My Shortlist 
Nearly missed the debut of the Australian version of Top Gear on Monday night.
Like everyone else I’d been waiting with bated breath for the premiere of the show, but in the end I got caught up at work and completely forgot about it.
Fortunately, someone recorded it for me.
What an anti-climax!
For all intents and purposes the show is a carbon copy of the British version, right down to the Pommy sounding Charlie Cox who seems more by design than default to have taken on the role of Jeremy Clarkson.
The studio looks the same, the leader board is the same and the tongue in cheek delivery is the same - although the latter comes across as more than a little forced.
They’ve even replicated the Stig, right down to the same coloured suit and helmet - although they couldn’t come up with a better name for him.
Who is he?
To be honest, who gives a flying duck?
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not sour grapes, because I for one didn’t apply for a job but then I’d probably be as boring as bat shit in the role anyway.
Nup. I’ve nothing against SBS’s choice of presenters, but surely to God the producers could have tried something a bit different?
Why didn’t we get a female presenter for instance?
But of course that would have meant departing from the formula – the successful formula.
Do they really believe Aussies are that gullible?
Do they really think we’re going to sit there for eight weeks, night after night and swallow the same old storylines recycled all over again?
Surely not?
For me the highlight of the first show had to be cartoonist Warren’s bizarre shark fishing expedition in a converted Mini Moke.
Granted, that took more than a little imagination, but you can see how they segued their way there.
Australia . . . famous for . . . our beaches . . . and our predators . . . especially sharks . . . I know let’s weld a cage on a car and go diving for while pointers.
Brilliant!
So, what next?
How long will it be before they pop an amphibious conversion into Sydney Harbour and bravely set out across the Tasman for New Zealand?
Because, in the end, it’s got nothing to do with cars really - it’s all about entertainment.
The original might have started out as a straight motoring show, but it has evolved into something very different, a new and pure form of entertainment, revolving around the verbal sparring between Clarkson, May and Hammond.
Rather than allow the show and presenters to grow in their new found roles however SBS has made a bee line straight for the finish line - don’t pass go, don’t collect $200 and don’t worry about paying your dues.
Only time will tell whether this quantum leap is justified or whether it is perhaps overly ambitious - but with seven episodes to go I’m left wondering whether its going to be worth the effort?
Comments on this story
Cyrus Lesser of Brisbane Posted at 12 November 2008 12:57am
Eric Koch of Brisbane Posted at 11 November 2008 4:02pm
Alan Menere Posted at 12 October 2008 3:21pm