The Last Ever Top Gear... (as we know it)

[pistonpopper]

I know what your thinking, Oh no, not another flamin post about the end of Top Gear and the sacking of Jezza! It's time to give it a rest and move on. I agree, but last night i watched the cobbled together final episode of Top Gear as we know it and it just got my tiny mind a thinkin, and i thought i'd just share my thoughts with you lucky people before the Ginger apocalypse comes! Firstly, what the hecks going on with Hammond beard? Was this for comedy effect? Anyway, watching Richard Hammond and James May presenting Top Gear without Jeremy Clarkson felt a bit like going to your mates party, only to find out no one else was coming. It just wasn't right, it didn't work for me. Partly i think that because there was no studio audience, but mostly because there was no Clarkson, there didn't seem to be the chemistry, the magic was missing. I realise that he is just an overgrown, over opinionated school boy of a very un-PC character, but he's the glue. Because he's such a nobber, he's the reason we all tune in every week, just to see what he's going to say next! But as for last nights episode, i know that it was just put together to show the two films that the BBC had filmed prior to Jezzas little tantrum, but i even felt that the films weren't the best efforts i've ever seen on Top Gear, infact i thought they were decidedly lack lustre, the film about the classic cars was a bit half-arsed i thought, and it just went nowhere. The film about the 4x4s was better, and did make me chuckle but it still felt more like filler than anything. Although if they were in the regular programme as it was intended to be it would probably have been far better. Watching last nights episode of Top Gear just proved to me that without those three idiots together as a team, it just isn't going to work. I think that it would be far better to let it end, and walk away. I for one would not want to be Chris Evans (mainly because he's Ginger but stay with me!) I realise that he probably is as much of an egotistical maniac as Jeremy Clarkson, and he probably is as politically incorrect as Jezza too, but he won't have the other two loonies at his side. And it wouldn't work if he was presenting Top Gear with Hammond and May, because he doesn't have the chemistry with them. I also feel sorry for whoever does end up being Chris Evans sidekicks, because no matter what, i reckon more than anything Evans will be carrying them, He will be the big I AM, and they will have come from nowhere and be nothing. But worse than all that, they will all be judged by the public against the standards (no matter how low or high you think they are) set by Clarkson, Hammond, and May. People are going to expect the show to be the same, and have the same feel, and it just wont. As Albert Einstein said: "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." So whatever happens to Top Gear, i hope that they completely change EVERYTHING about it, presenters, format, music, everything so that we don't all end up looking at it through rose tinted glasses. I must say though, i really hope that it doesn't go back to the format it was in 1987BC (Before Clarkson in case you didn't guess) or infact before it was properly re-launched in 2002, because as i remember old Top Gear was dull, grey, and boring. As i remember you needed to be a real car anorak to enjoy that. I remember watching it thinking that i obviously don't like cars that much, as i found it tedious, and boring even! But perhaps thats just me, perhaps i prefer the entertainment of Top Gear, rather than it just being about the facts, infact i know i do, thats why i tune in. I don't want to here about hum-drum every day cars, i want to see three idiots screaming about like lunatics in cars that i'll probably never have, with their hair on fire! It was funny, and it was entertaining! I only hope that when they do re-brand Top Gear for old Ginger-boy, they do it in a way that although completely different to the Top Gear we know and love, it doen't lose any of its energy, stupidity, and fun! I wish Chris Evans and his new team all the best of luck, i reckon they'll need it!

Now, enough of all this text, here's some pictures of the cars from my favourite episodes.

















Idiots... All of them, i look forward to seeing what they do next!

[joem83]

I really enjoyed last nights all bar 1 bit but, meh it was still great.
There was an undertone in the clips though, you could tell Jezza wasnt happy.

Top Gear is now dead, they can call it what they want it will still just be a Car Show on BBC2.

Anyone else spot the Elephant in the room? lol.

[newlad]

isn't the three of them making there own program

[retroade]

I think a lot of last night's deadpan delivery was the fact Hammond and May didn't really want to be there in that empty studio recording a very carefully worded script that sounded like it was written by the legal dept not the writing team. The films felt a little hollow as half the fun is the studio banter arguing over the scores and why the other two had made poor car choices.

