Series 18 spoilers

[pie]

I'm not jealous. At. All.

(Ok, lying has never been one of my talents. ;D)

Looking forward to the details. Glad you had a good time and all the best for the long drive home!

[Wyvern]

Today was absolutely epic. It was great to catch up with so many lovely people and meet a few new faces. Will say more when I've managed to recover, but for now, let's just say the phrase 'Top Gear Slash' now has a whole new meaning...

(heck, it's more fun without the photo )

[trustme]

Mar 7, 2012 22:47:51 GMT liverbird said:

Will they be pics of James before you handcuffed, gagged and blindfolded him to take home for *personal* use???

Glad you have a good time.

I may have whimpered just a little bit reading that, haha ;D Sounds like a nicely wrapped present, but how will she explain the thumps coming from the trunk when it's time to leave the studio?

Anyone know if the taxi makes scheduled stops or should I call them for an emergency pick-up? Tonight's full moon seems to be having a strange effect on me

[ElerVim]

Glad you had a great time, Dit. Can't wait to hear your details and for Sunday's episode!

[morganstarr89]

OH MY GOD.
Slash on TG?! I have had a heart attack.
and died.

thank you sweet baby writers.

also, Can't wait to see new pictures of James, I literally live for pictures of James at the minute. Why is he so...so fabulous?! I'm so in love.

For some reason, I now have The Corrs 'Angel' in my head. *sigh*

Bring on the TOP GEAR SLASH!

[dit]

I'm sorry I haven't written up my report yet - I had a lovely coffee morning with Jacqui, I had to drive home (4+ hours) then deal with the man who was gagged and bound and covered over with a travel rug on my back seat all the way up the motorway! I've been in an hour, which has given me chance to placate the cat, empty my little case, eat some biscuits and prepare for my next rehearsal, which I have to leave for in 5 minutes!

I want to make a proper job of the report to keep everyone updated (and before I forget the details!) so I'll either get to it later tonight or tomorrow (if I fall asleep when I get home, which is likely!)

In the meantime, I've put a couple of pics in the Members' Photos thread.

[liverbird]

Woohoo! *scoots over to members photos*
Thankies - be gentle with that hostage!

[slfriend79]

The TG website has posted photo's from this weeks show.

www.topgear.com/uk/photos/behind-the-scenes-gallery-top-gear-season-18-2012-03-08

[dit]

This made me smile. Says it all, really.

Richard - Red Bull
Jeremy - Diet Coke
James - a nice mug of tea

[pie]

Classic! ;D

[slfriend79]

Video intro for this weeks show from the TG website.

transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2012/03/09/the-chaps-introduce-the-last-episode-of-the-series/

[morganstarr89]

"It's been huge!"
I love the boys. I do love them so much. I also love Top Gear. and I love James mainly.

can't wait to see exciting racing with James May in it.

[mayb]

I love anything with James in it... even an ad selling nappies would be fine ;D

[dit]

Yet again I can't access the video, and this week it's actually trashed Internet Explorer twice, so I'll leave it to settle down before I try again!

OK, the report. First of all a brief description of how I nearly didn't make it (Yes, I know you're not really interested but hey-ho!) I was held up in traffic, standing still for nearly half an hour, and the people I was meeting there (who had the ticket) arranged for my car details to be left on the gate. When I got there the first security guard waved me in, but the second said he didn't know about it and got a third who said I couldn't go in, all the wristbands had been given out. He got, "Don't you do this to me, I've come down from Blackpool for this!" from me, whereupon he magically found 'my' wristband in his pocket. Prat.

I then met up with the people from Final Gear(thanks to Matt for the ticket)/Hammond Heaven/JMB and then you wait. And wait. And wait. And it rained. Two hours later The Man walks everyone down to the TG hangar - did I say walk? It's more like a power-walking sprint with elbows akimbo to get to the front. Luckily my group managed to be about 20 from the front, good considering there were over 500 people there (or as Jeremy said, exactly 500 because of fire regulations).

I then got seperated from my group, but that was because I wanted to get opposite where James would be sitting for the news, which I achieved. There were a couple of guys in front of me, but I was on the edge of a barrier (well, white mark on the floor with a sort of tape between posts to keep people away from the camera areas) so I was able to just lean my head slightly and see the news clearly.

In fact they did the segments out of sequence, as Kimi Raikkonen had to leave early. That interview wasn't done on the stage, and personally I found it a bit dull - I'm not into Formula 1 myself, but it was clear that many other people found it great. I think when it's edited down to the most interesting bits it will be fine.

Richard does a really enthusiastic piece about the new BMX M5, but during that and at one or two other times where I couldn't clearly see what was happening (at those times you watch on the big screens) there is a little room at the back where the guys go to wait for their bits and have a smoke/drink. I found I was being distracted by movement in there, and a lot of the time it was James wandering about. I'm pretty sure I was the only one looking in that direction!

The best bits as far as the programme is concerned are the interview with Slash and the rally-cross race. Jeremy's interview was excellent - you forget sometimes just how good he is at that sort of thing. The whole thing ran about 25 minutes and touched on a lot of aspects of Slash's childhood, and clearly Jeremy was fascinated. I'm sure it'll be well edited, but equally sure they'll have to leave out some engrossing stuff, and there was so much. I didn't think I would like Slash, but he was nothing like I expected. And if they keep in the bit when Jeremy can't remember who sang "If you're going to San Francisco" and some of the audience start mumbling Scott Mackenzie, Jezza says "Scott who?" and a lone female voice yells out "Mackenzie!", that's me.

