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    Top Gear
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    Top Gear

    United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom

    "The world’s biggest motoring show."

    2002 - 2022 60 English
    76%

    User Score

    868 votes

    Community

    Overview

    Top Gear is a British motoring entertainment series that first aired in its relaunched format on BBC Two in October 2002. The show’s core premise involves three charismatic presenters embarking on a variety of automotive adventures, including road tests, races, challenges, and comedic segments. It’s far more than a simple car review program; it aims to explore the relationship between humans, machines, and the open road, often through spectacular and absurd scenarios.

    Each episode typically unfolds in a studio setting with a live audience, featuring a test track and the iconic "Cool Wall" where cars are judged on their style and desirability. The true engine of the show, however, is the dynamic between its hosts. Originally fronted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, their distinct personalities, Clarkson's bombastic opinions, Hammond's energetic enthusiasm, and May's meticulous approach, created a chemistry that became the series' main draw. Their friendly rivalry and constant banter turned car reviews into compelling television.

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    PlotSpoiler-free

    The world of Top Gear is built around a studio format and a sprawling test track, where the presenters engage in a mix of car reviews, challenges, and interviews with celebrity guests. The show's structure is loose, allowing for spontaneous humor and elaborate stunts. Early seasons focused on more straightforward car testing and quirky challenges, such as buying used cars for a tight budget and embarking on road trips across countries.

    As the series gained popularity, the challenges became increasingly ambitious and spectacular. These included epic road trips across continents, such as driving across America in cheap cars or navigating Vietnam on scooters. The presenters' contrasting driving styles and opinions often fueled the show's comedic conflicts. For instance, Clarkson's preference for raw power would clash with May's appreciation for engineering finesse, while Hammond often found himself in the middle, caught up in their schemes.

    The show is also known for its recurring segments, most famously the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment, where celebrity guests would set lap times around the test track in an ordinary car. The enigmatic racing driver, The Stig, known for his white suit and helmet and his silent, precise driving, became a cultural icon in his own right. His "some say..." introductions became a signature element of the show.

    Throughout its run, Top Gear pushed the boundaries of automotive entertainment. Challenges evolved to include building amphibious cars, racing trains, planes, and boats, and even attempting to create a "British supercar" on a shoestring budget. The series has seen shifts in its presenting lineup over the years, most notably after the departure of Clarkson, Hammond, and May. New hosts have brought fresh dynamics and perspectives, continuing the show's legacy of exploring cars and adventure with humor and a distinctive British flair. The format generally involves two or three main segments per episode: a significant car review, a large-scale challenge or road trip, and often a studio segment or interview.

    Ending ExplainedSpoilers

    Trailers

    Top Gear - Series 6 Trailer (2005)

    Top Gear - Series 1 Trailer (2002)

    Top Gear Series 27 | Trailer

    Critical Reception

    Critical Consensus

    Top Gear is a wildly entertaining, if sometimes controversial, motoring show that blends genuine automotive journalism with over-the-top stunts and comedic banter. Its success hinges on the chemistry of its presenters, whose personalities elevate car reviews into must-watch television. While criticized for occasional insensitivity and manufactured drama, its global appeal and influence on factual entertainment are undeniable.

    Top Cast

    Crew

    Directors

    Phil Churchward, Brian Klein, Kit Lynch-Robinson

    Writer

    Richard Porter

    Producers

    Andy Wilman, Gary Broadhurst

    Seasons (34)

    Awards

    BAFTA TV Awards (2005)

    Best Feature: Won

    BAFTA TV Awards (2006)

    Best Feature: Won

    BAFTA TV Awards (2007)

    Best Feature: Won

    BAFTA TV Awards (2008)

    Best Feature: Won

    BAFTA TV Awards (2009)

    Best Feature: Won

    BAFTA TV Awards (2010)

    Best Feature: Won

    BAFTA TV Awards (2011)

    Best Feature: Won

    BAFTA TV Awards (2012)

    Best Feature: Won

    BAFTA TV Awards (2013)

    Best Feature: Won

    BAFTA TV Awards (2014)

    Best Feature: Won

    BAFTA TV Awards (2015)

    Best Feature: Won

    International Emmy Awards (2007)

    Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated

    International Emmy Awards (2008)

    Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated

    International Emmy Awards (2009)

    Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated

    International Emmy Awards (2010)

    Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated

    International Emmy Awards (2011)

    Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated

    International Emmy Awards (2012)

    Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated

    International Emmy Awards (2013)

    Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated

    International Emmy Awards (2014)

    Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated

    International Emmy Awards (2015)

    Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated

    National Television Awards (2005)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    National Television Awards (2006)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    National Television Awards (2007)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    National Television Awards (2008)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    National Television Awards (2009)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    National Television Awards (2010)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    National Television Awards (2011)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    National Television Awards (2012)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    National Television Awards (2013)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    National Television Awards (2014)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    National Television Awards (2015)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    National Television Awards (2016)

    Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    TV Choice Awards

    Best Factual Entertainment Show: Won

    Guinness World Records

    Most-watched factual TV show: Won

    Guinness World Records

    Most successful BBC Worldwide format: Won

    Keywords

    friendshiptravelracingracesupercarmagazine showinspirationalcarautomotivechallengecomedyroad trip

    Facts

    Status
    Returning Series
    Type
    Talk Show
    Original Language
    English
    Network
    BBC Two, BBC One
    Created By
    Andy Wilman, Jeremy Clarkson
    Seasons
    33
    Episodes
    218
    Production
    BBC, BBC Studios
    Filming Location
    Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, Surrey, England
    Test Track Length
    1.75 miles
    Global Audience (2012)
    Estimated 350 million

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