Top Gear
Genre | Motoring
Directed by | Brian Klein
Presented by | Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond James May (2003-) Jason Dawe (2002) "The Stig"
Opening theme | "Jessica"
Composer(s) | Dickey Betts
Country of origin | United Kingdom
Original language(s) | English
No. of series | 18
No. of episodes | 148 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) | Andy Wilman
Producer(s) | Lloyd Washbrook
Editor(s) | Guy Savin Dan James
Location(s) | Dunsfold Park, Dunsfold, Surrey, England, UK
Running time | 60 minutes
Production company(s) | BBC
Distributor | BBC Worldwide
Broadcast
Original channel | BBC Two BBC HD (since 2009)
Picture format | (SDTV) 576i Anamorphic (Series 1?13) (HDTV) 1080i (Series 14?present Polar Special)[1]
First shown in | 1977?2001
Original airing | 20 October 2002 ? present
Chronology
Preceded by | Top Gear
Related shows | Top Gear (US) Top Gear Australia Top Gear Russia Top Gear S.Africa Top Gear Korea Stars in Fast Cars Top Gear of the Pops Top Ground Gear Force
External links
Website
Production website

Top Gear is a British television show about motor vehicles, primarily cars, and is the world's most widely watched factual television programme.[2] It began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine show. Over time, and especially since a relaunch in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous and sometimes controversial[3][4] style. The show is currently presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, and has featured at least three different test drivers known as The Stig. The programme is estimated to have around 350 million views per week in 170 different countries.[5]

First run episodes are broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two, and since Series 14, also on BBC HD. The series is also carried on cable television systems in the United States via BBC America. Eighteen series have been broadcast, the most recent of which finished on 11 March 2012. According to Jeremy Clarkson, the next episode will be the annual Christmas special, which will only air in February 2013,[6] after which series 19 will premiere in the same month.[7][8]

The show has received acclaim for its visual style and presentation, and criticism for its content and often politically incorrect commentary made by its presenters. Columnist A. A. Gill, close friend of Clarkson[9] and fellow Sunday Times columnist, described the show as "a triumph of the craft of programme making, of the minute, obsessive, musical masonry of editing, the French polishing of colourwashing and grading".[10]

## History[edit]

See also: Top Gear (1977 TV series)

Jeremy Clarkson, who helped the original series reach its peak in the 1990s, along with producer Andy Wilman, successfully pitched a new format for Top Gear to the BBC, reversing a previous decision to cancel the show in 2001. The new series was first broadcast in 2002. Instead of a stage or studio, such as BBC Television Centre in London, Top Gear's studio is located at the Dunsfold Aerodrome, an airport and business park in Waverley, Surrey. Top Gear uses a temporary racing circuit which was designed for the show by Lotus and is laid out on parts of Dunsfold's runways and taxiways. A large aircraft hangar is used for studio recording with a standing audience.

The new series format incorporates a number of major changes from the old show. The running time was extended to one hour and two new presenters were introduced: Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe, with James May replacing Dawe after the first series. The Stig, an anonymous, helmeted racing driver, was introduced as the test driver. New segments were also added, including "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car", "The Cool Wall", "The News", "Power Laps", and one-off features such as races, competitions, the regular destruction of caravans, and, more recently, Morris Marinas.

In early 2006, the BBC had a plan to move the film site from Dunsfold to Enstone, Oxfordshire for filming of the eighth series of Top Gear, but the move was rejected by West Oxfordshire council due to noise and pollution concerns.[11] Filming of the series went ahead at Dunsfold in May despite not having a permit to do so,[12] with a revamped studio set, a new car for the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment, and the inclusion of one of Hammond's dogs, named "Top Gear Dog" (now known as TeeGee), in a few studio and film segments of that series.

On 20 September 2006, Richard Hammond was seriously injured while driving a Vampire turbojet drag racing car at up to 314 miles per hour (505 km/h) for a feature in the show. The BBC indefinitely postponed the broadcast of Best of Top Gear and announced that production of the show would be delayed until Hammond had recovered. Both the BBC and the Health and Safety Executive carried out inquiries into the accident.[13] Filming resumed on 5 October 2006.[14] The ninth series began on 28 January 2007 and included footage of Hammond's crash.[15] The first show of the ninth series attracted higher ratings than the finale of Celebrity Big Brother[16] and the final episode of the series had 8 million viewers?? BBC Two's highest ratings for a decade.

