Top Gear

Recently I discovered British show Top Gear (Saturday nights on our SBS network) and I'm loving it. In a nutshell (and from the SBS website because, when it comes to blurbing, why tinker with the experts who market the show?): "TOP GEAR is a high octane mix of performance cars, adrenalin, comedy and celebrities. The hugely popular motoring magazine test drives and brutally appraises the world's most popular cars with startling honesty, along with celebrity laps, irreverent wraps and breathtaking stunts and driving."

Before you ask, no I am not a secret revhead. I like a nice car as much as the next person, but if I were writing a "these are a few of my favourite things" list, then the only horse-power listed would be the hooved kind. But Top Gear is now one of my favourite TV indulgences.

At first I thought it would be good research, since the guys often test the kind of high-end, expensive cars driven by Desire heroes these days. The vision of a sleek Mercedes flying along a German autobahn might have provided the initial motivation but I stayed for the entertainment. I love the witty banter between the three presenters and the intelligent good-humoured snark, but I've also learned a lot about boys and their toys and the whole male-buddies interaction thing. And that human touch is excellent research for a romance writer.

Is there a show that you found unexpectedly entertaining this year? That surprised or delighted you?

Labels: boys toys, TV

posted by Bronwyn Jameson @ 8:50 AM

Comments:

Bron! You've only just discovered TOP GEAR??? Where have you been? (Oh, yeah. That's right. Deadline.)

I love this show for all the reasons you stated but mostly because it's where I get my heroes cars from for my books. And I have the advantage of knowing how they handle. I usually keep a notepad and pen handy when I'm watching. In fact I think I might keep a specific TOP GEAR notebook handy for info on my favourites :-)

posted by

Yvonne Lindsay : 6:40 AM

So, we won't see any of yr heroes driving Alfa's then? *g*

posted by

Bronwyn Jameson : 7:37 AM

LOL! Um, no!

posted by

Yvonne Lindsay : 7:43 AM

Bron

I've watched the show a couple of times and it is really entertaining.

I recently got sent a magazine by mistake which was 'car' mag. Anyway flicked through it last night it has all the names of the 'top' cars, cost and engine size etc.

I will definitely be keeping the magazine for research for what cars my heroes drive.

Oh to be able to afford just one of those cars. LOL

Nicki

posted by

Just Nicki : 12:06 PM

Hey Nicki. Isn't research for our books the best fun? I'd love one day to just RIDE in one of these cars...oh, okay, maybe I'd prefer to drive because I'm not much of a passenger. (Control issues, who me?) Speaking of which I'm having fun with a big, tough alpha (as opposed to Alfa, LOL) in my wip who HATES being a passenger. Even on a plane.

posted by

Bronwyn Jameson : 3:31 PM

Hey Bron, I love top gear, too. And so does my 8 year old daughter - who I am pretty sure is not in it for the research1 Go figure!

Cheers, Imelda

posted by

Imelda : 4:51 PM

Hey Imelda. Isn't it interesting that your daughter loves Top Gear. I'm pretty sure she's not the usual demographic but I reckon she shows excellent taste. :-)

posted by

Bronwyn Jameson : 7:10 PM

Bron,

In my last job my boss was a property developer who had made a few good deals ;-)

Anyway a few days before he left for his 8 week US/European holiday he picked up a Ferrari and a Maserati!

I had a ride in the Maserati but not the Ferrari. It was pretty good to ride in. Pity he didn't know how to handle staff. Can't really say he was an "Alpha". Although he did have some alpha tendencies towards family.

Will have to just keep having the 'lotto' dream. LOL

posted by

Just Nicki : 11:53 PM

Ooh nice, Nicki. (On the car, not the boss who couldn't handle staff.) Ric drives a Maserati in Vows & A Vengeful Groom. If only I'd known, you could have given me some first-hand knowledge.

posted by

Bronwyn Jameson : 8:03 AM