Top gear australia thread

[DBourne]

oh man it was terrible!!!

presenters had no chemistry, the jokes absolutely sucked and were too try hardy..

just embarrasing and cringe worthy to watch

[300C-CRD]

It wasn't too bad really, its always going to be an up hill struggles to compare wit the UK show. Watch it with an open mind and it was quite entertaining. (guess any shows with motors are entertaining to me). The racing track was a bit of let down, I though they could find a nice track without the ice-cream cones. The beach, sand and snow scenary were good, they should have more in future episodes. Australia is a wonderful place for motorists. Presenters were o.k. they need time to get into it. Perhaps it was wrong for them trying so hard to be their UK counter parts, afterall there is only one Clarkson, just as there is only one Elvis, doesn't matter how good the imitators are, they always come second. Keep the 3 guys format but let them develop their own characters. Aussie "Stig" seems a bit short, couldn't they find someone a bit taller? He could hardly see over the dash board. (no offence to short people) Don't take the show too personal, it is just entertainment.

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

My only real cringe was when they pulled out "The Stig"; made him sound like the same guy as in UK. They should have played it as "Our Stig" not "The Stig".

I think they did the right thing by portraying the Stig as being the same one in the UK. You can't have two different Stig's.

[GTENVY]

[Quote] There are a couple of things to keep in mind. The downloaded version of the UK Top gear is the full 60 minute, no commercial, full Monty. The UK version cut to fit a 60 minute segment also feels rushed or forced.


Hey Ian, where's the best place to download it from these days??

[bathurst77]

THE moke with the sharks? WTF was that. And you coud see the sharks really were as interested and excited by the moke as the lions at "African Lion Safari" when i was a kid.
"Can I eat it, root it, or will it eat me? nup.. then its a rock, ignore it."

The stars felt a bit "cloned" from Clarkson et al. (right down to a "Captain Slow" job in the snow challenge, and the "Do you want to see his lap?" and "Your time was 1 minute.. long pause..." Clarksonisms)
I learned that the maybach has headphones and, the Lambo looks sorta like a jet fighter, and if you are driving in snow, get snow tyres.

The main prob to me tho was that it felt rushed that they were trying to fit too many segments in one show, so nothing gave any details. IF they had of ditched the moke stupidity (oh and as to the intro to that segment... why would you tell one of your workers to "take a holiday and go fishing" on your first day?) and made the lambo and maybach stories abit detailed, it would of helped. I dont think we even saw inside the lambo.

Yeh less shouting.

However, its better then channel 9, and a diverting entertaining hour if not "must see".

As said before its "TOP GEAR" aust franchise. so just liek macdonalds or Formule 1 motels. YOu gotta expect it to be the same.

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by GTENVY

Hey Ian, where's the best place to download it from these days??

Finalgear.com is your best bet.

[ch33z1l]

Agreed with alot of the statements above.

Not informative enough, although the softroaders in the dunes were good.

If the hosts were more car blooded...it would be more entertaining. Possibly Glenn Ridge, guy from Blood, Sweat and Gears (although he is hosting season 2 of BS&G), and maybe the dark horse Ben Dark? lol

Perhaps in the weeks to come the hosts will earn their paychecks.

Racing cars against the porsche just to get times on the board, was too rushed and should have been saved for later episodes. I could understand 1 car as a benchmark, maybe something to beat..the Bugatti or Koennisegg.

Overall 6/10...

[irlewy86]

The Stigsy and Stigo joke wasn't bad.

[botch]

Im still undecided, but have come up with the following:

a. most of those guys cant drive all that well (especially in snow)

b. the cameramen at the "test track" need some tripods to lift there cameras out of the grass - the only decent bit that would have been worth watching was when there test car got crossed up, and all you could see was the front screen and the roof and 3/4 of a tv full of grass!

c. How could you have a first episode without even a mention of a XY GT P3 ??

Either way I will keep watching it, its better than the barely heard of UK 5th Gear show , which is an half assed attempt at knocking off TGUK. Unless you want to know if the Jazz carries more groceries than a Liata !

[irlewy86]

The show was clearly made with UK syndication in mind. Sharks anyone.

[LeadFoot81]

I think they played it very safe with this pilot, as time goes on this show will develop it's own personality.

It was like they tried to cram a little too much action into the episode in an effort to keep up with the UK version.

