Top Gear Australia [Archive] - Australian Land Rover Owners

carjunkieanon

29th September 2008, 09:52 PM

I must be in a different time zone, finished over an hour ago in NSW.

I don't reckon it was crap. Top Gear UK has been running for over 11 seasons now. I watched the first again recently, that was pretty poor.

Whatever Top Gear Aus does will be compared to UK, and whatever the presenters do/say will be compared to Clarkson, Hammond & May.

Our three, Warren, Blond & Stubble seem a bit self conscious so far - to be expected for their first show - huge weight on their shoulders. But I enjoyed seeing Australia, & a bit of Aussie humour even if it was put on. Once they stop interrupting e/o with prepared jokes & get a bit more spontaeous it'll improve.

I was a bit disappointed with the race track tho. Looked like a 2 car wide strip of tarmac as tho someone had said 'we need a track at an airodrome', but only Back'o'nowhere would let them do it - looked more run down than the US race track.

They were a little preemptive to ahve the studio filled with the cars that we'll presumably see them use in upcoming episodes (the equivalent to the UK Hilux), surely you should only put it in the shed once it's been aired.

If they let it run for a few seasons they should really hit their stride.

MarknDeb

29th September 2008, 09:53 PM

It would be ok if they didnt try to be the real Top Gear crew, HMMMM did anyone else pick up who the Stig was by the way he sat when driving, i reckon it has to be Skaife.
Yes i agree 3 jap crap soft roaders when there is a couple of Euro ones that would have performed better.
OOHHHH cant wait for next week, Ford against Holden what a thrilling show that will be, as if we dont get that shoved in our faces enough now :wasntme:

DiscoDan

29th September 2008, 09:55 PM

i'm watching it right now... 10 mins in... i think they're a bunch of knobs. you know, just first impressions.... i may grow to like them... maybe i'm comparing it too much to the real top gear...

I have too agree, however I think they are trying to be the pommie guys and not us comparing them to the English.

If they relax and be themselves it should get better, they did so the short comings of the soft roader though

carjunkieanon

29th September 2008, 10:02 PM

OOHHHH cant wait for next week, Ford against Holden what a thrilling show that will be, as if we dont get that shoved in our faces enough now :wasntme:

I can see the marketing point of it tho, if you're trying to tap into a huge part of the australian motor loving market.

Here's hoping Warren will get some influence to bring real cars in down the track.

mickrae

29th September 2008, 10:02 PM

The kids liked it and the moke boat painted in Kermet colour they loved but the sharks where not hungry ha

SenatorKang

29th September 2008, 10:04 PM

still watching... havn't turned it off yet... but i am still on the intarweb at the same time...

i think i am approaching it from the wrong angle. i'm already biased because i don't see the point... in my opinion there was no need to make top gear aus and US, just like there was no need to make terminator 3 or a spiderman 2 and 3.. and so on...

but forgetting all that, it's not so bad

neil-d1

29th September 2008, 10:07 PM

its a thumbs down from me at this stage:( and if next week is ford v holden i probably wont bother watching

Dorko

29th September 2008, 10:09 PM

HAHAHA

So many posts already! Geez!

I just dont understand why they tried to cop the UK one. Silly!

Dorko

solmanic

29th September 2008, 10:35 PM

I didn't totally hate it!

The show has obviously got a HUGE leg-up by virtue of the graphics and formatting courtesy of the BBC. I am pleased to see that it is visually very pretty to watch, just like the original. It felt like a carbon copy. Maybe just a few too many fast edits as if the directors are just trying a wee bit too much to maintain momentum.

Did anyone else think they tried to cram too many short segments into that first show? Again, I thought they were trying to maintain pace via this method rather than substantial content. And don't the throws to ad breaks ruin the flow! Remember, the UK version is not designed to be interrupted by commercials. The version we get here has one, presumably less relevant segment removed to bring the show length down to about 45min and the remainder is then cut up for ads.

Now onto the guys...

Two words... TRY HARD! Warren and Charlie have potential to grow on you, but poor Steve Pizzati just came across as an underloved chihuahua in a pet store screaming "look at me... look at me!" Yes, they are too closely modelled on Jeremy James & Richard, but Steve irritatingly so.

Charlie is the second worst, he has obviously been groomed to take the arrogant lead role but failed to incorporate Clarkson's "ambitious but crap" self deprecation. Sure, he may be a great driver, but the show really didn't need that as a presenter quality. It would have been better to cast someone like John Dawes (aka Roy Slaven) as the lead. I would have preferred a motor enthusiast, but not necessarily a professional driver.

Warren has real potential. Yes, he is a character clone of James May, but he has got "it". A bit stiff, but hopefully will loosen up as he gets comfortable in his role. They can lay off the gratuitous cartooning opportunities though.

Now what was with Vince Collosimo? I actually had to turn over for most of his segment since he was just irritating me. Again, if they had a lead presenter who was a dedicated broadcaster then the interview wouldn't have seemed so forced. I get the feeling Vince was prepped to keep Charlie "up" but he ended up swamping him.

Yes, they had a pretty odd race track, and they didn't really have to have it at an air field. But why didn't they guide us round the track as TG UK did in its first episode? And the studio being pre-filled with show memorabilia was not right either. They have tried to introduce everyone and everything as if there is already a history. Come on guys, let the show grow its own! You didn't have to put FIVE cars around the track straight away. This was the first show, so why try so hard to make it feel like the 40th?

All in all I will probably keep watching. After all, the filming is easy on the eyes, there are going to be some nice cars, and three guys cocking about is always good for a laugh even if half of them act like knobs.

5/10

p38arover

29th September 2008, 10:39 PM

I'll give it a few weeks - maybe it will improve.

I wish the blonde bloke wouldn't shout! And he needs a haircut. Long hair on someone as old as him looks pathetic (was it also dyed?)

Oh, that designer stubble on the Hammond Jnr! I noticed that seemed de rigueur on the advertising blokes on the ABC programme THE GRUEN TRANSFER. I reckon it just looks scruffy.

I feel sorry for whoever buys those three demonstrator soft-roaders. All that salt water. What a cliched segment, driving through the water on the beach.

What a waste of a Moke. :(

Dorko

29th September 2008, 10:40 PM

Yeah there was too many short stories....

Infact i was surpised the Xtrail was rubbish. I really thought the Xtrail was just as good as the FL2.

Anyway Ford will beat Holden as long as its not a Ford V8! F6 is the Aussie Weapon for Ford!

Dorko

Bigmark

29th September 2008, 10:43 PM

It was OK, Warren is good but the old blonde fart has got to go.
What do you all reckon we mass email the show and ask for Landrovers every week HaHa!

Tommy

29th September 2008, 10:43 PM

Crikey, is that the best us Aussies can do. The show gets a big :thumbsdown: from me.

SenatorKang

29th September 2008, 10:48 PM

the best part of the show was the ad for south park, havn't watched south park in years :D

Dorko

29th September 2008, 10:51 PM

the best part of the show was the ad for south park, havn't watched south park in years :D

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHA

Dorko

Zute

29th September 2008, 11:04 PM

:thumbsup:

spudboy

29th September 2008, 11:14 PM

Well it wasn't the best TV in the world, but it was only their first week, so I'll give it another go. I've seen the first episodes of the UK Top Gear and they have improved a lot since them, so fair go to the Aussie show. Lets hope it loosens up at the weeks go by.

VladTepes

30th September 2008, 08:12 AM

Trying to hard to early but I'm sure they'll settle down.

Drving through the surf was a total **** though and hardly helpful in the current climate..... In fact the whole softroader segment was useless and poorly edited.

The "What were they thinking?" board has a lot fo potential.

I was glad they resisted the Holden Vs Ford thing for episode 1 but notice they have caved and we will see it in episode 2. As if we don;t get enough of that already.

Their spiel about the Lambo sounded like a regurgitation of a press release / car brochure.

Warren is definitely the best one on there - he did a good job of "Peking to Paris" if anyojne has seen that show.

It is odd though how the carbon-copy attempt at duplication extends to the "look" of the hosts - ok so Warren has swhorter haord than Jamjes May but otherwise.. they even look similar.

The "everyone can have a crack, send in yoru audition videos" thing they had was CLEARLY just a promotional excercsie - none of us average joe's ever had a chance ! B****ds !!

It's important to remember that it's not replacing Tiop Gear UK (that would be unforgiveable) and the more motoring shows the better - at least it's not just a big ad for Toyota.

The choice of a Proton Satria was inspired, though...... ROFL.

Michael2

30th September 2008, 08:27 AM

I liked it.

My wife didn't (she does like the UK version).

The kids weren't fussed - they normally love the UK version.

I liked that they included off roaders from the onset, and I liked that there were glimpses of Land Rovers in the montage of future episodes.

Pretty good for a first show.

crash

30th September 2008, 08:28 AM

Saw it, it was just ok. It seemed all too much scripted for me, but then again it was the first show. None of the hosts inspired me, they were trying TOO hard to impress and be like the UK series. Give them a few episodes to work out the bugs, and relax and see their real personalities come out and it should be an enjoyable show to watch.
Wait and see.

MarknDeb

30th September 2008, 08:35 AM

I liked that they included off roaders from the onset
.

:o:o:o:angel::wasntme:

Hucksta

30th September 2008, 08:36 AM

Ok,

Watched the show and read a few replies to the thread, first of all can someone help me ........... who are these blokes ... I don't know who was who ... in the replies on both threads people have been mentioning names so can someone put a name to the faces for me ....... I'll categorise each as follows

Blonde business mullet .... ??????

The not so hamster with bum fluff ..... ??????

The cartoon man with oversized front teeth .... ??????

As for the show, well, I'm sorry but it was sort of lame. I think that the major disappointment for me was the fact that they tried to almost carbon copy the pommie version. Each time they tried to do identical things to Top Gear it made me cringe, I'm hoping that it gets better and that they try and put a few of thier own stamps on the show. They need to sit down research some more topics that are more Australian and more specific to us. It's great to have fancy European cars on it and thrash them around a track or whatever, but that stuff in our environment just doesn't cut the mustard for most of us. It works on the pommie show because that is what is relevant for their corner of the world .....???????

I know that yes it is Top Gear but if they continue with a carbpn copy cheap rip off of the pommie show then it will die a very painful death. The only saving grace for it will be that that death will be swift.

That's my bit ....

Phoenix

30th September 2008, 08:36 AM

I didn't think it was bad for a first go. As others have said, there is potential there for the hosts to mesh and be quite good.

The track did look a bit anorexic, like an overgrown go kart track, but anyway. The stretch hummer was a good laugh though :D

Maybach article was a nice idea, but waaaaay too short, he barely spoke about the car or showed any of it.

Porsche footage from tas wan't too bad though, even the missus was sold on them, although she is already a fan ;)

We'll see how it pans out over time, waste of a moke though :(

catch-22

30th September 2008, 08:55 AM

I just don't get it....

if the show is not going to take on it's own identity and if it's going to follow the exact format of it's UK sister with different presenters, then what's the point??

