Even Clarkson had to admit on twitter on Monday that this episode wasn't the strongest in the new series - hopefully that means the remaining shows will be better!

The race was possibly the weakest link, why go all the way to New Zealand to play out this quite-obviously orchestrated farce? Just a massive waste of money as far as I could see.

And, the unveiling of the new Reasonably Priced Car was, erm, exactly the same as when they introduced the Kia - let's invite the same group of "celebrities" to get the starter times on the board, insert a few jokes at the expense of said celebrities and the obligatory sausage on a barbeque shot!

Isn't the point of the Reasonably Priced Car that it's a bit, well, cheap and a bit rubbish? I won't give away the identity of the new car, but it's a bit mainstream and I don't think a £17k car could be classed as Reasonably Priced. I suppose it is to Clarkson et al, but it's not in the Kia or Chevrolet price bracket!

Nah, it's just the same old nonsense really - time for a fresh start.

Well, yes, unless there was already a crew there, or that there will, be other TG shenanigans in the Southern Hemisphere.

This programme, like Doctor Who, is retry much self-funding from licensing deals and worldwide distribution. It's writing its own cheques.

I wish they'd drop the races, I've lost all interest in those. I'd sooner watch some half-baked celebrity bit tbh.

I really enjoyed it on the whole. There were none of the 'grating' moments that they've suffered from in the past for me (although the hire car get trashed was a bit close). The boat they were using was particularly awesome; really enjoyed that part.

Yes put me off yachting entirely!


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Yes, the most wildly successful format the BBC has had in years, which continues to gather a huge international following after 20 series, needs to change...

Should change? That's another question. Needs to? Not at all.

If you're looking for more car show shenanigans, may I introduce Roadkill, from Hotrod magazine.
Browse through their YouTube channel.
I enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGjMIjNkwhc&list=PL12C0C916CECEA3BC

I don't know, the guys are chaotic, but they actually have a clue about what they are talking about.

Both Clarkson and May have tweeted this week that Sunday's episode is 'a bit good'. TV guide description doesn't make it sound that special. hmm.

I'm 2 weeks behind.

They were all over the press yesterday about faking the hovercraft scene.

They fake everything. They pretty much always have. People need to get over it.

Last night's was quite good, I thought. A better than average example of a standard edition (i.e. not a 'special'). Best news piece for a few series, couple of good reports... thought the caravanist piece overstayed it's welcome a bit but other than that, good.

If they hadn't faked it, they'd be all over the papers for other reasons. Complete non-story.

I spent literally far too long trying to convince my parents that the Redgrave Comic Relief special (where they apparently trash his garden) was anything other than a set up. I keep telling them: it's television. You see what they want you to see. You have to know that off camera, the things they do are planned to the nth degree. Permission forms are signed, Health and Safety are in attendance. Yet my parents believe that they just go out and do that stuff at the drop of the hat.

And, as we know, even with all that in place, when things to wrong, they go wrong very badly.

I am so glad Clarkson referred to it as "Last of the Summer Gear" the other week, and the 911 comments last night added to the "we know it's old" vibes.

Oh, and while I'm here.. the single best joke Top Gear has ever done - May and Clarkson staring at the camera the morning after they spent a night testing the headlights in Clarkson's Mazda .

I laughed so loud at the testing the automatic stopping straight into the other car that failed. Hedges trigger the brakes but the car did not.


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