Transmission – BBC Top Gear Australia

Boring as bat sh!t

The Uk guys are lovable w^nkers, you Australians are just w^ nkers.

Go back to cleaning toilets

Ivor, I’m afraid your the only wanker around here!

I loved the first episode, V8 to the rescue had me in stitches. It’s good to watch TG with real aussie cars.

Cant wait for next weeks episode.

I will open by quoting a mate of mine named Geoff…
“…instead of “star in a reasonably priced car” they appear to have “passable root driving a ute”……..”

Gold Geoff, Gold!!

I like the Team.
I like the Ute.

The Challenge had no challenge.

You took three mint 40 year old cars for a drive and nothing happened. Nary a temp gauge wavered. Not so much of a tyre wobbled. Not even the bloody sun visor fell off!

Next time, pick some scary dungers, or 1m km taxis. Let. Something. Happen.

No drama is very boring TV. It felt more like the Great Outdoors than Top Gear.

But Ewen. You were great.

PS: Forget the Star Car. How about the U Beaut Ute!

Ewan see the comments on the other blog,(the last 20 ) loved it apart from the beep,beep,beep adds. As for boring where were you IvorVagina and what were you doing w*nking perhaps and maybe this was boring you!!!. The TGUK guys are getting less loveable and more middle aged boring, series 15 was awful. They look and sound tired but our guys are fresh and enthusiastic
Keep up the great work boys, sort of know you will do this in the coming weeks having been to see you

well done boys
great show, loved it, local places, great cars, funny hosts.. what more could you want in a show.

The Au team of Top gear is good, But replicating the lovable Roug’s from Top Gear UK is not going to cut it.
Com on for sure as hell We can do better than this first issue.

Top Gear Australia was great love it having cars I see everyday. Didn’t find the Shane Warne 5mins of fame interesting. Great Track you guys have and the Ford Falcon Ute great idea. Great first Ep keep up the good work! looking forward to watching more Ep from Top Gear Australia 10 out of 10 in my books!

keep Australia Beautiful Restore Something! Great choice for Star Car! Lake Eyre Beautiful! the guys fun! the show fun! good old Aussie ribbing! Im proud of what we as a country put out. Our cars our people our land our celebs. keep it up. Everyone should experience a trek through any part of Australia. Show us more and in our cars that trigger fond memories of growing up and bringing up our families here just Fantastic! Frank Adelaide

just also i might quote this from the OP

Yes, I know. The haters are going to hate the fact we have Australian accents, that none of us is Clarkson, Hammond or May, and that we really shouldn’t be doing this.
Go right ahead

dont play the sympathy card its weak.

i think there is room for improvement, but lets be real here. if you are going to use the TOPGEAR brand, then you have to show top cars.
BE top notch and provide a TOP show like they do.

i only wish i could actully get to help make the show.

The disappointing thing is that producers seem to have learned nothing from the smoking remains of TG AU seasons 1 and 2.

It was never the hosts that were the problem, or the production values, or even the timeslot or the station.

It was all about the writing. The stories. Setting up properly good stories on the whiteboard BEFORE putting tape in the camera. Creating drama.

Skilfully manufacturing the opportunities for spontaneous failure rather than just hoping something would come up when the cameras were rolling. And then it didn’t.

Buying shit cars and having them actually breaking down rather than buying good ones and then killing them.

We were all in no doubt you’d make it to Lake Ayre. There was no set-up to say otherwise.

The I don’t get it. Seriously, you guys have got to write better than this, or it will die. Very quickly.

Warney was abit crap would have liked him to say more about the car. Lake air was good but the corolla should of been a Valiant Ranger, V8 rescue mildly amusing, way way to many adds and I hope this show doesn’t turn into product placement for Holden, that would suck ass. Don’t forget Australia has other car company’s such as Bolwell, Joss, Carbon Tech, Elfin ect.

it was a great show guys! You looked like you had alot of fun!

but you need a stig, and I reckon get Skaifey!

alot of people are saying they are sick of the whole holden and ford deal but realitly is that we ARE Aussies and they are our top 2 manufactures, just take a look at our top motorsport, V8 Supercars!

Sure you guys thrashing around in some top of the line sports cars would be cool but the truth is, I haven’t seen anyone driving around in the new Ferrari 599 GTO, ecxept if you’re Schumacher!

Love the ute as the ‘star car’and the track is wicked!

have a ball guys, you’re doing us proud!!!

Steve warne isn’t entertaining and if you want the show to succeed you need to keep him off your show! Otherwise very good, I enjoyed the show and am looking forward to next week

Charlie Cox, is that you??? hahaha You won’t be back my friend… the new hosts killed you off like the Black Stig!

Great show boys. It will only get better too so the future looks rosey.

Funny but would like to see more Australianisim do it the Aussie way but play by their rules leave the UHF arial and the Bar stickers that ute would have a history and in a sense country people that have utes understand it it made me Laugh

Thanks for the plug Bungee but it was Shane, again. Story of my life… “Shane this, Shane that”. I was better at cricket than him til U10s you know.

Steve Warne

Oh… My bad…. Yes SHANE warne is a loser…. Keep him off the show… In fact, keep all warnes off the show!

i gave it a 7 / 10.
big improvement on the SBS version. good to see 9 throwing some money at it. that will make a difference. i dont agree with some of the opinions. it has to be in some form like the UK show because the formula is so successful. i like the australianism of the aussie show. the ute was a great idea.im proud to be a ute owner and charlie i am proud to be a hillbilly. if i want to see DB9′s and M5′s ill watch the UK show.
above all guys great job. love Shane. one my top 10 funniest aussies ever. just got to get him to add a V8 to a toilet so Kenny can clean it.lol. Steve gives it good flow from the SBS shows and Ewan you were pretty good for a TV virgin. well done to all

@uteboy from bathurst

Time to qualify your actual ‘Shane’.

IMHO

Shane Jacobson = “Good job fella.”
Shane Warne = “We’re not getting smaller, we’re walking away from you.”

Fantastic, luv seeing the old holdens and fords

@icedvovo

i didnt think it needed to be QUALIFIED.
any reasonably smart person could see i was talking about the HOSTS not Warnie. Worry about your own backyard

wnkers.
I will now stop watching channel nine

My first thoughts of the show are not good. I know good things take time to develop but Tonight was not entertaining, well not for me. The road trip was interesting but I expected more entertainment. The hosts are ok and will relax with more shows but guys don’t be afraid to step away from the British model. We have pioneered a lot of things with good Aussie individuality and TGAU could do the same. Don’t be scared to be Australian.

A couple of personal points. The track looks like it was designed by mr squiggle, they are stars not rally drivers, give them some white knuckle high speed challenges with a few tight direction changes, not a track that is more challenging than trying to find clean credit card in your wifes purse.
The ute makes us look like bogans. There are many other cars out there. It would be a laugh to see them try and wring some decent speed and cornering out of something like a tada nano!
I’ll try again next week, hopeful for some Aussie individuality.

Rubbish
Get Rid of it!
When will you lot wake up. You are an absolute embarrassment to the country.
Bloody well pack it in and bring back the real deal!!

i am sick of this shit. if they make it like the uk guys they are wankers. if they make it too australian they suck. seriously. they can not win with you people.
as shane said they got the cars unseen from the web. they dont know if they will make the trip or not. it is not there fault that the cars those chose did not break down. what do you want them to do. fake it.
if another person says that ute shows us as bogans i will knock there bloody head off. i am a proud ute owner but i do not class myself as a bogan or a hillbilly. we gave the world the ute. it is part of australias history. lets celebrate it not mock it.we dont all live in the city

P.S
the simple thing is if you dont like it then dont degrade people here or the hosts or channel nine or anyone else. just do the logical thing.
DONT WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
simple really

Look. I’m not going to watch MONTY TAIPAN’S FLYING CIRCUS EITHER
Loved Aunty Jack but.
Give us Clarkson in ridiculous European cars, and give us the OZ mob doing different stuff WITH A DIFFERENT NAME!!!

great show guys ,looking forward to the next episodes, entertaining. stars ,classic aussie cars & a beautiful unique car driven by an international sports star .great uk formula with an aussie touch what more could you want.

Who ever thought this was entertainment should be sacked. Typical channel 9. You think put someone famous on a show and that is all that is needed. Hopefully this program will be canned very very soon Hint number one You are supposed to have motoring journalists test cars not cricketers and actors

Okay, interesting thoughts.
I’ll address a few of them:

1. Charlie, I’m not playing a sympathy card – people will either watch and enjoy or they won’t. All I’m referring to is the fact that people go nuts when they can hide behind their keyboard (YouTube comments being a classic example). If we can make this an intelligent debate, then it reflects well on all of us. Otherwise it’s just vacuous name calling, which gets boring.

2. Maloo157… yes, we have a Stig. He’s coming up. And no he’s not Skaifey. We got something better…

3. In terms of local cars vs imports, it’s about balance. Answer this: if the UK presenters were Australians living in Australia, do you really think they would completely ignore a significant portion of their local car culture? Of course they wouldn’t. Let the series play out; you’ll find balance in there.

4. Brown Dog: how, exactly, are we an embarrassment? I don’t mind if you don’t like it, but exactly which country is it you think you’re living in?

