Christmas Special 26th December 2010

[andypanty]

^^ Exactly that. Jeremy even said 'sadly, not all parts of Iraq are as safe as this area', and I thought it was interesting that he said it that way round.

Download[/color] It's not my file 'cos I'm having trouble uploading at the moment (thanks to Mr AP mucking around with the router) - hope it works OK.

[dit]

Technical advice needed again (as usual, sorry I'm such an idiot about this)

I've got to the 'megaupload' home page and it's offering regular or premium upload, making it clear that regular is rubbish, but none of the links at the top that would tell me what premium is and whether you have to pay for it are working, so I'm unsure whether I can go for premium or not. I tend to be really cautious about this sort of thing when I'm not sure.

It doesn't work like your previous one, AP, which was easy, even for me! Help?

[lindenchase]

Dec 27, 2010 12:31:42 GMT dit said:

Technical advice needed again.

Regular works fine for Megaupload. The only difference is that you will have to wait for 45 seconds before the download starts. The file that you download is the same either way.

[andypanty]

Yeah, sorry dit, I should have said go for regular as lindenchase says. I will put all the rest of the episodes (and this one, eventually, if you want to wait for a link) on the same place as the first one I did - it's just with Mr AP mucking up the router at the moment I can't upload anything. Honestly, that man! He just thought he was being helpful, apparently

[dit]

Thanks, folks!! I can always rely on someone to get me out of a technical problem. Cheers!

[xsarabee]

I had no problems in downloading and the picture and sound quality are both perfect, I just checked it out. Many thanks again, andypanty.

[crumbs]

I enjoyed it - it was interesting seeing different facets of the Middle East. I agree with Wyvern on feeling some discomfort at the religious references.
It looked like it was a tougher one for them physically. They all took a bit of a battering, although James came off worst - I did want to cuddle him, he looked so bemused. Still a lot of laughs of course - fab episode.

[violetrose]

I really enjoyed the special. I was gutted at watching James get hurt and I've been very relieved to know that he turned out all right. I'm sort of glad I was spoiled for that bit because I would've been an embarrassing teary mess if I didn't know about it beforehand.

I thought, amid all the silliness with the route changes and the vehicle issues and Richard's gastrointestinal issues, the whole message of the show was very poignant. I've seen several people mention how their view of that area of the world was irrevocably changed, and that's a great thing. Not all of the Middle East is a war zone with terrorists hiding under every rock and tree waiting to blow people up. The vast majority of people there are normal and just want to live a decent life like you and I.

I'm so glad Top Gear filmed there and showed the natural beauty of the landscape and of the people. It's not where I thought they'd have filmed this year at all, and ultimately, I'm glad they made a better decision than I had in mind!

One day though, they really will have to go to Australia!

[nobody]

Interesting just been on FG and some Christians are really upset about this episode.
I really liked the fact they showed us an other side of the middle east.

[jacqui]

Dec 27, 2010 15:52:33 GMT violetrose said:

I'm sort of glad I was spoiled for that bit because I would've been an embarrassing teary mess if I didn't know about it beforehand.

I was still an embarrassing teary mess

[dit]

Download was successful - thanks folks!

[devil-may-care]

I was terrified, thrilled, exasperated and amazingly amused! I guess that covers all the bases! ;D ;D

At the very beginning when they opened the airplane hatch, I did want to suffocate Hammond, though. "Stop screaming, you inane sod!"

The landscapes were breathtaking, the people fascinating and the guys were terrific! ;D

I am so very glad that I knew about James' accident before viewing this. I decided to wait until today to watch it at work. We've had a big snow storm, and I knew I'd have plenty of time to see it. ;D

As soon as Jeremy mentioned them going through the desert, I knew James' accident was coming. I kept waiting and squirming in my seat. When it happened, I just sat here mesmerized, until I realized I was holding my breath. Breathe! Breathe!

I'm sure there will be segments all over society that will find fault with this or that bit of the program. I am not easily offended. I loved every last minute of it! All I can say to those who are offended is, "Will this matter tomorrow? Will it matter in a month? Will it matter ever?"

The boys didn't physically harm anyone but themselves. They did not bring financial ruin upon anyone. They did not deprive someone of food, water or shelter. In short, they have caused no damage or detriment to any segment of the population. Let it be.

I loved every second and shall be watching it again very soon! ;D ;D

[dit]

We have a convert!