1. Top: Series 1 host lineup from left to right: Jason Dawe, Richard Hammond, and Jeremy Clarkson.
2. Bottom: The presenters from Series 2 onward: James May, Richard Hammond, and Jeremy Clarkson.

A special programme, Top Gear: Polar Special, was broadcast in the UK on 25 July 2007 and was the first episode to be shown in high-definition. It involved a race to the North Magnetic Pole[17] from Resolute, Nunavut, Canada, with James May and Jeremy Clarkson travelling in a 'polar modified' Toyota Hilux, and Richard Hammond on an Alexander Tachauer drawn sled. All three presenters had experienced explorers with them, and Clarkson and May became the first to reach the 1996 North Magnetic Pole by car, using the vehicle's satellite navigation. Since 1996, the North Magnetic Pole had moved approximately 100 miles (160 km). The recorded 1996 location is the target used by Polar Challenge and was used by the Top Gear team as their destination; the Geographic North Pole is approximately 800 miles (1,300 km) further north.

On 9 September 2007, Top Gear participated in the 2007 Britcar 24-hour race at Silverstone, where the hosts (including The Stig) drove a race-prepared, second-hand diesel BMW 330d and finished 3rd in class and 39th overall. The car was fueled using biodiesel refined from crops shown during a tractor review in the previous series.

In 2008, the show was adapted into a live format called Top Gear Live. The tour started on 30 October 2008 in Earls Court, London, moving on to Birmingham in November then at least 15 other countries worldwide.

Produced by former Top Gear producer Rowland French[18] the events were described as an attempt to "bring the tv show format to life... featuring breath-taking stunts, amazing special effects and blockbusting driving sequences featuring some of the world's best precision drivers".[19]

On 17 June 2008, in an interview on BBC Radio 1's The Chris Moyles Show, Hammond and May confirmed that in Series 11 there would be a new "occasional regular host".[20] This was revealed to be Top Gear Stunt Man. The series' executive producer, Andy Wilman, also revealed that future programmes will have less time devoted to big challenges:[21]

> We've looked back at the last two or three runs and noticed that a programme can get swallowed up by one monster film?? a bit like one of those Yes albums from the 1970s where side one is just one track?? so we're trying to calm down the prog-rock side. We'll inevitably still have big films, because it's the only way you can enjoy the three of them cocking about together, but they'll be shorter overall, and alongside we'll be inserting two- or three-minute punk songs.

Series 14, broadcast in late 2009, attracted criticism from some viewers, who perceived that the show was becoming predictable with an over-reliance on stunts and forced humour at the expense of serious content. On the BBC's Points of View broadcast 13 December 2009, Janice Hadlow, the controller of BBC Two, rejected such comments, observing that she was still pleased with Top Gear's ratings and audience appreciation figures.[22] However, on 20 December, Andy Wilman admitted that the three presenters were now "playing to their TV cartoon characters a bit too much". He added, "It's fair to say this incarnation of Top Gear is nearer the end than the beginning, and our job is to land this plane with its dignity still intact. But ironically, that does mean trying new things to the last, even if they screw up, because, well, it means you never stopped trying."[23]

Nevertheless, a one-off special of the long-running USA news programme 60 Minutes featuring Clarkson, May and Hammond attracted 16 million viewers in October 2010 (which was the highest audience for the show in 2010), highlighting Top Gear's continuing popularity.[24]

## Broadcasts[edit]

Main article: List of Top Gear broadcasters and video releases

In addition to first run episodes broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two, and since Series 15, also on BBC HD, Top Gear is also shown on Dave, BBC America, BBC Canada, RT? Two Setanta Ireland in Ireland, Veronica in The Netherlands, Canvas in Belgium, Kanal 9 in Sweden, Malaysia's Media Prima's NTV7, Nine Network and GO! in Australia (previously on SBS One which showed the programme until the end of the 13th series aired in 2009), Prima COOL in the Czech Republic, Viasat3 and Viasat6 in Hungary, Prime TV in New Zealand, BBC Entertainment in India, and a number of other television channels around the world. The popularity of the show has led to the creation of three international versions, with local production teams and presenters for Australia, Russia and the United States.[25] Episodes of the Australian version premi?red on 29 September 2008 and NBC was holding the American version for broadcast in February or March 2009, as a possible mid-season replacement, but later dropped it from their schedule before production resumed.[26] Older series are also available on Netflix streaming. The U.S. cable channel History picked up the rights to the American version, which premiered on 21 November 2010.