5. Warney and driving. Well, if you can hang the tail better than that, then I guess you have a career in motor racing ahead of you!

icedvovo has it.
Why watch the show when the promos have everyone in Lake Eyre? It’s not just the writing, IT IS THE ATTITUDE OF THE STINKING CHANNEL. You don’t get it! Just show the Brit version and have a snooze. If you want to do a funny car show then get some funny people on board…

Get Lownsey as the test driver, no brainer really

A better effort than the original but the boys come across as very poor imitators. (Like a 12 year old with his first smoke) Sorry but I will watch the pommy version any day but will automatically switch this one off. Kill it quick and be kind.

Okay, fair enough topgearfan.
My only observation would be this: you really need to be honest here and admit that it wouldn’t matter what anyone did with a local version, you wouldn’t like it.
I accept that – I just don’t think you should pass yourself off as being open minded…

They did their best but failed, nice guys down the pub but should not be hosting a show – can anyone tell them apart? The fake laughing and effort to copy TGUK is so sad, please try some hosts with their own style – perhaps have one female host – just anyone with character….

Oh Stevie J… impersonators?
Which one was I trying to be?
As I say, you are of course entitled to your opinion but you can’t roll out that tired criticism.
There are many things you can bag tonight’s episode for, but presenters trying to be UK talent is not one of them.

Ray! You’re back!
And I see we’ve really won you over this week, too…

well said Ewen. i too hate people who hide behind their keyboards. i too believe the show has work to be done but as a starting point not too bad. the UK guys didnt start off too well either. and lets not forget that the uk guys not only have the last 9 – 10 years on us but that top gear uk has been around basically since the mid 70′s in one form or another. if you have ever seen 5th gear that is what top gear use to be before some of the TG guys left and when and started that show. that is when the prsent top gear began. and still took a year or two for them to hit the right formula and they too changed hosts (james may came in in 02 -03). we all have humble beginnings. its how we evolve that counts.
and please as Ewen said lets not get personal. after all it is just TV

The second train wreck for top gear australia is coming. Why does this have to happen? UK guys have a great show with great ratings, and we like it, why the bloody hell change. Nothing against the aussie hosts but no sorry I couldnt even watch till the end.

What a load of rubbish that was. Can I have the 25 minutes of my life back as this is all I could bare to watch before I puked. It was boring as bat shit, I lost all interest when toilet boy said “Im going to do something I havent done in years”? I actually thought he was going to look at his penis, but instead done a slide that that even my kids laughed at, saying they can do better on their push bikes, and they can! After that I turned the TV of. You have not just lost 1 veiwer, but a whole family. My kids evn said it was crap! Good luck in the future, cause boy are you going to need it.

what i dont get is there are comments on here from people who, as Ewen say, will not be happy with ANY form of TG that is not UK based.
then why did you all spend over an hour watching it. it couldnt have been that bad.
my question is if it didnt have the TG name would you want to watch it. i dont think the problem is the guys coming across as impersonating the UK guys or making it on a similar formula to the UK guys the problem is everyone COMPARING them to the UK guys and the UK show. stop comparing them and treat it as a show on its own and you may well get a different opinion

why make it personal Just Cruisin??????
they are trying to entertain. if you dont like it dont watch it. have an opinion but nothing gives you or anyone the right to get personal

The three presenters were boring to watch. They didn’t keep the veiwer interested. Simple as that.

Loved the show guys. Heaps better channel 9.
Watched UK show after and they killed the pronouncing of “Bathurst”. They should get a slap in the face. Please teach them how to say it properly.
Great work,
Eric.

Uteboy, the mere fact it has TopGear in it’s title sets an expectation of content quality. If people don’t get the quality viewing they expect from the TG brand then they will be disappointed. If you ordered a ute mate and got a mini you’d naturally be upset! It’s only natural for everyone to initially compare the two.

that is a fair comment and your opinion which you have a right to.
in my opinion they did come across a litle boring but when you actually watch the show they cut away from them at funny times and i dont think we saw enough of them and because of that we couldnt see the one on one banter between them and this made it look like there was no chemistry. even the interview with Lisa was cut short. we saw more of the action then the banter and talk and that is what i think is the major area to improve.
as i said that was a fair message and proves you dont need to make it personal. if you want them to take on our ideas this is the place to do it. but they wont if we are silly about it

Gee , there are some wanker comments above. keep it up guys, I have gotten bored of the UK Pommy stuff anyway. It was good to see some Aussie guys driving cars. They always drive over priced european crap anyway.No cars are made in the UK anymore. Way to go England.

Tonights show was definately better than previous seasons. At the end of the day it does not hold a candle to the english TG but as you aforementioned this isnt the goal. I think if you stick to taking your own path and not trying to follow the english TG path than you have a show that is qoing to do well. If you ever need a 4th host and a segment on what you shouldnt do and what happens when you do It im all for it

yes it is to be expected Dtrain but as i said if they stop comparing they will get a different view. and also remember a footy season is not won in the first game. whether you win or lose depends on how you evolve through the year.
and considering the person attacks and negative comments on here do you blame them being a touch nervous tonight. they too know what we expect and anybody in their shoes would have been a little nervous tonight.
and in saying that how great was it for Ewen to put himself out their tonight on here. he would have know not all comments would have been positive yet he still had the balls to be on here. that shows how much they want the show to be a success and the effort they are willing to put in to make it work. give them time. it will come together.

well said Eric and John. good positive feedback

Agreed Uteboy, well done Ewen for being here tonight. Good or bad criticism mate in true Aussie form your here to listen to us.

I never jump on these, but I had to tonight. That was bad. Yes the suspense was bad, the ‘actors’ were not natural and you just felt that it was all staged. Needs to imrpove or else say goodbye….

spot on Dtrain. thats why it pisses me off with the personal attacks. positive and negative comments are aways welcome and interesting. but persoanl attacks especially on a forum is just cowardly

As a final comment, unfortunately unlike a footy season tv execs expect these boys to come out swinging and pull big viewing numbers. Execs can be very fickle and if the viewers are not happy and don’t return to watch again then the shows get canned. Thankfully forums like this allow us, well some to be constructively critical, therefore letting producers, hosts and execs know what our expectations are. Good luck boys. Make it our own.

I missed tonight, wheres the episode online?

Well done to Ewen,Shane & Steve.
As the say the first step is the hardest.Looking foward to the rest of the season. And I love the fact that you have used a UTE as it is a represtation of Australia.
Cheers Guys.
Millsy

omg ……could you hae picked a more apt and likeable host than shane jacobson. i watched a few episodes on the old channel and hated it but i can totally see myself watching this show all season long. thanks channel nine well done on a great line up and weel done to shane on a really great presentation and tons of laughs to boot

Continuity fail. Kingswood next to Corolla(incar), Corolla infront of Kingswood (out of car), Kingswood next to Corolla (incar) that was one fast Corolla did all that accelerating and braking in 3 continuous shots.

well i think they did way better this time, but please. if your going to bash old cars, can you just leave them on my front lawn when your finished! i’ll add them to the others.

Interesting to see that you have mentioned the “Haters” on the front page of the web site! how good the image of the show must be. how many Australian shows have ever had so many negative comments? None! you say that people don’t like the aussie accent “Rubbish” if people want English accents they will watch the English show, why not, its awesome! you say that people want to see Clarkson, Hammond and may! Same rubbish,same reason! and that is exactly why you fail, because you are trying to doing exactly what they do because YOU falsely think that that is what people want to see! and it makes the show complete CRAP! I think the guys on the show could all be quite fun to watch if they where allowed to just be them selves and not just attempt to copy the brits. the whole format of the show is a mirror image of the UK show, HOW BORING! what if the aussies just did aussie stuff like real aussie blokes, wow what a concept! lets face it the locations, the celebrity car and new track where great! the whole show whould have been great if they did there own thing. some parts where even done LINE FOR LINE exactly like the brits! “So who would like to see the lap” I think was one (I can not remember the exact lines). but how embarrassing! O.K. let me just say this, if the aussie TG was a bunch of aussie blokes just doing aussie bloke stuff then maybe even the brit’s would love OUR show just as much as we love theirs! and I for one would continue to watch it. I swear, some friends of mine told me when TG OZ first started that it was crap because they just tried to copy the UK but I was unable to watch the show back then, I have seen it now and yep its still crap for the some reason! I think the producers need to grow some aussie balls!

What’s on your front lawn, Dodgey?

Okay Anonymous.
Just as you were after the UK special, you’re given to broad, sweeping statements with nothing behind it.
I’m genuinely interested to hear your specific ideas.
If they’re good, we’ll take them on board.

Ewan,
send a phone number to my email and I’ll give you some ideas!

Didn’t really care for Warnie, but it was the only car review in the episode. The V8 Lifesaver was probably the funniest part of the episode, and the ‘outback adventure’ was interesting, both funny, and with a bit of good ol’ Aussie car history – it’s nice being able to relate to the cars used and the conditions they were driven in for a change). The trek did sag towards the end though, lacking in interesting content and humour, but the drag race was classic.

I have to admit I preferred the UK episode that followed, but like the crossover episode, TGA showed potential. You guys have got something that works and now you just need to figure out what it is and refine it. Good luck.

Honestly, I didn’t laugh as much as I did when I watched the uk show after but I didn’t expect you guys would have the same chemistry, devoted audience and as finely tuned that the brit guys have

but I’ll be watching next week

Hey, where was The Stig?

Not bad. The Yanks that’ll see it will be stumped and scream “Do want!” once they see the Ute, after all there are some over there that would grab our sedans in a heartbeat if they made it to a car yard.

Warnies bit didn’t quite fit the Top Gear mood, it was somewhat Fifth Gearish to me.
Something which might help the studio shoots is do more dry runs and rehearsals, it’s something the uk guys have been doing for years going by the outtakes. That and verbally regurgitating their magazine review of a car they’re filming a review of.

honestly thought it was pathetic. there was no chemistry between the three hosts you can tell they are not mates off screen. that ewen guy is the most annoying mother… i have ever had the displeasure of watching on the tele.

please stop copying the uk lads they kick butt. if you’re gonna do top gear australia, do it in a completely australian way.

review aussie cars, cars that we can afford, cars that aussies love.

shane warne’s review was PATHETIC. he didn’t even review the car he just drove around like a complete tool expressing how much fun he was having.

to summarise, sack mr page and as for the other two stop trying to be comedians and just review the bloody cars.

thanks

Does anyone know the name of the instrumental song that was played early in the episode when Shane was driving and talking about the faults of his car with corners etc? It was heavily violin based, and something I really enjoyed, yet I have no idea what it was called. Any ideas Ewen? I did really enjoy the first episode though, and I think TGA has finally got it right.

one more thing sorry forgot to mention,

WHO THE FUDGE WOULD WANT TO BUY AND OLD SCHOOL MUSCLE CAR AND TIE A FUDGIN CANOE TO THE ROOF AND THEN DRIVE TO THE FUDGIN DESERT???

complete waste of my life attending the filming of this pathetic rendition

Brilliant episode. The cast are great this season just keep it going. The outback cars of the 70′s was a highlight thanks TOP GEAR!

good effort- but no depth – and why not be australian rather than copy the uk version which in truth is amazing.i would rather watch repeats.

TG Australia was crap. The cars were boring as were the people in it especially that Shane Warne. The challenges were dull and unoriginal
I will not be watching it again.
For the sake of the TG brand, please stop TG Australia.
TG UK is still the best

top effort for your first outing only up from hear keep up the good aussie flavour

not bad , not good. time to cut loose boys and go mental. you seem to be in the shadow of the english version. be proud , stand tall were australian

Ewen, your fans are here… That at least watched your first show, at least give us the respect of taking on board the criticism and taking it back to the producers or whoever to make the show is a continued success. It is early days and i am muse the shows will get better, you guys will get more comfortable together and we will piss ourselves laughing more each week. But Shane warne may have hung the tail out on the car, and sure, maybe many of us couldn’t do that, but i wouldn’t say he is the right guy for your show… Looking at these comments and the Facebook comments that should be clear to you by the consensus of people that thought his segment was crap. As for Jacobson, he is a crack up!

Finaly some Aussie Top Gear with entertainment… Well done Shane Jacobson, but why did you get rid of Warren?

Hey Bungee, I welcome the feedback; it’s why I get involved in the forums.
I’m not trying to defend the show, because you either like it or you don’t.
I only comment on feedback when I feel it’s over the top or wide of the mark.
Keep it coming!

For those of you that think the show is too much like the brittish top gear… It is a franchise Model…. Go to macdonalds and tell me you would like every mcdonalds to do what they please….
The format works, the reality is, the biggest complaint about the uk version is a lot of the stuff is in uk or Europe… And we hardly see one of our cars on their show…. I like the format and for one will vote to keep it ias you did guys, the format works! ( I didn’t like the ute, but hey…. It will grow on me)
I will watch out the series boys…. There is room for improvement, Let’s hope it gets better with age!

Tempest – Stiggy’s coming up. Didn’t have anything for him to test last night.

Great show for the 5 minutes that was aired. I’m afraid channel 9 is going to kill it for you with their 55 minutes of ads.

By the way, you guys drive the cars and keep the has been “sportsman” out. Warnies segment sucked.

For Msssed It – the show will be up by this arvo at http://au.transmission.bl ogs.topgear.com/2010/10/1 9/top-gear-oz-episode-1/ I’m sorry for the delay.

Shane is a big improvement as a host, good work.
I loved the road-trip with the HQ and the old Falcon. But, you need to do original stunts, the V8 in the studio with the life saver line was just a copy of the Clarkson V8 milkshake maker. C’mon guys, some Aussie originality, make Top Gear ours and not just a poor knock-off.

A great show last night guys, great stuff, keep it up.
The show was a vast improvement than what we got on SBS last year.

Heading in the right direction.

Once again tuned in with high hopes…well hopes anyway (after the first show). Not nearly as bad as the old show. Someone has learned a lot about photography which made the whole thing feel smoother. Please splash out and hire a writer..it will make all the difference!! BUT..where do they get these people?? Surely there are 2 more guys in Oz with a personalit. No more with AUSSIEs trying to show us just how bloody masculine they are..let’s face it if they were, they wouldn’t need to demonstrate!

I have emailed BBC and Win TV,Re this rubbish
Aus Top Gear .
I have seen most(twice)UK Top Gear and sometimes they do rubbish but usually forgive. Aus Top Gear is a disgrace ,cant image what the UK presenters must think.Laughing (all way to bank)at us poor colonials.
The only time I have ever put pen to paper(Tony Abbott test me sometimes) is because of this flawed show/presenters .The first series was very bad .James Morrison the only presenter that came close to doing his job,this lot included.
Scrap the show(I will not watch)please.!!
Peter Hayes Orford Tasmania
Car nut,Retd Porsche builder/racer/owner(Hold no grudges against Clarksons hate of 911s)

Thank you ute boy for taking up my slack I needed to sleep so adding comments didn’t happen. You said everything I would have said this morning.

And at the risk of repeating my self and I will do so until the message sinks in the first 4 seasons of TGUK were crap and series 15 is not much better. The UK boys are turning into parodies of themselves and donot come across as 40, 47 and 50 year old men, they are beginning to behave like some of the old men in the nursing home I work in.

AND please bombard channel 9 switchboards with add complaints (they don’t do email)

Unbelievable, Brilliant !
Far better than I expected, so over the the original show, too much rot, you guys went back to basics, talked cars, had fun and it was an all round great show.
Congratulations.

Nice to see Ewen on the forums again.

I will add this; I cringe and wince every time you guys do damage to ‘mint’ cars. Old or new.

It’s very unentertaining. And true car fans would feel the same.

Warney is a tosser. Who’s brain dead idea was that. Don’t do that again. Three cars to Lake Eyre – brilliant next time watch an episode TGUK to see how to make it riveting – yours was a yawn. Piss that shitty ute off – just because its Australia it does not have to be stereotypical- we do make cars that handle- stick an early model Falcon or Commy on there if you want comedy. Fix that bloody track- it isn’t fast enough. Finally Shane do some research on your guests and ask some interesting questions – you looked like you had lost the plot. Ignore all the fun police and drive fast…..sideways. See Hammonds review of the Baaaaaathurst special in the TGUK that followed- thats how you review a car. Can it go sideways – check, can it do 155 – check, is it loud – check, smoke off the tyres – check. Do that and you will do ok

Your comment about the V8 rescue says it all, you loved it… a take off skit and rubbish to boot. Then dishing up tired old Warney. Thanks for having a go again but sorry – I tuned out and waited for the real deal TG later. No wanna be’s and of course access to incredible cars in all their segments. Sorry, but bring on real TG next season please.

Fully expected reaction from die hard TGUK fans above. My suggestion is to stay away from the ABD, e.g. the V8 powered device – it’s been done (twice). Delete everything TG from your minds. Australian flavour is what we want.

You’re on the money with the first challenge – just though you could have broke a bit more sh*t. Steve – you should have torn that visor off and thrown it at Shane.

Vast improvement on the previous, keep it up guys.

Great first episode … love the star car with the longhorns … GREAT job boys keeping it true blue

I couldn’t believe what a rubbish show this was. Shane jacobsen talking about how he thinks drinking beer and eating pies is fun? Could you get any more ocka bogan?? Warnie testing a car saying ‘you beauty’ every 2 seconds. The celebrity car is something from the bogan pig rangling days, and there was nothing comical about it. We’re not all beer swigging cultureless bogans. the charm of UK Top Gear is it doesn’t insult the viewers intelligence nor assume that every audience member is of the same demographic. Watching UK Top Gear at 830 last night after the aussie one was like being able to breath again!

Is Shane Warne going to be a regular guest? I hope not, his was the only segment I didn’t like.

You can have Lisa McCune back any time, she is good value.

I’d like to see a proper fast lap around the track with the ute, maybe V8SC rivals could go head to head.

I also thought airing the UK ep straight was quite revealing. And actually quite unfair in some respects.

Providing direct and immediate comparison for a fledgling show was probably not the best programming decision in hindsight.

Icedvovo: I’ll let you in on a secret – the Falcon was in much better condition than its description and price indicated.
Like you, I don’t feel comfortable damaging good cars. You learn, however…
Re programming the UK show after: well that’s life. No-one associated with the show should be ignoring the reality that this is a show derived from an original and people will draw comparisons.
If you can’t handle criticism, don’t make TV shows, I reckon.
Ultimately, the point’s this: everything starts out somewhere, but it’s where they end up which counts.
And you don’t find that place in one season; you plant a seed, find your voice and, hopefully, rate well enough to apply what you learn.

I think “Not a bogan” has hit the mark. You don’t need to be “rough as guts” to make this programme – you need to be clever. At least, have clever writers and presenters who can view themselves as other people will perceive them.
Also, beware talking too fast and talking over each other – especially your guests.

Ewan, in a philosophical mood are we!!

The first ep was great! I really enjoyed it, with more than a few laughs. I didnt think much of the first series, but I think this time you may have got the formula right. Shane is a great host (by the way, I LOVE the aussie accents, the aussie adventures and the celebrity ute!)
Looking forward to next week’s ep

@ Post #13 Maloo157 said…
“alot of people are saying they are sick of the whole holden and ford deal but realitly is that we ARE Aussies and they are our top 2 manufactures, ”

However what are the top manufactures that people actually buy
Top 10 Manufacturers
1. Toyota
2. Holden
3. Mazda
4. Ford
5. Hyundai
6. Mitsubishi
7. Nissan
8. Volkswagen
9. Subaru
10. Honda

Even TGUK do small car test drives.

I haven’t seen the episode yet, had to watch dvd with the wife. But will hopefully watch it tonight and i leave my other comments till then

Only One Owner: Hey, I’ve never been one to reflect on anything… as you can tell by my hairstyle.
I jsut don’t think you should be too precious; people don’t have to watch the show.
They choose to.
How’s the Range Rover?

the way you can tell if a motoring show is cheap and nasty is to check if the helmet strap is doneup, i dont think Lisa Mckewens was..

The Rangie is a bit broke at the moment, but we are getting it ready for the big 40th birthday celebration on the weekend of the 14th of November. More details regarding the celebration are on the RangeRover club of Victoria’s website.

Hey occasionally reflection is ok. And you are correct people who don’t like the show can turn off except they don’t.

Fantastic and extremely well done. Right presenters this time. Even my missus thought it was entertaining!

Great Job on the new series, my only complaint is the segment with Shane Warne, it was obvious that he was not driving the Morgan(while it was sliding) and he made no worthwhile contribution to the show at all, please do not put him on the show again. Great story with sailing Lake Eyre, I hope you recreate more of thes great Australian adventures. Also do not forget(which the previous producers did) we as fans like to see cars that we only get to see in magazines etc, not endless stories on bread and butter cars.
Thanks keep up the good work.

What a cringingly embarrassing loasd of crap!!
A really dreadful attempt at imitation. Why do we Australians have to put up with so much mediocrity?
We are capable of so much more. But we need the self confidence to overcome the cultural inferiority which makes us think we need to copy shows from head office.

C’on guys lets make a motoring show that they will want to copy from us!! We can do it!!

News just in: TG Australia won its timeslot last night.

TG Australia: 1.2 million
Iron Chef: 1.1
Talkin’ About Your Generation: 1

Thanks for your support guys!

to all those who doubt take a long hard look at yourselves and go away

I sat through the entire Top Gear Australia ‘Ashes Special’ and immediately came to two conclusions;
1) The show was crap, and
2) It can’t get much worse.

I even relabelled it TGA – Total Garbage Again as it hadn’t improved one iota since its beleaguered genesis on SBS.

It was the most contrived, pathetic, shameful, and embarrassing entry of a recycled program ever. It lacked substance, spontaneity and anything that could remotely be attributed to being entertainment. The commercials were more entertaining than the show itself. Cops LAC has just been axed and even it had greater substance.

Yet, as bad as it was, I figured it at the very least deserves another shot at glory. I gave it a chance of redemption, and it failed. Miserably.

The segments were poorly thought, lacked creativity, originality and were hopelessly predictable. The very spark that separates good shows from bad was painfully missing. If that wasn’t bad enough, at it’s heart Top Gear is a motoring show, so where were the reviews, the news, the upcoming releases ? Where was the Stig ?

If you’re going to drive to Lake Eyre in 70’s family sedans, try keep the 4×4 support vehicles out of shot. Then there’s the ‘star car’. While a ute is iconically Australian, this was a little unexpected, but couldn’t channel 9 and their ‘deeper pockets’ have sprung for a later model ? Perhaps the budget was busted on that ridiculous V8 powered maniquin smasher.

Steve Pizzati, the throwback from SBS’s bungled effort is about as entertaining and insightful as a speed hump in a Coles car park. Why he was retained is beyond belief and I can only presume it was part of the deal when the show crossed over to 9. The person who didn’t throw his audition tape into an open fire should be crucified, then hung, drawn and quartered.

Ewen Page simply doesn’t present well. While he appears knowledgeable, he reminds me of a bad gift. The unknown lump that sits in the corner and nobody knows what it is, or what it does and worse still, could not possibly be re gifted. Perhaps his most recent positions at FHM and Zoo Weekly means his expertise lays with T & A, not km/h.

Shane Jacobson. I’m sure he’s a great bloke and has quality about him, and ‘Kenny’ fast became a cult classic, but none of that relates to anything remotely motoring. Simply being a ‘car buff’ doesn’t cut it.

Finally there’s ‘special’ guest, Shane ‘Mr. SMS’ Warne. After 145 tests, 708 wickets and a bowling average of 25.41, I can understand perfectly well how he has the, skills, experience, knowledge and most importantly, CREDIBILITY to critique a Morgan, a car that’s low slung, sloppy around the corners and pretending to be something it isn’t, much like Shane himself. Perhaps it’s because he has owned a few Ferraris. Perhaps it’s because he is currently, and laughably the Lamborghini ‘ambassador’ in Australia. With a dialogue that came straight off the Morgan website, facial expressions that make him look like he was about to be rogered by a mutant water buffalo, and a pathetically shallow vocabulary range that includes the cringeworthy and very 70’s ‘you beaudy!’, Shane should stick to diuretics, hair re-growth, teeth whitening and cricket. There’s no shame in being the next Richie Benaud. Besides, being fat, bald and having incredibly bright teeth, you can always double as a lighthouse. If all else fails, keep Twittering about bad airlines and field placings, if for no other reason then to just get your name in the papers.

Making TGA successful, even moderately successful was always going to be a big ask. No matter how well written, produced, attended and presented it is, it would still remain the poor redneck cousin to a great original. Our Statesman to their Rolls Royce.

Where the original has a certain appeal about it that struck almost every demographic, TGA is the ‘dirty little secret’. The embarrassing underling that families keep hidden away in a cupboard in the back room and is never, ever discussed at dinner parties. TGA appeals to the knuckle scrapping troglodytes that have just slithered out of their evolutionary pond and now live in Broadmeadows or Lakemba, or hang out at Rundle Mall.

Someday, some bean counter at channel 9 will get hold of the programming schedule and rule a red line through TGA with a margin note that simply says, CANCELLED. Even Top Gear USA was canned.

It can’t come soon enough.

good first show nice pick of the guest car im only 11 but i thing it is brilliant can you have more ford.

Oddjobber… you write very well.
Like, professionally well.
Don’t I know you?

Last nights show, was okay, but not as good as it could be. The trip to Lake eyre was a good idea, but it should have been in cars in worse condition, cars that would have us doubting they would make it the entire way. The segment was lacking drama, it was more like a casual sunday drive, compared to the challanges Topgear is famous for.
Australia is a vast, versatile, and unique country, and this fact shuould be exploited, I would personally like to see more of it’s unique destinations, but to see them with more action along the way, how about a trip to cape york on a budjet, or a race from Sydney to Perth, or even a trip to Fraiser Island?
Also how about getting involved in local motorsport? It is an idea Topgear Uk only
briefly dabbled in, and I think it could work here, If you took it seriously.
Thirdly Australia is famous for it Rivalries and love of Competition,so instead of just showing the usual Ford vs Holden, how about showing our other car rivalries like Toyota Landcruiser vs Nissan patrol, older rivalries like datsun and ford, or Australia vs the world?
It was good guys, but could easily be better.

Warney has too go, I like him as a cricketer, but not on Topgear. He was boring to watch and didn’t seem to have the same in-car charisma as the host’s, he should stick to cricket, Ewen, Steve, and Shane should be the ones testing the cars, after all it is ment to be their show, and I am sure they are more capable.

The show definetly has Potential, and is a vast improvement compared to the last two seasons, I just hope the public gives it time to develop into the great show it could be, Ewen you should be proud of what you have achieved, it is impossible to please every one, and like you said their will always be the haters out their.
I liked the show, but I do think it could be better.
P.S. surprised no one has mentioned the best part about the test car… it will be fun to watch on a wet lap!

Ewen,

No I don’t write professionally, and no you don’t know me. Thanks for the compliment, but pity you didn’t address the points I raised.
As for the ratings, the following weeks will be a litmus test.

I really did like it, and yes a lot of comparing is going to happen to the original top gear, but go back and look at their first season, some very interesting cringe-worthy shows happened there as well. I really like the ute idea, but ….why so old? Also, since when did Warney become a car buff? All in all, quite a good first show, looking foward to all the improvements to come.

My hating this program isn’t about the fact you’re doing it. Its about the way it’s being done. First of all, do not turn this into a Ch 9 star vehicle. Secondly, challenges with challenges would be good. Third, the ute for the celebrity laps, just wrong. Four, how about a news segment?

Well, to add by two bobs worth……..I actually found the aussie show pretty good, sure the challenge didnt have the drama, but hats off to the cameramen, I thought the cinematography was great. I actually enjoyed seeing those 40year old cars on those awesome outback roads. Made me want to get out there and drive those roads also…..

The ‘challenge’ evoked the deep down desire to drive cross country in a car with character, and gave me a lovely nostalgic tickle in the belly. I for one am glad you didn’t entirely trash those old cars, especially that charmingly cute little Corolla. I think most true car lovers would want to do a similar thing.

The ute celebrity car was a great move. It’s a quirky take on, and not a rip-off of, the British segment.

Some of the humour still felt forced and scripted, particularly in the warehouse – particularly with the ‘dipstick for the dipstick’ gag.

What was the point of Warney? Polarising behaviour aside, it’s unclear whether he was a guest or a presenter. As a presenter he’s not really charismatic, and his authority to judge a supercar is questionable. I think you guys should keep the guest stars to the Star in a Car segments.

What do you guys end up doing with those cars anyway? I think I’m in love with that little Corolla. Can I have it? I’ll be nice to it.

One quick thing that I think would help the show no end would be to get all the hosts into an ongoing full on driving course, there was no evidence that any of the guys can really drive at all. and correct me if Im wrong but I dont think it was even Warney in the car when it was really sideways!

Karl, I did think also that it wasnt Warney in the car when it was on a nice long controlled power slide, conveniently the driver was in the shadows. Surely we would have seen warney’s hair or white teeth…..

Karl (anonymous) Steve is a driver trainer for Porche and a racing car driver, don’t think he needs training!! Shane has a “cams” license you don’t get one of those without being able to drive and he has also raced cars. As for Ewan he has driven and reviewed some pretty special cars over the years and again the manufacturers would put those cars into the hands of ametuers.

oops grammatical error it should read wouldn’t put

Ewen Page,

you asked me if I had any ideas for the show and I have heaps, so I will start with a big one.
Scrap the uk style studio layout, put the guys against a wall (stage) and make their aria look like a blokes shed! put heaps of bloke stuff in it like a nice engine some cool posters (chicks with cars etc) and have a big work bench behind them. They could mess around on the bench and make cool stuff (put a turbo on a lawn mower for a laugh). put a perspex screen in front of the bench for when things go bang! how frigin cool! and put a go kart track in the studio! yep, so the hosts and celebs come flying in one side of the studio on the back wall past the back of the audience, down one side toward the stage, some sort of chicane across the front (between the hosts and the audience into a hair pin back to stop in front of the stage! there could be a low barrier between the karts and the people, you could time it and make another best time board! How aussie is that? how original? I think people would love it. more to come!

I am am absolute fan of the Top Gear franchise and am hoping for improvement, and improvement is needed. In a word, Boring. The Lake Ayre segment was too long, Warney’s segment was superficial and the SIARPC needed a baseline as done by TGUK’s new car where they had a lot of times done by the crew etc. Drop the ute (irrelevant) and use a new 4 cylinder shitbox, or even better an SS or Turbo Falcon. They are reasonably priced performance cars. “A star in a reasonably priced performance car”. Give Lisa another go in a real car.

Show was good, but missing the witt that has made the pommy version what it is.

Maybe it’s a host problem??

only one owner,

sounds awesome dude, sounds awesome!
I would like to see it on the show. just a thought.

Well, Kris, from where I’m sitting, the hosts are simply sensational!

Ewen,
You may right in thinking the hosts are simply sensational, but it’s not your point of view that sells advertising.

one more idea for today,

Build a race car, have the people of Australia get involved by first voting on the type of car to build, then have the people of Australia help build it by having a choice (vote) for each part of the build. ie a choice of maybe 5 different types of wheel, engines, suspension. build it over one top gear season, show the progress of the build on each show then race it for the whole of the following season, maybe have top gear special shows for big race weekends. a car designed by your fans. we would see the birth and life of a car we all helped to buildwho would not like to see that?

Get a budget and get a creative producer who can come up with something that will capture the audiences. Woomera site for rocket/car verticle and horizontal build one better, supercharged aquaplaning car.sandhill racing jumping.build a car that flies we have nothing on the Poms show thought we were a creative bunch.

Hhmmm I tried, I really did but I wandered off. First to the Kitchen for a Glass, then to the Dining Room. All the while listening and glancing at the TV. It was allright sort of.

The UK version has Journalists who became TV presenters with believable screen persona’s. It’s not a Car show, it’s an Entertainment show that has Cars in it. It has Mateship and Pizzazz. Strong production values and, as the English do so well, sophisticated humour presented simply.

The Oz version lacks that gelling of presenters and experience.

The Warnie(ex Cricketer) was dire. So what if he can drift a Morgan on a wet track and recite the Performance figures. That is not Entertainment. And it sure looked like he was nor driving most of those sequences, especially the way it was cut.

So, for the First episode a bit like my School Reports: Could do better if tried harder.

the show was pretty good but that part with warney was a complete waste of time. but apart from that the show was quite good well done.

I hope someone at Total Garbage Again is taking note of some of the ideas being presented here. Some are imaginative, others just plain stupid.

Ok, my two bits:
First of all, this is the only episode of Top Gear Australia that I’ve seen, and that was only because it happened to be on the TV in the gym last night. I love Top Gear UK, but was extremely disappointed in this Aussie version. I also should say up front that I didn’t watch the whole show – just the V8 surf rescue, Morgan Aero review and bits of the Lake Eyre journey. I was finished by the time the “Star in a car” segment came on – but I don’t really like that bit of TGUK anyway – after watching that part of the show a couple of times it becomes pretty much same, same…

There seems to be some confusion about whether this is or is not a copy of the TGUK with Australian accents – some people above say it is, some people say it isn’t. So if it isn’t: Change the name, change the format, change everything except the accents because that’s about the only thing that’s fundamentally different from the UK version (except for the personalities of the presenters, which I think might be where TGUK wins hands down). Don’t do stunts with V8s just because Jeremy Clarkson did (on a sidenote – Jeremy’s milkshake maker looked like it was made in a garage – it “looked” like something he’d put together – nice touch. The V8 surf rescue machine looked like it had come straight in in a crate.) Don’t talk to your cars while you’re drifting in them just because Jeremy Clarkson does. Don’t have two guys ganging up on the other guy just because that’s what they do in TGUK.

As for the comments about Australian cars – TGUK don’t review or use cars because the cars are made in the UK (watching a show about just Aston Martins would get old quickly), so enough comments about using Australian-made cars already!! Also, note that the UK formula seems to be to use cars that are *not* the cars that the average person has. It’s a show I can watch and dream about maybe driving a car like that one day – I think that’s an important part of the appeal. If all it was was about reviewing the Holden or Ford that my neighbour drives around in, I’m definitely not interested. I want to see and hear about the more exotic cars. (Yes, sometimes they do review small cars, which is nice too, but I’m talking about the majority of the cars on the show).

I liked the ute – I thought that was mildly amusing. I’d really like to see the look on foreign celebrity’s faces when they’re shown it and told “and the vehicle you’ll be taking around the track is … this!”. In saying that though, I think you missed the point of the segment – the point is to have a “reasonably priced car” and seeing how fast they can take it – not have a deliberately difficult to handle vehicle on a tortuously complicated track, but as mentioned earlier, I didn’t actually see this segment, just saw the leadup, so I don’t know how it came off.

As for my earlier comment about personalities of the presenters – it was definitely lacking the camaraderie of TGUK. Perhaps it does take a few seasons to get that kind of rapport on a TV show, but it looks like it’s never going to happen if they keep getting swapped out to try other presenters..

So there you have my two bits – I just wanted to express my disappointment in a show that’s following someone else’s formula, but claiming that it’s not. It’s unlikely that I’ll watch the show again, unless it happens by chance again. I’m fairly fussy about the TV shows that I spend my time with, and TGAUS is too far below the bar.

I thought it was a good start, however.
I don’t like how many ads we had to contend with. The UK show is 1 hour without ads and this is more like 40mins of show with 20 min of ads.
While I think that Shane(kenny) is good for the show I don’t think he’s in top form. Seeing him on something like Spicks and Specs where he is himself is much more entertaining that what we’re currently seeing.
More car reviews too.
Keep working on it.

To all those whiners out there,

THEY ARE PLAYING BOTH VERSIONS OF THE SHOW(UK + OZ) SO STOP YOUR WHINGING AND TRY TO ENJOY A SHOW THAT ISN”S JUST BOUGHT IN FROM THE US BY THE TV NETWORKS!!!!

Cheers

Won’t last past the current season. A dull effort with boring cars and nothing to be excited about. Too much talking. We don’t need every detail explained to us, those watching know the concept, just get on with testing interesting and exciting cars. They missed the point.

Not bad first up for a new team. Needs some work on editing though e.g. showing lisa mccune’s outtakes on her track adverntures after her lap rather than before to build it up to her lap. had a chance to meet the boys during shooting back in september and found them to be a lot better than the previous hosts. really appreciate the fact that these guys are putting in a more aussie flavour and maybe we will see them deviate from the topgear UK routine a little to give it a more unique feel. otherwise a good start and hope it just gets better from here.

Enjoyed the show last night.Could have been longer.
I thought Ben Dark would have fitted in well there ,but the blokes did a good job

raynewell@bigpond.com
Brisbane.

also noticed that steve pizzati is trying to put in a performance more akin to richard hammond, which is not a bad thing, but he has his own positives which he should bring out more often. could have done with a little more excitement on the main feature to lake eyre – maybe a datusn 120y or leyland p76 as a bit of needle for the driver of the car most likely to break down.

As the shows are all taped for this season all the great ideas and comments should be taken on board for season 4. I agree with whoever suggested dumping the set for a shed much more aussie! A great scriptwriter who needs to live 24/7 with each host so they get to know their personalities and can write to their voices seems to be in order, That is what TGUK has.

Karl(Anonymous) try dudette thanks anyway

Im a brit and saw the show & pilot by other means (sorry we dont get it here though.)
I thought you did yourself proud guys. Your chemistry isnt the same but thats understandable as its your first shows. That will only grow with time. you replicated the top gear feel well.
You got some big boots to fill or borrow lol but i honestly think you guys will do well.
Congrats from England

..*od awful boring and it’s not even the hosts’ fault just the way it was presented.

And while watching the background crowd, they all looked like bogans!
Can ch.9 at least get a few good looking ones next time and chuck them behind the hosts’.

Seeing all those tire barrier makes it a real mess to watch plus they actually looked very dangerous with the new TG-ute.
Hope one day some celeb gets to badly crash the ute upon repair so they could replace it.

great show, will be watching next week.

i agree with Internationalists re the crowd… more hotties needed for the background shots

sorry, the ashes show had promise. this was plainly horrible, you guys better step it up.

Steve was pretty natural with the banter, was a good choice to keep him on.

Ewen and shane need a bit more experience with it, the audience can pick it up easily if its not 100% and are pretty unforgiving as you can tell, unfortunately its something that only more time spent hosting the show can really improve.

I liked the content, looking forward to next week.

Boring, unimaginative sorry!

Any 2WD car would make it to Lake Eyre on those roads – in dry conditions they’re not the least bit challenging. And why not feature the locals from William Creek Pub – at least they might be a bit interesting.

Unfortunately this just devalues the whole Top Gear franchise. It’s all too contrived and just makes the UK show look all the more contrived and false too! How about just doing good tests on cars we want to hear about.

Guys good show a lot better than the preivous Oz editions. However you need to break a few cars and do some more spectacular australian stints and stunts in Oz made cars. Like travl to Brisbane by train, buy an old car that is not checked by anyone but yourselves, then drive it to birdsville and then to the coast. The cars need to be back packer specials, and when u travel you only have enough money for fuel, you must work your way up and through Qld. The cars should be bought from a shitter auction suggest fridays at brisbanemotorauctions.com .au
The show was good but we need you to beuniquely australian and deliver to the public good aussie humor and not rehashed UK Exploits for the TGUK Crew. i.e forthcoming show towing caravans.

G’day Ewen.
Great job last night, it was interesting to hear about your dad working at a Holden dealership. I liked seeing Warney drive that beast and the V8 to the rescue was very amusing.
My dad used to have the same coloured Falcon 500 when I was little!
How about doing a comparo between Australian built cars that have the most headroom for people with gargantuan melons like me? haha
Looking forward to seeing the story on the Top Gear Driver of the Year, maybe in the next issue of the magazine?

I haven’t got much to say but Top Gear Australia is fantastic!!!
No one gives Top Gear Australia a chance, but next episode is bound to only be better.
Definitely like the idea of V8 to the rescue, classic.
I think Top Gear Australia deserved winning the 7:30 time slot battle.

Hi guys loved the show the ute was a top(gear)lol idear better than some imported piece of rubbish, the kinga reminded me of my frist car that was a I could not kill and what a fun/scarey thing to drive, how about you guys restore a piece of australian motoring history over the course of the show and have it up as a prize for the last but not the least show of the season maybe a the guest on the show could help with the build each week.anyway loved the show thanks guys

Get rid of the yobboness and the show will be fine.. find a permanent place for the track… the track looks so temporary like it has to be set up each week, not a good look and doesnt make you confident that the times will be right.

There’s nothing wrong with the guys having Aussie accents, just give them some class.. the over the top yobbo or bogun speak is too much to bare and what killed the original Aussie Top gear…

Thanks for the reply Ewen. Tough day at the office. Better you than me today.

Ref: Car damage – I remembered your comment during the show about wanting to keep the XB pristine, so I know there’s a modicum of vehicle empathy in there.

As a Top Gear Tragic only one thing can be said ….that show was garbage…there is only one Top Gear that last night was an utter wank

very disapoints as i was at the filming of this episode. the amound oif cut outs and inserts was very disapointing. i cant believe i actually thought it would be a brilliant series, how stupid can i get…. top gear please fix your self up you lost my vote, will take a great effort to regain it.

I was so looking forward to this series, got bored shitless with “Kenny”. I know it is not Jeremy Clarkson but but boy of boy for goodness sake get it a bit more polished.

One word to describe it “Boring” it can only get better.

I cant believe Ch 9 would replace the best show on TV with this crap. I will be watching repeats of the real thing on Fox from now on. Fortunately it won’t last long and someone at Ch10 might decide to show the UK version now that Packer is back in the TV business. What a stupid marketing decision by some idiot at Ch9.

I tried to iphone a comment at lunchtime but Failed big time. I’m willing to give TGA a go but was disappointed in ep 1. I didn’t think having two big boofy ockers (no offence) trying (and I really mean ‘trying’) to be funny worked at all. I have the same thoughts as a lot of other comments on the road trip (pointless, lacking in drama, insight or humour), Warnie (great cricketer, dull and inane behind the wheel). You seem to want to distance yourselves from UKTG but end up facsimile-ing them in so many ways – from the ‘challenge’ to the 3 sillouettes at sunset. You only invite the comparisons if you try to copy.

As for the Aussie-ness, well that’s the only point of doing a Top Gear Oz. But it looked to me like someone tried to tick the most obvious stereotypical Aussie boxes in ep 1: knockabout blokes/mates? tick, fords and holdens tick, V8 tick, ute tick, going outback tick, say pommie tick. Just missing a few sheilas in bikinis, but have to save something for eps 2 and 3 hey. Call me weird, but I thought we were a bit more worldly these days than Bazza McKenzie.

To show I’m not just a knocker, here are a couple of constructive suggestions:

1) Being Aussie is great but there’s more to it that trying to be Bazza McKenzie or Hoges. The best Aussie comedies in the past decade (eg Kath and Kim, Summer Heights High, the Castle movie) are ones that show we can take the piss out OF OURSELVES. Show some self-deprecation and play up to your real or imagined reputations and you might get some real, not forced, laughts. Yes – I’m thinking wog boy styling for Steve Ps rides, lots of dunny jokes aimed at Shane (why did you kill Kenny before ep 1 anyway?) and … I’m at a loss for the other big boofy bloke who comes from the magazine: what did any of the viewers learn about him or any of the other presenters from ep 1 except they seem to be mates – or they’ve just met and are trying to look like mates.

2) using old cars isn’t all bad but you f**k it up when you just drive them and find they don’t break down. I really really miss my old HQ so if I see it on TGA I’d like to see how it stacks up against the current Holden flagship – head to head, all the ugly details: speed, handling, safety, weight, comfort – and find out what young people think of those old cars (by letting them drive them) and then give us their honest opinions. That would beat the forced nostalgia easy.

3) interact with the rest of the world: three guys in a studio…three guys in the desert…three guys on a lake. You might actually make it worth watching if you show some genuine interactions with ordinary people – other road users, people at servos and truck stops, daring an unscripted comment from a member of the studio audience.

I could go on, but after 2 seasons of TGA on SBS and with a much bigger budget you guys could have done so so much better.

So I give ep 1 just 4/10 but I’ll keep watching unless it keeps digging the same hole.

I thought it was good for a first episode guys, my wife even laughed ( she does’nt even laugh at 2 1/2 men ) The only recommendation I have make it real Australian show, forget the poms they have had 6 years at it. The stig, get rid off, put our bloke in a tradies outfit, and we call him Johnno!! A blokes bloke. The poms wouldn’t know what tough was. And Warnie let you guys down.

Good luck guys

@ Ewen. Hit FinalGear for a carefully considered opinion.

it doesnt matter what you do or say as there is always some moron oxygen thief who will complain or whinge about something good. great show again to the top gear blokes and as i am a CAR ENTHUSIAST it was great to see something like travelling to lake eyre in cars from the seventies. brought back memories as a kid from that era. Ewen, shane and steve bring on more episodes as i cannot get enough of all top gear be it here or pommie land. to all you knockers and whingers who hate top gear please hold your breath for at least half an hour so all of us good people who enjoy this show can have more fresh oxygen.

Last night’s show was so boring that I turned it over after 15min. It was crap. there was not connection between the hosts and why it hell is that idiot “Steve Pizzati” back on. He pisses me off so much I want to punch his lights out. Who ever choose him to be one of the hosts needs to have his/her head read.

Why is Warnie on top gear he is/was a great cricketer but have you hear him as cricket commentator, he sucks & same goes for lasts nights shows.

The only thing that was close to even reasonable is that they had Shane Jacobson on as one of the host but he was missing anyone else with any wit & humour.

It was only the 1st ep so they have time to redeem themselves but they need to sack all the host except maybe Shane Jacobson & start again. No it isn’t The Top Gear & i don’t want it to be but there needs to be some aussie humour, action and fast cars, not beavis (Steve Pizzati) and buttheads

It was a good start. I hope you guys find your feet as others have suggested. Only watched one episode of TGA previously, Season 1 Episode 1. I didnt know who the 3 twats were and didnt bother coming back. So far I have no plans to remove 7:30 pm Tuesdays from my PVR schedule.

Good luck.

i love top gear & i love Australia but that was natioal disgrace, we should hang our heads in shame. I can just hear clarkson’s comments now about our piss poor attempt. If the Britts didn’t think we are half-witt convicts they would after seeing last nights ep.

This is the Top Gear formula – stick with it and you will make a good episode… deviate and you will plunder: (nb. Challenge or Review can go first)

Review:
– an interesting car review of a new model/s that has come out. It should be interesting and have some sort of twist to it… say comparing 2 cars only to have the hosts conclude that there is a 3rd better alternative etc. I remember such an example in Wheels mag where they tested the XR6 and SV6… but concluded the 30 year old dodge charger was a better 6 cylinder (factoring in age)

Challenge:
– this should either be some sort of collective effort to build something or an adversarial conflict between the hosts. It should never be a ‘collective effort’ to do something. In saying this, i felt that the Lake Eyre sailing feature was leaning slightly towards the collective goal of sailing on lake eyre rather than the adversarial nature of the trip. I feel as though there should have been an Aim: ‘to find the best old banger to drive to lake eyre’ as opposed to ‘recreating this journey’. Although there probably wasn’t much to snigger about in terms of reliability… More emphasis should be on the motoring journey there rather than the ‘scenery’ or ‘goal’. I think the top gear bolivia special emphasises this notion… it was a great piece about the motoring journey whilst still incorporating the landscape.

Celebrity:
– usual celebrity gig… ask car related questions and get their lap.

I think last nights show wasn’t a bad effort, there is still room for improvement but good start.

It seems half the people that didn’t like it, are complaining that it was too much like TGUK and the other half are complaining that it wasn’t. Looks like bit of a catch 22.

I’ve got one question, if TGUK didn’t exist would these critics have enjoyed the show or hated it?

Just a suggestion for next series: how about doing something on cheap club level motorsport such as motokhanas, supersprints and dirtcircuit to show people that you don’t need to spend big to have a bit of fun behind the wheel safely and in a controlled environment and improve car control.

Looking forward to watching the rest of the series.

I really want this show to succeed.
But, if you are going to go bush please get a car that isn’t something a lot us would give an arm or leg for. I would have much rather seen rough old cars struggle through the bush instead of watching three good cars be abused.
Get rid of that w*nker Warne. I can understand that it would have been expensive to film the Morgan sequence in England and it had to be used, but please, no more Warne. I loved the Morgan.
If you are going to show supercars please mix in some Australian stuff. We have Joss, Bolwell, Clubman, Elfin Streamliner etc. Maybe even some of the Austraian kit car makers, we have plenty of them.
I think the ute is great. I doesn’t have a “reasonably priced car”. Just lose the four poster on the front and give it half a chance of going around a corner.
I like Ewen and Shane J but Pizzarti annoys me.
There is hope for TGA, just stop destroying stuff.
David J

Original British Top Gear please.

Just three questions for Ewen as he seems to be lurking here.

1.How did you get the Falcon get off the side of the hill when you got stuck?

2.How did they balls up the drag race so badly? You each appeared to be in the lead at least three times – come on.

3.What is Warnie doing on your show? He blatantly has no talent or credibility.

Hope the rest of it gets better, nice try but ultimately comes off lame which is a shame as I really wanted to like it.

Great concept but it’s too much like the Brits…if it is going to keep been like this I wont be watching

And instead of having a celebrity just grab some one of the street interview them and set them a task using one of those little red cars you guys faced off with a rhino in that would be funny and interesting.

Hi there .
just saw my first show and the only good thing that I saw was Lisa . as far as the rest of the show why can’t you make a show yourselves and stop trying to copy the poms who have worked it out . thanks but no thanks , i’ll watch the poms anyday .
bye
from 1 disgruntled aussie

I was watching the first show and the only problem i found was that the hosts need to be drivers rather than comics. it sort of defeats the purpose, if you can’t push the cars to there limits how can you really report on it.All the rest was good. get a stig and start speed testing some real cars..

It was OK. But that is all, the old Holden through the outback has been done to death and too much like the Leyland brothers.

Still the potential is there and the hosts look alright so I will give it a bit more time.

Pete from perth

Its like the old camp ground at baaathurst in here!
I thought it was pretty good.
lake Eyre was a truly epic location.
Lovely Lisa was a good first guest for Steve to practice on,so to speak..
Just one thing

If you are going to show a new audience such an exquisite car as a Morgan.
at least let someone half intelligent give it an overview!!
yeahyewbeaudy itsmadeofwood wooohooo ,please!

I find it funny how everyone is complaining how it’s too much like TGUK. The problem is. It’s nothing like TGUK. It’s too low budget. It’s needs some serious finance. Something Channel nine seriously lacks. That and talent in it’s producers, writers, and… well… everyone employed there.

TGA could be so great, but it gets let down before it’s even viewed. So lets look at what it needs. (I’ve grouped some points to keep them from going into the hundreds)

1. Sophistication. We’re Australian, not morons. I want my mind working while I’m watching it. We are a sophisticated nation, with bright people. (Hard to tell by some people posting here… but it’s true)

2. The studio looks crap guys… and why is it so dark in there? Can’t C9 afford the lighting?

3. Camera work still kinda sucks… can we get more interesting shots please?

4. Challenges need goals, and points. Otherwise… what have you achieved? How have you been challenged?

5. A smart script… with intelligent humour. And some rivalry… how about some rivalry? And maybe get the producers to set nasty goals for you. Nasty producers make for some seriously funny viewing.

6. Structure. When you do a review… review the car how bouts? Not just let the spin king who dies his hair, thrash it around a track yelling “you beauty”. And don’t leave the ‘star in a car’ bit till the end. That’s the boring bit, it’s like declaring the shows over.

7. You can do a replica and still have it aussie. Because low and behold… it’s made in Australia, and has Aussie presenters.

8. Take the mickey out of everyone and everything… to do so is Australian. Especially foreign cars.

9. Please consider taking an episode of shore, for a feature length car adventure.

10. Just be car bores. Can on about parts and power and ride and build. This is your demographic you’re talking to.

11. Keep the Holden vs. Ford battle. Just not every episode. Gets a bit samey. But it should always kind of be there in the background.

Take these points back to the head honchos Ewen. Do this in order to save TGA. Please. I’d be happy to be a creative consultant. Even via email. Or perhaps this needs Andy Wilman to guide it until someone there knows the format… and is happy to take the reigns.

Well done guys. As I am a person who is affiliated with another motoring show on TV (channel 31), you did yourselfs proud, this show is not to mirror the UK version, it is our Australian version done our way, all these people giving negative replies, get a life, you have replied many times, so obviously you are just serial complainers, I bet we will see your still complaining next week regarding next weeks show. It is going to take a few weeks for everything to gel, and for the audience to realise this, if you are a true TGA fan then you would be providing positive feedback or provide ideas. Once again guys you did well and I look forward to seeing next weeks show.

Thanks croozza. I take the criticism as well as the compliments equally because that’s the only way you improve.
I’m going to post a preview to nEpisode 2 in the next 24 hours, and I think it will then become much clearer that what we saw this week was just one episode, not an entire series.

See croozza, that’s what’s confusing – you say the show is not to mirror the UK version, when everything they do is a copy of the UK version, only it doesn’t work as well.

I guess so Bernout, but SOME people on here are a little confused.
Carry the TG brand… they hate it.
Move away from the brand… they hate it.
Maybe SOME people just hate it.
Like I’ve said again and again, they faced the same drama in the US with The Office.
Lovers of the original still can’t stomach it.
Others discovered it and loved it.
And others appreciate both.
Up to the individual viewer, isn’t it?

If there was no such thing as a British Top Gear then the show was great but unfortunately it will always be compared. Again unfortunately we don’t have a Clarkson or a Hammond or even a May. Does Peter Berner have an interest in cars? He may well be the nearest we have to a Clarkson, maybe a touch too sophisticated but the guy is smart irreverant, extremely intelligent and very very funny. I don’t like to see anyone lose their job but if the show is to survive it’s going to need quality talent and probably a lot more money.

I enjoyed it for a first show, and if objective about it think that these guys given the opportunity will turn it into a great show. But you can’t replicate 10 years (TGUK) in 1 show. So let’s cut the hosts some slack and give honest feedback.
Personally, I don’t like the track or the ute. But love having the celeb’s on show. Bring Lisa Mccune back anytime!
The dynamic of the hosts will grow with time. But more larrikinism (if that is a real word). Maybe road cars on Anna Beadelle track or Canning stock route. Now that would be an adventure!

