Worst Season of Top Gear - Page 3

der_jackal · July 23rd, 2008, 10:30 PM

I'm willing to give them a flyer on season 9 because of the Hamster wheel incident, but 8 was just so forced from start to finish.

The reviews weren't anything special, the BBC radio bit was contrived, the convertible people carrier was okay, the only saving grace in 8 was the Amphibious cars.

Even Cpt. Slow and Jackie Stewart was marginal at best.

It was a toss up between 8 and 9, but m'eh. Even forced / contrived Top Gear is better than anything else on TV.

Walsh_e · July 23rd, 2008, 10:33 PM

For me whilst season nine was probably too over the top with the challenges I can still re-watch the episodes, there are some good moments in there.

I voted for season one however because again whilst there are good moments the show lacked at spark which to me is not only because of Jason Dawe but also because imo Richard Hammond is not the most charasmatic of presenters and quite often in his segments, less so today, he seems uncomfortable in front of the camera and almost like his expressions are being forced. That was the main problem with the first season for me along with some really stupid sections involving the grannies!

That said it took JM quite a while to become comfortable in the roll especially in the studio however by the end of season 2 he began to come out of his shell so the speak and become alot more confident and with it showed alot more of his charisma on the screen which helped form the chemistry between the three today.

SuperStalin · July 23rd, 2008, 10:44 PM

Good lord, I just voted for season nine, thinking I'll probably be the only one...

alfaholic · July 23rd, 2008, 10:57 PM

If I HAD to choose I would say season 1 simply due to the lack of James May. The beauty of Top Gear for me though is that all the series have had classic moments (I actually liked the tractors ep in Series 9 for example). So far this series has left me feeling a bit flat compared to the rest as there have been no 'epic' highlights IMO and some of the scripting has seemed a little forced. With that said after reading the summary of this Sunday's episode it sounds like it will be an absolute ripsnorter! images/smilies/smile.gif

cdbob · July 23rd, 2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LurkerPatrol

I'm wondering which question is harder: "What is the worst season of Top Gear?" or "What is the best season of Top Gear?".

I think season 6 and season 10 were the best by far.

That has been debated for a long long time, to me it would be impossible to argue which season was best. I mean there are certainly different viewpoints. But if there is anything everyone can do well, its agree to hate something collectively. This poll also shows the best seasons, since they would be the ones least voted for.

scowy · July 23rd, 2008, 11:45 PM

I voted for series 10 simply because this for me was the pinnacle of their populist largese. I'll reserve judgement on series 11 until the run has actually finished, though to be fair this series has at least had one "car" episode.

Let's face it, they've become so obsessed with popularity the show has lost direction, I'm sure alot of the new viewers who now watch the show wonder why they keep on mentioning cars. Maybe they should change the name to Top Challenges.

I thought about voting for series 1 but by memory of it is so poor I didn't think it fair. Unfortunately in the UK Dave (TV channel) doesn't show series 1. But while people have attacked the lower production values of the first series, that comes at a cost, which is the cost. The sheer amount of money that they are now blowing on Top Gear means that they've only got enough for 6 episodes. Does it actually increase the benefit of the show and viewing public spending a fortune on specials like having them drive across Africa or alternatively reviewing a car by driving around Birmingham? The BBC obviously thinks it's better blowing the lot on a small number of stunts and chasing viewing figures.

Does this mean the BBC are now onto a winner with it's flash post-production, I don't think so. In fact from some of the views on this forum the photography is really starting to annoy people. If anyone from the show actually bothered to look at this poll they'd notice that out of 101 votes (@ 23:30 23-07-2008) not one person has voted for seasons 6 or 7. Both of these series had a mixture of car reviews, stunts and challenges. Now I think thats the most interesting result from this poll, and maybe a wake-up call to the Top Gear team.

lueyyou · July 23rd, 2008, 11:48 PM

I'm surprised so many people voted for season 1, I quite enjoyed the slow and humble nature of the show back then, it seemed much more down to earth. But I think my entire view of season 1 is based on the lasting impression Jeremy's review of the Citroen Berlingo has made on me in the first episode. Now that was a proper car review. Can't remember much of the rest of the season actually...

