Top Gear 2004-2014 and Wheeler Dealers Past & Present

[grenade]

Clarkson, Hammond & May through that era? Awesome. Funny- informative and silly as all hell. Trendsetting, stupid and timeless. POP CULTURE WIN.

It even caused me to watch some of the other shite they've done like .... oh Jeez- the one Hammond did about Jobs or something and the one that May did about taking things apart. A mechano bridge or something.

Whatever- I liked it. Newer top gear with Harris and whomever else? Nah. Then they got Matt LeBlanc, yeah, ok... better but...  still yawn. The USA Top Gear in it's current iteration?  Who the fuck is Tom wookie Ford and that ghastly American with the Zombie face? Jeeze that guy is hard to watch and as dry as a popcorn fart.

I don't watch it anymore. But I still drag out the DVD collection of the cool trio. The first version of American Top gear was kinda cool because I know those idiots. At least from comedy and racing anyway. They were cancelled. Big budget, true TG fans were a little turned off when they were basically rehashing shows and ideas that the original trio had already done. It's been gone for at least 3 years, maybe 4.

On now to Wheeler Dealers...

 There Seems to be a big internet hatred of these guys. Last year on Twitter, I had to watch as Brewer defended himself and the show, it's history and their abilities as well as their personal safety of all things, for MONTHS on end. Every day. Morning noon and night- he fought. and fought. Always with kindness and facts, dare I say- even being polite. That's a Brit I tell 'ya because I would have been cursing and very upset at some of the things they were saying.

I've been known to be very shouty. He was not. He maintained composure. I chimed in and defended where I could, albeit briefly. I've seen it again lately on the intersuck with the MR2 episode of WD that just aired in the states. (I'm on my way downstairs with a beer in a minute, to enjoy the show) It's in the MR2 groups on the TOILETFACEbook. I've been waiting for them to do an SW20, they'd done a version of an AW11 before, but it was a long time ago.

I was and still AM looking forward to it.

  The FB MR2 groups are full of ... well - let's put it like this- The MR2 culture in the states is not the same as in the UK, and that's how I found TwoBrutal and a whole group of cool, real car guys that could teach us yanks a few things.

So on the USA based MR2 groups- Might as well cause cancer. Effing pointless assholes, most of them. The Forums? Same shit. Like a very bad, painful rash that won't go away unless you never speak to them online. Ever.

Did you guys know, there's a picture of a young Mike & Edd peering into the engine bay of an MR2 with a V6 in it? It's on TwoBrutal I think. These guys go WAY BACK.

So- without offending anyone, and actually I'm American so I probably don't give a shit if someone's millennial crybox goes off- I posted this on a FB post-

If you haven't seen it:

"I'll never understand the hatred of these guys. 15 years ago when I started watching them (W Edd of course- but Ant is skilled too) on BBC cable- I thought "Well this is fun and these guys buy and sell, plus fix up low buck cars for some profit".

Now, if you put a dollar amount on the labor, the word "profit" is debatable- AND YES The cars of today are higher dollar, but hey- so are the ones WE buy and drive. But I take it for what it is- (and so should each and every one of you- I mean, where's YOUR TV show where YOU SHOW US how it's done?)

It's just a car show that is entertaining. It's just a TV show. It's entertaining. Brewer is a REAL car dealer and has been for 30+ years, I've spoken with him a couple times. Ant is a top shelf car restorer and a former cop. Plus- The TV show itself sent me a crew only T shirt last year through twitter. Who cares if they "get it wrong" based on your opinion? Who cares if they say or do something you don't approve of? It's just a show and for it to be renewed again for the thrid year after Edd left- says that millions of people WANT to see it. But hey- maybe I'm wrong. The biggest USA Car auction TV production Barrett Jackson uses them all the time. That must be because they lack skill, car knowledge & charisma and can't really put on a show..."

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I don't know shit.

I've been wrong before.

Let's hear all the reasons why these guys, these shows carry the stigma they do. ??

Maybe this thread will progress to the Amazon Grand Tour...

??

[manitou]

Mikes just grating. Ant is good to watch, Edd was just a bit better. Mike and Edd started the show from a really basic thing, mike is not liked because right or wrong, people have the impression that he cut Edd out for selfish reasons. No one likes a selfish cunt that cuts the people out that helped them get to where they are.


That Clarkson is a real spoiled fat cunt. But was an entertaining spoiled fat cunt, just an arsehole of a man I reckon. That show had really run its course, the old episodes are great and I watched most of them - but the format was just worn through to the bone and was boring.

