See I am a huge car nut. So while I do love their... less car oriented segments, I also absolutely adore shows like this one.
Finally watched this week's episode. The CLK Black review was one of the best ones they've ever done, and Clarkson comparing the 08 STI's styling to a "squashed buttock" were all too true, even if it did beat the Evo around the track. Even the TG Stuntman segment was pretty good this week--I thought he'd actually pull off the stunt in an econobox. I've heard they made this episode a car-centric one since only the gear-heads would be watching it instead of the Euro 2008 finals. Works for me.
I caught it on catch up TV, at half past midnight, having had a large glass of wine and then two Guinness, so I fell asleep just as Hammond got to test the R6. But even then it seemed more car-centric. I did like the Subaru review, we weren't allowed to see the crash on family TV, then we suddenly see the car with a severed hand on the bonnet
Anyone see tonight’s new top gear on bbc2. I felt the Alfa Romero review was rather average but the race between the Nissan GTR and the bullet train was top notch. It felt more real and was a lot closer than their other races; Clarkson was really pushing the GTR in the final section. Richard losing James when they were changing trains was also classic. I found the bill odie anti speed camera system and Clarkson telling the petrol pump attendant that bill odie can spot your beaver mile away hilarious. The star in a reasonably priced car spot was a substantial improvement this week too as the guests were actually quite funny.
I agree with you almost completely - didn't care for the newsreaders though. Top Gear is at its best with episodes like those, not too over the top but still funny.
I'm glad Clarkson didn't do the "Oh look what I found on the internet!" gag again. Three times was more than enough.
Not having watched this week's episode yet, what I want to know is whether or not they had a woman very, very large boobs standing behind Clarkson at the start of the show making suggestive faces towards the camera like last week.
The two BBC girls were quite tasty The race felt a lot more like it this week, last week's Alfa challenge felt a bit forced (Hammond whacking May around the rear was a laugh though )
Agreed. Kate Silverton is yummy. Not living in the UK, I have no clue how she is as a journalist, but she's nice to look at. I thought the fourth episode was far and away the best one of the season. After reading Wilman's blog about how the races work (they basically plan out routes that will make for a competitive race and actually carry them out, going back to film the scenic stuff for TV later), I have much more of an appreciation knowing they're not completely faked. I'm surprised the prudes aren't up in arms over Clarkson's beaver comment.
I loved the latest episode. Great race trough Japan with one of the few Japanese cars I'd buy if I had the money. Great great stuff. I loved it when Clarkson just went "HELP!" when the GPS spoke for the first time
Classic Top Gear. Also, Bill Oddie mask to evade Japanese speed cameras = inspired. Any Japanese officials watching that will surely be tempted to publically ban Clarkson from Japanese roads for life. Some of his antics to camera while driving over the speed limit were, um, disturbing (if greatly entertaining).
Nice. How long will it take the tabloids to spin this into something negative? I give it a day, tops. The real question is: How much is Top Gear Stuntman getting, and where's he been the last few episodes? Not that I'm complaining, as those eps have been absolutely loaded with good stuff with no room for the stunt segments.
^I have enjoyed it a lot so far. I have not seen last night's episode but the Police Car Challenge nearly killed me with laughter (especially Hammond's car), the Bullet Train race was great too. Maybe, though, I watch the show for different reasons than others.
I still think it's fun, but there does seem to be something off about it. I haven't seen last night's ep yet though.