Top Gear (The British Version)

TedTheewen · Jul 1, 2012

I had to make the distinction because there is also Top Gear U.S., Australia, Germany and I believe another nation.

Either way, I've loved this show for years. I've always looked forward to the lads and their various op-ed pieces, essays and varied television shows.

But now the BBC has decided that there will be no more Top Gear until 2013. Why? Because England doesn't have enough fat people singing on the telly. Long story short, Britain's Got Talent and X Factor have to be concluded first.

I'm horrified. One of the most popular shows in the world has been delayed long enough to kill it.

Bring me the head of Simon Cowell!

Perks · Jul 1, 2012

What?! It's probably my favorite show ever. I get the full episodes from Netflix a while after they air there in the UK. I guess I'll be waiting a long time for more.

The BBC have long had a bit of an issue with Clarkson and the show in general, haven't they?

TedTheewen · Jul 1, 2012

I think they don't like some of his comments and the antics of the lads, but to be honest, that's what folks like. I mean, I love hearing what he says, and they always make me laugh.

Perks · Jul 1, 2012

TedTheewen said:
I think they don't like some of his comments and the antics of the lads, but to be honest, that's what folks like. I mean, I love hearing what he says, and they always make me laugh.

Oh, I do too. I think he's hilarious.

TedTheewen · Jul 1, 2012

Right. We, the fans, love them. If it wasn't for their world-wide appeal, they wouldn't be on TV at all.

They will be doing a Christmas show, and I can only hope that is great. Plus, let's hope the TG: US gets better.

Kerosene · Jul 1, 2012

So no summer of Top Gear?

It's one of the best shows airing.

The american one is, meh. Tanner Foust is good, but the rest of the cast sucks.

Perks · Jul 1, 2012

I won't even watch it. I like cars, but it's Clarkson, Hammond, and May that make it worth the time. If it's not those guys, I'd rather play backgammon.

TedTheewen · Jul 1, 2012

Richard Hammond's shows are okay, but I dearly love James May's shows. The one where he went drinking around England was hilarious and his show about toys had some pretty cool moments.

I can only hope fan outrage does something about this terrible news.

Filigree · Jul 1, 2012

Let's hope BBC America has some pull, too. I love Clarkson and the lads, and I won't even bother with the American version. (The American versions of British shows suck, in general, but that one turned me off in the first five minutes.)

I'm still marveling over Clarkson & Company's haunting, epic South American trip.

Mclesh · Jul 1, 2012

We started watching Top Gear a couple years ago. Big fans of the British version. The American version is a very pale comparison. (Why even bother? It completely lacks the charm and humor of the British show.)

I think we have a bunch of old episodes to tide us over for a while, luckily.

TedTheewen · Jul 1, 2012

I thought the American version was a bit too forced. But, there were some funny moments and I think if the guys can get some more time together it will get better.

Tanner Foust is a great driver, but the BBC version started with writers. This is a key difference. Clarkson was a writer and May was a writer/editor before they got into this show. We Americans don't have that and tend to begin with comedians.

Mclesh · Jul 1, 2012

TedTheewen said:
I thought the American version was a bit too forced. But, there were some funny moments and I think if the guys can get some more time together it will get better.

Tanner Foust is a great driver, but the BBC version started with writers. This is a key difference. Clarkson was a writer and May was a writer/editor before they got into this show. We Americans don't have that and tend to begin with comedians.

Yeah, maybe you're right, it just needs time so they can get into the groove. It's tough to compete against personalities that mesh so well together like Clarkson, May and Hammond.

DreamWeaver · Jul 1, 2012

I tuned into Top Gear the first time by accident, just in time to see the 1-mile race between an old VW Beetle and a new Porsche 911, which the VW won (hint...no, never mind. Would hate to ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it). How can anyone not love a program like that?????? How can they delay our new episodes?

Second favorite moment: when Clarkson told Cameron Diaz, "I love Priuses."

TedTheewen · Jul 1, 2012

Here's a link of famous Clarkson quotes.

You know, the 60 Minute story they did on them seemed genuinely confused as to why so many of us love that show. Good. It's our's.

TedTheewen · Jul 1, 2012

I found a forum for James May fans. Yes, it really does exist. It's a good laugh, check it out.

