James May on Top gear

[The Ken]

I liked top gear, used to watch it all the time, I like the "characters" that these guys "play" but this years xmas special was simply racist stereotyping beyond belief. Totally cringe worthy.

I watch it much less now, and try to discourage my son from watching it. Shame it used to be brilliant - space shuttle episode has never been surpassed.

 

[jax13]

my attitude with this is like when clarkson said about shooting rioters, everyone knows they don't mean it and they wouldn't do it so on that basis i don't get upset about it.

another comment taken entirely out of context.

clarkson actually said he was in support of the people on strike (he said nothing about shooting rioters as far as i'm aware but lets be honest, who wouldn't want to line those thieving scrotes up and knee cap thelot of 'em!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uq3bgHA ... re=related

don't believe the media - they want controversy, the want pantomime villains to get viewers & attract readers.

bottom line, top gear is an entertainment show and i thought that segment was especially entertaining. I'll be honest, I quite like the idea of people unplugging electric cars to irritate the lefty tree hugging yogurt knitting do-gooders that will buy them!

 

[jonnyboy666]

my mistake, i knew he said about shooting someone just couldn't remember who!

 

[1duck]

I liked top gear, used to watch it all the time, I like the "characters" that these guys "play" but this years xmas special was simply racist stereotyping beyond belief. Totally cringe worthy.

I watch it much less now, and try to discourage my son from watching it. Shame it used to be brilliant - space shuttle episode has never been surpassed.

It was no more racist than the america special, the one in albania claiming they are all mobsters/car thieves or any of the other ones where they go abroad like the romanian one was pretty bad too.

If anything its mocking the stereotype of the british mentality that we think we are better than everyone else and are really crap at being respectful tourists.

 

[highlandsflyer]

I think they are much closer to the stereotype than they think they are; and certainly not so self aware as some might suggest.

They strike me as a trio who began identifying as journalists and now find themselves identifying as comic presenters, and at least one of them (clue here, he is a tall chap) seems to consider himself a comedy treasure.

May is the one that has the legs as far as I am concerned. Clarkson can produce great and informative programs, but the spectre of his lesser persona is never far from the surface.

I just wish they would drop the 'yes, we know we are being idiots and saying reactionary things to parody our public image' mockery, and move on in some way.

The world of motoring and transport, technology is diverse and fascinating enough to support a regular hour long programme, without resorting to overriding all the factual, journalistic elements in favour of indulging the egos and comic aspirations of three rather silly chaps who really should remember they are journalists/presenters with a sense of humour rather than humorists moonlighting as journalists/presenters.

Ipso facto, they just ain't funny.

 

[al]

You must remember he's a big tit of a man.

I just hope the Pikey's,Chavs and Bin Dippers (Binners) around the land don't start doing it.



al.

 

[1duck]

Ipso facto, they just ain't funny.

True,true.

 

[highlandsflyer]

One thing that occurs to me is that, were they all true to themselves, Top Gear would regularly feature articles about motorbikes and bicycles.

I don't know many into cars who do not at least have a passing interest in motorbikes. Don't see why it would not work within the format.

Perhaps it is because once they had motorbikes on the show, all the performance pissing contests would have to be seen in the context of bikes that can match all but the top speeds for relative buttons.

Can't see the likes of the big sports car makers being happy to lend cars to a show that would compare their stats to bikes.

 

[ajm]

I don't know many into cars who do not at least have a passing interest in motorbikes. Don't see why it would not work within the format.

I've always been into cars (and bikes, obviously!) but find motorbikes completely uninteresting; I've happily read magazines on old vans, tractors, all sorts, but have rarely managed to bring myself to read anything about motorbikes. Not sure why... I've ridden them before, but really have zero interest in them.

Then again, I don't watch Top Gear any more anyway... it's repetitive, juvenile and uncouth - I much preferred the old format!

Man, I sound old

 

[highlandsflyer]

The problem with the UK Top Gear presenters is the lack of beards. Not even a tache amongst them.

The more hirsute the man, the more they tend to know about engines.