Top Gear enters Season 15 with “decade’s greatest” title
January 6th, 2010 Posted in Top Gear
Top Gear, fresh off the back of its fourteenth season, has just been named the “Greatest TV Show of the Noughties”. This news is the culmination of a poll run by Channel 4 in the UK, the results of which will air on British television screens next week.
Richard Hammond, one of Top Gear’s star trio, said, “I could never say what the reason is for Top Gear doing so well since we started it, but I think there’s always a sense that we’d still be doing it even if the cameras weren’t here and that makes it real.”
Of course, BBC2 first broadcast the original format of Top Gear back in the late 1970s. However, while it enjoyed a stellar run of some 24 years, at the start of the 2000s the show was cancelled. This paved the way for the emergence of Fifth Gear on Channel Five. But it wasn’t long until the BBC relaunched Top Gear with the current format running since 2002.
Series 14 has attracted some criticism and the program’s long time Executive Producer, Andy Wilman, felt the need defend the show’s direction posting comments on the Top Gear website.
Going into Series 15, then, Top Gear faces its toughest test in some time. Will the baggage of the decade’s greatest title add to the burden of recent criticism, or will it spur the production team on to bigger and better things? While I do think Top Gear will finish before it makes a twentieth season, I do expect that Season 15 will rectify some of the wrongs committed in recent series. Wilman and his trusty trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are no mugs, they will put things right.
We shall find out later this year when Season 15 goes to air. If it wasn’t for the 2010 FIFA World Cup I would nominate 19 June as the premiere date, however, the football may mean an early start in May with a hiatus before recommencing in July. This is what BBC did with Season 8 so as to avoid clashing with Germany 2006.
[Source: The Press Association]
28 Responses to “Top Gear enters Season 15 with “decade’s greatest” title”
By Aaron on Jan 20, 2010
Can’t wait for Season 15 to start. Should be back mid year. Looks like we missed the SLS review promised in Season 14 too.
By Walid on Feb 15, 2010
What a giant moron to criticise Top Gear. Seriously if you don’t like the show because you’re a p*ssy, don’t f**king watch it or don’t b*tch about it if you do.
By Mr Stubby on Feb 15, 2010
Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahaha
By patrick on Feb 16, 2010
yes i cant wait for the 15 series! i hope top gear keeps going forever! top gear is the best, no im sorry but it’s only the best car program in the world! I a big fan of top gear and i always will
By Random Dude on Feb 18, 2010
Seriously.. as much crap as other shows get away with *couth*southpark*cough*, Im sure that Top gear will easily glide over the stupid criticisms of people who cant take a joke.
By james77 on Feb 23, 2010
hey love the show cant wait heres an idea 4 season 15 i see you been to every continent in your specials except 1 australia
By Rj001 on Feb 27, 2010
I totally agree with the person above my comment, although i do live in britain i totally think they should tackle australia, i mean they did the north pole, america, africa, south america and asia… anyone agree they should an australian special?
By A Person on Feb 28, 2010
No u guys have it all wrong. THEY NEED TO COME TO CANADA. In particular Vancouver and B.C.
By The Stig on Mar 1, 2010
I am easily confused by ducks!
By Jeremy Clarkson on Mar 1, 2010
The problem, with Australia, is that we would never get our Stig, through customs. The reason, for this, is, that he would breed like bunnies, and destroy the, precious eco-something, in the world!
By Jeremy Clarkson on Mar 1, 2010
or was that “with” bunnies?
By S. Flo on Mar 2, 2010
Have a drive on Trollstigen, Norway. Narrow road down a steep mountainside with tight turns. It’s completely , a 100% safe!
Jeremy, it’s a dare. You don’t want to say no to a dare, do you?
By BasqueTopGearFan on Mar 2, 2010
I really love that program!! it´s the best car program I´ve ever seen in my life!! I can´t wait for the new season!! I think you should make a basque country special, here there are really beatiful routes by the sea and mountain and much more interesting things…
By Tyler Miller on Mar 5, 2010
I strongly think that Top Gear is one of the most entertaining shows on TV! It’s mix of comedy, shenanigans, with some factual reviews is a great combination! I’m in Canada and it is hard to find on TV/Satellite but I watch it whenever I can and own a couple seasons on DVD! Keep the great show coming! You are all excellent as TV personalities.
