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shropshirestar.com

Top Gear’s three stooges lack their usual humour in first of new series

Monday 30th January 2012, 10:59AM GMT.

The presenters race supercars across Italy and around an eight mile test track
The presenters race supercars across Italy and around an eight mile test track

Watching Top Gear these days is a bit like watching a Formula 1 race – you watch the cars and drivers go through the motions of what is more often than not a high speed procession, and what you really want to see is a decent crash to spark things up a bit.

And so it is with presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May: You know what’s coming before they start and the only hope is that Jezza will say something shocking to draw you out of your Sunday night stupor.

Sadly last night’s opening salvo of what is the show’s 18th series, was a damp squib with the three masters of vehicular buffoonery serving up a dull hour of predictable petrol-head fodder.

The show opened with Clarkson promising the criticism Top Gear had received for its Christmas special filmed in India would not affect what was coming up in the coming weeks. A montage of the best bits followed (after an ironic film featuring rabbits and bicycles) and all looked well.

But, as is often the case with film trailers, the best bits are just that – a few rare moments snatched from the mass of mediocrity.

Other than the ‘news’ section and the star in the reasonably priced car (which was Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas) the show was given over entirely to a drive across Italy in three supercars – a Lamborghini Aventador, a McLaren MP4-12C and a Noble M600.

The premise was to find the best choice of car if you don’t want a Ferrari. Not a question most people will be toying with but that should in no way be seen as a criticism as Top Gear has proved conclusively over the years that testing ridiculously expensive cars is far more entertaining than trying to be all sensible about Fiestas and Fiat Pandas.

The road trip followed the usual Top Gear pattern of challenges being set for the three presenters and their chosen cars. Last night the supercars sped round an 8-mile circular test track at Nardo; Clarkson and May ‘raced’ to a restaurant in central Rome while Hammond and his Noble were towed to a breakdown garage; and finally all three raced against the Ferrari and the show’s resident racing driver Stig at the infamous Imola circuit.

This is of course a well-worn approach for Top Gear and I don’t mind that the formula is used over and over again as normally it provides a platform for Clarkson and his two stooges to mix together ‘car stuff’ with plenty of entertaining silliness and tomfoolery.

However this opening trip was a laborious journey that lacked the usual humour. There were a couple of bright moments – such as when Clarkson was pulled over by the Italian police, not for speeding, but for ‘working’ on Sunday and he responded that that was why Italy was nearly bankrupt – but on the whole this was a tedious affair.

It even included a strange section with the three presenters giving their cars a sycophantic pep talk before the big race at Imola. Odd.

Despite Clarkson’s promises at the start of the show, you can’t help wondering if his wit has been punctured by the criticism he has received recently and Top Gear has become a little pedestrian.

David Briggs

Watch Top Gear on BBC iPlayer

  1. 1
    Martin
    January 30, 2012 at 11:44

    What a pile of dog doo your review is. Typical lefty media type just waiting for Clarkson to say something silly and you had 100 words waiting didn’t you?

    Clearly you’re not a Top Gear fan or you’d know that they often do a 3 super car road trip, I loved it last night, great stuff from the lads.

    If you don’t like Top Gear I’m sure there is an Ed Miliband speech you’d like to listen to on the BBC news.

    Report abuse

    • Tory Voter
      January 31, 2012 at 12:22

      I am an out and out true blue and i totally agree with the article, does this make me a leftie, how pathetic to brand someone policitally because you disagree with him/her you have no idea which way this person votes.

      Report abuse

    • towbar
      January 31, 2012 at 16:43

      Typical reaction by one of the ‘ooh aahh wishIhadda’s’ and boy racers Top Gear is aimed at. When the programme ends it’s back to the hatchback dream on time.
      I’m no fan of the programme either.Clarkson failed to drive down a runway without hitting an air-raid shelter and even Saxo pilots
      might be able to drive ’roundy-round’ with no traffic coming in the opposite direction.

      Report abuse

    • miky
      January 31, 2012 at 17:23

      Hating a Top Gear episode does not make you a lefty. I think Top Gear has gone down hill for the past few years, but it is still something to watch on Sunday evenings. But while a Top Gear road trip across Italy can’t go wrong much, I agree with the article. Compared with the likes of the Oslo and Japan races and the 3-supercar France road trip, this was pretty bland. Also, insulting someone blinding, calling them ‘lefty media type’ and calling their article ‘dog poo’ only proves you are mentally incapable of countering someones views with your own well thought ideas. How pitiful.

