[09x03] February 11th, 2007

[torqueless]

haha, i'll see what i can do.

i'm pleading with everyone in this thread...please believe me when i say that this is not what the majority of people in alabama are like.

not everyone likes nascar, not everyone hates minorities, and i happen to have all of my teeth...

[mikev88]

I'm a long time reader of this forum but i've never registered or posted,but truly,this episode was so good i had to say what i think about it. First i knew most American's wouldn't laugh at it, because frankly they take themselves really seriously. I'm Canadian so i don't have to say what my opinion of AMERICA (not american's). As much as american's can say that it's an isolated part of their country I beleive that it would be very hard to have the same kind of adventure in any other country (develloped),i mean you go buy a car, the salesman pulls a gun on you,shows you his rifle and says he has a scope to kill people as they are running away... I'm sure you can't find that anywhere else,period. But hey what can you expect from a country with such a president, i mean just read these famous quote:

The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the -- the vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice." --Washington, D.C., Oct. 27, 2003 "" --George W. Bush, 10.27.03.


"For every fatal shooting, there were roughly three non-fatal shootings. And, folks, this is unacceptable in America. It's just unacceptable. And we're going to do something about it." —Philadelphia, Penn., May 14, 2001

"I'm the commander — see, I don't need to explain — I do not need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being president." —as quoted in Bob Woodward's Bush at War

We need an energy bill that encourages consumption." —Trenton, N.J., Sept. 23, 2002
"Do you have blacks, too?" —to Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso, Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2001

"My plan reduces the national debt, and fast. So fast, in fact, that economists worry that we're going to run out of debt to retire." —radio address, Feb. 24, 2001




or for an even better laugh, watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seYUbVa7L7w
there was a show on tv here in canada called "talking to american's" where they make people beleive crazy things about canada to highly educated people, including their president,their governor's e.t.c By the way, Jean Chretien was the prime minister of canada at that time and Vladimir Poutine was the president of Russia.

My final word about the Top Gear episode is they have nuclear weapons.....scary.

Forgive my spelling, i'm french canadian, i do what i can in english.

[Danny Tran]

This has been one of those classic-real life segements I have come to love from the past, such as the POrsche-challenge, none-POrsche challenge and Italian-crap-challenge).

Although the focus was more on the road-trip I liked:

- America bashing was adequately sufficient though stereotypical at times (but GOD were those car dealers FAT!)

- Real life conflict with locals (pure gold, i was very worried for James)

- an AWESOME soundtrack with adequate america themes

- crap cars

In conclusion, although i did feel it was a bit long, and i kept wondering if there was a challenge at all going on, i had a huge grin going all the way.

If I have to complain about somehting, and I guess I must, next time focus on the cars. Excellent television, the best ive seen since last week!

PS: In the future, i suggest a jap-crap, coupé-style-like challenge.

[TomCat]

I'm a bit taken back by this episode. I laughed quite a bit, but I was stunned by most of what I saw. Is that really in America? I guess I wouldn't know, as the closest I've ever been to Alabama was... the white mountains of Arizona. I just hope most people realize that what they just saw represents a small fraction of this country. The south is ridiculed for a reason.

The Alabama bit was scary, but the challenge was to get each other shot, instead they got rocks thrown at them. Was that a victory or a defeat?

[kronz]

Why can't more people be like Neek?

[mikev88]

ahah here is some more "talking to americans"
http://home.comcast.net/~wwwstephen/americans/

[CarShark]

A few of my thoughts.

1) Seeing the downtrodden, crime-riddled part of Miami at the beginning and the utter destruction in New Orleans at the end really reminded me of my hometown of Flint, MI.

2) What the hell is propping up the used car prices in Miami? I, along with James and Jeremy, thought they'd have their pick of any mid-80s-early 90s American car for 3 figs. Not so. They still ended up with some pretty good cars.

3) When Jeremy introduced American Stig, I was guessing in my mind just how fat they would make him.