NHeer-Design · July 23rd, 2008, 11:55 PM

Season 8. If I recall, that's when they had the caravan episode.

der_jackal · July 24th, 2008, 12:03 AM

Season 1 had Granny's doing doughnuts.

Seriously how is that not the best bit EVER on Top Gear??!?! That makes up for Jason Yawne.

Honestly though - The reviews were there, the larking about not so much, but they had the good comparison shoot outs and it was still getting the wrinkles out.

And how long before we see Wilman fire up his blog and call out the Final Gear dweebs for this thread? images/smilies/wink.gif

cdbob · July 24th, 2008, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by der_jackal

And how long before we see Wilman fire up his blog and call out the Final Gear dweebs for this thread? images/smilies/wink.gif

Why do we care about Wilman, I mean we are making a big deal that he knows about Final Gear, I made this to find if what people thought and I found out that the season 1 and the newer seasons get the most flac. And also true to the first part according the the votes the middle seasons are the best.

Mike Nassour · July 24th, 2008, 01:02 AM

Season nine, period. It was the first time I thought that Fifth Gear had gotten a leg up on TG and in fact, surpassed it, not only for the value of the car reviews, but was in general just more entertaining. And let's face it, that's what TG is all about...and it failed.

Who really cares about roadworks and tractors?

images/smilies/zzz.gif

skylock · July 24th, 2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Nassour

Season nine, period. It was the first time I thought that Fifth Gear had gotten a leg up on TG and in fact, surpassed it, not only for the value of the car reviews, but was in general just more entertaining. And let's face it, that's what TG is all about...and it failed.

Who really cares about roadworks and tractors?

images/smilies/zzz.gif

I must live a really dull and boring life because I do.

Martin · July 24th, 2008, 01:22 AM

Could we get one more option on the poll? Because I'm with a good number of others in saying that I can't vote for a worst season. There are what I would call "weak" episodes of Top Gear, but every season has at least one good episode in it so it would be unfair to wholly discount a single season. Additionally we can't assume that everyone agrees what is a good/bad season (or episode) so if consensus is an issue then there won't be any agreement; however I imagine that's not the problem.

Anyway, I'd like to think about what is the best of Top Gear so lets continue our debates on the best episodes/seasons and leave the worst opinions to the side.

racingfan1 · July 24th, 2008, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skylock

I must live a really dull and boring life because I do.

Plus, I thought the American episode was more entertaining than say, Fifth Gear.

der_jackal · July 24th, 2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdbob

Why do we care about Wilman, I mean we are making a big deal that he knows about Final Gear, I made this to find if what people thought and I found out that the season 1 and the newer seasons get the most flac. And also true to the first part according the the votes the middle seasons are the best.

It's a joke, hence the wink.

It's a poke at the eventuality that there are going to be people who will start threads in hope of gaining some "infamy".

Zorlac · July 24th, 2008, 07:14 AM

I never saw season 1, but season 8 was terrible.

The Fishman · July 24th, 2008, 01:46 PM

They played Season 1 on SBS Australia recently, it just didn't work without James May.

Season 9 was fine by me.

crashmaxx · July 24th, 2008, 02:42 PM

I voted for season 1, but I think those episodes are still better the best episodes of Fifth Gear which are still really good. That is just how awesome Top Gear is, the best even at its worst.

stiggie · July 24th, 2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fishman

They played Season 1 on SBS Australia recently, it just didn't work without James May.

Season 9 was fine by me.

Yeah, it just seemed wrong.

ahpadt · July 24th, 2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scowy

Let's face it, they've become so obsessed with popularity the show has lost direction, I'm sure alot of the new viewers who now watch the show wonder why they keep on mentioning cars. Maybe they should change the name to Top Challenges.

Well put. Tbh they've lost contact to earth and are just trying too hard.

