BBC Top Gear 2017 Thread
Discussion
The latest series was very hit and miss.
Funny at times, but never hit the comic highs or laser wit of the Clarkson era.
And that lack of entertainment / humour is turning off the mass-market. TG has become nerdy, with forced humour, delivered mostly by nerds.
TG UK viewing figures today are down -80% on peak-Clarkson, down -65% on the last Clarkson episode, down -55% on the first Evans episode, and down -30% on the first episode of the latest series just over a month ago.
Tellingly, few international broadcasters are tripping over themselves to rebroadcast the new TG series.
In other words, entertainment, humour and viewers are thin on the ground. Top Gear is limping along in bottom gear.
Funny at times, but never hit the comic highs or laser wit of the Clarkson era.
And that lack of entertainment / humour is turning off the mass-market. TG has become nerdy, with forced humour, delivered mostly by nerds.
TG UK viewing figures today are down -80% on peak-Clarkson, down -65% on the last Clarkson episode, down -55% on the first Evans episode, and down -30% on the first episode of the latest series just over a month ago.
Tellingly, few international broadcasters are tripping over themselves to rebroadcast the new TG series.
In other words, entertainment, humour and viewers are thin on the ground. Top Gear is limping along in bottom gear.
Yipper said:
The latest series was very hit and miss.
Funny at times, but never hit the comic highs or laser wit of the Clarkson era.
And that lack of entertainment / humour is turning off the mass-market. TG has become nerdy, with forced humour, delivered mostly by nerds.
TG UK viewing figures today are down -80% on peak-Clarkson, down -65% on the last Clarkson episode, down -55% on the first Evans episode, and down -30% on the first episode of the latest series just over a month ago.
Tellingly, few international broadcasters are tripping over themselves to rebroadcast the new TG series.
In other words, entertainment, humour and viewers are thin on the ground. Top Gear is limping along in bottom gear.
Totally agree. I watched it last night my girlfriend spent the hour surfing the net on her phone and my 13yo son dipped in and out, on his phone, going to loo, getting a snack. Which is the most telling. Because Clarkson TG he would never miss, has watched countless repeats on Dave and love The Grand Tour.Funny at times, but never hit the comic highs or laser wit of the Clarkson era.
And that lack of entertainment / humour is turning off the mass-market. TG has become nerdy, with forced humour, delivered mostly by nerds.
TG UK viewing figures today are down -80% on peak-Clarkson, down -65% on the last Clarkson episode, down -55% on the first Evans episode, and down -30% on the first episode of the latest series just over a month ago.
Tellingly, few international broadcasters are tripping over themselves to rebroadcast the new TG series.
In other words, entertainment, humour and viewers are thin on the ground. Top Gear is limping along in bottom gear.
Whatever you say about TG now, it just doesn't hold the attention like Clarkson and Co do, and that's why the viewing figures have dropped imho.
Tyre Smoke said:
Totally agree. I watched it last night my girlfriend spent the hour surfing the net on her phone and my 13yo son dipped in and out, on his phone, going to loo, getting a snack. Which is the most telling. Because Clarkson TG he would never miss, has watched countless repeats on Dave and love The Grand Tour.
Whatever you say about TG now, it just doesn't hold the attention like Clarkson and Co do, and that's why the viewing figures have dropped imho.
My 13yr old (non petrol head) lad loved Clarkson, not fussed about new TG whereas I am a petrol head & didn't enjoy old TG & hated Grand Tour but enjoy most of the new TG. Eddie Jordan I don't get, Rory Reid I'm not sold on yet but suspect he'll only get better, Sabine Schmidt? Not sure TBH.Whatever you say about TG now, it just doesn't hold the attention like Clarkson and Co do, and that's why the viewing figures have dropped imho.
LordHaveMurci said:
Tyre Smoke said:
Totally agree. I watched it last night my girlfriend spent the hour surfing the net on her phone and my 13yo son dipped in and out, on his phone, going to loo, getting a snack. Which is the most telling. Because Clarkson TG he would never miss, has watched countless repeats on Dave and love The Grand Tour.
