RE: Top Gear TV gains McGuinness and Flintoff

[geeks]

ian2144 said:

Here’s a simple questionnaire for the new guys, I wouldn’t consider these too difficult for any self respecting petrolhead.


Where did Audi get the name TT ?

Which manufactuer produced the 037 ?

What’s the cubic capacity of the 2CV in its final years ?

The Aston Martin DBS used the front indecator & sidelights from which other manufacturer and what was the model ?

What year did Caterham take over production of the Lotus Seven ?

Which Mk1 Escort produced the most BHP ?

I consider myself a "Petrolhead" can only answer two of those off hand (Tourist Trophy and Lancia) (I could take a guess at the Aston question as well)

I am not really sure what that proves though, I think those questions are car nerd questions rather than "petrolhead" questions!

Also what "self respecting petrolhead" can't spell indicator or manufacturer?

[anonymous-user]

DonkeyApple said:

V8RX7 said:

Then why have they kept Harris ?

I can't watch him for more than 5 mins - his gift is making exciting things appear very dull

He adds the car bit, plus the appeal to middle England and the educated while costing £5.

I suspect the departing of MLB has more to do with money than is being reported. Maybe one of the core drivers for the initial expense was international appeal and if the show has not been sufficiently successful in its overseas sales then this may be why they’ve opted for a brace of Northern ‘local’ lads so as to focus on enough domestic appeal to continue justifying the prime TV slot.

It is also entirely plausible that Rory did not resonate outside of the Home Counties hence his migration to the more specialist program that occupies a channel and time slot/delivery mechanism that is more appropriate for his narrower domestic demographic?

When you consider the positioning of the main show then Flintoff does appeal to a strong generic U.K. demographic as does McGuiness. Children know who they are. Young adults know who they are. Mothers know who they are. And a pair of Northern men of the people mocking the educated, sophisticated southerner is a well trodden and proven BBC formula.

How they will tie in the car element is going to be interesting. My gut feeling is that the show will generally work around a level of humour that I personally don’t find all that amusing but am still likely to find preferable to Poldark. And if it is a show that my whole family will watch then I’m more than happy to sacrifice my own selfish needs.

Wise words DA

[RJG46]

daytona111r said:

RJG46 said:

Piginapoke said:

blade7 said:

Clarkson and Le Blanc had enough charisma to lead the show, the new line up is made up of supporting players. And fairly dull ones at that. Maybe Keith Lemon will be the new Stig...

Couldn't disagree more about MLB. He always looked scripted and stiff on screen.

Couldn't disagree more with you.

na, MLB was awful. Much preferred Chris Evans to MLB who got treated really unfairly by the media and keyboard warriors (and had true petrolhead credentials too).

[Wooda80]

J4CKO said:

trails said:

J4CKO said:

I know someone who had some dealings with Paddy McGuiness and his opinion turned me against what I already thought was a bit of an annoying character.

Spill the beans please; I need some empirical evidence (well gossip will do tbh) to support my unconditional dislike of the bloke

Someone sold him a fairly high value item and he was perfectly pleasant, spent a while chatting and completing the transaction, same chap saw him out and about a few days later by chance and asked him how he was getting on with said item and was completely blanked, could always have been misinterpreted or caught him at a bad moment but I dont think so, the guy was really annoyed, disappointed and embarrassed.

Interesting that. I had him as a prospective customer a couple of years ago, and was left with the overwhelming impression that he was a complete kn*b, although that may just have been my prejudice confirming my previously held suspicions.

[LuS1fer]

I anticipate that it will be like Fifth Gear, for me. I'll watch it if it's on (catch up as I'm out on Sundays) but won't be bothered if I miss it. I find sports personalities all sound like talking wood and sports game shows bore me to death.
Fifth Gear have proved that by having sporting type guests, it's hard work watching wood talk.

I agree that CH and M had had their day recycling old guff and the "chemistry" had turned into "We're only here for the beer...and money...and because it's not a real job". I also liked MLB but the BBC is all about "low" wages now and you do get what you pay for.

[reprs]

Hey BBC? How about a new show? Strictly Top Gear on Ice...that should appeal to the Gogglebox numpties!

[ian2144]

geeks said:

ian2144 said:

Here’s a simple questionnaire for the new guys, I wouldn’t consider these too difficult for any self respecting petrolhead.


Where did Audi get the name TT ?

Which manufactuer produced the 037 ?

What’s the cubic capacity of the 2CV in its final years ?

The Aston Martin DBS used the front indecator & sidelights from which other manufacturer and what was the model ?

What year did Caterham take over production of the Lotus Seven ?

Which Mk1 Escort produced the most BHP ?

I consider myself a "Petrolhead" can only answer two of those off hand (Tourist Trophy and Lancia) (I could take a guess at the Aston question as well)

I am not really sure what that proves though, I think those questions are car nerd questions rather than "petrolhead" questions!

Also what "self respecting petrolhead" can't spell indicator or manufacturer?

I don’t think the questions were that nerdy......I’m sure Clarkson and May would have no problem with them. Not so sure about the Hamster.

I’ve always been crap at spelling, by the way

[Samjeev]

DonkeyApple said:

When you consider the positioning of the main show then Flintoff does appeal to a strong generic U.K. demographic as does McGuiness. Children know who they are. Young adults know who they are. Mothers know who they are

They do? I haven't got a clue who they are and I admit i've not sat down and watched anything on TV In the good part of a decade, getting most if not all of my Viewing entertainment from Youtube and other streaming platforms

Big fan of Harris, would be interesting to hear how much he makes compared to these 2 but as you say I reckon it can't be much.

The big problem with Top Gear in my opinion is the BBC trying to make it this kind of Celebrity driven talk show or entertainment show. The most boring parts of Top gear in recent year and during the Clarkson reign were the Celebrity in a car segments and any kind of weird wacky "Challenge" or bizarre game-show-esque parts.

From what I understand when the old Top gear was in it's infancy apart from Jeremy no one knew about James May or had much of a clue on Hammond and they simply grew their own following from there. So if the BBC are so keen on trying re-capture the spark that they lost I don't see why they keep shoveling on boring hosts who people only associate with their past endevours rather than get lesser known people who know their way around a car or have an interest in cars and let them grow from there and if people find that boring then they can go watch The Grand Tour which seems to be nothing but the boring parts of Top gear for me.

[geeks]

ian2144 said:

geeks said:

ian2144 said:

Here’s a simple questionnaire for the new guys, I wouldn’t consider these too difficult for any self respecting petrolhead.


Where did Audi get the name TT ?

Which manufactuer produced the 037 ?

What’s the cubic capacity of the 2CV in its final years ?

The Aston Martin DBS used the front indecator & sidelights from which other manufacturer and what was the model ?

What year did Caterham take over production of the Lotus Seven ?

Which Mk1 Escort produced the most BHP ?

I consider myself a "Petrolhead" can only answer two of those off hand (Tourist Trophy and Lancia) (I could take a guess at the Aston question as well)

I am not really sure what that proves though, I think those questions are car nerd questions rather than "petrolhead" questions!

Also what "self respecting petrolhead" can't spell indicator or manufacturer?

I don’t think the questions were that nerdy......I’m sure Clarkson and May would have no problem with them. Not so sure about the Hamster.

I’ve always been crap at spelling, by the way

Fair one! Maybe an age thing, the MK1 Escort was already nearly 20 years old when I was born (84) ..

[RJG46]

ian2144 said:

geeks said:

ian2144 said:

Here’s a simple questionnaire for the new guys, I wouldn’t consider these too difficult for any self respecting petrolhead.


Where did Audi get the name TT ?

Which manufactuer produced the 037 ?

What’s the cubic capacity of the 2CV in its final years ?

The Aston Martin DBS used the front indecator & sidelights from which other manufacturer and what was the model ?

What year did Caterham take over production of the Lotus Seven ?

Which Mk1 Escort produced the most BHP ?

I consider myself a "Petrolhead" can only answer two of those off hand (Tourist Trophy and Lancia) (I could take a guess at the Aston question as well)

I am not really sure what that proves though, I think those questions are car nerd questions rather than "petrolhead" questions!

Also what "self respecting petrolhead" can't spell indicator or manufacturer?

I don’t think the questions were that nerdy......I’m sure Clarkson and May would have no problem with them. Not so sure about the Hamster.

I’ve always been crap at spelling, by the way

I prefer people that can make a subject interesting, rather than having an ability to quote endless stats, facts and figures. I also prefer more everyday cars to exotica like Ferrari and Aston.

