New Top Gear.

[greg_harm]

In a slight change to our usual informative and descriptive posts I wondered if a little light hearted banter between Club Members may give a better indication of how many of us actually still participate on our Club Forum.

The BBC have struggled massively to replace the intrepid three since the departure of Clarkson, Hammond & May and after finally getting around to watching the new show last night, I am curious what R3 members thought of this new trio's attempt to replace them and the content of the new show.

Personally, I quite enjoyed it, (especially the parts with the Boxster) yes, we could bang on about it not really being a car show any more, but I would much rather be watching an hour of car linked fun-filled entertainment, than some of the other dross on our screens today. At the very least I thought the chemistry between the show's new hosts seemed to be back, at long last.

 

[Mark996]

New TG.

I don't think there will ever be a match for the Clarkson Hammond May team but yup. I must agree I did enjoy it.

Looking forward to an interesting series.

Long live Top Gear.

 

[Kevin Ervin]

Another change of Top Gear personnel just cannot fill the void created by the lack of interesting cars these days. I say bring back Angela Ripon and Chris Goffey from the 70s and let's get back to the good old days when cars weren't just 700hp monsters thrashed around the Nordschliefe in sub seven minute times. Let's get some Hillman Avengers and Austin Maxis back and then we'll see how the GT2s and Koenigseggs match up against these rebels of road and track.

I like the new presenters individually and for all the programme came across a little like a couple of blokes on a stag weekend along with their slightly more sensible cousin, Chris Harris, I'll stick with it in the hope they review the rumoured Ferrari Marina/Ital, as the Maranello auto makers try to recapture the verve and elan of those classic 1970s British Leyland icons of style and performance.

Remember motoring back when Top Gear was first launched in the 70s? It could be a truly, truly miserable experience.

 

[Eldavo]

I liked it! It’s an entertainment show based loosely around cars, 5th Gear tried the “traditional enthusiasts car show“ format and that was dire - I don’t want to see a group test of a French Eurobox SUV, I want to see Slidey Supercar daftness with an excitable host (check) I want to see daft car-adventures with stunning videography in beautiful and remote parts of the world (check), ditch the “news” (I have Google), ditch “random person trying to plug something and driving a normal car” and the whole “The Stig” thing is tired and sad so ditch that.

It’s almost as if they listened to what people want and what they can franchise out to BBC Worldwide stations for once. I would like to see Chris Harris doing the flying laps and it would’ve been nice to see the footage of the Pista and 600LT doing them though. Also, I wonder if Paddy McGuinness was subtitled in the USA?

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Great entertainment, but not really a "new format" - just trying to do what the trio did so well and will be extending on Prime.

I do wonder if there will be lots of "bad language" complaints given the time slot (before the watershed) and the target audience (not that I am a shrinking violet)!

More laughs and entertainment to come I'm sure.

 

[johnturner]

As you said could go on forever about it not really being a car show but did miss 'A star in a reasonably priced car'

 

[DerekBell]

Quite looking forward to the next one. Could not stand Jeremy up myself Clarkson or little mans syndrome Hammond, watched a 60 min episode in 22 mins once after I had fast forwarded all the twaddle they did. Roll on next episode.

 

[Eldavo]

As you said could go on forever about it not really being a car show but did miss 'A star in a reasonably priced car'

Really? 10 mins of some no-mark discussing the time they reversed a Vauxhall Viva into their mate Brian‘s Nan followed by a tepid lap of the circuit. I hope the absence is permanent.

 

[jdpef356]

I have not seen the new show, just a bit of info to share.

Some time ago my Daughter purchased a new Macan.

The day arrived when she went for her complimentary Drive Dine at the PEC Silverstone.

Guess what, Freddie Flintoff was present. He told her he was at the PEC for a few days doing some Driver Training in preparation for his new role in Top Gear.

 

[marty]

I enjoyed it, but I missed Matt LeBlanc.

I thought he was good in the show.

 

[johnturner]

Ooohhh Really, 'some no mark'?

Like these 'No marks'?

