One thing TG hasn't dialed it in yet at is the actual road review segment. The cinematography was gorgeous as always (and a bit trippy too) and I was actually surprised when the ZR1 reared its head. I also knew instantly that Clarkson would backtrack on his California love confession, but as The Stig's times proved, in the right hands it was amazing on a track.
Everything else in the episode I could basically take or leave. Lots of bad acting in the project film, and for some reason Michael Sheen came off as almost as big a dick as Dick King Jay Kay.
I know I'm going to get shot in the face for this, but TG has jumped the shark for me. Clarkson telling me the ZR-1 can't go around corners (bullshit) and this lame hobby-shop electric car time-filler kind of clinched it.
@stuntpuppy: The EU "tests" with the fake slow-mo and reverse footage were particuarly jarring and drawn-out, clearly to keep the episode's budget down. As for the planted audience member with the mustache, who for a moment believed any part of that incident was spontaneous?
@bmoreDLJ: I guess that's the other thing. Yes, the show has always been scripted, but it somehow managed to maintain the illusion of spontaneity. Now it's like they're just phoning it in.#tips
@Rust-MyEnemy: You're not getting rich that way.
I knew a guy who obsessively bought Triumph Dolomite Sprints so that the two mint condition cars he had would be worth more.
He's still not a millionaire, still buying Dolly Sprints, still not getting it.
Now that Top Gear is filmed and aired in high definition, it just seems plain wrong to watch it in low-resolution YouTube form. Do yourself a favor and snag the 720p rip. Top Gear in HD is just plain epic. #topgear
Instead of promoting the outright piracy of Top Gear, how about Jalopnik does something good and starts a petition to BBC America to let them know we'd like current Top Gear episodes? The only way most of us see Top Gear is by downloading the torrent. BBC America is showing season 11. It has enough of a following that people would get excited about seeing the current episodes. Top Gear is in the press (including American) and it has a lot of potential for American audiences. Technically there's no reason why we shouldn't watch it.
If you watch and enjoy the torrent, please support the BBC. I pay for it cause I like Top Gear and Torchwood. Even though they're late on episodes, they're getting support. The only excuse Top Gear has for going off the air is Jeremy Clarkson's ego, not loss of money. #topgear
@bens: not to crap on your wedding dress, but we support the BBC, and we do get it in America, but we are on a one-season delay because the BBC wanted an exorbitant amount of money for "live season" rights. #topgear
You are saying don't torrent Top Gear, and instead petition NBC/CBS/ABC buy rights to Top Gear, or have BBC America show the current season (which they obviously know they could have marketed very well), all of which has been attempted.
ABC tried to buy Top Gear's US rights and the amount the BBC was looking to charge for those rights would have cost them (in the first season) about 130% MORE than what they valued the same season of "Lost" at. This was in 2006/2007. (Granted, it was for the rights to all seasons, but they didn't expect much from running old episodes because of the nature of the subject matter)
Then NBC contracted for Top Gear America, and one of the stipulations (which I heard from the same ABC guy) was that BBC's Top Gear couldn't be shown "live season" in the US. As far as I know, because that contract is still valid (NBC didn't surrender the rights, they just shelved it), we will not be getting the "live season" of Top Gear in the US other than by torrent. Petition or not.
@firepwr: Those contracts and all is the same reason why the UK shows top TV series (Heroes etc) a week or more later than the US. With the exception of a special episode of The Simpsons, that is. #topgear
@Mobius: Agreed, and if it takes a year for American Idol (or something) to be shown in the UK, I am not going to bitch about the Brits torrenting it! #topgear
Anyone know what the Stig was fiddling with on the BMW during the hot lap? Something on the center console, I know it can't be the shifter because both are automatics. #topgear
@daemonoid: Didn't know those semi autos were so effective. I always thought the dual clutch was the best, didn't know semi-suto slushboxes were effective at apeed. #topgear
@A strolling player: SLUSH SLUSH SLUSH. Well at least till I drive it I will call it a slushbox. I REALLY like the dual clutch in the new M3, really smooth takeoff, no chunking like a regular automatic. #topgear
11/24/09
Everything else in the episode I could basically take or leave. Lots of bad acting in the project film, and for some reason Michael Sheen came off as almost as big a dick as Dick King Jay Kay.
11/24/09
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And Geoff. Makes me wonder why Geo didn't launch an FF.
11/23/09
I knew a guy who obsessively bought Triumph Dolomite Sprints so that the two mint condition cars he had would be worth more.
He's still not a millionaire, still buying Dolly Sprints, still not getting it.
11/24/09
11/23/09
11/23/09
[dl.haymarket.streamuk.com]
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[www.youtube.com] #topgear
11/16/09
[www.youtube.com] #topgear
11/16/09
Aww F*** #topgear
11/16/09
11/16/09
If you watch and enjoy the torrent, please support the BBC. I pay for it cause I like Top Gear and Torchwood. Even though they're late on episodes, they're getting support. The only excuse Top Gear has for going off the air is Jeremy Clarkson's ego, not loss of money. #topgear
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
You are saying don't torrent Top Gear, and instead petition NBC/CBS/ABC buy rights to Top Gear, or have BBC America show the current season (which they obviously know they could have marketed very well), all of which has been attempted.
ABC tried to buy Top Gear's US rights and the amount the BBC was looking to charge for those rights would have cost them (in the first season) about 130% MORE than what they valued the same season of "Lost" at. This was in 2006/2007. (Granted, it was for the rights to all seasons, but they didn't expect much from running old episodes because of the nature of the subject matter)
Then NBC contracted for Top Gear America, and one of the stipulations (which I heard from the same ABC guy) was that BBC's Top Gear couldn't be shown "live season" in the US. As far as I know, because that contract is still valid (NBC didn't surrender the rights, they just shelved it), we will not be getting the "live season" of Top Gear in the US other than by torrent. Petition or not.
Hey, look, I can READ and WRITE! #topgear
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