TG in SA...

[woodbloke]

So...was that shot with Clarkeson hanging over the edge of the cliff on Death Road in Bolivia created with a little bit of artistic 'licence?' :roll: - Rob

 

[StevieB]

Been wondering the same. Happy to believe it could have been genuine apart from the shots from the 'cliff edge' bonnet position. Clearly taken from the camera car, and no clear shot of the two vehicles and the road in close up - only from a distance. I think a bit of artistic licence. I also felt the same about RH 'accidently' letting his Toyota roll off down the final descent - suspected it might not have had the brakes for it so they 'let it go'. It seemed to be more about the presenters than the cars, and for me that is the wrong way around.

I have been a big TG fan for ages, but really think this last series is getting a bit 'old hat' and formulaic. Almost as if they have done 'crazy stunts' to death and now are reinventing the wheel (excuse the pun). Either that or we are more used to it. It needs to define exactly what it wants to be, at the moment I think it is floundering a bit. Bring back the races with JC against RH and JM, drop pointless silly bits like 'building a zany car' (yeah, like the three of them and them only built it) and do something interesting. The proper 24 hour race was good, decent reviews of top end cars are good (I dont have to be able to afford it to enjoy a decent review of it) take an off-roader and off road in it, but concentrate on the car, not how sweaty JM is or how silly JC is to think a pair of denim Jeans is ideal wear for the Amazon Jungle.

Then again I could just be being a grumpy old git!

Steve

 

[MikeG.]

You know that they are planning to axe Top Gear, don't you?

Mike

 

[RogerS]

I agree re letting the Toyota go. I also wondered if they really rebuilt and mended the cars themselves (and what spare parts was the TV crew carrying)?

Still entertaining although I did find the piece where they hacked through pristine rainforest a bit unnecessary. But then again, since when did Top Gear or Clarkson put any green issues high on the agenda?

 

[wizer]

Come on guys, the whole show is a scripted film. Every line is from the script, every camera shot and angle is planned, every 'competition' is manipulated to make it interesting\funny\entertaining. DAMHIKT.

 

[Philly]

I enjoyed the show - yes, its not "reality TV" (or maybe it is :wink: ) but its enjoyable and they really do make the journey.
As for it being axed Mike - you have to be joking. It is a hugely popular global success story, with matching mammoth viewing figures.
I'm glad to see that the Beeb can still put out quality shows.
Philly

 

[Mcluma]

I enjoyed the show, and that is what it is an entertaiment show

 

[Calpol]

I heard they were thinking of axing it as well Mike but it was a Daily Record rumour I think, Andy Wilman said himself they're doing as well as they ever have. The TV viewing figures are down but they don't take into account iPlayer and stuff...

This contradicts it anyway

 

[studders]

As for it being axed Mike - you have to be joking.
Philly

No plans to axe it but, a radical overhaul of the format is apparently on the horizon. UK viewing figures have dropped dramatically according to the Beeb.

 

[woodbloke]

I enjoyed the whole show but always wonder what sort of backup they have to do these sort of stunts. When May and Hammond fixed the broken diff and shaft on that Landcruiser with what appeared to be nothing more than the kit on May's belt...I did start to wonder :-k

I think Mike G is going to ax all hand planes in the NY as well when he becomes El Supremo...or will that be in May? - Rob

 

[MikeG.]

As for it being axed Mike - you have to be joking. It is a hugely popular global success story, with matching mammoth viewing figures.Philly

http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/blog/article/386537/

Mike

 

[wizer]

They do need to tone down the really rather obvious scripting and get back to real life reviews. There's always room for humour and entertainment, but it's got to have integrity. I haven't watched it for about a year.

 

[pren]

I was wondering about some of those camera angles on the road of death myself. The one where JC was about to go over the edge seemed to have been shot from a good few meters over the drop.

Now either they had a helicopter following them or they had one of those long, camera booms like they use at the end of Property ladder to get high-angle, swooping shots.

Either Way, it all seemed to be very pre-planned. Also, I doubt they'd just give the trio three cars and pack them off into the wilderness and all it's dangers. I'd imagine the director would be for the high-jump if he 'dented' the talent. :lol:

TBH, I'm not really that fussed about cars. I watch top gear because it's entertaining. If it was all about the cars, It'd be like watching Fifth Gear :shock: .

I think I'd rather cut my legs off. :roll: :lol:

 

[Max Power]

Havnt watched it for ages, back in the day when they did reviews of the latest cars I found it very interesting, but find that star in a really sh*te car thing etc totally pointless :x

 

[wizer]

The whole thing in it's entirety is written by JC

 

[SammyQ]

Much as it pains me to do this...i.e.....support The Three Stooges.....I was just north of this road not long ago. .........I agree to a degree of scripting and 'Hammonding it up'..(!!) but I gotta tell you blokes, those drops are REAL .....AND the locals squeeze you, just like they depicted ....and it scares the living Bee J*sus out of you.

Sam

PS I agree: the jungle slashing was over-done; the repairs were unreal; the Hammond brake slip was a suspiciously long interval AFTER he exited the car.

 

[Peter T]

I have work colleagues around the world, USA, Europe, Far East, who ALL watch T/G and say it's far-and-away the best motoring show in the world.

OK, so the format has got a bit tired of late but, come on, what's the alternative......................Fifth Gear!!!

 

[MikeG.]

The whole thing in it's entirety is written by JC

What?

Jesus Christ writes the Top Gear scripts? Does this mean that there is actually a god after-all? I need evidence, Tom, before I turn my world-order upside down. Interesting, though, that a multi-dimensional time-travelling deity would be so interested in the internal combustion engine......

Mike

 

[wizer]

That could be it Mike, but as Jesus Christ is fictional, I must have been talking about Jeremey Clarkeson.

 

[MikeG.]

oooooooooooohhhhhhhhh, that JC! :wink:

Mike