How Three Idiots (Accidentally) Conquered The World: The Story of Top Gear, Part 2
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- čas přidán 2. 01. 2022
- In 2010, Top Gear became the biggest show… in the world. Not even a decade earlier, it was an irrelevant, burnt-out shell that was extremely unlikely to ever reclaim its former glory, let alone become anything more substantial.
Sorry for the delay - I had to rescript more than half of what you see before you, this part was originally 37 minutes long and bears little resemblance to how it looks now, both in the narration and the video content.
Part 2 focuses on the 10 years the trio of Clarkson, Hammond and May worked together to turn the show into a giant, as well as everything that happened afterwards, both good and bad.
This description is temporary for the time being. Credits and other attributions will be added in the coming days.
I have a feeling this will be a busy week.
Top Gear is the copyrighted intellectual property of the BBC.
The Grand Tour is the copyrighted intellectual property of Amazon.
Produced by: AlexTGRF
Edited by: AlexTGRF and Razor440 ( / @raysore_ )
Special thanks: @RacingFreak
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Clarkson hit the nail on the head a long time ago about the audience as my family were just that. The son watches it for the cars and amazing challenges, the daughter watched it for the comedy factor and because Hammond is a bit 'cute', the Dad watches it for the more relatable adult jokes and the cocking about, and then Mum sees the whole family sitting together nicely and joins and enjoys the celebrity guest interview most! They really had something for everyone!
Or in my house the woman (me) watches it because she loves cars. Then finds three presenters who have a certain appeal. Husband hates it. He can’t drive so has no idea why I enjoy it. Then he gets jealous as I just adore Clarkson.
@@jennifersivewright3117 Even the whole "it was only done for entertainment purposes"-whining is wrong, because it was James May ranting about the gearbox in his BMW Z5(?) from the "three Wise Men" episode that made me realise that the gearbox in the family car - a VW Golf Plus from 2007 - was actually terrible and should have been replaced by a different one.
The point is: Top Gear transcends entertainment and cars ... and makes "everything for everyone" ... instead of just segments for separate people.
@@jennifersivewright3117 why on earth you would have husband that cant drive
@@torontotonto6189 cause not everyone wants to drive
Agreed!
I remember bawling like a baby on the final episode of the grand tour, and my wife asking why 3 grown men made me cry. It was an end of an era and my childhood ending. No one can beat the trio
I feel you brother.
since Top Gear and The Grand Tour, the three most brilliant car related content media that I can enjoy and kind of relate to - as individual matter of subjects - to those are Carfection CZcams channel (for it's amazing cinematography, editing and sensational reviews by Henry Catchpole.) ,
ThrottleHouse CZcams channel ( for their great sense of humor used right and related to cars and also their cinematography and editing.) and Hagerty CZcams channel and more specifically, Jason Cammisa's special contents (for his great abilities as a professional presenter.)
@@alisoleymani3987 hey mate, any recommendations for decent top gear special esque yt stuff?
Mate your comment made me cry as well... And yes, the last GT episode also made me cry. I only started watching top gear after the first season of The GT ended. From youtube cut clips, to pirate sites, I consumed everything in about a year. Then followed The GT... and then that ended...
Well fuck this shit imma go for a ride on me bike... (I don't have the age yet to drive :( )
Grand Tour isn't done, though? It's just another format. Every episode is a "special" which was probably the most watched episodes anyway. Honestly, the audience-scenes and the tent as a whole didn't work well for Grand Tour. Every end is a new beginning, fortunately
Honestly, I hope that someday someone bests the trio. How awesome would it be to have more or better of what they did. It will be hard, but never say never. On the other hand, no one can ever claim to be the first to do it. Specially, on such fantastic fashion as the trio. This trio will be forever the fathers of modern entertainment shows.
It broke my heart when Clarkson announced the end to the Traveling Tent, you could really tell the audience interaction really meant alot to him.
Blame Amazon's viewer metrics analysis. I'm sure the tent went because Amazon was so much better at monitoring audience engagement by when people skipped and paused and stuff and their data told them to lose the tent. :( I agreee though, I liked the Tent section.
Yeah, I totally didn't cry during that episode...
Yeah, I don't think the tent had to go just the awful celebrity braincrash
@@obscura1839 Aparently there actually WAS a braincrash game but it was 'dull as wallpapering' so they dropped it for the joke about nobody ever playing it.
@@MartynStanleyAuthor Not really a good excuse though, could have brought back fan letters or the cool wall or something fun from Top Gear that they don't do anymore. I liked the tent beyond celebrity braincrash.
As Clarkson himself put it in an interview "It's just chemistry". You can't simply makeup chemistry out of nothing with people who don't know each other. Every single episode you watch, especially the ones with the specials in them, you get the feeling of 3 friends just having fun, doing ridiculous stuff. That's the appeal that was missing from any of the host rotations BBC did. If they want to succeed with the ratings, they just need to employ the guys from Car Throttle and let them go berserk on the script. No PC, no pulling back punches. Pure as they come.