View Poll Results: My Least Favorite is...
Season One	97	53.01%
Season Two	5	2.73%
Season Three	1	0.55%
Season Four	2	1.09%
Season Five	1	0.55%
Season Six	1	0.55%
Season Seven	3	1.64%
Season Eight	7	3.83%
Season Nine	40	21.86%
Season Ten	6	3.28%
Season Eleven	20	10.93%
Voters: 183. You must log in to vote in this poll

July 23rd, 2008, 10:30 PM	#41
der_jackal Joined: Jun 13th, 2006 Last Online: January 6th, 2009 Location: Redmond, Wa. Yes, I do and no I won't. Age: 39 Posts: 238 Car: '05.5 S4 + '06 Discovery 3 Rep Power: 19	I'm willing to give them a flyer on season 9 because of the Hamster wheel incident, but 8 was just so forced from start to finish. The reviews weren't anything special, the BBC radio bit was contrived, the convertible people carrier was okay, the only saving grace in 8 was the Amphibious cars. Even Cpt. Slow and Jackie Stewart was marginal at best. It was a toss up between 8 and 9, but m'eh. Even forced / contrived Top Gear is better than anything else on TV. __________________

July 23rd, 2008, 10:33 PM	#42
Walsh_e Joined: Jun 26th, 2005 Last Online: 08:00 AM Location: Wirral, UK Age: 23 Posts: 198 Rep Power: 18	For me whilst season nine was probably too over the top with the challenges I can still re-watch the episodes, there are some good moments in there. I voted for season one however because again whilst there are good moments the show lacked at spark which to me is not only because of Jason Dawe but also because imo Richard Hammond is not the most charasmatic of presenters and quite often in his segments, less so today, he seems uncomfortable in front of the camera and almost like his expressions are being forced. That was the main problem with the first season for me along with some really stupid sections involving the grannies! That said it took JM quite a while to become comfortable in the roll especially in the studio however by the end of season 2 he began to come out of his shell so the speak and become alot more confident and with it showed alot more of his charisma on the screen which helped form the chemistry between the three today. __________________ Be Champions! In the end it wasn't man's guns and bombs that stopped the aliens, but that most humble of God's creatures, the Tyrannosaurus rex

July 23rd, 2008, 10:44 PM	#43
SuperStalin Joined: Feb 19th, 2007 Last Online: 05:47 AM Posts: 1,090 Rep Power: 17	Good lord, I just voted for season nine, thinking I'll probably be the only one... __________________ "....fifth gear!!!" - Jeremy Clarkson

July 23rd, 2008, 11:45 PM	#46
scowy Joined: Aug 2nd, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Bolton, England Posts: 44 Rep Power: 0	I voted for series 10 simply because this for me was the pinnacle of their populist largese. I'll reserve judgement on series 11 until the run has actually finished, though to be fair this series has at least had one "car" episode. Let's face it, they've become so obsessed with popularity the show has lost direction, I'm sure alot of the new viewers who now watch the show wonder why they keep on mentioning cars. Maybe they should change the name to Top Challenges. I thought about voting for series 1 but by memory of it is so poor I didn't think it fair. Unfortunately in the UK Dave (TV channel) doesn't show series 1. But while people have attacked the lower production values of the first series, that comes at a cost, which is the cost. The sheer amount of money that they are now blowing on Top Gear means that they've only got enough for 6 episodes. Does it actually increase the benefit of the show and viewing public spending a fortune on specials like having them drive across Africa or alternatively reviewing a car by driving around Birmingham? The BBC obviously thinks it's better blowing the lot on a small number of stunts and chasing viewing figures. Does this mean the BBC are now onto a winner with it's flash post-production, I don't think so. In fact from some of the views on this forum the photography is really starting to annoy people. If anyone from the show actually bothered to look at this poll they'd notice that out of 101 votes (@ 23:30 23-07-2008) not one person has voted for seasons 6 or 7. Both of these series had a mixture of car reviews, stunts and challenges. Now I think thats the most interesting result from this poll, and maybe a wake-up call to the Top Gear team. Last edited by scowy; July 24th, 2008 at 12:17 AM..

