[01x01] September 29th, 2008

[jimmy44]

I think that they did a pretty good job with the production side of things, it was visually pretty impressive, and I more or less liked the presenters. Also the montage at the start of the show looked pretty promising for the rest of the series with some interesting stuff in there.

However, a couple of complaints:
1. I don't mind Cox as a presenter, but he (and SP) did shout too much, especially during the studio bits
2. The test track needs an intro segment and maybe also a map (like they had in TGUK S1 with the telemetary) and better camera angles
3. The segments were not long enough, I would have liked the 911 bit to be longer (and perhaps a bit more info on the drive/handling) and seeing a longer Maybach segment in another episode
4. They need better in car cameras (or better placement of them), especially in the 4WD segment where there were 3 of them in the car as you couldn't see all of them, and other cameras were not in focus properly

Still, 6/10, but I reckon it will get better, especially when the presenters settle down a bit

Oh yeah and the sand dunes bit with the jump definatly needed replays, that was gold

[cpd]

Originally Posted by stevanford1

Regarding the Maybach,IMO that was all about introducing the what were they thinking part which is why it was short.

I think you're correct, but they didn't make it very clear when they cut back to the studio.

It's interesting that so many people who are slagging it, without alot of explanation, can be bothered to: boot their computer, start a browser, visit the forums, log in, navigate to this thread, compose a post (I use that term loosely on the Internet), hit send. 200 posts and counting...

I'm amazed that people are arguing about the "reviews" not containing useful information... who are you kidding? I can't remember the last time I saw useful consumer advice on TG. That's what Fifth Gear is (apparently) for.

[danielsan]

Originally Posted by mitchtj

Can anyone actually remember any useful feedback on any of the cars mentioned?

The rav4 has 200 killerwasps???


Seriously thoe i think this could work quite well, give them time to develop a little and PLEASE put some smiling audience members behind them!!!! I swear all them looked grumpy or bored.

[Mr Snow]

Originally Posted by Riclajajehama

I want to see the opinions of some people who are not Australian. They are the ones who are the real judges.

Oh god no, none of that Small Country Syndrome

[flyingfridge]

Originally Posted by cpd

It's interesting that so many people who are slagging it, without alot of explanation,

Read the thread, there's plenty of explanation... crap camera work, no structure, no opinion, only one good host, too rushed.......... the list goes on.

[tone76]

Just did some quick sums. Average poll rating 5.7/10. So it's not as bad as some would have you believe, but there is room for improvement. Which sums up my opinion nicely.

[mitchtj]

Originally Posted by danielsan

The rav4 has 200 killerwasps???


Seriously thoe i think this could work quite well, give them time to develop a little and PLEASE put some smiling audience members behind them!!!! I swear all them looked grumpy or bored.

No one laughed at any of their jokes, thats a bad sign

[cdougw]

Clarkson, May and Hammond are practically gods to us FinalGear peeps. TGaus tried to hard to have the same sort of configuration with the hosts, and that is suicidal. It felt like a cheap knock off.

[Tranquillizer]

208 replies in less than 2 hours.

[JleeLink]

Well if anyone from TG UK reads this please shove Andy Wilman on the next flight to Australia ASAP! as this show needs saving! Or even Clarkson, Hammond and May to give some pointers and input.

[gti138]

Well just watched it here - Thought it was a solid start and it can only get better from here.

It's tough watching it knowing what TGUK is like but thinking back to S1 & 2 of TGUK then it does kinda make sense... Weird seeing the set replicated right down to the couches - Maybe 5th gear burned their set too?

The What were they thinking segment was good - perhaps a variation to the cool wall? Production quality was really high which was good to see - apart from the track work. Will be good to see how they go when they film a segment on a car at the track.

The biggest problem I saw was they tried to do too much in the opening episode. Things were too short - that could be as a result of SBS having Ad's I'm not too sure. Steves voice seemed too "whiny" to me and yeah they did seem to yell at the camera a bit too much. I'm sure with time they will gel more as a team and things will develop for the better. Charlie wasn't too bad and Warren was the best of the three IMO. Considering the amount of $ SBS have thrown at the show they have got to make it work!

But yeah WTF is with the track - Doesn't seem to flow much at all Looked a bit motorkhanaish to me?

I'll be watching again next week as it's far better than watching Idol.