I thought this when they unveiled the new BBC top gear - why not get the car throttle guys / mat watson? Would cost less in salaries and would be far funnier and more informed.
makes sense
i always thought that the annoyingly british nutjob Alex Kersten would be exactly the right man for the Job!
Him and his Friends would fit the show perfectly
The passion in Clarkson Voice at 16:16 when introducing Hammond pulled on my heart strings! That was 'I nearly lost a friend' energy
is teared up a little bit - happy I'm not the only one perceiving it this way
And, apparently at Hammond's request, that episode has never been shown again. In fact, I seem to recall Hammond saying he has no memory of appearing on that episode at all. That's how messed up his brain still was.
@@soulcornflake1 I wouldn't be surprised if that was some sort of psychosomatic retrograde amnesia, making him unable to recall events directly tied to a traumatic event.
@@richardmillhousenixon If you haven't read it you should read On the Edge, which was about the accident. It was mostly written by Mindy, and it shows how strong she really is.
@@soulcornflake1 he has said in later interviews that he lost almost a year of memories after the accident too.
Part two of the greatest Top Gear-related documentary... in the world.
Am i the only one who read that in JC's voice😀
@@kingjc101 Anyway....
@@Broadercasting Rare Top Gear Content's genius is almost frightening. 😀
@@kingjc101 certainly not..
And on that bombshell...
This show kept me going when I was a kid. My home life was troubled, to say the last, and the one thing I could always count on at the end of a traumatic day was watching these three idiots having the time of their lives and letting me in on the fun a little bit. I watched the last episode of GT with tears in my eyes, feeling honored that I got to grow up watching JC, RH, and JM earn every bit of credit they deserve. Their era of Top gear will always be the greatest ever show.. in the world.
Brother, write a letter by hand and send to each of the three telling your story. I think it would mean the WORLD (😉) to them!!!
Rest in peace Jeremy
@@stellviahohenheim WHAT???
@@mostlyimportant4212 not real
@@brodown64 Thanks, I ended up googling it
I'm an Azerbaijani 32 year-old whose whole adult life was affected by this show. I was browsing CZcams searching for car videos somewhere in Austria in summer 2009 when i stumbled upon their show for the first time. I grasped very little, but still, it was a very different take on a car show for a car nerd like me. Then, back home, I started watching them on Russian TV channels and internet forums. i was hooked immediately, and by 2012, i was too eager to watch new episodes, so i started watching them without translation, and that's how my English finally started coming along. I was along the people who signed petitions when they fired him. I also was happy to watch the Grand Tour despite the heavily scripted scenarios. They also made me extremely happy when they were racing on the streets of my hometown. I can't say how many wonderful moments i had laughing like a maniac watching them. For me, this show is not about cars, it's about friendship, humour, good music, travel, and only then cars. Watching them changed me quite a bit. Top Gear hasn't only improved my English, it has also introduced me to the British sense of humour, classic rock, Ludovico Einaudini and bands like Led Zeppelin, M83. Air They also taught me to laugh at every misfortune i might have in my life. I never had an opportunity to say to those three how much i owe them and how important their show was to me. But if Jeremy, Richard, and James are reading this, I just want to say thanks, chaps! It was an incredible journey watching you.
This is such a fascinating comment to read as an American. You're an Azerbaijani, watching videos in Austria, of British presenters, while learning English, on Russian TV, as they drive Italian cars. Europe in a single experience.
Congratulations. Your English has come a long way. No, it’s perfect! Well done mate!
I am Azerbaijani in Canada, and I have been watching this show for 4 years already. I am sad that I did not discover it sooner.
Part 1 just showed up in my recommendations while watching a compilation about JC's best moments. Watched it full and wanted to see the second one, lucky for me the part 2 premiers "shortly", not more than a minute after i finished watching Part 1.
same story here!
CZcams algorithms actually working to help a good channel for once. Never thought I'd see the day. Did the same for me.
Algorithms showed me part one yesterday. The machines are finally doing good!
Same here
you're lucky, the algorithm showed me part 1 like two weeks ago and had to wait. this is pretty good work
13:54
I find it ironic and extremely on brand for Top Gear that their longest running joke with Richard Hammond basically saved him from a much more fatal injury.
A much MORE fatal injury? Yep, you're definitely the target audience.
@@chrisb8075 A Frontal Lobe Injury vs Decapitation is at least a good way to see it, so…
Not sure why I'm actually getting into this but I'm bored so.... Fatal is fatal. He didn't die so there is nothing to compare his death to. Poor word choice, but it doesn't mean mean anything that negative towards you. Happy sailing but I intend to find out... Reboot!..... Semantics
Old comedy show segment...death can we fatal with Charlie Farly...The Two Ronnies
@@harven7573 Well, there is fatal without treatment, and then there's fatal even with treatment
This documentary is so well written. It's like reliving the last 15 years of my life in 2 hours.
I’m really glad you discussed the quality of Grand Tour Season 3. I was so impressed with how much dead weight they trimmed from that season, making it easily one of the most entertaining seasons I’ve seen the guys on. The Mongolia special is honestly my favorite.
