The one hundred fourteenth show: #636 Top Gear
I've struggled to decide how many episodes of this I need to watch. I've seen more than plenty over the years (with the main original presenter group, which is what the book was obviously still going for) and watching more episodes I think I'm there anyway.
I don't care that much for cars. This is sacrilege in my family (well, not quite, but it's true I never really took after my father that way, although I still neared some things because of it). But then, you need to for this show anyway - it might go into some detail, but that's a small part of the show and they know it. You get your car news and all that, but it's set up about the banter between Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. It's laddish, often aimed at cutting each other down and usually amusing, but the vague elitism and resulting insults feel a bit much - aiming at a masculine audience that probably doesn't apply as much ten years on. And that's why I stop caring. We saw something similar in Infinite Challenge, but there's it's so much less about showing up each other and instead about being amusing.
And that's what's off putting. There are some good segments that are incredibly entertaining and most of it is probably fine, but I just can't get past that. I mean, they're at their best when the attitude is pierced, but it doesn't quite get there. It's a worthwhile watch and quite fun at times, but I'm at the point where I feel I can't stomach as much of it.