      Report abuse

  2. 2
    Rob Whitney
    January 30, 2012 at 12:00

    I dont know what you were watching David but for me and all the friends i have spoken with, this was the best top Gear episode in ages, back on top form!

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    Martin Reynolds
    January 30, 2012 at 12:31

    Great review, Why can’t the 3 stooges do what they do well, take every day cars and do great things. The African trip has never been bettered, sailing a car across the channel was hilarious, the far east trip on small motorcycles is always worth another look,and the trip across america a real eye opener, keep up the good work and leave the “super-cars” where they belong.

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    Andy
    January 30, 2012 at 13:06

    David, it appears Facebook disagrees with you.
    But then they can’t win can they???

    They offend and that’s wrong, although I consider it British humor.
    They don’t offend, they are boring and dull…

    Top Gear has many Million follower to whom I’m sure loved the show! I for one thoroughly enjoyed it… It would defo be the Lamborghini for me… And I know I will never afford one…
    This is why they have a massive waiting list if you want to go and see the show…

    Be all and end all is: Top Gear is a great entertainment show, this is made by both the presenters & the cars… Do you think many people would watch it if it was all about ford fiesta’s and being sensible and not at all taboo? Come on even 5th Gear have to add the “supercar” element otherwise it would not be entertaining and people wouldn’t tune in.

    Want a serious, educational car program… Pick up a copy of auto trader or what car mag.

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    Ben
    January 30, 2012 at 13:12

    I’m sorry but this is truly the worst review I have ever read in my entire life. It is clearly written by someone who either has no interest in, or fails to understand motorsport or the shows passion for cars. I have watched every episode of Top Gear for the last 10+ years and last nights was truly brilliant.

    I think you need to take a hard look at why you are criticising a show of brilliance in a time when then need fans more than anything. I have never written anything like this before and its not like me to do it but i think this was complete garbage

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    Doug
    January 30, 2012 at 15:38

    This is THE worst review…in the world. You seem to be incredibly obsequious with respect to trying to sound interesting. Get an life and enjoy the show.

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    Simon
    January 30, 2012 at 16:05

    If you found the pep talks “odd” you are clearly completely unqualified to ‘review’ a car program. In fact it is clear from the entire article that you have little or no passion for cars at all.

    Believe it or not a lot of people watch Top Gear because they are interested in cars… not because it’s cool.

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    Bob
    January 30, 2012 at 16:27

    Were you watching the same show I was? This is a great first season episode. There was plenty of humour in it. When they were driving over 200mph around the bowl I was generally scared with them. It came across very well. You have to give all 3 of them respect to have the balls to drive that fast when clearly it was dangerous to do so. Then on the race track, again, serious balls to drive that fast in those cars and Hammond didn’t even have ABS or airbags. The filming really showed the danger and that kept me on the edge of my seat.

    The humour was there too. It was a show I really enjoyed and one I will watch again on repeat.

    You obviously are just whining in your review.

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    Jim
    January 30, 2012 at 23:18

    Agreed with most here. This was one of the best shows in a long while. (Apart from the dull guest). Like a lot of critics, it seems you were just waiting to bash them for any old reason. Dreadful review.

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    Ronback
    January 31, 2012 at 03:48

    Wow… “what you really want to see is a decent crash to spark things up a bit.” So you want to see people get hurt? Maybe you should watch Hammond’s accident that almost killed him. I find you offensive wishing harm upon people. Or are you just kidding around? Wonder how the TG guys would handle that turn of the tables, probably with more class than you have. By the way it was by no means the best TG ever but it was certainly one of the better ones.

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    Katherine de Gama
    January 31, 2012 at 08:29

    I’m a lefty feminist but I like Top Gear. I take a dim view of what Clarkson got up to in India (as you might guess from my name my folks are from there)but things pass. I heard something hilarious on Farming Today – tractor racing pulling 11 tons on a sledge. The international stars do it at 80-90 miles an hour. Yikes! The person interviewed said we hadn’t seen it because Clarkson wouldn’t be able to hack it! I don’t have a tractor but I am tempted to have a play with my ’72 JCB. I’ll probably end up in the river.

