Black-8

Is it just me or is it still as crap as the first one? I found it as flat as the first series, and this is only the first 15 minutes!

Black-8

But I like it when they tried doing the lancer hatchback ad, I thought it was quite funny.

rotarenvy

it has to be the slowest race yet. what a waste of a lambo. the wave runner was a laugh.

the dialog is still very scripted and they should just pull the **** out of the cars.

DrGonzo

I only caught the last half hour or so, when they were describing the track. I liked the fact that they did that - it shows that they listened to some of teh criticism from last season.

The "challenge" was obviously scripted and it showed - at least the UK version makes you think the challenges are real.

I thought the interview with Mark Skaife was pretty ****:
"How did you think you went?"
"I think blah blah blah"
"So how did you think you went?"
*Puzzled look*

Overall the 20 minutes I saw were OK - much better than last season, but no where near the UK standard (not that it's expected to be as good!).

Tim Tam

I found it quite entertaining. Taken on it's own merits (don't compare to the UK show!), it's worth watching. James will fit in well, he's quite amusing. But what's with his Evo launching technique? They can't be THAT bad off the line, can they? Taka will be happy.

Revolver

Taped it so 'er indoors could watch M/Chef (I like the side benefits - I'm eating very well these days, lol).

Will watch it tonight. Sight unseen, I'd still rather they had a go at improving it instead of just dropping it. Anything is better than the Car Show and I'd rather an extra hour of cars on telly than more yank crime shows, etc...

And it's been said before but worth remembering that the early years of TGUK were pretty creaky...

timbo

Better

mdr

It was much improved over last years effort.

At least I was able to watch it and there were some laughs in it.
Last season I could not even sit through more than 15 minutes before I was ready to flip to old law and order reruns.
The test track is still lame though even after the walk through.

Tim Tam

A little article highlighting some of the changes to this season.

http://au.transmission.blogs.topgear.../#comment-5748

Cromax

One word describe's TGA's efforts last night ...


... unoriginal.

Revolver

Oh der...it's a franchise, not an original format. Too original and people will complain it's not 'Top Gear' enough. Originality within the format will come with experience and confidence...hopefully.

Tim Tam

Yes, if it 's going to be all original, they may as well call it something else. Like the Car Show. And employ Glenn Ridge. And we all know how THAT turned out.............

DrGonzo

Call it Behind The Wheel and employ James Morrison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXHiA...finalgear.com/

Cromax

Yes, it's a franchise, but they don't have to rub the viewer's faces in it!

It's ridiculous ... why have TGA when TopGear in the UK are far more interesting to watch?

DrGonzo

a) Make it relevant to Aussie audiences
b) SBS produces an Aussie show (they have to produce xx amount of Aussie shows per year) which people will actually watch

Tim Tam

Cost? I wonder what TGUK charge for a season? I read in the news the other week Channel 10 pays $20something K per Simpsons episode.

thisllub

It is the best show on TV on Monday nights at 7:30PM.
What else is there to say?

Tim Tam

2 1/2 Men. Oh that Charlie!!!!

Revolver

Well for starters they don't make 36 eps of TGUK per year, so they'll run out of the old series sooner or later. Secondly, it allows us to see cars in our environment and, with time, local presenters who are professional and funny.

As someone posted above, if SBS are going to spend their money on local production, I'd much rather see them try to improve TGA than yet another lefty doco or political program.

I think with time they'll gradually develop a style and tone which locals respond to and represents a departure from slavishly copying the Brit version.

Revolver

Agreed. I used to enjoy Australian Story but there's only so many sob stories you can stomach. A show that lost it's way. Forget about the commercial channels in that time slot...

Revolver

The scary thing is it's apparently very close to his real life...even down to the weird shorts and bowling shirt look. And I actually want to punch the fat kid in the head.

takahashi

Stevie owns a 135i. Now he is my hero!

Love that beast... steering so heavy though compare with the 8. The power is just phenomenal.

Better download it somehow and watch it on TV, rather than just youtube.

mdr

Cnet is running a poll.
Looks like rubbish wins.

http://www.cnet.com.au/poll-is-top-g...7.htm?feed=rss

DrGonzo

Looks like Charlie *** voted 4 times

ASH8

Much Improved.....7.4233333333331115 out of 10...