View Full Version : The BBC should make a Top Gear for Bikes! (facebook group)
with some comments from me... (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32205011556)
Is it a good idea? Would bikers get together to support any serious effort?
Or would we just all argue about the content?
droid
04-10-2009, 01:26 PM
The latter.
As long as that cretin Berry wasn't involved I'd watch it though...:D
4_stroke
04-10-2009, 06:22 PM
The latter.
As long as that cretin Berry wasn't involved I'd watch it though...:D
Now thats the problem.
No decent presenters out there. Even car programs struggle when you see the crap that is pitched against Top Gear.
John Hopkins
04-10-2009, 06:31 PM
I think it's a great idea, and if we all argue about the content so what, that will just make it controversial.
I would like to see some of the older bikes reviewed, if fact all the older bikes.
John
Metal Ken
04-10-2009, 07:25 PM
I think it would appeal to a lot of people, they should give it a shot on something like BBC3 or some other channel? and see how it goes from there, i know that's how a few popular shows have been launched and built up popularity, and even if it is not too poular it's bount to get more viewers than half the programs they show.
Ken
droid
04-10-2009, 08:07 PM
Hammond and May would do a perfectly good job, IMHO.
I will watch such a programme as long as Steve Berry is not allowed anywhere near it.
Pils1969
04-10-2009, 10:13 PM
Hammond and May would do a perfectly good job, IMHO.
Wonder if Suzi Perry would be available, too? Also, what about the young lady who presented a show about celebrities & their bikes?
John Hopkins
05-10-2009, 12:18 AM
Wonder if Suzi Perry would be available, too? Also, what about the young lady who presented a show about celebrities & their bikes?
What about Jo Brand or any other good looking bird?
John
Pils1969
05-10-2009, 02:02 AM
What about Jo Brand or any other good looking bird?
John
Or even trying to get Maureen from driving school through her CBT. Now that would make good TV :D
What if someone else made it? What if someone had a good idea for a pilot program?;) Would you all support it?
johnr
05-10-2009, 07:24 AM
nah, it would be w@nk, every fecking week it would be 'this weeks latest fastest bestest sports bike', or 'shiney harley tat', and thats the lot. it would end up fronted by some smiley faced pretty boys and girls who never rode a bike before, and would be as fecking dull as ditchwater. lots of video clips of some dingbat riding a 200mph sports bike at 20mph behind an estate car, and then doing a messy overtake, and ad-nauseum clips of some inexperienced would be tv star constantly circulating roundabouts trying to get their knees down. no shots of speed or fun or any kind of excess. and everyone who ever presented it would be constantly trying to be as outspoken or obnoxious as clarkson just to try and make a name for themselves. it would be a total and utter crock. and i cant see who would watch it except for the weekend shiney leather boys and the teenaged spotty wannabees.
johnr
05-10-2009, 07:25 AM
What if someone else made it? What if someone had a good idea for a pilot program?;) Would you all support it?
that would be a no!
Hillbilly Deluxe
05-10-2009, 07:52 AM
It would have to cover everything from show bikes to twist and go's to gain a wide audience.It would also need a celeb' to host it unfortunately.I think something along the lines of pimp my ride for bikes mixed with 5th gear could be kind of cool.IMO.
lowrider
05-10-2009, 08:33 AM
I have no doubt that the idea has been pitched before.
But instead of a group why don't someone give it a go and sort a pitch out:D
OLDMAX
05-10-2009, 10:59 AM
Got to agree with John R, a deffinate NO. It would be total shit and the 100% style biker would'nt get a look in .
Bad enough having MCN on sale without putting the fuckers on tele!
Dean
I have no doubt that the idea has been pitched before.
But instead of a group why don't someone give it a go and sort a pitch out:D
;) Someone is....
;) Someone is....
Hope you've got serious backing and bloody good insurance ... ;)
Me and Veg looked into doing summat like this and found the costs prohibitive ... majorly prohibitive.
lowrider
06-10-2009, 09:23 AM
;) Someone is....
I wouldn't mind a chat about pitching for TV progs in general.
Not this one just something i am working on but struggling to understand the process.
All details of the progs need not be spoke about of course,simply the process.;)
I posted this elsewhere, I'm pushing this really hard now, and getting a bit fed up with repeating myself.
We are going to keep our format close to our chest for the moment, but we do realise that we have to appeal across the board.
