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Richard Porter (1)

Autore di Crap Cars

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7 opere 291 membri 13 recensioni

Opere di Richard Porter

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Written by the script editor for the series - the good bits are its an easy read, is geuinely funny in places, and it is genuinely interesting reading how much went into the shows. The book started off very amusing but (like my experience with the tv series really) it got childish and a bit boorish in places; delighting in the infantile. My impression was that the show was often set up when they were making out stuff happened unexpectedly. Sometimes this was actually the case and other times not. Either way, the tv series lost appeal for me when they focused more on their "specials" - featuring a race against time or each other, or some other fake jeopardy. Apparently though the races were often just that - races. And any fill in shots from different angles and so on were recorded after the event, not during (which really would have made them fake). So he says, anyway.

The chapter on getting Schumacher to dress as The Stig prompted me to go and find it on YouTube. He describes MS behind the scenes as being expressionless while being briefed on what they'd like him to do and they wondered if he was ok with it all...but then came to the conclusion he was really just very focused and taking it all in, analysing exactly what was expected and the best way to do it.

In reality he probably thought he was "above all this childish crap and let's get it done and I can go".

The last chapter, giving his impressions of what went on when Clarkson got sacked and the show ended is odd, in a way - the book details what a great time everyone had, although they worked hard, and what good blokes the 3 presenters are...but the last chapter he sounds relieved it was all over and peeved at Clarkson for his half arsed apology to the staff after the event without going into why it was a relief the show was finishing. I guess when you might be after a job in the future you're not going to be too critical.

So a mildly diverting read - probably more so if you're a die hard fan, which I wasn't really - and genuinely funny in places. No real dirt dished, a few stories he has probably told at parties many times over, and (and this turned me off the book a bit) the delighting in the stupid, destructive and thoughtless. The only things that he isn't pleased about are the odd episodes where the ideas just didn't work as well as they hoped.
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Flip_Martian | 5 altre recensioni | Dec 7, 2019 |
And on that Bombshell is a look back at the golden years of Top Gear from 2002 to the disastrous events of 2015 by the series script editor Richard Porter. As a big fan of the show I enjoyed the book immensely. As you might expect from a show writer, the book is just as witty and silly as the series was as it dives into the history of the show and how it became a global phenomenon. I loved hearing about the origin of the Stig and how the show managed to put stars in their reasonably priced car. It also answers the one question I always had about the series - yes the three presenters are basically the same in real life as you see them on tv. Overall it was a wonderful, nostalgic look back at Top Gear that made me want to go watch some reruns. This is definitely a must read for fans of the show.

I listened to the audio book narrated by Ben Elliot.
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Narilka | 5 altre recensioni | Mar 24, 2019 |
For a big Top Gear fan, this book was fantastic. Each short chapter focuses on one aspect of the show: cars, presenters, a special show. The author was the script editor for thirteen years on the show and had a close relationship with the presenters and crew. The insider's view of how the show was made and how the people worked together was great.
 
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Pferdina | 5 altre recensioni | May 13, 2018 |
In my attempt to capture everything of the Clarkson/Hammond/May Top Gear years, I had to have this book. Why? It has the words ‘literally’ and ‘exploding’ on the cover. It’s also written by Richard Porter, who authors some pretty funny stuff. But this is not reeaaaaaalllllllly about Top Gear itself, it’s more of a self-depreciating humorous look at Britain with some pictures of the trio and the odd car or three. It’s definitely funny in places, but I don’t think it’s a definitive must buy for the hard-core Top Gear fan.

It’s also a bit confusing as to who is the audience for this book. Top Gear merchandise spans a wide range of ages, from picture books and dot to dot to books with no pictures for adults. I can see a Top Gear fan who doesn’t read all that much enjoying this book, any British person who enjoys a laugh at the vagaries of their country or teenage boys having fun. I guess it carries on the fact that Top Gear is quintessentially British, from James May’s endless cups of tea to Jeremy’s Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag. There’s no in depth look at any particular cars but rather an A to Z of Britain, starting with A1, The and ending with Zesty. It’s light hearted and gives you a giggle or three. There’s few digs at Australian and British rivalry in sport and comparisons between the British and other European nations. One thing that annoyed me was the crazy stock pictures – I don’t know why, it’s not logical! More Top Gear pics please!

It’s an easy read, and one I picked up on late nights or while grabbing a bite to eat. It would be a good rainy day read or for someone who doesn’t read that much.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
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birdsam0610 | Jun 12, 2016 |

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Opere
7
Utenti
291
Popolarità
#80,411
Voto
4.0
Recensioni
13
ISBN
50
Lingue
3

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