Practically Classics Forum

Morrisand944S2man wrote:It is fun entertainment. Not much use for buying a new car but it is just about the only comedy on the TV these days that has not been strangled by Political Correctness. Recent few series have not been as good. They script too much these days whereas the earlier series were more spontaneous and improvised.

I like the fact that they say edgy things and get in trouble for it, Mexicans, Lorry Drivers etc. The world needs more of this, not all the free speech stifling PC, too frightened to offend anyone crap!

I'm glad they destroy Morris Marinas and not Morris Minors. Their first trip across the USA was the funniest hour on TV for years.

I would agree with all of that.

The whole format is tired now and should be canned (actually they should have stopped quite some time ago) but the BBC will continue churning out Top Gear because it sells so well around the world. When it's bad it's embarassing but there are still just enough moments of pure gold amid all the dross to keep me watching!

Yes, the electric car episode could have been good and naturally funny if they hadn't spoilt it by scripting too much and deliberately trying to be funny, stupid backwards filmed fake crash test for example, ditto the British classic car episode.

They are running out of ideas and trying too hard. STill, it is the only thing on the TV worth watching for as you say, the odd golden moment.

The drive to the magnetic North pole and drive across Africa were impressive and good though. But the last two years or so Top Gear has really gone down hill.

I actually prefer the first (pre james May) series to the last two years recent Top Gear, which is never shown on TV these days, not even Dave.
http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gea ... 380787.htm

It is even MORE cringeworthy how 5th Gear has tried to blatantly copy Top Gear in recent years (and failed totally).

Morrisand944S2man wrote:It is even MORE cringeworthy how 5th Gear has tried to blatantly copy Top Gear in recent years (and failed totally).

have to agree with this - 5th Gear does not work for me at all. I think it says it all that my kids who are not into cars will happily watch Top Gear but would not even consider 5th Gear

stagman wrote:

Morrisand944S2man wrote:It is even MORE cringeworthy how 5th Gear has tried to blatantly copy Top Gear in recent years (and failed totally).

have to agree with this - 5th Gear does not work for me at all. I think it says it all that my kids who are not into cars will happily watch Top Gear but would not even consider 5th Gear

+1. It's an embarrassing programme that tries so hard to be what it isn't.

I have to say i like TG as well. Although 5th Gear does have Tiff Needell who is a fantastic driver

haaallloooom wrote:I have to say i like TG as well. Although 5th Gear does have Tiff Needell who is a fantastic driver

As well as Jason Plato, Ben Collins and one time Practical Classics staff writer and posh woman VBH, who isn't too shabby at the wheel either.

(Just don't try to tell Nigel Mansell that Needell is a fantastic driver, their "coming together" during the senior touring car racing a few years ago wasn't a polite one).

Now I didn't know that VBH was once on the PC staff!

Yes, she ran a red MK1 Cortina GT as a staff car, which was nice.

Maybe she is on her way back to PC - Danny said it was someone who we would know and strongly hinted that they had previously maintained a slot at PC

Phhhwoooarrr