Broken Hamster

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Originally posted by northpole:

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I don't see why trying to encourage a more responsible attitude to both driving and the environment is 'targetting motorists'. It's simply a matter of persuasion - which can hurt...

I'm sure I read a quote similar to that from Gerry Adams, I'm just trying to recall if he was wearing a balaclava at the time.

Peter

Physical violence, eh - a little extreme! No need for that. The environment is something that'll affect us all pretty soon, and the persuasion will no doubt be articulated rather better than I can manage. I think there's a pretty strong political consensus building up (apart from the taxi drivers who vote UKIP and BNP). (As in 'the ones who do vote...' which is not at all to say that they all do, of course).

Fashion.

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Originally posted by Steve S1:
Sometimes I'm amazed we don't all have cancer.

We do! The trick is to avoid dying of something else long enough for it to show.

Some of you seem to have misinterpreted the point I'm making. I'm all for extreme motor sports, and have enjoyed quite a bit of motorcycle road racing and drag racing in my time - and still have a big bike.

The problem for me with TG, is that it has little relevance for me (or most motorists) most of the time.

My argument is that motoring fantasy and dangerous stunts should not be the province of TG (and that unfortunately has been proven). It didn't used to be, and the programme was much more useful and enjoyable to me, when that was the case.

The fact that Clarkson comes across an a rude and arrogant twerp doesn't help. Oh for the days of William Woollard, who was a polite and informative gent.

John.

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Oh for the days of William Woollard, who was a polite and informative gent.

He also had a bad haircut & no viewers.

The kind of programme TG was wouldn't get a second series John. TG get more complaints when they do too many 'ordinary car' type features.

It may be a sign of the times but people don't want to see stuff they can test themselves.

Regards,

Steve.

25+ mpg from a large 4x4? I think not!

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25+ mpg from a large 4x4? I think not!

BMW X5 diesel - 28-30 mpg combined, 33 on a run. What's your experience?

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BMW X5 diesel - 28-30 mpg combined, 33 on a run. What's your experience?

None of the people I work with get anywhere near that. I personally would not even want to find out. I did drive one back from London but fortunately no one I knew saw me.

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The fact that Clarkson comes across an a rude and arrogant twerp doesn't help. Oh for the days of William Woollard, who was a polite and informative gent.

Fair enough John - I picture a cricket umpire type when reading your post, and briefly consider that would be most agreeable. Certainly less of a beating around the head with tyre smoke and superlatives, and may indeed have a broader appeal. Consider though that BBC would likely lose many of their viewers (more than 50% of whom are women!)... I mean, my older sister who is about as car-agnostic as one can get, watches TG and laughs every week!). Maybe it's simply the entertainment. Would a change to a more formal presentation and narrower scope still retain viewers?

Perhaps it's the contentiousness of Jezzas delivery that attracts? Unsurprisingly I find him articulate, witty, and entertaining; any time I become concerned, I notice his tounge bulging in his cheek. OTOH given my somewhat outspoken nature you'd likely expect his delivery might go down chez rico with narry a flicker of the eyelids.

At any rate, Clarkson is amongst a crew of co-presenters that balance him out well, ergo: Hamster's lap-dog panting, bolstered by his "miniturised giant takes on anything" approach; James May's sensible modern take on pipe-and-slippers with a sprinkling of modern cool-britania sensibilty. in addition, they'll take the piss out of Clarkson without hesitation when he really does step beyond the pale.

Yes indeed, I have been captured. "You got soul" (the yellow one, I forget the title) showed up on Fathers Day. I've not finished it yet, yet am certainly entertained - it's Clarkson's passion that really comes through as you wade through his analysis of (for example) the 747 as (effectively) the safest form of transport; given an opportunity to relax with a few friends over a pint or six and debate the toss with the author, I'd be quids in - what a way to while away a sunday arvo.

So aside from acknowledging differing points of view, I've clearly defined myself as appreciating both TG in its current format, and Clarkson's repartee. What else is Rico going to underpin this lengthy post with?

