How are people liking The Grand Tour here? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 02:10:14 pm
content: I know this is not strictly EE related, but I'd be willing to bet there are a decent amount of TopGear and now Grand Tour fans here.So yes, the second episode just came out, just watched it. They almost had a news section at the beginning, and honestly even though there isn't one, the free flowing order (Moreso than TopGear) seems to bemaking everything a news section almost instead of transition to transition.The content is amusing, and the car reviews are better than regular TopGear with the classic winging nitpicks and Jeremy, Richard, and James humor intact and thriving.I definitely noticed a loosened leash on the series, but that now means the trio can do what they do best.Would love to hear how everybody else is enjoying, I know it's not EE related, but the genres are close enough in my mind.Also a funny question for my own interest, (Not employed by anyone to ask this, just curious), has anybody recently purchased a prime membership with a main reason or contributing factor being The Grand Tour?

author: darrellg
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 06:26:00 pm
content: The videography is far superior. Otherwise, it's pretty much the same show, just slightly less structured.

author: electrolux
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 09:43:09 pm
content: I don't have Amazon Prime.

author: imidis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 09:44:48 pm
content: Glad to see them back! The intro episode was okay, I really want to see their challenges and other stuff. They've been doing it along time, I'm pretty sure it will be good.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 09:48:40 pm
content: First couple of episodes have appeared on Youtube, slightly mangled to evade auto copyright detection

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 10:19:06 pm
content: Dang I missed two episodes already? I'll watch them asap and get back. The 'new' Top Gear on BBC was a massive dissaster so I'm hoping Clarkson, Hammond and May have not lost their mojo too.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 10:26:01 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on November 25, 2016, 10:19:06 pmQuite the contrary, avoid this like a minefield, but I think they have even improved on TopGear previously. The first episode was a bit mweh, but the second was just fine, and while it may annoy lovers of the serious car show that once was TopGear, those who came for a funny and amusing car show, will not be disappointed. They are still doing reviews, they practically do their outside of Britain specials every episode.They even have elements of the news sprinkled throughout the show, talking about new cars, and interesting topics. They also tend to roast the country they are staying in while they are at it.

author: tech5940
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 01:31:56 am
content: I'm soo happy to see the trio back. I signed up for Amazon Prime just to watch it. I do hope they continue with the special challenges where they each buy a old car and have to travel somewhere in it, I loved those episodes.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

