Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 19

Thread: Is Top Gear too predictable?

  1. #1
    Not *@!%in Postman Pat! Ruggerbugger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Rugby, (England for the Yanks)
    Posts
    1,659
    Thanks
    42
    Thanked
    69 times in 53 posts
    • Ruggerbugger's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus A7N8X-E deluxe
      • CPU:
      • XP 3200+
      • Memory:
      • 1GB Kingston PC3200 DDR2 dual channel
      • Storage:
      • 1 x 40GB OS, 1 x 320GB Data
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire 9800 Pro
      • PSU:
      • 400W Akasa (I think)
      • Case:
      • Antec Super Lanboy
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung LE32 LCD 720p
      • Internet:
      • VM 4Mb

    Is Top Gear too predictable?

    Just watching Clarkson review the Alpina Z8 on UKTV G2 and wondered if the programme isn't getting a bit identikit-predictable. You get the latest performance car with whatever-bhp that's put around the same old track and usually rubbished before one redeeming feature is found, be it handling, "focus" or something else.

    I know the programme isn't supposed to be the TV equivalent of What Car?, but isn't it descending into formulaic obscurity? Do most people really care what performance the latest bucket 'o' bolts gives around a track, who can sling a caravan the furthest, or how Clarkson's middle age crisis is going?

    Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching Top Gear (they can have the whole programme for the Bugatti Veyron ), but I can't escape the feeling it's disappearing up it's own backside.


    Click here for larger versions of photos

    Quote Originally Posted by Gonzo
    my a55 shoots great video in 1080i

  2. #2
    Sublime HEXUS.net
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    The Void.. Floating
    Posts
    11,819
    Thanks
    213
    Thanked
    233 times in 160 posts
    • Stoo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Mac Pro
      • CPU:
      • 2*Xeon 5450 @ 2.8GHz, 12MB Cache
      • Memory:
      • 32GB 1600MHz FBDIMM
      • Storage:
      • ~ 2.5TB + 4TB external array
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI Radeon HD 4870
      • Case:
      • Mac Pro
      • Operating System:
      • OS X 10.7
      • Monitor(s):
      • 24" Samsung 244T Black
      • Internet:
      • Zen Max Pro
    What else are you going to do?

    There are shows that review the latest town runabout, and so called "informative" features, which is largely pointless as you can get a test drive in *any* of them, and there are shows trying to copy TG's format, and failing miserably for whatever reason..

    TG is *the* show for doing exactly what nobody else will do, take the latest hypercar, thrash the cack out of it, and show you what happens, at the end of the day it's still a bunch of fun and nothing else really comes close to it.
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

  3. #3
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    3,041
    Thanks
    209
    Thanked
    146 times in 88 posts
    I don't enjoy Top Gear half as much as I used too, I just don't find it funny anymore.

    I find the focus is more on the presenters these days than it is the cars.

  4. #4
    Not *@!%in Postman Pat! Ruggerbugger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Rugby, (England for the Yanks)
    Posts
    1,659
    Thanks
    42
    Thanked
    69 times in 53 posts
    • Ruggerbugger's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus A7N8X-E deluxe
      • CPU:
      • XP 3200+
      • Memory:
      • 1GB Kingston PC3200 DDR2 dual channel
      • Storage:
      • 1 x 40GB OS, 1 x 320GB Data
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire 9800 Pro
      • PSU:
      • 400W Akasa (I think)
      • Case:
      • Antec Super Lanboy
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung LE32 LCD 720p
      • Internet:
      • VM 4Mb
    I agree - the power laps are usually fun, the reviews that Hammond and May do are pretty good, and the star in a reasonably priced car is priceless. I just think that there are too many pointless track tests, especially for cars that aren't track cars (excepting the power laps). Most reviews end with a conclusion that the track performance doesn't matter in the real world, so why not have a more realistic, real world driving test in the conditions the cars will actually be used, just like they did for the 5 litre Ford pickup. These are more often than not more interesting than the track laps anyway.

    The real world tests don't have to be boring, just put the usual TG humour into a more realistic review of the car.


    Click here for larger versions of photos

    Quote Originally Posted by Gonzo
    my a55 shoots great video in 1080i

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    London (almost)
    Posts
    1,080
    Thanks
    20
    Thanked
    34 times in 28 posts
    I don't drive and I love Top Gear

  6. #6
    Not *@!%in Postman Pat! Ruggerbugger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Rugby, (England for the Yanks)
    Posts
    1,659
    Thanks
    42
    Thanked
    69 times in 53 posts
    • Ruggerbugger's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus A7N8X-E deluxe
      • CPU:
      • XP 3200+
      • Memory:
      • 1GB Kingston PC3200 DDR2 dual channel
      • Storage:
      • 1 x 40GB OS, 1 x 320GB Data
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire 9800 Pro
      • PSU:
      • 400W Akasa (I think)
      • Case:
      • Antec Super Lanboy
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung LE32 LCD 720p
      • Internet:
      • VM 4Mb
    Quote Originally Posted by krazy_olie
    I don't drive and I love Top Gear
    What do you enjoy? What do you think about the reviews etc.


    Click here for larger versions of photos

    Quote Originally Posted by Gonzo
    my a55 shoots great video in 1080i

  7. #7
    Moderator chuckskull's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    The Frozen North
    Posts
    7,713
    Thanks
    951
    Thanked
    690 times in 463 posts
    • chuckskull's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • 3570k @ 4.7 - H100i
      • Memory:
      • 32GB XMS3 1600mhz
      • Storage:
      • 256GB Samsung 850 Pro + 3TB Seagate
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX 980Ti Classified
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic M12 700W
      • Case:
      • Corsair 500R
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus VG278HE
      • Internet:
      • FTTC
    A little predictable, but they are a bit limited by the subject matter, you can only drive cars at the end of the day, not much else to do for the reviews

    Still think it's hilarious myself.