The Mongolia special shows how you can put those three in the most desolated, lonely place in the world, give them the most unassuming car ever, no material whatsoever and still get incredible entertainment.
Incredible content. Well sourced. Well written. Top Notch, mate! Keep up the great work.
Agreed.
@@dazaspc it's not perfect, but it's better than anything else out there and it's his first few tries. If you've got something constructive, fire away
@@dazaspc the guy spent hundreds of hours in research and putting these videos together. If you think you can do it better, then there is only one thing to do: SHOW US. If not, then better shut up and be happy that someone took the effort of making what I call: 'A very good overview of Top Gear'.
@@dazaspc nah you are right the timeline on these is bad.
@@dazaspc Ok, I guess all of us are eagerly awaiting your videos about Top Gear. When can we expect them ?
Top Gear got me through some hard times. A relationship breakdown had me in a place where I couldn't bare to watch most TV/Movies, there were always reminders, triggers, whatever you want to call it. Watching Clarkson, Hammond and May's antics really helped me to retain a modicum of sanity.
I'm approaching my 50's now. I don't drive. I've never had a driving lesson. But I've watched every episode of Top Gear countless times. I have the entire collection on my hard drive and still watch them again and again.
I can't find the words to even come close to expressing how much they helped me. I honestly can't thank them enough.
One day I might make the effort to pass my test... At the minute though, my sim rig is consuming all my money...
But... if it wasn't for the 3 self proclaimed idiots... I might not be here to be able to pretend to drive...
Thank you Mr Clarkson, Mr Hammond and Captain May.
Oh no! Anyway…..
This was the same for me in 2009-2010. When my son was a baby in 2013 the intro song to Top Gear was the thing that would stop him crying, we spent countless hours rocking in front of Top Gear. This legacy has an incredible effect on people.
Didn't think I'd sit here on a monday evening literally tearing up over a (exeptionally well done) documentary about a fucking car show. I highly doubt there will ever be a show giving me the same amount of laughter, excitement and comfort as this! Thank you so much for making this, sat through both parts and I felt like I could watch it straight away!
The Top Gear specials were so much more than a “car show” special, they showed the beauty of the countries, their way of life. Almost like a travel or a tourism show, way ahead of its time.
This was amazing thanks so much for doing this! Top Gear was such a huge inspiration for car filming for me and it is amazing to see such a detailed history.
Jakub 😳
This is an awesome video summary. At the end of the day, the original Top gear was a massive success because they had a genuine brotherhood of good lads and were unapologetically NOT politically correct/sterile. It was the closest thing to having a fun experience/adventure with your boys, but on TV.
Bingo
That's what entertainment should be
There we go, that’s why I love TG
@@freddieparrydrums Homophobic = based
I was thinking the exact same thing. I miss it like you would miss a fav. t-shirt. One of the 1st victims of wokeism.
The chemistry among those 3 is the reason why the show shines
Killer work man, would love to see more like this!
Luis, you are an attractive beast
Did not expect to see you here!
This documentary gives me a fresh perspective on my childhood, and I cannot thank you enough for that.
I agree, it reminded me of how things used to be back then
same, so much nostalgia
same, my favourite show from my childhood
What I always loved about these guys was that, despite all the chaos and controversy, they were happy. They were genuinely smiling and laughing and swearing all the time. They're genuine people. And that's their true power. A power that no one can hope to replicate with money alone.
Or the nonentities that took over' after the three left.
@@RichardASK I was completely unaware that the bbc had sacked Clarkson. I watched the first episode with the new guys and waited 3minutes for the punchline of the joke why there are different guys, then I paused and googled what's going on. Gave it another 5min and turned it off. Haven't watched it since.
richard hammond simply saying goodbye at the end of the final episode is something that i will remeber forever
clarkson is like a father figure to me, the first time i saw a top gear episode was with my dad on the couch and it has stuck with me ever since, still makes me teary eyed everytime i see hammond coming back after his crash, may debuting on the new top gear or the last episode with them saying goodbye instead of goodnight, they are the reason i have a miata and the reason i became a car guy, the boys will always have a special place in my heart, thank you for everything
At least for me, the entire reason why I loved the show so much was just how natural it felt. When it was at it's peak, it didn't throw super heavily scripted parts at you (for the most part) and just genuinely felt like a couple friends hanging out and doing stupid shit together, except they had a massive budget to do so.
Sadly, modern top gear is the polar opposite
Just got to the end - can't wait to watch more of your Top Gear content in the future! Was literally looking for reviews/insights/stories etc yesterday before these two videos came up. Wish you the best of luck in making CZcams your full time work!
I love how Jeremy Clarkson insults Belgium as boring and then the most popular channel in Belgium picks up their program 🤣🤣. As a Belgian, I watched their show on there.
The Vietnam special is not only the best episode of Top Gear ever made IMO, it’s one of the best episodes of TELEVISION ever made. Even people who hate Top Gear or are not fans of any of the original trio, have watched and admitted its greatness.
