[12x02] November 9th, 2008

[Ironlord]

Originally Posted by Aston Martin

I forgot...
"Where are you guys from, Australia?"
What a grade A c***.

I'm actually annoyed that I was only mistaken for an Aussie once when I spent four days in NYC.

Meanwhile, in next week's Top Gear Australia: Charlie, Steve and Wozza go to Montana to drive snowploughs (there being absolutely no snow in Australia at all), and are all asked "Are you guys limeys?"

Originally Posted by Plissken

Clarkson with the Winnebago - damned near wet myself...

Ha! Should have pointed that one out myself. That was on the cutting edge of cocking about.

Originally Posted by Shad Stang

I completely ignored the SIRPC because i'm an american and i don't know who the heck 98% of the stars are

I should have mentioned SIARPC. I don't care for Will Young, I loathe nauseating, overtly sentimental balladry, and I loathe Pop Idol and all that it stands for even more. But, even if I'd set out to hate Will Young, I couldn't after that section - much the same way as I saw James Blunt in a very different light to what I'd been expecting when he was SIARPC. This time there's the added bonus of Will Young enticing Jeremy Llewellyn-Bowen into Decorating Houses In Surrey or whatever it was they were calling it... they should do that as the next charity bash!

Originally Posted by corradoboy

With you on that one. A proper car focussed episode, and the only one of that series still on my HDD.

None if the first eleven series are still on my hard drive.

That's what a DVD burner is for...

Originally Posted by Bento

Me and a mate have been working on the Morse code and we got this for the second one: Me Smell Cats. We're still working on the first as it's awkward to filter due to Clarkson talking over it, plus the volume of the beeps drops off, will post when we've got it.

I've saved you the trouble back on the first page.

[aawil]

So I take it the ZR-1 didn't do a lap with the stig? I was rather hoping to see that. Still waiting for download to finish.

[budgieishere]

Oh man, James loving that car through the mountains put a massive smile on my face. And when he took Clarkson, that was brilliant.

Loved the ep. Loved it.

[knewman]

haha "Jeremy 'met' the police" what a great episode! I was seriously rooting for them to hit their speed marks, and for once I wasn't ashamed as an American watching Top Gear review American cars. Can't wait for next week!

[Formula Stig]

Brilliant except for the tosser in the reasonably priced car.

[Aiolos]

Since I don't watch SIARPC, this ep was perfect 10/10.

The Fiat review was great and the American trip was fantastic.

I loved it! Captain Slow overtaking Jezza, Jessica on the radio, Jeremy with the police, Salt Flats....ah great stuff

I was a bit worried when May didn't like the Caddie at first because I'd read that it was great, so I was happy to see that he loved it in the corners.

Can't believe Richard bought a Challenger Poor guy, looked like the tape had ruined the paint on the front at the end.

[OldSkoolGP]

No doubt about it. No doubt! Hands down, the best episode of Top Gear I've ever seen! And it wasn't just because of the American cars, and I know I'm baiaed being an American, but EVERY part of the show was nothing short of excellent! I love the little Fiat 500 SS review. I loved Jeremy explaining all the little things about the tuning house. The news was very good, and the SIARPC was quite funny and Jeremy was a good sport to entertain him. He wasn't the fastest wet lap ever though. Pillow mouth man was quicker.

Then the muscle car review was just the best thing ever. This is the American trip I will think of when I think of the boys excursion's stateside. Even if James had never come round to liking the Cadillac, it still would have still been the best thing ever. I knew Hammond wouldn't need convincing, he loves muscle cars. I wonder if he brought that Challenger home with him since he bought it? But it was SO refreshing to see Jeremy admit that he loves American muscle cars. If that Corvette isn't the best car ever made by a car company that isn't Italian, I don't know what is.

And on that Obamashell (Two HUGE thumbs up here!!!), I must say great job guys, great job everyone involved. You've created a new yardstick by which I shall judge all Top Gear shows hence forth!

[Roadster44]

Originally Posted by knewman

...and for once I wasn't ashamed as an American watching Top Gear review American cars. Can't wait for next week!

People who are intelligent, compassionate, driven by logic shouldn't be ashamed of whatever nationality they are. In this case, American car companies can build fantastic cars whenever they put their minds (and budgets) to it, and leave marketing people out of ruining the final product (i.e. Audi A5, 2009 Acura TL).

I wonder how fast ZR-1 and CTS-V would be around TG track. I really do believe that in favorable weather conditions, Vette could do it in upper 1.17 to mid 1.18 range.

[Schneller]

Too bad Stig (or American Stig) didn't come along to the USA.

Would have liked to have seen him show up on the Salt Flats...rising from the radiating white sands.

[hardcoreep]

Very good episode. Captured the sense of adventure and drama. The car review continues to be great. They need to teach the guys in Aussie, that you NEED to talk about the car DURING the road test, not after.

[GaryyC]

This is one of the best episodes of TG ever recorded. I'd much prefer them being more factual(like this episode) with a hint of comedy.

