Top Gear - Season 15 starting now!

[Clockw0rk]

...In the UK, that is. Some clips from the show are available on Youtube. My personal favourite so far:
JdVZU96gkDM
I had mentioned before that due to the power/weight ratio of the F1 I wouldn't be surprised if it beat the Veyron off the line. Looks like that's confirmed. Pretty sure it beat the Veyron entirely over the quarter mile, but naturally ran out of power before the mighty quad turbo W16.

It looks like Jay Leno will also make an appearance in an upcoming episode, as he visited the studio while in England for the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It'll be interesting to see his power lap.

[Citizen Erased]

Ive seen the first couple of episodes of season 13 on the net. The one where they reveal who the stig really is, is a classic.


this bit was also good =D
lGdpI5Mms-U

[Lazlow]

Shumacher is a lie!

[StorminNorman]

this bit was also good =D
lGdpI5Mms-U

I love how, just when you think this video can't get any more epic, it somehow manages to. The look on James May's face right at the end is priceless.

[/backslash]

Episode 2 of Season 13 is awesome with the whole "17 again" concept :D Especially that segment at night when they're trying to quietly park their cars without their 'parents' waking up

[Silverwolf]

Just watched episode 5 of season 13. Pretty much everything related to the Morris Marina was absolutely classic, I actually laughed out loud a few times.
Possibly the best show on TV fullstop.

[Clockw0rk]

Gonna watch it tonight with the flatmates. Looking forward to it!

[/backslash]

Good ep, loved Jeremy's "I can fix anything!" mood and what he does actually works for once!

[Clockw0rk]

Using those coins as wheel weights was pure brilliance. Hammond's little rant about the Marina was entertaining as well.

[Silverwolf]

Using those coins as wheel weights was pure brilliance. Hammond's little rant about the Marina was entertaining as well.

I loved when the french racing guy had a rage at it and was like "WHAT IS THIS... SHITBOX!?!"

[Clockw0rk]

Hahaha yes! That was comedy gold.

[texta]

Good ep, though I skipped the "star in a reasonably priced car" interview.

[Clockw0rk]

Last week's star was one of the better ones, you should have watched it. The comedian from ep.3 was horribly unfunny. Usain Bolt was good value.

[Silverwolf]

The comedian from ep.3 was horribly unfunny.

pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff fffffffffffffff

[Clockw0rk]

The "are YOU drunk?" bit was the only funny thing he said.

[Clockw0rk]

Season Finale today! Jay Leno is the SIARPC and the power lap is a Holden Ute. Sweeeet.

[/backslash]

In the last ep I enjoyed Jeremy's car advert ideas "and then there can be an explosion in the background!" /Michael Bay

The rest was okay but pretty ordinary

[Citizen Erased]

I loved that car review with the t-rex and raptors.

[Clockw0rk]

The "Berlin to Warsaw in one tank" tagline was absolute genius. I actually enjoyed most of those ads - the one with the RX-8 having to stop and fill up was great too. I had expected a much faster lap from Jay Leno given the number of cars he owns and drives. Halfway down the board at 1:48.8 was a pretty weak effort.
The final segment with the Aston Martin V12 was brilliant also, and kind of sad. Definitely a great finale for the season.

[Citizen Erased]

The "Berlin to Warsaw in one tank" tagline was absolute genius. I actually enjoyed most of those ads - the one with the RX-8 having to stop and fill up was great too.

I think if they did more ads like that they would sell a hell of alot more cars.

"Needs more exsplosions"

[/backslash]

"Needs more exsplosions"
Jeremy: "That girl needs to be in a bikini. Oh wait, its supposed to be a funeral isn't it? Black bikini then" :D

[enrique]

Top Gear season 13 kicks off on SBS tonight at 7.30pm, if you already havent seen it. Didnt expect it on SBS this early in the year, beats TGA though. Ep 1 has Schumacher and his FXX. :D

[Citizen Erased]

Top Gear season 13 kicks off on SBS tonight at 7.30pm, if you already havent seen it. Didnt expect it on SBS this early in the year, beats TGA though. Ep 1 has Schumacher and his FXX. :D

Totaly F-ing awesome news. <3 SBS

[StorminNorman]

Any word on if they're still editing out the news segments and the music?

