Top Gear value for money TV?

[hawk20]

Along with many other of the BBC's choice programmes I personally am falling out of favour with it, we seam to be confined to the super car most of us can not afford, and treated to only the occasional run of the common people car, I find the presenting hitting new lows, also find the twaddle they talk painful to listen too and its too public school......they talk about cars as if they live and breath ...and that sounds good and deep and throaty ...the power will throw you back in your seat ...... get real we drive in Britain .... where the hell can this all go on ......unless you live near autobahns for a good straight blast then forget it .....people are struggling with debt credit card bills and higher interest rate payments, speed cameras,traffic pricing, higher car tax...rising .cost of insurance..servicing ...mot going up in price ..traffic claiming ..flow control ...bus lanes ''cycle lanes ..multiple occupancy lanes......and all they keep bleating on about is some 30--- too---
60,70,80,90,100000, pound car that the majority of us will never be able to drive...the shows mostly a dream and if it helps then who am I to shake the dream ...but I for one will not bother to tune in. dead cow or no dead cow but wait for a more shall I say down to earth and realistic motoring show ....

Well you are not alone, despite the bulk of postings on this thread. I agree with you. It is not a motoring programme and has harmful effects. Motoring kills and maims thousands a year and the emphasis of good driving should be about staying alive and not injuring others, rather than driving as fast as possible at great risk to all. The whole programme is about emphasising performance, fast driving, thrills and spills and poking fun at normal, functional, everyday cars that most people drive.

Clarkson is far more interested in writing an entertaining-to-read piece than a fair or balanced or accurate piece. I dislike BMW's but was appalled by his review of the 3 series convertible 335 (I think). The steering was impeccable, the roadholding wonderful, the performance great, but despite this he called the car a 'dog' and gave it only three stars. In one paper he described the R class as the 'best large estate' but elsewhere he panned it. He is illogical, inconsistent and frequently very unfair -but always entertaining to read. Bit like a prostitute who gives great sex but gives you the clap.

Thanks to British journalists all wanting to drive round corners on two wheels, we have virtually all magazines pushing car makers to emulate the awful ride of BMW's in order to get the roadholding that is just inappropriate on UK's crowded and badly repaired roads. We have most young males (and many middle-aged males trying to regain their youth) all wanting 'sports' supension, silly big wheels, and more and more performance. What for? Check your computer "After Reset", if you leave it for a few weeks, and how often do you see average speed thirty something, or 40 plus if you are lucky. And most of our cars do 130, 140, or even 150 plus. What for? A Mini can exceed every speed limit in Britain. And that's the old Mini. But heh who am I to talk with 0-62 in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 150? We are all mad.

 

[Dryce]

Whilst I appreciate the enterainment of Top Gear and enjoy watching it (although I won't go out of my way to watch it) I still preferred it when it was a proper motoring "magazine" program like it was in the late 80's early 90's.

Ah yes, the 80s. The era when TG would look at the latest metro/maiestro/montego and comment on how nice the dashboard layout was and that the glove compartment was lockable.

Whatever happended to Chris Goffey and William Wollard?

Ah yes, the early 90s. The era when the car manufacturers started putting in cup holders for TG to comment on regarding sufficiency or lack thereof.

And then we had the mid/late nineties with Tiff and Quentin.

The Barry Boy/Max Power nature of todays Top Gear can be annoying at times. However, my biggest gripe is Clarksons blinkered love of Fords and hatred of anything that competes with the Ford he is reviewing on the day, particularly Vauxhalls.

Of course it has nothing to do with Clarkson being on Fords payroll, does it?

TG is just a "Men Behaving Badly"/"S Club 7" combination for the 21st century which is about three guys who make a TV show about cars but fortunately don't sing or dance.

I can live with that.

 

[Dryce]

In one paper he described the R class as the 'best large estate' but elsewhere he panned it. He is illogical, inconsistent and frequently very unfair -but always entertaining to read. Bit like a prostitute who gives great sex but gives you the clap.

That basically is how reviews of things are done properly. JC is a true pro and just works harder at it.

So every journo remembers the Allegro as having introduced the quartic wheel.