The intro to the stig (they REALLY should have called him "A Stig", NOT "THE Stig") was a little lame......trying to say "the stig" like Clarkson is impossible..

Top gear is not really a imformative show. You would not base your purchase on their words. It's pure entertainment.....and I wasn't all that entertained.

I guess we will have to wait a few episodes for any change...not sure how far in advance they film but it can't be too far as they referenced the changes in the luxury car tax.

.....don't even get me started on their track. They should have used Wakefield park. That way, I can compare my times against some of these, ehem, supercars:D:D:D

haggisbasher

30th September 2008, 09:01 AM

was a bit "hmmmph" for me. Will watch and see if it (or they) mature.
Interesting fact is TG in the UK has been around much longer than the 11 seasons (assuming 1 season = 1 year)...in the present format. I used to watch it wayyyy back in the mid 80s with my dad..... when the racing driver was none other than Tiff Needell and one of the presenters was Quentin Willson.

Ahhh, the memories.

C

FOr more info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gear_(original_format)
Wiki is not "accurate" tho..... add an extra ) into the url

juddy

30th September 2008, 09:03 AM

The hoest were very poor, early days yet but they just seemed to be trying too hard, filming was very good just like the uk one, studio ok, test track how short was that.... must try harder...

F4Phantom

30th September 2008, 09:24 AM

I am not as harsh as most of you, compare this show to other cars shows and its still good. I also did not need them to hit the ground running but they wanted that momentum and hopefully they chill out later.

It was nice having cars in AUD and kph too. Also its good seeing all these places that I can visit, I hope they let us know where it all is cause I want to rip up the sand dunes too.

The moke thing was not really all that interesting even though I like the car stunts the most in the UK show, I suppose it didn't really have a point to it and so they need to focus on a point of achievement before making a stunt.

numpty

30th September 2008, 09:25 AM

Fancy being the first member of this forum to get a mention:Dand in the first show too. Now there's a challenge....who will be next.

I was disappointed really as they all tried too hard to be who they're not. And that Circuit, if you can call it that, has no camera presence. Steve Pizzatti reminds me in manner and speech of the small half of Lano and Woodley.

We'll wait and see if they improve.

matbor

30th September 2008, 09:30 AM

plenty of comments over at finalgear about the episode ! And the majority of the users give it a 7 out of 10 which is pretty good ! Probably I have is that I love watching the UK version too much and can't stop comparing them. Even my wife said she prefers the UK one !

[01x01] September 29th, 2008 - FinalGear.com Forums (http://forums.finalgear.com/tg-aus-specific-episode-discussions/01x01-september-29th-2008-a-30679/)

Matt.

p38arover

30th September 2008, 09:32 AM

Tusker

30th September 2008, 09:45 AM

I think it'll get better.

My impression was poor editing. It was too rushed, disjointed. I'm sure they'll get the balance right & let the programme flow more.

Regards
Max P

MickG

30th September 2008, 09:57 AM

Whatever Top Gear Aus does will be compared to UK, and whatever the presenters do/say will be compared to Clarkson, Hammond & May.

You are correct, which is why I am so dissapointed that they chose to try and replicate the UK version as closely as possible..........in every regard........even the stig intro......that was just painful:(

They should try and forge their own way as one of the many reasons the UK version works so well is due to the presenters.........these guys (who I have never head of incidentally) should simply be themselves and have some fun with it. I think the Australian public will respond to them much better if they stop trying so hard to be like the UK version.

Will keep watching though to see how it goes.

duncanw

30th September 2008, 02:09 PM

it gave me a headache.

Zej

30th September 2008, 02:13 PM

It has potential, and I've got high hopes for it buuut...

It did seem a little too try-hard and contrived. The first UK Top Gear seasons were very analytical and informative about the cars they drove.

The first episode of Top Gear AU had three people doing silly stuff with softroaders without really commenting or objectively comparing them. I don't think they even swapped cars at any stage. Seems to be aimed at mindless sheep rather than car geeks like myself who would have looooved to know which Lotus Elise they had on the track!! The 111S or 111R?!?!

I already like Warren Brown... Charlie might grow on me, but short dude's a bit painful to watch right now.

VladTepes

30th September 2008, 02:13 PM

You are correct, which is why I am so dissapointed that they chose to try and replicate the UK version as closely as possible..........in every regard........even the stig intro......that was just painful:(
.

Some say that Skippy the Bush Kangaroo was actually STIG in fancy dress.
Some say that he carried casualties from the cliffs at Gallipoli,
All we know is he's called the STIG.

PhilipA

30th September 2008, 02:50 PM

I dunno.
I was left curiously unsatisfied. Some parts were OK , but they didn't really do any commentary on the Softies at all, and UKTG would have done that, even it was only Clarkson showing how much better a Rangie would have been. My wife asked me what I thought about and I couldn't really give definitive answer.
Still the sliding backward Xtrail was worth chuckling over, but the water driving is what the mighty performer the rental ( or press test) car only can do.

I think it will struggle if it keeps the current format, as the car market is vastly different here than UK. There WERE heaps of City of London types who could actually afford new Porsches until this year. Already in the review in the SMH the journo observed that he nearly crossed a double line. Oh mercy.

A Proton as the cheap car? One of the dozen sold. Still it sounded OK.

I just think this "copy Clarkson" bit is just pathetic and embarrassing. An Oz show should have its own flavour. Talk about Try hards. I acrtually think peter Wherret did a better job way back.
Regards Philip A

Pedro_The_Swift

30th September 2008, 03:44 PM

actually The Stigs driving position reminded me of Mark Skaife---

:angel::eek::twisted:

isuzurover

30th September 2008, 04:27 PM

You are correct, which is why I am so dissapointed that they chose to try and replicate the UK version as closely as possible..........in every regard........even the stig intro......that was just painful:(

I agree 100%. Rather than go for a pale imitation of the original, why not an original, uniquely Australian show in the same format.

Who has a better idea of the name for the "Australian Stig"

The Brab (in memory of the venerable Jack)
The Possum (ARC fans should know)
Brocky's Ghost (could upset some).

The cheap car should have been a white commodore executive or a white camry (or whatever the current models of same are). But I guess proton gave them the best deal.

walker

30th September 2008, 04:29 PM

I thought it was all OK, but I am sure it will get better as they progress. As someone else pointed out, if you watch early series of UK Top Gear it was pretty bad.

I think they need to spend some time and get the camera positions right for the track.

Personally I think they are doing the right thing following the formula of the UK show. It is a proven success and I am sure over time they will form their own personalities.

I did like the fact that the "news" was actually relevent to us, and it will be good to see some of our"stars" go round the track.

Before the show began I thought they might use Jim Richards as the Stig, but after seeing it, it does look a lot like Skaife

barney

30th September 2008, 04:41 PM

a couple of us from the LROC in sydney got to go to the taping of the second show last saturday-week. (it will be on next week) Warren, an on and off member of our club and a devout defender driver, made a point of coming up in between scenes and saying G'day. quite a nice touch.
celebrity next week is steve bisley (aka goose from mad max).
they do relax a little more in the next show but it still feels a bit forced. i'm sure they will come around, all in all, i thought the first show was a pretty good effort compared to the pommie version's first attempt.
granted that 11 years on, the formula for the show has already been sorted, and as it is overseen by the BBC, they still get away with more colloquialisms that the poms do. more TV presenters should be able to use the word "poofteenth", we don't hear it enough on TV.
apart from the smashed up cars on the ramps around the hangar, they put all of the cars that are in the episode on the floor ready for each segment. the crowd has to follow them around.
apart from the ford v holden they mentioned at the end of the show, they also give the GT40 a run, take some utes to Kalgoorlie and fool around with a very special smart car.
should be good!
keep an eye out for the fat bald guy in the striped shirt:D

p38arover

30th September 2008, 04:55 PM

The Possum (ARC fans should know)

He was a bloody Kiwi! :mad:

MarknDeb

30th September 2008, 05:04 PM

actually The Stigs driving position reminded me of Mark Skaife---

:angel::eek::twisted:

Only that ****** drives in that position, his attitude already sucks big time his head will swell even more now, I hope Russel Ingle gets into him even more now

walker

30th September 2008, 05:07 PM

I agree 100%. Rather than go for a pale imitation of the original, why not an original, uniquely Australian show in the same format.

Who has a better idea of the name for the "Australian Stig"

The Brab (in memory of the venerable Jack)
The Possum (ARC fans should know)
Brocky's Ghost (could upset some).

The cheap car should have been a white commodore executive or a white camry (or whatever the current models of same are). But I guess proton gave them the best deal.

I liked one that they mentioned....Stiggsy!

Proton probably has the best suspension for a cheap car too.

stevo68

30th September 2008, 05:16 PM

Well as I taped it last night, will get to watch it tonight. Will be interesting having read all the thoughts/ opinions.

Regards

Stevo

isuzurover

30th September 2008, 05:43 PM

He was a bloody Kiwi! :mad:

So? He spent most of his time in OZ and raced in the ARC.

amtravic1

30th September 2008, 06:53 PM

Sorry, but the show was rubbish. It had better improve very quickly or it will not last, oh, hang on, its on SBS. It may last a while but no-one will watch it. If I was the boss at SBS I would have been embarrassed at showing something as poor as that, especially as a first show where you need to impress the audience.

Ian

Wortho

30th September 2008, 07:09 PM

I hope they let us know where it all is cause I want to rip up the sand dunes too.

It was Stockton, any time you want to let me know(i live 5mins from there).
I thought they tried to Ocker it up a bit much but that could just have been nerves. Don't understand the carbon copy though and am a little peved at the anyone can be in the running send in a tape thing. but i'll watch it again.

George130

30th September 2008, 08:05 PM

I will give a chance.
They didn't quite have the same passion as the UK show.
The race track camera angles were also botched.
It does have potential.

Tombie

30th September 2008, 08:18 PM

From what I could see the sand running was at the Millicent Buggy Club (SA)

But what a lot of *******...

That was the poorest bloody show I've ever seen and I've seen some poor shows!

Bytemrk

30th September 2008, 08:26 PM

I'm afraid I thought it was total crap...

If I happen to turn it on again.. I'll give it a chance..

I thought the softroader thing was a pile of rubbish.. showing driving in the surf and some of those moves on the dunes.. are just the perfect recipe for someone with no knowledge to kill themselves..

Trying far too hard to be Clarkson and crew...

We'll see if they improve but 2 out of 10 from me..:mad:

TimNZ

30th September 2008, 08:31 PM

Well it lived up to my expetations, only cause they were low, so low that I waited till now to watch it, and I'm writing this as I watch it. I think like many before me have said that once they "find their feet", get to know eachother better, and the blonde bloke STOPS SHOUTING the show will get better. That and they will be able to find a bit of their own theme.

I really think thrashing about in the surf, dunes, and on the snow first up was bl**dy stupid. All the anti-car types who watch it just to p*ss themselvs off will go "Yeah! 4 wheel drivers, they are the ones wrecking the planet!" They could have thought about/edited that better.

