As for the topic at hand.
I used to like TG mag, but now I don't - because they've latched onto the idea that they can report on stories that are in the TV series and just expand them a bit - they are so commercialised now. Early 90's was when TG was good. I have an issue with Jezza actually doing a road test (yes - in the magazine) on 200mph+ cars, and it was a damn sight more insightful that the stuff that they throw in these days. Peel away the ads for expensive adult brands and you'd be right in saying it was aimed at tweens. The books are really the same - as well as all the other merch. I was wandering through the mall aimlessly trying to look fro christmas prezzies, and the amount of Stig twaddle that was on sale is horrible. Stig mugs (passable) - Plastic, distorted 1/4 size Stig helmet shaped TG DVD holder - not so passable.
I honestly wouldn't be suprised if they bought out a Stig colouring-in book, which would take less time to complete than initially anticipated.
I think series 7 was when it started to slide. Series 5 was awesome. The cars and comedy were there in equal measure. Now its more aimed at pleasing those who didn't really have an interest in cars but like TG. There was a time when the words "newton meters" and "foot pound of.." were mentioned with the engine specs, but now all we're given is "a million torques". Come on Jezza - you can't just all of a sudden forget what torque the engine specs are calibrated in. Its all for fear that the not so interested people will go away (and will miss the big bang explosion finale at the end of the show) because "boring stuff" is being said about cars. What they need to do is take it back to series 5 (no less - the music and pp wasn't as good before, and nor was the stories) and have a proper car show instead of this "look at out big budget - good luck finding 5th gear doing this" attitude.
Phew....[/rant]
Get me an EVO - stat.
