and featured the 911 and Mustang.

I went and watched paint dry.

[Supercilious Sid]

ReaperCushions said:

Anyone else look at Clarkson crying thinking..

'well it was all your fault for punching that guy over the steak you big idiot'

No it is only you.

[anonymous-user]

Now this show is coming to an end will anybody come clean and admit that for all the hype before it started it turned out to be a big let down?

[cerb4.5lee]

Raygun said:

Now this show is coming to an end will anybody come clean and admit that for all the hype before it started it turned out to be a big let down?

The specials were a big let down for me, but overall I really enjoyed the rest of series 3 for sure.

[E65Ross]

Raygun said:

Now this show is coming to an end will anybody come clean and admit that for all the hype before it started it turned out to be a big let down?

Nope, S1 pretty poor, S2 much better and enjoyable, S3 was brilliant, easily up there with the best of TG.

[Stuart70]

E65Ross said:

Nope, S1 pretty poor, S2 much better and enjoyable, S3 was brilliant, easily up there with the best of TG.

Nailed it.

[hairykrishna]

It was ok, particularly series 3, but I'd hoped for more. With an effectively limitless budget and freedom to do more or less what they liked it seemed a bit lazy. Clarkson and May are both top class presenters and with the right subject matter Clarkson's an excellent writer. So much of it just seemed like filler and some tent sections were very poor indeed. Hopefully their next series of big specials will be good.

[otolith]

Raygun said:

Now this show is coming to an end will anybody come clean and admit that for all the hype before it started it turned out to be a big let down?

Nope.

[Dr Interceptor]

Raygun said:

Now this show is coming to an end will anybody come clean and admit that for all the hype before it started it turned out to be a big let down?

Overall - nope.

Yes, there were a few iffy episodes, but on the whole, I'm glad it has existed, and continues to do so.

[johnxjsc1985]

I didn't enjoy every single minute of them on Top Gear nor did I on the Grand Tour but it would be weird if anyone did. I enjoy watching them cock things up its an entertainment programme and they entertained me.