I really hate that SBS can show old Top Gears unedited, but not the new ones.

[enrique]

Last night's episode was edited, they definitely cut some of Michael Shumacher's interview out. Its annoying eh?

[StorminNorman]

They cut the news segment as well.

And yes, it drives me bats, because there's usually something pretty funny there. If SBS want to stop people downloading the show, then they need to do more than just show it soon after its UK air date.

[Citizen Erased]

I dont understand why they wont show it in full without adds.

[REQUIEM]

...In the UK, that is. Some clips from the show are available on Youtube. My personal favourite so far:
JdVZU96gkDM
I had mentioned before that due to the power/weight ratio of the F1 I wouldn't be surprised if it beat the Veyron off the line. Looks like that's confirmed. Pretty sure it beat the Veyron entirely over the quarter mile, but naturally ran out of power before the mighty quad turbo W16.

It looks like Jay Leno will also make an appearance in an upcoming episode, as he visited the studio while in England for the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It'll be interesting to see his power lap.

I love that show and THANKS for that clip :)

[HiredMan]

Worrying. (http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/top-gear-may-park-at-nine/2009/10/20/1255891846405.html) Looks like the 9 Network will pick up the rights to Top Gear next year. Looking forward to them showing it an hour-and-a-half later than when it was advertised for and then binning it after 2 episodes because nobody watched (.....because it was on an hour-and-a-half after when it was advertised for).

Also, they're looking to ad Shane Warne as a host of the Aus version.

Terrible news all round, really.

[Citizen Erased]

Also, they're looking to ad Shane Warne as a host of the Aus version.

Terrible news all round, really.

Oh Hell no, I thought the Aus version of TopGear had died a sad and lonely death.

[buckstwits]

I thought they were trying to get Eric Bana to host Top Gear Aus?

[AranchineD]

Worrying. (http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/top-gear-may-park-at-nine/2009/10/20/1255891846405.html) Looks like the 9 Network will pick up the rights to Top Gear next year. Looking forward to them showing it an hour-and-a-half later than when it was advertised for and then binning it after 2 episodes because nobody watched (.....because it was on an hour-and-a-half after when it was advertised for).

Also, they're looking to ad Shane Warne as a host of the Aus version.

Terrible news all round, really.

So...it's going to be Test Drive 2.0?

[Clockw0rk]

Just download the British episodes like a normal person. Full length, no ads.

[HiredMan]

I thought they were trying to get Eric Bana to host Top Gear Aus?

That would actually be awesome. I still have Love The Beast in it's shrink wrap, waiting to watch with my Valiant-head buddy.

[Dukotoja]

its not a bad movie, and i remember banner from his roots as that bogan dude on some joke show.

[TrinityJayOne]

Fast Forward.

[Blue]

Just download the British episodes like a normal person. Full length, no ads.Normal people watch it on television, whereas computer geeks are able to download or torrent it.

Anyway, Bana would be good for Aus Top Gear. It may even become watchable, if he can muster up some personality. We'll see.

[StorminNorman]

So anyway, that rumour about Top Gear going to nine is real. (http://au.transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2009/10/23/tg-moves-to-a-new-home/) I only heard about it today when I was checking Final Gear.

It's pretty shit, as you just know Nine are going to hack the crap out of the TG episodes (more than SBS already does) to fit ads in.

Ah well, that's what the internet is for, I guess.

[Citizen Erased]

Who watch tv now these days ?

[HiredMan]

I only watch Top Gear re-runs!

[Clockw0rk]

Can we get a Mod to change the title to Season 14 airing now?
Anyone watch tonight's episode? It was pretty awesome. I love the Ferrari California. Hiredman might not like all the nasty things they said about the Porsche Boxster Spyder though :p

[StorminNorman]

That road at the end was epic.

