Top Gear thread

[r0tor]

In hockey, its well accepted that punching someone in the face every now and them keeps people in line better.  I propose the world/workplace could benefit from this.

[SVT666]

In hockey, its well accepted that punching someone in the face every now and them keeps people in line better.  I propose the world/workplace could benefit from this.

Only if they deserve it though.

[MX793]

I saw that too, but it's not an excuse.

If all he did was scream at the guy, yeah, I'd buy that as an excuse.  No excuse for throwing a punch, though.

[Morris Minor]

Andy Wilman resigns as Top Gear team reconvene to plot next move
Excerpt:
"The pair, along with Richard Hammond, are widely believed to be working on a new car show format with Wilman, which they may take to a rival British channel, Netflix or Amazon.
The quartet were spotted in London today, entering Clarkson's home before leaving together to enjoy a drink at a local pub."

More... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11558337/Andy-Wilman-resigns-as-Top-Gear-team-reconvene-to-plot-next-move.html

[r0tor]

If all he did was scream at the guy, yeah, I'd buy that as an excuse.  No excuse for throwing a punch, though.

Seems like all of his coworkers (who know the real story) disagree -shrug-

[Payman]

Andy Wilman resigns as Top Gear team reconvene to plot next move
Excerpt:
"The pair, along with Richard Hammond, are widely believed to be working on a new car show format with Wilman, which they may take to a rival British channel, Netflix or Amazon.
The quartet were spotted in London today, entering Clarkson's home before leaving together to enjoy a drink at a local pub."

More... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11558337/Andy-Wilman-resigns-as-Top-Gear-team-reconvene-to-plot-next-move.html

[Payman]

Seems like all of his coworkers (who know the real story) disagree -shrug-

It's looking more like the producer was a company snitch. Those in the know are siding with Clarkson for a reason.

[Morris Minor]

I'm guessing Wilman was always the program's main firewall holding back from it the dark forces of orthodox PCism, mediocrity, and risk aversion that is the core culture of the BBC.

[Galaxy]

The replacements:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11580679/BBC-has-chosen-dream-team-of-Top-Gear-presenters-to-replace-Jeremy-Clarkson.html

[SVT666]

Dream Team?  HA!  The dream team is who they had.

[MX793]

I had no idea Guy Martin was hosting TV shows now.  Interesting choice for a host.  I wouldn't have thought him the sort to take to hosting given that he seems to be one of those people who says what's on his mind without caring about who he might offend.  He's a heck of a motorcycle rider, I'd be curious if he's equally as good on 4 wheels.

[Morris Minor]

Chris Evans confirmed as new Top Gear presenter
Chris Evans, the Radio 2 DJ, is to replace Jeremy Clarkson as the lead presenter of a revamped Top Gear, the BBC has announced.
Evans, a known car enthusiast, has signed a three-year deal to head up the BBC Two show, calling it his "favourite programme of all time".
He had initially been considered the front-runner to present the show after Clarkson's relationship with the corporation ended following a so-called "fracas", being the bookies' favourite for a time for his devotion to classic cars.
More:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11679612/Chris-Evans-confirmed-as-new-Top-Gear-presenter.html

[MexicoCityM3]

I think this is going to turn out well. We´ll get the old new top gear at the BBC and the guys are heading to Netflix to do a competing show. So, now we'll get twice the car content.

[Morris Minor]

It will be nothing like the Top Gear we have known; Wilman, Clarkson, May & Hammond are gone & there will be a completely new talent lineup. Difficult shoes to fill, but not impossible.

However my hunch is they will skew to a more "inclusive" format: toeing the BBC Party line... more acceptable to the commissars.

[MexicoCityM3]

It will be nothing like the Top Gear we have known; Wilman, Clarkson, May & Hammond are gone & there will be a completely new talent lineup. Difficult shoes to fill, but not impossible.

However my hunch is they will skew to a more "inclusive" format: toeing the BBC Party line... more acceptable to the commissars.

Yes, it'll be different. But with the original cast moving to Netflix, that would keep the original spirit going.

[SVT666]

It will be nothing like the Top Gear we have known; Wilman, Clarkson, May & Hammond are gone & there will be a completely new talent lineup. Difficult shoes to fill, but not impossible.

However my hunch is they will skew to a more "inclusive" format: toeing the BBC Party line... more acceptable to the commissars.

Call me cynical, but if they do move to a more inclusive format, you are ignoring the core audience and the show will be cancelled after 2 seasons.