The hardest part is getting past the negativity of most bikers, a lot would rather just dismiss the idea rather than supporting it, just because it might not be to their liking. FTW, isnt that our attitude? Then lets get behind someone who wants to get off their arse and try, not slag off the attempt!
Bikers are notorious for not working together to a common cause, basically we are all loners, just for once why dont we say, "It might not be what I want to see, but if it promotes biking and bikers lets do it!"
Got to agree with John R, a deffinate NO. It would be total shit and the 100% style biker would'nt get a look in .
Bad enough having MCN on sale without putting the fuckers on tele!
Dean
How do you know it will be shit? And as for 100% style bikers, have you seen our website?
What is this with bikers dismissing it out of hand without even trying, no wonder we are persecuted, we are such easy targets, because we even dont get out there and try.
Think on this, motorcycle programs are getting more popular, even if they are not the type that you like, they are getting air time, the more that do; the more likely it is that one will get made that you like.
Dont dismiss it out of hand without finding out more about it.
Hope you've got serious backing and bloody good insurance ... ;)
Me and Veg looked into doing summat like this and found the costs prohibitive ... majorly prohibitive.
Bank robbery is looking good.....;)
John Hopkins
06-10-2009, 12:46 PM
It would also need a celeb' to host it unfortunately.
I don't think it would.
If it was popular the presenter would become a celeb.
Saw something on Men And Motors last night, showed the Brighton seafront meet and a bit of the Ace Cafe.
Could expand on that and show other biker meets, Rallies, The Ponderosa, The Oasis, and many others, Talk to bikers about their machines, show a few rideouts, get the love of biking transmitted to the public, show people that they don't have to spend sixteen grand to enjoy the country. Certainly enough to fill a series without even needing to show a single new bike or even do a road test.
You could even show some overweight bikers and call it Whales on a motorbike.
John
johnr
06-10-2009, 02:20 PM
I posted this elsewhere, I'm pushing this really hard now, and getting a bit fed up with repeating myself.
sorry mate, i dont know you , so dont take this too personally. but if you want to do it, then go ahead and do it. if it works, then yahoo for you and if it falls on its arse, then we were right. you seem to be almost seeking approval from us lot and then moaning when you dont get it. if this is your latest idea to get rich and famous, then i see no reason why you should expect us all to start blowing bubbles up your arse before you go and do it. personally i think its doomed to fail, you obviously personally feel that its your ticket to stardom and worldwide glamour, so what next? you want it, then go and do it. dont ask questions of folk if you are only then going to get all upset when they dont all jump up and go 'yay pyro, what a star, i wish id thought of that' tv is awash with the top gear format at the mo, and its tbh getting dull dull dull, whether its cars, gadgets or even ski sunday. as has been said, all you need is the wedge. or were you planning to ask for donations?:D
sorry mate, i dont know you , so dont take this too personally. but if you want to do it, then go ahead and do it. if it works, then yahoo for you and if it falls on its arse, then we were right. you seem to be almost seeking approval from us lot and then moaning when you dont get it. if this is your latest idea to get rich and famous, then i see no reason why you should expect us all to start blowing bubbles up your arse before you go and do it. personally i think its doomed to fail, you obviously personally feel that its your ticket to stardom and worldwide glamour, so what next? you want it, then go and do it. dont ask questions of folk if you are only then going to get all upset when they dont all jump up and go 'yay pyro, what a star, i wish id thought of that' tv is awash with the top gear format at the mo, and its tbh getting dull dull dull, whether its cars, gadgets or even ski sunday. as has been said, all you need is the wedge. or were you planning to ask for donations?:D
Hmm I see where that impression could be gleaned from, we are going for it anyway, but it would be silly not to talk to our target audience, this is not the only forum we have 'invaded', I'm asking for opinion on what you want to see, what do you think should be shown? I'm not moaning I'm trying to put my case across, should I just let it drop because a few people dont think it will work?
The amount of support for a biker lifestyle program is there, its just annoying that a few people, without even knowing what we intend to do have declared it will be rubbish.
Totally pointless in my mind
No mainstream TV station is going to make a program of any sort for bikers!
Got to agree with John R, a deffinate NO. It would be total shit and the 100% style biker would'nt get a look in .
My reply elsewhere on the net...
To be successful you have to appeal to the majority, this is a fact of life, make a program too niche and you are fucked.