[Clockw0rk]

Wasn't it though? It really put the road from season 10 to shame.
The tunnels underneath the Palace of the Parliament were also brilliant. The Ferrari sounded amazing.

[StorminNorman]

I already knew the Palace of the Parliament was an utterly ridiculous building, but I didn't realise just how ridiculous it was until I saw them hooning through those tunnels.

Fun fact: It's the second-largest building in the world, behind the Pentagon.

[Clockw0rk]

The Hammerhead-i Eagle Thrust is the coolest car ever.
Some hilarious moments in that episode, though the supercar review was a bit boring.

[/backslash]

I was actually hoping Jeremy would spraypaint all the bodywork to black/dark gray or something in their 2.0 version, it could've looked quite stylish :p Lol @ the ultra-shiny bonnet blinding everybody

[Clockw0rk]

Yeah I was hoping for a more significant bodywork overhaul for 2.0.

[MacGuyver]

If I ever saw the Top Gear guys on the road on one of their challenges I'd get the hell away from them because I know that somehow they're going to hold up traffic!

Still I'd rather have the Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust over a G-Wiz any day! :D I've read the write up that the Autocar guys did on their website and it's pretty funny.

[/backslash]

Yeah I was hoping for a more significant bodywork overhaul for 2.0.
If it was painted with the sharp edges rounded off it could almost look like a real car. Also I was almost fooled into what I thought they actually made & was gobsmacked, gullible me :p

[Silverwolf]

If it was painted with the sharp edges rounded off it could almost look like a real car. Also I was almost fooled into what I thought they actually made & was gobsmacked, gullible me :p

Hahaha, oh slashy :')

[Citizen Erased]

Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust is the future. (http://www.autocar.co.uk/VideosWallpapers/Videos.aspx?AR=245230&CT=V)

[Hyperblau]

I was honestly close to pissing my pants during the slow mo crash dummy test and the side swipe test. So dumb but oh so funny.

[Clockw0rk]

Holy crap they actually did review it - I thought it was a joke!
That's nothing short of awesome.

[Citizen Erased]

I hope you get to drive the i-Thrust in the next Gran Tourismo.

[Clockw0rk]

Anyone see Monday's episode? Pretty good, the Lancia feature was definitely the highlight. The Stratos is one of my favourite classic cars.

[Clockw0rk]

The "sensible review" in this week's episode was good. Is anyone else watching this?

[Hyperblau]

Yeah I watch every week. The tunnel flip was pretty epic.

[/backslash]

Season 14 Ep 6 is out for those in the know-how. Its the Bolivia special

The latest in the line of great Top Gear specials, following on from epic adventures across Botswana, Vietnam and the Arctic Circle. This time Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are dropped deep in the Bolivian rainforest armed only with three shabby 4x4s which they bought from the local small ads for a maximum of 3500 pounds each. What follows is their most extraordinary journey to date. They attempt to drive from the heart of Bolivia to the coast of Chile, encountering local drug lords, the debilitating effects of high altitude and the terrifying sheer drops of the infamous Death Road along the way. But before all that, they've got to escape from the deep, dark centre of the rainforest in what is without doubt the toughest and most unmissable challenge Top Gear has ever faced.

Looks awesome from the snippets I've seen, there's a 720p version which I'm getting but to spare me a couple of days I'm also getting the SD version whilst I'm waiting :) More Top Gear specials need to be released on bluray

[Citizen Erased]

Man that episode was epic (as always). I was holding my breath with that near miss on the "Death Road".

[/backslash]

Yeah, somehow I don't think they'd show Clarkson's death on tv though :p But I could definitely feel the tension & queasyness. Also if you're not worrying about falling off the edge you're worried about getting smashed into the side of the mountain or the "so much dust I can't see where the road is"

I'd happily get out of my car and let someone else drive it to the safe zone

Great episode, easily up there with the Botswana special

[Clockw0rk]

Holy shit this episode was amazing. Definitely the best trip so far.
Pretty sure they destroyed Hammond's car deliberately at the end, because it would have killed him going down that dune.