The other excellent bit was the rally-cross, which I won't spoil by giving anything away, but it's such fun. They did the final wrap-up in front of those cars, which I'd been near as they were brought in during the break, so I stayed put. There's just a chance you might see me, which honestly was not my intention, but I was standing just to the side of Clarkson's car and the camera was pointing in my direction when it was on him. Look out for a big blonde in glasses!

Of course, the main thing about the whole experience is seeing the guys in action, and they are so professional - and also so truly in tune with each other. I'm sure they could and probably do finish each other's sentences. Their humour is swift, often sharp and of course extremely filthy, just like naughty, very bright sixth-formers who have been given free rein. At one point Richard kept cocking up a line (it had to be worded in a certain way to avoid litigation) and they started p*ssing about. The conversation is on another forum worded slightly differently, but this is how I heard it:

Clarkson: (making reference to James' shirt) "James has come in his pyjamas"
Hammond: (acting shocked) "James came in his pyjamas?"
May: (mock outrage) "I haven't done that since I was twelve!"

Also, even more references to James cheating at Monopoly - it must have really rankled with the others - and a very crude comment from Jezza (Whizz past this if you're easily offended) that relates to a comment either last week or the week before that someone reported who was at that filming. Jezza said to James, "Do you want me to come in your mouth?" (apropos of what I have no idea?) and James shot back, "Well, you didn't manage to last time!" or words to that effect. It was noticeable that James was always the quickest with a riposte.

I thought they all looked slightly tired, especially Hammond, but that's hardly surprising. Commenting on it being the end of the series, Jezza said of James, "Do you know how long it will be before I see him again? Eight....days. And after that? Seven.....days".

They all looked smart and attractive and James was......James. The hair is excellent, and he looked a bit slimmer to me as he passed pretty close several times on his way to his next place. I only had a few moments with him for a photo, but he was polite and charming. As to whether he recognises people, I know he does Jacqui but with me - no, I'm sure of it. Though towards the end of the final segment while they were waiting to film I did get a couple of split seconds of eye contact, and that's enough for me.

The actual end of the programme is going to be stunning - and it had to be done twice, which was even better, but I'm keeping that info to myself! It'll be an epic programme!

Sorry this is longwinded, but I'm trying to paint a picture for those who don't get the opportunity to go. Keep trying for tickets, it's worth it (even though my legs ached like hell the following day, and I was exhausted!)


Edit - I meant BMW M5, not BMX - sorry! (and thanks for spotting the error, amie8!)

[mayb]

Owwww... I am soooo jealousssss.. But It has been lovely to read your report!
If I ever have the opportunity, I will try to get a ticket myself.

until then, I will definitely enjoy reading your stories! I cannot wait to see the last episode !

[FizzyLogician]

Thank you so much for the report, Dit. Your words really painted a good picture of the experience for those of us who can't be there.

[liverbird]

I can't wait for Sunday. Your journey was certainly worth it. Good job I wasn't there as I am a terrible giggler!!! Thanks for the report, Dit.

[trustme]

Thanks for such a thorough and excellent report, Dit! You've got an excellent memory for the details of what must have been a very hectic day, and I applaud you for it. The odds of me being able to get tickets, arrange for time off of work and organize a flight to London are pretty remote, so it's lovely to "see" the day through someone else's eyes. I'll be watching (and listening) for what sounds like an excellent series-ender on Sunday

[rx7]

Now I'm jealous! I couldn't ever go-am unemployed right now and in school and I live on the other side of the known universe (my own head, LOL).
My health problems force me to stay close to home which bites. To have James recognize you would be fantastic.

[jmsquared]

That was a great report Dit. I can picture all that in my head now! Thanks so much for making the effort!

[From Afar]

Thanks Dit for the report of the filming, sounds fab. So glad you had a good time. Looking forward to watching the episode!

[eolise]

I hoped so much you would give us a full report, Dit! And you have!! Many thanks!!!! *is really jealous*

[antonia]

Great report Dit.I look forward to watching on Sunday.

[fallatyourfeet]

I really enjoyed reading your report dit. It's the next best thing to being there.

[eshalda]

Thak you for your detailed report Dit. I wish I could have been there absorbing the atmosphere with you. I look forward to Sunday's programme.

[devil-may-care]

Great report, dit! Going to a filming simply isn't an option for me, so this was a very nice peek at how it all goes. I'll wave if I see you! ;D ;D

[aeromanda]

Thanks so much for the report dit! I laughed out loud a few times. Like many others on the JMB, there is little chance that I will ever be able to attend a taping so it was really great to read your account. Thanks again!

[amie8]

Richard does a really enthusiastic piece about the new BMX M5,

It took me a couple of reads to spot this, but now I really, really wish it were true. A V8 stunt bike would be just up his street ;D

[dit]

Oops! Edited above!

[amie8]

Sorry, Dit! Excellent report, but as an ex copy editor and proof reader, old habits die hard.

Can't spot my own mistakse of course...