The Gadget Show

So, series 12 has just kicked off on Five.

Am I alone in having gone right off this show in the last couple of series? It was the ONLY programme I tuned into on five without fail.

Having seen the "coming up" segment I've decided to switch off. Every clip seemed to involve either driving or extreme sports. There was even a clip about the testing of kitchen appliances.

Is it just me or are these things not gadgets?

There appears to be one item on iPhones (and similar models), but the rest looks like its all about outdoor pursuits, and further opportunities for the presenters to lycra up and race each other. Where the hell are the gadgets?

I thought that maybe it was Gail Porter (who is a lovely girl off screen) that was putting me off a bit while she covered for Suzie, but even having Suzie back isn't enough to draw me in at all. Its turned into a total switch off.

Not even the excellent prize haul they offer is enough to make me stay tuned now.

I'm actually very disappointed, because it was a real Monday night treat.

Anyone else in the same boat?

(As I'm typing Jon Bentley has started reviewing touch phones, so I'll watch this bit. Quite why they've sent him to New York to test three phones is beyond me, though).

I kinda feel that they're trying too much to be like Top Gear. I think I feel the same - a bit of a challenge is fine but it seems to have taken over.

so maybe a shot gun marriage with fifth gear to cut cost

I guess they've had to expand the format as there are only so many times you can review gadgets in a particular field - a feature on the top 5 mp3 players now and 2 years ago won't be that different - I get the feeling things aren't really innovating too much in many tech fields at the moment.

I'm still going to stick with it. It is still a great show, but I agree about the challenges, presumably they're just taking a leaf out of top gear where they don't review that many cars nowadays, I'm guessing the thinking is that it will also bring in different viewers.

I must be honest, I think I'd prefer to see some of the things from the website such as gadget news appear on the main programme. Nice to have Suzie back on board, and interesting that this series is running from now until the end of the year, is that about 22 weeks?

I can't remember - are they made by the same company? I know Jon Bentley is/was producer of 5th Gear.

YES http://www.northonetv.com/flash_content/midlands/index.html

Maybe there should go to Japan where there years ahead of us!

I agree with that. There's some interesting stuff there.

I'm not sure its strictly necessary to do like-for-like comparisons, or even the "top 5" of a particular object. If anything that type of thing means they tend to discount or dismiss bits of kit right away, so you can't get a decent look at them.

A bit like when they reviewed rough-service laptops, but dismissed anything that didn't survive a 10ft drop at the start of the piece.

Now I can be a clutz with the best of them, but I'm not given to typing emails at the top of the ladder; so to me it was a squewed review from the get-go. I'd have been happy if it survived being dropped out of a taxi into a puddle, but I wouldn't know from their "testing".

PS: I was wrong about not watching anything else on Five because The Hotel Inspector has just started.

Woo.

Glad it wasn't just me who thought it was becoming more and more like Top Gear!
However, I am quite liking the whole 'Wall of Fame' thingy.

Dare I say, that its become more like this due to the fact that it now essentially occupies that slot half the year, with 5th Gear on when the Gadget Show is off? Too much of a good thing spread thinly...? Seems to be an occuring thing in recession hit TV these days - get a good format, then milk it from now till eternity!

I agree totally with the opening post however I think the decline has been over a much longer period of time.

When it moved from 45 minutes to an hour it was still very good but the pointless challenges started taking over too much and it went rapidly downhill to the point of being unwatchable now.

I don't watch at all any more which is a shame because I used to be a regular viewer.

Didn't they say at the end of the last series that Miss Perry would deliver the prizes to the home of the winner?

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Like Suzi - and Mr Bentley is OK. Think Jason is trying too hard sometimes - and can be a bit annoying.

Rot set in with the focus groups / audience panels. Why should I care?

Some of the challenges have been quite entertaining - and at times they have been one of the few shows to get tech details right.

Dallas was a good addition - but he obviously got a better offer from the Beeb. Not sure about Ortis - a bit CBBC for me. (Sounds like he's reading a script rather than a real enthusiast - unlike the other three)

Interestingly it is one Five's shows that will be in HD on FiveHD according to their proposals. (Let's hope they upgrade the cameras... HDV from a Z1 isn't considered HD quality by many broadcasters - maybe they'll switch to EX1s and shoot XDCam EX)