The friend I stayed with over Christmas rang me not long ago to say she has just had the best evening of TV viewing she's had in years - Top Toys followed by the Middle East special. She says she can now see that James is both endearing and intellectually fascinating, and that she hadn't laughed at or enjoyed a programme for months as much as she enjoyed the special.

This is a lady who has previously said that she has watched 'some' TG and quite enjoyed it, and did think that James was'the most interesting' of the three, but that was as far as it ever went. So that's a 'win'!

[andypanty]

Really not sure where to stick this download[/color]. It's my current ringtone - so is vaguely spoilerish as it is ripped from this episode! Sorry you have to d/l it to find out what it is - I can't work out how to get it to play on here like I can on other forums

Feel free to steal it if you want to use it for yourself!

[pie]

Dec 27, 2010 15:52:33 GMT violetrose said:

One day though, they really will have to go to Australia!

Amen sister!! ;D ;D
I'll be downloading the ep today. Can't wait to see it.

Edit: That wasn't meant to be a religious dig, by the way ;D

[nobody]

Dec 27, 2010 23:44:35 GMT andypanty said:

Really not sure where to stick this download

[/color]. It's my current ringtone - so is vaguely spoilerish as it is ripped from this episode! Sorry you have to d/l it to find out what it is - I can't work out how to get it to play on here like I can on other forums

Feel free to steal it if you want to use it for yourself![/quote]
LOL great.

[richmondgal]

Dec 27, 2010 15:52:33 GMT violetrose said:

One day though, they really will have to go to Australia!

Ditto. But I don't know where they would go. We have all the places that they have gone to during these epic trips: Deserts, Rainforests, Mountains, Hot terrain, Cold Terrain. I recommend that they go to Tasmania.

[Eclair]

Sometimes I think they put Australia in the too hard basket (yeah I know, is there such a thing with TG!?! how hard can it be )...I guess where could they go where they wouldn't have an entourage of cars and fans etc around them...although this is par for the course wherever they go. And what could they do that they haven't done before? ......well there's a challenge for you boys ;D

Mr Eclair and I watched the Middle East special last night, albeit still with flu and poor old Mr Eclair has bronchitis also ...what a sicky Chrimbo we've had. He loved it, but I personally felt something was lacking . Maybe I'm a bit jaded. Perhaps unlike Vietnam or Alabama there was little real contact with the locals....don't know, maybe I need to watch it again. Have to say did have to watch Mr May's accident again . Poor fella. So glad someone was watching over him then. It was soooo not the same with just Jeremy and Richard after that.

Albeit another brilliant special really, is it we are so used to them pushing the boundaries that WE KNOW THEY CAN DO ANYTHING.... ;D

[eclairscream]

Firstly I can really understand why they did the Middle East.... the whole time of year and the birth of Stig.. etc... extremely funny and a great concept.
I can't say I was disappointed by the special, but can't help wondering if their hearts weren't in it for some reason and do wonder if it would have been different if James hadn't cracked his scone. Just seems that compared to other specials there wasn't the same interaction with the surroundings and the people and it really did seem rushed (could have been due to the loss of filming for 2 - 3 days while James recovered from "acute concussion"). For what it is worth I felt they were wanting to get out of there from the beginning, which is amusing when you consider they were probably in more danger in the Alabama special than they would have been in the Middle East and a potential war zone. I was relieved to say the least that they didn't go to Iran, it could have been a whole different situation.

All in all even with bronchitis and suffering from bad bout of Man Flu... I really enjoyed it...
I can understand why they upset the christians and maybe a few catholics.... but i would be more concerned about the Muslims.... after all where in the Koran does it allow men to wear the Burka... I would be looking under your cars a bit more guys... just in case someone took exception
With regards to filming in Australia... patience, people patience... we all agree that these guys are smart.... why use an ace when you are dealt good cards already? Better to pull the ace from up the sleeve when you really need it. Hey and lets face it with Aussie being the size it is there could be about 4 - 6 specials in the offering.... Imagine them learning to surf on Bondi, or travelling from Darwin to Cairns (approx 3500km's of desert with fires, red sand, the odd mining town and crocs). So much potential... I think watch this space. I would be concerned that if they were to do some specials down this way they may not make it back to the UK. Especially with the inclement weather in the UK and the way the Australian economy is at the moment.

Anyway.... just my two bobs worth...

[pie]

Maybe the TG3 and the rest of the crew are planning on retiring here, so it will be their last stop.