My 2c

Tim

lambrover

30th September 2008, 08:36 PM

My first impression was to try hard, the main guy the porch driver I thought he was so up him self. I couldn't believe they drove those cars through the salt water like that, f#+king idiots and byest to bloody toyota that Rav was a 50k car compared to the subaru a stock model and xtrail, I had an 05 xtl subaru forester 2.5 turbo leather the works 269KW and that would **** all over the Rav for power and handling for the same money as that model toyota they had. now we will go through bogan holden vs ford crap. just give us 4x4:D

Captain_Rightfoot

30th September 2008, 08:54 PM

It was a little annoying. I'll give them some time yet.

Did anyone notice how old the audience was at the show? They looked much older than the pommy one.

Slunnie

30th September 2008, 09:05 PM

Here we go...

I missed it, but here it all is.

Pt1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkdWXL1ekwc&feature=PlayList&p=B3E72F3A30440567&index=0

Pt2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44cJ0RnoByE&feature=PlayList&p=B3E72F3A30440567&index=1

Pt3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIx3yywgcUs&feature=PlayList&p=B3E72F3A30440567&index=2

Pt4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Sm0sVbJ4Y&feature=PlayList&p=B3E72F3A30440567&index=3

Pt5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9bSLdJTe0Q&feature=PlayList&p=B3E72F3A30440567&index=4

Pt6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAWdktQaTWk&feature=PlayList&p=B3E72F3A30440567&index=5

p38arover

30th September 2008, 09:15 PM

Did anyone notice how old the audience was at the show? They looked much older than the pommy one.

The UK show brings all the good looking girls to the front, too!

Wortho

30th September 2008, 09:54 PM

From what I could see the sand running was at the Millicent Buggy Club (SA)

Not unless the Sygna ran aground there too.

Disco95

30th September 2008, 10:08 PM

I think it needs time to get its own life.

big guy

30th September 2008, 10:16 PM

Say it how you like.
That show was crap.

I hope they find their feet also, just that its an emberresment to the country in my opinion.

wally

30th September 2008, 10:27 PM

Say it how you like.
That show was crap.

I hope they find their feet also, just that its an emberresment to the country in my opinion.

I agree, it was crap. We just didn't need it. The UK show might not have been great to start with but it's great now. Why cheapen the whole thing with something so inferior. I hope no Pommies ever get to see it. It's too embarrassing. Holden vs Ford eh? Think I'll give it a miss.

MickG

1st October 2008, 08:16 AM

Here's what the SMH (http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/top-gears-first-lap/2008/09/29/1222650986432.html) had to say about it.

Phoenix

1st October 2008, 08:41 AM

Thanks for that slunnie, I missed the start of the show, saves me downloading the whole thing!

Shonky

1st October 2008, 09:49 AM

Charlie came off as a complete knob. I spent most of the show wishing he would stop talking.

Pizatti looked like a ferret, and he spoke and acted like he had a nervous tic. I spent most of the show wishing he too, would stop talking.

Warren was good. :) He came off comfortable and managed to make it all sound less scripted.

The shark stunt was crap. They trashed a moke and the sharks didn't even do anything. They had shots of the car, shots of the sharks. shots of the car, shots of the sharks - but never the twain did meet. Wasteful and woeful.

stevo68

1st October 2008, 09:52 AM

Well I only got to watch half of it last night and would have to concur with the overall sentiment on here. The only time I found it bearable watching the long haired git was when he was behind the wheel of the porsche. The imitation "hamster" not much chop, just looked like some scruffy bogan they pulled off the streets and the "James" impersonator was the most likeable out of the bunch. It reminds me of the US take off of The Office....its just not the same.....and never will be. Its not so much the format and content of some of these shows, its the personalities that make it. I'd still watch it, if only for the cars, and maybe when they start to fall into synch and it isn't so cringingly embarrassing to watch some of the "take off's" i.e. like presenting the "stig", it may come together. I will see if my mind changes once I have watched the last half hour,

Regards

Stevo

Slunnie

1st October 2008, 10:07 AM

I think that this will be as bad as it gets. They'll settle in and improve as they stop trying so hard. Its a little bit like the sequal of a movie, where yo go in with certain expectations - which rarely get met. There were a couple of annoying things in it, most notably for me was Charlie's constant wide arm movements and generally when he was speaking - I think that he has the most pressure on him, but he is just trying waaaaay too hard. I thought Steve was really good, and I think that he will become like the Roothy of the show with great character and a similar fang to many of us. I also like Warren as he is naive and a bit more real about it. Given a few episodes and months when they are settled and I think it'll be pretty good. Oh, and the Stig.... well, I reckon Lewis Hamilton would be the coolest Stig ever... but thats not him. They need to give the Stig some personality - but thats time also.

DiscoDan

1st October 2008, 01:14 PM

So many people have written the show off by saying it is crap......

check out some of the other channels........:eek:

As I said earlier they need to relax but

A show about cars is not crap.:mad:

dullbird

1st October 2008, 01:23 PM

So many people have written the show off by saying it is crap......

check out some of the other channels........:eek:

As I said earlier they need to relax but

A show about cars is not crap.:mad:

mmmmm thats your opinion, my opinion is 5th gear is CRAP!!!!! thats a car show.......and i will not watch it, topgear wasn't as bad as 5th gear i dont think but they still have a way to go...i think the next couple of episodes will possibly make or brake them.

I had also heard that the shows were going to be acknowledged by the other shows..for example T/G uk will make jabs etc at T/G australia and vis versa, but i thought to do this both shows would have to be shown in the said countrys otherwise it would be waisted......If this is the case then its a worry because at the moment T/G australia if shown in the UK would FLOP i think:)

stevo68

1st October 2008, 01:25 PM

Hey does anyone know when TGUK is coming back on here??

Regards
Stevo

MickG

1st October 2008, 01:37 PM

Poll: Is Top Gear Australia in with the sharks already? - Cars (http://www.cnet.com.au/cartech/cars/0,2000438541,339292332,00.htm)
Found another review

Have to agree with the last line of the review - "By aping the original turn-for-turn, however, they've invited a head-to-head comparison that they can't hope to win."

barney

1st October 2008, 01:40 PM

i am under the impression that TGUK wil return in the "off" season when TGA has run it's course for the year. some on this thread will argue that TGA is currently in the "off" season, but i reckon they gave it a good go and yes Cox needs to settle a bit and stop trying so hard. it'd be nice if he directed most of his dialogue towards the camera and us, the viewers.
i would suspect that TGUK will not denegrate the aussie show by showing the bad bits, let's face it, they own the aussie show as well. i'd say they will probably get the most mileage from the stunts and test TGA does. they will have a good laugh at our off beat sense of humour shown in the type of idiotic and dangerous things the three aussie get up to.

Slunnie

1st October 2008, 03:01 PM

I wonder if TGA will also be shown in the UK during the offseason. Perhaps the master plan to have Top Gear all year round all over the world!!!!!

<insert evil laugh here> :firedevil:

stevo68

1st October 2008, 03:03 PM

<MMMUUUWWWWAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAA> :firedevil: :twisted:

Regards

Stevo

isuzurover

1st October 2008, 03:18 PM

I had also heard that the shows were going to be acknowledged by the other shows..for example T/G uk will make jabs etc at T/G australia and vis versa, but i thought to do this both shows would have to be shown in the said countrys otherwise it would be waisted......If this is the case then its a worry because at the moment T/G australia if shown in the UK would FLOP i think:)

The moke/shark stunt seemed to be blatantly catering for crocodile hunter loving overseas audiences to me.

LOVEMYRANGIE

1st October 2008, 03:38 PM

Jeremy, James and Richard were all well known BEFORE TGUK started.
Who are these guys, and WTF is with that moustache?????
I would have thought that there would have been plenty of experienced talent in driving, industry knowledge and presenting rather than these guys????
Although the format was intended to be identical to TGUK, its just too much of a ripoff for me fronted by nobodies. FFS, even introducing "The Stig" we got the "Some say he's......"!!
Nothing really unique to it apart from the fact they having a Holden v Ford week next week.
I'll give it another week or so and if I cant get my head around it, best dust off some of my TG DVD's!!

mark2

2nd October 2008, 11:34 AM

The shark stunt was crap. They trashed a moke and the sharks didn't even do anything. They had shots of the car, shots of the sharks. shots of the car, shots of the sharks - but never the twain did meet. Wasteful and woeful.

I seem to recall a lot of waste in the UK version also........ Hopefully the challenges/stunts will get better/funnier. They are one of the best aspects of the show IMHO.

moose

2nd October 2008, 06:04 PM

Those who think it rubbish, check out the first 2 or 3 seasons of top gear UK, it was pretty ordinary. Ok so they need to work on being a bit more charismatic (and for me I thought pizzati was the better one), but really, look at the other aussie made shows at the moment, dancing with the c grade celebs, aussie "idol", etc.

big guy

2nd October 2008, 08:07 PM

I hope you are right if you think the show will pick up.

For now though it was utter crap.
Holden versus Ford.
Big deal. Both are US companies.

There really is no Auusie car.

Anyway, lets see what happens.

Still crap though.

Slunnie

2nd October 2008, 08:16 PM

big guy

2nd October 2008, 08:32 PM

To some extend I guess thats right.

We had pre-conceived ideas and basically nothing could have lived up to the hipe, especially what they served up at the 1st show.

Bushie

2nd October 2008, 09:06 PM

I recorded it, but still haven't watched it yet. My eldest daughter (a Top Gear fan) has told me not to waste an hour of my life, so she's obviously not impressed. I will however try to watch over the weekend.

Martyn

V8Landy

2nd October 2008, 09:46 PM

I thought it was very forced but has potential.

walker

6th October 2008, 10:45 PM

Well, no-one has commented on the 2nd episode of TGA. Maybe that means no-one watched it.

I saw it and although I did defend it last week I have come to this conclusion. "I like the way it is put together and the segments and the contents....I just dont like all 3 presenters"

djhampson

6th October 2008, 10:49 PM

I enjoyed tonights episode but the short dude (steve) is trying to hard. I liked the mine challenge a good unique idea.

dmdigital

6th October 2008, 10:53 PM

MarknDeb

6th October 2008, 10:55 PM

Nah i didnt watch it i opted for 2 & Half Men, a lot more entertaining.
Cant wait till episode 7 of series 11 is uploaded so i cant enjoy the real thing again

carjunkieanon

6th October 2008, 11:00 PM

Yeah, I liked the mine bit best - again, heaps of potential for more laughs. C/H/M would've been running into each other, crashing into the Cat - I'm sure they'd have squashed something. Our version must not have the money.

I still reckon it'll get good.

The Smart Hearse was pretty funny, esp when they pulled up at the real funeral directors place.

r

p38arover

6th October 2008, 11:16 PM

Another wasted hour.

The test track seems slow.

The mine segment saw 3 more vehicles damaged for what? My wife also questioned its value. It certainly wasn't entertaining.

The hearse segment wasn't funny, either.

Still, it was better than watching 2-1/2 Men or whatever it's called - not that that's saying much.

abaddonxi

6th October 2008, 11:18 PM

I liked this episode better than last week, seemed to hang together better and the presenters seemed more comfortable. Or the show flowed better and I didn't notice the presenters quite so much.

