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Top Gear doesn't get my engine running

January 21 | our TV junkies

I know I am sure to get under the skin of blokes and probably lots of girls too, but seriously I hate Top Gear!

It is THE most ridiculous waste of an hour you could ever spend.

It might be due to the fact that I don’t get it but, seriously, what a load of babble and waste of good-looking cars.

Top Gear (SBS, Mondays, 7.30pm) features three men – Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May – who sit around in a packed UK studio chatting to special guests who are invited to take part in “challenges”.

These challenges more often then not end in the total destruction of brand spanking new and horribly expensive cars, which makes me go, “What the? Give the car to me, you crazy people!”

I was introduced to this show over the Christmas/New Year break, when my boyfriend insisted we watch it one Monday night. As I was somewhat outnumbered, three guys to one, I didn’t have much say.

I watched it for a while, not in the least amused by all the car talk, but was even more annoyed when I changed the channel during an ad break and saw I was missing out on one of my favourite shows, America’s Next Top Model.

Not even bikini-clad beauties could entice the boys to change the channel and I was stuck watching the show.

Okay, I have to admit it wasn’t all bad, as there was a segment about the men taking charge of a British radio station making a total goose out of themselves which was kind of entertaining … well, more interesting then watching them drive around yelling like teenage boys.

And the Top Gear polar special screened on January 7 was beautifully filmed, it was just such a pity most of the screen was filled with this special “polar” converted ute trudging through the ice and snow.

But do you want to know the worst thing about it all? Top Gear is coming to Australia!

Yes, that’s right they are accepting auditions right now for people who want to be a host and – surprise, surprise – my boyfriend is going for it.

“Great,” I said with slightly over-the-top enthusiasm, “just don’t give up your day job yet.”

It wouldn’t be all bad, really, and I’m sure It’ll be great fun for him, but it looks like I won’t be escaping Top Gear any time soon.

— JO STYLES

Recent Comments

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Posted by becm from Currimundi

on 21 January, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Wow Jo, this is the first time I've heard a bad word said about this show... Me? I love it - and I'm a girl! The hosts are entertaining, hilarious and perfect foils for each other. Hell, they even launched a Jeremy Clarkson for PM website recently!! The challenges are the best bits, although I cannot believe they always end up being so close at the finish, when the modes of transport seem so mismatched. And how about the drama of Richard Hammond's death-defying crash in 2006? And the goosebumps when he appeared back on the show again the other night? Sure they are all cocky, adolescent idiots driving amazing machines like dodgem cars - but it's teenage idiocy performed in a controlled and very entertaining environment.
Like you though, I am also not looking forward to the Aussie version. These UK guys have set the bar too high. Besides, the original is always the best.

Posted by atapro1 from Doonan

on 21 January, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Yep...it has my vote. I never miss it. Fortunately, all of that on-screen hooning is in the UK. But wait...Jo is right. It's coming here.

I'm a bit torn between thinking that this is real fun and this is an irresponsibly bad example for our young drivers.

Remember kids, they say on nearly every show...don't try this at home. They are doing it in carefully controlled situations.

Posted by jboast from Buderim

on 21 January, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Give me Top Gear anytime over the reality shows like Beauty & the Geek or that other one about some gay guy in the bush or skinny models or some disfunctional family. I will happily watch three genuine funny guys have fun reviewing and playing with cars from everyday micro cars to super cars we only dream about. All the time they give us honest assessments of the cars and even poke fun at some.
Maybe you should keep watching a bunch of half starved woman druel over older half starved ex models who for some reason attain god like status. Throw in some cat fights, lack of knowledge of the english language and yes Jo, you have the Next Top Bimbo, I mean Model.

Posted by stelis from Maroochy River

on 21 January, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

You say that watching Top Gear 'is THE most ridiculous waste of an hour you could ever spend' yet one of your favourite shows is Americas Top Model? Now there's a waste of time. Long live The Steg!!! (and I'm also female!)

Posted by moonman from Sunshine Beach

on 22 January, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

I've only seen one Top Gear - they had a race between one guy in a really fast car and another on trains and ferries from somewhere in England to Helsinki I think - it was great! It took several hours and I forget who won but it was a great show...

Posted by mchapman

on 22 January, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Yes, of course it's ridiculous, but only in the best way!

Anyone who makes tunes out of car engine noises and test-drives a car by outrunning an army tank is okay in my book.

I'm with the rev-heads on this one - go Top Gear!!

Posted by dubby from Mooloolaba

on 22 January, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I'm not convinced with Top Gear. It has its moments but it generally annoys me.

Having said that, its better than most tv shows on other networks. Thats quite sad really.