author: System Error Message
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 05:51:54 am
content: Its the old top gear, they do really well since they have less restrictions and censorship unlike with the BBC. BBC screwed up and the trio were never happy with their producer. I would really like to see them do more funny and weird things but i would really like to see them doing things with lesser cars (basically cars that everyone can afford), pushing them to their limits, reviewing them in entertaining ways. I particularly liked it when they were in romania and they got james one of the local cars only the be rammed by a lorry after he parked it after he tried it out, or when clarkson drove a green car into the sea.I would also like to see them do projects like when they tried to modify cars to become amphibious.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 06:38:13 am
content: I'm annoyed with Amazon, with how they try and force Amazon prime onto people. By using partly naughty tricks. Such as by making the odd item on Amazon only available to Amazon Prime Members.Also by often coming up with a screen which asks if you want to join Amazon prime, when you are buying something. It is all to easy, to accidentally join Amazon prime, because the web page is rather weakly/poorly designed, and easy to accidentally press it.I don't want to pay £7.99 (about £72.99 annual charge, if paid annually) per month subscription, as it soon adds up to lots of money. It offers little or nothing of interest to me. I'm not even 100% sure what you get for your money.I have enough free** TV channels, which I don't necessarily have time to watch everything, that I would like to. Without having even more channels, to miss stuff on.It is a pity that "Top Gear" or whatever you/they want to call it, is no longer available on the standard, "free**", TV channels. It was a nice show. Sad that Jeremy Clarkson had his bad day, with that other chap. Hitting him was going too far, so I sadly have to accept the outcome. Pity it affects so many hundreds of millions of people, who really enjoyed Top Gear.**Free = Not free really, as you usually have to pay the annual TV licence fees.I am assuming that sooner or later, I will be able to watch it on the conventional TV channels, such as "Dave" and/or buy the series on DVD/Blu-ray.Although it is/might be viewable on youtube, I prefer near 100% full quality, and it being a genuine broadcast (fully morally/legal), rather than an unofficial, semi-pirated youtube video. I don't even like iplayer and similar playbacks. Partly because they do not currently play via my TV, but only on my computer screen.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 06:44:43 am
content: Quote from: MK14 on November 26, 2016, 06:38:13 amAmazon is a bit stingy with that, but they want to make money, blame capitalism.They have some perks, but only if you buy a lot of stuff from Amazon.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 06:57:43 am
content: Quote from: TwoOfFive on November 26, 2016, 06:44:43 amI'm happy, if Amazon wants to create Amazon prime, and advertise it, in the same way they advertise other Amazon things.But the hard ball/under-handed techniques (I say under-handed, because despite NEVER wanting it. They already, against my will, signed me up for it, due to a poorly constructed/designed website. I somewhat hugely (made a fuss) complained, and got them to cancel it) they are using to try and get people to go for it. I find very annoying, and have disappointed me, as regards Amazon. Which apart from that, I quite like the company and their services.As you say. Users/families, who buy lots and lots of stuff from Amazon, probably get the best value from it. Especially if they want the speeded up delivery (and free delivery, with easier criterion than normal) aspects of it.I think it is also an American thing. Partly forcing consumers into stuff like that.Over here (in the UK), we/companies are less inclined to do that. But it does happen over here as well. With UK companies in some cases. Just rarer (hopefully a lot rarer), in my opinion.Somehow, America seems to come up with companies, such as Microsoft. Who just seem out to make a profit, and don't seem to careless about consumers, unfair prices, bad business practices, fairness or have much in a way of business ethics/morals. Hopefully it is not just me who thinks (can see) this.E.g. Windows 10 (apparently) somewhat secretly sending information from a persons computer, to Microsoft. The full extent of which, and who gets to see the information, is not very apparent, at the moment.But America also has produced some very fine companies, such as HP (especially in their day), Tektronix, Intel (mostly but not 100%), and many others.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 07:21:39 am
content: Quote from: MK14 on November 26, 2016, 06:57:43 amHah, Amazon is relatively nice. They normally refund stuff if you ask them to, and they treat customers decently. They push hard, but there are companies that do WAY worse. They are trying to make a push into the market aggressively, because if they didn't they would end up in the mud.Take EA for example. Terrible customer support, consistently broken products, douchebag DRM practices, and the habit of ruining MANY companies by buying them out and making them produce rubbish (Maxis, PopCap, etc.)Google is honestly the least pushy of them all, and they are quite nice and their products work very very well. Their issues come into play when privacy maniacs get upset over their massive massive data collection. They are also the same people who go mad within 8 years from having to disable NoScript in order to use anything whatsoever every time they visit a website.It's all part of the deeply capitalist USA, Europe has DECENT people, and a voting majority that doesn't consist primarily of rednecks, dumbarses, and SJWs. We get advertised like CRAZY over here. I mean the fracking olympic opening ceremony wasn't even live in the US because LITERALLY, I AM NOT KIDDING, THERE WERE 5 MINUTE AD BLOCKS EVERY 5 MINUTES. Who the hell wants to watch that? I didn't watch most of it, but this is where Mobdro comes into play, so you can turn on the BBC or ZDF and be done with it.I mean we have billboards everywhere, ads in every single thing you can buy. It's not that terrible once you get used to it, but I never watch broadcast television in the US.We don't like it as much as you do, but we have no choice, and it's better than some of the alternatives like having to pay for everything.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 07:41:52 am
content: Quote from: TwoOfFive on November 26, 2016, 07:21:39 amI strongly agree with both your main points!Amazon (ignoring the pushy Amazon Prime rants of mine), have mostly been a delightful company, in my experience. Usually brand spanking new items (the odd, rare exception though, sometimes), quickly delivered in excellent condition (well/safely packed). Great after sales refund/replacement service. They pay for and promptly collect (or let you take it back to where you collected it from originally) returned/faulty items.Typically good prices, among if not, the cheapest price for most items.Just a pity about the Amazon Prime thing.I have heard from other sources, about US broadcast TV, having way, way too many adverts and stuff. Making it somewhat unwatchable. I'm glad it is not like that over here. Although there are still too many adverts for my liking, even over here (UK), but it is not too bad, on many channels. Some are worse than others. The BBC channels are (paid) advert free, which helps as well. But they do advertise other TV programmes and stuff, for short periods of time. But it is nearly advert free, mostly.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 09:31:05 am
content: I find that I'm not watching the episodes all the way through, I'm finding that I lose interest, a case of less is more if you like. The opening sequence in the first episode was quite a spectacle though. Some of the show I don't see the point of, like the celebs who appear but don't say anything.Regarding the more general comments on ad breaks, this also drives how content makers structure their shows, so rather than having, say, three unconnected segments running one after the other, they run them concurrently in an effort to keep the viewer longer. Together with the ad breaks themselves, they have to re-introduce each concurrent segment several times to remind the viewer, usually re-using the same footage, so an hour long episode will only have half an hour of actual content. This in itself is a reason why I watch less and less broadcast commercial TV nowadays.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 10:57:51 am
content: Quote from: TwoOfFive on November 26, 2016, 07:21:39 amI download eveything I want to watch through P2P or from the network's website. The fact I pay for the program through the commercials doesn't mean I want to watch the commercials. Also a downloaded file allows replay through a good video player like VLC which can do things like normalising the volume.

