The Grand Tour

[bigemp]

Anyone else watched the 1st episode yet.

Deffo worth a watch and makes chris evans series of top gear look total rubbish in comparison.

Clarkson,May,Hammond have so much great chemistry together compared to evans and le-blanc

plus 1st episode on la ferrari,918,p1

[Red Baron]

Will be scouring Pirate Bay for a copy to download tomorrow although I'd be amazed if it wasn't already available.

[Hongkongfooi]

yep a very good start to the series....12 weeks long didnt they say?

[oldskool]

Yup watched it today on Kodi (free)

tbh i was not parricularly blown away by it considering the supposed freedom from budget and political correctness restraints compared to top gear and BBC pre Chris Evans shows

New track seemed a bit small to me as can't see much overtaking going on there

Tent section was a bit clunky but maybe British humour will fare better in other venues

Great to have the tg Or gt team back on the telly though and the pi/la ferrari/Porsche segment was superb

[Banstead Stig]

I liked it, but wasn't totally blown away.

There were some issues (like the dreadful "guest" segment and the gibberings of the NASCAR fellow), but overall it was good. Given their budget, it ought to be.

There was one quote, during the hypercar film, which made me laugh so much. I'll keep it to myself so as not to risk any spoiling for others.

The one thing those guys do have is brilliant chemistry and that made me happy throughout the programme.

I'll be watching both as I still think there's a place for Top Gear.

[BIG"E"]

Dont forget some of us haven't seen it yet so it would be good not to know everything that happens.

[Banstead Stig]

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

Dont forget some of us haven't seen it yet so it would be good not to know everything that happens.

Fair enough, but I'd always avoid a thread like this in those circumstances!

[Frenchie]

Have seen clips and looks interesting, as said they have great chemistry. So how do I get to watch it for free??.

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by Red Baron

Will be scouring Pirate Bay for a copy to download tomorrow although I'd be amazed if it wasn't already available.

Not seen it yet either but found it online pretty easily, lot of interest so plenty of sources. Saw a few of the trailer clips and looking forward to watching it.

[NL03Scooby]

Watched it this morning via the 'official' service and enjoyed it. A little concerned the mega hype surrounding it would have caused the first instalment to feel a little below par but I think having the three of them presenting together is enough to make it something worth watching.

Looking forward to the next few weeks.

[oldskool]

Originally Posted by Frenchie

Have seen clips and looks interesting, as said they have great chemistry. So how do I get to watch it for free??.

Either buy an android box £40ish from eBay or a amazon fire stick with kodi installed from eBay £50ish or go to Argos and buy an amazon fire stick for £35 and follow directions on web to side load kodi app - pretty easy and takes max half hour with googling etc

Once you have a device with kodi on make sure you have exodus app and the grand tour is there for free in all its glory as well as pretty much any TV) series from Netflix,amazon,sky etc as well as normal TElevision content and the latest cinema releases long before they hit DVD release or sky etc

[Scott.T]

Used the 30 day trial and chromecast from google chrome to the TV from my laptop, so saved the cost of a fire stick.

[munk]

thought it was pretty good to be fare, good to have them back on the box!!

[Red Baron]

Considering it only went live late Thursday night the Sun had a 2 page spread with all the best bits and spoilers on Friday.

I don't buy the Sun by the way, there just happened to be a copy kicking around my daughters work so gave it a quick perusal while I was waiting for her, wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong impression

[BIG"E"]

I watched it earlier as I've bought a firestick throughly enjoyed it...

[Willowsdad]

So good I had to watch it twice. Only because the father in law doesn't have amazon though. I have kodi on the smart tv, but it kept freezing and I couldn't be bothered to wait. So I signed up for the 30 day free trial to see what it's like. Glad to have the lads back on tv, bit weird that it's not Sunday evening viewing anymore though.

[Rdlangy1]

I watched it to - very well done IMO


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nikkinokkinoo]

Next level.

