TV 5th Gear vs Top Gear

Steve Carter · 31 Jan 2007, 03:07 (Ref:1829852)

Honest opinion guys - how do you guys rate 5th Gear compared to Top Gear - I know Tif Needell was a presenter on the latter before 5th Gear - would be interested to hear....

Knowlesy · 31 Jan 2007, 17:28 (Ref:1830419)

5th Gear is awful.

I watched an episode last year where Tiff was testing (I think) a McLaren F1 LM and a Ferrari Enzo. I was surprised to find he had become an annoying, effeminate and screechy person.

As for the rest of the show, it's all pretty dull really. But, it is aimed at a different audience after all.

garcon · 31 Jan 2007, 17:42 (Ref:1830435)

5th gear is truly, truly dreadful.

Not even listening to VBH can persuade me to watch it. And it got 100 times worse this series with Lovejoy. Honestly, what is the ****ing point of having a presenter on a motoring programme that knows **** all about cars?

Even if you take out the crap content, awful attempts at copying TG, biased reviews and terrible presenters (except for Tom Ford - he's good), just compare the editing and camera work. TG is simply awe inspiring on that front; 5th Gear is like a 6th Form project.

Knowlesy · 31 Jan 2007, 17:52 (Ref:1830446)

5th Gear is a poor mans Old Top Gear!

I prefer to read Tom Ford's work than watch it too. Maybe it's the beard.

strider · 1 Feb 2007, 17:02 (Ref:1831184)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

5th Gear is a poor mans Old Top Gear!

Talking about the old Top Gear, there's an amusing clip here, particularly if you happen to own a Ford Puma...

**touringlegend** · 31 Jan 2007, 18:00 (Ref:1830453)

Tom Ford's a good presenter. 5th Gear always was more of a true hard facts programme than the glossy Top Gear, but in the last series they've just ruined it by trying to copy TG.

Anyway in went downhill when they decided Jason Plato would no longer be a presenter.

Alan Raine · 31 Jan 2007, 18:40 (Ref:1830477)

The last series of 5th Gear was appalling. They seem to have lost the plot a bit!

Kieran20 · 31 Jan 2007, 18:47 (Ref:1830484)

well they are both wuite different, imo 4th gear is no match for top gear, i love top gear one of fav shows. top gear is intended to be more funny etc, whereas 5th gear is meant to be mostly true road tests rather than digging up roads etc

luke · 31 Jan 2007, 22:30 (Ref:1830649)

I never liked the old style top gear. But I did like Driven on C4 alot. 5th gear is in many forms; the old top gear.
The new top gear I used to watch alot, loved it, very funny, enterianment value, but not for cars. They have the right balance, so it's not boring IMHO. But I think it needs to be a bit more relevant to cars especially when they have celebs on and they talk about not thing to do with cars and not celeb stuff which would be an exception of course.
Its great when they have the F1 drivers on and the great super cars.

Slippy Diff · 1 Feb 2007, 00:06 (Ref:1830711)

Quote:

Originally Posted by luke

"They have the right balance", "But I think it needs to be a bit more relevant to cars"

Que?

Steve Carter · 1 Feb 2007, 06:36 (Ref:1830810)

Yes well thats nearly a across the board thumbs down for 5th Gear - I dont know whether the new season is running down here yet - usually runs on Lifestyle channel on Foxtel and from what I can see its replays from as long ago as 2 yrs back at present. From what your saying is miss Vickey still on board?? I can probably understand Plato not being there - he probably priced himself out of a gig -Tif is Tif - he also spends a lot of time these days racing in the GT3 class from what I can gather - pretty handy peddler of machinery.

luke · 1 Feb 2007, 21:59 (Ref:1831423)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

Que?

Its balanced good hence its popular not just with people who like cars. But for me, I'd like it to be a bit more relevance to cars etc.

safc_fan89 · 1 Feb 2007, 07:18 (Ref:1830822)

Well lets think...

1. VBH is unbvelieveably annoying
2. Jason Plato always tries and fails to be funny
3. Tiff Needell gets on my nerves
4. The flirting between VBH and that new 'presenter' is primary school stuff
5. The whole programme sucks

Top Gear is so much better. It has changed from being totally on cars to being more of an entertainment programme based around cars, which I think was the right route to go down.

Kieran20 · 1 Feb 2007, 07:48 (Ref:1830829)

Quote:

Originally Posted by safc_fan89

Well lets think...