Your passion was felt throughout your entire documentary. I was completely unaware of the origin stories you told (which were great!) and though I would call myself a "fan of Top Gear", you most certainly are. And then some! Keep fighting the good fight!
Hey mate I rarely leave a comment but just want to say a massive thank you for making these documentaries and preserving the history of this amazing show. All the best.
Anyone who pulls out a Raphael Orlove reference AND Alex Mills references gets a "SUBSCRIBE" from me!
Clarkson, Hammond and May were the best trio on television.
The Vietnam special is my favorite episode of TV ever, i've watched maybe 20 times and it simply will never get old, I know all the lines, jokes, twists and background music that plays and yet every time I watch it; its like im watching it again for the first time.
They made something truly special and their French special for the grand tour was a return to form and is one of my new favorites. This documentary was amazing, trying to cover everything that hap[pend during top gears time on air is nearly impossible and you have made a great piece to help document and showcase one of the greatest shows ever made,
Jeremy Clarkson and school mate Andy Wilman were the reasons Top Gear had a 350-million viewership. Hamster and Captain Slow got on board. The show was reformatted. A format that worked for the trio, for Wilman, and, for the viewer.
As someone who is currently doing really well, i want everyone to know that Top Gear got me through the hard times. The fact you have made this documentary fills me with pride and admiration. Well done brother
This is an incredibly well-made documentary, and I look forward to the episodic guides you mentioned. I am working on an episode-by-episode guide to Saturday Night Live, and I know what rewarding but time-consuming work it can be. I've joined your Patreon, and I wish you luck!
Cheap cars and build challenges are the things I loved the most about Top Gear. So much fun and laughter.
This really summed it up well, especially your passing comment at the end about how the show was more than a show, but a living entity that grew and changed with time, with which we could dynamically relate. More than anything, *that* really I think is what made this show so special. We, over almost 20 years, got to see it evolve and change in a way nothing else on television ever had, and likely never again will. After the BBC/Clarkson split, that was destroyed on both fronts. New "Top Gear" was watered a down imitation of its past, and The Grand Tour, while it had its moments, ultimately was too limited between Amazon quotas and BBC lawyers to truly continue to evolve and thrive as a program. It was gut-wrenching to see the time for the trio essentially end twice (Series 19 and then eventually TGT), but I do honestly believe that it was for the best. The damage was irreparable, and the best thing at this point was for the trio to go their own ways, continue their own projects, and occasionally reunite for a special (which in my opinion have all been fantastic thus far). And yes, missing out on new seasons from them is a downer, but I do honestly believe the rewatchability of the prior seasons more than makes up for it. For the most part, its aged very well, and even the Tiff era road tests and such have a charm of their own, despite predating the formula that went on to define the series.
I can't believe my good fortune. I watched part 1 just a couple of days ago, heard you were making another, and here it is! In the meantime, I've been going back through the episodes I own and seeking out others I haven't even seen, and I have you to thank. I sat through both 1 and 2 from start to finish, which is a small miracle with my attention span, and want to express my appreciation and gratitude for your incredible efforts. Your final comments really hit home, as musician who posts music videos on another channel. Video and research content both must be acknowledged, as it takes so much more than just time. Independent creators like yourself are worth their weight in gold in my eyes.
My first time becoming a patron and I'm RTGC's first patron. Boosh! Let's go!
Man I appreciate your donation. I would have done the same thing because he deserves it truly. Sadly I do not have the financial possibilities
@@lorisperfetto6021 all good man. I'm sure he doesn't want anybody going into debt for him.
Top Gear is literally culture to me and my household. TO THIS DAY, we all say zesty drink when we ask for a coke, scream like clarkson when a lorry passes us on the motorway and say GOOD NEWS when we see a Dacia Sandero.
Each special is excellent, favourite either Africa or Burma
There will probably never be a broadcasting trio with such good chemistry ever again
Impractical jokers
In 2010 we used to play pirated Top Gear episodes in our lobby to appease client's waiting for orders. It worked it treat. They used to stay and finish an episode then take their orders and leave. I used to get called down on the regular and asked for the video files.
Well, I have to say that this channel is really good. Well done on your breakout video. Your opinions are largely ones I agree with, particularly on current Top Gear. Series 23 of Top Gear could have worked, if the show wasn't synonymous with its three presenters. They tried to do a Live and Kicking with it, in that the BBC believed that the franchise was bigger than the hosts and producer. It was not. The franchise WAS Clarkson, Hammond, and May.
Chris Evans, as good as he is a host on TFI Friday and his Radio Show, doesn't do the same for me as Clarkson did. The Clarkson character is relatable in that we all know someone like him. Chris Evans is just a presenter with a large ego. it didn't help that the BBC's attempt to change the identity of the show removed its identity. The only real stroke of genius the BBC had in Series 23 was Matt LeBlanc, and he's gone now. The current problem with Top Gear now? Paddy and Freddie Flintoff aren't car journalists. They're presenters first, and foremost. Clarkson, Hammond, and May were car journalists before they were on TV, and had to develop their schtick over a few series before it worked.