Has Greenpeace gone mental over this episode yet?

[/backslash]

Yeah, it has no brakes so that seemed like a less suicidal option. I got the 720p version now, much nicer than SD, doesn't look fit enough for bluray demo material but still enough to make it better to watch

[Clockw0rk]

I'm waiting for the 1080i rip :)

[StorminNorman]

Why not get a HD rip instead?

The Bolivia special is definitely the best episode in what has otherwise been a pretty disappointing season. Even Andy Wilman admits this season hasn't been so great. (http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2009/12/20/series-14-where-were-at/)

[TrinityJayOne]

Just watched thanks to a helpful chap on youtube + mobile phone, as I'm currently interstate and without PC. Couldn't agree more that it's quite possibly the greatest viewing TG has ever given us. BBC will definitely be hearing from the hippies if a single Hilux into a tree pissed 'em off. :P

[texta]

The worst thing about Top Gear is the dorks pre-emptively complaining about people complaining about it.

Good episode though.

[Citizen Erased]

This episode clearly made up for the so/so avarage art episode.

[/backslash]

If anyone hasn't noticed, the final episode of Season 14 is out now. Episode was so-so - nothing fancy

[Clockw0rk]

I love the LF-A's dash. Can't wait for that car to be in Forza 3. Aside from that, nothing special. I picked the Veyron for car of the decade though. :D

[TrinityJayOne]

Aside from that, nothing special.
I disagree. Did anyone else catch the girl in a brown top & black jacket to the left of Clarkson during the SIARPC? I would do awful, awful things to that lovely.

[/backslash]

I disagree. Did anyone else catch the girl in a brown top & black jacket to the left of Clarkson during the SIARPC? I would do awful, awful things to that lovely.
Yup, I saw her - they have a system about always putting attractive audience girls behind Clarkson :p Funny because I always spend all my time looking at them instead. I've seen an outtake of him on DVD where there's 2 heavily busted girls and he keeps on trying to touch their boobs or stare at them

[/backslash]

Bought Top Gear Season 11 & 12 boxsets on DVD (imported from Amazon.com). They'll be released in 5 days time, got both for just over $50 which is a bargain but its a shame they'll be region locked so it won't be very friendly for people wanting to borrow it without a region free dvd player. However there's no release date set for the local versions which'll no doubt have fancy steelbooks, at least season 12 comes with the Vietnam special so I won't have to buy the separate dvd which I was planning to do

Also rather annoyingly my Challenges Vol3 dispatched but I'm pretty sure all the same footage will be covered in Seasons 10-12. I didn't think Season 12 would be released at the same time as 11

[Clockw0rk]

I disagree. Did anyone else catch the girl in a brown top & black jacket to the left of Clarkson during the SIARPC? I would do awful, awful things to that lovely.
Missed it :(
The star himself was actually pretty awesome though! I forgot until you mentioned it.

[/backslash]

There's a bluray coming out soon (late March) in the UK of Great Adventures Vol 3 for around 10 pounds. Can't figure out what its going to include since there's absolutely no details at all. The Great Adventure collection packs have always come out in 2 specials but there hasn't been any other Adventure I can think of that hasn't already been released so I'd say its going to just be the Bolivia special by itself with a director's cut & the usual commentary

There's also a pre-order up for Top Gear Season 11 too for AU in late March (steelbook form) RRP$50

[Lazlow]

What the hell happened to this show?

It used to informative and entertaining. Now its a parody of itself; the 3 Stooges with cars.

FFS, they've done the whole car art thing before.

[REQUIEM]

What the hell happened to this show?

It used to informative and entertaining. Now its a parody of itself; the 3 Stooges with cars.

FFS, they've done the whole car art thing before.

It was totally fake IMO. Where was the footage of clarkson crashing the bmw into the ditch.

[texta]

New season has started.

[/backslash]

New season has started.
Nice! I thought it was the end of this week

Getting my tea now

[Silverwolf]

I ****ing hate this tea analogy.