10/10

[Alex K]

I thought it was really nice of Meatloaf to give May gambling tips despite Jay being so hard on him during the driving song poll.

Meatloaf. stand up guy.

[Mike Nassour]

9/10 easily....

The main thing about this episode was....balance. There's just enough car talk (the Abarth) and lust for speed (The Salt Flats) on one side, balanced by just the right amount of cocking around on the other.

And folks, someone should have told the boys that Vegas and Reno are two of the WORST places to horse around in, if you're trying to cause havoc on the streets. The cops in BOTH places are very, very, rigid, just as the security guards in the casinos are. They want NO trouble to spoil the gamblers' attention to the fruit salad and/or cards in front of them.

As far as Clarkson saying the US has produced three cars that are ready for the civilized world (assuming that means England), I'm afraid he's wrong again. All three are too large, too thirsty and just too flashy. But I'll tell you one thing...over here they're a hoot to have and I'd kill to have any of them.

Oh and that bit about the State Department, while funny and well played, I just HOPE that wasn't for real. If indeed someone at the TG production office didn't indeed take the time go get the proper clearances, well, that's really kind of bush league...NOT what I expect from that organization.

And yes, this episode demonstrated what's wrong with TG-A.

It's. Called. Writing.

TG-A is simply three friends describing somewhat cool vehicles, as they run around the wilds of Australia while accompanied by an excellent camera crew. Honestly, I really think two friends and I could produce the same thing on a Mac with Final Cut Pro as these guys given the same tools. It's only kind of entertaining.

The original has a MUCH higher quality of writing once the film (tape) is in the can. I can see the guys in Australia pounding out some copy, then cutting it and calling it a day. Clarkson on the other hand, well, I can see him sweating over a typewriter (NOT a PC) for hours on end, crafting just the right phrase.

Perhaps that's not the case, perhaps it's unfair, but that's what I see...that there's nothing wrong with TG-A that a well crafted phrase can't fix.

[Mercedes5CLR]

Excellent episode. Makes be proud that we can build two cars that can actually handle around corners and can push you back in the seat at the same time. The Challenger is a shameful attempt at bring back an old body style. But it does look good, but under neath the skin is anwful car.

TG, Did a great video in america and i really liked the Fiat. Wish this car would come to America. The Star segment sucked but other than that excellent. 9/10..

Next week should be great.

[teletubby-warrior]

Finally, a solid 10; loved every segment. It's sad to see how inconsistent Top Gear has become, but I'm glad this wasn't just another cock tease.

Originally Posted by Dsemaj

Usually I get annoyed when a challenge or a trip ends up dominating the episode, but this time, it felt right. Oh so very right. This goes on my best of Top Gear list, right with 07x03. When someone leaves me with a warm, fuzzy feeling at the end of a TV show, they've done something right. This is what TG UK is meant to be.

"Sorry officer... my foot slipped off the clutch" - I can't believe he said that...

Like I said, one of the best ever.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

[nate_bartlet]

Originally Posted by Schneller

Too bad Stig (or American Stig) didn't come along to the USA.

Would have liked to have seen him show up on the Salt Flats...rising from the radiating white sands.

when the lads were having trouble reaching their times, i was kind of expecting them to roll out the Stig's American Cousin to make a attempt.

[Jon'sIS]

That Fiat was a neat car. Not cool or absolutely horrid, but really neat. I liked the music of that segment. Can't wait for the track listing to come out for that one.

I thought last week was good, but this show amazes me every week! The trip was amazing! Three awesome cars, great driving states. The plant in the ZR1 is absolutely bonkers and is definitely a dream motor for gearheads. The worst car of the three could be the Challenger, too big, too fat, but damn is it sexy in a way. All in all they made some great choices.

[Nouvelle Chicane]

I'd be glad to buy that challenger off Hammond!... but I'm just a poorstudentwhocanbarelyaffordhisrentalsotooobssessedwiththesethreemenshowthatiscalled topgeargodIlovetopgearloveitloveitloveit!

[Wizegui]

Bravo! Classic Top Gear as we know it exists! Everything was pretty much spot on. 10/10

[BurnsRubber]

Awesome. The "State Department" thread got in the way of Jeremy's commentary about San Francisco, I was actually looking forward to listening to what he had to say about, well, there's so much to say about the 16th largest city in America...

I knew Jeremy was going to end up loving the ZR1. If he liked the ZO6, how could he not like a more comfortable, more powerful, faster version, the ZR1.

I had thought James would love the CTS-V. It's fast, comfy, it's a Caddy, did I say fast? I thought it was easy to control, until he drove it off the road in the desert, lol. I guess he did end up liking it though.

The Challenger was Richard's car all the way. Did he really buy it?

Great Episode. I laughed hysterically several times. Unfortunately, there was a lot of the predictable, almost childish now, anti-American jabs, that's disappointing to see, but I'd like to believe it's in good fun. The State Department should be ringing up the BBC. This was very entertaining. 9/10.