Tag: SBS

Categories
Top Gear

Top Gear – Series 12 now on Australian TV screens

Top Gear - Series 12, Episode 1

A quick reminder to AUSmotive readers that SBS is now showing Series 12 of Top Gear. Episode 1 is airing on your screens as this article is being written. You may recall that Jeremy created quite a bit of controversy with a few of his gags in their £5000 Lorry Challenge.

Overall, the eight episode series offers the usual high standard of Top Gear viewing. A few of the later episodes were a bit off key, but still solid entertainment. Hats off to SBS for getting the latest series to screen in relatively quick time. So, for the next seven weeks, keep your telly set to SBS on Monday nights at 7:30pm.

Update: Well, I guess it’s nice that SBS have got this series to air in double quick time, but it’s a shame that more than just the news segment has been edited to squeeze in a few ads. Apart from the odd bits missing from the feature stories, the news segments were some of the more entertaining pieces in this series.

Continue reading “Top Gear – Series 12 now on Australian TV screens”
Categories
News Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia loses Cox and blows Morrison’s trumpet

Top Gear Australia - Series 1, Episode 6

Charlie Cox has told SBS he will be leaving the Top Gear Australia franchise to spend more time in his native Britain. He will be replaced by Australian jazz icon James Morrison, who will join existing hosts Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati for the second series, scheduled to hit our television screens in 2009.

“My time on Top Gear Australia was very special and it was a fantastic opportunity to be part of launching an extraordinary series,” Cox said. “Sadly, though, I’ve lived in the UK for the past 19 years and I’m not able to give the time I want to Series Two.”

Forty-six year old Morrison, one of Australia’s best loved trumpet players and well known for his love of cars, is delighted with his new role, “I don’t want to sound like I’m blowing my own trumpet … but I think series two is going to be bigger and better than ever. I just hope some of the challenges include playing a chorus of the blues,” he said. Let’s hope the quality of his gags improves.

Morrison was the ‘Star In A Bog Standard Car’ in Episode 6 of the debut series and his lap time of 1:26.46 is the current record for this segment. His familiarity with the cast and the program has given SBS content director Matt Campbell confidence his new cast member will fit right in, “James brings with him a deep love of cars, a huge personality and a strong sense of fun—a perfect complement to Warren and Steve.”

For a teaser of what we can expect from James Morrison, check out this hidden gem, originally produced way back in 1994, as unearthed by CarAdvice.

The full press release from SBS, including quotes from Warren and Steve, can be read after the jump.

(Thanks to Ken for the tip.)

Continue reading “Top Gear Australia loses Cox and blows Morrison’s trumpet”
Categories
Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 7

Top Gear Australia - Series 1, Episode 7

Lots of good content in tonight’s episode, the Nissan GT-R package was the highlight for me. Shooting the dark silver car through Sydney’s city lights at night looked stunning at times. The clips driving past the Ferrari and Porsche dealerships also worked well. Kudos, too, for Steve getting access to the new stretch of Highway for the high speed runs. That would have been ‘grouse’ fun, as Steve would say. The Top Gear Australia guys also stoked the GT-R v 911 fire by setting an ultra quick lap around their test track in a Porsche GT2. Like their UK cousins the GT2 has been faster on their test track than the GT-R. Although, to be fair, the Australian crew reckon the GT-R they used in Episode 1 was speed limited. Not sure that the difference of an unlimited GT-R would make up the 2.62 second gap set by the GT2, however, that’s for another time. For now, pencil in the GT2 as being the quicker car.

Steve got all the toys this episode, also having a fair old crack in an Impreza WRX STi. He was a bit contradictory when complaining of big understeer, while complimenting the car’s ‘massive’ grip. Apart from the understeer, he reckons the car is not too bad, although a lot softer than previous STi offerings. They also set a challenge to outrun Australia’s Army, who were behind the controls of a Tiger helicopter. This segment had some great sequences, but it was not as strong as it could have been and was a bit too contrived. Still, it was entertaining viewing all the same.

Greg Murphy and James Courtney were the guests this week and they were decent enough entertainment. Their lap times in the Bog Standard Car were quite impressive too, some 3 seconds faster than James Morrison, the quickest celeb to date. You could really see where the tin top racers were pushing harder, using all the road, and showing great commitment and aggressive lines around the track.