If I were in charge of Top Gear now? Short of cancelling it, I'd at least give it a rest for one year. I'd get rid of the current presenters, and do a complete retool of the show. Its due it now, the Clarkson/Wilman format has been going on for nearly 20 years. I'd make it a co-production with another production company, for a start. I'd bring in three new presenters, with my money going towards securing Jenson Button, a Young Car journalist from CZcams, and then maybe someone from the Top Gear Magazine. Smaller scale challenges, a few more topical features, and bring back Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.
I’d go the complete route- cancel the Clarkson/Wilman format, have a large group of car journalists/presenters, and have the new format much like TG’s format in the 90s
Keep Harris, but replace the other two with Jason Camissa and Matt LeBlanc.
@@ScorpioIsland It's unfortunate that Matt LeBlanc had to step down due to family commitments, as I thought he was very good. Nowhere nearly as Hollywood as I was expecting and he's a proper motoring enthusiast.
JK ask to do it as he a real petrol head and was going to let them use he's race track. Bring him in with jenson Button would make a big difference. But in away it lost that edge.
I've always thought Chris Harris is excellent, and provides a bit of James May esque nerdism. What they need is someone like Colin Furze to be a modern day Hammond/Clarkson to blow things up and shout, and then maybe someone like Jonny Smith, altho he's quite similar to Harris.
Gearknob deserves an award for this documentary. Amazing work.
Probably one of the most comprehensive fan-made documentary I can find on Top Gear. Well-done, infact. Top Gear under Clarkson, May and Hammond represent an era which I unfortunately was too young to witness. After a long hesistantly, I decided to watch it for a randomly-selected few episodes. The show instantly clicked on me and I never get tired watching it. The Specials are probably my favorite kind of episodes. I didn't know a show about car that blend 'all' sort of formulas can be this interesting, presented by three differing personalities that get along very well. If there's a time machine I can use, I'd tell my mom to get an internet service and watch Top Gear as far back as I was 10 years old.
Truly, truly brilliant analysis. Deep, informative, thoughtful, and insightful. As a fan of the show since the early 00s, and a keen follower and fan of Richard, James, and Jeremy, I cannot tell you how much nostalgia this fills me with. Thank you so much.
Dude this was amazing, you should be seriously proud because it's something i've always wanted, since i was born when the trio were still not created. Thank you so much for this, and i hope that your future content will be just as good, because then you'll never have any dust on you.
The episode where Hammond is welcomed back always makes me tear up
In the Wild West days of you tube, I used to be able to watch whole episodes right after they premiered in the UK. They would only be up for a day or two at most, but it’s how I was able to watch the show as a high school kid in the US (New Hampshire). I loved this show so much and still go back and watch old clips regularly. I remember watching the cheap police car challenge and laughing hysterically at the family computer. Thanks for putting together these two episodes on the history of the show. I can confidently say I don’t think we’ll ever see anything quite like this again. And James May will forever be my favorite but I love the orangutan and hamster equally too.
The beach buggy episode in series one of the grand tour was REALLY good I thought - but you are right as they found their legs they quit. You did awesome with this absolutely outstandingly awesome! If I ever created a car show based on the Too Gear format - your ass would have a job.
Huge respect to you for making this two part documentary, it was absolutely fascinating, and the effort you put into researching and making it shines through. As someone who grew up in the 1980s, I'd watched Top Gear from it's early days so your documentary brought back a lot of memories of classic TG moments and the earlier presenters, and was also packed full of information I was previously not aware of.
Absolutely magnificent part 2 to the story that is Top Gear...I genuinely am tearing up at the moment processing both of these videos after only very recently finishing watching every episode of Top Gear and The Grand Tour. The 3 of them hold such a special place in my heart, despite me only being young (in comparison) and not watching at least the first 14 series of Top Gear when they were being aired. Thank you for the hard work and dedication you put into this, it has been so informative and well presented!
well done sir, this was one of the best documentries I have seen. As an avid Top Gear fan in my youth, I spent countless days running home from school, turning on Dave and watching a TG episode for the 8th time. And like you said, I loved it every time!
This documentry brought back so many good memories of times watching the show. It was also fascinating to hear about its history and rebirth in a way I have never heard before.
Thank you, Gearknob
After 20 years of watching Top Gear Grand Tour 5th Gear clips on the web, I learned so much from this masterpiece of a documentary.
Fantastic video!
As a Brazilian, I came upon Top Gear upwards it's half-life with the old trio had passed {somewhere between 2009 and 2010) and I had been a fan ever since even if I wouldn't really watch a full episode until about a year later I first found it on youtube with subtitles in Portuguese, as I couldn't understand English that well yet, taking advantage of the fact that in some moment at that time, a few Brazilian fans also found the show and decided to translate it on youtube, taking bits as the news section, taking bits of the show and translating them before joining forces to do a blog together and bring full episodes. As there was no Brazilian broadcast that was my source to watch them and even when the Brazilian BBC HD had it I would watch through them first due to the higher quality and the fact that quite often, BBC would bring episodes with cuts.