I hope they can keep it going, I imagine this kind of show costs a bomb to make. A mate recently produced a half-hour per episode show and said they were surviving on freebies and volunteers at about $80k an episode. That didn't include travelling all over Australia and breaking stuff.

Cheers
Simon

dullbird

6th October 2008, 11:30 PM

yep i agree deffinatly better than last week if they improve each show as they start to relax should be pretty good in a couple of years :D....no seriously though i reckon it is improving

Tommy

7th October 2008, 01:36 AM

Crikey, is that the best us Aussies can do. The show gets a big :thumbsdown: from me.

Now it's double :thumbsdown:

I have a suggestion for their 'What Were They Thinking' wall.....Top Gear Australia

What a load of cr@p. A sterile, unfunny and embarrassingly bad piece of personality starved twaddle :mad:

And to think I spent so many sleepless nights anxiously waiting for this show to arrive :mad:

CaverD3

7th October 2008, 09:12 AM

Well after Warren's comments about Tata and the Defender we are all going to cop it from the Land Rover knockers tomorrow at work.

I think they could ditch the other 2 and it wouldn't matter.

Also a CAT793 is about $4M so if you do the sums as per their little test... it works out a 0.39c which was worse than any of the ute's.

Warren is the best of them. He did a good job with the Peking to Paris series.

How many utes would get used up per week? And you would need thousands of the things each with a driver plus thousands of skid steer loaders with drivers, place would be humming though.:angel:

Psimpson7

7th October 2008, 09:17 AM

I thought it was better than last weeks show, but the Stig in the GT40 didnt look like he was trying that hard, and the destruction of the utes was pretty pointless..... There was a lot of damage done there.

Holden vs Ford no result was a bit of a cop out too.

Phoenix

7th October 2008, 09:22 AM

I agree about Warren, I reakon he is the best of the bunch!

The show flowed better than last week. The hearse was pretty average, if there had been angle grinders involved I would have been interested ;)

The fake arguing got a bit tiresome as well, but all inall a step forward I think. The Ford Vs Holden wasn't anywhere near as bad as it could have been.

I do think they are doing too many challenges and not enough car reviews though.

29dinosaur

7th October 2008, 09:29 AM

I cringed through episode one.... it was pathetic. I was out last night for episode 2 - son taped it... now to get up the courage fro episode 2. The blonde tall bloke is enough to make me throw up.

Captain_Rightfoot

7th October 2008, 09:32 AM

I thought it was ok. It's getting better anyway. S2 will be the one to watch if it makes it.

I could not believe how dusty the track that they used he gt40 on was. That can't have helped the time.

solmanic

7th October 2008, 09:38 AM

So they made it to week two... big deal. It's SBS and they probably have the budget stitched up for the entire series so even if no-one's watching it should run till the end.

Did anyone notice there was actually a LOT less of Steve in last night's episode. Charlie and Warren have got the lion's share of the air-time, so for that reason I did enjoy episode two better than ep.1 - but only by a smidgin. It will survive on my weekly watching list only by virtue of the fact that there is nothing else on and TG-UK is still a few weeks from series 12.

On a positive note, episode two had the first quotable quote... from Charlie whilst driving the Ford GT ... "kids mutate as it drives by...". A dozen or more of these and I could get enthusiastic! We are however, still a looooong way from the rapid fire banter of Jeremy, James & Richard.

Holden vs Ford... is that it! They both win??? What a poor, weak, industry suck-up attempt that was. The writers, producers and presenters must have all left their balls at home this week if that's the limit of insight they could offer. Come on, we all knew that TG-Aus couldn't survive without some degree of local car industry support, but that's what makes the original so damn good. They bag EVERYONE! Where were the withering remarks about these two pre-historic tin cans that should have made Holden & Ford execs penises just shrivel up and drop clean off?!? Weak!

I agree that the super-pit segment had potential, but once again it was nobbled by quick-fire, un-funny one liners from three guys just struggling to inject personality. Again, they all thought shouting was a substitute for wit and pith. At least they did some damage.

Guest Steve Bisley was, in my opinion, better than Vince Colosimo. He at least had some interesting stories to tell about Mad Max and his car history - although I get the feeling they may have sounded funnier in the heads of the writers when they were putting the show together. But Charlie's interview technique still leaves a lot to be desired. Unlike other interview programs, Top Gear guest segments are not really about the guest. They are about Jeremy Clarkson paying out on the guest and getting some back, and occasionally we learn something of the guests' car & driving history.

So in summary, by episode two the producers seem keen to reinforce Charlie & Steve's driving skill since it's clear they have no personality and, once again, more gratuitous cartooning from Warren for no apparent reason. Better paced than episode one, and still great to look at, but no reason to turn the sound up. 5/10

MickG

7th October 2008, 09:44 AM

Turned it off half way through and removed it from series link record:( Top Gear UK started as an informative show about cars and morphed into a fun program with some jovial challenges albeit relatively pointless....but the humour was there with the presenters and the show worked as they found their way. TGA is trying to be funny off the bat without "earning their stripes" and it just doesn't work for me. It is neither funny nor informative and I honestly can't see it getting any better unless they up the budget, change the presenters or change the format. I'm sure their are contractural obligations being a franchise but really, until I read some positive feedback my time can be better spent doing something else each Monday.

101RRS

7th October 2008, 10:22 AM

but the Stig in the GT40 d

It was a Ford GT not a Ford GT40:cool:

Garry

dullbird

7th October 2008, 11:13 AM

It was a Ford GT not a Ford GT40:cool:

Garry

mmmmmm i thought it was based on the gt40....
and the only difference of the one he was drving to the GT40 that say clarkson had was it was right hand drive, the first one ever built.

it certainly looks exactly the same as a GT40.

Phoenix

7th October 2008, 12:20 PM

Ford say it was 'inspired' by the GT 40, and the new one is just called the GT. But anybody with 1/2 a brain can tell it's not a lot more than a modern replica with a thumper of an engine.

Not that it means there is anything wrong with it, although the engine is rather thirsty. Clarkson was getting about 8mpg out of his, and only 4 on the track!

mark2

7th October 2008, 12:36 PM

BMKal

7th October 2008, 12:52 PM

Nah i didnt watch it i opted for 2 & Half Men, a lot more entertaining.Cant wait till episode 7 of series 11 is uploaded so i cant enjoy the real thing again

Entertaining ?????

I'd rather sit out on the lawn and watch the grass grow. :p

dhard

7th October 2008, 12:59 PM

The Holden/Ford test was a total farce.

All they did was drive them around the track, trying to throw them sideways as much as possible and say how good they are.

I didnt see episode 1, but I couldnt believe how hard they are trying to copy TG - UK.

All in all, while the cringe factor was high, I enjoyed it as its still a show about cars. I think the potential is there for it to get better.

Putting the cars in powerslides is what top gear made famous. Tiff needel had every car sideways at some point and now he is on fifth gear he still is at. Clarkson does his best to get sideways as well. Drifting is great camera action. Jury still out on presenters though uk ones are pretty good

weeds

7th October 2008, 01:18 PM

i didn't watch the show but from talk around work today we are wondering you is going to take the kick for allowing the utes into the superpit.....:o

stuee

7th October 2008, 05:47 PM

Its hard to see why there's so little Australian television from this discussion.

It's going to take more than a week for feedback from viewers to be received and make any changes. It just seems from the start many people are not even willing to give it a shot.

Admittedly there's a lot of work to be done. But chastising it isn't going to help make it any better. I think for an SBS production it isn't that bad (even if it is owned by BBC it wont have the same sort of budget).

The presenters seem to be getting used to their role and the segments were IMO much better this week. I found the show half entertaining. It was a bit weak not deciding a winner between the holden and ford or even running them around the track without excessive drift as a comparrison.

And Im not sure where people are coming from with the complaints about damaging vehicles. Havnt seen the TGUK show much I imagine??? Suzuki Swift ice hockey springs to mind.

The superpit segment was a laugh (along with their pretty accurate description of kal :wasntme:). The Stig driving the trucks was great. The acting left a bit to be desired and sure if it was in the UK there would have been a defender. But I think it was pretty original idea and a very good aussie adaptation of the sort of things TGUK get up too. Im not sure why anyone would be in trouble over it though?? Doubt the production team would get anywhere near the site without the proper approvals and paper work.

Im gonna give the show a chance. Much prefer to watch a sub standard aussie adaptation of top gear than see the likes of big brother or idol on tv.

BigJon

7th October 2008, 06:35 PM

Much prefer to watch a sub standard aussie adaptation of top gear than see the likes of big brother or idol on tv.

:arms::banana::thumbsup: Couldn't agree more!

VladTepes

7th October 2008, 06:54 PM

I agree with Stuee (post 110)

Ace

7th October 2008, 08:28 PM

I dont think its that bad, its only the second week, they have filmed the first 9 episodes so i am told.

My biggest gripe is they advertised a competition for people to enter and audition for the role of the presenters, and the stig. In the description of what they were after they said they wanted typical aussie people with a love and knowledge of cars, not just people who would come in and try to copy clarkson, may and hammond. The 3 blokes they chose fit into the slots clarkson, may and hammond fill. The pommy bloke who does all the talking the equivalent of Clarkson, and i believe tries to hard to be like him, with little success. The other old bloke, Warren is the dry sort of bloke like May, and the young enthusiastic guy is just there to fill the hammond spot.

They said they were looking for typical aussie blokes and that they didnt necessarily need to have experience in the car industry, a love and knowledge of cars would be good. Then what they have gone and done was pick 3 bloke with extensive experience in the car/motorsport scene. The typical aussie bloke they asked for didnt stand a chance, i reckon they had their men picked well in advance. A typical aussie bloke would have brought an aussie element to the show.

Whilst i dont mind the show and i will watch it every week to see where they go with it, we will never accept it because we are comparing it to the UK top gear, if the makers take it and make the show more australian and original i dont see why it cant take off. Matt

Redback

7th October 2008, 08:34 PM

I didn't think it was that bad, in fact the hearse bit was very funny, you blokes need too lighten up.

Baz.

big guy

7th October 2008, 08:56 PM

I was an extra on the show 10 days ago.

Thanks to one of the links here, I applied and went.
Stood for 8 hours, had to smile, where there was nothing to smile, there were so mant takes, it was almost a joke.

Was told i am not allowed to say anything on what is coming next on any threads on internet etc.

Not sure anyone would want to know, I for one can actually hardly remember, I was so bored.

The excitement and build up for the show was so great that anything they put on would have been a let down.

I do hope the show will pick up and they need not try so hard as when they spoke normally off camera, they seemed liked top blokes.

May i just slip a land rover will soon be sighted on TGA.
Oops, there I said it.

i put myself in the corner on the naughty matt now.

lnd130

7th October 2008, 09:00 PM

agree totally the hearse part was quite well done the gt was good but the over acted, imposturism.the rest of the program to borrow from the english was ****te............................................ ..........

Tommy

7th October 2008, 09:16 PM

Stood for 8 hours, had to smile, where there was nothing to smile, there were so mant takes, it was almost a joke.