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    ME BISCUIT TIN IS EMPTY
    January 31, 2012 at 08:51

    Good fun and entertaining is what i thought the show was on Sunday .
    Only drag for me was star in a car will-i-am looked a little uninterested.
    MORE PLEEEEEEEESE BBC OH AND MOOOOOORE MRS BROWNS BOYS TOO .

    Report abuse

  13. 13
    G
    January 31, 2012 at 12:55

    Better than last series but not great, A safe start but could do with a bit more zip, it still feels a little bit fake.
    Worst part was Dull-I-am in the reasonably priced car.

    Report abuse

  14. 14
    Colin.D.
    January 31, 2012 at 12:55

    I must admit to being a little puzzled by the reactions above.
    OK, TG has it’s fan base, and , you either love it or hate it. Personally, I can’t stand the programme, mainly because of Clarkson and his patronising
    manner, there should be a law against him.
    Secondly, I believe it has lost it’s way over the years. When it first started, it was informative and interesting. It gave the average man in the street an idea of which car was best suited to his individual needs.
    Today, it seems to be all about a jolly for those three, in cars that your average Joe will never be able to afford. The BBC, i.e. YOU, the licence payer, fund this rubbish. Three guys travelling to Italy to race round a track, plus the film crew and all the gofers, does not come cheap. I would like to know what the fuel bill alone was for ALL the vehicles involved.
    I question whether this is necessary usage of licence payers money. A while ago, they had rockets fitted to a Mini, and sent it down a ski jump ramp. Why????
    Then again, they attached a rocket to a Reliant Robin and fired it in the air, at no small cost. Again, why????
    I’m very glad that I no longer contribute to these petty exercises in futility, and I sympathise with those who do, yet, you don’t seem to mind, but, you complain about the price of your own fuel, or the parking charges in Shrewsbury. Strange, “there’s nowt so queer as folk”.

    Report abuse

    • Clint
      January 31, 2012 at 19:52

      Why, then, do you waste your valuable time coming to this article to comment negatively. If you don’t like the show, I can’t fathom what drove you to search for the review of the first episode of the series. They perform these acts that you mentioned becaue it is an *entertainment* show. Created and shown for…you guessed it…your *entertainment*. I for one, enjoyed the first episode and still find Top Gear the best hour of TV you can watch in a week.

      Report abuse

    • Andy A
      February 1, 2012 at 13:05

      In response to colin d. I’d rather and I’m sure I speak on behalf of all of us, you should understand people who love these machines no doubt we will never own them, if we are ever privileged to see them they won’t be getting driven to there full potential. I can’t imagine a tree hugger like your good self to understand but we want to see cars like this as it gives us dreams and it let’s us see what we would never see without the there legends. As for tax payers money have you written in about the pointless day time TV show bargain hunt. They actually show us our money and then let four people blow it on utter crap just to lose money. Personally I think you should go and overdose on countryfile and jog on. :) regards.

      Report abuse

      • Colin.D.
        February 1, 2012 at 14:31

        Clint,,I chose to comment because it is my right, it’s called free speech. I did say that you either love or hate the show,and it appears we are on opposite sides of the fence over this. So be it, if you enjoy it, watch it.
        Andy A. Tree hugger??? Just because I dislike the current format of Top Gear. I have no idea how you arrived at that conclusion, but I can assure you that you are totally misguided if you think that.
        I was going to reply to the rest of your rant, but am having serious problems with the translation. Which particular planet are you residing on at present?

        Report abuse

        • really confused
          February 1, 2012 at 16:26

          But Colin , you seem to know exactly what’s been on the shows…do you watch it?…come on you can tell me I won’t tell anyone else.

          Report abuse

      • Katherine de Gama
        February 1, 2012 at 16:14

        I’m a tree hugger but like a fancy car. I learned to drive in a Porsche (and a Fiesta!)Pls don’t categorise us.Life is more complex that you think.

        Report abuse

    • Rupert Barrington-Black
      February 3, 2012 at 11:08

      Whatever the cost is to the licence fee to make Top Gear, it is recouped many times over in sales of the programme overseas.

      Whilst many may not like it, it is the overseas earnings from TG, that contributes to the cost of other programmes. Without TG you might not get some that you do like.

      Report abuse

  15. 15
    R Suppards
    January 31, 2012 at 12:56

    Personally I laughed more at this episode than at anything else I have seen for quite a while. Granted that only a tiny minority of people would have the cash to buy any of the cars they test, but the irreverence and jocularity of the trio is always entertaining, even if some of the exploits are obviously ‘arranged’ for the cameras.