4) How did GM only get 190 hp out of the 5.0L engine in the Camaro? Were emissions restrictions THAT restrictive?

5) They really ratcheted up the danger level on this show, didn't they? Alligator-infested rivers and redneck-baiting.

6) The redneck-baiting was a monumentally, colossally bad idea. We can laugh now, because we know they're ok, but I've heard of people being killed for less. I know some will make fun about this, but I actually skipped over that part. I just didn't want to see and hear that kind of ugliness from people.

7) Most Americans know about the destruction of New Orleans and nearly everyone cares. People donate millions and millions of dollars. Politics, abandonment and the darker side of human nature conspire to thwart efforts there. Hopefully Mardi Gras next week will give it a shot in the arm. Maybe having it be center stage again will be enough to get more done.

[TomCat]

ahah here is some more "talking to americans"
http://home.comcast.net/~wwwstephen/americans/

Are you trying to start a flame war? Leave these scripted, edited, (probably fake), comedy crap for another thread.

[Neek]

I'm a long time reader of this forum but i've never registered or posted,but truly,this episode was so good i had to say what i think about it. First i knew most American's wouldn't laugh at it, because frankly they take themselves really seriously. I'm Canadian so i don't have to say what my opinion of AMERICA (not american's). As much as american's can say that it's an isolated part of their country I beleive that it would be very hard to have the same kind of adventure in any other country (develloped),i mean you go buy a car, the salesman pulls a gun on you,shows you his rifle and says he has a scope to kill people as they are running away... I'm sure you can't find that anywhere else,period. But hey what can you expect from a country with such a president, i mean just read these famous quote:

The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the -- the vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice." --Washington, D.C., Oct. 27, 2003 "" --George W. Bush, 10.27.03.


"For every fatal shooting, there were roughly three non-fatal shootings. And, folks, this is unacceptable in America. It's just unacceptable. And we're going to do something about it." —Philadelphia, Penn., May 14, 2001

"I'm the commander — see, I don't need to explain — I do not need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being president." —as quoted in Bob Woodward's Bush at War

We need an energy bill that encourages consumption." —Trenton, N.J., Sept. 23, 2002
"Do you have blacks, too?" —to Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso, Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2001

"My plan reduces the national debt, and fast. So fast, in fact, that economists worry that we're going to run out of debt to retire." —radio address, Feb. 24, 2001




or for an even better laugh, watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seYUbVa7L7w
there was a show on tv here in canada called "talking to american's" where they make people beleive crazy things about canada to highly educated people, including their president,their governor's e.t.c By the way, Jean Chretien was the prime minister of canada at that time and Vladimir Poutine was the president of Russia.

My final word about the Top Gear episode is they have nuclear weapons.....scary.

Forgive my spelling, i'm french canadian, i do what i can in english.

Thank you for stating what you liked about this episode of Top Gear. Oh that's right you didn't exactly do that, but for some reason decided that this was a great opporunity to register here at FG, and post your anti-American drivel.

If French Canadians hate America so much then try to explain why Hollywood, Florida has the biggest population of Quebecers outside of Quebec. I know, I see their blue and white license plates all the freaking time driving like idiots.

<rummages for a giant rolleye's smiley>

Ah here's one for you:

[mikev88]

it's a real show from the national tv in canada, the CBC a few years ago, just thought it's funny. Frankly,if american's want to flame Canada, i don't care, i can laugh,i've heard it all before, were their next state,were jealous of them e.t.c, we drink maple syrup for breakfast , heard it all. All funny,but i live here and i know those are just stereotypes,nobody is like that here, i used to think that the southern american stereotype was just a stereotype too,until i got proof.

[Chupacabras]

Are you trying to start a flame war? Leave these scripted, edited, (probably fake), comedy crap for another thread.

Agreed - its not the time or the place (but they are real [saying that, when i moved from one part of canada to the other, you couldnt beleive the ignorance])

The harsh reality is that there are intolerant morons everywhere

[mikev88]

Ah, well it's because its cold here in winter, and yes we do drive like fucking idots, beleive me that i totally agree with you on that.