[stevanford1]

Originally Posted by Riclajajehama

I want to see the opinions of some people who are not Australian. They are the ones who are the real judges.

Explain to me how they are the real judges.

[Tranquillizer]

Originally Posted by cdougw

Clarkson, May and Hammond are practically gods to us FinalGear peeps. TGaus tried to hard to have the same sort of configuration with the hosts, and that is suicidal. It felt like a cheap knock off.

dont be. they will be ok in few series. dont forget uk TG in first 2 or 3 series.

[torana74]

first episode,could have been better. Alot of firsts could have been better. Too much crammed in, too little realism in the characters, well cept for Cox,, somehow i do really think he is that annoying in real life.. And my pet peeve is lack of research when people tell supposed facts.They have enough staff to make sure facts are right.. I might be wrong, but i really didnt think LED headlamps were up to production standard yet,,but seems the Porsche has them... maybe park lights might be closer.

Everyone is comparing to a show filmed 10 years ago.. go back and watch most shows from that time, not many are great. I do really hope the first is the worst and that things get more natural and interesting as the episodes roll on.

The producers should know their target audience, especially with all the hype(eg auditions) and should realise they missed the mark somewhat.

I will watch again, as i am a car nut, but if it stays the same i wont kick mysef too much for missing an episode.

Just my 2 cents

[MacGillaZ]

Originally Posted by balsam

the aussie syndrome is telling it how it is, and this top gear australia a pile of steaming crap.......

The Syndrome seems also to feature the following characteristics as well;

- Sarcasm/Cynicism is a replacement for everything
- Your opinions are more correct than anyone else's
- You could do a better job at 'X' than 'Y' person doing it
- Joining a forum to pan a brand new show is the THING to do
- Calling something a pile of crap on the internet proves the 2nd law

[Riclajajehama]

Originally Posted by stevanford1

Explain to me how they are the real judges.

They do not have the natural Australian instinct of kicking someone when they're down and they don't have the same negativity that we have.

[Tommo]

I'll go against the flow here and say that I actually enjoyed it. It looks like everyone has their extreme criticism cap on where they expect the very first episode to be directly comparable to TG UK in its 11th season. Sure, I was wishing it would be just as good as TG UK but I knew it wouldn't be as good because they don't have the show experience and knowledge of each others personalities. Give them a chance to get used to presenting a motoring show and understand their co-hosts, then see how it is.

As for the segments, I thought the 911 segment was rather good but slightly lacking in the overall feel of the car. What is it like to drive? How does it feel to sit in? How does it compare to the rest of the range. The 4WD trip was the first glimpse of the trio together and you can see their friendship will develop and we'll get some back and forth arguments between them.

As for the Maybach 57S segment... is it possible for a review to finish before it starts? The shark segment was a bit long but then again it wouldn't be very Top Gear esk without a useless segment. SIABSC was average but unfortunately a necessity.

Either way I'm not giving up on this show as others have, just give it a chance to get off its feet.

[Tranquillizer]

Originally Posted by mitchtj

No one laughed at any of their jokes, thats a bad sign

dont forget, in the first series, they will be doing what they are told.

[Crayola]

Seriously, the test track was hopeless. They need to call up channel 10 (or 7 now I guess) and get someone to show them how to film car racing properly.

[Tranquillizer]

Originally Posted by Tommo

I'll go against the flow here and say that I actually enjoyed it. It looks like everyone has their extreme criticism cap on where they expect the very first episode to be directly comparable to TG UK in its 11th season. Sure, I was wishing it would be just as good as TG UK but I knew it wouldn't be as good because they don't have the show experience and knowledge of each others personalities. Give them a chance to get used to presenting a motoring show and understand their co-hosts, then see how it is.

As for the segments, I thought the 911 segment was rather good but slightly lacking in the overall feel of the car. What is it like to drive? How does it feel to sit in? How does it compare to the rest of the range. The 4WD trip was the first glimpse of the trio together and you can see their friendship will develop and we'll get some back and forth arguments between them.

As for the Maybach 57S segment... is it possible for a review to finish before it starts? The shark segment was a bit long but then again it wouldn't be very Top Gear esk without a useless segment. SIABSC was average but unfortunately a necessity.

Either way I'm not giving up on this show as others have, just give it a chance to get off its feet.

i agree this programm has heaps of potential.