[grenade]

Ok, fair enough. I'm under the impression that Edd left because he wanted to change the format of the show, with timeframes showcasing more actual work. His visions let's not forget were the Comfy banana couch thing and that polka dot wrapped Pacer or whatever it was.

The show made a deal with I believe the discovery networks ie; Velocity channel and they were not interested in crazy, fun Edd indulging. They wanted it to be exactly as it is now. As I understand it, when he couldn't get what he wanted, (for example= more of the complete restoration of that ancient horseless carriage thing that nearly put me to sleep) An agreement couldn't be met so it was up to him that he left the show. I've heard it explained from both sides and this is what I take away from it. Like you say, right or wrong the internet is full of kooks that just spout off to cause a heated discussion.

Yeah, me too. lol
haha

I agree that Top Gear had run it's course. Nobody wanted to believe that it was over, so they've all subscribed to Amazon Prime Video so they could see the last remnants of an old trio of well worn presenters. Me too. I think they have this upcoming season remaining and that's it. Old JC is going to some stupid game show. Pffft.. I hope he shows up drunk, pisses in the corner and punches a guest. That's how he should go out, not like an elderly personality fading off into the twilight.. James May should become a boring ass professor at a college that produces boring ass professors. Hammond should get into off roading trucks and race until his story ends with a few broken bones, and an endless string of retirements from racing.

[manitou]

Edd's an eccentric thats for sure, his more out there ideas probably needed their own outlet - WD had a format, but he was likeable ad good to watch.

I guess what really put people off side with mike is that he is pretty active on social media and very vocal with his opinion, making snippy comments on Edd's youtube videos is really childish for a person in his position. Childish people may say? pretty rich coming from me? Yeah, I'm just some pleb who has on audience of one - or maybe two if someone somewhere reads this (probably mike telling me to *(%& $ and try to block me!!) But whats really telling is mikes comments about money and being rich - if money is your main motivator you're going to end up cold and alone in my opinion. Money doesn't buy happiness, but it sure does buy a lot of cool shit to have fun with - but if no one is there to share it with you or those that are there are only in it for the ride its going to end in tears and snot.

mike took the show away from the two guys who started it off with a dream and a lot of effort - Attaboy productions, they got cut right out and left by the side of the road. Toad of toad hall can go enjoy all the fat of the lamb he wants now.

It wasn't a bad episode of the SW on WD, the new mechanic is good, mike still is the classic used car salesman who is full of shit and cliche - saaays a lot of words that sort of sound right to someone who isn't too sure about the subject but some of his shit is just that. When you have 'mature' (old) people saying on social media that they met him at a car show and all he could do when ask is say nasty stuff about his former workmate and appeared nasty and bitter - its a common recurring theme.

A nice little video of that fat little furburger has him saying, "I get a lot of people asking the daft question - keep doing it, I'll keep blocking and deleting ya, he's not here, he's on youtube, if you want Edd he's not here - not with me, I don't work with him - I'll never work with him again, so keep asking and I'll keep blocking and deleting ya"

I just think he's a nasty fat furburger. Youtube is great, can skip all his parts.

[grenade]

Wow, didn't know he was being a cunt about it, I missed all that. I simply never saw that side. I only watched a couple clips and I'd seen stuff on twitter but nothing conveyed that message, aside from him being berated over and over. I know he drinks, so I bet he got fed up and told people to sod off.
I used to say "Sometimes I think I need a Breathalyzer on my keyboard" hahaha Him too, I bet!

[manitou]

because I have some sort of ocd shizzle (I guess thats why or maybe im just a furburger) I had a look on the ever infallible interwebz about some more china/brewer stuff.

This page made me laugh a lot.. is-a-furburger.com/category/mike-brewer/ and this one is-a-furburger.com/2017/12/mike-brewer-2/ - here's a comment someone made that nearly made me wee wee... (you'll have to edit furburger out with the capital C word)

"Basement Bob on December 28, 2017 at 11:06 am said:

Mike Brewer is an utter furburger who has created a new breed if furburgers which you will encounter should you ever sell a used car.
This is the furburger that will offer you around 60% if your asking price as he wants to be “a wheeler dealer”.
In reality, turning up to view a car and behaving like Brewer does on screen is likely to get you a punch in the face or a size 10 up the shitter.
Give wheeler dealing a try at Fattys used cars and see how you get on;

www.mikebrewermotors.com

The maths never truly works out and there is always items withheld from the calculations in order to show profit such as the shiny new brakes or new tyres fitted to the freshly painted wheels that didn’t get mentioned.
Ed’s part however was true mechanics and the most interesting part of the show. Quite a clever innovative guy in my opinion, where Brewer is just a fat dick.
Ed’s replacement is a wooden furburger. He did a car show on Ch4 or 5 with him from Ashes to ashes and I thought pretty poor.
The non tech furburger always ruins the show though, just look at that Car SOS where that Radio knob Tim Shaw takes up too much space in the show leaving the mechanic little airtime"


I'll see what other gems I can unearth

[grenade]

While it's amusing- I totally disagree with every bit of what that guy said.