[Indiana Jones]

As a long time reader of finalgear and big Top Gear fan, I'd like to chime in with my two cents.

First off, great episode. I don't know where they come up with some of the ideas. The camaraderie was fantastic and the pokes at the U.S. were reasonable.

I must say, watching that truck full of hicks pull up at the gas station must have been terrifying. James's Caddy stalling was pure suspense. I would have been scared, and I'm an "outsider" from the north let alone GB! It was such a brilliant bit, as I was genuinely concerned for the whole crew.

This was an ugly display and I would think somewhat common in the area. But I'm a little concerned about some comments in the thread suggesting the U.S. isn't safe and allows people to behave in such a fashion. Incidents like this happen all over and if there had been law enforcement I'm fairly certain they would have protected the TG crew.

I recently visited London with a friend and we accidentally went through Tottenham with my buddy wearing an Arsenal jacket . I was spit on, some guy spat his beer all over me and my friend, and I was punched in the side, just for being associated with an Arsenal fan! Clearly, we were in the wrong place with the wrong attire, but this was awful behavior and I was concerned for my safety. However, labeling the rest of the country as dangerous would be stupid. It isn't and I still had a great time. It's the same deal with the US, and I'm a little disappointed they didn't show one great place down south, maybe some of the successful rebuilding? But I guess taking shots at the wealthiest country in the world is more fun and I get that. But really, they should have went to Bourbon Street where surely the "culture" would have been to their liking.

And finally, the area they went through in New Orleans was abandoned. The population decreased by nearly half a million and some areas are not worth returning too due to the unbelievable damage.

Honestly though, none of this ruined the episode. If Jeremy came to the US and liked it, well then he'd lose most of his character and it would be a damn shame. The show is over the top and that makes sense. So keeping everything in context, an American like me doesn't mind the ribbing and would give the episode a 9/10.

[mikev88]

I guess i might have been a bit harsh, but it really blew my mind that there was really people like that. And i'm not an intolerant moron. I respect your opinions,respect mine.

[Neek]

it's a real show from the national tv in canada, the CBC a few years ago, just thought it's funny. Frankly,if american's want to flame Canada, i don't care, i can laugh,i've heard it all before, were their next state,were jealous of them e.t.c, we drink maple syrup for breakfast , heard it all. All funny,but i live here and i know those are just stereotypes,nobody is like that here, i used to think that the southern american stereotype was just a stereotype too,until i got proof.

You won't see me flame Canada in spite of your incessant instigation. But if you think a 5 minute snippet from a comedy cum auto review show with a long-standing clear anti-American bias from it's lead host is any indication of proof that all southern Americans fit some kind of preconceived stereotype, than you are showing yourself to be an intolerant and ignorant anti-American as French-Canadian stereotypes seem to be.

Still waiting for you to chime in on the actual show

[Ianspeed]

Anyone else want an IROC Camero after watching that one? I do (ducks).

Great to see all these new registers on this thread. 9x3 is motivating people!

[Aston Martin]

I was bored hence this.........

You cant buy any Freedom grill for $100.

[Brudus]

I've never been so ashamed to be from USA, the south, and louisiana.

[Expe]

Huge respect for Top Gear for their civil disobedience and lack of care towards being PC.

There will probably be a record number of complaints, but I'm sure there will be others praising this episode like me and a lot of you.

[boufrog]

I gotta say...that was classic TopGear. I am an American, and I laughed my ass off the entire time; granted I'm not the type that shovels down cheeseburgers all day (there are definitely ppl out there like that), but I don't see how people can get so pissed off 'bout some of the commentary. Yea yea whatever, chill out and have a laugh. I'll definitely be taking some cues from this for the trek from Chicago to Florida for Spring Break with the guys coming up here. Haha, loved it, keep it up!

can't wait for next week