Two shows on TV are appointment worthy for me right now: Battlestar Galactica and the BBC’s Top Gear.
Hosted by the unhinged and entertaining Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond and the mysterious, voiceless “tamed race driver” called The Stig who does laps in the various cars they review. His identity is hidden behind a white helmet and racing leathers.
I watch it on BBC America on DirecTV. Segments and clips are all over youtube as well.
Top Gear is a show that has been described as “Jackass” meets “Motor Trend”.. I wouldn’t say it is as extreme as Jackass was, but they do some crazy bizness with cars.
Typically, the three hosts partake in various automotive related challenges, races and general hi-jinks. In one episode, for example, they each bought a cheap car to convert into a boat to race across the English Channel. Surprisingly one of the vehicles did make it to France, but not after first losing two of the vehicles to sea. They also occasionally have Small Car football (soccer for my fellow Yanks) games between two teams driving compact cars. Collisions happen, fenders fall, headlights crunch and goals are scored.
In another, more famous episode, they decided to test the legendary toughness of Toyota Trucks by attempting to destroy one using fire, dropping a heavy load from a crane on it, ramming it into objects and finally, setting it out to be claimed by the high tide. In each case, after reasonable efforts, they were able to get it drivable again.
Often, they race through various locations performing oddball tasks, such as James May racing two BMX riders across Budapest while driving a new mini-Fiat, or driving over African mud flats in cheap cars, removing sheet metal and doors from the cars to make them light enough to not get stuck.
In one of my favorite episodes, they drag race a 253mph Bugatti Veyron (which I’m putting on my Christmas list, by the way) against a Eurofighter Fighter Jet to see which can travel 2 miles the fastest. The car raced along the runway, the plane flew vertical a mile, then back down over the runway over the finish line, You’ll have to check it out on youtube to see who won.
They do have regular segments, such as “Star in a reasonably priced car” in which a celebrity dons a crash helmet, hops into a sensible car (a Chevy sedan) and tries a timed lap around Top Gear’s race track (a former airfield). Watching demure Dame Helen Mirren tear around the track was an amusing sight! They mark each time on their leaderboard. I think Simon Cowell has one of the fastest times around the track.
One of the things I love about the show is Jeremy Clarkson. He is vocal with his opinions, frequently voicing his distaste for the Toyota Prius, Americans (he once called American gasoline, weak “fairy juice”), Germans, caravans (a.k.a. motorhomes), e.t.c . He chides his co-hosts as well, contributing to the fun.
I hear rumors that NBC plans to make an American version of Top Gear. My prediction? Its engine will die shortly after it pulls out of the driveway.
The reason the BBC version is so good is that there is no advertisers to please; meaning the hosts (‘presenters’ for you Brits out there) can freely express their opinions on various car manufacturers and models. I doubt the American version will have such freedom. I mean would Toyota tolerate jokes about the Prius if they were advertising on the show? I think not.
So I raise a pint to you Jeremy, Hammond and James! You’ve got a great show over there across the pond. Oh, and by they way, we Americans aren’t all obese, inbreds like Jeremy likes to say..although I will apologize for rolling fish tank known as the AMC Pacer, sorry ‘bout that.
4 Comments
April 25, 2008 at 9:44 pm
There is a place for automotive shows if done right. Look at “Pimp My Ride”, the greatest American TV show of the past decade. OK, I exaggerate, but only slightly. I think most advertisers get cold feet when socially controversial things — like racial remarks or imagery — come up. I’d hope carmakers would be savvy enough to take a good ribbing now and again, but you might be right: it’s pretty easy to imagine Chevy saying, “We’ll sponsor your show but not a damn word about the Cobalt!”
May 18, 2008 at 9:49 am
It’s a fantastic show, helped by the genuine camaraderie between the three. When Hammond had his crash – still unbelievable that he got out of that – Clarkson and May were in the first group to get to the hospital and keep vigil.
Nice to know that you Americans get the gentle chiding as well!
Cheers
David
Los Angeles
June 5, 2008 at 4:32 am
i love top gear and its very funy i m love hime and thanck for thise . ,..,…,.
June 10, 2008 at 7:19 am
Agree with you 100% on the sponsorship.
By the way, they have just released an australian version of top gear, so there’s hope for the usa yet!
Mcmurray25
England