July 23rd, 2008, 10:57 PM	#44
alfaholic Joined: Nov 12th, 2007 Last Online: January 1st, 2009 Posts: 50 Car: ^ Rep Power: 0	If I HAD to choose I would say season 1 simply due to the lack of James May. The beauty of Top Gear for me though is that all the series have had classic moments (I actually liked the tractors ep in Series 9 for example). So far this series has left me feeling a bit flat compared to the rest as there have been no 'epic' highlights IMO and some of the scripting has seemed a little forced. With that said after reading the summary of this Sunday's episode it sounds like it will be an absolute ripsnorter!

July 23rd, 2008, 11:48 PM	#47
lueyyou Joined: Jan 23rd, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 104 Rep Power: 8	I'm surprised so many people voted for season 1, I quite enjoyed the slow and humble nature of the show back then, it seemed much more down to earth. But I think my entire view of season 1 is based on the lasting impression Jeremy's review of the Citroen Berlingo has made on me in the first episode. Now that was a proper car review. Can't remember much of the rest of the season actually... __________________ "Am I a pencil? Am I a cauliflower? Am I a nuclear power sta-- I'm a gearbox! Oh, heavens, I'm gonna swap some cogs around!"

July 23rd, 2008, 11:55 PM	#48
NHeer-Design Joined: May 13th, 2006 Last Online: January 7th, 2009 Location: YYC Posts: 117 Rep Power: 13	Season 8. If I recall, that's when they had the caravan episode. __________________

July 24th, 2008, 12:03 AM	#49
der_jackal Joined: Jun 13th, 2006 Last Online: January 6th, 2009 Location: Redmond, Wa. Yes, I do and no I won't. Age: 39 Posts: 238 Car: '05.5 S4 + '06 Discovery 3 Rep Power: 19	Season 1 had Granny's doing doughnuts. Seriously how is that not the best bit EVER on Top Gear??!?! That makes up for Jason Yawne. Honestly though - The reviews were there, the larking about not so much, but they had the good comparison shoot outs and it was still getting the wrinkles out. And how long before we see Wilman fire up his blog and call out the Final Gear dweebs for this thread? __________________

July 24th, 2008, 01:02 AM	#51
Mike Nassour Joined: Jul 10th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Austin, the Republic of Texas Posts: 93 Rep Power: 11	Season nine, period. It was the first time I thought that Fifth Gear had gotten a leg up on TG and in fact, surpassed it, not only for the value of the car reviews, but was in general just more entertaining. And let's face it, that's what TG is all about...and it failed. Who really cares about roadworks and tractors?

July 24th, 2008, 01:22 AM	#53
Martin Joined: Jul 5th, 2005 Last Online: January 1st, 2009 Location: South Carolina, USA Age: 30 Posts: 126 Car: 2007 VW Golf Rep Power: 15	Could we get one more option on the poll? Because I'm with a good number of others in saying that I can't vote for a worst season. There are what I would call "weak" episodes of Top Gear, but every season has at least one good episode in it so it would be unfair to wholly discount a single season. Additionally we can't assume that everyone agrees what is a good/bad season (or episode) so if consensus is an issue then there won't be any agreement; however I imagine that's not the problem. Anyway, I'd like to think about what is the best of Top Gear so lets continue our debates on the best episodes/seasons and leave the worst opinions to the side. __________________ "A 1992 Dateline expose revealed that GMC trucks were dangerous when explosives were strapped to the gas tank and then detonated." See story.

July 24th, 2008, 07:14 AM	#56
Zorlac Joined: Nov 25th, 2005 Last Online: November 10th, 2008 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 44 Car: 2000 Bonneville SSEi. I hate it. Rep Power: 14	I never saw season 1, but season 8 was terrible.

July 24th, 2008, 01:46 PM	#57
The Fishman Joined: Apr 10th, 2008 Last Online: January 5th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 345 Rep Power: 7	They played Season 1 on SBS Australia recently, it just didn't work without James May. Season 9 was fine by me. __________________ Buddy Franklin is The Stig.

July 24th, 2008, 02:42 PM	#58
crashmaxx Joined: Jul 28th, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: York, PA, USA Age: 21 Posts: 156 Car: 2002 Subaru Impreza RS Rep Power: 7	I voted for season 1, but I think those episodes are still better the best episodes of Fifth Gear which are still really good. That is just how awesome Top Gear is, the best even at its worst. __________________

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