TO THE ****ING INTERNET.

[Shorty]

Season 15 is out in the UK, at the moment.

[TrinityJayOne]

I ****ing hate this tea analogy.

TO THE ****ING INTERNET.
WHAT IS THIS "INTERNET" YOU SPEAK OF THAT I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT AND MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT USE TO ACQUIRE THINGS THROUGH CHANNELS OF DUBIOUS LEGALITY.

But yeah, tea etc.

[Lazlow]

So is it more lame Jackass style hijinks or is there some decent auto journalism on hand here?

[/backslash]

There was one serious take on it & another one involved a 3 wheeled car & flipping it over as many times as they could whilst driving around local streets. They also introduced their new reasonable priced car for time trials & used one of the cars from the Polar Special to drive up a volcano which was pretty cool although a fairly short segment

No silly challenges in this one but a couple of funny moments involving Jeremy ogling over girls & Richard being next to a gay man

[Lazlow]

They also introduced their new reasonable priced car

Chevrolet Cruze?

[/backslash]

Kia Cee'D

[Shorty]

They also reviewed the Bentley GT SuperSports.

[Silverwolf]

Great ep, IMO.

Clarkson sure knows how to drive a Reliant Robin.

[TrinityJayOne]

Oh. My. GOD. They did so very well leaving the Reliant Robin segment til the end, as it made the rest of the episode look tame. :D

"I pulled over to find out" *slides into car meeting on side*

I was nearly in tears, it was just incredible! I really want a Reliant Robin now.

[/backslash]

"I pulled over to find out" *slides into car meeting on side*

That shocked me too, for some reason I expected to see him getting out :p

I loved how opening a door helped him flip over as well :D

[StorminNorman]

I thought this episode was a real return to form. It was nothing special, just a bunch of standard Top Gear stuff, but somehow that's why it was so good. It was like they finally remembered why Top Gear was great four or five years ago, and went back to that.

Really looking forward to this season now.

[Shorty]

Oh. My. GOD. They did so very well leaving the Reliant Robin segment til the end, as it made the rest of the episode look tame. :D

"I pulled over to find out" *slides into car meeting on side*

I was nearly in tears, it was just incredible! I really want a Reliant Robin now.

I liked the gratuitous use of the A-Team theme near the end. :p

[Silverwolf]

Oh. My. GOD. They did so very well leaving the Reliant Robin segment til the end, as it made the rest of the episode look tame. :D

"I pulled over to find out" *slides into car meeting on side*

I was nearly in tears, it was just incredible! I really want a Reliant Robin now.

Yeah, it would be so great to have one just to flip it all the time. You could put on some entertaining shows.

I don't think i've laughed out loud at any other show like that before.

[Clockw0rk]

Yesterday's episode was excellent - the Porsche feature was well done and we finally got to see James fanging a proper car around the track :) The Cheap Track Day Cars segment was fun but the very obvious scripting at the end (when they revealed the price of May's car) ruined it a bit for me.

Richard Hammond hasn't aged well between seasons :(

[Hyperblau]

James fanging a proper car around the track :)
I hope you're not talking about the boxter :confused: :p

[/backslash]

Richard Hammond hasn't aged well between seasons :(
I think its because he keeps on changing his haircut which makes him look older. He is getting a bit wrinkly though which I find surprising considering he's the youngest whilst Jeremy is going bald

[/backslash]

New Top Gear ep is out, I liked Jeremy how he used black duct tape on his jeans to make it look like proper pants whilst acting as a chauffeur for a wedding & his legs would constantly get stuck together :D

[Clockw0rk]

Shouldn't be visiting this thread when I haven't seen it yet :(
Watching tonight! :D

[/backslash]

New episode is out, I've just got it, haven't watched it yet

edit: Lol! Jeremy's homemade caravan is a deathtrap on the road especially when there's bridges overhead. Richard's caravan is genius once its all setup :D

[Shorty]

