Revolver

Well, what did we all think of the first Top Gear Australia show?

I found the banter between the hosts a bit forced but they're a new team, so it's unfair to compare them to the well-oiled schtick that Clarkson, Hammond and May perform. Pizzati's voice is annoying though.

I also thought that they tried to cram too much into the show and some of the segments seemed more intro and flash production values than substance. E.g. The Maybach thing - we saw more shots of the police escort, etc than the car itself.

I also thought they should have set up the test track a bit better and showed us what the layout was - would only have taken 20 seconds with a diagram.

I'm prepared to support it for the season and see how they go...it's a lot better than watching that game show ponce on the Car Show.

takahashi

I missed it even though I was sitting in front of a TV! I need to d/l it and get back to you on that.

labrat

I can understand that TGA is a franchise of TG, but I'm not sure whether such a slavish imitation is necessary. While the chief host (who is he again) is quite personable and has bags of confidence to go with too much make up (you can see everything on HDTV), he doesn't have Jeremy Clarkson's outrageously non-PC, socialist-hating personality (god, I love that man). I always wondered how the original TG got a guernsey on SBS.

As for those pathetic soft-roaders floundering in the snow, my old VW did a better job when we used to go skiing in the '60's, and that was on two-ply summer tyres.

And I'm still trying to figure out why they were trying to use a Moke as shark bait.

I haven't decided whether it's worthwhile to slot it into my viewing schedule.

Revolver

Agree with all that Labby. Particularly the question of how the ethnic lesbian disabled luvvie lobby allowed something so blokey and non-PC on their precious SBS.

I'm hoping the hosting improves as they get more confidence and experience, etc.

timbo

I reckon it'll develop; everything last night was a bit forced and why they debuted with soft-roaders is beyond me. Note to director: make sure background studio audience has a decent number of good looking women, not old crusties (like me )

As to the team, they need to let their humour 'dry out' in the Aussie way -- frankly, I reckon John Doyle ought to be doing the Clarkson role, but what would I know?!

I'll watch again.

Black-8

I found they seem to be trying hard to be funny, that's the only let down for me. It doesn't seem natural. Maybe they are trying to be like the UK one, which I think defeat the purpose of having TGA in the first place.

DMRH

Agreed perfectly. Seemed fake & they where trying too hard

Only watched 15 minutes then changed channels.

May have another look if its still going in 6 months or so.

REgards

oz_red

My wife and I are in the process of getting some new custom-made armchairs and a couple of sofas, so she described TG and TGA in terms of furniture. She reckons TG is like a well-designed, hand-made, comfortable piece of craftsmanship, while TGA is an IKEA flatpack.
She often comes up with some odd analogies, but this time I think she's spot on.

Revolver

Hahaha, I agree - some odd looking melons in the background. As for old crusties, they were talking about some car from the '60's and some old codger was nodding sagely along in the background as from first hand knowledge. Shove the greyheads up the back and get the chicks out the front.

Revolver

I'd suggest more like second hand furniture from your Mum and Dad when you first move out - somebody's used it before and it feels familiar but it'll do if there's nothing else to sit on.

Revolver

Oh, glad they're getting the Holden v Ford bogan show out of the way early.

When is that hackneyed bit of marketing crap going to die?!!

Seriously, unless you live in blue singlets and take your esky everywhere, do you really care whether the blue or red team has the bigger V8 atm?

takahashi

Just saw the episode.

Yes it is too much like Top Gear UK, in fact it is like UK presentation style (either topgear or fifth gear and any other style).

THANK GOD THEY DON"T DO A GLEN RIDGE STYLE PRSENTATION... though

We need some Aussie slang and jokes to make it more Ozzie, for the world wide audience. It is now seeding over 100000 copies in BT haha.

azzaboynt

I thought they were trying to cram in too many things.

Lets face it... If it's Australia, they are gonna run out of cars to talk about soon...

Also thought it's a bit too much a carbon copy of the original. Hopefully they will get over their nervousness and add their own flair to the show.

Revolver

Second time around it's still the main host that needs to stop shouting/sweating/trying too hard and while he's at it, get his ridiculous hair cut - mate, you're losing it, give up and go gracefully like us more mature types.

I'm still hoping the hosting and content will gradually improve. Was fun to see them tearing around Wakefield though...

mdr

I just find it like a bad parody of the real show.

The one guy that said lets call him Stiggo or something more Aussie was right.
The whole Stig thing is the real top gear shtick to try and copy it exactly and not change it to more an Aussie show is a mistake.

privatepang

Yeah i agree... it was a disappointment for me. especially when they do the whole intro of the stig, that just sounded stupid.

I'll give it a few positives for at least trying crazy stuff like the shark thing but the cinematography was no way as good as UK version. I mean half the track portion was focusing on the stig in the car and not the car actually driving.

Track looked pretty shocking as well. just a few cones here and there with planes in the background?

Didnt find it original at all and i dont think i'll be wasting my time with it anymore.

erx8s

The show should get its own Australian identity like that of Kenny the toilet guy and not try and be British or American .



Cheers
Michael

Revolver

I agree. *** sounds like a little kid trying adult humour and failing miserably.

We're famous for our dry, deadpan humour, so I'd like to see them take the hyper level down several notches and allow the satire to creep through.

I think the show needs a Stig character though. Anonymity is important for the lap time setter in my view.

mikeyr

Slightly off topic but spent the day with an "industry" rep, ford and holden sales are in the pits from what we heard. Rumour that one of Holden's largest dealers in NSW, who usually sell 500 cars a month got a duck over the long weekend. I.e. zero sales....that's gotta hurt!

mikeyr

Oh and i agree that the local TG is a little "dry". And if not actually lame has a serious limp. What the hell was the SMART car bit all about?!

Cromax

The whole show is lame!

takahashi

I agree for once, since they will never shake the comparison with the UK version.

When it is free, y not I will say. But if that replaces the airing of the UK old episodes... hmmm

XLR83N

yes i was unimpressed with the first episode and even moreso with the second. 'lets warm up the tires', pfft please, just show us how the car drives around the track instead of drifting at every corner...
bring back top gear uk!

Revolver

Have you noticed the banner ads in here for it?

Me smells some desperation....

Ok, lame atm but if we don't support it, it'll never last long enough to get better. I'd rather something that's limping with a view to recovery than nothing at all...

Revolver

Not just bogan country either. I know a guy who's thinking of trading in his old Boxster for a new one and has been offered $30K off the new car price to do so.

Lots of second hand sports cars hitting auction sites, etc too. First thing people get rid of when the margin calls come out.

If you're cashed up, this is a good time to buy - cars or shares for that matter...