Top Gear New Series

[Sheep]

I wonder if they'll ever top the Botswana special. That has remained my favorite top gear episode by far (followed by the Polar special).

I preferred both the Polar and Vietnam specials.

That's not to say the Botswana challenge was bad by any stretch (OLIVER!!!!!), but I just hope they have a great challenge set up for this season (trying to remain spoiler-free, so I only know the absolute basics of what they have planned).

 

[Australis]

Oliver. Legend.

 

[The Squire of Gothos]

I do not know if anyone here watches 5th gear but some people who went to one of the top gear live shows saw Tiff and they have been told 5th gear is over.

I thought Fifth Gear was positively sleep inducing, but I've seen clips of Tiff Needell as a regular guy not in FG presenter mode and he was actually pretty funny. Wouldn't mind see him pop up on Top Gear once in awhile assuming there are no grudges being held between him and Clarkson.

I get the impression they are good friends i know Tiff turned up in this years stocking filler dvd Jeremy did.

And he turned up in tonight's show by way of mention. Clarkson said he and the Stig were the two whose opinion on cars mattered the most. Also a chance to put down May and Hammond, but I'm sure it was Needell he was thinking of first

Not a bad start to the new series, pretty much going from where they left on in the last series. Nowt wrong with that, special mention must go to the Romania camera man and pilot and the Dacia Sandero!

 

[Sheep]

Excellent start to the new season...in glorious HD no less.

I'm definitely biased for the episodes that are basically a big travelogue for some exotic place or a killer road (like the Stelvio Pass from Season 10), but this one came together nicely and never felt like it was rushed or, oppositely, dragged (unlike some segments in the previous season). I didn't see the Sandero thing coming at all and nearly jumped out of my seat when it got hit by the trailer. Also much to my surprise, James genuinely seemed to like the car which is a nice change from the Beetle in Botswana or the Ameri-bike in Vietnam.

Ah, Top Gear, how I've missed you. It's good to have you back.

 

[ITL]

^ And Eric Bana was a down to earth and charming guest, as well. Seems like a truly nice bloke.

 

[WillsBabe]

Well, I enjoyed that far more than The Waters of Mars!

 

[DarkHorizon]

The 9pm start time is a killer for me - I'm up at 5am for work! I might end up having to watch it after the fact on iPlayer (good thing the BBC are bringing out a fixed version for the Wii this week!).

Enjoyed the episode, although my attention did start to wander a bit in the middle.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I missed the last 10 minutes or so, I thought it was recording but I'd just left the channel on when Doctor Who Confidential finished.

 

[Roger Wilco]

The Romania report was boring imo - yeah yeah the Ferrari is nice, bla bla, and so are the other cars, *yawn* Dacia Sandero crash, what a surprise...

 

[Lonemagpie]

Eric bana was cool - and with that hairstyle and his native accent, why the fuck isn't *he* the new Mad Max?

 

[BigFoot]

Awesome ep. I loved the Romania segment and it makes sense that May liked the Dacia... in a way it's quite similar to his Fiat Panda. Simple car that still does everything you need to it. And of course Eric Bana was cool... he's always cool.

 

[Roger Wilco]

I liked May's test of the BMW and the Mercedes btw. especially since after the segment finished he and Clarkson - in best Top Gear fashion - dismissed the whole thing and the cars as pointless and unneeded.

 

[BigFoot]

^ I actually agree with that. If you're gonna be driven around by a driver something like an S350 is good enough. And if you're gonna drive it yourself either of the RS6/M5/E55 AMG bunch make a lot more sense.

 

[Roger Wilco]

I have no clue what all those abbreviations mean.

 

[WillsBabe]

I liked the black car James was driving... what?

 

[BigFoot]

I have no clue what all those abbreviations mean.

All of them are hardcore versions of cars from Audi (A6 -> RS6), BMW (5 series -> M5), and Mercedes Benz (E series -> E55 AMG).

 

[HappyDayRiot]

Eric Bana was a great guest. "Does this show air in America? No? Then sure I've turned down films to go driving!"

Excellent start to the series. And there was no 'coming up' segment either which I quite like. And I didn't see the Dacia smash-up coming at all for once - I guessed something would happen but...

 

[Emher]

Good episode. Disappointed that they didn't have they preview bit, but apparently that's because they haven't filmed four of the big things for the season yet. I just want to see if the Camaro is on this season or not!

 

[The Squire of Gothos]

And I didn't see the Dacia smash-up coming at all for once - I guessed something would happen but...

I was expecting (and hoping) for a piano But then the Dacia seemed like a decent car and not at all like a Morris Marina.

Here's hoping there's another piano drop on a Marina this series. I like the idea of Marina fanatics scrambling the country to hide them from Clarkson, Hammond and May

 

[TheGodBen]

I liked Jeremy's hat. It seemed to suit him.