SiPie

+1

Butkus

I think the answer to this is don't watch it if you don't like it.

What I do now is this. I never watch it 'live' I always watch on the iPlayer or record it. Then I fast forward through the rubbish bits such as the star in a car thing (although I watched Slash because I like him/know who he is), and the bits where they're just mucking about. It usually takes less than half an hour to watch it.

What I find is better is to seek out some decent reviewers on Youtube. I tend to watch Chris Harris, and a Dutch guy 'autoblogger' - their reviews are still fun, but so much better than the cr@p on TG.

salsa-king

it was better in the days when you had about fifty in the audience, now there seems to be as many there as a football match... all doing forced laughter.

I can't believe how much 'scripting' goes on.

Alg

Are you two related?

Jamescsti

I'm starting to get really bored of the star in a reasonably priced car section, same thing every week, some one comes on to plug whatever song/ book/ movie they have brought out and Clarkson sits there blowing sunshine up their ar$e for 15 minutes or so, it's getting boring now.

Only good bit was the mobility scooters this series for me, I actually thought the India episode was pretty good as well.

hodgy0_2

i was only talking to Harry (Enfield) about this the other day

and he said the only reason he was the first "star in a reasonably priced car" was because he happend to walk into the soho cafe where Clarkson and his mate (the producer) were having a coffee and going thru the show

Clarkson looked up and said "Enfield, do you want to be our first star in a reasonably priced car" - and the rest is history

he said he would have tried harder had he known how big it was all going to be (but he is a **** driver tbh)

corradoboy

The India special and that bloody awful Sweeney episode were indicative of all that is wrong with TG, and I have been slagged off for saying such things for a few years now. However, when they do a good show I also praise them. Last Sunday was such a show. It wasn't perfect, but the M5 was brilliant, even if the irritating midget reviewed it. Kimi was entertaining, if you can see through the dour persona to the wit beneath. Chris Evans California was beautiful, but May's review was lacking a little something. Slash was enjoyable as a guest, and his outro of Jessica was brilliant. The rallycross was great, three car nuts doing proper car stuff and appearing to genuinely enjoy it. Best of this season, and for a while. Series 9-11 was their pinnacle for me, where they got the blend of car content and cocking perfect.

astraboy

I'd agree with all of this, however, the rough cut of the sweeney car chase they showed after the 'funny' one (which wasn't funny at all) was actually quite exciting and quite tense and exciting in the way a proper car Chase should be.

I think this the crux of the matter, they are trying too hard to be funny and they are not actually that good at it. It just makes me cringe. If they had said the editors threw their edit in the bin and then came up with the rough cut it would have been better. But no, they have to get their 'laughs' in first.
Astraboy.

jef

iTrader: (13)

i think its ok.

i put by my hour on sunday nights to catch it.

im not constantly falling onthe floor lol'ing - but never have done.

its light entertainment and loosely based on my interest, cars. so all good for me.

if dont like it , dont watch it. simple.

and i dread to see what would be put in its place tbh, garunteed it would be proper sh*t! and therefore ruin my nice sunday evening

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Nail on head there Jef. What would people rather watch on a Sunday night??

I have loved Top Gear and always will. Used to watch it with the old man as I did with F1, so I don't think I will ever stop watching it. Yes, there are a few poor episodes here and there, but name a series that has great episodes every week?

Leslie

Its all a matter of taste and everyone looks at these things differently.

I cant stand Clarkson and am not that impressed by the other two when they are on the same programme either. So I never bother to watch it.

If you separate them and give them a solo spot each on their own programmes, they are all three very good presenters.

Les