I've seen both episodes so far and the season is off to a roaring start. The star who drove their reasonably priced car in Episode 1 was Alice Cooper, whose taste in cars heavily favors those that can turn neither left <span style="text-decoration: underline">nor</span> right. The second episode alone has guest appearances from David Coulthard, Mark Webber, Rubens Barrichello, Christian Horner, Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone <span style="font-style: italic">(whew!)</span>. Sebastian Vettel is rumored to be making a surprise visit in Episode 3.
And I think they've tweaked the format just a bit. In the first episode, the Hamster provided more of the dialogue than he usually does, and his motoring commentary was more critical. Second episode, it was Captain Slow's round in the barrel. You've never heard May get so riled up over anything, and then he wouldn't let go of it. So I expect to see the weight shifting among the three of them as a matter of routine. Clarkson still will be the ringmaster, of course, but it appears the other two now are responsible for producing an increased share of the show's sizzle.
So far, it is as consistently funny as any series I can remember -- in chuckles per minute -- but I haven't laughed so hard that my tears wet my shirt, no "Stig as baby Jesus" moment ...yet. But that could be because the previous 16 seasons has left me a bit jaded, I'm not so easy to take by surprise any more.
Episode 1 airs on BBC America on 22 August but each episode can be found through the ...<span style="font-style: italic">ahem</span> ...usual Internet resources the day after it airs on the Beeb.
And I think they've tweaked the format just a bit. In the first episode, the Hamster provided more of the dialogue than he usually does, and his motoring commentary was more critical. Second episode, it was Captain Slow's round in the barrel. You've never heard May get so riled up over anything, and then he wouldn't let go of it. So I expect to see the weight shifting among the three of them as a matter of routine. Clarkson still will be the ringmaster, of course, but it appears the other two now are responsible for producing an increased share of the show's sizzle.
So far, it is as consistently funny as any series I can remember -- in chuckles per minute -- but I haven't laughed so hard that my tears wet my shirt, no "Stig as baby Jesus" moment ...yet. But that could be because the previous 16 seasons has left me a bit jaded, I'm not so easy to take by surprise any more.
Episode 1 airs on BBC America on 22 August but each episode can be found through the ...<span style="font-style: italic">ahem</span> ...usual Internet resources the day after it airs on the Beeb.