But that does not mean there will be nothing for 'alternative' bikers, its about getting in the back door and then expanding your horizons. There is no point in making a pilot aimed at say, the riders of RAT bikes, that would have be of very limited appeal, it will be popular with the genre but very few other people will be interested, but if you make a general program and slip in a section on rat bikes....
We have to look at this from the point that we want to get in and start making these programs, once in we can do what we want, but we have to get support for all points of the biking compass. Just because some people dont like the initial format does not mean we should not be supported.
When I ask for comments, I meant in general, not "I wont like it cos it will be shit!" We want people to tell us what they
want to see, if enough people say Cossacks and Urals, then thats what we will do. Otherwise we go with what ever we think will appeal. The number of people on various forums (and in emails) that keep saying "it will be shit, like al the others" are not making useful comments, why were they shit? What did they do wrong? Where could it be changed?
Yet saying that, we are getting a hell of a lot of other people saying "Go for it, you cant be any worse than the others!"
and thats the point, we dont wan to be like the others, they failed, but we cant do it without some input and support from you lot, the guys that get out there and ride.
You think we are making a mistake? Fine but tell us why?
Just saves me repeating myself.
It not about being rich and famous (google my name 'jake willis' I've had my share of that) its about putting together something to not only show the lifestyle we live, but also produce a platform for bikers ot have their say. The media is a powerful tool, while there is some interest in bikes on the screen we should use it to get our selves noticed more.
droid
06-10-2009, 04:24 PM
Trouble with posting stuff like this on here is that, despite most of us dressing the same, having similar hairstyles (those of us with hair), riding similar machines and sometimes talking and writing as if we'd got some sort of American inspired language impediment, we're all rugged individualists.....
So we've all got our own opinions. Which are occasionally confused with fact.
For any prog like the one Pyro is proposing, 90% of the audience will be dreamers anyway.
Same as Top Gear when they test Ferraris.
willie
06-10-2009, 05:01 PM
Ok heres what I would like to see a program about bikes /scooters/mopeds/trikes road tests maybe a lifestyle bit covering everything from mopeds upwards and rallies, ride outs, custom shows,scooter rallies,bike rallies, off roadin , kickstart type trails.
bikers stories the journeys people have done and the ones you wish you could afford to do .talks with people, groups, like extreme trifle bunch. bascily anything and everything to do with 2 wheels and what goes on around them painters,platers,custom parts one off builders,veteran bikes .things that work things that are shite .
does that help?
Willie
eigerton
06-10-2009, 09:48 PM
I think the points about it being sports-bike / manufacturer promo biased are very pertinent - is it possible to avoid the implications of the modern media ?
actually I ain't got a telly so don't care a fig anyways
FWIW heres my two pennorth.
If its a magazine show, then the TV execs will dismiss it immediately on the grounds they can do that themselves.
They aren't interested in something until its fully formed, and theres an internal TV mafia that will always try to put down anything new.
I submitted several TV plays in the late 90s on biker themes to TV companies - the response was usually the same - that they didn't see an audience for it.
When I modified my ideas to make a 70s period piece (I pitched it to them just after Heartbeat stopped and just before Life on Mars started) I was told there was no market for 70s nostalgia.
TV types have no imagination. They either want it from someone they know already, or complete so they don't have to do any work.
I know what I'd do - I'd go the Charlie Boorman route at first, and make myself into a personality - personalities are what magazine televison is all about.
Make a series of thirty minute documentaries about pizza delivery drivers or scooter runs or something.
Think about a show like Trawlermen. Couldn't you do the same thing about despatch riders?
The other option, and its one I've been considering for a while, if only I could find a translator, would be to find some Welsh speaking biker personalities and make it for welsh language TV, piggybacking with an english version. S4C is awash with cash, and gagging for originality...
FWIW heres my two pennorth.
If its a magazine show, then the TV execs will dismiss it immediately on the grounds they can do that themselves.
They aren't interested in something until its fully formed, and theres an internal TV mafia that will always try to put down anything new.
I submitted several TV plays in the late 90s on biker themes to TV companies - the response was usually the same - that they didn't see an audience for it.
When I modified my ideas to make a 70s period piece (I pitched it to them just after Heartbeat stopped and just before Life on Mars started) I was told there was no market for 70s nostalgia.
TV types have no imagination. They either want it from someone they know already, or complete so they don't have to do any work.