As a fan, I always dug into TG stuff... I remember being hyped about the articles over the history of the show, told by Wilman but sadly, shortly after the end of the TV show in 2015 with the departure of Clarkson from BBC or maybe at the same time... I had the British magazine as an imported product from Fnac and I remember reading columns from May and Hammond on the same issue, but nothing from Clarkson and it repeated on the following issues until the three of them officially left BBC to follow Clarkson on a new show that would become TGT.
Long story short... as a fan that found TG when it was already seven or eight years old on that format, I really enjoyed learning how it got to that point, what happened on the years before and what was the whole context on brit-tv at the time things were happening. Great video, an hour-long that went through really fast!
This viewing and subsequent comment I suppose are a couple years late but, I'm now 23 and have watched top gear since I was in the single digits of age. I don't know of a more culturally significant piece of media I frequently went back to that was both the most and least divisive piece of content my family enjoyed /hated. These 3 in a lot of ways were a respite I didn't get in a lot of other places and ways in a... tumultuous childhood. This comment will probably get washed in a sea of others in a 2 year old video but I will never forget these 3 and the impact they had on my childhood. I've looked up to them and had varying degrees of fondness for them my whole life but I am so grateful that despite everything we got to enjoy them in the ways we did when we did. Thank you James, Richard and Jeremy for an unforgettable run. And cheers to more stuff hopefully or an easy retirement for you lot should you want. Truly a fucking era that will never be matched again.
Thanks for the two part summary. Topgear was part of my childhood growing up, Grand tour was good too. It wasn't always perfect but it was a couple of blokes talking about cars and having fun. Thanks for all the memories and still producing awesome content Mr Clarkson, Mr Hammond and my favourite Mr May.
Blimey Mr Rare Top Gear Content, smashed this video out the park same as with the last one! Absolutely 100% without doubt the best home made documentary I've ever seen on youtube, props for working so hard for so long and sticking out all that research! I can't wait to see where you take this in the future!
Beautiful. I wasn't expecting your rendition of "on that bombshell, it's time to end" to feel so emotional, but it did. Nothing will ever replace Clarkson, Hammond, and May on Top Gear. You've captured all that which made the show great and so entertaining.
This was absolutely brilliant to watch. Well done good sir. Keep sharing the Top Gear love as it was one of the best shows to ever air on television. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to this program.
Wow, what an amazing set of videos to stumble upon. Really had me walking down memory lane. The impact top gear has had on me throughout my life can barely be described the words. I really want to thank you for this. Surely I will support you in what you are hoping to achieve!
A huge well done and thank you, both parts are incredible.
I’ve shared them to as many car related Facebook pages I can think of, these deserve to be seen by all of the fans of top gear and you deserve more views for all the hard work you’ve put into it.
I’m only 24 so wasn’t around when it started, I’ve learned so much I never knew.
I waited for what seemed like ages for part 2 and was utterly delighted that I wasn't let down. I loved both parts, the content, the commentary and the opinions. You have done a sterling job on both parts and I wish you all the success that you deserve moving forward. I supported as best I could but, like you, my disposable income is not huge. I do hope that you garner enough support for you to keep doing what you are doing though as real passion, real dedication and commitment to something like this is so rare in todays disposable society.
I hope that, by the number of views after just 5 days, you realise just how good this is and how much you are appreciated. Thank you and good luck.
I still go on iplayer to date and watch old specials. Oh the feels
Your love for the subject matter is clear and well understood by many. This, along with part one, are absolutely brilliant. As a massive Top Gear / Grand Tour fan, i am truly grateful for your work.
Absolutely fantastic. Love the attention to detail and the level of research that has gone into these videos. It’s also refreshing to hear a balanced view of the show.
I hope you get the opportunity to extent your channel and continue to promote the history of this much loved show.
Great work done, You took me through a long journey from a teenager to nowadays where I still follow this great trio! Thank you!
Seven months very well spent on a compilation that captures the spirit, humor and evolution of the show and makes me want to see the things I may have missed.
I hope you take on (and can be rewarded for) other projects that you can love.
I’m just happy that the Grand Tour didn’t end with season 3.
Big props to you for making these 2 videos, very well thought out, laid out and well delivered. I was a huge fan of Top Gear, I never missed an episode and even rematched the season more than once but I never watched a single episode after our 3 amigos went to Amazon and The Grand Tour did not disappoint.
This was fantastic! You have made both an incredibly interesting and high quality series on a topic I've never seen covered so well before. Seriously, this is truly amongst the best content I've seen on CZcams.
Bless Bottom Gear memes helping keep Top Gear around for people to enjoy.
The Patagonia Special was a good special and the part when Clarkson speaks fondly of the Porsche 928 and his dad always gets me.
Thank you so much for the memorable trip down memory lane. We clearly missed a lot episodes but the fond memories of the episodes we saw will linger with us for ever.
Thank you Alex for all the months of hard work you've put into this. You had my attention from the get go after Part 1. The amount of well written content speaks for itself and you should be proud of the effort you put into this. From one passionate automotive individual to another. Happy New Year to you and everyone too. Hoping 2022 is a successful and prosperous year for us all.
I just happened to stumble upon your first episode and channel a couple a days ago. Your sheer knowledge, immense passion and structure kept me focused all the way through, lusting after more. This episode was equally as good and you show has given me an immense amount of new knowledge about TV in general, as someone who grew up at the dawn of the CZcams revolution.
Thanks for sharing your passion and knowledge with us and I simply cannot wait for whatever top gear related endeavour you choose to embark on next!
you are a genuine content lover, critique and creator and i am so happy to watch your work. please do keep on the good work and i hope you and your family have a long prosperous time in the future.
You've done a wonderful job recounting the history and greatness of Top Gear. I'm a massive fan of the boys and I rewatch old episodes of Top Gear all the time. I still get a little misty-eyed when I rewatch the part of "Funeral for a Ford" when Jeremy, Richard, and James announce that they weren't going to be doing any more of the tent-styled episodes of The Grand Tour. Once again, well done.
Great job on this. Looking forward to more of your content. Top Gear has been foundational to my teenage years, and I'm glad someone like you is there to honor the show.
Thank you
Wow I found part one this morning and was lucky enough to not have to wait for part 2. Amazing work and presentation.
7 months, wow! You did a great job with these videos. I especially appreciate that you address the chemistry between those three.
Both parts are absolutely amazing. So informative and well presented, your passion clearly shows! You must be really proud of your work and you should be! Well done!!
Thank you for making this, I grew up on this show and it will forever be a key part of my life. I’ve never seen anything else on CZcams that pieces it all together as well as this. Very few things were a worldwide phenomenon like those three boys. I learned a lot from watching them too. I hope to show Top Gear to my kids someday. Maybe they’ll even like it
Thank you for the 7 months of work you put into this masterpiece. I have added both to my favorites lists and tend to watch them again with my family. I also find myself watching shows with the CHM trio over and over again. These three were the show, and I will forever miss their unmistakeable charisma.
EPIC! loved this video thank you so much! I never saw the connection between Top Gears success to its ability to be shared online in the 2000's! I also found your ending comments spot on about the current car industry. I appreciate the time and effort that went into making this video.
Great documentary. Thanks for taking the time to do it.
Absolutely incredible pair of videos. The nostalgia I felt was next level for some of these clips. Thank you for your hard work.
On a Real Note, The Best Top Gear Video EVER!!! It took me through ALL the years, Stuff I didn't know even when I started watching them in 2011 and spent just about all my time researching them. Thank you for also calling out that guy in the end, I didn't realize I wasn't the only one who noticed his incorrectness. (see what I did there) I love what you did and I was even here for the premier. I appreciate all your time and research, I hope you get good revenue out of this! "And on that Bombshell its time to end!"
(Sorry if this is written weirdly, its because I'm sick and doped up on drugs.)
Mr. Deathwish I give you a health wish.
This was a wonderful two part journey into memories, and I'm very appreciative for your hard work. Thank you for the contribution.
This is incredible coverage, amazingly well researched and narrated. Thank you for sharing the fruits of your labour. It has been a privilege watching both parts of your work. I hope you get much success from it.
I can't imagine the amount of work you had to create this content. And it is an amazing one. Congrats and thanks for this.
I wish you'd go into greater lengths about how each series went- how they were received, their highs, their lows, their controversies and how it overall contributed to either an improvement or a detriment to the overall program, it feels like after series 13 or so you didn't give as much attention, I'd love if this was a 3 part essay.
Small edit: Just processed the bit where you said you'd do just that, review the show as a whole, series by series. Ha.
But all that said, you've done an amazing job, here. Really good. Hope your coverage of this old relic of a car show doesn't end here. And hey, great rant at the end. I'm with you 100%. Cars have come full circle to what they were when they began being mass-produced a hundred years ago- Soulless homogenous tools to take you from point A to point B.
I belive the creator became semi distinchanted with Top gear as the season progessed which is why the anysist of each series wained.
Okay, the confirmation of Hammond's Vampire crash being in 2006 confirms i've been watching the show since at least 2004 or 2005. I actually remember watching the new report in my bedroom late at night as my brother and i were settled down to sleep.
Here's my show of appreciation for your efforts and for your mission to do TG justice. Hat's off to you, mate and good fortune.
Truely phenomenal retrospective, well done mate, both part one and part two have been a true joy to watch.
I need to be honest here, if people disagree that is fine, please don’t be rude in the replies though.
My brother showed me part one of your documentary and after watching it I was incredibly impressed. It showcased the early episodes of Top Gear from the very beginning and detailed the journey that the show made in those years. For someone like me who has watched Top Gear probably more than any other TV show, it was fantastic to see and have explained to me the parts I would have been too young to watch or remember, I was eagerly anticipating this second part. I believed that based on the level of detail part one had, there might be more than two parts, especially if the era of The Grand Tour Vs Top Gear was covered, which is has been.
The issue is how it has been approached. This second part started off where the first left off and was just as good as before. The only worry I had was the seemingly alarming pace at which you were going through things, the first part felt more structured and held more depth. Around 35 mins in I realised why you had gone through Top Gear’s mid-late history so quickly; we have gradually moved from excellent CZcams documentary to a rant video which was upsetting. Nearly no one liked the new Top Gear when it began, but the way you raised your voice for the word ‘army’ at 35:24 set the tone for what was to follow.
The rest of the video lacks the quality and professionalism that what you did previously had. You’ve shown the audience 75 mins of something that seeks in inform and followed it up with a case of ‘I will get my views across on how bad the BBC are’ for 15 mins. For the record, I’m not a huge fan of the BBC either, quite a bit of what you said about them I agree on, like the point at 35:45 you made. Though I feel that the BBC has learnt a lesson from sacking Clarkson even if only to some extent.
How do I feel about the current trio on Top Gear? People have asked me this on numerous occasions. “Should I watch Top Gear? Is it like it used to be with Clarkson?” The answer I always give is this: “If you watch it as ‘Top Gear’, you won’t like it, if you watch it as a fun car programme it’s a fairly nice ride.” I’m sure some people will say I’m flat out wrong but at the end of the day we’re all holders of an opinion. At 41:10 you’ve labelled the current trio as nothing but ‘Watered down versions of the old’, I wouldn’t agree here. Flintoff shows original character through his sporting background, McGuiness plays on his heritage as a northerner and Harris likes being the only one of the three who can drive a car pretty well; almost matching Formula One ace Lando Norris around Silverstone, a segment to be praised. Yes there are similarities to Clarkson, Hammond and May, but there is stuff there to make it original as well.
At the end of the day it’s not the fact I disagree with your opinion on current Top Gear that made me write this essay comment, it’s the fact you covered the subject in a frankly one-sided manner and simply made no effort to consider any alternative view that isn’t total loyalty to the original trio. Cherry picking poor segments of current Top Gear like you did at 42:00 is very easy, but they’ve had good segments too. With the Silverstone example I gave above and the recent tribute to Eddie Kidd, I already matched the 2 examples you gave of bad moments with good moments. You could at least of covered the matter properly and given credit where credit is due even if your conclusion of the overall thing being a shadow of its predecessor is correct.
The conclusion after 47:15 was also poorly written. Your purpose is correct and I side with you on how to honour Clarkson Top Gear’s memory. However, giving us a low-end rant on how some random guy is profiting unfairly off old footage is not the way to go about it. Unfortunately, this started as an excellent documentary and ended as a rage fit. Had you gone about promoting your Top Gear Wiki in a better way and been more professional in this video in general, I probably would be eager to support your efforts with money. The way you raised your voice so much at the end there made me think someone else had made the first part to the documentary who just sounded like you but more grounded, I advise you to watch your own documentary (Both parts) from start to finish and hopefully you’ll see the decline I have seen. It starts off fantastic and slowly descends into a hit piece on Van Inhalin, who to be fair seems like a nasty piece of work.
With that being said I look forward to what things you do in the future, as much of this two-part documentary I have enjoyed and as I said previously I side with you on how to use Top Gear content, do remain professional though as you will attract more viewers especially if you advertise videos as ‘analysis’ of the car show we all love.
You've very thoroughly summised my exact thoughts. Very well written comment, I agree entirely.
Exceptionally well researched, written and presented. Great work!
This is brilliant! Both parts - really enjoyed them. Thank you for you all your effort in this.
This was REALLY good. Plain and simple. These two videos should really be held up as the definitive source for anyone, looking to understand where the era of the Three (Sort of) Wise Men came from, how it flourished, and how it ended).
Even though I'm not in a position myself to help, I hope that those with resources can do so, and I wish you all the best in your work in the future!
Wow, you nailed it again! I really hope this video at least gets as much views as part 1!
Well done. This clearly had so much work put into it and I learned so much, especially about the origins. Well done
Now that I have finished watching can I just say what an outstanding job you've done, and while I think the Harris, Paddy, Flintoff iteration does genuinely have some good potential to it, you have hit the nail on the head as far as I am concerned, especially when it comes to the latest era of cars. Indeed, for a long time, modern cars haven't interested me, and I see the first decade of the 2000s as the last great generation of cars. Which kinda makes my side-dream of being an automotive journalist moot, if it weren't for the acres of content that can still be made with 130 years worth of automotive history. I think Top Gear was very much something that could only have come from the era in which it was made. You couldn't launch something like it now, and it required that bit of optimistic craziness that seemed to be around at the turn of the millennium (see also: smart roadster and Renault Avantime). I know they weren't always acceptable, but it can't be denied that the Trio were masters of their craft.
I was born in 2002, and grew up with the program. I hope it's legacy will be able to drive me into the future with optimism