Journos who said nice things about the original X5 now tell you how flawed the old one was but how better the new one is.

Scuttle shake is always almost eleminated on new cars as opposed to how bad it was on old ones. (If so how come scuttle shake still gets commented on).

And of course What Car never fails to mention how great MB residuals are.

 

[GazCaff]

I can live with that.

Good for you, so can I.

I'll still watch and enjoy current Top Gear (if its on when I happen to be watching TV) but I still prefer the old format.

That isn't a problem for you is it? you've got me a little worried considering the nature of your response.

 

[hawk20]

TG is just a "Men Behaving Badly"/"S Club 7" combination for the 21st century which is about three guys who make a TV show about cars but fortunately don't sing or dance.

I can live with that.

Yes but all of them have become rich -very rich in Clarkson's case- from playing the clown-like figures they do so well, and none of them are any longer remotely representative of the average motorist any more. You cannot take me doing 20,000 miles a year in an S class, put me in a Daihatsu Charade and expect me to give you a fair assessment of it. No more can TV presenters with Astons and 5 litre sports cars feel the thrill that someone else will feel, coming from a secondhand six year old Hyundai, to their first new car, say an Astra. Clarkson may sneer at the Astra and often does, but to many others it is a dream to which they aspire. I find it really distasteful to hear very well off TV presenters sneering at the kind of cars most people feel lucky to be able to just afford.

 

[LastMinute]

I'm not sure how you define "value for money" in the context of a television programme that you are not directly paying to watch.

Still thinking about the F1 Renault powered Trannie with all the film crew onboard.

... and Sabine Schmitz behind the wheel

It is not a motoring programme and has harmful effects. Motoring kills and maims thousands a year and the emphasis of good driving should be about staying alive and not injuring others, rather than driving as fast as possible at great risk to all.

Bad driving may kill and maim thousands a year, but I invite you to cite some evidence that Top Gear is harmful or that it encourages driving that puts others at risk.

The whole programme is about emphasising performance, fast driving, thrills and spills and poking fun at normal, functional, everyday cars that most people drive.

Popular entertainment and comedy, then. It don't think it would claim to be anything else.

Clarkson is far more interested in writing an entertaining-to-read piece than a fair or balanced or accurate piece.

For better or worse, most people are far more interested in reading an entertaining piece than a fair or balanced or accurate piece.

 

[andy_k]

Saying that Clarkson killed the Vectra is like saying that Steve Coogan killed the Ford Puma. It's utter crap.

The sales of both cars were poor because they were awful

The fact that any journalist has the guts to stand up and say that is refreshing, to continue doing it shows some integrity.

Wasn't Clarkson the motoring journalist who refused to be flown all over the world on press launches so he had the freedom to write what he wanted not what he was expected to?

I also recall that Levi Strauss blamed JC for it's fall in sales.

I wonder what else he can be found guilty of

I also wonder just how much income Top Gear generates for the BBC with it's worldwide syndication?

Andy

 

[Flasheart]

Of course it has nothing to do with Clarkson being on Fords payroll, does it?

Your evidence of Clarkson receiving backhanders is? If you don't have any i would be careful as he is known as being quite litigious of his reputation.

 

[Flasheart]

Just thinking how much it must cost

I think it is good entertainment and compared to East Enders I think it is a stimulating program with excellent actors and well worth the licence fee... So there

Still thinking about the F1 Renault powered Trannie with all the film crew onboard.

John the finka

Don't forget its not the cost to the license fee payer that one should consider when one thinks of it as being as value for money. You also need to consider the not inconsiderable revenue it earns in foriegn markets.

 

[BonzoDog]

I enjoyed most of last night's show and nearly fell of my chair when Big Stig appeared but their insufferable arrogance continues to irritate. Who would not do a bit of research to see if it was really possible to buy something decent for 1000 dollars before you embark on a trip? I can't say that I was either surprised or dissappointed to see them get their come uppance form the Southerners - arrogant naivety at its worst or best depending on your point of view. Just like a bunch of lads out for a lark driving what would seem to be totally unroadworthy cars.
His campaign against the Vectra was grossly irresponsible considering that it affected in a major way the lives of thousands of families - who cares, Clarkson's just having a laugh. He may have been correct but in the end he is only a journalist with no qualifications and no ability to make anything but subjective judgements. He has though enormous influence with people who don't understand that he is only trying to entertain and not inform. A good guide is that if Clarkson defines a car as boring you can be certain that it is good car and a safe bet.

