BBC To Shelve Format For Top Gear And Start Fresh - Is This A Mistake?

Yes, you’re probably sick of hearing about Jeremy Clarkson and “Top Gear.” Well, too bad. Kim Shillinglaw, BBC Two’s controller, just dropped another log on the fire by announcing that the network will air the final episodes featuring Clarkson this summer. The episodes may be a supercut of sorts as the BBC can only show scenes that have been shot. The network also announced that “Top Gear” will return in 2016 in a new form. What that form will be remains to be seen.
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TheSteve - 4/23/2015 4:44:26 PM

+1 Boost

I think if they try to do exactly the same thing, but with different hosts, viewers won't be able to help but conclude "this is just a copy of the original, and it's not as good (because it's not the original)."

A fresh start, even though it might have elements of the original show, is likely the better route.

jeffgall - 4/23/2015 8:26:53 PM

+1 Boost

Knowing BBCs political stance, the new format will only include EVs and bikes

Car4Life - 4/23/2015 10:20:40 PM

+1 Boost

Right and the various modes of public transportation...

mini22 - 4/23/2015 10:26:27 PM

+1 Boost

The challenge will be to keep it from being only a local for Britain show. Top Gear has been a worldwide phenomenon. A new format is going to have to be pretty good to keep up that kind of audience.

mre30 - 4/23/2015 11:45:59 PM

+1 Boost

There are two components to the story:

(a) Clarkson, May, and Hammond - three presenters whose chemistry on-screen made a fantastic show

(b) The BBC's money (publicly generated, from a "TV Tax" on all British TV/cable subscibers)- which lavishly funds the story-lines that comprise all the episodes. Is it "free" to drop a Ford Fiesta onto the beaches of Normandy or conduct an 1,800 mile trip across (pick one) - Vietnam, Australian Outback, Ukraine/Crimea (one of the better ones I think). How do they pay for the "racetrack" and air-hanger studio where the episodes are filmed?

Anyone in Britain care to share knowledge of how much it costs (apart from the $10 million or so they pay the three hosts) per year to produce TopGear? I'll bet the number is huge - maybe $50 or $100 million.

Clarkson, et al, would be nowhere without the BBC' money behind them.

mre30 - 4/23/2015 11:48:28 PM

+1 Boost

If the BBC throws $100 million at 3 other, interesting, alchemic, presenters - I'm sure people will watch.

In contrast to the UK version, the US TopGear is done on the cheap - that's the primary reason it sucks compared to UK TopGear; the secondary reason is the somewhat dull presenters.

The BBC spends lots of money and has put lipstick on a pig, for all intents and purposes, for the past 15 years.

mini22 - 4/27/2015 11:09:35 AM

+1 Boost

Thing is it's going to take time for a show like this to develop with 3 new presenters. Finding 3 guy or gals that have the same kind of chemistry that Clarkson, Hammond, and May have had is going to be very difficult. Further these 3 have reached a cult like status. Britain and the BBC can through as much money as they want at this to try and make it the show that it was. However the simply fact is that it is all down to the human beings that would be on the show. Will they have what it takes to keep not only British audiences interested but also world audiences interested. That is a daunting task with the odds stacked against it. It took a long time for Clarkson, Hammond, and May to build up the popularity they have now established. Just throwing money at will not simply do it.