Let's see what the new format brings in 2016. Evans has the golden touch when it comes to production, here's hoping for fresh ideas and a new era for Top Gear, whilst I'm sure the trio will be back before we know it. Could see C4 taking this on, although Sky have never been able to cobble together a car related show worth watching so maybe an off the peg solution may be the answer.

[sutty2006]

I wonder if the new TOP GEAR will swing back towards what it used to be like....... Reviewing cars, like in the good ole days.

I still think the Trio should produce their own show, for the humour and buggering about they get up to, as it was quite interesting/funny.

[sb]

For those interested in the rumour mill, bets seem to be on either ITV or Netflix picking up Clarkson, who will more than likely bring the other two.

Frankly I think Top Gear was dying the last couple seasons, Clarkson said he felt he couldnt make the show he wanted. What he wanted we may not know or he may get it with a new network.

For me personally, I think Top Gear should be laid to rest. No matter what they do, who they hire or how good it is. Put it under the TG name and it will flop.

I don't enjoy TG that much any more because its not a car show, its an entertainment show where they use cars. There is nothing of interest from a car point of view. Honestly I think Roadkill is the greatest car show on air currently, it has more insanity then TG while still being 100% car related and in depth too. Its a car show for car people, not a car show for the masses.

[joem83]

I'm hoping for Netflix over any TV network as they can do whatever they want, ITV could be a bad move as certain car manufacturers may not want their brands associated with TG.

[dungbug]

Jun 29, 2015 20:31:41 GMT sb said:

Frankly I think Top Gear was dying the last couple seasons,

/\ This, I used to be an avid watcher but rarely bothered with the last few seasons as it seemed to be much of a muchness just in a different part of the world with a diferent motor. I'm not a fan of Chris Evans (can't stand the bloke) but I'll watch the new/reboot TG to see where the writers are taking it this time.

[retroade]

Netflix you say? That would be incredible! Netflix track record on producing is spot on, Better Call Saul, Daredevil, they even got the cast of Trailer Park Boys back together on a four series deal. Pure, uncensored Clarkson, the mind boggles!

[joem83]

Jun 29, 2015 20:58:52 GMT retroade said:

Netflix you say? That would be incredible! Netflix track record on producing is spot on, Better Call Saul, Daredevil, they even got the cast of Trailer Park Boys back together on a four series deal. Pure, uncensored Clarkson, the mind boggles!

Yep it could be:


Love TPB lol

[marinanut]

Jun 29, 2015 20:31:41 GMT sb said:

Frankly I think Top Gear was dying the last couple seasons

Sums it all up... it became a cash cow for the BBC and had deteriorated badly, even to the point I was channel-hopping to miss lumps out of it.

As for 'Clarkson will do this' and 'Clarkson will take them here'..... not sure. His track record outside TG isn't good. His books are re-hashed whinges from the Scum (and make good door-stops), his 'chat show' (who remembers that?) died on its ar53; in fact the only thing of note that wasn't TG related is a book he did several years ago "You Got Soul" which is a darn good read. As for 'controversially' promoting their tour... oh yes, smash up the last remaining Marina of its type with a piano and get.... absolutely no reaction whatsoever. Zzzzzzz.

It will pan out one of two ways; they will be successful on a 'small' stage or be gone in a year. The majority of people won't give a rats either way. BTW, who owns 'The Stig'? BBC or Wilman/Clarkson?

[SmokeEm]

Personally, I loved the final episode. My Wife hasn't laughed so much in years!

[EmDee]

GINGERIST.

[mylittletony]

Jun 30, 2015 7:58:22 GMT @automatik said:

Pardon me, you native english speakers, but what is this ginger joke all about? Can´t follow you.

There's a 'thing' here that people with red/ginger hair are weird/less attractive/etc, seems very unique to England. Exceptions to the 'rule' are pretty ladies. It's outdated and baseless, ignore it.

I watched the last episode last night and found it particularly funny, they were/are a good team and made entertaining TV - what it's all about.

[fordperv]

Jun 29, 2015 20:29:20 GMT sutty2006 said:

I wonder if the new TOP GEAR will swing back towards what it used to be like....... Reviewing cars, like in the good ole days.