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 11:07:00 am
content: Couldn't find salt for my popcorn. Seems it was all in this thread.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 05:42:06 pm
content: The Grand Tour feels slightly longwinded to me. Maybe because they are not doing the celebrity interviews + timed laps as they did in Top Gear the segments with driving around in cars and do idiotic stuff have to be longer. OTOH the celibrity laps + interviews where boring too every now and then.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 06:15:35 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on November 26, 2016, 05:42:06 pmI found celebrity laps were insanely boring, and unless they had a really interesting person on, like Patrick Stewart, I had no interest and normally skipped past those sections.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 06:37:12 pm
content: What is the situation as regards the "Stig" character/presenter ?Obviously they have not got the real one (I think they stayed with the BBC, for the new Top Gear show). But presumably they can and have/will replace him with a similar character. Since he is normally always secret and dressed to remain anonymous. All they need is an extremely good test track driver, with some personality and willing to do it.Or alternatively they can just do without that part of the old "Top Gear" format.In some/most of the foreign country tours of the original Top Gear, they used a decent local driver, dressed as Stig, anyway.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 06:55:39 pm
content: They have an ex-Nascar driver, almost as opinionated as Clarkson if that's possible :-)

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 07:30:42 pm
content: After only 2 episodes I think the format is going down the toilet pretty fast. The introductory one had novelty value, and they'd clearly wanted (needed) to make a splash, but after episode two it's looking awfully formulaic:- The contrived guests not arriving scenes are just plain childish.- Absence ofanyguests (driving or not) to dilute the three of them, there's just no relief.- The huge amount of 'padding' in the 'special forces training' section with no motoring content whatsoever. Predictable and brainless jokes.- The redneck grumblings of whoever that ex-nascar character is could get tiring really quickly (in fact, episode two!).- Nothing at all but exotic cars that go very fast, at least there used to besomemore down to earth (and amusing) stuff.- They're trying to make it an 'international' show, basically just dragging a tent around and cracking a few locally relevant jokes). I suspect that one of the selling points of the show was that it was a 'British' show, that the rest of the world found a bit 'quirky' as a result. It's lost that.Amazon just seem willing to indulge them in the hope that they will continue to be 'a winning formula' and let them jibber on unchecked. I think the show actually benefitted from some BBC discipline.Personally I'm very disapointed. Their last series with the BBC was getting a little tired, no longer a 'well that's what we're watching on Sunday at 8pm' but their specials used to be good (two Amazon episodes in now and not a sign of anything of similar quality). I'm glad it wasn't our reason for signing up for Amazon prime I'd be really disapointed then!Maybe it was time for them to move on, but I think the reinvented BBC Top Gear (now Evans has gone) probably has more chance of evolving into something good than the Amazon show has. Give it another couple of episodes and I think the critics will be panning it.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 07:54:14 pm
content: Quote from: Howardlong on November 26, 2016, 06:55:39 pmThanks for the answer!I guess they wanted that, as the US audience, especially now "Top Gear/Grand Tour" has split from UK/BBC, and gone more American. With Amazon being big/popular in the US, especially. I.e. The "Stig" position, gave the show, an optional US character placement, without changing the basic setup as such.So it kind of figures.Two episodes in, is still very early days. Maybe it will take time for the new teams/show to bed in. So it might be good/better as time goes on.When "Top Gear", first broke up, due to Clarkson. Many people were saying that "Top Gear", was running out of steam, and was beginning to go down hill, anyway. I rather liked/like the show/format. So maybe I'm biased, but I still hope it can be a success.If the "New Top Gear", WITHOUT Evans, can become a success as well. I'm still not convinced that just getting rid of Evans, is enough to make it a hit. But if it is, then I'm fine with that. The more good motoring "man cave" shows, the better, in my opinion.I agree that when they were with the BBC, it gave "improvements" to the show. Which are difficult to describe/detail, but may mean that the new format "Grand Tour", suffers in the longer term, without the BBC tie up.I still think it is a pity, that after the original Clarkson incident (which I agree is "TOO SERIOUS", because punching someone, is going TOO FAR), the BBC could not have severely punished Clarkson. E.g. By banning him for 6/12 Months or something and maybe other stuff.But NOT destroying/damaging a successful (at the time) show, which is probably enjoyed by hundreds of millions of viewers, around the world.tl;drI.e. Keep Clarkson and team, but severely punish him (6/12 month ban, etc), instead. Keeping the original top gear going. But I guess I am crying over spilt milk now.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 08:04:02 pm
content: I'm liking it. I think more time should be given for more interesting circumstances to arise.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 08:31:31 pm
content: I'mspeculating. But they may have also pulled out all the stops, and spent much more money on the first few episodes. To maximize the likelihood of people, starting to watch the show and hence subscribing to Amazon Prime.Because they probably reckoned, that the first few episodes, are what everyone will be looking to. To decide how good (or bad), the new show is going to be.Later shows can still be good, but maybe less resources, effort and money will be spent on them.This does not prevent the show, from still improving and becoming a better or as good, show, as it is now though. Just that much harder.Disclaimer: Since I've not even watched the new shows (although the clips I've seen, look very promising), and don't know that much about producing shows. My speculation could easily be wrong.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 10:40:10 pm
content: Having seen the first two episodes I think they (C,H&M) didn't went overboard in the first two episodes just as they did in their Top Gear era. I'm looking forward to the rest.

