The Top Gear effect

[Nookie]

I'm obviously just plain wrong then... as I am, without regret or apology, in so many instances (buying a 5.0 V8 in a world where we're supposed be trying to reduce emissions for the benefit of the planet and future generations being an example), but then I don't strive to be perfect.

The moral high ground is subjective !!!

Anyway... we're going off topic now (and yes... I know that's partly my fault) :headbonk: !

Edit: Yes, having some old git's hand up my backside most of the day does lead me to uncontrolled outbursts :eyebulge: !

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[markleigh]

At least Evans is a Mustang fan. You can tell by his CO hair.

 

[Manders Mustang]

At least Evans is a Mustang fan. You can tell by his CO hair.

Hopefully they'll discontinue him as well then :lol::lol:

 

[SteveyB]

Hopefully they'll discontinue him as well then :lol::lol:

I think that captures it perfectly , well said.
I hope it all backfires on the greedy, woefully bad managed BBC. It doesn't follow that a minor fracas should have resulted in Clarkson's dismissal, much worse things happen in major corporations and are dealt with effectively. The fat lip guy had messed up before and apparently if it hadn't been Clarkson it would have been someone else he provoked too far.
:rant:

 

[slowhand99]

I can remember "Top Gear" being presented by Angela Rippon and William Woollard with occasional 'expert' input from Chris Goffey and a sea of beige crimplene slacks and safari suits. Things improved a bit when the shaved badger that is John Bentley turned up. Special features on such as the RAC Rally (see pic) were presented by the likes of Maggie Philbin due to her unrivalled availability. Fifth Gear is the modern incarnation of that format but now works because it's presented by people who have an idea of what they are talking about. We don't need another one though.

Top Gear of recent years was just a vehicle (literally) for the Clarkson/Hammond/May (or more correctly Clarkson/Wilman) show and used the dead carcass of Top Gear as was to do it. It's a rare thing that 2 public school boys (Clarkson & Wilman) can earn millions a year larking about and get public support. The BBC (BBC Worldwide) bought out Clarkson and Wilman in 2012 (and therefore their rights to the Stig etc) for millions along with a 3 year deal to the three presenters; which had just about run it's course when Clarkson blew his fuse.

I'm happy that we will still get the specials (and that's all we get apparently) from the Clarkson/Wilman/May/Hammond show, we'll still have Fifth Gear, Wheeler Dealers, Sky F1, Car SOS, Fast'n'Loud, Misfit Garage etc etc PLUS whatever Top Gear becomes. How you come up with a show format that is fresh and innovative in the middle of that lot, I don't know. Although if you want innovative don't forget Chris Evans pioneered the open studio format with TFI Friday; and when Top Gear copied it, it was initially crap. They are damned if they drop the Stig, the track, the star in a reasonably priced car, the power laps, the news, the interviews, and damned if they don't; because we all like those bits. (there is a planning application to build a housing estate on Dunsfold airfield so that might take care of that anyway).

I think it will evolve. The biggest change is the loss of Wilman and the scriptwriters like Richard Porter (yes, it was all scripted - but didn't look like it which only comes with time) and a team that had gelled over 10 years. The approach of not changing too much and having a broad pool of variously talented presenters means it can evolve without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Clarkson and Evans are both annoying; both 12 years old on the inside, and annoyingly good at what they do when they get it right. I liked a lot of it on Sunday; I cringed at some of it; I liked TG Extra; we all like Chris Harris; MLB can drive and can be funny (watch Episodes) and there is more to come from the other presenters. The fact that they all looked $hit scared suggests that at least they care. I've yet to hear any creative criticism on what it should have been; only what it shouldn't have been.

Of course, if they dis the Mustang they are dead.......................

 

[stevec]

I agree with a lot of the above.
Keeping the same format will keep some fans and Chris Evans? Well you love him or hate him. Mmm, that reminds me of someone else!

It made sense to roughly keep the format and maybe change it over the next few years.

 

[Jimboy2]

They were all just a bag of nerves which is understandable. People just aren't willing to give it a chance. It's so weird. So many programs are absolute garbage the first half season.