[Frenchie]

Thanks for the information oldskool, I'll order the bits and give it a go. May not work here as we have the slowest Internet speed known to man. Unfortunately as we are so isolated the only company that will supply Internet is Orange (France Telecom) and it travels about 50kms along old overhead wires.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Red Baron

Will be scouring Pirate Bay for a copy to download tomorrow although I'd be amazed if it wasn't already available.

A friend of mine told me that copies were available hours after it was released!

I thought it was a bit stilted in places (but I accept it was the first episode), the "celebrity" segment was a bit drawn out (hopefully that was a one off and won't turn into a drawn out running joke) plus the general format of the show played a bit safer than I was expecting...

...but I still enjoyed it and it seemed a good starting point. I don't think it has quite delivered on the hype yet, but we are only one episode in!

[XRS]

Just caught up with the first two episodes and I'm underwhelmed. The first one was OK but the second one was completely self-indulgent and I started doing other stuff rather than watch.
Not sure I'll bother again if it's going to be like this.

[Banstead Stig]

Originally Posted by XRS

Just caught up with the first two episodes and I'm underwhelmed. The first one was OK but the second one was completely self-indulgent and I started doing other stuff rather than watch.
Not sure I'll bother again if it's going to be like this.

I agree.

The second episode had a couple of good segments, but it got on my wick.

Self indulgent is about right. It's also more aimed at the American audience in my opinion (understandable given the paymaster needs its revenue!).

People criticised the Chris Evans Top Gear, but a number of the episodes were better than this week's Grand Tour in my opinion.

Hopefully they'll settle back into producing some good shows, but this week reminded me why I'd grown weary of Top Gear when it was still Clarkson, Hammond and May.

[Steve_PPP]

Only just got round to watching the second episode. What a load of rubbish

Even the Vulcan bit was a struggle, such an awesome car but they couldn't really let it loose on their tight bumpy track.

Hope it picks up... otherwise it looks a very expensive gamble for Amazon!

[Banstead Stig]

It hasn't really picked up in the next two in my opinion, but I bet you there are still loads of devotees both here and in the US, so it'll be considered a success.

Towards the end of their time on the BBC I had started to lose interest. So far Grand Tour has been more of the same.

There are occasional flashes of brilliance still, so I'm sticking with it. When they get it right, it's still some of the best TV a petrolhead could ask for... I just wish there was a bit more consistency.

Maybe I'm being too harsh and expect too much.

[Scott.T]

Episode 2 has been by far the worst.
3 and 4 were better but they need to lose the fat American and killing celebrities sections.
They should also reign in the 'challenges' as these shows used to be Christmas specials tailored for more than just petrol heads, not every episode.

[Banstead Stig]

I agree with that entirely.

The NASCAR guy and the guests are just running jokes that weren't especially funny in isolation, but keeping them going is simply irritating in my view.

If there were more films like the "holy trinity" and the road trips (in proper cars not "challenge vehicles" then I'd be happier).

As it stands I don't consider it especially any better or worse than the BBC's latest Top Gear effort.

The comment in the last episode about "imagine trying your best and it still being rubbish" (or similar) was brilliantly arrogant and shows how complacent they've become.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Scott.T

Episode 2 has been by far the worst.
3 and 4 were better but they need to lose the fat American and killing celebrities sections.

I'd say you hit the nail square on the head. I thought episode three was the best one of the series thus far and episode four wasn't bad either.

Given the way that the series has been filmed, I assume that most of the features have already been edited and the episodes compiled. I wonder how much can be changed at this point and how much of it will have to wait for season 2?

Originally Posted by Banstead Stig

As it stands I don't consider it especially any better or worse than the BBC's latest Top Gear effort.

Agreed. Considering how much money they have thrown at the Grand Tour, I was expecting a far superior program.

[Steve_PPP]

I'll try and find the time to watch episode 3/4 later this week then.

