Anybody watch Top Gear?

GearHeadBassMan · #1 08-03-2009, 12:19 AM

And if so, can we discuss the final episode of the 13th season?

The ending was quite somber, and after doing some investigating I've found out that Hammond and May haven't renewed their contracts after the 13th season.

It's supposedly coming back in November, but do you think that last film was made before Hammond and May's contracts were finalized or will we see two new presenters with Jeremy next season?

UGH! it's really got me worried! their chemistry is what makes the show so enjoyable to watch!

iamlowsound · #2 08-03-2009, 12:27 AM

I haven't seen it, but May and Hammond will be back. Clarkson is good, but he can't hold down the show by himself.

lowsound

Mark Latimour · #3 08-03-2009, 12:30 AM

I thought overall that last episode was pretty lacklustre. Here's hoping they are back with some new energy and ideas next season!

GearHeadBassMan · #4 08-03-2009, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

I haven't seen it, but May and Hammond will be back. Clarkson is good, but he can't hold down the show by himself.

lowsound

the issue was the BBC doesn't want to pay them what they want, they want the same as clarkson (which seems a little off since clarkson does most of the show)

I hope they figured it out!

and yeah, especially the VW thing. I thought they both would make a really well done top gear road test-esque commercial but they kept trying to go for funny and failed in my opinion

bongomania · #5 08-03-2009, 01:08 AM

Which one of them did the Ford Festiva review with the storming of Normandy beach and the chase scene in the mall?

Nappa · #6 08-03-2009, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Which one of them did the Ford Festiva review with the storming of Normandy beach and the chase scene in the mall?

Clarkson.

Mark Latimour · #7 08-03-2009, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearHeadBassMan

the issue was the BBC doesn't want to pay them what they want, they want the same as clarkson (which seems a little off since clarkson does most of the show)

I hope they figured it out!

and yeah, especially the VW thing. I thought they both would make a really well done top gear road test-esque commercial but they kept trying to go for funny and failed in my opinion

In fairness, Clarkson's final ad was brilliant!

SchecterC4 · #8 08-03-2009, 02:13 AM

I'm a huge fan of Top Gear and I agree with you. The show just wouldn't be the same without Hammond and May. All three of them mesh together very well and the final product is nothing short of amazing. I also would have to agree that Clarkson is the main selling point of the show and I don't think that they should be payed the same as him because he does most of the work. Either way, I love the show and would be sorely disappointed to hear it if they didn't come back.

Muusers · #9 08-03-2009, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearHeadBassMan

and yeah, especially the VW thing. I thought they both would make a really well done top gear road test-esque commercial but they kept trying to go for funny and failed in my opinion

I thought it was hilarious. Me and my housemates were laughing with tears in our eyes. Think I even sprained a muscle in my abdomen from it.

René_Julien · #10 08-03-2009, 07:51 AM

After so many years Top Gear has had it's run. All good shows end sometimes.
But I surely hope not.

I hope they bring out as much shows as they still can in this format.

Although they're banter and collegueal (sp?) stabs become so predictable. They seem to be playing a character, a characterized version of themselves.

It's like they went from Police Academy I to the Police Academy sequels.

It's natural if Hammond and May want to move on. We might enjoy Top Gear, but we are not in their shoes.
If they can get other things where they can earn more good for them.

I really like James May's documentaries. I'm looking forward to his future programs.

Rusty Chainsaw · #11 08-03-2009, 08:00 AM

They'll be back. The Beeb know they have to keep that team dynamic together - Top Gear is one of their most-watched shows, not just on BBC2, but on all the international BBC franchises, SBS in Australia, not to mention everyone who downloads it (the BBC won't acknowledge them, but downloads have vastly increased their international audience - they've never tried to get FinalGear.com shut down!), and they wouldn't risk upsetting their fans. Clarkson, May and Hammond are worth every penny of their salaries to the BBC. Besides, they've all been seen together already filming bits for series 14.

This series was good (the car vs. train race was classic, the Panamera vs. Royal Mail was good fun, and the Leno interview last night was awesome) but you could see they'd had to make budget cuts - no big international races, not much in the way of supercar action, etc.

Roll on November and series 14.

Ripper · #12 08-03-2009, 08:00 AM

i've gotta download it sometime today and watch it... i hate that we can't watch the new episodes in the us without having to get them online

VroomVroom · #13 08-03-2009, 09:02 AM

I'm convinced this is the best show on television...bar none. Of course, I'm a sucker for those other British car shows too ("My mechanic, Edd China, will have a go at the electrics, and he'll also need to replace the wings and have a look under the bonnet.") I could watch 24/7 for weeks on end.

FWIW, I think the Brian Johnson interview may just be my favorite.

DudeistMonk · #14 08-03-2009, 09:06 AM

What a great show...I wish I still had BBC America.

The best episode is when they go on a quest to find the ultimate driving road and Hammond gets that car with the tightest suspension and no AC and is miserable the whole time....and when they go to Africa...

vene-nemesis · #15 08-03-2009, 09:10 AM

James May is a very good journalist, i have enjoyed some of his other works, but I really hope the yrenew their contractsmostly for Hammond's sake because he sucked on brainiac, well the whole show sucked.

As a side note, Jay Leno's undercover police story was awesome but i thought he could have done much better on the lap than he did.

vene-nemesis · #16 08-03-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DudeistMonk

What a great show...I wish I still had BBC America.

The best episode is when they go on a quest to find the ultimate driving road and Hammond gets that car with the tightest suspension and no AC and is miserable the whole time....and when they go to Africa...

That was May in the DB9r.

Rusty Chainsaw · #17 08-03-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vene-nemesis

As a side note, Jay Leno's undercover police story was awesome but i thought he could have done much better on the lap than he did.

He did OK, for someone who's not used to:
a) Right-hand-drive
b) Small cars
c) Manual transmission

... great guest though - a meeting of the minds of probably the two biggest petrolheads ever to be on TV. Leno would have been awesome as the host of an American TG.

ubado · #18 08-03-2009, 09:21 AM

Dig the show! (even my wife finds it funny

) I'll watch them over and over.

Hopefully May and the Hamster will be back ... it just wouldn't be the same without them ... they have such great chemistry for having such different styles.

vene-nemesis · #19 08-03-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Chainsaw

He did OK, for someone who's not used to:
a) Right-hand-drive
b) Small cars
c) Manual transmission

Manual transmision? are you kidding me? His McLaren F1 has manual 100% for sure... FFS! he even has steam powered cars!

Rusty Chainsaw · #20 08-03-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vene-nemesis

Manual transmision? are you kidding me? His McLaren F1 has manual 100% for sure... FFS! he even has steam powered cars!

It's more a case of having to change gear with your left hand... I used to drive manual all the time in the UK, but it feels too weird trying to do it here in the US, with the stick on the other side!