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 11:29:11 pm
content: Quote from: MK14 on November 26, 2016, 06:57:43 amI certainly wouldn't hold intel in that group, they've used a number of dirty tricks over the years.Refused to give AMD the blueprints to second source the 386 despite already signing a contract that they would. Tied it up in court long enough such that it was a moot point. This is also why it's called Pentium (a word is trade markable) vs 586 (a number isn't)Tried to make a deal with Microsoft to tell, them and only them, about the the MMX instructions so that Windows would run faster on an Intel processor. Microsoft did the right thing and said "no, we only code to the published instruction set"

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 11:48:37 pm
content: Quote from: boffin on November 26, 2016, 11:29:11 pmThose reasons, and a number of other things, are why I said:QuoteIntel is a bit of a mixed bag.On the one hand, I admire them, for often producing extremely advanced (usually cpus), along with very advanced IC manufacturing capabilities, along with very high quality chips, almost all the time.On the other, I dislike a number of their business practices, over the years. Such as when they potentially cheated as regards benchmarks, compilers, Intel vs AMD. For which they got prosecuted and had to pay big compensation (Fines) to AMD. If I remember correctly.Anyway, I accept that Intel is a "matter of opinion". Because it is a mixed bag.Overall, I personally still hold Intel in a good light. Businesses need to stay afloat and keep on making a profit. If they took an absolutely perfectly moral way of handling thing, all the time, since the start of Intel. They may have done considerably worse and/or even gone bankrupt.These days, I am somewhat disappointed with Intel, who seem to be more into "bad/weak business practices", rather than fully helping customers and letting them get cpus, at the best possible prices.tl;drThese days Intel has some of the bad stuff, which I see lots of in Microsoft. Which I find disappointing. But times are hard, because we/they are getting close to the (current) physical/practical limits of Silicon (current ones, later inventions may see Silicon or other materials, do good at Moore's law again) based IC cpus. I.e. Businesses can't defeat the laws of Physics.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 11:52:01 pm
content: Quote from: MK14 on November 26, 2016, 11:48:37 pmReplace Intel with IBM and you're fine. IBM made some really great devices. Their POWER architecture had the right idea, but wrong implementation (RISC has no place in the powerful computing world) and they are a great American company.GE, which I have to personally love since I live in Schenectady, is also a decent company, and their products are normally good.GE, which I have to personally hate, since I live in Schenectady, is a rubbish company that left Schenectady a poor mess that is only now recovering.Lol.

author: Koen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 12:53:09 am
content: Episode 2 was the first to be filmed. And Wilman mentioned multiple times that they were rushed by Amazon.

author: imidis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 04:06:58 am
content: Think I could do without their test driver speaking.

