We’ve ranted a lot recently about the lack of good TV on at the moment, but just because it’s not a brand new programme we mustn’t forget to give credit where it’s due to the current series of Top Gear.
In amidst the hundreds of repeats, the latest series of Top Gear is a shining beacon of entertainment, a perfect Sunday night treat for anyone who (like me) is already bored of Dancing on Ice, or was never into it in the first place.
Perhaps the best thing about this series is the transformation of Richard Hammond, something I’ve been praying for for ages. His hair has been cut nicely, his beaded necklace, if it hasn’t gone, is hidden and someone (probably his wife) seems to have chucked out his cowboy boots and open-necked shirts. He only needs to ditch the man-scarf and he’ll be restored to his former glory, in the days before his mini-midlife style crisis.
Jeremy and Hammond argue about blowing up the wrong caravan whilst filming for 'The Sweeney' in last night's episode
The programme itself is as good as ever, bringing us exploding caravans, drag races, amazing supercars, stars in the reasonably priced C apostrophe D and the Stig’s Chinese cousin taking out half the production team.
Last night’s episode was my favourite of the series so far, prompting me to silent laugh Michael Mcinytre stylee, more than I have since Jeremy invented the Sports’ train. It saw not only the very handsome and funny Ryan Reynolds getting his wish by beating Tom Cruise’s lap time but also Jeremy and Hammond being allowed to film a car chase for a new remake of The Sweeney starring Ray Winstone.
Hammond wanted to bring The Sweeney up to date with helicopters, explosions and big smashes. Surprisingly Jeremy was passionate about bringing realism to their chase. Cue two extremes at loggerheads – Jeremy concocting dialogue about the anti-lock braking system (to be spoken with a Borat accent…obviously) while Hammond quietly filled a caravan with petrol ready to blow it up. Needless to say chaos ensued, with highlights including Jeremy and the actors’ game attempts at a “Serbian” accent, Jeremy wearing a very convincing Ray Winstone wig and the director doing a lot of bleeped-out swearing.
I’m sure there’ll be critics out there, disappointed that Top Gear is becoming still more a comedy show about cars and about the guys themselves, rather than something for serious petrol-heads. On the whole though I think most viewers like what they’re doing and it’s a perfect Sunday night laugh.
Still, if it was to all go wrong, the lads needn’t worry. It seems they have a very promising career in filming car based stunts waiting for them if they choose. And if that fails, there’s still Scum Class to launch. And that’s a surefire hit.
If you missed it, catch the series on iPlayer.
Top Gear name on a Caravan
I think i must have been dreaming
I’m not a Brit but it’s all thanks to the Top Gear boys that I’ve learned to appreciate and respect British humour and jargon in general. I was about to do a piece on the show myself but it looks like you beat me to it!
http://jalopnik.com/5887265/tesla-motors-devastating-design-problem
You top gear guys there? Read this for a laugh
Thing to add to the “hate” board. I for one hate cars that have a lift kit just to fit redicuasly large wheels such as 26″.
i can agree with that
Love the show, but I think there should be a challenge to see what is the best hot hatch back that you can buy used for 5,000 cash or less
This is the only show I watch on the television. A curious decision to focus on the short man’s ever changing hairstyles, that; although it may have peaked already, what with clarkson looking decidedly more ridiculous putt-putting around in 500k supercars, hacking at the wheel with arthritic hands and his rheumy eyes scouring the track for the apex, the humor…the humor, albeit carefully scripted and frayed around the edges keeps me anxiously waiting for the words, “Tonight!…”
Kudos fellas.
Thank you once again to the entire Top Gear team for producing another fantastic episode. I will definitely be booking a track day to burn some rubber.
Every year Top Gear presents a Top Gear award ceremony. And I have had brilliant idea.
The best dressed Top Gear studio audience?
The award goes to the lady dressed in the Silver Catsuit outfit. Series 18 episode 6.
Strangely very attractive.
whaaat?
top gear = mean. what the fuck is with those uk people modifying corsas and focuses and puttin 6g stereos in there cars. over here we do it properly. real cars. Nissan Skylines. Laurels Cefiros 180′s Silvias. Galants Evos . real cars. we mod the “motor” . yea. and you should do a test on a gts25t and a gtst r32. thatd be helpful to me haha.
Hello everyone i don’t know where else to contact you guys so i will just say what i have to say here
have fun guys http://off.net.mk/video/na-trkala/zimska-f1 wish you all the best
1.I think people should stop copying James ideas …first with the electric car with diesel charging…and now Mercedes has made a commercial with an invisible car IDENTICAL as the one James made …you can find it on Youtube by the name Mercedes invisible car (for those who haven’t seen it yet)
2.This is for Jeremy because i know you are a fan of F1 take a look at the only thing that can improve F1 racing
Thanks for your comment Daniel. We are not actually part of Top Gear (we wish!!), just fans. This is an email address for comments and enquiries to the programme though, if you want to try and get in contact with the boys
top.gear@bbc.co.uk
Hey Daniel,
I hate to break it to you, but in fact, Top Gear had posted this very video on their site a little while ago:
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/nurburgring-snow-covered-lap-formula-race-car-2012-02-09
I guess they’re actively looking for F1 challenges & improvement prospects as much as you are!
LOL
Alright than…wow guys you are so nice thank you for replying to the post anyway.So when this is a fan page,can any of the fans if you are informed tell me are there gonna be any new episodes after the 18 series?
thanks a lot
Enjoyed new series, very funny. Check out paulreedcomedy utube on formula 1, number plates and four wheel drive.
Thumbs UP to the whole team
His absolute favorite!
My son has been watching your show since he was 9 and now thats all he likes to watch – hes 13.. He adores Jeremy
You guys are great, no doubt; however, please convey our appreciation for the great camera work & sound effects – is fantastic!! and of course the Stig!
Its now a family ‘to do’.. so keep up the fantastic work!!
We have a Dodge Charger & if you do something on it, he would be thrilled..
Cheers
you have a dodge charger! am 66yrs old, and has been my number 1 car since they first came out. is it a black one? sorry to say i,ve never had the dosh to buy one. say aaaahh. poor ol git.
Hello
I have seen Mr. Clarkson getting old behind the steering wheel yet still like him.
I love their show, to see the different cars they test and how they criticize them in a professional manner while still making people laugh. I’m a huge car nut and tv sucks with the exception of a few shows and Top Gear is one of them. Keep up the good work guys. I’m hoping I can make it to London one day.
Definately, Top Gear is ‘the only show’ with no ‘please them’ talks. It’s all straingt, it’s all bang!
Keep shining team!
hello, I always see your program on TV and I love real good and you are all not know why you meteis with Hammond
I live in Spain and now we are seeing the 2005′s programms, whatever, i think, honnestly, TOP GEAR is the best and funny programm i ever had seen in my life. Congratulations!!! And don’t let be the same forever. Thank you for gives me your knowledgemens and your “little crazies” and happiness. ¡Long life for TOP GEAR!
You descredit the show and it’s best assets by saying it’s about “comedy and the guys themselves instead of something for serious petrolheads” – you know all those other so-called serious car shows that have been on telly and, well, aren’t any more? Yeah. That’s coz they were REALLY crap and boring, and I know coz I watched them all. It’s the “comedy” and “the guys themselves” that lift this car show above all others that have ever been, or ever will be. Evidently not everyone has the production nous or sensibilities to understand this.
Thank you for your comment. I agree with you. What I meant by that statement is that the show has received criticism by purists for them setting things up, ‘being silly’ and ‘messing about’. Personally this is why I love it and find it so entertaining. But there are also people who don’t like this and wish they would conduct ‘serious’ tests and stick to the facts. I’ve watched the other shows too and they are deadly dull but they have their following (which I would call the ‘serious petrolheads’) and some of these people don’t necessarily like the Top Gear formula.
I wish that Top Gear was promoted in the US a bit more. I started buying television sets a long time ago, however today, if Top Gear wasn’t on I couldn’t really see a reason to own one. I know it’s nuts to be speaking of a $450,000 to $800,000 vehicle as if everyone can just go out and grab one, I stilll love watching the test drives as that’s as close as I’ll ever get to seeing one. When the show moves on to the UAE it gets even better. The show with the home made caravans as well as other “cuckoo custom building” shows are too staged and scripted, but that’s a minor complaint the show is the best.
Hola amigos, ante todo daros las gracias por hacer, si no el mejor, uno de los mejores programas de televisión a nivel mundial, en definitiva unos cracks. Bueno a lo que iba no se si habeis llegado a hacerlo pero seria bastante “guapo” hacer un reportaje sobre un coche que realmente me ha llamado la atencion siempre, es el VOLKSWAGEN Corrado. Por cierto un especial clasicos, please
I love the program, despite seeing programs with more than four years old, to see them on the TV and not via web. The only thing is that I get bored enough is that most of the cars that speak, are cars available to very few … at least in the world … I would look to test and compare the cars can be left parked on the street. Otherwise I had a great time.