[TV] Top Gear - Season 15

[Born Racer]

At least they admitted as much at the end.

[Born Racer]

I had a dream last night that the presenters went to the moon. Not that out here for a Top Gear challenge, I guess, although the bit where Jeremy Clarkson was feeding a bird's eggs to another chick was a bit disturbing.

The problem it often has now is that whereas it used to be that the cocking about was a by-product of their friendship and the way they are together, it now seems to be a must for them to feel like they have to fill the programme with this. If they carry on this way, it will end up like Last of the Summer Wine with them going down a hill in a supermarket trolley.

[dyewat808]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Do your worst. I don't find it as funny as it used to be. In trying too hard to be funny, it's not as funny. I still like their epic road trips though, but the motorhome thing?

I of course disagree, however at least you can appreciate that Top Gear is arguably all about entertainment and not actual car reviewing.

Those who are still clinging to that idea, are undoubtedly going to be disappointed anyway, and the producers have said as much. Andy Wilman has said on the TG website that they will do whatever the hell they want to do, and that has been the typical TG standpoint for years - it just so happens that it has been working in the past few years in terms of pulling in audience numbers.

Whether it works for one or not is another matter though and its unfortunate if it doesn't . I still find it hilarious - obviously not everything is laugh-out-loud brilliance, but they still have the subtle humour as well - the unmentioned, such as FAT written on their wetsuits.

And even at its low point, its still one of the best shows on TV at the moment. If TG is failing to impress, then there can't seriously be much else on TV that IS worth watching.

[Fox89]

I really liked yesterday's episode. The funny bits were very funny, I thought, like Jeremy going across the bridge in his block-of-flats-mobile.

[safc_fan89]

You're not seriously suggesting that writing "FAT" on a wetsuit is subtle? Top Gear's best films are where they don't cock about with the pointless aim of making everything as stupid as possible.

Since the programme barely has anything to do with cars (they did this holiday thing 4 years ago, why repeat it and make it even worse?), why not rename it? Then at least we would remember Top Gear for what it used to be, a programme about cars which was also entertaining. It's going downhill even faster than Clarkson's Citroen at the moment.

[m1fcf]

Originally Posted by Fox89

I really liked yesterday's episode. The funny bits were very funny, I thought, like Jeremy going across the bridge in his block-of-flats-mobile.

Bringing it back to a vaguely motoring theme. How on earth did they get those things on the road? Surely they are modified enough to require a SVA check carried out? That should have put the mockers on Clarkson Towers almost straight away.

[mountainstar]

I liked Clarksons 1980's style condo building. James actually was quite innovative, I liked the Lotus. Hammond a bit over ambitious and poor construction.

[Woolley]

It's a comedy programme that involves cars, not the other way around. First one I've watched this series and had more laugh out loud moments than anything else I've watched recently. Curiously, my favourite bit is usually when they're sitting around on the armchairs. The films can be a bit contrived, but like any sketch show there's a hit and miss element and they generally make me laugh.

[NeilB]

Top gear is without a shadow of a doubt an entertainment show that appeals to most people, rather than a motoring show aimed at petrol heads.

However the show isn't as good as it used to be, there is the odd gem like the Lancia, 1950's race, the classic car rally and Ferrari 599 pieces along with probably the upcoming Senna feature, but on the whole the show feels more and more of a set-up with acting that makes a porn movie look like a hollywood blockbuster.

When you look back to the £1500 Porsche, American Special, Toyota Hilux pick-up, Stelvio Pass, DB9 race, Ferrari 612 race it was the chemistry between the presenters that made the funny bits happen naturally and be entertaining.

There was a return to form in half of the Panamera, Quattroporte and Rapide road test last week, and most of the cheap car challenge in Germany, even if they did miss out the excellent fuel race that can be seen on the website. But there just doesn't seem to be a quality feel throughout the programme as there used to be.

[RTH]

It is now "Last of the Summer Wine" in jeans.

[dyewat808]

Originally Posted by m1fcf

Bringing it back to a vaguely motoring theme. How on earth did they get those things on the road? Surely they are modified enough to require a SVA check carried out? That should have put the mockers on Clarkson Towers almost straight away.

I was wondering about that too, and also how they've done it in the past. I am mystified how in today's health-and-safety Britain, such a thing is legal!

[JAG]

I'd rate this weeks Top Gear as one of the best in the series entire history.

Very interesting car features and good entertianment.

[m1fcf]

Originally Posted by JAG

I'd rate this weeks Top Gear as one of the best in the series entire history.

Very interesting car features and good entertianment.

