Thread: World first for SBS with local version of Top Gear

Originally Posted by eddiec

It's the same reason that the Australian Queer Eye (ok - a VERY different kind of show!) flopped miserably and was just painful to watch.

Don't know if you knew this or if coincidence but the link supplied above shows that the same outfit that did Queer Eye in Oz will be doing Top gear in Oz. They also did a couple of other shows I dislike. Given they also represent Kate Ritchie maybe she will get a go.

I agree, this does not bode well. I am not a motoring nut but I do enjoy Clarkson's take on things, even when he is just being a boofhead. I think they need to find a genuine character who knows his/her stuff and avoid "celebrities" altogether, except maybe one as a sidekick.

Originally Posted by solmanic

I wonder if John Doyle (aka Roy Slaven) will be one of the hosts? He does the odd column in the motoring press and could carry off the cutting criticism necessary to make the show work.

To have Slaven, who, let's face it - is a symbol of everything good in automotive hyperbole, host the show would be.... a tremendous wrap, further cementing the Lithgow Shamrocks Auto Club on the pedestal fitting of its charter....

We had a very in-depth discussion of who might be suited to host the show. Bearing in mind that the producers have already stated that they do not intend just using Aussie versions of Clarkson, Hammond & May. We agreed that they need to source at least one presenter from the established motoring press for it to have any credibility. It's not good enough just to get a bunch of comedians to slang off at different types of cars. Unless the viewer believes they at least know something about cars.

I am trying to picture who has recognised car knowledge, is funny, and would look comfortable talking to camera whilst holding a power-slide in a WRX. Maybe a scan back at the winners of previous Bathurst & Indy celebrity races might turn up someone.

Also, for the show to be "quintessentially Australian" there would need to be a fair percentage of 4WD content in it. It is probably worth considering one of the guys from Pizza to ensure that there is a suitable "woggy" perspective since it is so prevalent in Australian urban street-machine culture too.

Given who the producers are, of the upcoming Aussie TopGear, (and their track record with other, err, umm, tv programmes) I suspect maybe four presenters, two of which will be cute chicks.

To match the 'original' they'll need a seriously huge budget...and some very seriously capable 'behind-the-scenes' people.

Big budgets for local tv shows are becoming very rare in Aussie....

So to get some serious money, the producers will have to go down the 'product placement' route...

Which will compromise the shows integrity...

I can't see Toyota or Hyundai chipping in several million $$$, if their products are going to be trashed, verbally and physically....

Getting money from sponsors for tv shows is not easy (been there) and they want much favour in return.

I reckon there'll also be a heap of ego driven motoring journos banging on the door of the production company, all touting their often questionable abilities.
(I found out recently that a number of motoring journos aren't actually qualified journos, but I digress).

If I was producing this show, I'd very seriously look at Michael Stahl (who's about 45-50) as the 'expert', a damn good, funny and irreverent guy, an excellent writer and presenter. (he's also a proper motoring journo).

Paul Fenech, (Pauly - Fat Pizza) as mentioned would be interesting and appeals to a wide audience. Bit of a car nut, apparently. I'd maybe bring some his 'on camera' crew, for a bit of fun when it comes to wrecking things...

Chicks, mate, chicks....

hmmm...

I'm thinking...

Mandy Nolan, attractive, ascerbic, capable, funny...and always ready for a challenge...

Guests could be fascinating, a lap dash (2 cars) one driven by Howard, the other by Rudd, in 1980s Volvo 244s

Alexander Downer is a serious revhead, runs around Adelaide in a black HSV Commodore, apparently....

Cheers, GQ

Actually, you've raised a good point there QG about the production values - One of the most appealing (but almost invisible) aspects is the quality of filming and editing on Top Gear - If you watch closely, it's meticulous, and remarkably well done. I don't know if many in Australian TV would have that skill or experience, or whether the producers would bother...

Otherwise it just ends up looking like any other lifestyle program...

I hadn't thought about the product placement issue, but agree that it will be hard to avoid, and that'll ruin it.

The other issue is that I wonder if the show will be held accountable to the same standards as motoring advertising, in that they can't promote 'reckless' or 'illegal' behaviour...

Originally Posted by eddiec

Actually, you've raised a good point there QG about the production values - One of the most appealing (but almost invisible) aspects is the quality of filming and editing on Top Gear - If you watch closely, it's meticulous, and remarkably well done. I don't know if many in Australian TV would have that skill or experience, or whether the producers would bother...

Otherwise it just ends up looking like any other lifestyle program...

I hadn't thought about the product placement issue, but agree that it will be hard to avoid, and that'll ruin it.

The other issue is that I wonder if the show will be held accountable to the same standards as motoring advertising, in that they can't promote 'reckless' or 'illegal' behaviour...

Top Gear UK is possibly the most beautifully crafted show on TV, it is EXTRAORDINARILY well made and an absolute credit to those who obviously spend many hours scripting, shooting, colour grading, editing, etc...

One of the reasons why it works is that all three presenters are very actively involved, from conception of each segment...

To answer your question, the skill base exists in Australia, but finding those with the skills relative to the interest in creating a local Top gear may be problematic - then the producers need the big $$$ to get the (all) right people...

It saddens me that, having worked in the TV game for more than 30 years, that these days, decider is the budget (sponsors) or lack thereof...

Time to get it right, scripts, presenters and lots of money are the keys to the success of a local Top Gear....

And other thing: budget: at least $15 million for 13 x 1 hour eps...
to do the local version at the level at which Top Gear UK is....

Hmmm........

GQ

Originally Posted by Quiggers

Given who the producers are, of the upcoming Aussie TopGear, (and their track record with other, err, umm, tv programmes) I suspect maybe four presenters, two of which will be cute chicks.

To match the 'original' they'll need a seriously huge budget...and some very seriously capable 'behind-the-scenes' people.

Big budgets for local tv shows are becoming very rare in Aussie....

So to get some serious money, the producers will have to go down the 'product placement' route...

Which will compromise the shows integrity...

I can't see Toyota or Hyundai chipping in several million $$$, if their products are going to be trashed, verbally and physically....

Getting money from sponsors for tv shows is not easy (been there) and they want much favour in return.

I reckon there'll also be a heap of ego driven motoring journos banging on the door of the production company, all touting their often questionable abilities.
(I found out recently that a number of motoring journos aren't actually qualified journos, but I digress).

If I was producing this show, I'd very seriously look at Michael Stahl (who's about 45-50) as the 'expert', a damn good, funny and irreverent guy, an excellent writer and presenter. (he's also a proper motoring journo).

Paul Fenech, (Pauly - Fat Pizza) as mentioned would be interesting and appeals to a wide audience. Bit of a car nut, apparently. I'd maybe bring some his 'on camera' crew, for a bit of fun when it comes to wrecking things...

Chicks, mate, chicks....

hmmm...

I'm thinking...

Mandy Nolan, attractive, ascerbic, capable, funny...and always ready for a challenge...

Guests could be fascinating, a lap dash (2 cars) one driven by Howard, the other by Rudd, in 1980s Volvo 244s

Alexander Downer is a serious revhead, runs around Adelaide in a black HSV Commodore, apparently....

Cheers, GQ

Quiggers, is James Cleary still in the PR or motoring Journo game ?
I knew him back when he was with MOTOR as 2IC under Barry Lake. He decided to go racing when I did and wasn't a bad steerer, although I kicked his a****

I like the idea, but It cant mirror the UK show, or it will allways be called a copy
My pick for presenters

Roothey from 4wd monthly
John laws
Dick Johnson
Judith lucy