## Segments[edit]

### Races[edit]

Main article: Top Gear Races

The show regularly features long-distance (or, as Clarkson refers to them, "epic") races.[27][28] These typically feature Clarkson (or one of the other presenters) driving a car against other forms of transport. The challenges usually involve Hammond and May taking the same journey by combinations of plane, train or ferry. The feature is edited to portray the result as close and to conceal the winner until the very end of the race (regardless of the actual closeness of the race).

A number of smaller scale 'novelty' races have also taken place that demonstrate various strengths and, more often, weaknesses of cars. These races involve one of the presenters, in a carefully chosen car, racing head-to-head against an athlete in conditions that favour the latter. The programme has also featured a variety of small races, typically lasting a couple of minutes, that pit two similar cars against each other, for example, old and very powerful racing cars against new showroom cars.

### Challenges[edit]

Main article: Top Gear challenges
Jeremy Clarkson's '"Toybota"' pickup truck from the amphibious cars challenge.

In the first few series, they featured novelty challenges and short stunt films, typically based on absurd premises, such as a bus jumping over motorcycles (as opposed to the more typical scenario of a motorcycle jumping over buses) or a nun driving a monster truck. No stunt films appeared between series seven and ten, but series eleven saw the introduction of segments with an anonymous stunt man (credited as "Top Gear Stunt Man") performing car jumps.

Starting with series five, many of the show's challenges were introduced with the tag-line "How hard can it be?". These included challenges where the presenters attempt to build a convertible Renault Espace, being roadies for The Who, participating in the Britcar 24-hour endurance race at Silverstone Circuit and trying to build an Electric Vehicle that would be cheaper than a G-Wiz.

Starting with series four, one episode of each series has featured a film built around the premise of "Cheap cars", whereby the presenters are given a budget (typically around ?1,500, but it has been between ?100 and ?10,000 depending on the type of car) to buy a used car conforming to certain criteria. Once purchased, the presenters compete against each other in a series of challenges to establish who has bought the best car. The presenters have no prior knowledge of what the tests will be, although they typically involve long journeys to evaluate the cars' reliability and fuel economy, and a race track event to determine performance.

Many of the car creations from the challenges are on display at World of Top Gear at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.[citation needed]

Isle of Man Post Office issued a set of six stamps featuring a selection of the most bizarre and ingenious automotive challenges featured on Top Gear.[citation needed]

### Specials[edit]

Beginning in 2007, a series of specials have featured the hosts travelling long-distance across a foreign country or region in vehicles purchased on a limited budget.

Month Year | Title | Hammond's vehicle | Clarkson's vehicle | May's vehicle | Back-up | Budget | Mission
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
February 2007 | US Special | 1991 Dodge Ram | 1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS | 1989 Cadillac Brougham | N/A | $1,000 (?620) | Travelling from Miami to New Orleans.
July 2007 | Polar Special | Dogsled (with Matty McNair) | 2007 Toyota Hilux | N/A | N/A | Traveling from Resolute, Canada to the Magnetic North Pole
November 2007 | Botswana Special | 1963 Opel Kadett | 1981 Lancia Beta Coup? | 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E | 1968 Volkswagen Beetle | ?1,500 | Traveling from the Zimbabwean border to the Namibian border, a trip of 1,000 miles.
December 2008 | Vietnam Special | 1991 125cc Minsk | 1981 Piaggio Vespa scooter | 50cc Honda Super Cub | American liveried Honda Z50 | 15,000,000? (?450) | Travel from Saigon to Ha Long in eight days.
December 2009 | Bolivia Special | 1974 Toyota Land Cruiser | 1984 Range Rover | 1988 Suzuki Samurai | N/A | ?3,500 | 1,000 mile trek from the Bolivian rainforest to the Pacific coast of Chile in second-hand off-road vehicles, bought online in South America.
December 2010 | Middle East Special | 1996 Fiat Barchetta | 2000 Mazda MX-5 | 1998 BMW Z3 | 1995 Opel Astra cabriolet | ?3,500 May spent ?3,966 | Following the route of the Nativity, traveling from northern Iraq to Bethlehem with second-hand two seater convertibles.
December 2011 | India Special | 2000 Mini Cooper | 1995 Jaguar XJS | 1975 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow | 1979 Austin Allegro | ?7,000 | To assist the British government make trade agreements to boost the British economy (whilst ignoring David Cameron's request to "stay away from India"), travel across India with British-built cars.

