Teased the South

[dcentity2000]

Over here in the UK we have a TV show called Top Gear. It's all about cars, jokes and general messing around; they often have daft competitions.

Today they aired a particularly daring one.

The presenters visited the deep south of America and bought cars. They then decorated each other's cars in such a way as to stir up trouble - they got points for the amount of trouble they caused to each other.

Slogans on the cars included:

• Hillary 4 Prez
• Man love rules
• Nascar sux
• Country & Western SUCKS

They stopped at a gas station and the owner came out and started shouting at them. She went to get "the boys" who turned up in a pickup truck and started pelting the presenters and the film crew with rocks.

Well...

They asked for it.



Rich::

 

[Saxsoon]

Over here in the UK we have a TV show called Top Gear. It's all about cars, jokes and general messing around; they often have daft competitions.

Today they aired a particularly daring one.

The presenters visited the deep south of America and bought cars. They then decorated each other's cars in such a way as to stir up trouble - they got points for the amount of trouble they caused to each other.

Slogans on the cars included:

• Hillary 4 Prez
• Man love rules
• Nascar sux
• Country & Western SUCKS

They stopped at a gas station and the owner came out and started shouting at them. She went to get "the boys" who turned up in a pickup truck and started pelting the presenters and the film crew with rocks.

Well...

They asked for it.



Rich::

That is funny. Reminds me of Blue Collar T.V. Larry the Cable guy had a giant robot made of him, and he wouldn't get rid of it. It started shouting Hillary for Prez and he pulled out a shotgun and took him out back

I think a conservative poster said this to wrap up Iraq.

Get an elite task force of southern rednecks and tell them a few things.
The Iraqis hate Nascar, trucks, Jesus, and LOVE Brokeback Mountain.

 

[damo]

Top Gear is the greatest car show ever. Nothing even comes remotely close. We watch it here in Canada but I think we are a bit behind in the broadcasting. I loved the amphibious vehicle episode.

We haven't seen any of this year's shows yet. BBC Canada needs to get their act together. Glad to hear that the hamster is okay. We also love Top Gear Dog.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

This is one crazy show and I'm hooked!

Does BBC America carry it??

 

[clarabelle]

As Someone that lives in the deep south -I find this stuff a bit uncomfortable.
I promise you we are not all like that.
I love all things British -but I sometimes feel like you guys just think we are a big joke. It's that kind of Borat -lets make fun of Americans thing.
That being said -I haven't seen the show and I am sure it was funny.

 

[Andy B]

.
I love all things British -but I sometimes feel like you guys just think we are a big joke. It's that kind of Borat -lets make fun of Americans thing.

Whereas we get the jobs as villians, Jeramy Irons, Alan Rickman etc

 

[VirtuallyMe]

I'm from the South too- and my first thought was to chuckle at this...

Of course my second thought was that there are a few places that something like that could get you arrested, hurt or killed.

VERY FEW places- in general I would think you'd get little or no response at all
at most places- some people may shake their heads or tell you to find Jesus or offer to "save" you- but I don't think you'd get a violent response in many places...

I suspect that there may have been a plant at the locations they stopped which increased the reaction for the show

 

[dcentity2000]

I love all things British -but I sometimes feel like you guys just think we are a big joke. It's that kind of Borat -lets make fun of Americans thing.

I do feel sometimes that certain Brits are arrogant enough to look down on Americans and it does upset me - it's rude, presumptuous and jingoistic.



Rich::

 

[clarabelle]

Whereas we get the jobs as villians, Jeramy Irons, Alan Rickman etc

Ooh I love both those guys. No -I think we like you more than you like us

 

[Saxsoon]

I do feel sometimes that certain Brits are arrogant enough to look down on Americans and it does upset me - it's rude, presumptuous and jingoistic.



Rich::

I heard jingoist in my history book in relation to when we freed Cuba(correct me if I am wrong. What does it mean?

 

[clarabelle]

Main Entry: jin·go·ism
Pronunciation: 'ji[ng]-(")gO-"i-z&m
Function: noun
: extreme chauvinism or nationalism marked especially by a belligerent foreign policy

 

[Saxsoon]

That makes the text make sense now. Thanks!

 

[Andy B]

It's that kind of Borat -lets make fun of Americans thing.

Sacha Baron Cohen has made fun of us first and is moving on.

 

[Andy B]

I do feel sometimes that certain Brits are arrogant enough to look down on Americans and it does upset me - it's rude, presumptuous and jingoistic.



Rich::

Whereas the US does not look down on the rest of the world! As for being Jingoistic I do not think we are very at all, come to the UK and see how many Union Flags are to be seen whaereas in the US Old Glory is a common sight.

Generally we stopped exporting our way of life to the rest of the world some time ago.

I would also guess that the liberal East and West coasts would have a similar attitude toward conservative southern states. (See my Cousin Vinnie, Doc Hollywood etc)

And be fore you jump on me I am married to an American!

 

[clarabelle]

Well -Andy
I think you've got me there. I think the US does appear like it is looking down on everyone. The US government certainly does seem to think it is its job to make everyone just like us. (I didn't vote for the pres and am anti-war)

Yes -I do think that other parts of the US look down on the south as well.
But as someone who lives there now -and who was born there. (GA) I can tell you that we are not all like the image portrayed on British TV or American Films.
IF an American TV show came to your part of England specifically to make fun of the locals -do you think you would be 100% comfortable with it?
That was my point.

 

[Andy B]

Well -Andy
I think you've got me there. I think the US does appear like it is looking down on everyone. The US government certainly does seem to think it is its job to make everyone just like us. (I didn't vote for the pres and am anti-war)

Yes -I do think that other parts of the US look down on the south as well.
But as someone who lives there now -and who was born there. (GA) I can tell you that we are not all like the image portrayed on British TV or American Films.
IF an American TV show came to your part of England specifically to make fun of the locals -do you think you would be 100% comfortable with it?
That was my point.

I have been to NC, GA FL, as well as Texas New Mexica and California right by the Mexican Border so I do know a little about what the US is really like as opposed to what is portrayed on TV and Film.

Generally I thing we Brits tend not to take ourselves too seriously and there have been many examples of us being made fun of in film and tv not just by America. Notall would have been received with a smile but I do not think they would have have a potential violent response.

The interesting thing is that the slogans painted on the cars were anti Music and Nascar which should not have produced such a reaction, they are just passtimes, pro Hilary Clinton, who could be the next US president and in support of Gay rights which I believe is in accordance with US policy! It seems not everyone is quite so enlightened.

 

[clarabelle]

Well Andy Im not convinced they did have a true violent response.
I don't know anyone that would react that way to something painted on a car.

 

[Andy B]

It can be difficult to tell whether something is true or a set up and I would be interested in your opinions if you could see the item. It did seem genuine as the camera crew were running away also, don't get me wrong this was wholely intended to provoke a reaction.

 

[tar heel]

What they didn't tell you is that they may have had to go to a bunch of places to get those reactions. Most people, even if they didn't like the slogans, wouldn't have thrown a fit -- they would have just shook their heads and said "Bless their hearts, they don't know any better."

tar heel -- who has lived every day of her life in the South, plans to vote for Hillary, keeps up with NASCAR only in a business sense, and is strongly for gay rights. I've been known to listen to C&W in the car, though.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

As Someone that lives in the deep south -I find this stuff a bit uncomfortable.
I promise you we are not all like that.
I love all things British -but I sometimes feel like you guys just think we are a big joke. It's that kind of Borat -lets make fun of Americans thing.
That being said -I haven't seen the show and I am sure it was funny.

I agree.