Coogan no longer impressed with Top Gear...

[brocklanders023]

Must admit I still like it . It's maybe not as good as it used to be but it's easy viewing and one of the only programs that always gets series linked.

 

[Neil]

Must admit I still like it . It's maybe not as good as it used to be but it's easy viewing and one of the only programs that always gets series linked.

It's an odd thing to me, I have enjoyed it over the years, and when a new series starts I always have intentions of watching it.

However, it doesn't take long to start irritating me - I mean at first, the pantomime buffoonery of Jezza seemed kind of amusing in caricature like way. These days, though, it's like this stale joke, the running gag of this exaggerated, idiotic, arrogance has become jarring - I think it's because over time it becomes passe - and I think he almost recognises it, and feels the need to overcompensate.

Plus, as Coogan says, the other two just effectively act like lapdogs (maybe slightly protesting, but that's really just for show) when at least May can carry off other shows quite effectively, and clearly has intelligence.

I think it's something of a shame, because there are (increasing rare, these days) brief glimpses, when all of them show a real enthusiasm and passion for certain cars. But as time goes on, it seems more about this decidedly odd gag of being contentious for effect, and has become hubristic and unfunny, IMO.

 

[Neil]

bigotry is wrong in all it's forms and the people as a whole should not be like this, but has it gone to far? meaning political correctness etc, because it has gotton to the point where there are fewer and fewer real bigots out there so the super political correct people are now so powerful with their views that the normal minded people who are not bigots are now getting rounded on. so, does this mean that the super political correct obsessed people are the new bigots of the world?

I recognise the point you're making, and I also can see the possibility of Poe's law and all, but all the same society has got to the point where it roundly condemns the cliched examples - yet people get defensive when the things they like, go a step too far.

Personally, when I read about (/watch on youtube) some of the examples complained at, I don't get all offended about it - I just think "How stupid..." because in at least some cases, it's people doing it for a cheap gag.

All the same, I also recognise some things can get cringingly accepted with "edgey" comedians, yet condemned when dilettantes try the same trick.

But all the same - with many of these instances of stupidity (either what appears their beliefs - say in the case of the TV commentators) or done for cheap laughs, it always seems to be bigotry against those without any real bite - they're not so bold they would really take on the subjects that would really cause outrage.

 

[tintin40]

Must admit I still like it . It's maybe not as good as it used to be but it's easy viewing .

Agree. As for the Mexican stuff 'the truth hurts'

 

[FMJ]

Must admit I still like it . It's maybe not as good as it used to be but it's easy viewing .

Agree. As for the Mexican stuff 'the truth hurts'

While they've stuck their feet a few times lately, the "fleeing for their lives from the rednecks with guns" bit was a fairly accurate depiction of the majority of the residents of the South, and everything they had to say about them was spot on.

 

[IDB1]

Not a Coogan fan, even less of a Clarkson one (he is a grade-A tw*t imo).

This is just classic Clarkson crap... much like the rapist lorry drivers and other nonsense spilled from the nobheads tactless gob..

Don't mind tuning in now and then though

Are they really, as Coogan says, role models?? People treat this as more than just throw-away telly??

 

[Neil]

Are they really, as Coogan says, role models?? People treat this as more than just throw-away telly??

I'm beginning to think so, for some.

And I'm not talking mindless idiots, either. I've conversed with some people and when it comes to car matters, their mind can be firmly made up, simply because of what TG / JC has said about car(s) - no concept of making their own mind up, no concept of whether TG's criteria and rationale is aligned to their own, just glad to buy into whatever rhetoric is spouted on TG.

 

[IDB1]

How odd. .

 

[jonnyboy666]

Must admit I still like it . It's maybe not as good as it used to be but it's easy viewing .

Agree. As for the Mexican stuff 'the truth hurts'

While they've stuck their feet a few times lately, the "fleeing for their lives from the rednecks with guns" bit was a fairly accurate depiction of the majority of the residents of the South, and everything they had to say about them was spot on.

you mean on the US special? that looked pretty scary! or maybe exagerated? they looked truly dumbstruck when they hit New Orleans though.

 

[IDB1]

Must admit I still like it . It's maybe not as good as it used to be but it's easy viewing .

Agree. As for the Mexican stuff 'the truth hurts'

While they've stuck their feet a few times lately, the "fleeing for their lives from the rednecks with guns" bit was a fairly accurate depiction of the majority of the residents of the South, and everything they had to say about them was spot on.

you mean on the US special? that looked pretty scary! or maybe exagerated? they looked truly dumbstruck when they hit New Orleans though.

Staged is far more likely