Is It Just Me, Or Was The Grand Tour A Bit Boring?
After wrapping up at the LA Auto Show today, I went straight back to my hotel room, whipped out my laptop and headed straight for Amazon Prime. Yep, there was no way I was going to wait to watch the Grand Tour - wherever I was, I was going to get stuck into Clarkson, Hammond and May’s hugely anticipated car show.
However, from the drawn out, rather self-congratulatory and apparently very expensive opening scene onwards, it just didn’t excite me all that much.
Perhaps the problem was the Holy Trinity test that made up much of the episode. Sure, in the final days of Clarkson-era Top Gear we were all desperate to see the LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder have a massive showdown, but that was rather a long time ago. And anyway, Chris Harris did that same test with the same cars and on the same track over a year ago, and I’d argue he did a better, more entertaining job of it.
Elsewhere, the celebrity segment trod a fine line between being amusing and downright stupid, and ‘The American’ was thoroughly unfunny. Suddenly I get why the Stig never utters a word…
There was plenty to like, though. The cinematography is stunning, for a kick off. It was cool seeing ‘our’ BMW M2 longtermer get damn good thrashing in the road test which apparently wasn’t a road test even though it was kind of a road test around the new, brilliantly gnarly ‘Eboladrome’ track too. But overall it just didn’t quite live up to the massive hype.
It’s far too soon to judge, of course: we have a 12 episode run to enjoy in this series alone, and perhaps after a few installments the trio will settle into their new environment a little better. As it stands, everything just feels a tad forced.
What did you think of the episode?
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
This is what happens when you hype a show to the point it is its own religion. I was never one to follow the Jezza worship. I just watched Top Gear for what it was: a show.
I thought the episode was fantastic. No offense, but I think you’ve become too consumed in the hype to actually appreciate The Grand Tour. It really appears to be a great show so far (even though so far means one episode).
Then again, opinions are opinions, and everyone’s can differ.
Amen
Spot on, people are getting carried away by the hype which I think is a bit childish
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Well said
I also feel the car world has moved on a lot since Top Gear went off the air, online reviewers and other car people on YouTube have filled the gap of car reviews and very well. However where it SHOULD hopefully change is with challenges and specials around the world, they were always the best
Once again, Matt is talking rubbish.
I think it’s because we’re used to the old top gear, where this new show is not and can not replicate the old top gear
It’ll either get better or worse
I agree I thought it would be more exciting, intense, and funny. The dead celebrities was pointless
Yes it’s a matter of opinion , but I fking loved it! No it wasn’t massively exciting at some points and some aspects were a bit rubbish but overall it was fantastic and the cinematography was phenomenal. Also those three together always make me happy so they could’ve sat and knitted for all I care, but that’s just my opinion
‘’ebola’’drome
How much did BBC pay you to say that?
This is written by the same guy who writes articles like “Which New Top Gear Presenter Have You Enjoyed Watching Most?” or “Which New Top Gear Presenter Have You Enjoyed Watching Most?”,
“Was The Second Episode Of Top Gear An Improvement Over The First?”,and “Despite Mass Criticism, The First Episode Of ‘New’ Top Gear Was Officially A Hit”.
Right… Totally not a fan of the BBC…
I agree. Another thing was that they seemed rush and seemed like they were trying to squeeze everything in. I think the show could be better if they give themselves time on each segment. One of my favorite things top gear does is used budget car challenges i hope they do one of those in the next episode.
We still love it✌