[01x02] October 6th, 2008

[01x02] October 6th, 2008


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They really need to find better looking audience members :O

But all in all I don't think the second episode was an improvement..
The tests were very bland.. I haven't seen the challenge yet.

The first episode was great, though.
 
I am starting to get a little tired of them trying to overhype everything they do. "WORLD EXCLUSIVE!!!!!" It's only a "world exclusive" because of RHD, you could have one in your driveway 4 years ago so no the Ford GT is not a world exclusive. What's next week? "World exclusive" Zonda because it has a pink racing stripe and it's the only one in the world? Just admit it's nothing special and review it IMO.

Challenge was kind of boring, not enough happened to justify how long it was. Truck got messed up but we didn't get to see how, proton got lost for a couple seconds, and than 2 sideways shots.


The Smart hearse thing was just beyond stupid, not even a chuckle. Makes me dislike the wanna-be pornstar even more.

4/10, 1 more bad episode and I am changing my RSS to only get top gear uk.

EDIT: Now rewatching it in pieces to get a better idea why I didn't like it, the GT review he keeps saying things like it's a dream you don't want to wake up from and it's better than sex... but doesn't give enough (IMO) reasoning WHY it's better than sex. Just some sliding around and spinning out? Than an acceleration where you get an idea how fast he was going but no reference. No actual #'s, even if it's old give some #'s. If I didn't already have an idea how fast it is I wouldn't know after watching that.

The Holden/Ford was a bit half assed, a drag test and a braking test, that's it? The entire segment felt like a "joke" to keep the reps from the two companies happy. Coulnd't even get the stig out to do a lap? Watch the bmw vs audi vs benz where clarkson had to eat an apple. That's a test, cut out the cocking about for time reasons and you have a legit review. They didn't list any #'s they didn't really make a case for either car, it's much better with the UK boys where they pick the car and defend it.

Than the longest segment (12+ minutes) was filled with the least information. There wasn't enough cocking about to make it like UK team doing road repairs so I am not really sure what it was trying to be. Could have been a decent 5 minute segment since a lot of the same happened, but that extra time made it feel less interesting.

Than the hearse thing, well... let's just say if I was the editor that would be on the floor instantly. It wasn't crazy enough to be funny, it was just a mini with some fake handles and a casket tied to the back. Just felt yet again "half assed"


I think all my annoyances come down to the aus version has 10 minutes less, but they setup the show like they have those 10 minutes. They try to match # of segments. You don't need a review, 2 challenges, news, wall, siarpc, and "funny" bit mixed in with long intros. The show would just be so much better if they cut 1 per week, maybe don't do the news every week, swap it with that guys "funny" videos every other week.
 
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Enjoyed it :).

It was marginally better than the last one, but it still has enough kinks so as to not bump it up a rating.

Presenters still need to stop "trying", once they do that, it will be miiiiiiiiiles better :).

Stig@Graveyard was hilarious.
 
Second episode is solid step forward from the first one. Unlike last week, I haven't been tempted to use fast forward.

Ford GT review couldn't go wrong, it's so much more exciting car than Porsche 911.

Aussie car comparison was very interesting, mainly because they were more exotic to me than Ford GT.

I enjoyed the gold mine bit, but they should do a bit more reviewing. Most of the time they were driving silently, being focused on the task. They should say more about their cars. I don't even remember which engine Navara had, was it diesel or petrol? Still, I liked that bit.

And the Smart hearse bit... it was plain silliness. I understand the idea of making Smart serious, but execution wasn't enjoyable. They should stick to irritating deadly australian animals :p
 
Big improvement over the already nice first one. It?s all starting to come together more. If they keep that up, they?ll be in front of Fifth Gear (on my little list) in no time ...

Loved the Smart-hearse bit ... and "warming up the tires" had me (literally) rofl-ing :)

I gave it a 7.

btw ... we should really start a thread for "aussi-> english dictionary" ...
 
I just hope, they're reading this...

We want to see how badly damaged was your cars. Not just race through giant quarry and be TG rubbish. Why one or more of wheels doesn't came off? Maybe I am not getting it right because I am used to English "side of things" (thought I am not even remotely English), maybe it is TG in Australian way, but I miss this things. You make amazing race, really original and so entertaining and you finish it right over some pile of rocks.

Overall good stuff, maybe news will need some spice, but I am sure it will come gradually. For now it is absolutely worth watching for me. Thumbs Up and keep it coming.:)
 
Me liked it :)

The first one wasn't that bad, it just wasn't looking very top gear-ish, this one is much better !
 
I think they are starting to get better...you won't see and feedback improvements until they run out of pre filmed episodes though

I'm not either a Holden or Ford fan, but I think they were siding with the FORD for the reason that they were driving it much more. They even took the final lap in it... So I think they gave their answer on that.