 

[Rose Chap]

Jesus. Its ENTERTAINMENT with a car theme.

I don't like the Archers but I don't come on the forums every Monday morning moaning about the what I think are rubbish events in Borchester.

Turn over, switch off, read a book as Glojo says, but spare us all the tedious analysis of why you hate Top Gear/Clarkson.

 

[dagd]

I've stopped watching it!

 

[BonzoDog]

Jesus. Its ENTERTAINMENT with a car theme.

but spare us all the tedious analysis of why you hate Top Gear/Clarkson.

No, because the man wears a motoring hat and while giving entertainment he discredits motoring and motorists in general. he also picks on other members of the community and so if he gives it out, he has to be prepared to take it.

 

[Simon]

When Clarkson killed the Mk1 Vectra at birth he was indirectly responsible for the loss of jobs of factory workers at Luton. I'll bet it wasn't fun for them.

Nah, it's Vauxhall did that by making the Mk1 Vectra

 

[LeighW]

Goodness me, FFS it's a TV programme, entertainment, nothing more. If you like to watch Clarkson and co having fun, driving exotica, poking fun at mediocre cars etc. - watch it. If not, don't. Switch over and watch Wild at Heart.

I personally love it, it's one of, if not the best entertainment programmes on TV.

 

[prprandall51]

Nah, it's Vauxhall did that by making the Mk1 Vectra

No, the Vectra was a perfectly good car. No better or worse than other cars in the same price bracket. It had its strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, driving charisma wasn't one of them.

I like Top Gear (well bits of it) and - mostly when he is doing other programmes - I like Jermey Clarkson. Trouble is, JC started out as a journalist, when he began presenting on Top Gear he did reports as a journalist and he is still perceived to be a journalist by the British public.

But his change of role in recent years to comedian hasn't been flagged. Therefore, people are still taking his word as authoratitive. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that a large number of Top Gear viewers actually think that the three presenters were really in charge of laying that new tarmac the other week, or (as John has already referenced) that the Veyron actually did cross France in 3 minutes less time than May and the Hamster.

With that much influence, when JC says a perfectly acceptable (note, I didn't say good) car is to be avoided like the plague, it is not wonder that the sales figures crashed. The factory workers of Luton were right to blame him, he abused his position as opinion former in the national psyche.

Philip

 

[drifting]

Although I found last night funny, the parts about the rednecks were a bit much. Do you honestly believe that if someone went around saying football is rubbish (Add your favorite team here) then another said british food is bad, etc. That the local chav's would not pay attention to you?

My family come from the panhandle, and you could not wish to find more friendly and generous people. They don't call it southern hospitality for nothing.

I am really getting sick to death of Clarkson bashing the States. If he don't like it, just don't go!

Paul.

 

[SilverSaloon]

tonights show was the best yet in my opinion.

 

[pammy]

You know, if there's a proggy I don't like, I just don't watch it. I get annoyed at how sport especially football commands channel time but I don't bleat on about it endlessly.

The beauty with TV is that you are in control. Change channel or use the off button. There's loads of programme's I don't have time for but understand other people do like them. I also think that some afford JC far more power than he actually has. Do you really think people take TGs reviews of cars that seriously? What if they do - those views can be found in other sources too, not just TG. You just have to know where to look. In the same way you can always find opposing views to any opinion - again - just look elsewhere.

Now there was a good proggy St Elsewhere - anyone else remember that one

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I ruined that dream when I started to question how they filmed these so called races across Europe. Jeremy Clarkson in a 250mph super and the other two in a Cessna. Who actually films the roadside shots of Clarkson and what on earth are they driving to both keep up with him to take the different links, then to get to the service stations to film him refuelling?

Nearly all the car shots are filmed after the event.