New Top Gear ep is out, I liked Jeremy how he used black duct tape on his jeans to make it look like proper pants whilst acting as a chauffeur for a wedding & his legs would constantly get stuck together :D

I liked how the bridesmaid and the mother of the bride kept encouraging him to drive faster. :p

[REQUIEM]

I hope you're not talking about the boxter :confused: :p

Its pronounced 'Cocksta'

[/backslash]

Episode 5 is out, once again I almost forgot about it

[/backslash]

Wow, Series 15 is showing on Channel 9 atm. Its a few weeks behind but I'm still surprised we didn't have to wait too long

Latest UK episode had a pretty interesting F1 doco in the last 20min

[Cubby]

I was actually loling to him rolling that Robin.

[Dukotoja]

Wow, Series 15 is showing on Channel 9 atm. Its a few weeks behind but I'm still surprised we didn't have to wait too long

Latest UK episode had a pretty interesting F1 doco in the last 20min

yeah i really dug that. this plus the new Veyron segment made this a pretty good ep, only thing that detracted imo were the guests but still i wasn't that bored by them

[enrique]

I was actually loling to him rolling that Robin.

Yeah me too, especially when he did it in the background of that news report, that was hilarious.

[Cubby]

I liked the first one, and the car service pit the best. The first was unexpected, as I wasn't sure if he would roll it, or so soon.

[Lazlow]

Latest UK episode had a pretty interesting F1 doco in the last 20min

Someone mentioned on UYAC that Bernie Ecclestone won't allow them to replay the Senna bit in any repeats or OS broadcasts.

Bernie is a mad old f***er.

[StorminNorman]

That'd be a crying shame, because it was a fitting tribute to one of F1's great drivers. Probably one of the best things ever to appear on Top Gear, really.

I thought this week's episode kicked arse. Between that, May's run in the new Veyron and the epic SIARPC laps, it was one of the best episodes in years.

[/backslash]

I was simply amazed at how Senna drove along trying to find the area with the best grip. I watched a bunch of F1 with my dad years ago but I never saw anyone else do that & to have that kind of reaction at that speed is simply god-like stuff

[StorminNorman]

The part where Lewis Hamilton drives the old McLaren was pretty amazing. My friend pointed out that that car is the car he thinks of when he thinks of Formula 1 cars.

[/backslash]

Ep 6 is out, bit of a bland episode this one

[Clockw0rk]

I enjoyed it. 458 review wasn't exciting but Goldblum > Cruise and the British sports cars feature was excellent.

[StorminNorman]

Ep 6 is out, bit of a bland episode this one

...You're kidding, right? The British sports car challenge was one of the highlights of the season.

Overall, this has probably been the best Top Gear season in years.

[TrinityJayOne]

How funny was Goldblum hammering around the test track on the limiter! I nearly pissed my pants, poor little car.

[Clockw0rk]

How funny was Goldblum hammering around the test track on the limiter! I nearly pissed my pants, poor little car.
Oh god the entire flat pretty much died laughing. The follow-through was the best thing ever.

[/backslash]

Is episode 7 only a "best of" collection or is that unrelated? I still can't find anything besides that, hoping for another adventure ep

edit: Seems like I was right :(

[enrique]

Watched this last night-episode 4? The motorhome challenge was one of the funniest I've seen on TG for a while, especially Jeremy's block of flats on the back of his Citroen, shame they didnt show it going over during the night......

[Cubby]

I like the shot of hammond trying to get to sleep, he looked terrified.

[TrinityJayOne]

Call me mad but I'm actually interested in this US version. A preview I saw showed them pretending to be moonshine runners over a rough course with yank tanks they bought on a budget. They actually bent the crap out of some old Caddy or something over a jump, Dukes of Hazzard style. :D

[Shorty]

That was in the trailer clip on Jalopnik (http://jalopnik.com/5606884/top-gear-usa-the-first-trailer). I'm willing to give the show a chance. If it sucks, there's always the UK version.