Contrasting Shows? none. Not to espouse the 'follow the herd and you'll be right' mentality... but if you examine 5th Gear, they're not entirely different overall (although they are somewhat drier in format) - two rev-heads in Butler-Henderson & Needell, and that beardy bloke... testing cars and sometimes thrashing them around a track.

It might seem odd that nobody's producing a motoring programme that's dry, informative, with polite mild-mannered presenters driving to IAM standards and reviewing vehicles that mere-mortals can afford and expect to drive. Perhaps there's no money in it - no audience expected, and hence no advertising?

Maybe LJK Setright was never destined for television; his writing certainly polarised readers. Could Clarkson be considered a light-hearted theatrical equivalent for the idiot-box?

regards, Rico (born a part-time petrol-head)

Hi Steve;

A (bad) sign of the times indeed. I simply hate the current style of presenter who stamps their ego on the programme.

This also applies to virtually all current chat show hosts, apart from the peerless 'Parkinson'.

Why do people volunteer for televised ritual humiliation on 'The Weakest Link' from the face lifted hag?

Beats me.

John.

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Why do people volunteer for televised ritual humiliation on 'The Weakest Link' from the face lifted hag?

indeed. she simply lacks style - that smirk just blows any credibility away. give me university challenge any day.

On the other hand, folk (albeit celeb-moso folk) used to volunteer for ritual humiliation on Never Mind the Buzzcocks - that was certainly entertaining. I couldn't imagine 'the hag' on that one.

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A (bad) sign of the times indeed. I simply hate the current style of presenter who stamps their ego on the programme.

This also applies to virtually all current chat show hosts, apart from the peerless 'Parkinson'.

No he's just a sycophant.

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None of the people I work with get anywhere near that.

Well they are either driving Petrol ones (21mpg combined) or hammering them, or driving in the City in which case why would they want one.

It is 5 series with a higher ride height and a flat load surface. Hardly surprising that the fuel consumption compares reasonably well.

The "anti" 4x4 emotion, like many other "anti" emotions soon loses inconvenient facts.

Agree about Parkinson BTW.

Steve.

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No he's just a sycophant

I guess this is down to personal perception.

My take on 'Parky' is that he possesses some old world charm and respect, which I find generally sadly lacking these days.

And his programmes are never about 'him'.

John.

Anyway.

Hammond is getting better then...

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I guess this is down to personal perception.

you hit the nail on the head, there.

Anyway - with that huge lengthy post of mine before, I really danced around the point. The distillation is simply: If you want someone polite - just filter out Clarkson, and listen to May. Clever BBC - a presentation team that offers 'something for everyone'.

India Knight speaks for womankind or maybe not

Crazy Chick that one.

I must be turning into a woman, because I agree with her. I've noticed that my parking is crap recently!

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Originally posted by Rasher:
I must be turning into a woman, because I agree with her.

"No Surprises"

I'll get you with my handbag if I see you

And of course the converse of her argument is available at all newsagents worldwide.

Just look at all the womens magazines and at the average content.

Appearance and how to change improve.

Lifestyle which is unattainable for most

Careers unattainable for most

Health usually cosmetic based

So i consider that the female of the species is just as ###### up as the male.

The aspirations are different.

Men want toys to make them feel good. Just look at the contant of this forum.

Women want everything else.

So i feel her argument about us chaps still being pre pubescent in our attitude towards cars is a non starter until she acknowledges that female aspirations are just as irrational and vacant.

I mean a sexy car or bigger tits the costs are comparable.

regards a hifi car junkie,

Oh yeah who hasnt grown up yet.

David

Her article seems to be a vitriolic attack against any man who; gets old (she sees 36 as middle age), gets bald or puts on weight.
Seems entirely reasonable to me.

What does she look like then?Perfect I guess!

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What does she look like then?Perfect I guess!

My thoughts too, and a barrel of fun no doubt.

Trouble is guys, wheel her out while she's supports your argument if you must. She'll be thundering about something you enjoy next week.

That's the problem with these little social comment facists - it could be you next.

If she doesn't understand boys toys, hi fi is unlikely to figure (probably too noisy). Bless.

Steve

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What does she look like then?Perfect I guess!

A quick Google gave this: