[Munki Bhoy]

I've been driving to Fife the last couple of days due to work stuff. Which for me means the entire length of the M8 (more of less) then across the Forth Road Bridge. The M8 is the most depressing drive. Everyone drives in the outside lane - of which there are only two anyway. There always seems to be a slow moving, yellow light flashing vehicle in the inside lane, which probably explains why everyone else is in the outside lane. Every other vehicle is a white van. Every two minutes the traffic gets up to 70, then brakes sharply to about 40 and slowly creeps back up again. Then, every so often, the road just opens up and suddenly everyone behind you wants to do at least 90!

On the plus side, no driving to Fife tomorrow.

[CassieJackson]

Did you hear Richard Hammond on Sunday compare the Audi, to driving the BMW M5 with Chris Moyles permanently in the boot? I chuckled.

[Munki Bhoy]

Good old TV watchdog people. Now they can't repeat the Polar special before the watershed because they don't want kiddies to see them drinking alcohol behind the wheel. I'm not sure why they're bothered about that, do they know lots of kiddies that drink? Or drive? Can't see them emulating it any time soon, unless it's one of those wee pedal cars while drinking out of their sippy-cup.

[SAV1OUR]

In this case its not so much the action taken that does my head in, cos I've seen the great Polar Special, its good. Its the way the whole thing is treated with such importance, like its an actual story - Its not, its the PC Brigade waving their willys to try and justify their stupid existence, stupid bloody toffee-nosed morons born of the nanny state we live in today.

I always contrast these petty Ofcom rulings with innocent kids being stabbed and shot, because the streets aren't policed properly, and crime isn't solved - yet TV is the enemy, its the big bad wolf that people spend time correcting and meddling with.

[Console]

its the big bad wolf

It's the end of the universe?

[SAV1OUR]

For Ofcom I hope, I'll have a word with Davros, see if he can deploy some Daleks to their HQ.

[Munki Bhoy]

THE PC BRIGADE WILL BE EXTERMINATED!!!!!

[foot-loose]

James May edited Autocar and made the first letter of each article appear as a one big long smart arsed message throughout the magazine.

So you think it's really good, yeah? You should try making the bloody thing up. It's a real pain in the arse.



Ye gotta love him!

[MK Chris]

That was ages ago wasn't it? I can't remember where I heard that, but it is funny all the same.

[foot-loose]

Dunno

Me mate posted it elsewhere - I aint seen it before so I spread the wealth.

[CassieJackson]

That's excellent. I knew the story but I've never seen it all set out before. He got the sack for that particular stunt didn't he?

[Zoot]

Yea he got the sack. Loads of people phoned the magazine expecting they won a prize or something.

[Vivienne]

I was reading an article where the BBC have apparently said that Jeremy Clarkson isn't necessary to the "Top Gear" show, and the show itself is what matters... So basically, anyone could do it... agree? disagree?

[MK Chris]

The three people on the show provide the chemistry that makes it work. I wouldn't like to see any of them leave, but it would be interesting to see how the show would evolve without one of them (with or without someone else in their place) and whether or not it would work (and if it did, would it work as well). People thought Buzzcocks wouldn't work without Mark Lamarr, but Simon Amstel does a very good job on it. Different isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's always a risk to take.

[Vivienne]

I was just surprised to read how dismissive the article was of Jeremy Clarkson.

[DevilsDuck]

Well, when he left last time it was crap, so I disagree

And considering he owns a large share of the rights in Top Gear, I think they would have to get his approval for him to step down

[MK Chris]

Well, when he left last time it was crap, so I disagree

When he left last time, it was an entirely different format.

Don't get me wrong, I like Clarkson and I think it would be a great shame were he to step down, but don't dismiss it so easily. However, you are correct in that he has a great deal of involvement in the show and (I think) was one of the two co-creators of the current format, so the BBC may have a fight on their hands. That's if it's anything more than just speculation. Where did you read this, Viv?

[Vivienne]

It was in one of my women's magazines, I think... can't remember which one... I was just quite surprised at it, as I think a lot of people consider him (Jeremy) the best thing since toast.

[DevilsDuck]

He is the best thing, he is one of the ultimate legends!

[Yudster]

I love all the Top Gear team, I wouldn't want them to make personnel changes - but if it happens, it happens - although it wont be Clarkson that goes, as someone pointed out he is more than just the presenter of Top Gear, he is executive producer or something.

I read Richard Hammond's book the other day and I was very surprised by how much it engrossed me. Its not so much an autobiography, more a memoir focusing on the jet-car crash and his recovery (although it does deal a bit with his early life and career). I found his and Mindy's accounts of the accident, his injuries and his rehabilitaion to be incredibly moving. Not in a soppy way, there's no "hearts and flowers" element to either of them I don't think - but there is a sense of honesty and straightforwardness which comes across from them that I found very appealing. Of course, that might just be clever ghost-writing, but I'd rather think otherwise.

[TIAL]

It's only just occurred to me today that I used to absolutely hate Top Gear. I love the way they don't just talk purely about cars any more - its more of an entertainment show these days.

[Munki Bhoy]

Fifth Gear is more like Top Gear used to be.

[Yudster]

That'll be why no-one watches it then.

[Ballbag]

Fifth Gear is Top Gear of old. The BBC sold the program/format to channel 5, but kept the name. Hence the similarities.

I'm getting more and more disillusioned with Top Gear each week. It's becoming as scripted as the Mills show, and less and less funny. The stupid and pointless "races" do my tits in too. Racing down a hill in a car versus a skier? It's ridiculous, you can't comprehend the comparability between the two so what is the point.

Oh and Hammond is a right and royal proper knob head. I wish... he would stop...... talking........ with such massive pauses....... when he's trying to build.......... tension.

[MK Chris]

The BBC sold the program/format to channel 5, but kept the name. Hence the similarities.

I thought Fifth Gear was just a blatant copy of the old format, I'm sure Fifth Gear started before the old Top Gear format finished?