### Star in a Reasonably Priced Car[edit]

Main article: Star in a Reasonably Priced Car

| This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2012)

In each episode, a celebrity is interviewed by Clarkson. Then, they and the studio audience watch footage of the guest's fastest lap around the Top Gear test track. The times are recorded on a leader board. For the first seven series of Top Gear's current format, the car driven was a Suzuki Liana.

At the beginning of the eighth series, the Liana was replaced by a Chevrolet Lacetti. As the Lacetti is more powerful, the leader board was wiped clean, which has allowed several celebrities to return, including Boris Johnson, now Mayor of London. The format for setting a lap time was also changed: each celebrity is allowed five practice laps, then a final timed lap. No allowance is made for any errors on this final timed lap. The Lacetti was replaced with a new car for the fifteenth series, a Kia Cee'd.

Ellen MacArthur set the fastest lap time in the Liana, with a time of 1:46.7. The fastest lap time in the Chevrolet Lacetti was set by Jay Kay with a time of 1:45.83. The fastest time in the Kia Cee'd was Matt LeBlanc who achieved the current fastest time ever of 1:42.1 in February 2012.

Michael Gambon went around the final corner of the track on two wheels, prompting Clarkson to rename the corner in Gambon's honour. Lionel Richie and Trevor Eve each lost a wheel and David Soul destroyed the clutches of both the main car and the back-up car.

There is a separate Formula One drivers' leader board. Sebastian Vettel is currently top of the time sheet, with a time of 1:44.0. All Formula One times, even those set after the seventh series, are set in the Suzuki Liana.

### Power Laps[edit]

Main article: Power Laps
Top Gear Test Track

In the Power Laps segment, The Stig completes a lap around the Top Gear test track to gauge the performance of various cars. The Top Gear test track was designed by Lotus.

The qualifications for the normal Power Lap Board are that the car being tested must be roadworthy, commercially available, and able to negotiate a speed bump[29] (sometimes referred to as a 'sleeping policeman'). There is a separate unofficial board of times for non-production cars, such as the Aston Martin DBR9 Le Mans racer.

Cars that have recorded ineligible lap times on the Top Gear track include the Renault F1 car (0:59.0) and the Caparo T1 (1:10.6), both disqualified due to the sleeping policeman requirement, as well as the Ferrari FXX (1:10.7), which was disqualified for using slick tyres. The Pagani Zonda R set a time of 1:08.5 but was disqualified for not being road legal.

The fastest road-legal car that met the Power Lap requirements has been the Ariel Atom V8 with a lap time of 1:15.1, beating second-place McLaren MP4-12C, by 1.1 seconds.

### The Cool Wall[edit]

Introduced in the sixth episode of series one,[30] Clarkson and Hammond decide which cars are cool and which are not by placing photographs of them on to various sections of a large board, known as 'The Cool Wall'. The categories are, from left to right; "Seriously Uncool", "Uncool", "Cool", "Sub Zero", and the "Aston Martin DB9 Super Cool Fridge". According to Andy Wilman, the show's producer, any given car's coolness factor rested on various attributes that are not necessarily related to the quality of the car itself.[31] For example, Wilman suggests that "fashionable cars" such as the Audi TT, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Jaguar S-Type, and Volkswagen Beetle are uncool because they "make a massive impact for five minutes and then look clich?d and vaguely ridiculous."[31] In addition, if a Top Gear presenter owns any of the vehicles it automatically goes into the "Seriously Uncool" section, but may be subsequently promoted if sold.

On the show, Clarkson has stated that cars were deemed cool by the extent to which he believed they would impress actress Kristin Scott Thomas,[32] and later, BBC newsreader Fiona Bruce. Both have since been the celebrity guest for the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car feature; when Scott Thomas appeared on the show in series nine, many of her own judgments on which vehicles were "cool" and "uncool" were the opposite to the show's verdicts (her own car being a G-Wiz, previously dubbed "uncool"). Later, when Bruce came on in series 11, she stated to a visibly horrified Clarkson that her preferred choice of transport was a Citro?n Xsara Picasso.

### Unusual reviews[edit]

See also: List of Top Gear episodes

A common theme on Top Gear is an approach to reviewing cars which combines standard road tests and opinions with an extremely unusual circumstance, or with a challenge to demonstrate a notable characteristic of the vehicle.

