[murderspice]

I know I’m late to the party, but just read that Top Gear is getting cancelled sadly. It had me thinking; I could probably trace a big part of my interest in cars directly to that show and I’m sad to see it go. I think it might have been the greatest television show to have ever existed.

[Tobstertx3]

Agreed! Grew up watching it! One of Clarkson's famous lines....."M3 Drivers have no friends" lol

I had heard last week that the BBC had denied claims that it was being scrapped? Has there been a recent development/announcement?

[christianb5s4]

The writing was on the wall when they lost Clarkson, Hammond, and May. They were the real magic behind it for decades.

One of my favorite series of all time, now Grand Tour in terms of car related stuff.

[hC1001]

It went downhill after Clarkson, May and Hammond left. The show was never the same because the producer also left. Most of the great ideas were from Clarkson and the producer. They were true car guy segments... I couldnt really relate to or get excited about the new Top gear. It sorta felt like fifth gear without the cast chemistry...

[tracer bullet]

I'll definitely miss it. I'll agree the current cast wasn't as good, but jeez that's a really high bar. I did still enjoy the new shows, they were still good, and happily and quickly watched them once they were released.

Well, dang.

[alnooge]

I think I feel the most for Chris Harris as he practically carried the show after Clarkson, Hammond and May departed. Thankfully at least Chris still does videos with Collecting Cars for now, and he's releasing a book/audiobook soon apparently

[Rafichicago]

There was that deal with latest Flintoff accident in march I believe. He is said to be still recovering after that. With BBC being national broadcaster and the agenda of safety and all ( soon going for the war will have to be safe) everything and anything has to be safe no wonder this is happening. That kind of activity in some instances has its consequences. Too bad it’s happening. Top gear was huge part of my life I believe I’ve seen it first time like 20 years ago and I have seen every single episode including latest ones. I agree that chemistry between Clakson May and Hammond was unique and will be impossible to replicate. They didn’t care that some were offended by their sense of humor and partly because of that original show was so unique. Their trip to North Pole was one of the best car related episode ever. Bolivia special is another one. Whoever did not see it should do that

[ShocknAwe]

Have been watching Harris Freddy and Paddy lately. Too bad Fred keeps getting hurt it's a golden trio honestly and they have their own gel that would also carry the show for another decade.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Tobstertx3

Agreed! Grew up watching it! One of Clarkson's famous lines....."M3 Drivers have no friends" lol

I had heard last week that the BBC had denied claims that it was being scrapped? Has there been a recent development/announcement?

[ASAP]

I think Top Gear had it's golden era until Youtube started becoming very popular with all of the automotive content... the Top Gear crew were very good showmen and had a great chemistry so you can see they were fit for a show... as far as their automotive knowledge, content and driving experience, I think it was mixed at best... none of the 3 had any automotive background but their personalities made the show a lot better than it was... almost every Top Gear review was inconclusive and mainly made for humor.

[Rafichicago]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I think Top Gear had it's golden era until Youtube started becoming very popular with all of the automotive content... the Top Gear crew were very good showmen and had a great chemistry so you can see they were fit for a show... as far as their automotive knowledge, content and driving experience, I think it was mixed at best... none of the 3 had any automotive background but their personalities made the show a lot better than it was... almost every Top Gear review was inconclusive and mainly made for humor.

Top Gear has never been about car reviews. Ever.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Rafichicago

Top Gear has never been about car reviews. Ever.

It was at least partially but not really in an objective way. This is why the show totally fell of once they left... a vast majority just moved to true online car reviews since the personality aspect of top gear was gone.

You are going to tell me you don't remember Clarkson's E60 M5 review?

[Rafichicago]

Originally Posted by ASAP

It was at least partially but not really in an objective way. This is why the show totally fell of once they left... a vast majority just moved to true online car reviews since the personality aspect of top gear was gone.

You are going to tell me you don't remember Clarkson's E60 M5 review?

Of course I do. The show has never been about reviewing in a way like let’s say throttle house or the smoking tire. It was entertainment show with automotive background. It included commentaries about many political aspects in UK as well. The M5 and alike reviews lasted only about 10 mins out of full hour of its length.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Rafichicago

Of course I do. The show has never been about reviewing in a way like let’s say throttle house or the smoking tire. It was entertainment show with automotive background. It included commentaries about many political aspects in UK as well. The M5 and alike reviews lasted only about 10 mins out of full hour of its length.

Precisely why it failed after they left... they tried to keep the same format with the wrong personalities... if they made it a true auto show, it had a chance...the old format with new presenters, didn't.

[Rafichicago]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Precisely why it failed after they left... they tried to keep the same format with the wrong personalities... if they made it a true auto show, it had a chance...the old format with new presenters, didn't.

True. Unfortunately bbc has rights to some features of this format. Exactly why Grand Tour was never as good as it could’ve been. I have enjoyed it nonetheless. Top Gear in its original form with that cast will remain the best automotive show of all times for me. Fun, entertaining, with plenty of humor and always right cars. I have no desire in finding out how comfortable ford explorer is or what’s the headroom and legroom of Hyundai Elantra. I am not sure if it failed though. There were like 10 series after Clarkson been fired.

[Rafichicago]

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-e...-b2410512.html

Here is one more comment that is adding to the possibility of show cancellation. We cannot help homeless but we will save our planet when we stop driving ICE cars 🤣

[murderspice]

Yea, loved the north pole special. Also, i laughed uncontrollably when they drove the reliant robin and rolled it all over town. Some touchstone television there. I could go on and on, there is so much great stuff.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I think Top Gear had it's golden era until Youtube started becoming very popular with all of the automotive content... the Top Gear crew were very good showmen and had a great chemistry so you can see they were fit for a show... as far as their automotive knowledge, content and driving experience, I think it was mixed at best... none of the 3 had any automotive background but their personalities made the show a lot better than it was... almost every Top Gear review was inconclusive and mainly made for humor.

This ..and I for one, as much as I liked their 'Can Hammy run up the hill faster than Capt Slow drive a Ferrari?' segments, I'd much prefer their car reviews, as subjective as they may be.

[damack]

Originally Posted by alnooge

I think I feel the most for Chris Harris as he practically carried the show after Clarkson, Hammond and May departed. Thankfully at least Chris still does videos with Collecting Cars for now, and he's releasing a book/audiobook soon apparently

He did that one season of Chris Harris on Cars that I thought was pretty good, but didn't keep it going.

[Tobstertx3]

Chris Harris did a special episode on Colin McCrae one time that I really enjoyed, I've always looked out for that episode as I'd love to see it again but haven't came across it.

[tranquility]

Let me expand upon what ASAP said that made Top Gear great, at least to me:

I'm not really a fan of all those silly contests they do pitting a car vs a guy paddling a boat across a river or whatever, rather, they always have access to desirable sportscars and their reviews are fun and generally gives you at least a subjective feel of whether the car's good or not...and isn't that what reviews should be about, or we might as well all just break out the calculators and whoever got the best, say, 0-60 # wins? One funny review hit home for me, they compared my car to the Nissan Z, saying the latter was faster, cheaper, but...they concluded everyone should still get the Z4 cause it's better lmao. I agree w that

[RichF90M5C]

It was only a matter of time before Flintoff had a big accident, they guy is a complete buffoon. The fact that he got paid £9m in compensation is frankly ridiculous, so there’s no chance Top Gear will be back.