    In a day when dire political correctness strangles so much TV, it’s refreshing to watch good ‘ole Clarkson with his thoroughly non-PC banter. More power to his pistons.

    Report abuse

  16. 16
    James McGinley
    January 31, 2012 at 13:48

    IF you dont like it, dont watch it. You know what to expect with top gear. Supercars, burnouts, drifting IF it was all educational about what car has the most boot space for £10.000 or under. It would be boring.

    Report abuse

  17. 17
    Simon
    January 31, 2012 at 16:45

    It makes a change from buying antigues,selling antiques, carboot sales, buying houses, doing up houses, selling houses,fashion tips,cooking and ‘we’ve got the most appalling relationships’ programme aka J Kyle. Fortunately we all don’t like that drivel, likewise they probably think the same about Clarkson et al.

    Report abuse

    • Nistagmus
      February 2, 2012 at 09:00

      I agree.

      ‘Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.’

      I the modern era I suggest that ox or ass (stop sniggering) should be replaced by car.

      Basically, Christians shouldn’t watch TV lest they find they covet anything in the exhaustive list you mention.

      Report abuse

  18. 18
    Nistagmus
    January 31, 2012 at 16:52

    I thought the BBC has cancelled ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, yet I switch on my TV on a Sunday night and who pops up but three pensioner types doing crazy things and annoying the locals.
    I hope next week they attach some wheels to a bath and see how fast they can go down a hill, or something.

    Report abuse

  19. 19
    Nemo
    February 1, 2012 at 03:02

    I cant stand Top Gear. Thats why i watch it every week, LOL

    Report abuse

  20. 20
    ME BISCUIT TIN IS EMPTY
    February 1, 2012 at 09:51

    I remember TG in the early days mmmmmmmmmmm boring that’s why it changed it format , flash cars, silly road runs etc etc it is just a bit of fun which has made the BBC a lot of money world wide, do you realize how much TG has made for them over the last 5 years? suggest you check it out.
    As for JC luv a guy who says what he thinks and watch the fur coat no knickers, lefti type look down their noses at him.
    Comments by him have been so trivial but over egged by the media end result great publicity for the show .
    If people are so offended by his comments they would clearly have heart failure if they watched an episode of the simpsons , and the NO subject is taboo Family guy.

    Report abuse

    • Nistagmus
      February 1, 2012 at 17:14

      Lefties don’t wear fur coats & their knickers are normally knitted. I think you’re thinking of the other lot.

      And you just said you love a guy.

      Report abuse

  21. 21
    SQUIRREL
    February 1, 2012 at 13:51

    Clarkson should be shot in front of his family!

    Report abuse

  22. 22
    officersgal
    February 2, 2012 at 17:43

    So Clarkson and associates allure seems to be failing.Well,it took long enough for people to realise,watching three over sized and in Clarkson case..very oversized,school boys creating havoc It neither entertaining or watchable tv!!. Beingpaid loads of dosh for being idiots and playing with their big boys toys!! I imagine the BBC licence payer,does not want to fund the pay packets of these three middle aged talentless men.Boo Hoo!! Clarkson might have to get a proper job,god help us!!

    Report abuse

  23. 23
    notaclarkie
    February 2, 2012 at 21:51

    As straight as Clarkson was with his firing squad comment…I’ll be as straight too…never going to watch anything with that man in again! We (the struggling working class), pay his wages, if we watch.

    Not from my pocket you ain’t mate! The beeb, if they had any balls, should be sacking this bloke asap

    Report abuse

    • twisting my melon
      February 3, 2012 at 10:50

      He once did a great documentary in Brunel and showed real admiration and respect for the great man, so i dare say that when he does Top Gear he’s in character and has the intention of coming accross as a bit of a a@#e.

      Report abuse

  24. 24
    Rupert Barrington-Black
    February 3, 2012 at 11:10

    the opening paragraph in this article,

    “bit like watching a Formula 1 race – you watch the cars and drivers go through the motions of what is more often than not a high speed procession, and what you really want to see is a decent crash to spark things up a bit.”

    is a disgrace. Is Mr. Briggs really saying he wants to watch a car crash, with the attendant risk of serious injury and death?

    perhaps he would like to reflect on what he has said, and consider withdrawing that remark?

    Report abuse

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