This has included several reviews, including "Toyota Hilux Destruction", featured in series three, episodes five and six. Various methods were employed by Clarkson and May to try to destroy a fourth generation Toyota Hilux, thereby proving its strength. The 'trials' included dropping the Hilux from a crane, setting the vehicle on fire, crashing it into a tree, driving it through a big shed (with a sign which said 'Top Gear Production Office'), leaving it in the Bristol Channel tethered to the jetty at Burnham on Sea and waiting for the tide to engulf it, dropping a caravan on it, slamming it with a wrecking ball, and finally having it hoisted to the roof of a tower-block that was subsequently demolished with explosives. The heavily damaged (but still driveable, without the use of any new parts except for a replacement windscreen) Hilux now stands on a plinth in the Top Gear studio.

Another such review featured a Ford Fiesta, after Hammond read out a letter from a viewer complaining that "Top Gear cannot review cars properly any more." Clarkson gave the model a sarcastic, but thorough, appraisal and was then pursued around Festival Place shopping centre in Basingstoke, Hampshire, by a Chevrolet Corvette C6. The Fiesta was then used as a beach landing craft with the Royal Marines.

Occasionally, many cars are featured and reviewed inside one segment. In the "Scooter Road Test Russian Roulette Challenge" of series six, episode nine, Hammond and May worked as ScooterMen[33] in order to road-test as many randomly selected cars as possible, the catch being that they wouldn't know what they'd be road-testing and would have to review the vehicles in the presence of the owners.

Exotic or foreign cars are occasionally also reviewed in unusual ways. In the "VIP Chauffeur" test of series eleven, episode six, May conducted road tests in Japan of the Mitsuoka Orochi and Galue, and used the Galue to chauffeur a Sumo wrestler and his manager to a tournament as a way to test if the car is "Japan's Rolls-Royce".[34]

During its release in 2008, the Dacia Sandero was frequently mentioned as a running gag in the show's News feature, with the presenters' increasingly sarcastic excitement highlighting their opinion that the car was of no real importance to anybody. James May would sarcastically say "Great News! The Dacia Sandero..." and it would follow with a pointless fact about the Sandero. In the first episode of series 14, the crew actually went to Romania, where the Sandero is built. While there, Jeremy bought a Sandero for May, but just after May drove it, it was promptly crushed by a lorry. James said it was a brilliant car, and was furious when it was crushed.

Also in series 14 Clarkson tested the Renault Twingo in Belfast following a complaint from one of the city's residents. Despite catching a cold on the ferry getting there, he admitted he loved the car. However, he did some rather strange things, including driving it "upside down" in the Belfast Sewage System. Clarkson ended up driving the car into Belfast Lough after an attempt to land it on the HSS Stena Voyager after missing boarding times. Throughout the review it was stated (and repeatedly shown) that Ross Kemp was in the boot.

In series 15 episode 3, Clarkson, Hammond and May took turns testing three high performance sports saloons: a Porsche Panamera Turbo, a Maserati Quattroporte, and an Aston Martin Rapide. All three presenters acted as chauffeurs for an actual wedding; the couple was invited to the studio during the airing of the segment (afterwards, they were introduced to the audience and presented with a toilet seat with a picture of the three presenters on its surface).

### Car of the Year[edit]

At the end of each autumn series the hosts present an award to their favourite car of the year. The only criterion for the award is that all three presenters must come to a unanimous choice. Winners have included:

Year | Car
--- | ---
2002 | Land Rover Range Rover
2003 | Rolls-Royce Phantom
2004 | Volkswagen Golf GTI
2005 | Bugatti Veyron
2006 | Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
2007 | Subaru Legacy Outback/Ford Mondeo
2008 | Caterham Seven R500
2009 | Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni
2010 | Citro?n DS3
2011 | Range Rover Evoque

### Car of the Decade[edit]

On the final episode of Series 14 (broadcast 3 January 2010), during the Top Gear Awards Ceremony, Clarkson decided that, being the end of the decade, they could also announce the 'Car of the Decade' award. Clarkson commented that the winner of this award, the Bugatti Veyron, was the only car really worthy of the award. Since this format of Top Gear started in the 2000s (decade), there has only been one award so far.

