TST podcast - Mr Harris

[anonymous-user]

Not sure if this has been posted up. Good listen.

[The Vambo]

yonex said:

Not sure if this has been posted up. Good listen.

Yeah, the Harry Metcalfe/birth of Evo one was fantastic.

[fbc]

The Vambo said:

Yeah, the Harry Metcalfe/birth of Evo one was fantastic.

Different podcast, they're referring to The Smoking Tire podcast with Chris Harris as the guest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMjjQo5Yoic

[anonymous-user]

That’s the one. Fancy not posting a link, sorry!

[mids]

I listened to this on Friday. I normally bail after 10 mins of this sort of thing but made it to the end with this, pretty enjoyable. Liked their comments about the speed of the Taycan

[anonymous-user]

What strikes me is just how likeable CH is, it’s a shame they’ve made him play a character type thing on Top Gear. When it’s just him, chilled out talking about cars he’s brilliant at conveying things.

[Dave.]

He's been on TST quite a few times over the years, well worth going back through for a listen.

[Plate spinner]

yonex said:

What strikes me is just how likeable CH is, it’s a shame they’ve made him play a character type thing on Top Gear. When it’s just him, chilled out talking about cars he’s brilliant at conveying things.

Totally agree.
I’ve followed him for ages, I like his writing style, knowledge, enthusiasm and insights. When he moved to video and started making YT stuff with Neil I thought it was also brilliant. I also like the fact he’s a bit chippy as well, says what he thinks and isn’t afraid to fall out with manufacturers - that’s exactly what I want from a credible journalist.

I get that TG was a good career move, I’m sure he’s making a few quid and is getting profile for future projects, good on him, but he’s no actor Which is what that show requires.
People seeing him for the first time are being done a disservice IMO. The guy is better than people see of him on that show, playing some sort of nerd / fall-guy role. Even when he does his solo reviews, it’s all dumbed down / exaggerated nonsense.
When he first appeared looking all awkward and trying to be ‘scripted funny’, my GF actually said “is he that guy from the videos you watch? I thought you said he was brilliant...”

[BigGingerBob]

Plate spinner said:

yonex said:

What strikes me is just how likeable CH is, it’s a shame they’ve made him play a character type thing on Top Gear. When it’s just him, chilled out talking about cars he’s brilliant at conveying things.

Totally agree.
I’ve followed him for ages, I like his writing style, knowledge, enthusiasm and insights. When he moved to video and started making YT stuff with Neil I thought it was also brilliant. I also like the fact he’s a bit chippy as well, says what he thinks and isn’t afraid to fall out with manufacturers - that’s exactly what I want from a credible journalist.

I get that TG was a good career move, I’m sure he’s making a few quid and is getting profile for future projects, good on him, but he’s no actor Which is what that show requires.
People seeing him for the first time are being done a disservice IMO. The guy is better than people see of him on that show, playing some sort of nerd / fall-guy role. Even when he does his solo reviews, it’s all dumbed down / exaggerated nonsense.
When he first appeared looking all awkward and trying to be ‘scripted funny’, my GF actually said “is he that guy from the videos you watch? I thought you said he was brilliant...”

I agree too. I don't watch TG any more, which is crazy if you know me. The wooden scripted qualities of it ruin it for me. The same with the first bit of TGT so I don't watch that either.
However, his collecting Cars podcast is the Harris we used to know, knowledgeable, geeky and funny.
I didn't like TST as I didn't know anyone on it and it was a bit 'I'm cooler than you' but I listened to this one, Mr JWW and the one last December with Richard Porter. Really good.

[Chubbyross]

CH is IMO the best motoring journalist out there - closely followed by Mr Catchpole. I really can’t blame him for taking the TG gig. It gives him great world wide exposure, pays him a great salary, is probably great fun too and will set him up in the future for greater things.

[ApexCult]

I'd definitely recommend the "Collecting Cars" podcast Chris Harris is doing too - some hilarious stories that had me in tears

[sideways man]

Another vote for collecting cars, I’ll give this a watch later. As a monkey fan for a long time, watching him on top gear makes me weep. He’s so much better than that, although his bank account has probably never been so healthy.

[Gio G]

I listened to it and have been listening to the collecting cars podcast too. The constant theme with CH is that he is no longer interested in the new shiny stuff and clearly prefers his cars from an older vintage.. As a respected journalist I think it is important he provides his thoughts on the newer stuff to stay relevant..

I do enjoy his stuff away from TG..

G

[tektas]

Listened to it on Sunday. Was my first TST Podcast, enjoyed it quite a bit.

I have to say I am looking forward to CH's "announced" Youtube Stuff for 2020. Am eager to see what he has in store.

[Gad-Westy]

ApexCult said:

I'd definitely recommend the "Collecting Cars" podcast Chris Harris is doing too - some hilarious stories that had me in tears

I liked the story about the guy who drove a Beetle to Sydney (Richard Tuttle's father maybe?) and took a spare engine on a roof rack just in case..... and fitted it before they'd even reached Dover! LOL'd at that.

[Krikkit]

ApexCult said:

I'd definitely recommend the "Collecting Cars" podcast Chris Harris is doing too - some hilarious stories that had me in tears

Yep, me too - brilliant stories and guests. The evo one was fantastic fun with Metcalfe on it.

[Kenny Powers]

I think Harris is fast becoming an insufferable car snob who thinks everything he doesn’t like or doesn’t already have is pointless. I turned this off halfway through.

[jonwm]

Was really pleased to hear him on TST this week. I've only recently discovered TST but strangely addicted to it now and going through old ones. Even though I don't know half the guests I find them very enjoyable to listen too.

[anonymous-user]

Kenny Powers said:

I think Harris is fast becoming an insufferable car snob who thinks everything he doesn’t like or doesn’t already have is pointless. I turned this off halfway through.

I can’t see Harris as that at all, a car snob would hardly be critical of a modern Ferrari in favour of an ageing ‘anything’. On balance most of the ex evo lads are generally excellent.

[Kenny Powers]

yonex said:

Kenny Powers said:

I think Harris is fast becoming an insufferable car snob who thinks everything he doesn’t like or doesn’t already have is pointless. I turned this off halfway through.

I can’t see Harris as that at all, a car snob would hardly be critical of a modern Ferrari in favour of an ageing ‘anything’. On balance most of the ex evo lads are generally excellent.

Maybe. I'm just tired of the old "SUVs are pointless unless they're driving up the side of a mountain" cliche. Even though they are obviously road cars. It's fking boring reading it on here every day without having to listen to Harris parroting it on a podcast as well