Perks · Jul 2, 2012

When Clarkson said that the Porche Panamera was "as ugly as an inside out monkey" I almost died laughing. Up until then, it was the only Porche I actually liked, but now I can't see one without nearly swallowing my tongue from sniggering.

Old Hack · Jul 2, 2012

Mclesh said:
Yeah, maybe you're right, it just needs time so they can get into the groove. It's tough to compete against personalities that mesh so well together like Clarkson, May and Hammond.

Top Gear ran for years with Clarkson and others--Tiff Needell (sp?) was one; Quentin Wilson another. Clarkson was just as he is now, even then. Then the BBC decided it needed reformatting, and sacked them all. Some of the people moved to Channel 5 and a new program was created: Fifth Gear, which is still running. Clarkson was given a chat show, which lasted about ten minutes.

The new format Top Gear, with all its new presenters, died in the ratings and after Clarkson had a bit of fun playing about on other shows, Top Gear was relaunched in its current format with Clarkson, Hammond and some other bloke whose name escapes me now, whose speciality was second hand cars. May was brought in for the second series, I think, and has been there ever since.

Clarkson often makes sarcastic comments about Fifth Gear, even now.

Stiger05 · Jul 2, 2012

I'm appalled they put crappy singing shows ahead of Top Gear. It's one of my favorites! I tried the American version and I don't think I made it through one episode. They were just redoing the same stuff from the British version but not nearly as well. The focus (at least in the episode I caught) was on American cars, and American cars pale in comparison to pretty much everything else so they lost me from the start.

TedTheewen · Jul 2, 2012

I have to wonder if making a stink about this would change the BBC policy.

I love it when Clarkson makes Fifth Gear jokes and I share his disdain for Piers Morgan.

Mr Flibble · Jul 2, 2012

TedTheewen said:
Richard Hammond's shows are okay,

I used to love Brainiacs, before Vic Reeves ruined it.

Stiger05 · Jul 2, 2012

IdiotsRUs said:
I used to love Brainiacs, before Vic Reeves ruined it.

Ahhh! Brainiac! Loved it. I don't get G4 anymore, which is what they showed it on in the US, but man that was a great show. I still catch myself saying "I can do science, me" hehe.

Mclesh · Jul 3, 2012

Old Hack said:
Top Gear ran for years with Clarkson and others--Tiff Needell (sp?) was one; Quentin Wilson another. Clarkson was just as he is now, even then. Then the BBC decided it needed reformatting, and sacked them all. Some of the people moved to Channel 5 and a new program was created: Fifth Gear, which is still running. Clarkson was given a chat show, which lasted about ten minutes.

The new format Top Gear, with all its new presenters, died in the ratings and after Clarkson had a bit of fun playing about on other shows, Top Gear was relaunched in its current format with Clarkson, Hammond and some other bloke whose name escapes me now, whose speciality was second hand cars. May was brought in for the second series, I think, and has been there ever since.

Clarkson often makes sarcastic comments about Fifth Gear, even now.

Clarkson sarcastic? What? Lol. I didn't realize the history of the show since we've only been watching for the past couple of years. I did know that they've had multiple Stigs.

A little off topic, but something very cool (and since Tanner Foust has been mentioned in this thread). This was from the close of the X Games in Los Angeles where Tanner Foust and Greg Tracy drive Hot Wheels cars through an actual double loop. It's pretty amazing: http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blog...ld-record-162920297--abc-news-topstories.html

TedTheewen · Jul 3, 2012

I love that vid!

Top Gear (The British Version)

AW's Most Adorable Sociopath

delicate #!&@*#! flower

AW's Most Adorable Sociopath

delicate #!&@*#! flower

AW's Most Adorable Sociopath

Your Pixie Queen

delicate #!&@*#! flower

AW's Most Adorable Sociopath

Mildly Disturbing

It's too hot

AW's Most Adorable Sociopath

It's too hot

Shakespearean Fool

AW's Most Adorable Sociopath

AW's Most Adorable Sociopath

delicate #!&@*#! flower

Such a nasty woman

AW's Most Adorable Sociopath

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

It's too hot

AW's Most Adorable Sociopath