[manitou]

Oct 14, 2018 11:17:19 GMT grenade said:

While it's amusing- I totally disagree with every bit of what that guy said.

Oh yeah, wasn't saying he was right or wrong - make me laugh until it hurt.

[grenade]

I can honestly say that watching many years of car shows on TV- I have learned a lot of tips and tricks. I've seen specialty tools (pardon the pun) lol and saved myself time, money and effort by using what I've learned. The freaking nut rivet tool for one- that thing is amazing! I'd seen that on an episode of Roadkill several years ago, that instantly made my fabrication projects better.
I've learned some specifications on fast cars from Top Gear and I've learned a few details about several different makes and models of cars from watching Wheeler Dealers.

I didn't learn how to sell a car from WD though. I studied sales back in the middle 90's and basic principles still apply today. What they do on that show is mostly bullshit/fake entertainment scenarios. It's still fun to watch. I do wish there was something new that captures my attention in the car culture. I might subscribe to the motor trend network because I like the guys that are on the channel, they really know their stuff and are true petrolheads. It's a monthly sub thing, I'll look into it once the big move is completed. New garage coming soon...

Maybe it'll make my youtube channel better- nah, I'm almost bored of that too haha

[martin42006]

Just weighing in my 2p.
As with many other people i loved the old top gear but the new guys just dont have the same atmosphere and i cant watch them. The Grand Tour season 1 was pretty poor but watchable. season 2 was miles better and seems like they are really finding their feet now fingers crossed season 3 is as good if not better.

With WD though i used watch a few of them but i always felt that the work was lacking, not due to lack of skills from Edd but most likely due to restraints from Mike and the producers. If you look back at alot of their earlier cars they got scrapped fairly quickly after selling with some never even getting sold.
I can appreciate selling cars for a profit required scrimping on a couple of things but i dont believe that the work should be as poor as it was on some of them, especially when they sold a car as an off-roader becuse it was too rusty to get an MOT on (as if they didnt know the rust was there untill it failed the MOT) thats the kind of thing that put me off and i personally wouldnt trust any of their work. Makes you wonder how much they hide.
But most car shows on TV are alot of the same and not actually aimed at people who want to watch the spannering.

[manitou]

We should request a show that features all of our favourite hosts, Mike brewer, Tim shaw, Clarkson (he's very entertaining to watch though, nah cross him off)

Nah just a show with mike brewer and Tim shaw - two dickburgers that talk shit and get nothing done, great show!

Here's an album that they can use for their theme tunes...

[grenade]

Hahahaha that's disgusting!

[grenade]

FAST FORWARD TO 2023! I'm now 7yrs into my own car show on a youtube channel. (Along with 10million other "wanna be" and "has been" car presenters) and I no longer watch top gear or grand tour, not even sure if they're still on TV. Wheeler dealers is only in reruns near as I can tell. I'd still watch it but purely out of nostalgia's sake.
Edd China has a show called Workshop diaries and it's him and Paul Brackley, they do alright but it puts me to sleep, yet I click on it when I'm on the couch.
Even the famous Gas Monkey Garage has been fired & regulated to you tube these days, although he's got a million subscribers.
I did unplug the cable box and only watch streaming internet shows on my TV in the living room these days. What a savings over cable! For now anyway... fuckers.

I subscribed to the Motortrend network of shows and it's mostly good stuff but they've started to insert bull$hit cartoons and media driven rhetoric in the newer shows- PLUS they've cancelled a few of the shows that literally helped make them viable. Guess what? They've put them on you tube and even the OLD EPISODES are blowing the new shows out of the water where views are concerned.

Om my channel that I produce 99.9% of the content alone- I've learned that it's insanely difficult to get into the new algorythym and subsequently I'm still poor/skint LOL
But I do it for the love of engines & related things. Find the projects- get them in the garage, order parts, DO the actual work and film it all. Then do the editing and the production- IT'S A LOT.

But here we are and it's all still fun. HOORAY. Now go get a beer and watch TV