Top Grand Gear Tour TV Megathread: Because nobody wants to post a new one

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Automotive Insanity > Top Grand Gear Tour TV Megathread: Because nobody wants to post a new one

«‹›350 »

Xelkelvos: Dec 19, 2012

sean10mm posted:

All the presenters were new... and he took the writing staff down to one guy?

Again, who the gently caress thought letting Evans be the creative lead as well as host was a good idea and why has this person or people not been outed and sacked?

# ? Jul 10, 2016 19:47

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? May 20, 2024 03:07

Tricky Ed: Aug 18, 2010; It is important to avoid confusion. This is the one that's okay to lick.

I'm just happy this is the BBC and they're willing to identify and correct mistakes. LA networks would have either doubled down on Evans or just cancelled the show entirely.

# ? Jul 10, 2016 20:31

Sulphagnist: Oct 10, 2006; WARNING! INTRUDERS DETECTED

It's entirely possible he wouldn't have gone anywhere without the sex offence investigation, which is alarming but the main thing is that he's gone.

# ? Jul 10, 2016 20:33

Cojawfee: May 31, 2006; I think the US is dumb for not using Celsius

Yeah his leaving was perfectly timed with the sex offence allegation. If that didn't pop up, he'd probably still be running Top Gear. Not adding a new host and letting LeBlanc, Harris, and Reid take over wasn't because we wanted it, it was just the easiest thing to do.

# ? Jul 11, 2016 00:49

Riot Carol Danvers: Jul 30, 2004; It's super dumb, but I can't stop myself. This is just kind of how I do things.

Cojawfee posted:

Yeah his leaving was perfectly timed with the sex offence allegation. If that didn't pop up, he'd probably still be running Top Gear. Not adding a new host and letting LeBlanc, Harris, and Reid take over wasn't because we wanted it, it was just the easiest thing to do.

They've left sex offenders on air for decades. I can't imagine the tanking ratings, and total public disdain for him, helped things.

# ? Jul 11, 2016 01:15

Cojawfee: May 31, 2006; I think the US is dumb for not using Celsius

WAR CRIME SYNDICAT posted:

They've left sex offenders on air for decades. I can't imagine the tanking ratings, and total public disdain for him, helped things.

Did those people include police investigations?

# ? Jul 11, 2016 01:24

iwentdoodie: Apr 29, 2005; 🤗YOU'RE WELCOME🤗

Cojawfee posted:

Did those people include police investigations?

Nah, cause they covered them up for thirty years with the help of the police.

BBC is basically a low rent version of the Catholic church. Both demand a portion of your money to be a member, then they gently caress your kid.

# ? Jul 11, 2016 01:34

Cojawfee: May 31, 2006; I think the US is dumb for not using Celsius

Yeah, Chris Evans has a police investigation against him. So they can't really sweep that under the rug.

# ? Jul 11, 2016 01:39

CAT INTERCEPTOR: Nov 9, 2004; Basically a male Margaret Thatcher

Cojawfee posted:

Did those people include police investigations?

The police investigated so they knew how to help with the coverup.

# ? Jul 11, 2016 01:39

wolrah: May 8, 2006; what?

He's still on Radio 2 for three hours every weekday, so it's not like the BBC totally dropped him or anything. If the investigation was the most important part shouldn't it put that in question too rather than just the show he was almost singlehandedly tanking?

# ? Jul 11, 2016 04:19

PT6A: Jan 5, 2006; Public school teachers are callous dictators who won't lift a finger to stop children from peeing in my plane

Didn't he already confess to whipping his old chap out randomly?

I really hope there isn't anything else worse that he's been doing...

# ? Jul 11, 2016 04:22

spog: Aug 7, 2004; It's your own bloody fault.

If the BBC dropped all the presenters who were under police suspicion, we'd have to bring back the testcard during peak hours.

# ? Jul 11, 2016 09:04

I would blow Dane Cook: Dec 26, 2008

spog posted:

If the BBC dropped all the presenters who were under police suspicion, we'd have to bring back the testcard during peak hours.

Even Dimbleby?

# ? Jul 11, 2016 13:32

ReelBigLizard: Feb 27, 2003; Fallen Rib

They need to at least test Rowan Atkinson for presenting on the next series.

# ? Jul 11, 2016 16:13

Wheeee: Mar 11, 2001; When a tree grows, it is soft and pliable. But when it's dry and hard, it dies.