The show closed out with a Volkswagen Golf 2.0 FSI (petrol) v 2.0 TDI (diesel) comparo with Charlie and Warren. The clip itself was fine, but, again, we were given no real quantification as to the tests they supposedly undertook. We were led to believe the concept behind the test was to see which car would use the least amount of fuel on their test route. However, all we got was a throw away line at the end that the diesel used $5 less fuel, without actually being told how many litres each car used. Oh well…

Continue reading “Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 7”
Categories
Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 6

Top Gear Australia - Series 1, Episode 6

Due to an, erm, error in scheduling I’ve not seen episode 6 as yet, but I will update this post with my thoughts when I have. In the meantime, there’s a few more pics and an SBS press release below…

Continue reading “Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 6”
Categories
Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 5

Top Gear Australia - Series 1, Episode 5

Monday night’s episode of Top Gear Australia was a bit of a hit and miss affair. The amphibious car challenge (pictured above) was quite good, if a little predictable. But, like previous TGA segments, it didn’t really forge a meaningful conclusion. Although, watching the car start up first go and drive out of the water was pretty cool.

Charlie’s test of the Audi R8 had all the right ingredients, but he, and the SBS crew didn’t quite get the mix right. Good, but not spectacular. Oh, I love watching a car doing donuts as much as the next person, but it really is time for Top Gear Australia to drop the fascination. Repeated power sliding, good. Repeated donuts, bad.

The Toorak Tractor gag was actually pretty good I thought. However, where Top Gear (Series 12 starts in a few days) almost stumbled into being irreverent with similar stunts, being forced from the outset doesn’t always come off every time for TGA. Still, I liked this clip, even if the Saab at the end was probably a set up.

As much as I am loathe to say it, Shannon Noll was the surprise packet in this episode of Top Gear Australia. “Yeah mate!” Can’t say I’m too keen on his music, but the kid can drive. And more power to him for that.

Steve’s BMW 135i review was not too bad. Mainly because the 135i is shaping up as being a truly modern classic. The camera work was well shot, and despite sneaking in a few faster public road sequences, the let’s-drive-slowly-and-not-upset-the-wowsers still doesn’t look as exciting as the cars deserve. I expect there’ll be a few complaints from said wowsers, too, at the 135i crossing double white lines at one stage.

After last week’s episode, this week’s was a minor disappointment. Sticklers continuing to compare the show, blow by blow, to the UK original will no doubt be very harsh in their criticism. Those willing to judge the show for the light entertainment it is intended to be, however, will still be looking forward to next week’s show.

More pics after the jump.

Continue reading “Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 5”
Categories
Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia test track

Top Gear Australia test track

The SBS hosted Top Gear Australia website has recently published a working drawing of their test track. The location is Camden Airport, Sydney—follow this link for the Google-Maps-eye view.

Currently a right-hand drive Ford GT holds the record for the fastest Power Lap time at 1:08.80, some six tenths quicker than a Nissan GT-R (speed limited). A full list of lap times can be accessed on Wikipedia.

Source: SBS

Categories
Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 4

Top Gear Australia - Series 1, Episode 4

Another great step forward from the local Top Gear crew this week. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say tonight’s episode was comparable to Top Gear UK. Sure, the Australian version is not reaching the consistent highs each week, but they are getting there. As usual, there will be complaints from TV land, but I really enjoyed my hour on the couch in front of the telly.

The outback tracker challenge was well filmed and entertaining. The repartee, or lack thereof, between Warren and his aboriginal tracker ‘Diesel’ was well executed, while Charlie and Steve in the TRD Hilux worked together much better than they have in any of the previous challenges. Yes, Top Gear Australia is still very much a Top Gear by numbers affair, with many production and scripting cues taken from the UK parent, but the level of improvement with each episode so far is to be commended.

Jack Thompson (pictured above) was a breath of fresh air in the guest’s chair. No pandering to the audience with Jack. Mind, The Stig has done a pretty poor job teaching the guests steering wheel technique. Vince Colosimo in Episode 1 has been the worst to date, but Jack’s effort wasn’t too far behind.

Steve’s review of the Holden W427 was perhaps the weakest point in the show, however, as entertainment, his piece was bang on. Perhaps more technical detail could have been offered, but then, the same could be said of almost any recent Top Gear UK car review.

The closing set with the Holden Astra lawn bowls game was classic Top Gear sillyness. Daft, pointless and thoroughly watchable all at the same time. Can’t wait for episode 5. Interestingly, this film was the first one filmed by Warren, Steve and Charlie. SBS Executive Producer for Top Gear Australia, Denise Eriksen said, “The Lawn Bowls story has a bit of a special place in the heart of the presenters. It’s the first shoot they ever did — but it came out of the last of the casting sessions where the remaining Top Gear Australia hopeful presenters had gathered for a brainstorming session.