During next weeks show, have a look at the 'studio' audience when the 3 lads are chatting between themselves. Last week, they all looked as if they had been interned in a concentration camp and their lives were about to come to an end.

Sorry for the negativity but I am soooooooooooo disappointed :mad:

solmanic

7th October 2008, 11:56 PM

My biggest gripe is they advertised a competition for people to enter and audition for the role of the presenters, and the stig. ...They said they were looking for typical aussie blokes and that they didnt necessarily need to have experience in the car industry, a love and knowledge of cars would be good. Then what they have gone and done was pick 3 bloke with extensive experience in the car/motorsport scene. The typical aussie bloke they asked for didnt stand a chance, i reckon they had their men picked well in advance.

I agree. I was one of the thousands who auditioned with comedy and performance experience but only an average knowledge of cars. Did my piece on the new Defender - off-road at the local supermarket car park. I skillfully demonstrated the engine-top stubbie holder, warned of the dangers of small children in the back seat falling out through the panel gaps and finished parked diagonally across a couple of disabled parking spaces thinking I would have a reasonable chance.

A mate of mine (professional actor/writer/producer) did actually get called to Sydney for a face to face audition. When he told me who got on the short, short list my worst fears were confirmed. The hype surrounding the open auditions was really just that - hype. Designed to promote the show more than actually unearth any new talent.

I was an extra on the show 10 days ago....Not sure anyone would want to know, I for one can actually hardly remember, I was so bored.

Welcome to the thrilling world that is not-live TV. The ratio we used to use was one hour of production = 1 minute of product.

8th October 2008, 01:14 AM

[quote] "May i just slip a land rover will soon be sighted on TGA.
Oops, there I said it."

Article in a week end paper in WA before episode 1, mentioned a trip from the centre of Aust to QLD with a TDV8 RR. To go to air over a few episodes. Cannot remember much more on the details, was going to be a few other 4WDS included.
Did anybody else see the same write up in WA?

HangOver

8th October 2008, 01:28 AM

i saw it for the first time this week, watched about 15 mins then I let the missus watch idol/australian pop star/dancer whatever it was.
both of them made me want to poke my eyes out so I figure might as well let the missus be happy if they are both awful.
I played on the net instead

Phoenix

8th October 2008, 08:42 AM

actually on the first episode there was a short clip of 3 4wd's out bush, and a RRS was one of them@!

rick130

8th October 2008, 12:19 PM

I can't believe how critical some of you lot are.

The cultural cringe is alive and well !

Brand new show, new presenters, new production team who have to find a 'chemistry' and as for the criticism it's too much like UKTG UK, it's a franchise and made under license for Gods sake !

I thought episode two was a big improvement on episode one. Everyone was much more relaxed, much less shouting, etc.
I hope it continues to improve and will keep watching and am sure it will become more 'Australian' as they find their feet.

just my $0.02

DiscoDan

8th October 2008, 01:28 PM

I have to agree with Rick130

I tried not to compare this weeks show with the English one and guess what it worked.

The show I thought was pretty good. Vast improvment on last week.

OK they didn't have a winner for the Ford vs Holden but who really cares.....

If you like Holdens and they lost then you would be bitching about that, then again if you like Holdens........ there is no hope for you.:D

The bit on the Utes was pretty good, IMHO and was worth a few laughs (they should have overloaded them more to create more laughs)

I can see the boys have settled down and the show will continue to improve.

Acording to Rebel FM this moring the show was listed as 26 in the rating war. (didn't know there were that many channels) and she (radio commentor) doesn't like the use of aussie slang. (worked for Steve RIP)

I still have a soft spot for the Ford GT

Now looking forward to next week:)

barney

8th October 2008, 09:44 PM

just got back from the taping of episode 4 at bankstown.
much more relaxed and a more fun show to watch, even the missus enjoyed it.

Snapper

13th October 2008, 09:05 PM

Sorry but I can't get into Top Gear Australia. It seems that every scene they compare to Holden or Ford.

MarknDeb

13th October 2008, 09:15 PM

Sorry but I can't get into Top Gear Australia. It seems that every scene they compare to Holden or Ford.

At the end of the first i saw the second was going to be just that, Holden vers Ford so i havent watched it again but i did see a version of it Sunday, oh thats rite that was Bathurst :wasntme:

barney

13th October 2008, 09:34 PM

Sorry but I can't get into Top Gear Australia. It seems that every scene they compare to Holden or Ford.

apology accepted, you're excused from watching it!:confused:

abaddonxi

13th October 2008, 09:43 PM

Well that was a lot better.

Wasn't The Stig short, could barely see over the wheel.

Cheers
Simonb

barney

13th October 2008, 09:52 PM

they showed the previews of episode 4 at the end of tonight's show.
saw a bloke that looked like this;-
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/10/518.jpg

standing behind Jack Thompson. i even get into the previews:D:D

Pedro_The_Swift

13th October 2008, 09:56 PM

Well that was a lot better.

Wasn't The Stig short, could barely see over the wheel.

Cheers
Simonb

in the second show we saw him next to the presenters and he was taller!!

101RRS

13th October 2008, 09:57 PM

Why do they call the Stig the Stig on the Australian version of Top Gear. Initially I thought they were pretending that the Brit Stig and the Australian Stig was the same Stig but tonites introduction indicates the Australian Stig was brought up in Australia.

So why call the Australian character the Stig - why not something else.

And I wish they would stop using the term SUV for softroaders :mad:etc - a SUV is something like a Falcon XR8 ute or a SS ute. SUV in 4x4 terms is a yank term and not part of our lingo - to be stamped out at every opportunity.

Garry

barney

13th October 2008, 09:59 PM

one of my mates had a theory that the stig was whoever they could get at the time of filming. the first couple of episodes, people were speculating it was skaife, it certainly wasn't him tonight, had the same height and the same driving position as steve. julia zamira even said she thought it was steve??????????hmmmmmmm!
episode 2 where they were in the mines, they probably dressed one of the truck drivers up in the stig outfit because they don't let just anyone drive those things, they are worth too much, both purchase price and production wise.

big guy

13th October 2008, 10:48 PM

Still a crap show.

I live in hope that it takes on a life of its own.

Can't see it happen though.

101RRS

13th October 2008, 11:01 PM

carjunkieanon

14th October 2008, 12:33 AM

I missed all but the last 3 mins of Episode 3 - was it any good?

(Anyone have a copy?)

stevo68

14th October 2008, 12:41 AM

Its growing on me...hell it has cars in it...better than some other crap on at the same time :),

Regards

Stevo

Fourgearsticks

14th October 2008, 08:31 AM

I think all three shows have been good, getting better and better.

Redback

14th October 2008, 09:44 AM

The third show was good, better than the previous 2, i did enjoy the junkyard bit, very amusing, Steve and Warren are quite good and improving, Steve started out shakey but is starting too settle down, Charlie is OK, still needs to relax though.

Baz.

trobbo

14th October 2008, 12:23 PM

I liked to the story on the BMW x6, tollerated the chat with Julia Zemiro (she was far more entertaining than Charlie) and the time spent finding the cars for the scrap yard challenge but I think I wasted my time watching the rest of it.

Not a fan yet - bring back jeremy, richard and james

Quiggers

14th October 2008, 12:47 PM

Stiggo will suffice
A competent, enthusiast director would be a godsend
The presenters need guidance and direction
given they are currently unleashed and without any real modus operandi

This version of Top Gear was always on a hiding to nothing...

Hopefully, someone will take the reins and develop the show

And in a few months, will you remember any of the segments,
like we do with the TGUK programme?

TGA is not 'inspired' television, unlike its UK parent

CaverD3

14th October 2008, 12:48 PM

Major test of the show with how they dealt with complaints about the "poofteenth" complaints. Glad they didn't buckle to polital correctness.:D
Very clever response and it is one of the reasons why Top gear UK is so successful.:p

Outlaw

14th October 2008, 01:18 PM

So anyone going to see the real thing while out here???
Ticketek Australia (http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx'sh=TOPGEAR09)

Just bought my old man 2 tickets for Xmas... now to find some cheap flights and accommodation too ;)

PhilipA

14th October 2008, 01:44 PM

OK I am going to nit pick here.
They asked Julia whatever why she didn't drive a French car. Then she said , Oh I learned in a Chrysler Centura.
The boys should have know that a Centura, is Nee Chrysler 180 nee Simca 180 which is, wait for it, a French car.

Bit weak when they were rabbiting on about history and the old Starfire as if they actually know about cars.
Regards Philip A.

Quiggers

14th October 2008, 02:21 PM

Julia Zemiro to replace Charlie Cox... she's as irreverently annoying as Clarkson, and obviously knows more about cars than the 3 TGA amigos and who cares if she doesn't?

The problem with the local pesenters is obvious: lack of cred and lack of TV presence.

They all may have talents and abilities in the car biz, but as (common) unknowns, rising up to the mantle of what comes from TGUK is an onerous task.

As noted before, all of the TGUK presenters were well known prior, but the TGA guys are not and Charlie is officious and disrespectful of his partners.

TGUK is friendly banter, but TGA is a competition between the presenters.

I wonder if Charlie is taking 'acting' lessons from Dicko?

101RRS

14th October 2008, 02:25 PM

The boys should have know that a Centura, is Nee Chrysler 180 nee Simca 180 which is, wait for it, a French car.
Regards Philip A.

About the only relationship between the Centura and the Simca 180 is the body - the relationship is about as close as the old Commodore and its european cousins on which it was based and has the same basic body but not much else.

Garry

Steinzy

14th October 2008, 02:45 PM

Watched it for the first time last night....thought I was watching a "Fast Forward" **** take of the original Top Gear!

PhilipA

14th October 2008, 05:48 PM

About the only relationship between the Centura and the Simca 180 is the body - the relationship is about as close as the old Commodore and its european cousins on which it was based and has the same basic body but not much else.

And the point is?? The four cylinder was exactly a Simca 180. The body is what makes the car. Falcons and Cortinas shared drivelines and engines but a Cortina is a Cortina and a Falcon is a Falcon.
Having worked for Ford Australia, I would never claim a 6 cylinder Cortina was an Australian car, even though it only had the body of a Cortina.

Anyway, I guess it depends on your point of view. I consider a Commodore to be an Opel Rekord.ie a German car and better for it.
It was meant tongue in cheek.