I still think the Trio should produce their own show, for the humour and buggering about they get up to, as it was quite interesting/funny.

I used to love old top gear, i sometimes watch a random episode on YouTube, it would be great to see a take on the old format, the only problem I can see is the viewing public has changed so I fear if the messing about blowing things up isn't there no one would be interested.

[penski]

Jun 30, 2015 6:43:07 GMT marinanut said:

As for 'Clarkson will do this' and 'Clarkson will take them here'..... not sure. His track record outside TG isn't good. His books are re-hashed whinges from the Scum (and make good door-stops), his 'chat show' (who remembers that?) died on its ar53; in fact the only thing of note that wasn't TG related is a book he did several years ago "You Got Soul" which is a darn good read.

With Clarkson, it's all down to how interested he is in the individual subject.

For example, this is brilliant:



*n

[VIP]

Jun 30, 2015 9:38:58 GMT fordperv said:

Jun 29, 2015 20:29:20 GMT sutty2006 said:

I wonder if the new TOP GEAR will swing back towards what it used to be like....... Reviewing cars, like in the good ole days.

I still think the Trio should produce their own show, for the humour and buggering about they get up to, as it was quite interesting/funny.

I used to love old top gear, i sometimes watch a random episode on YouTube, it would be great to see a take on the old format, the only problem I can see is the viewing public has changed so I fear if the messing about blowing things up isn't there no one would be interested.

The audience for a car review show is too small for any mainstream network to want to make it though.

Look at the relatively mediocre viewing figures 5th Gear gets, and that's not even a dedicated car review show.

[pistonpopper]

Jun 30, 2015 9:10:25 GMT mylittletony said:

Jun 30, 2015 7:58:22 GMT @automatik said:

Pardon me, you native english speakers, but what is this ginger joke all about? Can´t follow you.

There's a 'thing' here that people with red/ginger hair are weird/less attractive/etc, seems very unique to England. Exceptions to the 'rule' are pretty ladies. It's outdated and baseless, ignore it.

I was always lead to believe that it stems from ancient Anglo-Saxon prejudice against Celts, red hair being more common among people from the rocky fringes of the British Isles and less so among the dominant invaders from the continent.

It is unlikely to go away as even today my friends beautiful ginger children still get tormented in the playground, so it's still deep-rooted in the British mindset. Mind you anyone that's different faces some sort of torment, I get a lot of fattie, and badly jokes, one of my mates gets a lot of tall jokes (he's very short) and of course one of my best friends gets a lot of ginger jokes. It's all a bit tongue in cheek I think, and pretty much all water off a ducks back.

[SmokeEm]

Jun 30, 2015 9:19:06 GMT @automatik said:

Aha, it´s about hair, didn´t know that.
But I guess that´s not typically english, I guess every redhair person probably will have heard comments like carrot, lighthouse or duracell in his life?!
Maybe men will always have that burden, whereas some people talk about ladies , using terms like rusty roofs and moist cellars...?!

Thanks Tony!

Round my way, down South, if your male, ginger and have side burns, you'll be called Captain Birdseye for life as your burns look like fish fingers!  

[fireflyspeedshop]

There are obviously differing opinions on Top Gears 'Golden Era', when it got the 'formula right'. If/When it started to lose its appeal..

I purpose that there are 3 fundamental things we can all agree on:


For the majority of us, it wasn't a car show, it was a show about 3 middle aged men, messing around with a pretty high budget, with world class - spectacular production, going on adventures that most of us dream about.

It did 'contain' some amazing cars, races, genuinely fresh ideas in television.

It had some features that some of us preferred more than others, for instance, Star in a reasonably priced car had its moments, like some of the STIG only segments were genuinely brilliant. For myself it was the 'tasks' that were the best. ( the Arctic Race and the Reliant Rocket will always be with me as some of the BEST television I have ever seen. )

.. so we all took different things from Top Gear. Obviously sharing highlights - of which there were plenty.


It CANNOT ever be close to what it was without the 3x of them, obviously Clarkson being the foundation. With the passage of time however it had to come to an end at some point. I know I would selfishly prefer the 3x of them to grind the mill ( like David Attenbourough and his breathtaking BBC Nature programs ), till they are wheeled around in wheel chairs.. ( that could be a good episode. )