Decade | Car
--- | ---
2000s | Bugatti Veyron

### Ownership survey[edit]

From 2003 to 2006, Top Gear conducted an annual survey which consulted thousands of UK residents on their car ownership satisfaction. The survey asked respondents to score cars on build quality, craftsmanship, driving experience, ownership costs, and customer care. While for legal reasons the survey is now conducted via the Top Gear magazine, the results are still used on the show. The survey, formerly undertaken in conjunction with J.D. Power, is now conducted by Experian. Based on these weighted criteria, the best and worst ranked cars from the survey are:

Year | Best ranked | Worst ranked
--- | --- | ---
2003 | Jaguar XJ[35] | Volkswagen Sharan[36]
2004 | Honda S2000 | Mercedes M-Class
2005 | Honda S2000 | Peugeot 807
2006 | Honda S2000 | Peugeot 807

## Episodes[edit]

Main article: List of Top Gear episodes

## Media releases[edit]

### Music compilations[edit]

During the run of the series, several compilations of driving songs have been released. These releases were inspired by similar releases that were made available during the show's original run in 1990s. Two exclusive compilations have been released?? Australian Anthems, a compilation released in celebration of an Australian version of the show being commissioned, and Seriously Rock Roll: NZ Edition, released in very limited quantities in the UK, which features a range of music from famous New Zealand artists.

Name | Release date | Notes
--- | --- | ---
Top Gear: Rock | 26 May 1994 | Double CD
Top Gear Vol.2 | 4 May 1995 | Double CD
Top Gear 3-Rock Ballads | 22 February 1996 | Double CD
Top Gear: On the Road Again | 20 September 1996 | Double CD
Top Gear Anthems | 14 September 1998 | Double CD
Top Gear: The Greatest Driving Album This Year! | 10 November 2003 | Double CD
Top Gear: The Ultimate Driving Experience | 14 November 2005 | Double CD
Top Gear: Anthems?? The Greatest Ever Driving Songs | 21 May 2007 | Double CD
Top Gear: Seriously Cool Driving Music | 12 November 2007 | Double CD
Top Gear: Anthems 2008?? Seriously Hot Driving Music | 2 June 2008 | Double CD
Top Gear: Sub Zero Driving Anthems | 17 November 2008 | Double CD
Top Gear: Australian Anthems | 17 November 2008 | Double CD
Top Gear: Seriously Hot Driving Anthems | 27 October 2009 | Double CD
Top Gear: Seriously Rock 'N' Roll | 26 November 2009 | Double CD
Top Gear: Full Throttle | 8 November 2010 | Double CD

### DVDs[edit]

Main article: Top Gear DVDs

A number of DVDs have also been released, covering various specials, and series compilations.

### Top Gear on Facebook[edit]

In August 2011, the BBC announced that full-length Top Gear episodes will be available to purchase with Facebook Credits and watch on Facebook.[37]

## Awards and nominations[edit]

In November 2005, Top Gear won an International Emmy in the Non-Scripted Entertainment category.[38] In the episode where the presenters showed the award to the studio audience, Clarkson joked that he was unable to go to New York to receive the award because he was busy writing the new script.

Top Gear has also been nominated in three consecutive years (2004?2006) for the British Academy Television Awards in the Best Feature category. Clarkson was also nominated in the best "Entertainment Performance" category in 2006.[39] In 2004 and 2005, Top Gear was also nominated for a National Television Award in the Most Popular Factual Programme category; it won the award in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011. Accepting the award in October 2007, Richard Hammond made the comment that they really deserved it this year, because he didn't have to crash to get some sympathy votes.[40]

Top Gear presenters have also announced on the show that they have won some slightly lower profile awards. In Series 10, Richard Hammond won the award for the "Best TV Haircut" and James May won the award for the worst. All three presenters have won the award for Heat magazine's "weirdest celebrity crush" revealed during the news. In series 11, the Stig won an award from the Scouts for Services to Instruction. After revealing that, the Stig was shown "attacking" the Scouts, and the presenters coming to the conclusion that he is either terrified of Scouts or was a Girl Guide.

At the end of 2009 Top Gear was voted best programme of the decade in a Channel 4-commissioned survey, The Greatest TV Shows of the Noughties, ahead of The Apprentice and Doctor Who in second and third places respectively. Industry insiders and television pundits voted; also a thousand members of the public took part in a YouGov poll. The results were broadcast on Sunday 27 December 2009 at 9:00?pm, the same time as the Bolivia Special on BBC Two.[41][42][43]

## Criticism[edit]

Main article: Top Gear controversies

Top Gear has often been criticised for content inside programmes by some members of the public and by Ofcom. Most of the criticisms stem from comments from the presenting team; however, other aspects of the programme have been underlined as unsuitable. Incidents and content ranging from (but not limited to) remarks considered by some viewers to be offensive,[44] promoting irresponsible driving,[45] environmental issues,[46] ridiculing Germans,[47][48] Mexicans,[49] and Poles[50] and alleged homophobia[51] have generated complaints. British comedian and guest of the show Steve Coogan has criticised the show, accusing it of lazy, adolescent humour and "casual racism".[52]

