Top Gear - Time to put it out to graze?

[GS250]

Its still seen as something of a British institution but I watched about 5 minutes of the latest series and decided enough was enough. Have to say I preferred the original format of which was more of a review of cars that I may actually be able to afford. lt also covered motoring news and other relevant stuff for drivers in general. Believe it was Clarkson, Wilson and Needell that saw out the show's original days. We are talking around 25+ years ago though now. I fondly recall them pitting mass market cars against each other and deciding which ones are probably worth buying. Trying to keep a straight face as bits fell off the poor old original Rover 800 whilst doing their level best to look enthusiastic about anything Japanese. They always had a bit of a bias towards certain models but that's the motoring press in general. On changing direction, the Clarkson - Hammond - May combination managed to pull off the more gimmicky side of things but even that started to tire eventually. Enjoyed the (even if fixed) race to the North immensely along with a few other gags. Some reckon the old style show was tired and dull...but I believe it was still BBC2's most watched programme?

Some interesting figures here:

Top Gear analytics

 

[yorksrob]

I have little interest in cars, but Clarkson, Hammond and May hosted a version of Top of The Pops once for Children in Need and it was really good.

 

[birchesgreen]

The problem with the original style Top Gear now is that there arn't really any bad cars anymore, the base line is pretty decent and indeed enough technology is shared that many cars are pretty similar. A road test comparing a Sandero, Clio and a Juke for example would be basically the same car three times.

Thats why Clarkson took TG in the direction he did, exotic supercars and nonsense is entertaining, talking about the boot space of a Sandero (which is very good btw) is not, and better served by Youtube.

 

[MotCO]

Clarkson and Co took the show from being a consumer show to an entertainment show - you didn't need to like cars to enjoy the show. Some parts got a bit silly - like shooting missiles at caravans etc - and the races to Switerzerland or whatever were undoubtedly 'fixed', but the best bits were the overseas expeditions. Thus it made sense for Grand Tour to concentrate on these, but even then, some of the latter ones are getting a bit tired. The most recent was better (spoiler alert: the crash was unexpected), but the 'rescue' on the ice lake was manufactured. The banter and the silly pranks are getting fewer and further apart - maybe they need new script writers!

I've not watched Top Gear since Clarkson and Co left.

 

[LUYMun]

I hadn't been fascinated by the Clarkson & Co (as we're phrasing it here on this thread) years at Top Gear, not least because the show had driven away from the consumer show's origins, but because of the various controversies the three presenters got themselves into. The current format feels inauthentic as it tried to capture the Clarkson years that couldn't be recreated without them. It should be put into the bin once and for all.

 

[johntea]

The current lineup is probably the best they've had since Clarkson and co left in fairness, just remember every time you think Top Gear is rubbish these days cast your mind back to the Chris Evans series!

 

[GS250]

The problem with the original style Top Gear now is that there arn't really any bad cars anymore, the base line is pretty decent and indeed enough technology is shared that many cars are pretty similar. A road test comparing a Sandero, Clio and a Juke for example would be basically the same car three times.

Thats why Clarkson took TG in the direction he did, exotic supercars and nonsense is entertaining, talking about the boot space of a Sandero (which is very good btw) is not, and better served by Youtube.

I think there's a programme called 'Fifth gear' of which is more in keeping with the original Top Gear. Don't think I've ever seen a single episode though as Channel 5 is still yet to really register in my brain.

 

[Geezertronic]

I think there's a programme called 'Fifth gear' of which is more in keeping with the original Top Gear. Don't think I've ever seen a single episode though as Channel 5 is still yet to really register in my brain.

Fifth Gear was cancelled a while back. I guess they tried to fill the consumer part that Top Gear went away from when it became more of an entertainment show.

I think it has come back rebadged as "Fifth Gear: Recharged" as a more electric car orientated series, not seen it myself tbh

 

[Mag_seven]

Can we put out "Strictly Come Dancing" whilst we are at it.

 

[GS250]

Can we put out "Strictly Come Dancing" whilst we are at it.

I don't watch much TV. But as soon as I hear that theme tune that's usually my signal to run for the hills.

Fifth Gear was cancelled a while back. I guess they tried to fill the consumer part that Top Gear went away from when it became more of an entertainment show.

I think it has come back rebadged as "Fifth Gear: Recharged" as a more electric car orientated series, not seen it myself tbh

I guess there just isn't the demand anymore then. As someone has alluded to, there are loads of online resources if you want to compare cars or chat to present owners.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Clarkson, Hammond and May haven't been on 'Top Gear' since 2015 have they?

Unless you normally watch your TV on the 'Dave' channel, that is!

Can't really blame Clarkson et al for the BBC subsequently continuing to flog a dead horse of a concept in the seven years since then.

 

[RichJF]

I don't watch much TV. But as soon as I hear that theme tune that's usually my signal to run for the hills.

Strictly as a show lost its edge & allure pre-2010.

Top Gear is on borrowed time. I watched a Paddy & Freddy episode recently & they did pretty much the same thing as the Clarkson era, just buying different vehicles.

 

[yorksrob]

Can we put out "Strictly Come Dancing" whilst we are at it.

My mum would never forgive me !

 

[Purple Train]

Not necessarily, but I do think that the BBC finally need to accept that trying to pull off exactly the same formula as Clarkson, Hammond, and May pulled off isn't going to work. They're trying too hard to make it similar, and it shows. A return to the original format would be better in my mind, though that's probably because I have a strange obsession with mostly-irrelevant statistics.

 

[birchesgreen]

Something a little more factual but still with plenty of fun would be worth a try. I can't stand Banter Gear as it is now.

Anyway we still have Grand Tour so why bother with an inferior imitation...