I was impressed with the slick production values (though as some poeple have said, the footage at the racetrack was a little sub-par)

I wonder will SBS still show the UK version, or keep it off air to leave Top Gear Oz some clear track?

[Dezza]

Originally Posted by botch

Either way I will keep watching it, its better than the barely heard of UK 5th Gear show , which is an half assed attempt at knocking off TGUK.

Actually 5th Gear is basically "old" Top Gear. When Top Gear changed stations, the BBC kept the rights to the name, so it was renamed 5th Gear. Several years later BBC decided to relaunch the Top Gear name with a new format.

[XWGT]

Wow tough audience here

I thought this did ok for Episode 1.

Naturally they used the well proven style and franchise to lean on, they would be mad if they didnt.

Am sure the personalities will develope over episodes and that they will loosen up and get the studio audience into sync.

My only criticism would be that the track seems a little second rate but besides that.....a pretty good effort.

Looking forward to Red vs Blue next week!

Personally I think it will come out even, as they would be accutely aware that they will be polarising 50% of their audience if they declare a definative winner.

Anyhoo should be interesting

[FordFella]

Anyone heard the ratings cause i recen it would be close to the half a million mark.
Also the hosts need to just act their own personalities and run with it their own way . don't get me wrong it was good but next week should be 200% better.

Why dont they test a GT in next weeks comparo, it just doesn't seem right to test a 6 turbo against a v8 when ford also have a v8.

Does anyone know where the sand driving was filmed( i presume stockton beach, newcastle) and where the airport or test track is, looks like the Hunter but also like Camden airport

[Peuty]

Stockton and Camden mate.

[bathurst77]

Most shows take years to "Jump the shark" they did it episode 1.

ANyhow we will know next week
IF they find in favour of FPV this forum will say its a great show. If they give nod to HSV, we wil decide its crap..
My guess they will say. HSV is faster, FPV nicer.

[merlin]

I switched to Channel 7 about the half way mark as I got bored with it (never done that before with Top Gear).

The good:
The Porsche bit was filmed well thats about the only bit I liked.

The bad:
- The shark segment was terrible/irrelavent/boring. Was I wathcing Jackass or Top Gear?
- The guys were trying too hard to be funny (but I agree they were nervous and should get better. In particular the smallest guy (the driving instructer) was the worst).
- Seriously a softroader segment as your first episode. Stupid. You just lost a whole heap of audience - Top Gear has always been about performance not everyday practical cars. Ford v Holden could have been done first up or at least some sports cars/supercars. Who cares about an xtrail and a non turbo forester for goodness sakes.
- They tested a whole heap of cars at once on the test track - that got boring fast.
- The bit about the Mitsubishi Legnum where they made fun of it - err wasn't funny, do they actually know its a twin-turbo V6 version of a Galant VR4, just in a wagon form (206kw EVO engine with AWD)? I have never heard anyone pronounce it "Leg-Numb". You'd expect more from "car enthusiasts".

All in all it did not feel like Top Gear despite their efforts to mimick it exactly, just felt very rehearsed. I think the success of Top Gear is that they dont seem to try and make stuff up as they go along.

I will watch it again, and I agree it will get better - I just hope they give it a chance and don't axe it. Focus more on performance car tests and stop doing farking stupid try hard jokes.

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by gthofan

Is there a link to see the episode anywhere? i lost control of the tv at that time :(

Plenty of torrents around, currently downloading one now.

I'll give it a chance - why they couldn't have the F6 vs HSV in the FIRST EPISODE!! is absolutely beyond comprehension, it should have been the FIRST SEGMENT!!

It also seems like my fears were founded in that they're not trying to make it their own show. Hopefully they find their own character and they have the balls to bag a product if it needs bagging.

Australian car shows to date will give high praise to a on wheels.

[BlackLS]

Go to the final gear forum and see how many people thanked the lord that there weren't and Ford/Holdens in the first ep.

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by auslandau

If it didnt have the 'Top Gear' set I would be surprised. It si Top Gear? Not bad for the first and clever to put the Ford vs Holden on second show .... guaranteed audience for at least two weeks straight.

Except for those who had tuned out before they got to find out what was on next week.

[Polyal]

Hmm I caught the end of the snow bit, then saw them drop the moke in with sharks.

