Series 14 episode 4

[From Afar]

Dec 8, 2009 7:26:38 GMT chariset said:

I'm getting the sense (and maybe it's just that I know more about what goes on in the background than I used to) that they're having to cut things down more than they want to to make it all fit. I wish they could leave the films a bit longer or just deliberately do a short subject. It feels like they're leaving a bunch of stuff out.

You know chariset I think I get what you mean.... this week especially it seemed like everything was cut sort and they had something more to say but had to hold back... that's it... it seems like they're holding back....

Also anyone know why they are not on next week?

And my final word on the subject of this weeks episode:

marmalade

[nobody]

There not on because i think some men are hitting some balls round a table with a stick.

[Wyvern]

I think their budget cut, in tandem with the current format of doing a big overseas special that must affect what they can spend on the rest of the series, is beginning to show. They're relying on humour to make up for the lack in other areas. I don't mind it really, and I watched this week's episode again last night and I just don't see why it has drawn the level of complaint that it has because as far as I could see, it had a lot of the things people in the wider fan community complained were missing.

Anyway, that aside, I am still enjoying the show for what it is, no matter how much it has changed, and I am enjoying it far more for cutting back my spoiler consumption - because how can anything live up to the level of hype certain parts of the fan community (not this board, I hasten to add) build up?

However, what brought it home to me rather sharply was watching Richard's latest DVD offering, and it's clear that this special had the things that had been missing from the TV show a bit lately: A fully developed script, enough time spent on it, and a sufficient budget. I'm not saying it looked like cash had been wildly thrown around or anything, but Andy always says that every penny of Top Gear's filming budget ends up on the screen. They've been doing as much as they can with what they have, I suppose, but the last sequence on the DVD - in which Richard does a comparative test of three cars, filmed in Italy and based around the concept of 'passion' - really shows up the constraints recent series have been filmed under (the fact that series 14 hit the screen with some set-pieces still to shoot - and this has turned out not to be exaggeration on Andy's part - shows how short of time they've been ). There's a great deal of cocking about in the DVD, things crash into other things, blow up and chaos generally ensues, but it all falls into balance with the absolutely spellbinding sight of one man driving three amazing cars he clearly adores on beautiful roads. It's about passion, and it has it in spades.

Then, back to the studio for another TV show, and three vaguely exhausted looking men who somehow manage to put together a series whilst simultaneously performing a raft of sell-out shows in a variety of venues try their damndest not to let the audience see that they can't make quite the show they want to at the moment. They're doing their best with the resources they have, bless them - but I just wish they weren't stretched so thin.

[lew]

I'm with Wy on this, I too thought it was a much better episode, a bit more of Jam would have been nice, but you can't have it all ;D though I was thinking maybe one series a year, make it 8/10 episodes and a bit more money spent on those......though I may not have enjoyed this series as much, it's still one of the best programmes on telly, one look on a Saturday night would tell you that Actually any night really, apart from Spooks ;D

[violetrose]

I think you're right on the money, Wy. Like you, I don't understand why there's been the level of complaints around fandom in general (though definitely not here), except that people have built up a hype that doesn't match what the show is capable of producing at the moment. It's not for lack of effort or talent - it is simply a matter of money and time. Just knowing what James' work schedule has been like this year (and I'm sure we don't even know the half of it), I don't get how they all don't just keel over. Especially the last few weeks, with all the live shows and the extensive location shooting before that. It is a grueling situation.

All I can say is, I still love what they're doing with what they have. I enjoy all of it. I hope they get some much needed rest over the holidays and things work out more toward what and how they really want to produce next series.

[From Afar]

Dec 10, 2009 12:48:59 GMT Wyvern said:

Then, back to the studio for another TV show, and three vaguely exhausted looking men who somehow manage to put together a series whilst simultaneously performing a raft of sell-out shows in a variety of venues try their damndest not to let the audience see that they can't make quite the show they want to at the moment. They're doing their best with the resources they have, bless them - but I just wish they weren't stretched so thin.

Hey Wyvern, you are right actually the guys are doing a hell of a lot right now in restricted times Fair play to them, they are actually doing a grand job ;D Listening to James on the radio he was saying on some of the TGL shows they are doing 4 performances a day.... which must be exhausting, along with all the filming of TG TV programme as well.... makes me feel tired just thinking about it!