What I can't get past so how much that Charlie Cox guy sweats during the show...

I can't concentrate when I'm only watching his sweaty head.
 
I missed the first few minutes then I had a poor TV.
Same here :(

This episode was much better than the first. There were genuine laughs this time instead of the slightly awkward ones from last week.

LOL at when the tricked the Stig into driving the CAT.:lol:
 
Much better than the first, but they still have a lot of stuff to sort out. Steve is annoying, and so is Charlie. They really have to improve on the studio segments, as they are just too damn loud... They are okey in the non-studio stuff, though. The test track needs to be explained better, and the editing could need some work as well.

I think this might go quite well as we see the series progress. I wouldn't be surprised if they can manage to create a show in the spirit of Top Gear, but with their own twist to it. I'm much more optimistic about this that I was this time last week, that's for sure! :)
 
Started off a bit slow (the GT bit was great, they just moved through stuff at a slower pace than I expected given last week), loved the "warming the tires" between Ford and Holden, still don't like the "What were they thinking?" segment, don't know if they need a challenge every week but this one was kinda fun, the guest was much better this time even though I still had no idea who he was, and the hearse bit was just brilliant.

7/10 Almost as good as an average TGUK episode.

The chemistry between the hosts seems to be coming along well. It shows up in the taped segments but the studio stuff seems a bit forced because Steve's just too goofy. Once they've got the pacing, editing, and transitions between segments -- the one to the news was very good -- sorted it'll be a great show.
 
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Much, much, much better.

Still a bit heavy on the ockerisms, but nothing too cringe-worthy.

Steve Pizzati toned down his act & was much better, but in the Holden vs. Ford bit, he sounded like a driving instructor:driving: - understandable as that's what he is, but it doesn't really fit the show.

The audience was more in to it too, so the atmosphere was better. Glad someone mentioned how hot it was as Charlie's face was like a waterfall during the SIABSC.

If they can maintain this level or better for the series, I'll be happy.
 
I'm sorry, but Steve and Cox still bug me. Steve toned down his act a bit but still seems gitty and is annoying. Warren is fantastic though. The reason the original Top Gear is great is because each host is interesting and engaging in their own way. Steve and Cox are the opposite and dull.

but hey two Top gears are better than one. right?
 
I gave episode one a 3, & episode two earned a 6. It was twice as good as the first, & a solid step in the right direction.

What I didn't like:-

Each of the news items seemed cut off short. The way that the presenters were talking seemed to insinuate that there was more, & then moved onto the next story. Hopefully time will fix this, as its presentation & not necessarily the writing that's the issue.

Ford vs Holden. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? Firstly, why not compare apples with apples & have 2 v8's go head to head instead of muddying the water by having a turbo 6 vs a v8. Secondly, TGUK has the reputation for annoying manufacturers & "telling it like it is" - not pussy footing around like we have witnessed here.

Steve - he's gotta go. Charlie is better, & Warren is fantastic.

Onwards & upwards!
 
The Ford GT *drools* omg that car ORSM!

Other good things the quote 'put that rear end on the F6' im agreeing 100% F6 need RE 275 rears at least its either bog down of the line like what happened or smoke them till 1/2 way through second lol.
 
The conclusion of the HSV v FPV was spot on - both brilliant cars, unbeatable for the money. We need to get over the ridiculous cringe factor some people have for these cars.
That was my favourite part of the episode, really, so many people (these forums included) hate on them for no good reason at all. I loved that the top gear writers knew enough about the automotive culture to actually point that out.

Overall 8/10, the Ford GT episode was a bit awkard to watch, and if it had 800hp, wow, it barely beat that GTR. Apart from that a solid episode all around.
 
Impressions of this episode:

Ford GT is sweet. Too bad the filming of the track is so terrible.

Too tough to decide between the Ford vs Holden. I like them both. I wonder if you can buy a Pontiac G8, and buy all the parts to make it like that Holden.

Ute challenge - it was ok. Im sure there are better challenges coming.

Its only episode 2, Im sure it will get better.
 
I just watched it again, as you do, and beyond the pretty pictures, there's no real substance.

I'm starting to believe it's a turd rolled in glitter.

The problem is that they never make any conclusions. Falcodore Tyretoast - no conclusion. Mine Utes - No conclusion or even a winner - it was a tie! Smart car - no story, they just drove around.

As I've said, a lot of this could've and should've been fixed on the whiteboard 6 months ago. Or they're simply scared of favouring any brand or model. Like under 5s football. No score so no-one gets sad.

It looks good, but without substance and stories it won't last.

I'll be the first to say it - "The Emperor has No Clothes!"
 
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