To wonder why Top Gear is so popular worldwide?

[AWholeLottaNosy]

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??

No broadcaster ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the viewing public.

YY Zombie the fact that people get all frothy about it makes it even more funny.

I watch it with my sons and watching them laugh so hard they can't breathe keeps me going for weeks. There is some well scripted well timed humour in there too, it's very decently crafted television. They are intelligent enough to know when Clarkson is being a dick and saying stuff they can't in real life. Although after the ginger jibe on Sunday he'd better watch his back.

Its one of the few programmes that I laugh out loud too, even though it scripted. Its just funny.

I don't often watch it, but did this week - it is funny. Semi RL 'men behaving badly' (and Ed Sheeran was rather sweet).

When my DD was about 8 she didn't like much on TV - the only 3 programs she liked were Dr Who, Spring/Autumn Watch and TG. I think the latter may have helped spark her feminist principles and her interest in engineering as well as amusing her.

The other popular programmes sold worldwide over the years include Mr Bean and I well remember French friends liking Benny Hill!

I was a bit Grrrr last night at all the attractive, young, long haired girls that happened to be round the edge of the platform.

It's funnier with a mix of people giving a mixed reaction to their comments.

shinpads yes, 8 yo DS has to be reminded to inhale sometimes.

because of TG I will always want a Toyota pick up truck.

Had it got funny again? I thought it went a bit off in the last couple of series, if they've emerged from their arses and gone back to being funny then I'll give it a go.

Moniker1 DH has been to a recording, and it's quite sleazy the way they pick women to stand at the front, anyone with large norks/bit of nork showing gets put right at the front.
That said, I do like TG, and although JC is an odious prick who I doubt I share any view in common with, I still would Maybe I could gag him

I think people enjoy the silliness. The world is too serious sometimes.

I would have killed to be front row when Mark Webber and James Blunt were in the reasonably priced car.

I have no idea. Clarkson is a colossal cunt, the challenges are staged and the humour is forced.

I console myself with the fact that it funds other things on the BBC that I probably do like.

I think kids like it.

My DSs (12 and 10) think it is great fun.

I think Clarkson and co are essentially 12 year old boys trapped in the bodies of middle aged men!

Well I hate Clarkson but he does have a cutting humour that appeals to a lot of people. And the 3 presenters do have a good chemistry with one another.

I am not the slightest bit interested in cars but I do sometimes this very, very funny. Yes I know the challenges are scripted but that doesn't make them any less funny IMO.

Oh and SlicedandDiced - I don't ^fancy6 James may but he is my favourite of the three by dar. I love watching his Toy Stories and Man Lab programmes.

Not keen on Clarkson, hate sexist jokes and landing to male vanity and fast cars etc. I should hate it but it can be very entertaining and the guys bounce off each other so well.

And loved that Jodie Kidd kicked most of the guys arses in the driving challenge.

I never watched an episode untol my ds with autism got into it. To see him laugh and enjoy it the way he does made me so happy and I found myself really getting into it. It may be three middle aged men dicking around in cars but it's also quite educational as far as the countries they visit go and it really inspires my ds to find out more. He's got a pretty detailed knowledge of the Falklands conflict as a result of the Patagonia Special amongst other things.

James May is my favourite too.

It doesn't take itself too seriously. The presenters take the piss out of themselves and each other. They go to interesting places, it's funny.
Other countries have their own versions but they still watch the UK one because they like the presenters.
It could be argued that top gear is the most anarchic programme on tv. discuss.

James May is my favourite too. Perhaps he appeals more to the MN demographic being a bit more sensitive and intelligent.

We should ask MN if they would do a webchat. Can you imagine JC? Half of MN would explode with rage at the thought of it.

A webchat? Are you mad, woman..??

Noooooooo

Yes, let's invite Nigel Farage and other racist, misogynistic twats on here shall we..?

It would be brilliant. All the frothing would make me laugh. A lot.