Hardness and strength are death's companions. Flexibility and softness are the embodiment of life.

That which has become hard shall not triumph.

Only if he stays in character as Mr. Bean the entire time.

# ? Jul 11, 2016 21:04

Jehde: Apr 21, 2010

He would be great at commentating SIARPC laps.

# ? Jul 11, 2016 21:12

scuz: Aug 29, 2003; You can't be angry ALL the time!; Fun Shoe

Wheeee posted:

Only if he stays in character as Mr. Bean the entire time.

A mute Atkinson is still better than Evans.

# ? Jul 11, 2016 21:13

Xelkelvos: Dec 19, 2012

Wheeee posted:

Only if he stays in character as Mr. Bean the entire time.

Atkinson is pretty good in other roles too you know.

# ? Jul 11, 2016 22:26

KozmoNaut: Apr 23, 2008; Happiness is a warm
Turbo Plasma Rifle

Xelkelvos posted:

Atkinson is pretty good in other roles too you know.

I haven't watched Maigret Sets a Trap yet, but I hear he's very good in it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QLxIBkewLw

# ? Jul 11, 2016 22:30

Xelkelvos: Dec 19, 2012

For reference as to why Rowan might be at least an above average Top Gear host, his SiaRPC segment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOg_smPzq5A

# ? Jul 11, 2016 22:37

Data Graham: Dec 28, 2009; 📈📊🍪😋

When my mechanic and I have to fill up one of us invariably says "petrol pumP"

# ? Jul 11, 2016 22:41

CAT INTERCEPTOR: Nov 9, 2004; Basically a male Margaret Thatcher

Wheeee posted:

Only if he stays in character as Mr. Bean the entire time.

BlackAdder or GTFO

# ? Jul 11, 2016 22:56

sean10mm: Jun 29, 2005; It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, MAD-2R World

CAT INTERCEPTOR posted:

BlackAdder or GTFO

A Top Gear challenge is the perfect venue for...

...

...a cunning plan!

# ? Jul 11, 2016 23:18

sbaldrick: Jul 19, 2006; Driven by Hate

sean10mm posted:

A Top Gear challenge is the perfect venue for...

...

...a cunning plan!

I want that so much.

# ? Jul 12, 2016 00:21

Wasabi the J: Jan 23, 2008; MOM WAS RIGHT

sean10mm posted:

A Top Gear challenge is the perfect venue for...

...

...a cunning plan!

Yes; this is exactly what I didn't know I wanted.

# ? Jul 12, 2016 10:24

sean10mm: Jun 29, 2005; It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, MAD-2R World

The way the BBC has handled Top Gear post-Clarkson it's more likely we get Johnny English 3 instead.

# ? Jul 12, 2016 12:50

PT6A: Jan 5, 2006; Public school teachers are callous dictators who won't lift a finger to stop children from peeing in my plane

sean10mm posted:

A Top Gear challenge is the perfect venue for...

...

...a cunning plan!

Please make this happen BBC!

# ? Jul 12, 2016 13:14

Mister Kingdom: Dec 14, 2005; And the tears that fall
On the city wall
Will fade away
With the rays of morning light

sean10mm posted:

A Top Gear challenge is the perfect venue for...

...

...a cunning plan!

Instead of The Stig, we can have The Baldrick.

# ? Jul 12, 2016 19:23

BigPaddy: Jun 30, 2008; That night we performed the rite and opened the gate.
Halfway through, I went to fix us both a coke float.
By the time I got back, he'd gone insane.
Plus, he'd left the gate open and there was evil everywhere.

Mister Kingdom posted:

Instead of The Stig, we can have The Baldrick.

I give this car 3 turnips

# ? Jul 12, 2016 22:45

Ola: Jul 19, 2004

The best comedy character to host Top Gear is clearly Alan Partridge. He could do a historical look at the best Lexi for instance.

# ? Jul 12, 2016 22:57

One Swell Foop: Aug 5, 2010; I'm afraid we have no time for codes and manners.

Have you already forgotten Crash! Bang! Wallop! What a Video!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-q0437X5uA

Tonight on Top Gear - I drive from Norwich to Aberdeen... with no shoes on

# ? Jul 12, 2016 23:42

Shrapnig: Jan 21, 2005

PT6A posted:

Please make this happen BBC!

This thread isn't for talking about your sexual preferences.

