[01x06] November 3rd, 2008

[01x06] November 3rd, 2008

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stiggie said:
People don't seem to realise that.

IcedVovo just said "So that gives TGA an average of around 550,000. Not viable at this stage, especially when SBS can get a reliable 900k from TGUK." bit they can't keep getting 900K from TGUK if they show 38 weeks worth of repeats each year.
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Yes BUT....

TGA is a VERY expensive show to produce. It needs to earn its keep.

In comparison, TGUK repeats are cheap to buy, so you don't need the higher ratings to fund them. They can get by with vastly lower figures.

Surely there's a point of diminishing return, a definitive ratings figure whereby it's more financially viable to simply run repeats.

500k?
 
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Well, I agree that there have been some improvements this week. The production values are definitely on the way up. Unfortunately, the weak links are the same as before:

1. Charlie ? who still looks bored (despite his fake smiles), and who just can't conduct a good interview to save his life. I'd like to think this will improve, but I just don't think Charlie knows how to get out of the way of his own ego.
2. The scripted bits, which are still dumbed down and unsophisticated.

When I watched the first episode of TGUK Series 12 this week, I was literally laughing out loud (and very loud!) on a VERY regular basis. TGA just doesn't have me doing that.

For me, this is the problem: The UK hosts' humour is mostly understated or totally deadpan, and often downright un-PC. The AUS hosts are still waving their flags all the time saying, "Here comes the joke", "Here is the joke", "That was the joke"... followed by a pregnant pause where we're supposed to "laugh" NOW! And what they actually choose to joke about is mostly very downmarket compared to the TGUK.

IMHO, it wouldn't take much for TGA to really start cooking, but it will mean fixing these problems first.
 
tone76 said:
using Warren to narrate this was a stroke of genius on the behalf of the producer/director, it felt like there was far less Charlie than usual
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Freehand, if you're reading this, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Bold, fearless prediction: TGA S2 will rate significantly better and more consistantly than S1 only if Warren and Charlie change jobs. Charlie has proven to be competent with the scripted car films and cocking about, but can't cut the mustard for the in studio stuff. Warren, OTOH, is just excellent all round. Even if this means killing off WWTT in 2x01 ... I can see it now ... Charlie could come out with a photo of the WWTT board and yell 'What Were They Thinking?'.

Given that Charlie has MotoGP commitments etc, this could be used as the perfect 'face saving' excuse so as to not bruise any egos whilst making the switchover. Just a thought.
 
STIG_mata said:
I'm betting the editors are today getting a workout, meticulously trolling over the tapes to put together next weeks Episode in the hope of replicating the magic of last nights show, or more likely re-editing the crap they thought would be good months ago into something slightly better.
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I'm betting they aren't.

Next weeks episode has a WRX STi being hunted by an Australian Army "Tiger" attack helicopter. I doubt that it is dull and needs to be re-edited.
 
The section that made me re-wind again to watch was the camera shot (upside down) of the reflection of the 4WDs in the water. Nice shot SBS!
 
stiggie said:
Next weeks episode has a WRX STi being hunted by an Australian Army "Tiger" attack helicopter. I doubt that it is dull and needs to be re-edited.
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Editing is never the issue, it's the lack of underlying story, and lack of subsequent footage shot to support same. You simply can't create a story from nothing in post.

I'm guessing this piece will be a rip of Clarkson being chased by a tank.

Look forward to it. :)
 
very good episode. gave it 10/10 for a nice come back. 4WD was very good, not without flaws but they re going into good direction. Warren playing that guitar was hilarious!!! :D
 
I gave it an 8.

I think my biggest gripe is that I think they packed a bit too much stuff into the show. I think the 4WD test would have been a bit better if they say, cut out WWTT this week and gave the extra time to the 4WDs.

I guess I'm just a sucker for Scenery Porn.

I also liked the actual resolution with the 4WDs.
 
If I would've rated it on the TGUK's scale, it'll probably be a 7, but as it's own show, it's coming along nicely. The 4WD off-roading actually looks pretty fun. I'd take the Q7 for daily driver.

The SL63 review was pretty good, I still think Charlie's (and the others too) line delivery isn't as good as Clarkson, but it's not bad. I'm a little bit surprised on how slow the SL63 was given the power it had. But I guess the folding hardtop and all the luxury stuff really weights it down.

Overall 8/10.
 
WWTT board was much worse than usual this time. Nobody in the studio thought they were funny and Warren was just dragging on with his Parking Officers.