 

[goldengooner]

I think that captures it perfectly , well said.
I hope it all backfires on the greedy, woefully bad managed BBC. It doesn't follow that a minor fracas should have resulted in Clarkson's dismissal, much worse things happen in major corporations and are dealt with effectively. The fat lip guy had messed up before and apparently if it hadn't been Clarkson it would have been someone else he provoked too far.
:rant:

So its ok to hit someone, Clarkson was a nasty egomanic bully, used the show for Political views, did not care who he upset.
He had his 2 little mates worshipping him, as thanks to him, they got paid very well.
Once the Argentina "error" happened, the BBC were just waiting for a chance to get rid, and he give it to them
The BBC is ruled by the govenment and they wanted him gone

 

[slowhand99]

......and they left a Mustang behind in Argentina. Unforgivable. :tsk:

 

[Cati]

All fair enough, but no matter how much of a "character" someone is, you can't have them going around punching other employees within the workplace. That's unacceptable whoever you are and its not puritanical to sanction somebody who behaves in that way.

The BBC just happened on the worst possible solution to their acute Clarkson HR crisis.

No you can't.... But you should look at all the circumstances what led to it, the level of stress on both of them and take a reasonable view. Based on some of the evidence it was not right but not totally one sided. If you did something bad at work and the general public decided on Facebook your fate you would not be happy either.

Equally I guess you can apply the same logic to Evans and the performance on the new show...

 

[SteveyB]

So its ok to hit someone, Clarkson was a nasty egomanic bully, used the show for Political views, did not care who he upset.
He had his 2 little mates worshipping him, as thanks to him, they got paid very well.
Once the Argentina "error" happened, the BBC were just waiting for a chance to get rid, and he give it to them
The BBC is ruled by the govenment and they wanted him gone

No not ok to hit someone but even a child wouldn't go to hospital with an injury so slight, it was done to get maximum effect and exposure but certainly no sympathy from me and close to a million people who signed the petition to keep Clarkson on. The left wing PC BBC is paid for by the people, the people spoke and were ignored , that's not democracy. We need more non PC people to make a stand against this nonsense and overreacting by the press and others .
I still find him one of the most amusing and clever journalists ever in his writings for the Times. Yes he's overbearing but who would I rather share a pint with, him or a load of lefty PC tree huggers - no contest. Consider your feathers ruffled .

 

[SteveS]

You're spot on...that's not democracy ;)
Clarkson committed an act of misconduct that had to be dealt with the same way it would be dealt with in any other workplace and especially as it was in the public eye. I understand he's a funny, entertaining guy and in today's world a breath of fresh air (and this is from someone who didn't really like the way he went about things) but that should change nothing. As GoldenGooner says he had a bit of previous so even if you consider chinning a colleague to be a minor infringement he may well have gone on the totting up procedure.
The BBC has form for ignoring employees alleged to have committed acts much worse that this and had to be seen to be doing something.
For the avoidance of doubt I am NOT suggesting this is comparable with anything else that may have gone on.

 

[slowhand99]

.............. but who would I rather share a pint with.............

James May

 

[Nookie]

Back on topic and all this healthy debate aside (and it is healthy as we've all 'vented our spleens' now), I'm just looking forward to the review of the Mustang.

I for one have never had with the purchase or impending delivery of a new car, the feeling of childish excitement and anticipation that I have in waiting for that call to tell me my Mustang's arrived, and this has been largely accentuated by the constant positivity of the reviews I've encountered throughout just about every type of media.

As well as already being in love with the S550's looks, mechanics and vital statistics, it's very reassuring when your just about to splash out 36K on something, to hear that what you're buying is so highly regarded, admired and desired, including by those that would normally otherwise find fault with everything.

So I'll pack away my distaste for 'copper top' for now and just look forward to hearing even more good things about the dream that I hope will as soon as possible become a reality (and looking forward to Hammond's review on AP as well).

Ahhhhhh... I feel better now... must go as I've got an appointment with my therapist :doh: !

 

[Actual]

Back on topic and all this healthy debate aside (and it is healthy as we've all 'vented our spleens' now), I'm just looking forward to the review of the Mustang.

The taster for the Mustang opinion that we saw in TG Extra was that the Mustang is a very desirable car and as it was going to be an ultimate car purchase in the same elevations of a Ferrari LaFerrari it is maybe beyond the reach of ordinary mortals but perhaps the actual Mustang review will dispel that myth and show the Mustang as a very accessible and affordable car - thus the Top Gear Effect could be to massively increase public awareness, perception and demand.

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