# ? Jul 13, 2016 01:30

HolyDukeNukem: Sep 10, 2008

Don't think this got posted yet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8NpMoRqa8U

# ? Jul 13, 2016 02:39

Comrade Blyatlov: Aug 4, 2007; should have picked four fingers

Jesus he looks bad. Is he seriously hungover?

# ? Jul 13, 2016 06:19

Ola: Jul 19, 2004

Two Finger posted:

Jesus he looks bad. Is he seriously hungover?

That's what British people look like without a state level enterprise doing makeup on them.

# ? Jul 13, 2016 09:59

drgitlin: Jul 25, 2003; luv 2 get custom titles from a forum that goes into revolt when its told to stop using a bad word.

Ola posted:

The best comedy character to host Top Gear is clearly Alan Partridge. He could do a historical look at the best Lexi for instance.

Steve Coogan is also a confirmed petrolhead, and iirc used to contribute to Evo.

# ? Jul 13, 2016 19:44

spog: Aug 7, 2004; It's your own bloody fault.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/feb/05/top-gear-offensive-steve-coogan

He's a bit of a dick, though

quote:

As a huge fan of Top Gear I normally regard the presenters' brand of irreverence as a part of the rough and tumble that goes with having a sense of humour. I've been on the show three times and had a go at their celebrity-lap challenge, and I would love to receive a fourth invite. But I think that's unlikely once they have read this. If, however, it makes the Lads question their behaviour for a second � ambitious, I know � it will be worth it.

I normally remain below the parapet when these frenetic arguments about comedy and taste break out. But this time, I've had enough of the regular defence you tend to hear � the tired line that it's "just a laugh", a bit of "harmless fun".

Some of the Lads' comments again, in case you missed them. "Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus, with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat" (Richard Hammond). Mexican food is "sick with cheese on it" (James May).

Jeremy Clarkson added to the mirth by suggesting that the Mexican ambassador (a certain Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza) would be so busy sleeping he wouldn't register any outrage. (He wasn't and he did.)

OK, guys, I've got some great ideas for your next show. Jeremy, why not have James describe some kosher food as looking like "sick with cheese on it"? No? Thought not. Even better, why not describe some Islamic fundamentalists as lazy and feckless?

Feel the silence. They're all pretty well organised these days, aren't they, those groups? Better stick to those that are least problematic.

Old people? Special needs? I know � Mexicans! There aren't enough of them to be troublesome, no celebrities to be upset. And most of them are miles and miles away.

The BBC's initial mealy-mouthed apology was pitiful. It cited the more benign rivalry that exists between European nations (ah, those arrogant French, over-organised Germans), and in doing so neatly sidestepped one hugely important fact � ethnicity. All the examples it uses to legitimise this hateful rubbish are relatively prosperous countries full of white people. How about if the Lads had described Africans as lazy, feckless etc? Or Pakistanis?

What's more, this was all spouted by the presenters on one of the BBC's most successful programmes, with ratings that could only fail to impress Simon Cowell (very fast lap time). Forget the World Service; overseas, Top Gear is more frequently the public face of the BBC.

The Beeb's hand-wringing suggested tolerance of casual racism, arguably the most sinister kind. It's easy to spot the ones with the burning crosses. Besides, there is not a shred of truth in Top Gear's "comic" stereotype. I can tell you from my own experience, living in the US, Mexicans work themselves to the bone doing all the dirty thankless jobs that the white middle-class natives won't do.

What makes it worse is that the Lads wear this offensive behaviour as a badge of pride, pleased that they have annoyed those whom they regard, in another lazy stereotype, as sandal-wearing vegans with beards and no sense of humour.

Well here's some Twitter hot news: I don't have a beard, I'm not a vegan, I don't wear sandals (unless they're Birkenstocks, of course), and I have, I think, a sense of humour. I also know something about comedy. It's true there are no hard fast rules; it's often down to judgment calls. It's safe to say, though, that you can get away with saying unsayable things if it's done with some sense of culpability.

I've been fortunate enough to work with the likes of Peter Baynham, Armando Iannucci, Chris Morris, Simon Pegg, Julia Davis, Caroline Aherne, Ruth Jones, and the Mighty Boosh � some of the funniest and most innovative people in British comedy. And Rob Brydon too.

It's a diverse, eclectic group of people with one common denominator: they could all defend and justify their comedy from a moral standpoint. They are laughing at hypocrisy, human frailty, narrow-mindedness. They mock pomposity and arrogance.