1. VBH is unbvelieveably annoying
2. Jason Plato always tries and fails to be funny
3. Tiff Needell gets on my nerves
4. The flirting between VBH and that new 'presenter' is primary school stuff
5. The whole programme sucks

Top Gear is so much better. It has changed from being totally on cars to being more of an entertainment programme based around cars, which I think was the right route to go down.

i agree, dont change top gear, its fine as it is now!

i wish they never got rid of the old list of times by ther celebs tho. imo they ran out of celebs so they had to start again

garcon · 1 Feb 2007, 12:40 (Ref:1831015)

Quote:

Originally Posted by safc_fan89

1. VBH is unbvelieveably annoying.

Annoying? In a sexy way I suppose. And she wants me... I can tell.

safc_fan89 · 1 Feb 2007, 17:44 (Ref:1831231)

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcon

Annoying? In a sexy way I suppose. And she wants me... I can tell.

Well we all have different tastes...

Truckosaurus · 1 Feb 2007, 12:01 (Ref:1830990)

I think 5th Gear is trying too hard, both in general, and trying to be a TG clone. Other than Lovejoy (who I think is excellent on SoccerAM) there's not much wrong with the presenting team. If they just calmed down and did their own thing, and cut out the gimmicks, it would be a fine show for enthusiasts.

Suze · 1 Feb 2007, 12:46 (Ref:1831020)

I don't like 5th gear. I don't enjoy the content as much as Top Gear, I don't find the presenters as amusing, and that's that really - but it could be one of those things that stems from the fact I've always watched Top Gear more - it's what I'm used to.

FWIW, though, I haven't watched the programme for about a year now.

Knowlesy · 1 Feb 2007, 17:38 (Ref:1831223)

I loved old Top Gear and that clip really says it all!

It may not match the new shows, but I wish they'd show some old skool episodes on UK TV Gold from time to time.

Actually, in terms of roadtests, I enjoyed Clarkson's older ones more. He was a bit more subtle and somehow funnier.

But hell, I wouldn't change new Top Gear.

Knowlesy · 1 Feb 2007, 17:55 (Ref:1831243)

She has a great voice!

safc_fan89 · 1 Feb 2007, 18:57 (Ref:1831286)

I've never heard it. I'm convinced the stuff we hear from her is not her mouth talking...

Chris Y · 2 Feb 2007, 09:42 (Ref:1831672)

Can't stand VBH. It's the gurning and the giggling that annoy me the most.

Crazy Frog:

Vicki Hustler Benderson:

garcon · 2 Feb 2007, 10:55 (Ref:1831731)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Y

I grant you she's filled out a bit lately, but I still think she's gorgeous.

That husky voice.
She can drive - FAST.
That squeak she does when she realises she's driving a bit too fast.
She's posh - and therefore filthy (all posh birds are filthy)...

She's like a petrol head version of Mariella Frostrup.

Knowlesy · 2 Feb 2007, 17:17 (Ref:1832030)

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcon

She's posh - and therefore filthy (all posh birds are filthy)...

Clarkson confirmed this when he left the original Top Gear. On eof the things he said he'd miss most was Vicki's filthy mind and constant need to talk about sex.

This is certainly far more interesting and exciting than an episode of 5th Gear.

Steve Carter · 3 Feb 2007, 06:32 (Ref:1832370)

My tastes lean to 5th Gear - tend to agree with racer 69 as Clarkson is too showbizzy for me - Ive seen him lately on Grumpy Old Men and the character doesnt change.
On the flipside Tiff Needell I think has a far superior knowledge of the mechanics and driveabilty of any given car plus the history side of motor sport or motoring in general and presents it straight up. Miss Vicky is just a bit of fun (and she can drive).
A colleague of mine had Tiff do the 'presents' for our new DVD series we have on motor sport from 1953-1973 (A Gentlemans Motor Racing Diary) and he was great - knows his subjects and did a great job so maybe I'm biased a bit.
Jason Plato - now he in my mind irked me in a similiar fashion as does Clarkson - just seemed to be trying too hard. The guys a great driver etc and not bad presenter - I (and I know a lot of others) couldnt take to him. Also as I said he may very well have priced himself out of a gig on 5th Gear. Also if your Australian and a V8 Supercar fan hes never been forgiven for that idiotic incident at Bathurst that not only took out John Cleland but also Peter Brocks car before he had a chance to drive his stint - most unfortunate.
Having not seen the new series yet I cant comment on any changes however I would love to see them lose that East Anglia circuit - bloody boring - find them another one guys theyve been using that for years................

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[TV] Top Gear vs Fifth Gear	rotorboy	Armchair Enthusiast	33	20 Jul 2009 06:57
Zonda on 5th gear	pink69	Road Car Forum	1	1 May 2002 15:16
[TV] Did anyone see 5th Gear?	rdjones	Armchair Enthusiast	1	9 Apr 2002 15:25