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 04:25:13 am
content: I wonder if they have an episode planned for Argentina?Brian

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 12:26:42 pm
content: Hmm, I read the small print the other day regarding Netflix and UHD/4K content, which explains why I've had no success with the format. Unless you have a prescribed device, it appears that Netflix requires you to run it on Edge in Windows 10 plus a Kaby Lake processor to show UHD/4K on a PC. Apparently something to do with the 10 bit colour depth HDR HEVC codec, with Skylake only supporting 8 bit colour depth. My graphics card (Nvidia 10 series) will, however, happily support 10 bit HEVC decode on the GPU.

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 01:40:04 pm
content: Yeah, Edge has some good advancements, which is why Edge was able to stream Apple's events over HLS.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 03:03:55 pm
content: Quote from: MK14 on November 26, 2016, 06:57:43 amInsider's joke from ~2001: the real HP is alive and well, and is calledAgilentKeysight.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 03:47:26 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on November 27, 2016, 03:03:55 pmWhen I said HP, I meant the original HP, before the split ups and re-namings. I'm not necessarily saying anything bad about the current HP PC's/laptops, printers, or Keysight test instruments. But they were big in computers (e.g. early small(e.g. HP85)/mini-computers), calculators and probably lots of other stuff, as well as test instruments.Some of my older components, are even apparently made by HP. E.g. Leds(?)/displays, optical sensors, Precision Optical encoders.But you almost certainly already know all of this. Re-past post(s).tl;drI did not say Keysight, because that is onlyPARTof the original HP. Also because throughout most of the glorious days of HP, since the original signal generator, they were called HP. Anyway, they will probably change names again, next week (Joke, hopefully).

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 05:48:18 pm
content: Quote from: Howardlong on November 26, 2016, 06:55:39 pmBut other than some bad tempered grumpiness and the, presumably scripted, view that anything which has not got an 850HP Nascar engine is "shit" (or "communist" as the show has it) he doesn't actually add anything to the show..Grand Tour looks just as one would imagine it might if you took the three TG presenters, threw a virtually unlimited budget at them and told them that they could not use the Stig or Star in a Reasonably Priced Car or any of the other bits to which the BBC has the rights.That is not to say I haven't enjoyed the first two episodes but the second was a notable step down from the first. I am waiting to see how the third goes but I am worried that Amazon were so awed by the Clarkson that they forgot to get any originality into the show, which it needs quite badly.They should ditch the Nascar guy and find someone with more general appeal - perhaps they should talk to Jenson Button now that he has some time on his hands.They should also ditch the "guest star horribly killed trying to get to the tent" joke, it ceased to be funny after the first two guests. Some actual guests would be good but that would mean figuring out something for them to do now that they can't stick them in a Cee'd or an Astra and spin them round the track.In all it's been an interesting experiment which has shown that if you take old TG and remove the three presenters what is left is not that good, nor is it really TG. If you then put Clarkson, Hammond & May in a similar show it looks a lot more like old TG did than the bit without them. Great, you've just proved that the old show was a lot more about the three of them and their antics than it was about other stuff, really? is that a surprise?The trouble is that just the three of them isn'tquiteenough either and I'm really hoping that they learn to fill the gaps.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 06:04:51 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on November 27, 2016, 05:48:18 pmI would have thought, that with a bit of ingenuity, they would have been able to come up with alternative roles/challenges, to help re-create the old program.The "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car", was basically a relatively easy (to take part in, but especially hard to be best in), kind of sanitized race. So the team, should be able to come up with another, what is basically a race (lap time), kind of challenge.Similarly, the Stig was something, which they should be able to replicate/replace, hopefully without involving/hurting the rights of the BBC.E.g. Lap time race, in a $2,000, used car. (Using a common used car, so it is replaceable if crashed/smashed up).Resident retired Test Track Driver Dude, RRTTDD or RTD for short.Or Biker Test Track Driver, to explain the helmet.

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 06:37:45 pm
content: Button nor Massa have the personality to be on the Grand Tour IMO. Ricciardo does but he's no option. Either way this NASCAR guy is a grade a bellend.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 09:46:26 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on November 27, 2016, 05:48:18 pmDifficult to find fault with any of that!

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 09:59:04 pm
content: So far so good. Top Gear has never really been a proper car show as such. GT delivers the laughs and eye candy we all want. I have A.P. anyways so I am fine with it.

author: daybyter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 02:17:22 am
content: I wonder how good Rowan Atkinson would be as a car show host? He is a petrolhead and quite funny, methinks?Maybe an option for the BBC?

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 02:31:46 am
content: Quote from: daybyter on November 28, 2016, 02:17:22 amHe has already done some of his own car shows, or whatever you want to describe them as.Here is one, split into 5 parts:

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 08:27:57 pm
content: In part 5 of this at about minute 8, look out folks, its the Sinclair C5! hahahahaha.Great video.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 10:36:20 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on November 26, 2016, 07:30:42 pmThey managed to do the exact same thing for years, and it was working. I recently watched a few years of the top gear, and it was the same format. The Stig did not talk, yet they managed to make it funny most of the times. The introduction of the Stig was funny most of the times. Celebrity interviews were probably pushed by BBC, that is why they kill their guests. It is not original in episode 2. But you will expect it by ep. 3 and start guessing by ep. 4. I like it so far, and I think it can work.The new track is rubbish though. I would have liked much more, if they would have taken a big name track, like Silverstone or the infamous Nürburgring (and Cpt. Slow object every episode), but probably the latter is too long.I really hope the show will succeed. Now, that the "communist" BBC does not oversee everything...

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2016, 12:19:03 am
content: +1 for the new.... Track.. if you can call it that, sucks. Driving about an abandoned neighborhood would have been more fun to watch.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2016, 07:51:30 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on November 29, 2016, 12:19:03 amAgree even though, on paper, it is not that dissimilar to the TG track. The gimmicks like calling it "eboladrom"1and "your name here" corner don't help - too childish even by Jezza's standards.It doesn't look much like Ebola virus anyway which is actually long and thin, it just looks a bit like one photo they found of it.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2016, 08:05:32 am
content: Quote from: TwoOfFive on November 25, 2016, 02:10:14 pmWatched the first one on a Prime trial, I'll do my christmas shopping with free delivery while the trial lasts and won't be watching any more.Same production team, same tricks, same jokes.Not worth £7.99 a month.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2016, 09:05:09 am
content: Quote from: CJay on November 29, 2016, 08:05:32 amYeah, that is the issue. Amazon prime is fine, if you order stuff, have a kindle, listen to music, live in a country, where it actually operates and the whole shebang. Just for watching movies, Netflix wins. Since Amazon Belgium is non existent, I can choose between UK, DE and FR Amazon. UK is the only one which is cheap, but stuff comes with UK power cord, and some stuff is not going to be shipped, and UK will be gonsky from the EU. DE and FR is sometimes 30% more expensive, so I'm not gonna subscribe.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2016, 09:40:13 am
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on November 27, 2016, 05:48:18 pmWhat you end up with is a format that is a poor (generous) fit around any other presenters, it might have been possible to replace one of the three and let it re-shape around the new presenter but to replace all three, as proven, not possible, it took years for the show to become what it was and it will take years for a new team of presenters to shape a new show.They may be able to fill the 'new' format but it's going to take time, I think perhaps it may be time for them to hang up their denim.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2016, 09:44:07 am
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on November 29, 2016, 09:05:09 amI find for watching almost anything Netflix wins.Prime, I just don't buy enough from Amazon, nor does it have enough content to make it worth the money.The Kindle books should be a winner but i just don't have enough spare time to read them these days.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2016, 11:39:08 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on November 29, 2016, 07:51:30 amIt is extremely different. There are no real parts to pick up speed, no sweepers, no high speed apexes, no double apexes, and it is too narrow.the old course was much better.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2016, 12:18:56 pm
content: Quote from: calexanian on November 30, 2016, 11:39:08 pmThe TG track is wider where they used runway sections, it's just as narrow where they used the peripheral roads. I'm not clear why they did not use the runway at Wroughton, perhaps they were not allowed to.I agree TG track is better.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2016, 08:41:08 am
content: New topic to discuss. Just watched the third episode, and I have to say it is a sign that some of the gripes of the previous episodes, may be occasional deals.I won't spoil anything, but all aside from the pointless celebrity deaths (Which I can agree is a very weak joke) is rectified from what I saw here. It's just 3 great cars, going through Italy, with a lot of hate directed at the BBC.