The programme has also been accused of misrepresenting vehicle manufacturer Tesla in an episode first aired in 2008. The firm took Top Gear to court for libel and malicious falsehood after it suggested one of its Roadster vehicles had run out of power after only 55 miles.[53][54] On 19 October 2011, the High Court in London rejected Tesla's libel claim, ruling in favor of Top Gear the BBC.[55]

Clarkson himself has been critical of the BBC over handling of the programme. In the February 2006 issue of Top Gear magazine, Clarkson voiced his opinion that the BBC did not take Top Gear seriously. He has also commented on his dislike of BBC bosses for choosing the length of the series and for often replacing the show with snooker (which Clarkson labelled as "drunk men playing billiards"), despite Top Gear having considerably higher viewing figures.[56]

## International productions[edit]

Main article: List of Top Gear broadcasters and video releases

Top Gear is broadcast in 170 different countries. BBC claims Top Gear has a viewership of 350 million per week. These numbers are speculated and are not confirmed by released BBC ratings.[57] Whether these numbers hold true, Top Gear is still one of the most watched TV shows currently in the world.

### Australia[edit]

Main article: Top Gear Australia

On 19 November 2007, it was revealed that a localised Australian series of Top Gear would be produced by the Special Broadcasting Service network in conjunction with Freehand Productions, BBC Worldwide's Australasian partner. This announcement marks the first time a deal has been struck for a version of Top Gear to be produced exclusively for a foreign market. No indication was given as to the exact makeup of the show, other than that it would have a distinct Australian style.[58] SBS ran a competition to find hosts for the show, and in May 2008 confirmed that the presenters for the Australian programme were to be Charlie Cox, Warren Brown, Steve Pizzati and a local 'cousin' of The Stig.[59] James Morrison replaced Charlie for the second series of Top Gear Australia. Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson added, "I'm delighted that Top Gear is going to Australia."[60] It was announced that the Nine Network had secured the rights to the local and UK versions from 2010 on both its Nine and Go! (digital TV) stations.[61] On 20 June 2010, it was announced that actor and comedian Shane Jacobson and Top Gear Australia magazine editor Ewen Page would join a returning Steve Pizzati to present the show which premiered on 28 September 2010. The Australian version has received lacklustre reviews.[62] Eventually, Top Gear UK and Top Gear Australia met up and challenged each other.

### Russia[edit]

Main article: Top Gear Russia

On 14 October 2008, the Top Gear website confirmed that a Russian edition of the programme was scheduled for production by the end of that year. Initially, 15 episodes were scheduled.[63] It was revealed on 20 December that the pilot, branded Top Gear: Russian Version, was filmed for broadcast on 22 February 2009.[64] The format is similar to its British counterpart, with three hosts: an ex rock guitarist Nikolai Fomenko, an ex-MTV Russia VJ Oscar Kuchera, and a former automotive journalist Mikhail Petrovsky.[citation needed]

After only half of the first series, broadcasting of the Russian version ceased due to viewers' criticism. The channel switched to broadcasting the British version of the show from then on.

### United States[edit]

Main article: Top Gear (U.S. TV series)

First news of an American version of Top Gear surfaced in January 2006, when the official Top Gear website ran a feature about the filming of an American version of the show, produced by the Discovery Channel.[65] The pilot featured Bruno Massel as one of the hosts, but was not picked up by the network,[66] which later began running edited versions of Series 1?5 of the UK original.

In April 2007, the BBC reported on a Sun story that Top Gear had been in talks about creating an American version. The current presenters would remain as hosts, but the show would focus on American cars and include American celebrities.[67] Plans for an American version were eventually shelved, partly over Clarkson's misgivings about spending several months in the U.S., away from his family.[68]

NBC announced it ordered a pilot episode for an American version of Top Gear, to be produced by BBC Worldwide America.[69] The pilot, filmed in June 2008, was presented by television and radio host Adam Carolla, rally driver Tanner Foust, and television carpenter Eric Stromer.[70] However, following the failure of a car-themed drama, NBC did not place the programme on its schedule, indicating it planned to hold it as a spring/summer (2009) series replacement.[71] Eventually, NBC dropped the show. In a February 2010 appearance in Australia, Jeremy Clarkson commented that the U.S. version of the show had been "canned".[72]

The show found new life in February 2010, when it was announced that the History cable channel had picked up the series and ordered between 10 and 12 episodes.[73] The show began production in August 2010, with a premiere on 21 November 2010.[74][75] A trailer was released in early August showing footage of the hosts simulating a "Moonshine run".[76]

### South Korea[edit]

Main article: Top Gear Korea

On 20 August 2011, the first series of the Korean version of Top Gear, produced by the XTM Channel, was aired with 13 episodes. On 8 April 2012, the second series of 10 episodes began.