[/backslash]

That was in the trailer clip on Jalopnik (http://jalopnik.com/5606884/top-gear-usa-the-first-trailer). I'm willing to give the show a chance. If it sucks, there's always the UK version.
Well that trailer fails to excite me, an interesting concept on that track but the presenters don't seem to provide any sort of entertainment, merely just standing around & laughing. This'll probably be crap too but maybe not "as crap" as the aussie version

[HiredMan]

And the Stig is....

The Stig's identity revealed: British Formula 3 driver Ben Collins. (http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/top-gears-the-stigs-identity-finally-revealed-as-formula-three-driver-ben-collins-report/story-e6frfmyi-1225908440291) Looks plausible. The rumours were always for a F3, F3000 or BTCC driver.

[Clockw0rk]

And the Stig is....
Old news... 4chan /o/ had threads on this years back when his identity really still was a mystery, and the whole "Schumaker is the Stig" bit was to cover up the fact that Collins pretty much announced it last year.

I'd say they'll stick with Collins even after this is made public seeing as he's an awesome driver, he's been with them for years and Joe Public really doesn't give a s**t who's behind the helmet.

[Shorty]

I'd say they'll stick with Collins even after this is made public seeing as he's an awesome driver, he's been with them for years and Joe Public really doesn't give a s**t who's behind the helmet.

Kinda like how Stephen Colbert the Host is separate from Stephen Colbert in Real Life.

[Lazlow]

The following spoiler contains the actual name of the Stig
Ben Collins
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Top-Gears-Stig-Is-Free-To-Publish-Autobiography-After-BBC-Lose-Bid-To-Get-Injunction/Article/201009115710574?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15710574_Top_Gears_Stig_Is_Free_To_Pub lish_Autobiography_After_BBC_Lose_Bid_To_Get_Injun ction

In other news Michael Jackson is dead.

For what its worth there was an article on news.com.au that claims angry viewers are calling for Collins' sacking.

[texta]

Whoops. I am an arsehat.

Though getting rid of Collins as the Stig would be one way to keep the mystery of who he is. That said, I wouldn't know him from a bar of soap, so it doesn't bother me.

[Serenity]

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/ben-collins-sacked-as-the-stig-says-top-gears-jeremy-clarkson/story-e6frfmyi-1225915884819

Well, I guess we knew it was inevitable.

[/backslash]

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/ben-collins-sacked-as-the-stig-says-top-gears-jeremy-clarkson/story-e6frfmyi-1225915884819

Well, I guess we knew it was inevitable.
This is bad news for sales of those 'I Am The Stig' t-shirts :p

Realistically I'd get pretty annoyed too not being credited. I can see why they needed to do it but after so many seasons you'd start to get sick of it

[TrinityJayOne]

Still would've been in his contract if BBC was able to claim breach of confidentiality agreements.

Hopefully they make light of it next season with another Schumacher visit!

[Shorty]

Has anyone seen Top Gear USA? They've just started running the first season in the States and so far I think it's actually pretty good. It is fairly early days, though. The hosts clearly haven't quite achieved the effortless back-and-forth of the British hosts and some of the borrowed segments (e.g. Big Star Small Car and the Stig) don't totally fit just yet. But the segments are decent, the hosts are reasonably likeable (Tanner Foust is clearly being marked as the trio's Butt Monkey) and the presentation has enough of a Top Gear feel about it. I think that, with time, this show will become good in its own way.

[Ezri]

Meh, it's a bit sterile. I only really like Tanner Foust.

Have to say I've been enjoying TG AU lately.

[Cubby]

Weren't there only a few eps of TG Australia? I assumed it got canned again.

[Lazlow]

Has anyone seen Top Gear USA? They've just started running the first season in the States and so far I think it's actually pretty good. It is fairly early days, though. The hosts clearly haven't quite achieved the effortless back-and-forth of the British hosts and some of the borrowed segments (e.g. Big Star Small Car and the Stig) don't totally fit just yet. But the segments are decent, the hosts are reasonably likeable (Tanner Foust is clearly being marked as the trio's Butt Monkey) and the presentation has enough of a Top Gear feel about it. I think that, with time, this show will become good in its own way.