“Warren Brown was scribbling away — as he does — and then presented his drawing pad to the gobsmacked fellow presenters and the production team asking ‘wonder what it would be like to play lawn bowls with a Mini?’.” Obviously things were tweaked a bit to include the new Astra, but given my grandmother-in-law drives an Astra and is an avid lawn bowls player Top Gear‘s car selection was very apt.

More pics and the SBS press release below.

Continue reading “Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 4”
Categories
Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 3

Top Gear Australia - Series 1, Episode 3

Much better episode this week. Comfortably the show’s best to date. Warren Brown, the glue holding the hosts together, posted an entertaining piece on the BMW X6. Steve Pizzati was confused by the Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG 63 Black Series—is it a GT, a track day special, or just something grey in between? On these two films, in particular, the production values were high, if following the proven Top Gear UK formula of shifting focus and interesting angles. Regardless of that, they were very well made pieces. Although, there is still room for improvement in filming The Stig’s track work.

Not so sure there should always be a “this week’s challenge”, but the $500 paddock basher effort was great Monday night’s viewing. If anything, the segment was a little light on, and one or two more tests for the lads could have easily been carried.

Over the three episodes the weakest segments have been the “Celebrity in a Bog Standard Car”. Sure, these are celebs we’re supposed to be interested in, but they need to stop performing to the crowd, relax a little, and enjoy a quiet chat with Charlie—both would benefit from that. Julia Zemiro, from SBS’s RockWiz program, was not so bad overall, but her constant playing up to the audience was just a bit try hard. She needn’t be like that, she has good on camera charisma—like the hosts’ early efforts, the stars just need to be a bit more natural.

A couple more pics and SBS’s press release after the jump.

Continue reading “Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 3”
Categories
Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 2

Top Gear Australia - Series 1, Episode 2

The second episode of Top Gear Australia has just gone to air—have they improved on the promise shown in last week’s debut? Well, the episode got off to a very slow start. This, despite Charlie testing a right-hand drive Ford GT40 and then Charlie and Steve chucking a couple of Aussie supertaxis around Wakefield Park. Charlie is not so bad in a studio setting—although his waving arms may take some getting used to—but he’s still settling in to the on camera reviewer role. The Ford v Holden piece at Wakefield was the major letdown, however. The lads competed against each other in a straight out drag and also under braking, but the fact that no timed lap was included was incredibly lame. Not quite as lame as not having the balls to declare an outright winner and labelling “Ford and Holden are the winners here”. Oh dear.

That was enough to really test the patience of this viewer. Happily, though, things picked up, if you’ll pardon the pun, when the trio headed to Kalgoorlie to fang around a massive superpit in a few utes. Top Gear is more as much about entertainment as it is about fair dinkum car reviewing, and while last week’s challenge was a little forced at times, the chemistry in this week’s outing was a vast improvement. For me, it saved the episode, that’s for sure.

Continue reading “Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 2”
Categories
Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 1

Top Gear Australia - Series 1, Episode 1

Top Gear Australia has arrived. It is clear, now, that the Top Gear format has been franchised, in the true sense of the word. Everything from the cast, the theme music, the set, right down to the seating positions of the presenters during the news segment pretty much matches the UK show frame for frame.

On the one hand, you can see why the producers have taken such a formulaic approach. After all, the original format has achieved enviable worldwide success. However, such was the degree of imitation that the viewer almost has a right to feel short changed. We’re only one episode in, granted, but it does seem as though the opportunity to give Top Gear Australia some genuine local flavour has been missed.

Conversely, by taking such a paint it by numbers approach Steve Pizzati, Charlie Cox and Warren Brown (pictured above) have been handed a great foundation from which to build. Indeed, take a look at the first two series of Top Gear UK and you’ll see the original trio needed time to settle in and build the camaraderie many enjoy today. For example, the first piece in the Australian format was a Surf-to-Snow Soft Roader Challenge. The challenge films rely heavily on the chemistry of the leading men and perhaps this was too bold an opening move as, at times, their mateship seemed a bit forced. This not to say the guys weren’t genuine, just that, the audience needs time to learn and familiarise itself with the characters. If my memory serves me correctly, the first challenge on the UK show was the £1500 Porsche Challenge, which aired in Series 5—ample time for Clarkson, Hammond and May to have established their individual niche.

Continue reading “Top Gear Australia – Series 1, Episode 1”
Categories
Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia launches this Monday

A quick reminder that Top Gear Australia premieres at 7:30pm tomorrow night on SBS. Thanks to AUSmotive reader Ali for sending in this clip.

Categories
Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia teaser

Spotted on CarAdvice, here is a two and a half minute teaser for Top Gear Australia. The first episode will air nationally on SBS on Monday 29 September. If this teaser is anything to go by, I reckon the show will be a bloody good value.