Here is a quote from Go Auto.com.au which shows I was not totally correct anyway. It started as a Hillman!! or at least Humber.
hrysler KB/KC Centura
April 1975-June 1978

Since the Chrysler Sigma was actually a Mitsubishi design, we must go further back, to the hapless Centura, to track the company’s last true medium offering in Australia. The Centura was conceived in England during the latter 1960s to be a Humber, before the Roots Group was taken over by the Chrysler Corporation, which then shifted the rear-wheel drive mid-sized sedan’s development to its other European acquisition, Simca. The French aimed to take on Ford’s MkIII (TC) Cortina with this car, called the 180, with Chrysler Australia also following suit. The resulting Centura had plenty of local content, including 3.7 and 4.0-litre Hemi in-line six-cylinder engines (tied to three-speed manual and three-speed auto gearboxes) to complement the French 2.0-litre four versions. But industrial strife stranded the completely knocked down body parts imported from France on Australia’s docks for two years, delaying the Centura’s local launch until 1975. By then, the design was dated (particularly inside), and Chrysler could not price the Centura cheap enough to take on the high-flying Japanese competition, led by the top-selling Datsun 180B. The market ignored it, so Chrysler Australia turned to the Sigma for salvation, and the Centura faded into obscurity.
http://www.goauto.com.au/icons/ecblank.gif

Pedro_The_Swift

14th October 2008, 06:04 PM

Julia Zemiro to replace Charlie Cox...

Good 'Ole Quiggers!
still an eye for the right thing:cool:
She'd make a great Clarkson:misclock:

mind you by the end of her segment I'd just wished she'd shut up,,,
:p

Yorkshire_Jon

14th October 2008, 06:21 PM

Ive been a Top Gear UK fan ever since I can remember really and have to admit Ive downloaded the first two Australia episodes and watched them.

I agree its early days yet but certain aspects of the show are BETTER than the UK one. The big appeal to me is the fact that they say what they like - "its crap", "its sh*t" etc etc... Our UK show is wrapped in political correctness which sometimes strangles itself.

I think as the 3 blokes get to know each other the show will get better and blossom. Take a look at the early Top Gear UK shows - they were pretty poor! If you want proper poor television, have a look at some of the early Richard Hammond shows - he was truely awful... now he's great!

I for one will continue to watch.

stevo68

14th October 2008, 06:38 PM

I think it like many things, forget that TGA is a franchise of TGUK, one would most likely feel the same as it is new all round. I remember when I first started watching Seinfield...I knew none of the actors and was a little ho hum about it. Once I got into it, absolutely loved it...years later still enjoy watching repeats. I think on last nights show Charlie had toned down the shouting, I laughed in a few spots and as CaverD3 pointed out, they didnt cowtow ( Ron??) to the PC mobs over the comment over "poofteenth" even closed on it :). Even that 5th Gear show I have come to like over time,

Regards

Stevo

landy63

14th October 2008, 06:53 PM

I like it , Dam good show Wot. Can only grow on you.!!!

maclad

14th October 2008, 10:09 PM

embarrassingly bad

VladTepes

14th October 2008, 10:32 PM

Haven't seen this weeks yet - I taped it - should I bother ?

Yeah I'll give it a go - I'm a car addict.

trobbo

15th October 2008, 03:24 PM

Good 'Ole Quiggers!
still an eye for the right thing:cool:
She'd make a great Clarkson:misclock:

mind you by the end of her segment I'd just wished she'd shut up,,,
:p

Funny that, my wife and I were chatting after the show and thought it would be much better if Julia was one of the hosts.... along with Hamish and Andy.

Just like TGUK most people watch it for the entertainment value and not specifically the cars. TGA with those three hosts would be similarily entertaining.

Phoenix

15th October 2008, 05:28 PM

One comment about the top gear guys is an interesting one about them all being well known before the show, but I don't think that was the case was it?

I mean sure clarkson was, and James may was in some of the later top gear episodes before the original was killed off, but hammond was only on the radio before topgear thought?

VladTepes

18th October 2008, 02:08 PM

Yeah but AFAIK they didn't have a bull**** casting competition either.

Also I thought that the most recent episode was better than he first two.

Then again, measles is better than bubonic plague too.

Larry

18th October 2008, 06:35 PM

Keep a look out for Barney in episode 4, next Monday (20th). He's right behind the celebrity guest during the interview!:eek2::p

I think I was able to keep out of shot most of the time.:whistling:

amshaw

18th October 2008, 10:46 PM

Well it can only get better, it had better anyway :bat:

Also could be much worse if Glenn Ridge was on the show so be thankful for that.........He was in Ballarat years ago and from memory hosted a crap Aussie car show which was aired on the weekend, cant even remember what it was called , because he was on it I didnt bother...........:wallbash:

carjunkieanon

19th October 2008, 01:03 PM

Ace

19th October 2008, 01:39 PM

I will say that it is growing on me, i reckon in time as they find their own groove and develop their own individual way of doing things it might just go alright, but there is just something about charlie that i dont like. The other two i dont mind though.

It was funny when Waz picked the old camry wagon and beat the old 6's in a drag race, now that i liked. Matt

VladTepes

19th October 2008, 01:47 PM

Ace

19th October 2008, 01:50 PM

Glenn Ridge hosted "The Car Show" which was nothing more than a giant ad, for Carpoint and other sponsors.

Hmm, he also hosted "The Boat Show" (or something similarly named) which was sponsored by Boatpoint, among others.

I remember one particularly hard hitting comparo on the Car Show, where he was trying to determine which was "AUstralias Best Off Road Wagon". He compared just 2 vehicles... the LandCruiser and Rav4.

Lost me.

Yeah i remember that one, i think i watched one episode and gave up, total rubbish.

Matt

CaverD3

19th October 2008, 01:58 PM

Glenn Ridge hosted "The Car Show" which was nothing more than a giant ad, for Carpoint and other sponsors.

Hmm, he also hosted "The Boat Show" (or something similarly named) which was sponsored by Boatpoint, among others.

I remember one particularly hard hitting comparo on the Car Show, where he was trying to determine which was "AUstralias Best Off Road Wagon". He compared just 2 vehicles... the LandCruiser and Rav4.

Lost me.

I would not expect TGA to be much better; Joshua Dowling is the 'Industry Consultant'; totally Toyota biased, note the RAV 4 was given the better driver and was seriously driven, amazingly it was the winner.:twisted:
In his Drivel articles he always found a way to mention a Toyota. :angry:

Tommy

22nd October 2008, 08:53 PM

I was listening to a local radio station (6PR) today when the weekly 'Television Chat' was on. The expert was saying that TGA dropped out of last weeks top 25 television shows in Australia. On the TGA supporters side, a second series has been approved by SBS.

Of interest, Russia and Germany now have their own versions of TGUK :o

Can't wait to see 'Russian Stig' blam some of these beauties around the track.

AUTOSOVIET - All about the Eastern cars and motorcycles (http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/main-english.htm)

taff

22nd October 2008, 09:11 PM

c'mon get real it's still as **** as episode 1.
thank god for foxtel and the new bbc channel starting next month which will have the uk version ;)

agrojnr

22nd October 2008, 09:17 PM

Can't stand the show but they do have some good point's and some very bad ones.

But I will keep watching to see if they get better but I think they won't.

P.S. the Aussie stig sux

Adam

gunny

22nd October 2008, 10:01 PM

I'm pretty negative about it too atm...but I'll see if it grows on me. It follows so closely the same ideas and format as the UK version but it just doesn't appeal the same.

Did anyone see the lawn bowls (car bowls) ...what a waste of time

walker

22nd October 2008, 10:42 PM

I thought the lawn bowls was great. I'm ready for a game. :D

The only thing I didnt like was the circle work in the Hilux, all that does is gives 4WD's more of a bad name.

agrojnr

22nd October 2008, 10:53 PM

I thought the lawn bowls was great. I'm ready for a game. :D

The only thing I didnt like was the circle work in the Hilux, all that does is gives 4WD's more of a bad name.

Yes but did you notice the hilux was the TRD unit not the run of the mill type.:o

Also the best part about the lawn bowls I thought was the amount of front bumpers they could wreck apart from that it was a waste:(

Adam

VladTepes

22nd October 2008, 10:53 PM

They shouldn't have had a STIG.

They should have a SKIP.

CaverD3

22nd October 2008, 11:03 PM

How many 4x4s have ppeared on the show.
In each section with one in it there have been Toyotas. It will be interesting to see if it balances out later. Not holding my breath though.:angel:

taff

22nd October 2008, 11:07 PM

Top Gear Australia :-
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING

agrojnr

22nd October 2008, 11:16 PM

Top Gear Australia :-
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING
:arms::arms::arms::arms::arms:

Nothing

Adam

VladTepes

22nd October 2008, 11:33 PM

How many 4x4s have ppeared on the show.
In each section with one in it there have been Toyotas. It will be interesting to see if it balances out later. Not holding my breath though.:angel:

Certainly noticed that too. The reason UK Top Gear works is that they can and do shamelessly slag off anything if its rubbish. There is no blatant bias evident.

Top Gear Australia :-
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING

They were thinking they'd rate the roof off !

They were wrong !

agrojnr

22nd October 2008, 11:46 PM

The problem is they don't compare, when they tested they BMW last week they said it was'nt any good BUT did'nt compare anything to it ( unlike UK TG )

Also I thought it was bad that the holden W427 whateva took sooooo long to get to 250 ( sounds silly but ) also then they tested it like a hoooon which I thought was the same as the Hilux.

I think they have there wire's crossed and that they need to sit down and go right this is what they want and this is what we will give and NOT go this is what the UK has and we will copy:angel:

Adam

abaddonxi

23rd October 2008, 12:10 AM

They shouldn't have had a STIG.

They should have a SKIP.

:arms::arms::arms:

Simon

wally

23rd October 2008, 01:05 PM

It'll never be any good with the current presenters. Get rid of them and find three blokes that are entertaining and funny and then it'll be potentially something worth watching. TGUK works because of Clarkson, Hammond and May - presenters with the right qualities.

And please, no more circle work in Hiluxes. The idiots should be shot for that.

Scouse

23rd October 2008, 02:03 PM

Keep a look out for Barney in episode 4, next Monday (20th). He's right behind the celebrity guest during the interview!:eek2::p

I think I was able to keep out of shot most of the time.:whistling:Flicked the show on for 5mins & saw Matt :D.
Missed you though Mark :(.

Ace

23rd October 2008, 02:04 PM

Whilst some of it has been good, other bits have really ****ed me off.

The What were they thinking wall is stupid, and its clear that they struggle for ideas for it each week as they get more and more lame.

But the thing that gets me the most is their total disregard for the environment, now im no greenie but 4wders (and i know that they arent 4wders so dont care) are working hard to build an image that is of environmental awareness. In two episodes now Charlie has totally chucked this out the window.

In the first episode when he was hooning around the beach like a moron, promoting behaviour that is not condoned on beaches and has resulted in people getting killed (he was lucky not to seriously prang that Rav when he landed on the other side of that dune) he said "there is nothing better than getting in touch with nature, and ripping it to shreads" or something to that effect.

Then the hoon behaviour in the hilux in the kimberleys, just because he is in the middle of no where and not technically on a road doesnt instantly allow him to chuck donuts and stuff willy nilly. Imagine if everyone who visited the area did that.

Whilst i am all for them having fun but leave the donuts and burnouts and stuff for the track and the sheep paddock. Matt

Ace

23rd October 2008, 02:07 PM

Flicked the show on for 5mins & saw Matt :D.
Missed you though Mark :(.

i watched the episode and missed them, but i didnt realise until half way through that it was the episode i was supposed to be looking for them. Matt

Larry

23rd October 2008, 04:56 PM

Flicked the show on for 5mins & saw Matt :D.
Missed you though Mark :(.