 

[Pete_uk]

Top Gear is good at being a light hearted bit of silliness.

That Croatian built electric car blew me away.

 

[gmaguire]

Jeremy Clarkson was the magic one really. I’ve watched a lot of his work and it’s consistently good. He’s big into engineering and history and has done some excellent documentaries on the history of the computer, the gun, the aeroplane, the television etc, which were superb. I also enjoyed watching him tour Europe and sample each country’s culture. He’s also a big fan of Brunel.

But yes, Top Gear either needs to go back to the traditional, more sensible format, or get canned completely. Of course if it’s still making money they won’t do that.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Anyway we still have Grand Tour so why bother with an inferior imitation...

As @gmaguire also suggests, maybe it's still a cash cow for the BBC globally?

 

[43096]

The problem with the original style Top Gear now is that there arn't really any bad cars anymore, the base line is pretty decent and indeed enough technology is shared that many cars are pretty similar. A road test comparing a Sandero, Clio and a Juke for example would be basically the same car three times.

Thats why Clarkson took TG in the direction he did, exotic supercars and nonsense is entertaining, talking about the boot space of a Sandero (which is very good btw) is not, and better served by Youtube.

The Sandero and YouTube and Top Gear...

 

[Cloud Strife]

As @gmaguire also suggests, maybe it's still a cash cow for the BBC globally?

It is a massive cash cow from what I understand. The brand is more than just a TV show, and I seem to recall that international sales paid for the show alone, so it isn't/wasn't costing the BBC anything to produce.

But perhaps what the BBC needs to do is to take a risk and find three young presenters who are capable of taking on the task of producing the show on top of hosting it. Let them have creative control, and give them an experienced producer to teach them the act of production. It might work, it might not, but it's better than the current formula which just seems so stale and tired.

 

[Lloyds siding]

Strictly as a show lost its edge & allure pre-2010.

Top Gear is on borrowed time. I watched a Paddy & Freddy episode recently & they did pretty much the same thing as the Clarkson era, just buying different vehicles.

Agree. Top Gear was flogging the same old tripe about 10 years ago, and past its sell-by date then. The unpleasant racialism from the presenters and, by implication, the programme producers, really put me off when they did their foreign trips.

 

[gswindale]

Something a little more factual but still with plenty of fun would be worth a try. I can't stand Banter Gear as it is now.

Anyway we still have Grand Tour so why bother with an inferior imitation...

Have to say I preferred the original version of Top Gear as a child in the early 90s.

For those who prefer the later version, but not with the current lineup, what channel on Freeview is The Grand Tour shown on as I can't seem to find it?

 

[Darandio]

what channel on Freeview is The Grand Tour shown on as I can't seem to find it?

It's on Amazon Prime, not conventional tv channels.

 

[MotCO]

Jeremy Clarkson was the magic one really. I’ve watched a lot of his work and it’s consistently good. He’s big into engineering and history and has done some excellent documentaries on the history of the computer, the gun, the aeroplane, the television etc, which were superb. I also enjoyed watching him tour Europe and sample each country’s culture. He’s also a big fan of Brunel.

Do you mean James May? Jeremy Clarkson's idea of engineering is to hit it hard with a hammer!

 

[Darandio]

Do you mean James May? Jeremy Clarkson's idea of engineering is to hit it hard with a hammer!

They did mean Jeremy Clarkson. He has been involved in some fantastic documentaries in the past.

 

[DelW]

They did mean Jeremy Clarkson. He has been involved in some fantastic documentaries in the past.

Some of those have been interesting, but I found his TG persona rather wearing, to the extent that I'd stopped watching it before he was booted out by the BBC.

Of the current presenters, I think Chris Harris is good, since he's an experienced motoring journalist and really knows his stuff. Flintoff and McGuinness are okay, but I'd sooner have people with actual first-hand knowledge of the motor industry or sport.

 

[birchesgreen]

The Sandero and YouTube and Top Gear...

In fact James did a full review of the car on Youtube and loved it. A proper review but still with entertainment added. Kinda like the car show we could do with...

 

[GS250]

They did mean Jeremy Clarkson. He has been involved in some fantastic documentaries in the past.

Agreed. He can be a marmite character. Some of his earlier books on cars contained plenty of political views of whilst generally funny, did contain aspects that some would take offence to. I suppose this contrasts with the number of right on comedians who just aren't funny.

He was generally very good in his early top gear days, serious but adding flashes of the obvious wit and humour that was to come. I seem to recall those documentaries on engineering. Again... generally serious presentation but with measured flickers of humour that added real value. Didn't he describe himself as a hideous gargoyle on the front of a super tanker?

 

[Cowley]

Of the current presenters, I think Chris Harris is good, since he's an experienced motoring journalist and really knows his stuff. Flintoff and McGuinness are okay, but I'd sooner have people with actual first-hand knowledge of the motor industry or sport.

I agree with you on Chris Harris. I think he deserves a car related TV career because he knows his stuff, is an excellent driver and also manages to be dry and entertaining.

Personally I’d also like to see Top Gear aim itself more at the everyday person but with a bit of fun thrown in on top. No point trying to recreate what’s gone (to Amazon Prime). They just need to get a bit more original.

 

[Freightmaster]

I don't watch much TV. But as soon as I hear that theme tune that's usually my signal to run for the hills.

de-de da-da da-da-da
de-de da-da-da


On the subject of Top Gear, the biggest problem is that the car enthusiast market is:

...better served by Youtube

There are loads of excellent, informative car related Youtube channels these days
(I particularly enjoy 'Remove Before Race'), to the extent that there isn't much call
for Top Gear these days beyond the same old slapstick stunts and staged races...




MARK