WTF.

It was embarrassing, I was pumped, got the TV off the rest of the household to be bitterly disappointed. They just reek of trying to hard, the scripts and jokes are shocking and not one of the presenters appeals.

Ill watch next week just for the Ford V Holden thing, if its still poor then thats it.

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by Kenster

The things is that orginal top gear did just focus on $500k + cars usually and very so often are car that everyday people could buy not sure if you seen the show

...and that's the power of the show.

They're having fun in cars I'll probably never see outside of a poster on a wall let alone have the chance to drive. I also enjoy their reviews of performance cars within a reasonable price range. If the show was to focus on practical or family cars, I'd tune out - I don't care what they have to say about a Honda Accord because if I'm considering buying one I'll just go test drive it myself.

[noosacuda]

Hope they come up with something better than Holden Vs Ford crappola! There are more makes than those 2.

[simontheboy]

Didn't like it, they tried to hard to be funny and it appeared awfully scripted. Shouting is not being funny, the try hard maniacal attitude is just passe and the be imitating of the members of the UK Top Gear doesn't cut it.

Having said this I will watch it again as I am sure once the boys relax into their roles and develop their own Top Gear personas the show I am sure will improve.

Why couldn't C31 personalities such as Dieter and the Car Girls be given some money to create a car show?

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by bathurst77

Most shows take years to "Jump the shark" they did it episode 1.

GOLD

[220XR8]

Originally Posted by xagt_coupe

Maybe in your opinion, but not mine. The GT is still a much better all round car IMO.

They could still use the GT range too.
V8 commonwhores against V8 Falcons/FPV's.

Now THAT is a comparo, not a V8 HSV against a FPV tarted up xr6 hair dryer turdbo rice bucket.

Theres more to the FPV range than just the f6. Zzzzzz.

Sorry, that was my attempt at a bit of sarcasm, I really don't believe the F6 should be compared to any Holden V8 as it's a different beast altogether. But lots on this site revere it.



Also almost every Ford fan never accepted the fact that a 6 cylinder normally aspirated Valiant could beat a HO to 100 mph yet boast the performance of a Turbo Falcon 6 over a Holden V8 ...Go figure

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by Peuty

I think they did the right thing by portraying the Stig as being the same one in the UK. You can't have two different Stig's.

If that was the case then they shouldn't have reverted to the clearly aussie iconic descriptor before the intro, you know, the "Some say he's - blah, blah ,blah", for me it just confused the issue. He's either the one and only Stig or play it as Stigs (plural) being a breed apart and this one's ours. I think that'd play better and give a better air of credibility to the whole Stig thing.


Bushbasher

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

If that was the case then they shouldn't have reverted to the clearly aussie iconic descriptor before the intro, you know, the "
Some say he's - blah, blah ,blah", for me it just confused the issue. He's either the one and only Stig or play it as Stigs (plural) being a breed apart and this one's ours.


Bushbasher

They already have American and African Stig, so I don't see why not.

[henry 351]

A hour of my life I'll never get back, NEVER!!!

If I was Shannons/Castrol/insert other advertiser here, I would be reconsidering my sponsorship to this show...

Warren seems the most natural, however unlike the "Paris to Peking" the scripting doesn't seem to suit his delivery.

The other two are devoid of any character or personality at all...

I hope it succeeds, but I have my doubts. Couldn't stand to be canned by the Poms.

Revised hosting at the end of season 1 perhaps? Even the original Top Gear has seen a few come and go...

[sleekism]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Hmm I caught the end of the snow bit, then saw them drop the moke in with sharks.

WTF.

It was embarrassing, I was pumped, got the TV off the rest of the household to be bitterly disappointed. They just reek of trying to hard, the scripts and jokes are shocking and not one of the presenters appeals.

Ill watch next week just for the Ford V Holden thing, if its still poor then thats it.

Agreed they were trying too hard, the jokes were forced and imitating Top Gear UK was lame.

Also they should have had an AUSSIE car for the first AUSSIE top gear. If I wanted to have a review of a Euro car I will watch Clarkson. Where was the Territory for the Soft Roader test.

Also what about the part where the main presenter said the 253 was a "great good revving engine. Just that weekend it took 6 of my mates lifting the back to get a 253 Ute to do a burnout on DIRT!!!