I think I saw myself very quickly, I know where to stand now!:p

Tommy

26th October 2008, 11:19 AM

I saw an advertisment for this coming weeks show....

Shannon Noll as the guest driver :censored: and a shot of an old convertible being driven down a boat ramp into the water with yacht mast attached. Sound familiar :(

Ohh the pain, the pain...please make the pain go away :(

barney

26th October 2008, 02:51 PM

(and i know that they arent 4wders so dont care)
Matt
Matt,
Warren Brown is a 4wder, read his brother's post earlier on a similar thread. http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/57404-top-gear-australia-hosts-announced.html#post755591 and i'm pretty sure he does care.

his brother, gordon is td5110. both warren and gordon were members of the LROCS last year, but have forgotten to renew this year.
but the thing is that the presenters don't write the show, they have writers for that as does TGUK.

incisor

31st October 2008, 04:47 PM

Lexus 570 ?
Audi Q7 ?
Range Rover ?

be a good watch... maybe :p

VladTepes

31st October 2008, 04:56 PM

maybe. but probably not.

I predict the Lexus (Toyota) will win.
You heard it here first !

walker

31st October 2008, 05:03 PM

At least Top Gear UK starts Sunday night UK time. Should be up for download by Monday night.

inside

31st October 2008, 05:10 PM

I predict the Lexus (Toyota) will win.
I predict donuts while saying "Yeah, this is why you buy a 4WD!" :mad:

Outlaw

31st October 2008, 05:56 PM

Maybe it's a good result as Roger Jory the General Manager of Land Rover Australia just emailed this ;

Rangier Rover

31st October 2008, 06:17 PM

maybe. but probably not.

I predict the Lexus (Toyota) will win.
You heard it here first !

How dare you:censored::D;)

foz.in.oz

31st October 2008, 10:43 PM

I'm sorry, but no matter how many times you put the word Range Rover in the advert I won't be sitting down to watch that crap show any more. I tried to watch a couple of episodes but I can't make it more than about a third of the way through. It's utter tosh.

So there :p

p38arover

31st October 2008, 11:28 PM

I don't think I could bear to watch those three do it - even with a Rangie in it. I watched one full show, excerpts from another, and none since.

Fourgearsticks

1st November 2008, 10:00 AM

p38arover

1st November 2008, 12:39 PM

I'd call you mob of whingers "Menzieists" If it doesn't come from ole glory it's rubbish. You folks have union jacks hung on the wall too? Stop your in depth anylisis, "I could do better attitudes" and "I love Jeremy more than Charlie" crap and just watch the show for what it is a good natured funny show with fast cars and heaps of bull****. Or maybe just keep watching days of our lives, have you heard Toms crook?

It wouldn't matter from where it came, it's still rubbish.

Have you read any threads about the show elsewhere? Hardly a good word to be said about it or Charlie Cox. Go and find the TG fan site.

Tommy

1st November 2008, 03:09 PM

I predict the Lexus (Toyota) will win.
You heard it here first !

I second that Vlad because I'm convinced that Toyota sponsors the show in some form or other so why would you dump on the hand that feeds you.

VladTepes

1st November 2008, 04:26 PM

Outlaw - that fair dinkum ? Why'd he email it to you ?

Go and find the TG fan site.

I looked for a Top Gear Australia fan site... guess what.. there isn't one !!!
What a surprise.

Bushwanderer

1st November 2008, 06:48 PM

I got one too.

Must be because LRA have my email address. ;)

foz.in.oz

1st November 2008, 06:55 PM

I'd call you mob of whingers "Menzieists" If it doesn't come from ole glory it's rubbish. You folks have union jacks hung on the wall too? Stop your in depth anylisis, "I could do better attitudes" and "I love Jeremy more than Charlie" crap and just watch the show for what it is a good natured funny show with fast cars and heaps of bull****. Or maybe just keep watching days of our lives, have you heard Toms crook?

It has nothing to do with where this **** comes from. It's just ****.

p38arover

1st November 2008, 07:21 PM

Real Top Gear tonight at 7:30 on channel 619 BBC Knowledge (new channel on cable TV)

101RRS

1st November 2008, 07:44 PM

I'd call you mob of whingers "Menzieists" If it doesn't come from ole glory it's rubbish. You folks have union jacks hung on the wall too? Stop your in depth anylisis, "I could do better attitudes" and "I love Jeremy more than Charlie" crap and just watch the show for what it is a good natured funny show with fast cars and heaps of bull****. Or maybe just keep watching days of our lives, have you heard Toms crook?

But it is garbage - and days of our lives is not on at the same time :D

landy63

1st November 2008, 07:50 PM

I'd call you mob of whingers "Menzieists" If it doesn't come from ole glory it's rubbish. You folks have union jacks hung on the wall too? Stop your in depth anylisis, "I could do better attitudes" and "I love Jeremy more than Charlie" crap and just watch the show for what it is a good natured funny show with fast cars and heaps of bull****. Or maybe just keep watching days of our lives, have you heard Toms crook?

Well said mate , Dont worry they all watch it , i can remember when every one knocked the Norman Gunstan show , But when he came to town i thought i was going to be only one in the audience , but i wasnt lonely account all the knockers were their too :confused::confused:

PAT303

1st November 2008, 08:47 PM

I think the problem is it doesn't know what it's supposed to be.It is a car show but doing donuts in the bush or going up and down a runway isn't testing a car,the show is also supposed to be funny,it isn't and the stunts are not original either.I think that one thing about the original is they bag cars that are crap and give thier opinion on them,there is no way the Oz version will do that. Pat

scotsmun

1st November 2008, 09:06 PM

I think the problem is the attempt to clone the U.K show was always going to be near on impossible to pull off, the chemistry between the presenters is not there and their choice of presenters was flawed from the start. Fair play to the ABC, they threw a big budget at it but it just does not work, if you set out copying every nut and bolt of a successful show like Top Gear then you are always going to be compared to the original and in this case ......it sucks.

barney

1st November 2008, 09:07 PM

i got the mail out too and one of our club members was at the taping and i know who wins (insert "narni narni na-naaa" emoticon)

Bushwanderer

1st November 2008, 09:16 PM

Ok. I'll be the pedant.

SBS is not ABC.

VladTepes

1st November 2008, 09:39 PM

one thing about the original is they bag cars that are crap and give thier opinion on them,there is no way the Oz version will do that. Pat

Bingo !!!!

And THAT is what distinguishes a good car show from an advertorial.

Audiences aren't stupid - they know the difference !

Outlaw

1st November 2008, 10:21 PM

Yep authentic email.. i assume someone from the LROCB committee received it too... if not let me know.

CaverD3

1st November 2008, 11:07 PM

With Joshua Dowling involved I would be surprised if anything except a Toyota won. But Lexus despite being a Toyota isn't spelt 'Toyota'. ;)

matbor

3rd November 2008, 02:02 PM

Just finished watching TopGear UK, season 12's first episode (Just aired in the UK last night) and it is funny, unlike the AUS one !! :D

HSVRangie

3rd November 2008, 08:36 PM

RR beats Lex and Q7

Psimpson7

3rd November 2008, 08:45 PM

RR beats Lex and Q7

You would hope so. In reality its a far far better car than the Lexus, and the Q7 while been a good car, isn't really in the same class.

IWANNAOLDRANGIE

3rd November 2008, 08:47 PM

But we allready knew that didn't we.........;)
Working for a 4wd company where toyota is god..........isnt it funny how all publications & reviews havent been favourable for the 200 derivatives........ I think toyota has lost sight of the big picture. Also noticed a resurgeance in landy ownership...........coincidence......:angel: Landrover has outscored toyota in almost every sector of the 4wd market......not that us here mind:D

abaddonxi

3rd November 2008, 09:01 PM

spudboy

3rd November 2008, 09:31 PM

It's getting a bit better. I've only watched the first episode, and then the 4WD/Merc episode. Still a way to go to catch the UK version, but a definite improvement.

Regarding the 4WD "test", apart from the last little bit you could have done the whole lot in a regular car. I was expecting some deep mud or something more akin to a Camel Trophy challenge.

Why didn't they discuss the fuel consumption at the end? I'd think that'd be worth mentioning....

Anyway, glad to see the RR come out on top of course.

scarry

3rd November 2008, 09:37 PM

That 200 series....with a few whistles & bells & called a lexus had more dust inside it than my d2 after a trip across the simpson & back:D:D

As we know,they are trying real hard to copy the Rangie,but just cant seem to get there:D:D

CaverD3

3rd November 2008, 10:00 PM

Land Cruiser leaked dust like a sieve.:o Oh what a......cough.... feel........cough.....ing.:D

At least they were honest about the choice to do that trip. Even if the off road bits were easy.

drivesafe

3rd November 2008, 10:05 PM

At least they were honest about the choice to do that trip. Even if the off road bits were easy.

It had to be easy or the RR would have been the only one to make it :angel:

MarknDeb

3rd November 2008, 10:33 PM

G i think they should make Morrison a compare on the show, he was good. I had an email from LR last week letting me know that the Rangy was on the show so i thought i would give it a go but still didnt impress me

MarknDeb

3rd November 2008, 10:34 PM

Just finished watching TopGear UK, season 12's first episode (Just aired in the UK last night) and it is funny, unlike the AUS one !! :D

Just finnished watching it aswell, has to be one of the best they have done :D

F4Phantom

3rd November 2008, 11:02 PM

after all the crap toyota spin about reliability they still wanted the prestige they never had, they will never get prestige (among people that matter) as they cannot change their branding but as they try to match the RR they are finding its not that easy to play with the big boys.

Michael2

3rd November 2008, 11:11 PM

It had to be easy or the RR would have been the only one to make it :angel:

Got to agree, Here's the blurb about tonights show from yourtv.com.au :

Hosts Charlie Cox, Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati go on an epic journey from the Simpson Desert in central Australia to the North Queensland coast to settle dinner party boasting rights. Charlie is impressed by the Mercedes SL 63 AMG and Australian jazz legend, James Morrison is the "Celebrity in a Bog Standard Car".

Well, if they had actually tried the Simpson Desert, the Q7 would be stuck at the first dune and the Lexus would be out of fuel. They took the pedestrian route!

solmanic

3rd November 2008, 11:43 PM

...but the thing is that the presenters don't write the show, they have writers for that as does TGUK.

Not so sure about Top Gear UK - there are NO other writers credits. There's a researcher and a few producers but Jeremy, James & Richard may actually write all their own material - they are all reasonably good writers after all. Also quite a lot of their on camera banter is relatively unscripted and has just kind of evolved from good chemistry.

BTW - I actually skipped TG-AUS in favour of TG series 12 tonight. Nearly lost my lunch when Jeremy rolled out his "stealth" Renault semi.

abaddonxi

4th November 2008, 12:01 AM

Win for us!

One Iota got a mention in the RR river crossing.

:D

Cheers
Simon

Ben

4th November 2008, 12:02 AM

Nearly lost my lunch when Jeremy rolled out his "stealth" Renault semi.

