For U.S. dopers, the last episode aired tonight on BBC America. It was Richard and James, and a stuffed elephant, in their studio/hangar, with no audience, introducing the taped segments that had been shot before Clarkson’s departure. They were both of the buy-a-used-vehicle-on-a-budget-and-complete-some-challenges type.
One of them was affordable classic sports cars, and Richard showed up with an MGB GT. It won. I own an MGB GT. I like to think it was my car that pushed Clarkson over the edge.
I wonder if the “cross country in an affordable SUV” segment was the one that made Clarkson cranky enough to punch a producer? I sure would have been unhappy to finish that ordeal and be told there was no hot food available. Although I’m not the punching type. I would probably just cry.
No way, Dude! I called it first!
The episode was pretty decent, and the “Elephant in the room” reference was a nice touch. The two challenges were OK, but nothing super outrageous; alas they will be the last ones of the “3 grumpy car-guys” format that has served Top Gear so well over the past decade or so…
You know, I hadn’t put that all together but you may be right. After getting stuck trying to ford a stream and then travelling back to the hotel in a wet, muddy tuxedo, he probably wasn’t in the best of moods. The really funny thing would be if Hammond did get some food at the hall where he wound up giving the after-dinner speech.
Strangely, he also got strapped to the top wing of a biplane for winning the other challenge. This was, apparently, the let’s-fuck-over-Richard-Hammond episode.
I’m still at something of a loss as to how Jeremy got out of the river. One minute, he was stuck in the water, and the next we see him he’s driving what remains of his vehicle up the path to the hall. Did I blink and miss something? The producer he punched should consider himself lucky that he wasn’t more seriously injured; apparently this is a man who can cut an SUV in half with his bare hands.
Just noticed,
Seriously good user name - thread title combo.
He took a chainsaw or circular saw (you hear it but don’t see it) and cut off the back half of the car since the reason it couldn’t get out of the river was the rear undercarriage getting stuck on the edge of the bank.
I went back and watched the episodes Chris Evans appeared in the other day. He’s not nearly as annoying as I remember him being on Big Breakfast.
But I swear that I’m far more egotistical (completely justified, mind you), insufferable, and I guarantee that I think I am a better driver than you think you are.
On the other hand, you’re almost certainly taller, and look sillier getting in and out of a Lotus.
For those who can’t picture the incident that spawned this thread, or merely wish to relive it, please enjoy this dramatic reenactment.
That was adorable.
Also the swearing in that clip shortly after the reenactment does that get aired unbeeped in the UK?
Yeah. That show goes out after 9pm, so swearing is fine. The announcer beforehand usually gives a “strong language” warning.
I’ve seen Sabine give the lads a lovely Germanic hundred-yard stare when they get too stupid. She’d be fine.
In a surprise move, Matt LeBlanc confirmed as one of the hosts:
He’s got some history with the show
I’m quietly optimistic about this.
I think this will be a trainwreck, though not because of the choice of hosts. I just think this is misguided and cannot compete with what it used to be.
Whereas I think this is a really interesting choice and will be tuning in for the first episode, which I wasn’t previously planning to do!
I don’t care for LeBlanc, but I’ll still be watching.
Here’s a long shot – Jerry Seinfeld. 
The new show – Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and Commenting on Cars
I heard on an American public radio show that Chris Evans got motion sick while taking a car around the test track. Is that correct?
If only humanity had created some electronic search mechanism where you put words in and relevant information appears.
Thanks for the snark. I thought people might want to talk about that here.