8 out of 10 for me. It was certainly enjoyable but I feel there was something a bit...oh I don't know... manufactured stale beige(?) about it. Maybe my expectations were too high...it just seemed to grate a bit and I can't put my finger on why. Some parts of the show seemed rushed and yet the whole thing seemed to drag as well. Unlike other TG specials my attention wasn't harnessed the whole way through; despite this, it was altogether quotable and had some absolutely hilarious moments. ;D But as you say eclairscream, it's as if their hearts weren't fully in it somehow. Perhaps it was nerves - and I don't blame them.

Poor James. His fall was really hard to watch, for many reasons. He was quite fortunate to get out of it as quickly as he did - took me months to get back to relative normal after my concussion, and I'm still not quite right either (though some have been arguing that for years ;D).

Did love James' carolling though. "We three kings of Orient are: one in a Vauxhall, two in sports cars..." ;D And I'll never get sick of hearing Jeremy say "thebibbyjizzuz". ;D You could pick him a mile away in that burka because of his gut! ;D And is it any wonder Richard had the trots, after that plane landing.

At the risk of having virtual projectiles hurled at me, and I really hate to say this, but about halfway through the show I thought to myself, "They've plateaued." Even with generous dustings of the TG magic we know and love, I can't see how they can improve the show now. Even with new cars, new challenges and new locations, it will be difficult to continue making it, well, new, and to maintain their current momentum. But I guess that's why I'm not in the thinktank.

[lew]

I thought too much crammed in for a short viewing time, enjoyed it though, when I off my sick bed I'll rewatch again, at the moment I lost my sense of humour

[lymaze]

I enjoyed it. I think they can't rise above what they've done now (unless the Great Australian Adventure occurs which could be their crowning glory ). There were some very funny moments but it did seem to lack something. It's not a travel documentary I know but I do enjoy their insights into the people and the environment but perhaps there just wasn't anything to particularly work with or, because James had an argument with a pebble, it knocked their filming time back.

[dit]

Does anyone know how long James was actually hospitalised? There was an implication in the programme that he was out the next day, but I would imagine that to be unlikely.

[Mayfayre]

I suspect there were several elements that stopped it being as good as it might have been. The scenery wasn't as breathtaking as it was in Vietnam, Bolivia or Botswana and James having his accident (I'd have thought he KNEW where not to stand!) meant losing a few days from the schedule and it put a damper on the boys' spirits. There were, perhaps, too many minutes devoted to border crossings as well.

I did get the sense that they were goiing through the motions a little as well. Perhaps the problem here is that all their barriers were man-made rather than natural? Everything was political, no huge mountain ranges to cross, no rivers to drown in or volcanoes to blow up, just people, sometimes with big guns.

They did touch on the local population but you're right, there was very little interraction, possibly due to them "trying not to attract attention"?

[From Afar]

I haven't seen this yet (tonight hopefully MOH & visiting parents permitting) but I can't wait as everyone who has commented here so far seems to have varying views! Though I am wary of watching James's accident as it sounds quite bad :-(

Will report back when I have been able to view!

[jacqui]

Dec 28, 2010 11:30:39 GMT dit said:

Does anyone know how long James was actually hospitalised? There was an implication in the programme that he was out the next day, but I would imagine that to be unlikely.

If his scan was okay and his memory back to normal and other symptoms gone i.e. nausea; an over night stay is normally sufficient. He'd have no doubt been given a list of signs to look out for and of course the obligatory pain killlers ;D

[helen]

I actually prefered Tuesday's episode, I think it was the interaction more with the people and although the drive through Iraq was spectacular, I don't know it missed something for me.

[devil-may-care]

"Lawrence of Incompetence"!! ;D ;D

[Bonneville]

Thank God Jehovah has broad shoulders! There were some wincey moments, but what the heck, its an ENTERTAINMENT programme. The Turkish seem to have been more offended, at least on the TG message board, perhaps Allah doesn't have a sense of humour. Ah well. It was still a very good episode.

[lew]

Yes I know the Daily Fowl is crap but the comments are on the side of the boys, so sorry I've posted and it seemed the mods were trying to suppress free speech, naughty

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1342138/Top-Gear-stars-cause-religious-storm-dressing-burkas-Boxing-Day-special.html#comments

Oh forgot to add, watched Giles and Sue on bbc 2.......now there was a teddy in a trug, oh and a broom dressed up, bet your bottom dollar that wouldn't get a sniff.