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AIBU?

To wonder why Top Gear is so popular worldwide?

98 replies

AWholeLottaNosy · 26/01/2015 19:59

So the new series was broadcast simultaneously in 50 countries, apparently it makes the BBC £80 million per year! Why? It's just 3 middle aged men basically dicking around with cars. I know it's quite funny and the hover van episode had me laughing out loud ,( even though I learnt some of it was staged), but, I really don't get it. And 300,000 people want to be in the audience to stand around looking gormless... Can anyone explain it to me??

OP posts:
VoyageOfDad · 26/01/2015 20:08

This reply has been deleted

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cardibach · 26/01/2015 20:10

Because it made you laugh out loud? Probably does the same to others...

Smarterthantheaveragebeaver · 26/01/2015 20:10

And its Sunday evening no-brainer TV. Minimum effort required to follow what's going on.

I prefer Tiff Needell Fifth Gear on channel 5.

SeaUnicorns · 26/01/2015 20:11

Their basically making a programe for themselves, and every other Middle aged bloke.

Their humour also appeals to students.

Fast cars, pranks, idiots dicking around and taking the piss out of each other the cars are almost irrelevant.

AWholeLottaNosy · 26/01/2015 20:15

Well the hovervan episode was the only one that made me laugh (caught it by accident). Don't know a thing about cars.

OP posts:
Hassled · 26/01/2015 20:17

There's plenty of car porn, mixed in with some slapstick "humour". Easily transferrable in terms of a world audience.

DiseasesOfTheSheep · 26/01/2015 20:20

Car porn and a bit of lighthearted stupidity appeals to a lot of people out there.

Me included...

Altinkum · 26/01/2015 20:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ItalianWiking84 · 26/01/2015 20:23

Because its fun entertainment and fits in a Danish sense of humour

tomandizzymum · 26/01/2015 20:23

They use local presenters. We have the US version and it's not nearly as good, all very serious and not funny IMO. I assume they change the criteria to appeal to the local audience, I'm sure Clarksons jokes wouldn't fit well in certain countries. Grin

lostincumbria · 26/01/2015 20:29

"They use local presenters" - not for the simulcast they don't!

TSSDNCOP · 26/01/2015 20:33

I watched one on I player last week where Clarkson and May were testing cars people chose to pull caravans. It was without doubt the funniest thing I've seen on TV for a very, very long time.

Is there anyone left that doesn't know what it's about, what Clarkson is like? If people don't like it there's plenty of other shite on the BBC to watch.

samsam123 · 26/01/2015 20:35

Because it is the best thing on tv

YellowTulips · 26/01/2015 20:37

Because if you have a somewhat puerile sense of humour and a vague interest in cars it's fucking hilarious.

SlicedAndDiced · 26/01/2015 20:39

Because I fancy James may.

.....Did I just say that out loud?!

TSSDNCOP · 26/01/2015 20:42

Yep. And AIBU never dies Sliced.

SlicedAndDiced · 26/01/2015 20:48

Blush

Oh the shame.....

DeckTheHallsWithBartimaeus · 26/01/2015 20:51

Because there s no decent equivalent on their local TV.

WhereIsMyFurryHat · 26/01/2015 20:54

I fucking hate it, it is just awful. I could go on but I can't be bothered to waste my time.

Guitargirl · 26/01/2015 20:56

I haven't a clue. It's rubbish scripting. I watched an episode last weekend when I was poorly and couldn't be bothered to get up and reach for the remote. God it was awful, so laboured, all the apparent 'off the cuff' so-called humour which had obviously been rehearsed to within an inch of its life.

queentroutoftrouts · 26/01/2015 20:57

I love it. Tis probably the only programme on TV that can genuinely make me laugh as in full on belly laugh. What's not to like, it's great.

invisiblecrown · 26/01/2015 20:57

It is lightweight and funny. People worldwide are looking for light relief.

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TheChandler · 26/01/2015 21:06

Its not very pc and we need something more light hearted in the midst of all the gloomy bleeding heart liberals with no sense of humour.

Because it has a massive budget and they do the sort of things most of us dream about doing in our wildest dreams but can't afford to. Their trip to Argentina was brilliant - even if you aren't into cars, how often do you get to see scenery in such far flung places that's not all designed to attract tourists?

DoctorTwo · 26/01/2015 21:07

DS doesn't get it. Both DDs do and they love it even more than I do. They've done some fab things I'd love to do, like ride a motorcycle from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.

Patsyandeddie · 26/01/2015 21:18

The fact that it's not PC, breaks the speed limit on a regular basis and is fun, what more do you want!

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