The 2CV was 652cc, non?

RS 1800 Escort?

[urquattroGus]

[quote=markcoznottz][quote=Dale487]

Rebecca Jackson


b

[LuS1fer]

ian2144 said:

Here’s a simple questionnaire for the new guys, I wouldn’t consider these too difficult for any self respecting petrolhead.


Where did Audi get the name TT ?

Which manufactuer produced the 037 ?

What’s the cubic capacity of the 2CV in its final years ?

The Aston Martin DBS used the front indecator & sidelights from which other manufacturer and what was the model ?

What year did Caterham take over production of the Lotus Seven ?

Which Mk1 Escort produced the most BHP ?

I've forgotten more than I recall but didn't know the TT and didn't care, Lancia, 602 from fading memory, Cortina Mk II from fading memory, no idea but very 70s and probably the RS1800 BDA. Many questions are arbitrary, to be fair and your age plays a big part.
For example
How about more straightforward stuff like
Who made the Marzal
What Ferrari was not technically a Ferrari
What feature on the Mk 1 Lotus Cortina did not make it to the Mk II Lotus Cortina or was that Cortina Lotus...
Who made the first muscle car
Who made the first production 5 cylinder engine
Who designed the Rover SD1
What car shared the Citroen SM's engine

None prove you're a petrolhead - the young lad down the road with a Corsa might have more enthusiasm than the two of them put together.

[blade7]

daytona111r said:

Read a comment that MLB's homour carried the show -

I don't think you did. What are you implying?

[Red 4]

RJG46 said:

I prefer people that can make a subject interesting, rather than having an ability to quote endless stats, facts and figures. I also prefer more everyday cars to exotica like Ferrari and Aston.

The 2CV was 652cc, non?

RS 1800 Escort?

RS1800 was a mk2 Escort.

RS1600 was a mk1.

[LuS1fer]

Red 4 said:

RS1800 was a mk2 Escort.

RS1600 was a mk1.

Indeed, a trap I fell straight into, despite absolutely knowing that. Perhaps less people would know that the production RS1600 only made 3hp more than the 110hp Escort twin Cam which had the Lotus engine.

[Red 4]

LuS1fer said:

Red 4 said:

RS1800 was a mk2 Escort.

RS1600 was a mk1.

Indeed, a trap I fell straight into, despite absolutely knowing that. Perhaps less people would know that the production RS1600 only made 3hp more than the 110hp Escort twin Cam which had the Lotus engine.

I'll take your word for that, but the BDA was developed to make lots of power for its size and the era.
As you know, obvs.

[Klippie]

The Beeb should just kill it rather than try to compete with the Grand Tour it’s like watching The Rolling Stones v’s a tribute band it can never be as good so why even try.

Saying that I’d happily watch a quality car show with none of the cringeworthy arsing about it’s not funny or entertaining, hire car guys likes of Henry Catchpole and Harry Metcalfe who are supremely interesting to listen to and most importantly know all about cars, I’d absolutely keep Chris Harris but let him be himself and sit back and enjoy quality car reviews.

[J4CKO]

urquattroGus said:

markcoznottz said:

Dale487 said:

Rebecca Jackson


b

Yes, she is pretty good as a presenter and definitely has the male vote

The Wheels Steals thing seems a bit scripted and wooden but I suspect she has more ability than that.

[Gandahar]

Considering the amount of great stuff out there on the internet for everyone's fancy I fail to see how this will be to ones liking. This or Coronation street?

Neither.

Harry did the Top Gear expedition to the extreme in this

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

Beats all Top Gears jaunts into a top hat, and he knows more about cars than they ever will ( Chris Harris exempted ). 9.1k likes and 93 dislikes .. takes some beating. almost 1000 to 1


For people like you and me Top Gear is last years turd that did not flush down the pan.

[RJG46]

Red 4 said:

RJG46 said:

I prefer people that can make a subject interesting, rather than having an ability to quote endless stats, facts and figures. I also prefer more everyday cars to exotica like Ferrari and Aston.

The 2CV was 652cc, non?

RS 1800 Escort?

RS1800 was a mk2 Escort.

RS1600 was a mk1.

Oh cock!




I think I may be getting the hang of this.