Just started?

I thought they've had their own version for a few years now, with that dude from the Man Show.

EDIT:

Oh I see, they did a pilot two years ago with Adam Carolla, Tanner Foust and Eric Stromer, but it was put on hiatus because Knight Rider bombed so badly.

[Lazlow]

Also Top Gear Australia is apparently "not returning for 2011 in it's current format".

Whether that means its being canned, or its simply being cut back from a weekly program to an occasional 90 minute special (as is apparently speculated) is anyone's guess.

In all honesty though, when the original is so brilliant, and frequently aired, its a bit hard to bother with an imitation.

[Cubby]

Reminds me of when that Queer Eye show used to be big here. They made an aus version that bombed and killed the original with it.

I thought the guys on aus TG were just trying too hard to be the Brits. And what was with that pos ute they put the celebs in?

[Ezri]

Weren't there only a few eps of TG Australia? I assumed it got canned again.

Oh, I assumed it had been temporarily bumped in favour of sports or something. Shame. I felt the series was starting to FINALLY come together after a painful first season, and an unremarkable second season.

[enrique]

The only good host of TG AU was Kenny, the others were boring and Shane Warne couldnt drive a greasy stick up a dogs arse. There was no more then 6 eps of TGAU on nine off the top of my head.

[Lazlow]

Only 3 have aired, according to wiki.

Had to laugh, looked at the wiki page for Russian Top Gear, and apparently one "star in a reasonably priced car" went around as the Stig's passenger as they couldn't get their head around a manual transmission.

[Ezri]

I watched the Russian TG! Wasn't terrible!

[enrique]

Only 3 have aired, according to wiki.

Had to laugh, looked at the wiki page for Russian Top Gear, and apparently one "star in a reasonably priced car" went around as the Stig's passenger as they couldn't get their head around a manual transmission.

In Russia, car drives you!

[Cubby]

...and Shane Warne couldnt drive a greasy stick up a dogs arse.

Yeah, no idea why that ****wit was there at all.

[Ezri]

I always skipped past Shane Warne's segments. God he is intolerable.

[turb06]

The only good host of TG AU was Kenny, the others were boring and Shane Warne couldnt drive a greasy stick up a dogs arse. There was no more then 6 eps of TGAU on nine off the top of my head.

Any count on the amount of times he used the word peanut. ****ing irritating.

[nintendo]

Really enjoyed this season so far. Too bad about that Stig stuff, bit of a tosser if you ask me, although I like that we'll be seeing a difference with whatever it is they come up with now.

The latest ep with them in America went a little more smoothly than their last trip which was a bit of a disappointment. Good ep and it makes me wanna see this Bethlahem trip

[Ezri]

I really enjoyed the first episode of this series. I think they've listened to some of the criticism generated during seasons 12-13 where the dialogue became increasingly scripted and less funny. Season 14 was a marked improved and Season 15 was a return to form.

This latest episode felt as fun as the older Top Gears were.

[nintendo]

Just watched the first episode of season 16 and Ive got to say these last 2 eps have probably been my fav of the passt 2 series. As a whole that is. Other eps have had segments which I like more, but as a whole, these 2 eps felt the most like 'old' Top Gear.

Cant wait for the rest which iirc start on the 23rd of Jan

[turb06]

Has the 2nd ep of season 16 aired yet?

[Ezri]

Depends how you define season 16. The recent special episode that aired when they took the Merc SLS, 458 Italia and 911 GT3 to the US has been classified as part of season 15. Episode 0 of season 16 is the xmas special where they drive through the middle east in convertible sports cars.

The full season 16 doesn't start proper until Jan 23.

[turb06]

That explains it then, i thought the xmas special was the official start to season 16.

[Lazlow]

Jonathan Ross crashes at 145kph (http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/tv-host-jonathan-ross-suffers-head-injuries-in-top-gear-crash/story-e6frfmyi-1226001977649)