Top Gear - ambitious but rubbish?

World's most popular TV show about cars, Top Gear, just finished it's 13th season. Seven Sunday evenings about speed, madness and a good laugh. But have TG lost ambition or are they simply rubbish?

Years back, when Top Gear became more entertaining rather than factual, producers been pushing all what's possible to the limits. But looks like the last, 13th season, was the limit.

Jeremy Clarkson is best when it all comes to the cars. Speed, burning rubber and explosions. But looks like credit crunch has affected the 'speed' side a bit. Car manufacturers are struggling with expensive car sales. On the other hand the oil prices have droped a bit. But one of the TG features - supercars - been forgotten a bit. Yes, the baby Aston Martin V12 Vantage in the last episode was something epic but was all the 'speed' section lacking ambition? Epic film about the last Lamborghini Murcielago from Richard Hammond brought a tear. Racing against McLaren SLR 722 is what TG is all about - things that 'just happen'. Think in other way - how many TV shows about cars can afford such a thing. Getting hands on Bugatti, McLaren, Koenigsegg and other supercars - even you won't ever own one - at least you'll have a chance to enjoy the sound and performance from your telly screen.

Earlier have been writting about what should 13th season look like. And all that impressions been based on information gathered from TG itself (TG magazine and tg.com). And expectations been really high. When am looking back now - you can't remember a bad season. Each one was better than previous. But looks like number 13 wasn't lucky.

Going through all seven episodes doesn't give you a strong feeling about the series - there's been only few films that have stuck in you head. Not a lot to remember or maybe it was because you've been sleeping on Sunday evenings that early?

I don't say TG lost taste for cars - there's something lacking to remember the series. Maybe through the year audience got used to supercars so much that we don't notice simple things any more? I mean, Bugatti against McLaren F1 - two most stunning cars made up to date - it's typical TopGear. Bring the best and put it to the limit. And till haven't opened an old TG magazine haven't remembered that race actually.

Looking for the best car for 17 year old, finding the best small car or looking for the best rear-wheel drive car - just a few challenges in the series. TopGear is pioneering in things like these but something is missing. Challenges been much more interesting in previous series and much more attractive.

One of the films I really liked was race between new Porsche Panamera and a letter. During these films you really get excited. Well, not always because you're curious who'll be the first but because of the new exciting car on the market. And Panamera is one of those cars. I haven't liked it when saw it for the first time till have watched that film. Yes, it's still ugly, but it's growing on me.

The same story lays behind the new Jaguar XF. For years Jaguar was a car for Prime ministers and dantists. And it seemed they have been stuck in the same year. And not once this was brought up by James May. But the new XJ is something completely different. If you're not a fan of old Jaguar - have a look at the new XJ. It's impossible not to fall in love with it. And I did. I'd choose the new XJ rather than BMW M3.

BMW is best in making a hot hatchback. It's in their blood. And now Jaguar finds a penny to put it's nose on the market. Quiet often you don't get the idea of some cars but TopGear brings the sence. Or shall we say shows lack of it?

The latest episode featured a film about making an add for new VW Scirocco. Have to admit been waiting for this one quiet much. Well, yes, it's one of the most beautifull hatchbacks on the market but it's not about testing the speed or car itself (not in TG standarts). Making an add for it is something different. And looks like Clarkson and May gots the whole add industry completely wrong. Maybe they get the idea of how to do that but it's TG - it won't be serious ever. It has to be fun and entertaining.

And sometimes you could feel that TG became a show for show. Well, they wasn't in 'factual' way for a long time but in few episodes it was clear - a good laugh is more important than few decent facts. And that's the other thing - ratings. During the first episode, when Stig's identity was 'revealed', ratings been high. But don't think other six episodes been anywhere close those numbers.

Guests in reasonably priced car was something you could enjoy. Especially when Michael McIntyre turned up. A good laugh in natural way - you couldn't not to nejoy that. But on the other hand - some of the 'guests' aren't the ones you'd love to see. Don't regret that it's hard to get them on the show at all but it's not always about how famous they are. Maybe it's time to get a bit down and just look for simple and nice things. I mean people.

But one thing I can't get out of my head is the age. Jeremy is almost 50, May is 46 and Hammond will turn 40 soon. They aren't the same they used to be. They can't do the same things and you can feel they are slowing down a bit. Not one time this been brought into daylight and there's even suggestions about who should and could replace them. But the TG we have now is only because those three guys are on. If someone would replace them, or at least one of them, it would be different. But maybe TG needs new blood?

So far everything doesn't look that good. Nothing much to remember and this brings only bad vision for upcomming series. But rumours about TG recreating Italian Job brings a light. Maybe next season won't be lacking ambition. And maybe not all supercars will be gone till November...