[Madman]

I expect the BBC to cast at least one left-handed female midget Eskimo Muslim albino lesbian to give the show "balance". 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/10627063/BBC-bans-all-male-panels-on-comedy-shows.html

[r0tor]

Call me cynical, but if they do move to a more inclusive format, you are ignoring the core audience and the show will be cancelled after 2 seasons.

Format aside - if the presenters can't do big smokey powerslides and actually be able to handle today's high powered super ars then it will be cancelled before 2 seasons anyway... My suspicion is this will be the case

[Madman]

The Three Stooges (Clarkson, Hammond and May) have just signed a deal with Amazon Video.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/celebritynews/amazon-sign-top-gears-jeremy-clarkson-richard-hammond-and-james-may-for-new-show-10426102.html


Back at the BBC, it has been rumoured that Formula 1 driver (soon to be EX-Formula 1 driver?) Jenson Button will be joining Chris Evans.

[Raza]

I can't wait for the new show.

I kind of want them to call it Sixth Gear.

[Madman]

I can't wait for the new show.

I kind of want them to call it Sixth Gear.

Kind of weak, considering we now have cars with eight and nine speed transmissions.

How about High Gear?

[Soup DeVille]

Kind of weak, considering we now have cars with eight and nine speed transmissions.

How about High Gear?

Not proper transmissions though, at least outside of things that run on diesel and have mudflaps with chrome silhouettes.

[Morris Minor]

Jeremy Clarkson gets plaque at hotel where Top Gear fracas took place
The scene of Jeremy Clarkson's infamous fracas with a BBC Top Gear producer has been commemorated with a plaque at the hotel where the altercation took place.
Simonstone Hall in the Yorkshire Dales shared a picture of the plaque, donated by a hotel guest, on Facebook.  more...
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34910367

[Eye of the Tiger]

LOL. cool

[Payman]

Awesome. 

That's a pretty smart hotel owner. Sure to bring in more business.

[SVT666]

BBC's reboot of Top Gear with Chris Evans as the show's main host isn't going as smoothly as planned, a new report finds. Evans is taking over the reins of Top Gear from former front man Jeremy Clarkson.

As the old saying goes, it can be difficult to walk and chew gum at the same time, and Evans is apparently proving that adage true. Reports from inside Top Gear indicate Evans is "really struggling to master the art of driving and talking to camera, which is crucial."

Although Clarkson and his old co-hosts, Richard Hammond and James May, made driving while talking look easy, it can actually be a tricky thing to master. "It's a skill. Jeremy, Richard and James could do it no problem, in one or two takes," the Top Gear insider told The Sun newspaper.

Evans is struggling so mightily that he has reportedly already crashed one car on track. "The first time Chris went round the Top Gear track he crashed the car," another source said. "Unfortunately for him it was a brand new Jag that had been lent to the show."

Adding to the mess, new Top Gear executive producer Lisa Clark has already quit and Tom Ford, the show's script editor, has stated that he's leaving the show at the end of his contract.

Meanwhile, Clarkson and Co. are preparing to launch a new car-themed show on Amazon Video sometime this year.

[Morris Minor]

BBC's reboot of Top Gear with Chris Evans as the show's main host isn't going as smoothly as planned, a new report finds. Evans is taking over the reins of Top Gear from former front man Jeremy Clarkson.

As the old saying goes, it can be difficult to walk and chew gum at the same time, and Evans is apparently proving that adage true. Reports from inside Top Gear indicate Evans is "really struggling to master the art of driving and talking to camera, which is crucial."

Although Clarkson and his old co-hosts, Richard Hammond and James May, made driving while talking look easy, it can actually be a tricky thing to master. "It's a skill. Jeremy, Richard and James could do it no problem, in one or two takes," the Top Gear insider told The Sun newspaper.

Evans is struggling so mightily that he has reportedly already crashed one car on track. "The first time Chris went round the Top Gear track he crashed the car," another source said. "Unfortunately for him it was a brand new Jag that had been lent to the show."

Adding to the mess, new Top Gear executive producer Lisa Clark has already quit and Tom Ford, the show's script editor, has stated that he's leaving the show at the end of his contract.

Meanwhile, Clarkson and Co. are preparing to launch a new car-themed show on Amazon Video sometime this year.

I don't know why the BBC didn't just kill the show.

[SVT666]

I don't know why the BBC didn't just kill the show.

Because they thought the show was bigger than Clarkson, Hammond, and May.  They thought a new cast and a more PC environment would actually make the show more popular.

[Payman]

Also heard that Evans is an insufferable prick to work with.

[Madman]

Also heard that Evans is an insufferable prick to work with.

I guess that qualifies him to be the new Clarkson!