The 4WD trip was completely pointless, apart from the conclusion. There was nothing to grab my attention, it felt like they just drove from one point to another on a straight road, where I could just use a regular car. The off-road segment was a good idea but they really could've commented on it a lot more. Once again, they didn't give enough info about the cars (engine specs, electronics, pros/cons). Their stops were really boring and unfunny - but that was expected..

The guest was alright, but Charlie can't do interviews. It felt like a complete monologue. It truely shows how much of a difference a great host makes. Oh and please TGA, improve your camera work on the track. If the guest didn't comment about it, I would've had no clue where he was. Also, why do they make the guests comment on their experience, when it's supposed to be Charlie's job...I guess they realize how much of a bore his is.

And lastly, the SL63 review. Not much info on the car's specs, just a lot of constant acceleration and pointless talk. He never says anything controversial, like Jeremy always does, which is one of the reasons I don't like Charlie. All he talked about was how great the convertible roof was and that he got a lot of attention. What about it's cons and pros. Also after the review, he added a few things like the price and the gearbox....why not feature that in the actual film?!

Anyway, this show just disappoints me. I know it's no TGUK but you can't not compare the two when they both have the same name. It lacks humor and there is no excitement - two things that make me love Top Gear.
 
Military vehicles VS a car.... Oh no, not another rip from the UK series !

The Au guys do a poor impersonation of talented presenters much less try to copy another UK idea, its got failure written all over it. But mostly boredom.
As someone who loves TG you Stiggie, should know better than to promote a segment thats going to suck big time.
 
I'm so confused about the What Were They Thinking board.
"Elan is [some language] for beauty. What were they thinking!?"
I was like wtf, that makes no sense whatsoever.

Can someone explain if they get it!?
 
insane said:
I'm so confused about the What Were They Thinking board.
"Elan is [some language] for beauty. What were they thinking!?"
I was like wtf, that makes no sense whatsoever.

Can someone explain if they get it!?
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He's saying the car looked anything but a beauty.
 
Why do you automatically assume that it is going to suck big time stig_MATA? Were you there for filming? Have you already seen the clip? Are you basing that on anything at all?!? The UK boys have done TG vs the Military at least 4 times so far and it always turns out good.
 
stiggie said:
Why do you automatically assume that it is going to suck big time stig_MATA? Were you there for filming? Have you already seen the clip? Are you basing that on anything at all?!? The UK boys have done TG vs the Military at least 4 times so far and it always turns out good.
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Exactly because the UK guys have done car VS miltary 4 times. Give it a rest, its been done time and time again !!
Honestly, there must be other things to do with a car rather than copy the UK shows ideas.
Maybe theres :rolleyes:absolutely nothing on earth left to do:rolleyes: even in a big brown land like Australia because the UK guys have done it all and nothing else could possibly be as entertaining as copying them. Yawn...
Or maybe TGAU needs rebadging to say its a lame copy of the UK version.

And its likely to suck because its been done before and the standards will be so high it will be compared as it always is.
Its a no-brainer, even if its great, it'll still be less, because its a copy.
What are they thinking !!
 
stiggie said:
Why do you automatically assume that it is going to suck big time stig_MATA? Were you there for filming? Have you already seen the clip? Are you basing that on anything at all?!?
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Based on the season so far, the chances aren't good. However...

The only way it will be better, is if it was shot after the first ep aired and they took on board all the "creative criticisms" from this forum.

Should I be pleasantly surprised? And how was the catering on the day? ;)
 
Icedvovo said:
Based on the season so far, the chances aren't good. However...

The only way it will be better, is if it was shot after the first ep aired and they took on board all the "creative criticisms" from this forum.

Yes Im not opposed to the show being a success but if we all wrote in and said how wonderful the show is like Stiggie, then thats of no help to the producers at all. Im sure its tough to read criticism of your hard work but if we were all one-eyed fans, then whats the use of a forum? Unless its a Disney show...
Especially as the AU show is slightly less than perfect,its better to voice a real and honest opinion, with reasons why and then let the producers decide whether to listen to the public or ignore us. Its a perfect opportunity for them to get bulk feedback and not just from people who want to give them a gentle stroke and a tug.
Forums like this help the show by providing thoughtful feedback.
It might just save the show too.


Should I be pleasantly surprised? And how was the catering on the day? ;)
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Yeah , Stiggie comes across as way too emotionally connected with the show to be an independant voice. He knows so much about SBS and the TGAU machinations and yet doesnt see any faults at all. Even the basic ones.
Im betting he's a relative or associate of someone on either side of the camera.
 
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