Monday 9th March 2015

PHTV - Episode 2

Have a spare quarter of an hour at lunch? Might we suggest PHTV?

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Just a polite reminder that this PHTV lark is continuing! Episode two is now live here, with all the best bits from our Aston Sunday Service plus the Geneva supercar wars and those Toyota Red Nose Day cars.

As you will see in the vid, we're really keen to get as much PHer involvement with the episodes as possible. Thanks to all of you at Aston who were willing to get involved, it was very much appreciated. Hopefully you'll agree that the end result comes out quite well!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next episode later this week. As ever, all feedback is welcomed...

Watch the new episode here.

PistonHeads Episode 2  

[cerb4.5lee]

Great stuff will look forward to watching a few more of these.

[unsprung]

Thanks for bringing to life your site via video -- An entertaining combination of professional footage and "just a coupla blokes down the pub."

[Lordbenny]

I think the phrase...'great faces for radio' would be apt here! Can't you get some totty on the sofa?

[JD PH]

Lordbenny said:

I think the phrase...'great faces for radio' would be apt here! Can't you get some totty on the sofa?

Hi Mr LordBenny, thanks for your valuable and considered feedback. I think everyone on PistonHeads would love to see you on screen, and by chance we have an opening for an interview on next week's show. What do you say?

[SFO]

would be better without the juvenile annoying 5 sec "music" thing between topics

[Wills2]

For me there is a sound issue, in that I can hardly hear it? Checked and it's not my PC.

[Lordbenny]

JD PH said:

Hi Mr LordBenny, thanks for your valuable and considered feedback. I think everyone on PistonHeads would love to see you on screen, and by chance we have an opening for an interview on next week's show. What do you say?

I'd love to do t, I know about cars, have LOTS of media and presenting experience and can wear a short skirt! Get in touch....I'm serious

[anonymous-user]

Do you just want us to tell you we like it? The radio silence here speaks volumes. Lord Benny has a point though. Both of the presenters look frightened and uncomfortable. You need charisma to hold attention on camera, you need to be a bit of an arse, you need 'it' - knowing about the industry and being a great driver is not enough. It is not my intention to offend. It really isn't. Honestly. The music dates it very, very badly as well. If it's just aimed at Pistonheads folk then what's the point? - if you want to go beyond that and generate revenue it won't work as it is. Look at the still picture above and honestly tell me, honestly, that this is what you want to broadcast. You have a wealth of insider knowledge, a budget, access to tracks and cars, access to people - why try to knock out a cut-price version of Top Gear? Leave that to them. If that is what you really must do, then chemistry and charisma are crucial. If that's too shallow for you then perhaps you have got the wrong medium.

[unsprung]

Goodness, gracious.

No shortage of grim views here. It's no wonder that people like Sir Tim Berners-Lee have moved to America.

Nobody is claiming that PHTV is an all-singing, all-dancing broadcast production with cinematic views of Isle of Wight. It's a couple of blokes down the pub. They've brought to life that virtual venue, the Pie & Piston, for crying out loud.

Another matter is time. The 10th episode will not be like the first episode. And so on and so forth. More concepts and more personalities are yet to arrive. Furthermore, a lot depends upon the goodwill contributed by audience members -- that's us, innit? -- when it's early days.

If you really want a laugh, have a look at pre- Top Gear footage of the Hamster or Clarkson. Umms and ahhs galore. Blank camera stares. Not to mention: bad hair.

I reckon we should let them get on with it. And let's have a bit of fun along the way.

[paulrussell]

I like the 2 Episodes so far. The biggest improvement that could be made is for both of you more comfortable in front of the camera, but I think if PHTV carries on it'll be interesting to see both of you become more used to being in front of the camera.

[JD PH]

W124 said:

Do you just want us to tell you we like it? The radio silence here speaks volumes. Lord Benny has a point though.

Ha, not even slightly. As it happens LordBenny and I were both being sarcastic (and have had an email exchange talking about this).

We value any constructive feedback - yours is great, well thought out and thorough, so thanks for taking the time to share it. We'll keep on doing our best (we can do no more!)

Cheers
JD

[D Stanley]

It is a good idea, but I had to switch off after a few minutes because I was getting bored.

However it is only your second attempt, so keep trying.

I am off to see if there is a new episode of Roadkill on You tube.

[trowelhead]

Quite enjoyed it! Think it's better than the 1st episode and will continue to get better as you finesse the format and the presenters become more natural.

Good on you both for having the balls - I'd hate to have a camera stuck in my face even to talk about something I know/love!

Edited by trowelhead on Tuesday 10th March 23:00

[JD PH]

Thanks everyone - we will indeed keep doing all we can to improve and refine the show.

JD

Note to self: Jump out on TrowelHead with camera crew at first opportunity.

[Paul O]

trowelhead said:

Quite enjoyed it! Think it's better than the 1st episode and will continue to get better as you finesse the format and the presenters become more natural.

Good on you both for having the balls - I'd hate to have a camera stuck in my face even to talk about something I know/love!

Edited by trowelhead on Tuesday 10th March 23:00

Agree with all this. Imagine being employed to do some writing stuff, then having your face shoved in front of a camera. Yikes!

I thought it was a little awkward in places, but has the makings of a good show. Can never have enough car shows. Practice makes perfect, so keep at it.

[trowelhead]

JD PH said:

Note to self: Jump out on TrowelHead with camera crew at first opportunity.

Ha ha sweating just thinking about it!

Paul O said:

Agree with all this. Imagine being employed to do some writing stuff, then having your face shoved in front of a camera. Yikes!

I thought it was a little awkward in places, but has the makings of a good show. Can never have enough car shows. Practice makes perfect, so keep at it.

As an example, if you are into podcasts, go find the first episodes of your favourite podcasts and see how much they improved over 50 or so episodes, as the format gets tighter and the presenters learn and improve. Same goes for youtube channels.

I think this will be great with a few more episodes under the belt. I also think it is quite endearing that the presenters are more "normal" than "presenterish"

[eybic]

trowelhead said:

I also think it is quite endearing that the presenters are more "normal" than "presenterish"

Normal? Pah, you should see them arriving at the office, they throw their jackets at everyone and expect a round of applause when they get here

[trowelhead]

eybic said:

Normal? Pah, you should see them arriving at the office, they throw their jackets at everyone and expect a round of applause when they get here

Ha ha do they request a steak dinner after filming and punch you if they don't get it

[eybic]

All I can say is that there are a couple of people with black eyes in the office