  8. #8
    Unidentified Frying Object
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Basingstoke
    Posts
    385
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    8 times in 8 posts
    • BigFatCat's system
      • Motherboard:
      • IP35-E
      • CPU:
      • E4400@3Ghz
      • Memory:
      • 4GB Ballistix PC6400, 2.0v
      • Storage:
      • 80 and 320GB WD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 512MB 8800GT, Rivatuner O/C
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX620
      • Case:
      • Thermaltake Xaser III
      • Operating System:
      • Win 7 Ultimate 64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Viewsonic VP2330wb and Benq FP737s
      • Internet:
      • Newnet 24Mb ADSL
    And death to caravans!

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    London (almost)
    Posts
    1,080
    Thanks
    20
    Thanked
    34 times in 28 posts
    I guess I like it because it's quite funny and I'm interested in all types of technology.

    Depends what they are reviewing, If it's a supercar or something like that I just enjoy seeing them in action. I don't like it when they judge "normal" cars by how fast they go, a ford s-max is not going to go round a track so wy should it be factored in as to why someone should/shouldn't buy it.

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    367
    Thanks
    7
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    Although I have a purely uneducated interest in cars ("wow, that looks fast"), I watch Top Gear mainly for the mini-adventures they go on; the caravan holiday and boat race for instance, we fantastic.

  11. #11
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    W Yorkshire
    Posts
    5,691
    Thanks
    85
    Thanked
    15 times in 13 posts
    • XA04's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI X570-A Pro
      • CPU:
      • AMD Ryzen 5 3600
      • Memory:
      • Corsair 2x 8gb DDR 4 3200
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Serpent M.2 SSD & 4TB HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Palit RTX 2060
      • PSU:
      • Antec Truepower 650W
      • Case:
      • Fractcal Meshify C
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama 34" Curved UWQHD
      • Internet:
      • Virgin 100mb Fibre
    I don't think it's predictable... especially the episode with the caravanning one.

    James is saying something about what car they are going to use... with a Lotus Elise in the background.. and I think he says how nice it is... then goes and moves the camera to the crappy Suzuki. That was unpredictable and funny imo

  12. #12
    Senior Member ExceededGoku's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Lincolnshire, UK
    Posts
    1,578
    Thanks
    8
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post
    Quote Originally Posted by XA04
    I don't think it's predictable... especially the episode with the caravanning one.

    James is saying something about what car they are going to use... with a Lotus Elise in the background.. and I think he says how nice it is... then goes and moves the camera to the crappy Suzuki. That was unpredictable and funny imo
    ye lol, I was laughing my ass off at the thought of going caravanning (spelling?) in a lotus elise and then they showed that crapy suzuki . I can't fault Top Gear in anyway tbh, it is perfect in every way! Humour, car reviews, and just pure entertainment
    Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 3.2Ghz (400Mhzx8) 1.52V (set in bios, 1.47v real) | 4GB GeIL PC6400 4-4-4-12 | Gigabyte DQ6 @ 1600Mhz | HD2900XT 1GB | Enermax Infiniti 720W | Silverstone TJ07-B with custom watercooling | BenQ FP241WZ
    3dmark05 - 13140 | 3dmark06 - 6698 | SuperPi 1M - 15s

  13. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Posts
    110
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    I enjoy it, try watching 5th Gear for a while that guy drives me crazy!

  14. #14
    Homestarr Mod
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Posts
    3,863
    Thanks
    17
    Thanked
    31 times in 28 posts
    i prefer top gear but i agree it is becoming very scripted. 5th gear has some good content but i cant stand the ''Way THe WOmen PREsenter Has TO Emphasize EAch WORd'' who does she think she is Murray Walker

  15. #15
    Pseudo-Mad Scientist Whiternoise's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Surrey
    Posts
    4,274
    Thanks
    166
    Thanked
    386 times in 233 posts
    • Whiternoise's system
      • Motherboard:
      • DFI LANPARTY JR P45-T2RS
      • CPU:
      • Q6600
      • Memory:
      • 8GB DDR2
      • Storage:
      • 5.6TB Total
      • Graphics card(s):
      • HD4780
      • PSU:
      • 425W Modu82+ Enermax
      • Case:
      • Silverstone TJ08b
      • Operating System:
      • Win7 64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 23" IPS
      • Internet:
      • 1Gbps Fibre Line
    The only thing i find really good about TG is the crazy challenges they do every once in a while - caravanning, the races against public transport, etc.

  16. #16
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    30,748
    Thanks
    1,787
    Thanked
    3,285 times in 2,647 posts
    • kalniel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra
      • CPU:
      • Intel i9 9900k
      • Memory:
      • 32GB DDR4 3200 CL16
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Samsung 970Evo+ NVMe
      • Graphics card(s):
      • nVidia GTX 1060 6GB
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic 600W
      • Case:
      • Cooler Master HAF 912
      • Operating System:
      • Win 10 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2721DGF
      • Internet:
      • rubbish
    Just think of Top Gear as a car themed entertainment/chat show and you're sorted. It's all entirely scripted but still good entertainment

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. New Series of Top Gear this sunday
    By vincent in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 57
    Last Post: 09-05-2006, 12:00 AM
  2. Top Gear production
    By dkmech in forum Automotive
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 14-01-2006, 12:05 AM
  3. 5th Gear is now owning Top Gear
    By Zak33 in forum Automotive
    Replies: 54
    Last Post: 12-11-2005, 02:12 PM
  4. Top Gear SUCKS
    By Rave in forum Automotive
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 05-11-2004, 05:08 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •