TG Aus Series 2... I think it's gonna be good!!

[richmondgal]

Just finished in the Eastern states. The western states are gonna have a ball!

[Doofey]

I enjoyed it and had some really good chuckles.

[ulstermayniac]

This was on the TG site just now.

transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2009/05/11/tg-australia-is-back/

Sorry if you have already seen it.

[misspan]

I enjoyed it last night. I didn’t enjoy it how I enjoy TG UK but I don’t think I ever will but I enjoyed it for what it was. James is a 10000% improvement on Charlie Cox – much more natural and relaxed. Warren did a GREAT job interviewing Mark Skaife. Steve was ok too when he didn’t talk to fast or was to over the top. If Warren and Steve can keep up the calm, natural presenting more then their over excited, trying to hard presenting it should work better. All that should come with time.

I was happy they explained the track more because that was desperately needed last season, and good to see the “What were they thinking” segment destroyed. I think the bond with the three of them will get better and more natural, it seems better then the one with Charlie ever was all ready!

The only issue with the Jet Ski vs Lambo thing was the truck being a set up. In TG UK they probably have set up road blocks but they don’t make a deal about it and make it appear more natural. The road the Lambo was on is the one I drove home from work on when I lived in Melbourne, then the further extension of it. Just glad the Lambo wasn’t there when I was driving or I would have hit something for sure LOL

I also laughed in places which is something I only did at the end of the first series!

[Puss]

I missed it as I was in the Northern Territory... Am looking forward to this week though. Glad it sounds like this series will be a goodie. ;D

[Eclair]

Its excellent - looking forward to Monday night's show! ;D

[Wyvern]

I have it downloaded but what with the garden and revision, I haven't had a chance to watch it yet

[dutchdiva]

I found some promo pictures :-)

Episode 1



Episode 2

[Wyvern]

Finally watched it. James is very different from Charlie, he seems much more relaxed and he put me in mind of a naughty pixie when he was giggling. Warren did a great job with the bog-standard car interview and I laughed very loudly (a bit embarrassing on the train) when they brought out the WWTT board ;D

It's definitely developing its own personality, and moving away a little bit from the UK format. This is probably a good thing, though it will take a little getting used to. Personally, I thought it was a massive improvement on series 1 - and I enjoyed series 1, so it all bodes well ;D

[misspan]

I didnt think episode two was as good as episode one but it was still good........

[Wyvern]

How good was episode 5?!

I think they've cracked it. Now all it needs is for SBS to give it a third series and not stick it in a nasty slot (7.30 on a Monday I believe gets in the way of lots of popular stuff on other channels, plus it's on the half-hour, which is never good for an hour's programming)...

I think Steve's really beginning to shine in the powertests, the Elfin segment was superb. I liked their take on the limo/armoured car idea and I think James is turning out to be a real asset to the show (can't imagine Charlie dressing up like a hippie, though I don't suppose he would have needed the wig). As for the ad, Steve was right - what were they smoking?

*begs SBS to commission series 3*

[richmondgal]

Our programming schedule is different to what they have in the UK. Primetime Shows are on either 7.30-8.30 or 8.30-9.30. My mum considers 10pm onwards to be ridiculous times to put good shows on like they do in the UK.

Anyway onto TGA.
That was a good episode and I think I should've rated it higher than I did (7). It was obvious that some of the stuff was scripted but it was good fun. The review was great and the SIABSC was fun to listen to (I never knew HG Nelson had a good knowledge of cars), the mobility scooters looked cool and James as a hippie was really funny. I want more of this.

SBS, I hope you're listening

[Wyvern]

There is a comment board on the SBS website... now might be a good time for people to start telling them what they think. I'm really glad so many of the comments on there are positive. Not sure they'd let anything non-Aussies post through, but those of us non-Aussies who are enjoying the show (Dutch, I'm looking at you here!) should still let them know we appreciate it!

I suppose our prime time must be 7.30 - 10pm really, but generally the only stuff that goes on on the half hour is only 30 minutes long. 7.30 is the dreaded 'soap slot' though, and I usually have the TV off at that point. 8pm and 9pm are the two main prime slots for us (TG usually goes out at 8pm on a Sunday, peak family viewing time). The 'watershed' is at 9pm, so that's when more 'adult' dramas and things tend to be.

[dutchdiva]

Jun 10, 2009 10:47:53 GMT Wyvern said:

There is a comment board on the SBS website... now might be a good time for people to start telling them what they think. I'm really glad so many of the comments on there are positive. Not sure they'd let anything non-Aussies post through, but those of us non-Aussies who are enjoying the show (Dutch, I'm looking at you here!) should still let them know we appreciate it!

I suppose our prime time must be 7.30 - 10pm really, but generally the only stuff that goes on on the half hour is only 30 minutes long. 7.30 is the dreaded 'soap slot' though, and I usually have the TV off at that point. 8pm and 9pm are the two main prime slots for us (TG usually goes out at 8pm on a Sunday, peak family viewing time). The 'watershed' is at 9pm, so that's when more 'adult' dramas and things tend to be.

Yes we are. Watching all episodes today and yesterday :-)

[Wyvern]

Didn't think episode 6 was quite as good as episode 5, but the Mexican Hat Dance made me laugh like a drain. Warren is turning into the 'embarrassing dad' of Top Gear, but I think that's a good thing because he's like nothing we've got on TG UK. I like silly, inoffensive humour

The best thing of all though is James replacing Charlie. Last season it was like (Charlie out on his own) and (Warren and Steve), but this time around we've got a TGAUS3. They're not the TG3, but they feel like a proper team. It's just a shame that they had to film so much without James; I want to see more silliness from the three of them together, because I think that's what made episode 5 such a high point

[Puss]

It is getting much better. *enormous sigh of relief* Still has a few cringeworthy moments but they are less and less. My favoruite segement was Steve teaching James' dad to drift. (not sure what episode) I thought that was genius. ;D

[Wyvern]

Well, just watched 2x08 and I must say how impressed I was. It was a really good, solid end to the second series, no cringeworthiness (apart from the vintage ad, which was meant to be cringeworthy). The race with the horse was very similar to something I once put in a fictional TG episode - glad it worked! And the GTHO review was epic. Steve's been a bit of a revelation this series.

The team has come together really well. Getting rid of a not-quite-working presenter and replacing him with a musician called James is obviously the key to making Top Gear magic (or at least, something close to it).

Series 3 is far from confirmed, though apparently at the moment TGA is SBS's highest rating show (with Mythbusters in second, apparently), and certainly their highest rating domestic product, but it hasn't perhaps performed as well as they hoped. So tell SBS if you liked it, and ask for more! As well as the website I mentioned previously, you can now contact them on Twitter via @sbs

[dutchdiva]

Oh I am going to do that because I really want them to come back.