That lorrying malarkey is such a laugh.

Captain_Rightfoot

4th November 2008, 05:04 AM

Not so sure about Top Gear UK - there are NO other writers credits. There's a researcher and a few producers but Jeremy, James & Richard may actually write all their own material - they are all reasonably good writers after all. Also quite a lot of their on camera banter is relatively unscripted and has just kind of evolved from good chemistry.

BTW - I actually skipped TG-AUS in favour of TG series 12 tonight. Nearly lost my lunch when Jeremy rolled out his "stealth" Renault semi.

Actually I think they have a number of writers. I listen to a podcast called Gareth Jones on Speed (http://www.garethjones.tv/garethjonesonspeed.html) and one of the contributors is Richard Porter, on of the writers for UK Top gear. He also runs a website called sniff petrol (http://www.sniffpetrol.com/2008/10/17/434/) which is a favourite of mine. :) From that site you'll see the quirky humor from TG. Also, he has a HSV clubbie as his drive (they are Vauxall VXR's there I think) and he loves it. I must say I think the only time I'd actually want to own a Holden would be if I lived in the UK too... bizzarely.

barney

4th November 2008, 05:19 AM

G i think they should make Morrison a compare on the show, he was good.
the same comment was made in our household

rick130

4th November 2008, 07:29 AM

Anybody notice how often Mercedeses are featured? Nice that they're willing to cough up the test drives, but getting just a little one-eyed.

I worked out what's wrong with the track shots -

- The sound of the engines should be louder than the commentary.
- All of the shots of the track are shot a lens size or two too wide and everything is too bright and too clean (exposure across the frame).

The car is always fully in the frame and you can see lots detail. Really, who cares? I want it to look fast, and one of the ways that you make a car look fast is make it look as if the camera operator can't keep it in the frame.

One of the great joys of TGUK is how much effort they put into making it look good. TGAU looks like an episode of Burke's Backyard.

At least the boys are getting more comfortable with the job. Still, they don't exactly come across as total unapologetic revheads, which is what I want to see.

Cheers
Simon

I remember Quiggers saying that TGUK cost something like $1,000,000/episode to get the look right.

I think he said, in his opinion it had the best production values of any show on TV.

With the shooting of the track sequences, how much of a difference does the medium used make ?
ie. video vs film vs HDDV (which I think is all that SBS and the ABC use now ?? I know my mate here had to buy a new HDDV cam so that he could continue to supply footage to the ABC)

Rosco

4th November 2008, 09:04 AM

Well ... last night's effort won't please the Toyo fans will it .........:twisted:

moose

4th November 2008, 10:15 AM

Well personally I reckon the aussie version is good. The shots from the test track are lacking though, they don't give you a sense of where the tracks goes. Maybe some shots from higher up around the corners or something would help.

As for the route taken last night, it's tougher than it looks even without the rainforest. Those corrugations can shake a car to bits quicksmart, the dirt gets in and wears parts, and the whole lot is much tougher terrain than the majority of owners would ever take on.
Good job TGA, keep it up!;)

Ace

4th November 2008, 10:41 AM

I thought it was funny last night when Waz said how the cruiser is the king off the road and rightly so, but not the Lexus, now i might be mistaken but isnt the Lexus version just a 200 series base with some more goodies added on. So in saying that then the 200 series wouldnt be much better.

Go the rangie :D

BMKal

4th November 2008, 10:53 AM

Well - I suppose you could say that the RR won - if you call that a test.

Other than the little bit of driving through the creek bed - I've driven the same roads in a dunnydore - more than once, and without problems.

There's another post on here where people are bagging the DVD's put out with one of the 4WD magazines - at least when they do a "comparison" on those DVD's, they actually compare the vehicles and give their findings. You know - a few minor details like fuel consumption, actual off road ability, luggage space etc would be a start.

If you were considering buying one of these vehicles and wanted to form some sort of opinion based on last night's Top Gear, about all that you would have learned is that the Lexus V8 guzzles fuel (surprise, surprise) and lets in a bit of dust if you don't actually understand how air-conditioning works and don't know how to use the vents properly, and you're the type of tosser who sits right up the a$$ of the vehicle in front on a dirt road.

Anyway - it was better than watching Australian Idol.

LOVEMYRANGIE

4th November 2008, 11:35 AM

maybe. but probably not.

I predict the Lexus (Toyota) will win.
You heard it here first !

WRONG!!!!!!!!!! :D:p

3 ZIP TO THE RANGIE!!!

waz

4th November 2008, 11:44 AM

CaverD3

4th November 2008, 01:58 PM

Remarkably Honest result. :D

Joshua Dowling will be pis*ed off. :p

But they still gave Toyota a plug "Landruiser is the king of four wheel drives, and deservedly so." :twisted:

Isn't the Lexus a Landcruiser? Oh what a ........cough............feel............cough.... ..............ing.......Cough,cough. :angel:

p38arover

4th November 2008, 02:43 PM

Explain to me why I bothered watching it after I said I wouldn't.

The comparison was a joke! What was compared? What a waste of time and money.

BTW, who drives that close behind someone on dirt roads?

Warren is a Defender driver so he'd know better. Therefore I can only assume it was done for the cameras.

Don't let me tune back in to that programme again.

BMKal

4th November 2008, 05:45 PM

Absolutely! I would doubt that the cruiser is designed to be better than the lexus.

There was an article in the motoring section of the Kalgoorlie Miner (probably taken from the West or another associated paper) on the Lexus a few weeks ago.

Basically, they pointed out that -

It costs a squillion dollars more than a 200 series.
It carries less fuel and can go less distance than a 200 series (GVM issues)
It uses more fuel than a 200 series (bloody big V8 petrol is only engine option)
It is less capable off road than a 200 series

With all that and a few other points raised, even the journalists were asking "why would you bother". I think that their summary went along the lines that, anyone who buys one of these things must know absolutely nothing about motor vehicles, and is either buying purely for the prestige of the badge, or has been completely sucked in by the salesman.

Given that I wouldn't even consider a 200 series when there's things like the Discovery 3 available - I'm afraid there's not much chance of me buying a Lexus.

CaverD3

4th November 2008, 06:40 PM

There was an article in the motoring section of the Kalgoorlie Miner (probably taken from the West or another associated paper) on the Lexus a few weeks ago.

Basically, they pointed out that -

It costs a squillion dollars more than a 200 series.

and the 200 series costs a squillion dollars more than the D3. :banana:

Jedimastermat

4th November 2008, 07:36 PM

Top Gear Australia

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!

big guy

4th November 2008, 07:58 PM

TGA

I am warming to it a bit.

Never any doubt which car was gonna win.

I was hoping for more trip info and mechanical insight.
Where is the MPG info, articulation challenges, letting down tyres.

And whats with the travelling at speed so close to each other on dirt roads.
A fishes **** would have got sand inside.

Its growing on me a bit.

CaverD3

4th November 2008, 08:43 PM

TGA
I am warming to it a bit.

So am I.

Never any doubt which car was gonna win.

Never any doubt which car should have won, just surprised it was the same as the one which did.

I was hoping for more trip info and mechanical insight.
Where is the MPG info, articulation challenges, letting down tyres.

TG and TGA are about entertainment not cars, the cars is just the vehicle for it. ;) Don't expect an in depth analysis. The opinion of the presenters was a general opinion as a result of one trip. At least it makes people think about the FFRR as a possible choice in the class.:D

And whats with the travelling at speed so close to each other on dirt roads.

Most was the camera angle, telephoto lese at a steep angle. Others would have been for the camera to make it dramatic or fit them in the shot.

A fishes **** would have got sand inside.

In a lot of the shots they had the Tojo, oops Lexus in front. With that much dust getting in he would have wanted to be in front. Besides he could have been a long way back and the bulldust would still be in the air. Finally, why didn't the others end up full of dust?

PAT303

4th November 2008, 08:52 PM

The thing I don't like is they said they were crossing the simpson.All they did was go around it.The Lexus isn't made for us,it is made for Americans-EXport to the US with an L thrown in.A big wobbly ar%ed vehicle with sh&tty mileage is just what them god luvin',bad guy bombing asset to the world Yanks luv.

big guy

4th November 2008, 09:01 PM

Hmmm
I was in the audience for that show and the next with the Golfs.

There was so much cut.

The other cars also had bulldust but they had their aircon set on auto which had fan speed higher and pressureized cabin.

Thats what was spoken on set and during filming but somehow cut.

davros9

4th November 2008, 09:31 PM

As a big fan of the UK Top Gear, the Australian effort has been a big disappointment. Monday's was the worst ever. The 4WD 'comparo' was mostly 15 mins of watching the vehicles just drive along. No useful comparison, a few vague comments. Even in the creek where it got a little interesting they showed the three vehicles all in different places - no comparison. No facts & figures, no features and capabilities - what a bore! Hope the UK show is back soon.

davros9

VladTepes

4th November 2008, 10:47 PM

Yeah the comparison of vehicles was ordinarily only the conclusion was correct !
I think it is getting better but slowly....

Anyway some Top Gear is always better than none.

Also there are so many Top Gear Oz threads they should probably all be merged together.

VladTepes

4th November 2008, 10:49 PM

Luxury
EXport
USa

The most expensive Toyota you can buy !

Also there are so many Top Gear Oz threads they should probably all be merged together.

cloudy

4th November 2008, 11:05 PM

I tuned in when they were testing the Merc. Convertible so whatever went on before that, I missed.
Then they done the 3 4WD test in the scrub, which I enjoyed.
It was light & easy & I thought they done the summary quite well (On the 4WD's).
I had no preconceived expectations that Jeremy was going to appear from behind a rock with a tantalising one liner, then go & set fire to a caravan, play dodgems with golf carts, or tar another road over night, & therein lies the difference.

UK top gear seemed to be scrambling for material & fell into the old American "If you can't think of an exciting thing to do, smash something to smitherenes, set fire to it, or sink it".

It's a wonder The Ambling Alp hasn't strapped the hobbit to a rocket, or sent Barber starver Mays out to Hugh Fearnley-Whitingstalls River cottage to test drive his 2nd hand milk separator.

I'll take a bush bash to a foot race V 4 wheeled shoe thru the CBD any day thank you.

MarknDeb

4th November 2008, 11:19 PM

the same comment was made in our household

I thought his personality would be really well suited to the show, hmmm well thats a upside compaired to the others he has a personality :angel:

doogs911

5th November 2008, 02:30 PM

I think the 200 was designed with KDSS in mind therefor is useless without it. The Lexus, despite the ridiculous cost, doesn't come with it, therefor is absolutely useless. Toyota really need to learn how to price a car. A GXL diesel costs 10 grand more than a V8 which comes standard with KDSS and a few other bells and whistles, but on the diesel it's another $2500. Actually I read in one of the fairly recent 4x4 Australia issues that a diesel 200 is about $4000 a year more expensive to run the a petrol. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!

And what a pathetically lackluster comparo. The LX and the Q7 hardly "dipped their toes" in that watercrossing. Notice how little wheel travel the Audi had?