Ewan, a challenge for the next season Put to the test every states driving license test (minus the 120hours in Victoria) and come up with one that will actually teach our children something about car handling. With all the new fangled driver aids and more and more automatic cars on the road real skilled driving has disappeared.

Just a thought from a frustrated mother and driver!!!

Just one suggestion, it would have been truly Aussie to have one of the ABC’s Bush Mechanics jump out of the bushes and get the cars started on the frosty morning by throwing the batteries in the fire – priceless.
Think outside the box guys,ignore the knockers and keep up the good work.

@# Queenslander “I cant believe Ch 9 would replace the best show on TV with this crap……What a stupid marketing decision by some idiot at Ch9.”

Are you not thinking straight?. No one has said that TGUK will be replaced by TGA. It is in addition to TGUK.

I got to watch the show last night, and I must say, there is a lot of room for improvement.

Unfortunately for TGA lovers, channel 9 programming is run by non-loving TV show people. I mean 46 minute episode and at least 17 minutes of Adds. in 5 Add breaks. Not good for the viewer. I mean come on channel 9, see 3 & 1/2 minutes of Adds, then a 5 minute segment with Warney and then another 3 and 1/2 minute add break. SHAME SHAME SHAME.

How many times to we need to be told though, that Lisa Mac is coming up? You did tell us at the start of the show that she was on. We don’t need reminding.

The Test Track is very bitsy, and definately looks like a quick put together.

How are we to know that the time Lisa posted (2 mins) was a decent time? There is no other comparrison. I mean if Steve had gone around the track in the ute, why not post his time. Like TGUK did with Clarkson.

I thought the best part was SJ, digging the Kingswood out of the ditch. That was funny.

I loved the V8 to the rescue, and the fact that when you get them out of the surf and on sand, it is some-one else’s problem. Gold.

a score for the first episode from me 4/10.

Would like to see less “copy of the UK” and more real Aussie, though this series is SO much better than the first go around. You guys are great but it still feels a bit like you are trying to be the guys from the UK.

Sorry Steve, my wife has asked me to refrain from comparing you to Richard Hammond and to stop making any further comments unless they are of a positive and glowing nature. sob.

Overall I enjoyed the Show, I prefer the English Show, but they have had 15 Seasons to “Get it right” so many people condemning the Aussie version after just one showing, If anyone cares to remember the early seasons of Topgear UK, they changed a presenter, it got taken off air and then brought back, so like any new Show, they will be adjustments and teething issues to work through. The boys will soon find there rhythm and a things will start to click. With regards to the local Show, The Shane Warne review of the Morgan was pretty pointless, If you guys (The Presenters) don’t feel up to doing a car review, put a quality driver in the Car like Mark Skaife or a professional car reviewer like Will Hagon. Watching a over hyped Moron thrash a car of that caliber was cringe worthy! But apart from that misstep, I think it was a good show, worthy of the name TopGear. Looking forward to many more!

I was dissapointed.

It seems that the lessons of the first two series have not been learnt.

TG Australia needs to stop recycling old material that TGUK have already done, like the V8 motor/blender/rocking chair.

There are so many things that could make this a special show and distinctly australian, but unfortunately the creative team just seem to watch back issues of TGUK and rip that off.

@ croozza

If it’s the one I’m thinking of, I love your show! Good honest, grass roots stuff and great cars. A real find on the rare times I switch over. Time to get 31 onto digital and out of the snow.

Icedvovo, 31 is on digital, time to do a rescan on your tv or set top box I think. i think you may be thinking of a different show, we dont show hot rods or 2wd vehicles, also it is not my show, I just do alot of work for it, behind the camera and infront of it…lol

Also for the arm chair critics, do you know how much time, effort and patience there is needed to make a tv show.
I bet we will hear from the same baggers next week that say they will never watch TGA or 9 again.

@ croozza
C31 here in Adelaide haven’t flicked over yet. November apparently.

On your other point. I agree, (and understand) a lot of work goes into making these shows. I also know that the cheapest and most productive place to spend energies is up on the whiteboard, with the camera still in it’s case.

A lot of TGA ‘features’ are beautifully made, but with little very substance. And it’s endemic of a director/producer -centric film culture, instead of a writer-centric film culture, such as they have in the US and UK.

It’s an ingrained cultural problem, not just TGA’s.

First of all I thought the show was good, really enjoyed it. Secondly we know we are australia so stop telling us, e.g. “Hello Australia”, “Welcome Australia”, “so Australia”. Thirdly stop trying to copy TG camera angles and changes, they just did not work. Lets make TGA our own. Love the hosts! I do agree that if I wanted to see a falcon or commodore I would sit in my front yard.

Tough crowd, Pagey! Thought it was a pretty good first up effort and as the episodes roll on, I’m sure the rapport will gel.

Would love to see you take on your old rally stomping ground around Bega in a Dato 1600! They’ve tidied up the Doctor George Mountain road a bit… Maybe if people see where you come from they’ll be more interested in where you’re going?

Anyway, will be following with interest!

i think it is to much like the english show needs to be changed a bit
john

Stretch.
How’s life in the Valley, mate?
Drop me an email…

Stretch needs to be on the show.

@ stretch. This is true. When a presenter takes on that celebrity persona… we want to know everything about them… and what they think about things.

Though Ewen hasn’t exactly made it there yet. He’s a funny bloke with an infectious laugh… but time isn’t on his side yet.

My real problem with TGA, would have to be the challenges. Set a budget for your cars. We all go through the paper looking at the prices of year/model. It gets the viewer involved. You need to do things that get us involved. And what happened to random TopGear staff in white lab coats handing you mission objectives in gold envelopes? It sets the scene for us… tells us what to expect, so you can deliver the unexpected.

Buntz, random boffins in lab coats is a direct rip off of TGUK didn’t think thats what we wanted. However the concept can be used but in a different outfit

To all at new TGA: well done on your first episode. I even enjoyed the Warney segment which I thought was a good change of pace. Shane Jacobson is a great addition to the team with his natural humour. Ewen obviously knows a lot about cars having written about them for years and Steve P was easily the best presenter (and driver) from the previous incarnations. If I do have a criticism it is that the track seems a bit convoluted but that’s probably because I’m unfamiliar with the layout. I look forward to watching the rest of the series.

only one owner. Distancing itself from the “magic formula” is exactly what has failed TGA.

It will become Australian by itself (accents, mannerisms, script, set)

Hello TGA,
Missed the show (At Metallica), so had to be a pirate. I scanned most the the comments, but became tired of the whinging, so I apologise if I repeat what others have said.

1. I like the 3 presenters. You guys have a simple honesty to you that I feel defines “Aussie Mateship”

2. No your fault, but 40 minutes really isn’t enough. Because of this restriction, everything feels a bit rushed. An example is the “V8 to the rescue” segment. I feel that it required a bit more of a build up; to allow the anticipation to ferment. Perhaps some conjecture that this is probably a stupid idea and isn’t going to work. This will allow Shane to come back and say, “Right, new idea! V8 powered pig on a spit!”

3. Personally, I have never been interested in Shane Warne. But then, I have no interest in Tennis, but I still respect the sport. By all means, have him as a guest for the StarCar, but it may be better if the 3 presenters stick to the reviewing of cars.

4. StarCar is much better than ‘Star in a Bog Standard Car’. Well done

5. I like the ute. I will like it more when there is a Bundy Bear sticker on it.

6. Lastly (only because you surely must be bored of this by now) I think having the Weekly Challenge a the opening and closing of the episode nicely bookends the night. Ending the show with an interview felt a but sudden and weak.

7. Actually lastly, the track seems…. crowded. There is so much directional guidence cluster that is is hard to see where the track is going. Perhaps tire walls instead of Road Cones is the way to go?

I enjoyed the episode. While not to the same sophistication of the newer seasons of TG, I think it is easily better than their Season 2 or 3.

Wow, Oddjobber sure has a chip on his/her shoulder, but that aside…….

I liked the segment once you had gotten to Lake Eyre, I thought it was clever to include some Australian geography and chasing the boat was v. funny!

The HSV Clubsport looked awesome on the track.

As for Shane Warne, REALLY what were they thinking!?!?!? I don’t care if he can drift a car (in the wet…). He played cricket and now he plays poker, enough said. BUT THE REAL QUESTION IS: why the hell didn’t Ewan, Shane J. or Steve test the Morgan.

Good luck boys. I hope it stays afloat because apart from all its downfalls, it is still another motoring program that we would otherwise not have. If you are really into cars you know what I mean

Great show overall…

Just don’t have so many ads!!!

Shane Warne was better than I thought he would be, thanks to producers

Just one thing – I suppose now that TGA is on Nein you are obliged to appeal to the lowest common denominator, but Warnie? Seriously? That’s just insulting what little intelligence we actually possess. What exactly does a chubby ex-cricketer with wandering eyes and an agile pair of thumbs have to do with a car show? Surely our wide brown land could turn up someone with a bit more involvement in the auto industry…or better yet, why have another person at all? You’ve got three competent hosts and one Stig, there’s no need to waste good cars and precious airtime on a past-it blonde himbo who makes Julia Gillard’s accent sound posh.

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