Ian Wright

Jody Kidd

Sir Michael Gambon

Trevor Eve

Jay Kay

Rob Brydon

Sir Ranulf Fiennes

Joanna Lumley

Roger Daltrey

Brian Johnson

Ewan McGregor

Rowan Atkinson

Danny Boyle

To name but a few.

You must move in some higher echelon than I do.

[link]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W7pLkFkVjg[/url]

 

[Eldavo]

Ooohhh Really, 'some no mark'?

Like these 'No marks'?

Ian Wright

Jody Kidd

Sir Michael Gambon

Trevor Eve

Jay Kay

Rob Brydon

Sir Ranulf Fiennes

Joanna Lumley

Roger Daltrey

Brian Johnson

Ewan McGregor

Rowan Atkinson

Danny Boyle

To name but a few.

You must move in some higher echelon than I do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W7pLkFkVjg

I’ll give you that, back in the day they’ve been decent but recently they’ve been terrible.

I’m sure I briefly saw Ed Sheeran in between fast forwarding it, he barely drove and wasn’t into cars but had something to plug.

Say what you will about Clarkson et al but they had the pull to book a decent guest.

 

[D911ARK]

Not R3, but want to comment!

Star in a Car, did go downhill. The 'stars' were not of the calibre or as interesting as they used to be, IMO

TG was on a slope, even before C H and M left. I wanted it to work for C Evans, but it didn't and his presenting was wooden and awful, but, I think he was nervous and he did settle in to the role, but then left. Think it would have got better, had he stayed as he had the car enthusiasm and car pedigree (to a degree IMO). I have no time for the clowns they have on there now, so wont be watching. Harris aside, it's not a car show, its not an entertainment show, it badly scripted attempts at 'comedy' and set-up stunts/events that are getting worse and more obvious than ever, whilst already big headed clowns get to behave like idiots in doing it.

There has long been criticism of TG not being a car show, and they picked on that themselves with the Dacia Sandero in the 'news' and Harris did that best cars in each category in under 3 minutes last season too, but its few and far between. As said above, it's all about 700bhp beasts, that I'd love to have in a collection, but alas, without 6 numbers popping up for me one Friday night, what they show and get to badly drive around in, is irrelevant to me.

Soapbox is now away

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Just watching this weeks TG... who's up for the electric shock treatment on our next run out?

 

[Dave_Carnaffin]

Shouldn't effect my driving too much....

What's the old saying "No sense, no feeling"

On another note though, we missed the initial show last week so have just caught up by watching both. Got to say I really quite like it.

Yes they are trying to squeeze the old formula and yes some parts are a bit samey but all in all there are much worse things on TV and I did genuinely chuckle more than once.

Dave

 

[Amy Carnaffin]

Just watching this weeks TG... who's up for the electric shock treatment on our next run out?

I'm happy to volunteer to work the controls!!

All jokes aside I liked it, yes the formats the same etc but i do love Freddie and suspect in time they will settle and be less forced.

I hope Chris Harris stops going on about how Paddy speaks as that will get boring rather quickly!!

 

[johnturner]

Not wanting to throw a grenade into the conversation, but apparently 'Star in a reasonably priced car' is returning later this month

with a couple of the Royal family having a go.

I look forward to your replies (hehe)

 

[Albert7787]

I just hope Chris Harris doesn't become the "stooge" that's the way I see it panning out after the first two episodes. Be a shame considering he is the only viable car reviewer on the show. If they do take that route the show imo will go the same way as Clarkson and Co..... with the punchline/outcome to every task/sketch become very predictable.....!

 

[greg_harm]

I watched the latest episode last night and thought it was hilarious. I know a lot is still staged but the old formula is definitely working.

On a different horrible note, Harris with his Spit_e_fire, made me think is that the sort of conversion that will eventually be forced upon many of us, if enthusiasts are to be allowed to still use their classics on the road in the future to avoid burning fuel, just a thought.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Just watching this weeks TG... who's up for the electric shock treatment on our next run out?

I'm happy to volunteer to work the controls!!

All jokes aside I liked it, yes the formats the same etc but i do love Freddie and suspect in time they will settle and be less forced.

I hope Chris Harris stops going on about how Paddy speaks as that will get boring rather quickly!!

Amy - only if Dave's wearing the electrodes