Yes - I would agree, but only for the last 10-15 minutes once the trailer for 'Knight and Day' had finished.

Still it is good to see Alonso....sorry, Tom Cruise buy his way to the top of the lap (can you imagine the fuss if Tom Cruise had not been fastest - only bettered if he had been wearing a red racesuite). There is no way that was faster than anything else, unless you time it for the cut in video you see just before it gets to Gambon corner.

[rdjones]

Originally Posted by JAG

I'd rate this weeks Top Gear as one of the best in the series entire history.

Very interesting car features and good entertianment.

Agreed it was fantastic from start to finish

[Born Racer]

What a top summary of Senna.

Good episode overall. A very unusual article for Top Gear. Earlier today I mentioned watching F1 with my girlfriend on TV prior to her first F1 experience (I've bought us 3-day tickets for Spa) and was embarrassed to be watching such a dull and then rubbish 'race', and then sat down to watch Top Gear telling her about how it's not at all serious, it's irreverent, etc., and it was rather different to what we usually see.

[Fox89]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

I mentioned watching F1 with my girlfriend on TV prior to her first F1 experience (I've bought us 3-day tickets for Spa) and was embarrassed to be watching such a dull and then rubbish 'race', and then sat down to watch Top Gear telling her about how it's not at all serious, it's irreverent, etc., and it was rather different to what we usually see.

She'll never trust you to recommend TV again after today! In Clarkson's words "That's not gone well!"

[Matt]

Originally Posted by m1fcf

Yes - I would agree, but only for the last 10-15 minutes once the trailer for 'Knight and Day' had finished.

Still it is good to see Alonso....sorry, Tom Cruise buy his way to the top of the lap (can you imagine the fuss if Tom Cruise had not been fastest - only bettered if he had been wearing a red racesuite). There is no way that was faster than anything else, unless you time it for the cut in video you see just before it gets to Gambon corner.

They run 5 laps. The video you see is comprised of bits of all those 5 laps.

[neil_davidson2]

I thoroughly enjoyed last night's show - probably the best episode of TG I've seen in a very long time.

I've heard this morning that the repeat of the show this week may well be the last time that this episode is screened for some time due to the licensing of the FIA video used in the Senna tribute. Not sure how true this is but if anyone missed it last night then I'd recommend catching this week.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by JAG

I'd rate this weeks Top Gear as one of the best in the series entire history.

I was only able to flip through it last night when I got home, but my immediate thinking was this was probably the best overall episode of the series history since 2002.

[btcckid]

well i know the 83 f3 footage was posted on youtube a year back as i subscribed to the person OP videos...was nice to see that video in top gears tribute but with i wonder if they asked permission?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCBRErl7GbU

unless im all wrong but all his other uploads are his own...

[adstubbs]

The Senna tribute was very well done - Clarkson's introduction where he mentioned his 14 year old son really brought home how long it is since we lost Ayrton. Nice to see Hamilton genuinely excited at the prospect of driving the turbo McLaren, good that at least some of the modern drivers have some interest in the history of their sport

[m1fcf]

Originally Posted by adstubbs

Nice to see Hamilton genuinely excited at the prospect of driving the turbo McLaren

I dont know when the piece was filmed, but wasnt that the same car that was at Goodwood FoS 2010 driven by Bruno Senna, JB and LH over the weekend?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by m1fcf

I dont know when the piece was filmed, but wasnt that the same car that was at Goodwood FoS 2010 driven by Bruno Senna, JB and LH over the weekend?

It was mentioned in the film that Hamilton had flown back from the Canadian GP that morning, which would mean it was filmed mid-June. It was probably the shake-down test to get the car ready for Goodwood FoS rather than something Top Gear had arranged.

[ensign14]

Originally Posted by m1fcf

Still it is good to see Alonso....sorry, Tom Cruise buy his way to the top of the lap (can you imagine the fuss if Tom Cruise had not been fastest - only bettered if he had been wearing a red racesuite). There is no way that was faster than anything else, unless you time it for the cut in video you see just before it gets to Gambon corner.

Remember they rebooted the board with the new reasonably priced car, so the only times he had to beat were the job lot of c-listers who turned up on a windy day and a fake wizard. Plus he has experience of driving fast cars, so he wouldn't have been as fazed.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by btcckid

well i know the 83 f3 footage was posted on youtube a year back as i subscribed to the person OP videos...was nice to see that video in top gears tribute but with i wonder if they asked permission?

LOL.

It was a good episode. I thought the inclusion of the Senna tribute was a little random. However I enjoyed it, as I did Captain Slow in a Bugatti again.

I reckon there is a 1m43s in the KIA.