Also agree it was the proper road trips that were the best in the old Top Gear. Taking the Aston DB9 to Monaco whilst the boys took the bus/eurostar/TGV.
Or the McLaren SLR to Norway... cracking stuff.

[XRS]

I guess the fact I've got episode 4 ready to go but haven't bothered watching yet sums it up. Of course, if I had more time on my hands...... Oh, hang on.....

(retired over 8 years ago if you're wondering)

[Red Baron]

Fully up to date now, Episode 2 was definitely a hiccup, episode 4 was completely stupid but enjoyable to watch, reckon the celebrity deaths will be gone by the next series but as they'd probably all been booked well in advance they had no choice but to go ahead with it, the fat Yank will stay to keep the Americans happy, always have use of the mute button for that bit.

Really want a Hellcat!!!!

[tbtstt]

Watched the two part special. Some amusing moments, but the whole thing was so heavily (and so obviously) scripted that I didn't find it that enjoyable. It was the one thing that plagued the later Top Gear specials and it was something I really hoped they'd fix with the Grand Tour.

[Banstead Stig]

Agreed.

The latest episode was not great.

I'm very disappointed to be honest. I really had high hopes, but I can't really see where the budget has gone.

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by Banstead Stig

I really had high hopes, but I can't really see where the budget has gone.

Catering?

[Ginola]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

Catering?

[Banstead Stig]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

Catering?

Very good!

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

Catering?

Haha! Well played Steve!

I read an interview with Andy Wilman shortly before the first episode was released that touched on the budget; supposedly a lot of the money was spent on the cameras as Amazon insisted the whole thing was shot in 4K.

Thus far the feature James May did on the GT40 has been the only real standout.

[Frenchie]

Has anybody watched this in 4k? and was the definition much better?

[tbtstt]

Just watched episode 9: I'm having trouble deciding if that or episode 2 was the worst of the season. The NSX feature was good, then the episode went rapidly downhill. The last feature was like something from one of the straight to DVD Hammond Christmas specials.

[Red Baron]

If he's not careful The Grand Tour isn't going to make it to Series 2

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40234865

[scooby doo]

Just read this . Not good at all. Least he got out on his own

[SpecB]

Maybe time they got some proper drivers rather than over-rated presenters to do the real driving then?

[Steve_PPP]

Fractured kneecap apparently was the only injury, so he got lucky.

Originally Posted by SpecB

Maybe time they got some proper drivers rather than over-rated presenters to do the real driving then?

I watched the first 4 or 5 episodes of the Grand Tour then just lost interest, haven't seen the rest. Think those three are past their peak these days. In comparison, Chris Harris has rejuvenated Top Gear imo, and i'm enjoying that again (well... until they drag out Eddie Jordan!)

[NL03Scooby]

Hammonds wife my be getting sick of having to see him in hospital after a car accident...

He has also dumped a Noble in the kitty litter at Imola I think it was and smashed up a F-Type Jag in a DVD special at Mugello. It's proof these faster cars could do with a decent driver like Chris Harris when being pushed on the telly.

Has anyone seen the video of the accident, he was so fast it almost looks like brake failure going in to the bend, but I'm presuming it was just him.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Red Baron

If he's not careful The Grand Tour isn't going to make it to Series 2

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40234865

It's going to take some drama to make season 2 watchable, though driving off a hill is a bit much!

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

I watched the first 4 or 5 episodes of the Grand Tour then just lost interest, haven't seen the rest. Think those three are past their peak these days. In comparison, Chris Harris has rejuvenated Top Gear imo, and i'm enjoying that again (well... until they drag out Eddie Jordan!)

I watched the whole of The Grand Tour, but the last few episodes were a chore: I must have skipped at least half of each.

Aside from the return of Eddie ****ing Jordan, I thought the second season of "new" Top Gear was a massive improvement. Hopefully TGT can do the same!