If I say anything remotely racist or sexist as Alan Partridge, for example, the joke is abundantly clear. We are laughing at a lack of judgment and ignorance. With Top Gear it is three rich, middle-aged men laughing at poor Mexicans. Brave, groundbreaking stuff, eh?

There is a strong ethical dimension to the best comedy. Not only does it avoid reinforcing prejudices, it actively challenges them. Put simply, in comedy, as in life, we ought to think before we speak. This wasn't one of those occasions. In fact, the comments were about as funny as a cold sweat followed by shooting pains down the left arm. In fact, if I can borrow from the Wildean wit of Richard Hammond, the comic approach was "lazy", "feckless" and "flatulent".

Richard has his tongue so far down the back of Jeremy's trousers he could forge a career as the back end of a pantomime horse. His attempt to foster some Clarkson-like maverick status with his "edgy" humour is truly tragic. He reminds you of the squirt at school as he hangs round Clarkson the bully, as if to say, "I'm with him". Meanwhile, James May stands at the back holding their coats as they beat up the boy with the stutter.

It's not entirely their fault, of course. Part of the blame must lie with what some like to call the "postmodern" reaction to overzealous political correctness. Sometimes, it's true, things need a shakeup; orthodoxies need to be challenged. But this sort of ironic approach has been a licence for any halfwit to vent the prejudices they'd been keeping in the closet since Love Thy Neighbour was taken off the air.

Also, a factor little picked up on elsewhere in the Lads' remarks is that they do, after all, present a car show. And archaic attitudes are endemic in a lot of motoring journalism. I confess I am an avid consumer and I have to wade through a sea of lazy cliches to get to anything genuinely illuminating.

Jeremy unwittingly cast the template for this. Twenty years ago, when I bought Performance Car magazine, his column was the first I would turn to. It was slightly annoying but unfailingly funny. Since then there have been legions of pretenders who just don't pass muster. There is a kneejerk, brainless reaction to any legislation that may have a detrimental effect on their God-given right to drive cars anywhere at any speed that they consider safe. They often remind me of the National Rifle Association in the US. It's a kind of "airbags are for poofs" mentality and, far from being shocking, it's just shockingly dull.

It would be fine if it was confined to a bunch of grumpy men in bad jeans smoking Marlboros at the side of the Millbrook test track, but it's not. As I pointed out, it's the voice of one of the BBC's most successful programmes.

The Lads have this strange notion that if they are being offensive it bestows on them a kind of anti-establishment aura of coolness; in fact, like their leather jackets and jeans, it is uber-conservative (which isn't cool).

Gentlemen, I don't believe in half-criticisms and this has nothing to do with my slow lap times. But, increasingly, you each look like a middle-aged punk rocker pogoing at his niece's wedding. That would be funny if you weren't regarded by some people as role models. Big viewing figures don't give you impunity � they carry responsibility. Start showing some, tuck your shirts in, be a bit funnier and we'll pretend it all never happened.

# ? Jul 13, 2016 20:37

davebo: Nov 15, 2006; Parallel lines do meet, but they do it incognito; College Slice

spog posted:

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/feb/05/top-gear-offensive-steve-coogan

He's a bit of a dick, though

I remember reading that when it came out. That's certainly the kind of dickishness I can get behind. But I guess I'm more of a James May than a Jeremy Clarkson if there were a facebook quiz of which TopGear host are you?

Edit: Who am I kidding, I'm Hammond aren't I

davebo fucked around with this message at 21:05 on Jul 13, 2016

# ? Jul 13, 2016 21:00

PT6A: Jan 5, 2006; Public school teachers are callous dictators who won't lift a finger to stop children from peeing in my plane

To be fair, the attacks on Mexicans were pretty unfunny and downright stupid. On the other hand, the manufactured controversies about the infamous number plate in Argentina or "slope", an apparently racist term that no one I talked to had ever heard of, are something entirely different.

Mind you, having tasted English cooking on some memorable occasions, I can see why they find Mexican food unpalatably non-bland.

# ? Jul 13, 2016 21:06

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? May 20, 2024 03:07

Olympic Mathlete: Feb 25, 2011

Thing is though, Coogan is bang on in that.

# ? Jul 13, 2016 21:11

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Automotive Insanity > Top Grand Gear Tour TV Megathread: Because nobody wants to post a new one

«‹›350 »