Past presenters are Kim Kap-su (???) and Jo Min Gi (???), with the current presenters being Yon Jung Hoon (???) Pak Jun Gyu (???) Kim Jin Pyo (???). The third series was launched in October 2012.

## References[edit]

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3. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16526687 Top Gear India special criticised for 'toilet humour'
4. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12338053 Top Gear sparks Mexico complaints
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29. ^ Top Gear Power Laps Top Gear Website Retrieved on 2006.11.13 In order to qualify for the power laps board, a car must be road legal and be a car. For this reason, the F1 car (0.59.0), Aston Martin DBR9 (1.08.6) and Sea Harrier (0.31.2) do not appear.
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45. ^ Akwagyiram, Alexis (12 April 2005). "'Petrolheads' under attack". BBC. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
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47. ^ Hall, Allan (15 December 2005). "Germans up in arms over Clarkson's mocking Nazi salute". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). Retrieved 2 August 2006.
48. ^ "BBC Complaints?? Appeals to the Governors April to June 2006". July 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2007.
49. ^ Turner, Mimi (2 February 2011). "Mexico wants apology after Top Gear tirade". Reuters. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
50. ^ "Jeremy Clarkson offends Polish on Top Gear tank stunt". Herald Sun. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
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52. ^ Coogan, Steve (5 February 2011). "I'm a huge fan of Top Gear. But this time I've had enough". The Guardian (London).
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55. ^ [Tesla losing Top Gear court challenge "http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/tesla-losing-top-gear-court-challenge-1.1162112"] Check `|url=` scheme (help). The Independent. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
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62. ^ "Top Gear Australia". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
63. ^ Top Gear goes Russia TopGear.com (14 October 2008)
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70. ^ "Start Your Engines! NBC's 'Top Gear' Buckles up its Hosts for Gigh-Octane Pilot from BBC Worldwide America Based on International Hit Franchise". NBC. 16 June 2008.
71. ^ Futon Critic Staff (14 May 2008). "NBC Details New Beers Series, Mid-season Options". Futon Critic. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
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73. ^ "Top Gear USA Alive, Heading To History Channel". Jalopnik.com. 15 February 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
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## External links[edit]

| Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Top Gear

| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Top Gear.

- Please use a more specific TV.com template. See the documentation for available templates.
- Top Gear at BBC Online
- Top Gear at the Internet Movie Database
- Top Gear magazine UK website
- Top Gear America and Canada
- BBC News article on Top Gear's history (21 September 2006)
- List of Cars appearing on Top Gear courtesy of IMCDb
- Needcoffee.com post and BBC Worldwide America press release regarding the American version (15 January 2008)
- Top Gear on UKTV
- World of Top Gear at National Motor Museum, Beaulieu

Top Gear
2002 format (2002–present) |
Presenters | Jeremy Clarkson Jason Dawe (Series 1 only) Richard Hammond James May (Series 2 onward) The Stig
Series | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Segments | Challenges Races Star in a Reasonably Priced Car Power Laps
Specials | Winter Olympics US Special Polar Special Botswana Special Vietnam Special Bolivia Special Middle East Special India Special Top Gear of the Pops Top Ground Gear Force Africa Special
Media | Broadcasters and video releases Top Gear DVDs
Locations | Dunsfold Dunsfold Aerodrome Top Gear Test Track
International versions | Australia Russia United States South Korea
1977 format (1977–2001) |
Presenters | Jason Barlow Steve Berry Tom Boswell Julia Bradbury Vicki Butler-Henderson Jeremy Clarkson Michael Collie Brendan Coogan Noel Edmonds Chris Goffey Kate Humble Tony Mason James May Tiff Needell Michele Newman Angela Rippon Quentin Willson Andy Wilman William Woollard
Series | List of episodes
Spin-offs | Rally Report Top Gear Motorsport Stars in Fast Cars Race to the North Top Gear Magazine
Jon Bentley Fifth Gear driven Top Gear controversies

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Manufacturing in the United Kingdom Economy of the United Kingdom
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