I know what I'd do - I'd go the Charlie Boorman route at first, and make myself into a personality - personalities are what magazine televison is all about.
Make a series of thirty minute documentaries about pizza delivery drivers or scooter runs or something.
Think about a show like Trawlermen. Couldn't you do the same thing about despatch riders?
The other option, and its one I've been considering for a while, if only I could find a translator, would be to find some Welsh speaking biker personalities and make it for welsh language TV, piggybacking with an english version. S4C is awash with cash, and gagging for originality...
Things have changed now, bikes and bikers are more popular, we are getting some good feedback at present (that will last until Jamie farts in a meeting..LOL)
Despatch riders, I cant even make a short vid about despatch riders, the companies wont talk to you, the riders dont want to talk to you, the companies are nearly all dodgy as fuck (I was in the industry for 15 years) the riders will slag off the companies but not on camera.
The companies will not talk to anyone.
Oh the shit I know about several despatch companies, but its all without concrete proof.
Just to throw an idea into the ring, how about (re)building a bike/trike over the course of the series. Just a small spot in each episode saying "This is what we've done this week, this is what we've still got to do, this is why we did it etc..." Could be a good link to then going and filming at a platers/painters/suspension specialist etc.... Think about how successful "A Bike is Born" was on Sky. Even better suggest an idea or two each week and have an online vote, this way at the end of the series the bike will have been designed by the audience at which point you could maybe give it away as a prize or use it for publicity in order to gain a second series.
Simon B
07-10-2009, 01:12 PM
How about in studio interviews each week
Can i suggest aac Holland as your first one, but obviously would need a large studio audience;)
and just fill the rest up with Chops, Chicks and cake, bound to be a winner
Just to throw an idea into the ring, how about (re)building a bike/trike over the course of the series. Just a small spot in each episode saying "This is what we've done this week, this is what we've still got to do, this is why we did it etc..." Could be a good link to then going and filming at a platers/painters/suspension specialist etc.... Think about how successful "A Bike is Born" was on Sky. Even better suggest an idea or two each week and have an online vote, this way at the end of the series the bike will have been designed by the audience at which point you could maybe give it away as a prize or use it for publicity in order to gain a second series.
You been reading our pilot? ;)
How about in studio interviews each week
Can i suggest aac Holland as your first one, but obviously would need a large studio audience;)
and just fill the rest up with Chops, Chicks and cake, bound to be a winner
Now that sounds like a winner to me!! :thumbsu:
excalibur
15-05-2011, 10:27 AM
Looks like there might be something in the offering, just seen this on farcebook.
Have copied it to my blog for those of you that dont have farcebook
http://therallystall.blogspot.com/
johnr
15-05-2011, 02:22 PM
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, how unexpected, 3 guys,(no women i note, how inclusive!!) all 'passionate' about bikes, one who is an old fart character, one a young trendy sporty guy and one who is an opinionated loudmouthed gobshite, and a guest celebrity every week. where have we seen that format before? although to be precise, where havent we seen it?
im wondering why everyone seems so keen to fit in with and make themselves compliant with and attractive to mainstream society, personally i preffered it when folk on bikes were treated as scum and ostracized by society in general. sure they hated us and were suspicious of us, but that meant they left us alone. ive no desire to fit in or be understood.
good luck to em, i suppose they think it will make them stars, but luck is what they are going to need a lot of!
lowrider
15-05-2011, 03:03 PM
Wondered how they would get something like this on the desk of a commisioner at the BBC till i saw the "lead" presenter.:rolleyes:
Very hard show to get right it is all down to the chem of the presenters.
That don't work they the show won't.
excalibur
15-05-2011, 03:54 PM
im wondering why everyone seems so keen to fit in with and make themselves compliant with and attractive to mainstream society, personally i preffered it when folk on bikes were treated as scum and ostracized by society in general. sure they hated us and were suspicious of us, but that meant they left us alone. ive no desire to fit in or be understood.
