REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

L-Dawg · 12-22-2009, 11:34 AM

Is this the end for Top Gear?

It's the news Top Gear fans have been dreading - the show's boss has hinted that the show is coming to an end as ratings continue to slump.

Andy Wilman, executive producer of the BBC Two programme, also said that he fears the series is turning into a cartoon because the presenters were playing up their on-screen characters too much. He said: "There is a grumble and a rumble in the air from some of our regulars that we have lost the plot, we've disappeared up our a***s and we're predictable.

"It's fair to say that this incarnation of Top Gear is nearer the end than the beginning and our job is to land this plane with its dignity still intact."

He added: "But that doesn't mean we won't be trying new things to the last, even if they screw up because it means you never stopped trying."

Wilman was the man responsible for turning the show from a niche programme for car enthusiasts to a global hit, watched by millions of viewers.

His comments come as ratings for the current series were down on previous years - last Sunday's episode had 5.6million compared to a high of eight million two years ago.

A BBC spokesperson said: "Viewers can rest assured that Top Gear will be around for a long time yet. The BBC is extremely proud of what it achieves, attracting more than 7 million viewers per week, and there is an ongoing commitment to keep it at the heart of the BBC Two schedule."

http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/blog/article/386537/

sonick · 12-22-2009, 01:49 PM

I agree they could do less with the obviously staged stunts and accidents.

Gt-R R34 · 12-22-2009, 02:37 PM

yes, but things like the Vietnam special, thats what they need to do.

q0192837465 · 12-22-2009, 03:10 PM

Yea, I find TG not as entertaining as before as well. And I don't really get a lot of the Stig intros.

91civicZC · 12-22-2009, 03:21 PM

I watch the show every week. Great camera work and editing, some fun stories, and a crazy budget can make for a great watch.

However, I wonder if I am the only one who finds listening to Clarkson play himself up as a huge ass gets to be a bit boring after while. Honestly, I’d actually like to hear more from Capt Slow. His piece on the Vayron was great, not just for the car shots, but for the insight into the car itself. I will probably never afford the new Lambo, but I would still be more interested in what makes it a great or interesting car than watching some guy power slide it around a corner. In the wet. Again.

Gear down Clarkson a bit, but keep the humor without the slapstick. More road trip stories, and more actual insights in car builds (both historical and current) and the show would be back up to its old form.

Tim Budong · 12-22-2009, 03:23 PM

there was a budget cut for top gear already
becuz of the ratings dip in the past two years

StylinRed · 12-22-2009, 03:32 PM

i love the show, but like that guys letter they read i wish they would do some real car reviews too

they need to bring the show here as well instead of just airing repeats on the bbc channel

that should bring them more revenue

SkinnyPupp · 12-22-2009, 04:51 PM

Last 2 seasons have sucked a cock for the most part, so I won't be too sad to see them go. I would rather have 3 or 4 big specials each year than 30 or 40 crappy episodes.

!Shuya80 · 12-22-2009, 06:38 PM

I think I speak for many when I say that we do kind of secretly enjoy Jeremy power sliding while saying "POWERRRR!!!". Top Gear does get kind of dull at times and while I would like to see some more reviews on cars even if I've never EVER heard of the car. Their little challenges were kind of like a special treat of each season to entertain you. If anyone have watched from season 1 all the way to current you'll notice the change that the Wilman is talking about. The review of cars slowly die down, and more of those challenges occurs.

Tbh the most recent episode of top gear had me quite dissapointed. The Noble was definetly interesting but I did get bored during the whole museum bit.

That's my 2 cents about top gear for today =)

LiquidTurbo · 12-22-2009, 07:02 PM

I basically think they've reached a point where they can no longer out-do themselves. Every season they are expected to have more outrageous stunts, crazier challenges, faster cars around the track, etc.

It's bound to happen sooner of later, where they reach a point where they can no longer be as creative, because it you think about it.. they have done virtually everything possible. I'm surprised they've been able to make it last this long.

!Aznboi128 · 12-22-2009, 07:36 PM

I say, the cheap car challenge are the best.
Posted via RS Mobile

woob · 12-22-2009, 09:41 PM

^^^yesss

I love cheap car challenges!!! The old Porsches, and touring the USA in really cheap domestics!

josh t-1 · 12-22-2009, 10:47 PM

yeah i think they need to focus on the car more, its ok to have a story in each episode but when they are talking about the car it should be through and not so "i dont like this car because my character on the show only likes cars with huge motors"...

sonick · 12-23-2009, 07:29 AM

I don't mind challenges when they're about cars, but gimmicky stuff like the electric car they "built" (it was pretty obvious the hosts just played like they built it, but it was probably built by other people) and the hot air balloon Caravan was just boring.

LiquidTurbo · 12-23-2009, 11:54 AM

^

Of course, it was built at the Top Gear technology centre!

q0192837465 · 12-23-2009, 01:24 PM

what about Top Gear stuntman & Top Gear dog. I wanna see them again

Ronin · 12-23-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp

Last 2 seasons have sucked a cock for the most part, so I won't be too sad to see them go. I would rather have 3 or 4 big specials each year than 30 or 40 crappy episodes.

This.

6 episodes a year. Two big-ass specials. Four episodes of supercars.

None of this art gallery bullshit.

woob · 12-23-2009, 02:55 PM

that article paints a bleak picture.

Here's the full blog from which the article took the quotes: http://transmission.blogs.topgear.co...where-were-at/

(originally posted by hk20000 in the VAC thread)

Harvey Specter · 12-23-2009, 03:02 PM

If TG dies, another show will pop up. And who knows, maybe Vicki and Tiff might join the TG presenters and make the ultimate driving program.

vexor · 12-23-2009, 07:15 PM

Even if the show dies it will come back in another shpae or form.... Top Gear has been around since the 1980's I think ( or earlier) and the "old" TG was only cancelled in the late 1990's so this could just be a "long break" until ppl start to have interest in it again. It's like what car companies do, kill off a model (NSX, Camaro, etc) and bring it back a few years later when there's new and fresh "buzz" about it

CP.AR · 01-04-2010, 11:08 AM

The show needs to go back to the old days of "3 blokes talking about cars". None of this BS they are currently doing. Oh yeah, races were good too. The one with the Steam train was truely something to watch, and the Japan GT-R one was just beautiful.

That being said, the caravan episode was garbage

Crowtservo · 01-04-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Picard

The show needs to go back to the old days of "3 blokes talking about cars". None of this BS they are currently doing. Oh yeah, races were good too. The one with the Steam train was truely something to watch, and the Japan GT-R one was just beautiful.

That being said, the caravan episode was garbage

The specials are usually pretty good. Vietnam last year was awesome and Bolivia was pretty cool this time around.