Whatever you say about TG now, it just doesn't hold the attention like Clarkson and Co do, and that's why the viewing figures have dropped imho.
My 13yr old (non petrol head) lad loved Clarkson, not fussed about new TG whereas I am a petrol head & didn't enjoy old TG & hated Grand Tour but enjoy most of the new TG. Eddie Jordan I don't get, Rory Reid I'm not sold on yet but suspect he'll only get better, Sabine Schmidt? Not sure TBH.Whatever you say about TG now, it just doesn't hold the attention like Clarkson and Co do, and that's why the viewing figures have dropped imho.
te on Netflix with his mum while I was left in peace to watch Top Gear - Bliss. So, I don't care whether my 13 year old watches it, but I see what you are saying about viewing figures. 
Dipped into this series more than any of the last four or five.
On the whole I'd give them a B+
They need more of:
Maybe the current team just need a few series to gel and develop, or maybe they just don't have 'it', I dunno.
On the whole I'd give them a B+
They need more of:
- Freewheeling chat about cars a la the old news segment. Let's find out a bit more about RR & MLB's car history, likes/dislikes. This is what allowed the old team's character/biases/vulnerabilities to come through
- MLB demonstrating some driving skill/technical knowledge. Would add cred to the show
- CH in decent metal - clip and export-friendly flashy powerslides. MLB got many of the prime gigs like the DB11. Not in itself a bad thing and probably specified in his contract, but this is CH's thing, surely? Why get a dog and bark yourself?
- CH in random, not newly released metal - more nerdy, labour of love stuff like the old Testarossa and 2CV vids
- Restricting the SIARPC guests to those with at least a passing interest in cars until the new format is bedded-in. This was how the rebooted TG started before it got all Hollywood-obsessed and is what made the segment IMO
- Unscripted stuff with RR and CH - thought the Cuba stuff was great
- MLB in those forced bits about farm machinery - cringe. If MLB has a genuine passion for some niche or aspect of motoring though then let's see it
- Trying to 'create' a grumpy, contrarian persona for CH - obviously forced and not a good fit. They seemed to ease off on that through the series though so maybe they recognise this
Maybe the current team just need a few series to gel and develop, or maybe they just don't have 'it', I dunno.
Steady episode, the Bernie interview was weird and killed the show flat.
The Russian thing was great, Timmy being trapped down the well made me laugh.
They had another Porsche on it, seemed to be one every week, will no-one else lend them a car?
I think it's a bit too focussed on cars, before people who watched it liked what the presenters got up to without being overly interested in cars.
However it's made a better start than TGT so will tune in to the next series.
The new TG-America starts up soon, shame it's not the History version which is still my preferred TG.
Spotted that Roadkill is on Netflix, best car programme IMO.
The Russian thing was great, Timmy being trapped down the well made me laugh.
They had another Porsche on it, seemed to be one every week, will no-one else lend them a car?
I think it's a bit too focussed on cars, before people who watched it liked what the presenters got up to without being overly interested in cars.
However it's made a better start than TGT so will tune in to the next series.
The new TG-America starts up soon, shame it's not the History version which is still my preferred TG.
Spotted that Roadkill is on Netflix, best car programme IMO.
loudlashadjuster said:
The one thing the programme is crying out for though is just decent writing. I don't think how many realise how much the old show rested on the shoulders of one Mr R Porter. I suspect a lot of the worst bits of the new series were just a few rewrites away from being good.
I very much agree with thisJaykay's pissy little eyes suprised me, no wonder he wears shades all the time. Came across as smug etc . Don't like any of the farm implement sections or destruction but the show has improved this year vastly since Chris Evans. MLB can obviously drive and enjoys his cars, Harris is fine, lose Rory or whoever he is. Will still watch the next series in hope, they've had some cracking cars on this one.
Thoroughly enjoyable, and a great finale to a surprisingly good series. Harris did the Porsche review exceptionally well, RR was funny and MLB brought it altogether. JK was fine, don't have an issue with him at all. He dislike modern chav crap like the Bentiger and took a subtle swipe at the VAG Lamborghinis - man after my own heart.