That bit I have to agree with you on, i prefered it back in the day as well, but would also like to see something I want to watch on the telly
johnr
15-05-2011, 05:03 PM
That bit I have to agree with you on, i prefered it back in the day as well, but would also like to see something I want to watch on the telly
why? is there somehow a void in your life that only steve berry some harley dealer and a 'down wit da kids' stunt rider can fill? i dont need a tv prog about bikes, its certainly not going to teach me you or anyone else about bikes, it'll be, 'ooooh look how well i ride fast, check out my wheelys', followed by 'well back in my day we all rode our riteous hawgs to a steely dan gig' followed by much guffawing and then 'hey my opinion matters more, let me upset some minorities and insult some national stereotypes whilst i give you all the benefit of my fecking huge ego and loud mouth' it has already failed because a 'top gear for bikes' idea was never going to work if it used the top gear format. top gear isnt about cars, its not a motoring programme, its light entertainment, they might just as well have been making a tv prog about cooking or gardening, these 3 will try to be clarkson hammond and may and thats all everyone will see, they will then try to mitigate this by doing some attempt at serious things like training or safety gear, and the whole thing will unravel. id rather go down the local boozer and have a beer. id like to say 'good effort, and good luck' but this is just lazy, its exactly what my previous post 2 years ago said it would be, a copy of the '3 blokey blokes having a right old larf' tg format.
Go for it, its a great idea, leave the Top Gear format, its done to death. But a good British Biking program is needed. Fuck the dismissers, very easy to criticise on the internet. Nice to hear something constructive. The trouble with seeking opinions is, most who like an idea wont comment, they will just sit and chuckle at the ones who wish to dismiss with their own brand of negativity. I'd support and watch a British biking show, I don't care if it is power ranger/Harley Dude stuff, just be wide and varied. Try to show the full spectrum of bikes, from scooters to Gsxr's and Vn's and H-D's and all points between. Don't get dragged into the lifestyle thing just do a show about Bikes. :thumbsu:
It does not bode well, but good luck to them, after the shit Slob and myself went through to try and get even some interest from production companies... well, I lost heart after 2 years of trying, Slob and myself thought we had a winning format. But apparently it has to be a clone of TG or near as damn it.
We thought we could raise some interest after doing a LOT of research into what bikers wanted, all we got was promises that never materialised, ho hum thats life. But seriously, good luck to them .......... but the name really is bad.
*If it starts to even look like the format I presented to 2 production companies, someone will die.:rolleyes:
droid
15-05-2011, 07:45 PM
It's got Steve Berry in it.
I'd rather watch paint dry.
John Hopkins
15-05-2011, 07:47 PM
I wouldn't mind seeing something that reviewed new bikes and compared them with others right across all styles..I'd also watch something that showed different rideouts (in Britain) and bikers pubs and cafe's..there is a vast difference between bikes of similar types..take the 1100 Dragstar and the VN for example..
I think anything that encourages more respect for bikers can't be too bad, and if it is, well then it won't last very long..
Last of the summer wine started off about a biker and his chick...
John.
excalibur
15-05-2011, 07:55 PM
I think something like wheeler dealers with bikes would be good. You know, Ed goes out, buys a bike for a grand, spends 2 grand on it and 200 hours work then sells it fot £3050 and tells us how well he has done :D
John Hopkins
15-05-2011, 07:59 PM
I think something like wheeler dealers with bikes would be good. You know, Ed goes out, buys a bike for a grand, spends 2 grand on it and 200 hours work then sells it fot £3050 and tells us how well he has done :D
That would be good for Ed..
I'd rather see them buy a bike for £300 on the road and then do a 1000 mile road trip on it with just an RAC card and a mobile phone.
John.
excalibur
15-05-2011, 08:45 PM
thats a bit posh, more like a couple of spanners in a tool roll and 10p for the phone box
hacky
15-05-2011, 09:02 PM
hey jake,
your not a stranger to the net and how it works..you tube ,blog tv..etc..you always control the format and your audience is worldwide not just on one shitty corporate chanell...im subscribed to various "things" and tbh thats the way i like it..i wanna watch it when i get time ,not make time to watch it..
good luck m8:)
That would be good for Ed..
I'd rather see them buy a bike for £300 on the road and then do a 1000 mile road trip on it with just an RAC card and a mobile phone.
John.
Did you nick my synopsis? :D
hey jake,
your not a stranger to the net and how it works..you tube ,blog tv..etc..you always control the format and your audience is worldwide not just on one shitty corporate chanell...im subscribed to various "things" and tbh thats the way i like it..i wanna watch it when i get time ,not make time to watch it..
good luck m8:)
Lost heart mate, Motorsickle was working well for a while (vids still get loads of hits), but without support it does not work. We may be coming back in another form though. ;)
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