TV: The Grand Tour

[The Gongshow]

Can't seem to find a stream with proper audio for episode 2. Anyone else noticing the audio problems with the guys. You can hear the audience and music but not the hosts throughout the whole episode. Weird.

 

[njdevsfn95]

I wonder if part of the issue for some is the lack of a "home."

I loved when they *****ed and moaned about UK driving issues and because they were in front of a UK audience, it played well. That clearly isn't going to be the case for this season and possibly all of them.

Personally I liked the first episode and anticipate liking the rest.

If the last version of TG took a couple of seasons to get going than the same should be true for TGT.

 

[Chaels Arms]

Thought the second episode was terrible.

Don't like the American driver. I said it after the first episode but they need to move on from the America jokes. I'm not being an overly sensitive American either (I thought it was hilarious when they made fun of the US on Top Gear) but it just seems like they're forcing it here. It's not natural. Plus, I don't really know if having a NASCAR driver taking these amazing cars around a racetrack is really the best way to showcase them. They should have gotten a Formula One driver. Lewis Hamilton would have been great.

Once again, the track portions with Jeremy in the Vulcan were still the best. Also agree with the poster above me that we're missing out on something by not having them in the UK and not really talking about UK issues. Not surprised that the only funny portion out of the whole military segment was May talking to the "Queen" about modernizing royalty.

I'm sure it will be fine eventually but this episode seemed like they were just trying to burn as much money as possible.

 

[ProPAIN]

The American is just obnoxious. I'd like more reviews incorporating silly tests.

It's still not as good as the Top Gear of old. Apparently they'll shift to more car centric bits next week, so looking forward to that.

 

[Laser Rayzor]

Yeah it seems they're trying too hard but TBH I felt that way in the last couple seasons of TG as well. I think we'll see the magic again if they do a road trip or cheap car challenge.

 

[njdevsfn95]

If I were to rank old TG segments I would probably generate my ideal TGT episode from the first 3 or 4.

Specials/Road trips
Races
Challenges
News
Car review (standalone and not part of challenge/race)
Celebrity Lap

Just don't know how much of that is really possible with the new format but I'm not gonna be too upset only a couple of episodes into a brand new series.

 

[MadDevil]

They're trying to come up with new bits for a new show, so some of it's going to work, some of it isn't.

 

[Chairman Maouth]

Second episode was at best 5/10. Loved it until they put the chubby American in the track car. It just isn't funny.

The main segment of episode 2 was the 2 part SAS thing they did. Again, not very funny although it had a couple of funny moments. But I don't want to see the guys pretending to be SAS members - I want to see them being themselves and interacting with each other.

Growing pains I hope. But for the love of God get rid of the chubby American driver.

 

[hoyster]

That war thing was painful to watch. I don't mind The American since it takes only a minute of the show but watching a 30min segment of that war stuff was almost unbearable. Also, hope they get rid of the celebrities dying thing cause that's getting old really fast.

That being said, still looking forward to every episode.

 

[Suxnet]

2nd episode was really lame. What's the point in going to different locations if they just do forced, Hollywood-type garbage.

 

[Chairman Maouth]

That war thing was painful to watch. I don't mind The American since it takes only a minute of the show but watching a 30min segment of that war stuff was almost unbearable. Also, hope they get rid of the celebrities dying thing cause that's getting old really fast.

That being said, still looking forward to every episode.

Agree with that except for the celebrities dying thing. I think that's alright so far but they could run out of ideas fast using that big window they use to watch them die.

 

[ProPAIN]

Yeah it seems they're trying too hard but TBH I felt that way in the last couple seasons of TG as well. I think we'll see the magic again if they do a road trip or cheap car challenge.

Road trips/specials are just the best. US, Burma, South Africa, etc.

Car challenges are a close second, especially when they have to build something like the hovercraft or buy a cheap car.

 

[chicagoskycam]

It's almost like they have this huge budget and are using it for shock appeal, but it goes against what made Top Gear good.

I think the American will be here all season because there is no feedback with a show like this.

Do a budget car challenge, review some nice cars and get on with it. They were in South Africa and then did 20 minutes in Jordan - am i missing something here.

 

[chicagoskycam]

Episode 3 - this show has been a chore to get through. Top Gear was always scripted to some degree but it's really bad in TGT. Timing seems off, bits are carried out for way too long.

 

[Diamondillium]

I, on the other hand, have loved the first 2 episodes (haven't watched 3 yet). I don't watch for the cars as much as I do for the trio. The lack of celebrities has been great as that was the worst part of Top Gear, and I'll agree there's some kinks to work out but it will take a season or two to truly hit the groove I imagine. It's a great foundation I think.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

I, on the other hand, have loved the first 2 episodes (haven't watched 3 yet). I don't watch for the cars as much as I do for the trio. The lack of celebrities has been great as that was the worst part of Top Gear, and I'll agree there's some kinks to work out but it will take a season or two to truly hit the groove I imagine. It's a great foundation I think.

First, Diamondium is better. Second, I totally agree. I've enjoyed TGT quite a bit.

 

[Diamondillium]

First, Diamondium is better. Second, I totally agree. I've enjoyed TGT quite a bit.

Pfft, Diamondium is worthless garbage compared to the superior strength of Diamondillium.

 

[Chairman Maouth]

Episode 3 - this show has been a chore to get through. Top Gear was always scripted to some degree but it's really bad in TGT. Timing seems off, bits are carried out for way too long.

I agree. The feeling of spontaneity is gone and the scripting is so noticeable. The guys disguising their cars was just stupid and them falling out of the boat was so predictable. They didn't have the chubby American driver this time so that was a plus. I'm still hoping this is them just working the bugs out.

 

[Suxnet]

Yep, not really enjoying The Grand Tour so far. The scripted stuff is very obvious and unfunny. I'm afraid Amazon just doesn't know what made Top Gear so good.

 

[XX]

Amazon has no creative control. It seems like Wilman studied American TV habits and tweaked the formula, but that's not what people want.

 

[StrictlyCommercial]

They haven't done any of their golden challenges so far, so that's one issue. Cheap cars, building things, going on adventures, that's where they excel. So far it's been... a motoring show.

 

[chicagoskycam]

They haven't done any of their golden challenges so far, so that's one issue. Cheap cars, building things, going on adventures, that's where they excel. So far it's been... a motoring show.

Well kind of, did they even review and test a car last week. That's one of my favorite parts is the honest candid feedback. This season may be what it is until they get some critique and refine it for next year.

 

[Chaels Arms]

It seems like they're trying to dumb everything down. No actual car talk anymore, no challenges, a whole bunch of meaningless explosions. That final bit where they destroyed the house was another cringeworthy piece of work alongside the military stuff from last week. Don't know if I can remember anything as bad as those two attempts at humor on TG.

I really wanted these three to come out and just kill it but it's not happening. They need to forget they have a gazillion dollar budget and just try to make a funny car show again. We need an hour long challenge episode soon to give them some direction.

 

[Jussi]

That war thing was painful to watch. I don't mind The American since it takes only a minute of the show but watching a 30min segment of that war stuff was almost unbearable. Also, hope they get rid of the celebrities dying thing cause that's getting old really fast.

That being said, still looking forward to every episode.

2016 says hi.

 

[Laser Rayzor]

Still some cringe moments in the studio but I liked the environmental challenge, James' car disintegrating had me rolling