No criticisms at all - just a really funny and entertaining hour of TV.
Roll on next series!
No criticisms at all - just a really funny and entertaining hour of TV.
Roll on next series!
Edited by iSore on Monday 24th April 18:06
The Ssangyacht Rodius.... Surprised that Jay Kay thought there were only 3 Diablo SE30s and one of them was a Jota, Maybe the story sounds better if there's only 2 or 3 of a certain model.
This second series is a big improvement over the first series. MLB has improved since the first series and Chris Harris is good as well. The other presenters are just incidental and wouldn't miss them if they weren't in the next series. When compared to TGT I have to say, surprisingly, that I enjoyed this Top Gear series more than TGT, which had too much messing about and not enough car content. Hopefully there will be more improvements by the time Top Gear series 3 emerges.
This second series is a big improvement over the first series. MLB has improved since the first series and Chris Harris is good as well. The other presenters are just incidental and wouldn't miss them if they weren't in the next series. When compared to TGT I have to say, surprisingly, that I enjoyed this Top Gear series more than TGT, which had too much messing about and not enough car content. Hopefully there will be more improvements by the time Top Gear series 3 emerges.
Last nights extra gear actually very good too imo. Worth a watch to anyone who enjoyed the episode.
One surprising thing is that Harris genuinely hadn't seen the rhodius yacht until it's revealed in the show - he was put in a van so he couldn't see it until on film. Surprised that wasn't scripted at all.
One surprising thing is that Harris genuinely hadn't seen the rhodius yacht until it's revealed in the show - he was put in a van so he couldn't see it until on film. Surprised that wasn't scripted at all.
I may be in the minority here but I just don't think Harris does the "boring" stuff anywhere near as well as Clarkson. Clarkson can make the boring stuff interesting and funny. When Harris did the Cayman bit and was talking about the suspension, the wider tyres it was all a bit nerdy, Clarkson seems to be able to pull that off so much better IMO.
I think Harris is great for the nerdy car people, but those who are after a light-hearted car programme, then maybe not so much. This is where Fifth Gear and very old TG failed. Of the 3, I definitely prefer Matt Le Blanc. Some of his reviews have been good IMO, although at times he can come across as a bit dry, he has improved I think.
I think Harris is great for the nerdy car people, but those who are after a light-hearted car programme, then maybe not so much. This is where Fifth Gear and very old TG failed. Of the 3, I definitely prefer Matt Le Blanc. Some of his reviews have been good IMO, although at times he can come across as a bit dry, he has improved I think.
Harris has improved beyond all recognition, as has T.G. I still miss the old lot - increasing less - but I suspect this time next year we'll be wondering what all the fuss was about. I was so pissed off when Clarkson and co destroyed the 928GT, Mustang and Esprit - there was just no need for that.
Anyone who cuts the back end off a 928GT isn't a car enthusiast - sorry.
Anyone who cuts the back end off a 928GT isn't a car enthusiast - sorry.
Harris is engaging when in-car, on his own, talking about the car. Which is no surprise given that was his YouTube MO and what got him the gig. It appeals to me but then it would because I'm interested in the subject matter. His on screen relationship with Le Blanc is a work in progress but is developing and I think there's been enough to get me to watch another series.
For me, after this one, it's "how to they build on that?" this time rather than "they're definitely going to have to bin this" which is how I felt after the last series.
For me, after this one, it's "how to they build on that?" this time rather than "they're definitely going to have to bin this" which is how I felt after the last series.
200Plus Club said:
Jaykay's pissy little eyes suprised me, no wonder he wears shades all the time. Came across as smug etc .
Smug eh? Yup that's him. Tossseur.For those still pining for CMH, if the new gang smashed up a few cars whilst calling each other "utter cock", would that help?
Rumblestripe said:
200Plus Club said:
Jaykay's pissy little eyes suprised me, no wonder he wears shades all the time. Came across as smug etc .
Smug eh? Yup that's him. Tossseur.For those still pining for CMH, if the new gang smashed up a few cars whilst calling each other "utter cock", would that help?
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