By Brandon Ayers on Mar 6, 2010
I absolutely think the show is brilliant! I live in the states and would rather break my hand than watch anything here other than Top Gear( already have in fact)! I know there are a few times that the show has come over and it can’t seem to find any real reason to give us good reviews…but there is one place near my home that I believe the trio would come to over and over again. It is called the Tail of the Dragon, also known as US 129.It resides in a place called Deal’s Gap,Tennessee. At 318 turns in 11 miles there is no other place like it around here. It attracts many events and car clubs from all over the country. I think the trio and even the Stig would find it amazing. Please guys look it up and I think you would be impressed! Keep up the good and I am looking forward to season 15!!!
By brian wheeler on Mar 7, 2010
may i make a suggestion. since most of your viewers of top gear are at the age of 15-30 years old. i think you should make an episode, where the challenge is about tuning or moding a japanese car. you know street cars. because i never saw a single episode on you 3 lots doing a challenge that was meant for the age of 15-30(execpt the ep:2 in series 13). or maybe do a series. on which the episodes are duly noted by the fans requests on the internet.
By KG GT500 on Mar 7, 2010
I love Top Gear. It’s just too funny. They show what cars really are. Not just appliances, but part of peoples’ lives, and things that people can love and adore. They should come to Canada for a road trip episode. Like buy a trio of beaters in vancouver and try to make it to the east coast. It would be quite entertaining I’m sure….especially if tried during winter hahaha
By Dimitar on Mar 8, 2010
Top Gear is simply the best car show ever…
Greetings from Top Gear fans in Macedonia
By ang moh on Mar 8, 2010
Top Gear should come to [my country] because we have [a good road] and they could buy three [random crap cars] and drive from [one end] to [the other end] and do [a random challenge] on the way.
IT WOULD BE AMAZING AND HILARIOUS!!!!1
Please bring your show to Jeremy Clarkson - I know you’re reading this blog and make all the decisions!
By Liam on Mar 8, 2010
Indeed mr moh!
By ang moh on Mar 8, 2010
That’s Mr Ang, to you.
By FazzPowell on Mar 9, 2010
Top Gear is the best show in the U.S. as well, there’s humor, cars, talk show, competition…it has it all. Jay Leno would have wrecked it. The Miami to New Orleans episode got me hooked for life. Unlike American reality television, Top Gear has amazing shooting and editing production values and the guys totally natural timing and improve talent. The lengths they go for music clearance is also amazing. Keep up the great work guys… on all continents.
By Someone on Mar 10, 2010
Top gear should buy 3 £1000 cars and go on a treasure hunt around London. Jeremy would use a car and James and Richard would use public transport. Each group would be given (X) clues, each groups in different places which in turn would lead them (somewhere), the finishing point.
By Someone on Mar 10, 2010
Oops, sorry! Change above to jeremy would choose a car of his choice while the other two use public transport. (forget the 3 £1000 cars)
By Steve-O on Mar 13, 2010
I think Cuba would be a great choice! It’s no North Pole, but it would certainly piss off those embargo-loving arsewipes, whoever they are.
By Topgearfaneurope on Mar 14, 2010
I have fell in love with top gear…..
i love the way the show is, the way the guys comment the cars and the funny challenges and music and…… its all great .
but i am really worried…. does somebody know or think if top gear is going to continue after season 15? and make more then season 20? i hope they go on and on and on!!!!!!!!!!!! i love u topgear!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Danny140986 on Mar 14, 2010
i suspect the show will continue as long as all 3 presenters are willing to keep doing it, once one of them is either unable to continue, or no longer wishes to continue then i suspect that’s when it will be axed
By Danny140986 on Mar 14, 2010
prime example was when hammond had that bad accident, they suspended the show and said it would be axed if he either didn’t make it or no longer want to continue making the show, i wouldn’t be the same if any of them were no longer doing it