Richard Hammond delivers his verdict on future of The Grand Tour 'with new presenters'
Posted by JaffaCakesAreMyJam@reddit | thegrandtour | View on Reddit | 270 comments
jm31828@reddit
Are these three not getting along? I see stories about Clarkson snubbing May and Hammond at some events- is that all tongue in cheek, or did they have a recent falling out?
3dmontdant3s@reddit
It will be carrying on. The Grand Tour continues. We’re stepping away as the hosts, but Prime will be continuing it. So I can’t wait to sit on my own chair and watch somebody else do it. That’s amazing,’ he said.
ts737@reddit
I give it one season
jm31828@reddit
Yeah- the magic of this show are those three who are so fun to watch... I don't care to watch it with different hosts.
existential_chaos@reddit
I said the same about Top Gear after the three of them left but that trudged on. Probably still would be if one of the hosts didn’t have that crash.
Does baffle me Amazon’s now essentially repeating what the BBC did to make a lackluster version (without firing Jeremy, obviously). I personally don’t give much of a fuck about cars, I watched TG and TGT purely for the banter and chemistry between the trio. Wouldn’t be surprised if more fans are like that.
BestHearing3733@reddit
This is pretty much me man, was watching a hilarious (scripted to a point) friendship
pup_mercury@reddit
TBF Top Gear eventually found a solid trio.
I could see Grand Tour pulling it off. Especially as fan of the trio aren't going to be a hostile towards the new group given the trio left on their terms.
Casting needs to be smart. I would look towards online car influencers vs traditional media.
Know a few of the Donut guys are free.
AlfaRomeoRacing@reddit
One of the former Donut guys, one of the former Car Throttle guys and a comedian/presenter/host character to tie it all together
Zeewulfeh@reddit
Get Regular Car Guy.
dang_it_bobby93@reddit
Is he still popular? I stopped watching him a long time ago. His stuff was somewhat funny but got old quick.
Zeewulfeh@reddit
He is still enjoyable. But I am pretty simple in taste.
rctothefuture@reddit
A whole season of furries, English lit 102, and vaporwave references would be an acid trip.
Simpleton216@reddit
BROWN
Call-me-Maverick@reddit
Sad that Freddie got hurt because I really liked that trio a lot
pup_mercury@reddit
Especially as they seemed to be finally hitting their stride
dageshi@reddit
The trio are quitting on their own terms, nobody is pushing them out. Given that I have no objection to amazon trying TGT with different presenters, maybe it works maybe it doesn't, there's no harm in trying.
Obvious-Hat4068@reddit
I’m not 100% sure they are leaving of their own accord. Didn’t Clarkson say something about Mehgan Markle in his column, leading Amazon to announce that they would not renew them beyond the existing arrangement? Maybe they never were going to do more, but I recall that being a story. Of course, more seasons of Clarksons Farm kind of poop on that line of thinking.
dageshi@reddit
No, the three presenters just don't want to do it anymore.
Do you think if they still wanted to do it but amazon didn't they couldn't find somewhere else to do it?
Elderbrute@reddit
The bbc also lost a huge chunk of the off screen talent as well as on screen.
Is going to be a monumental challenge to replace them, I think their best bet is with some established partnerships from YT or whatever so they can hit the ground running.
Lady-Seashell-Bikini@reddit
Yep, at least TGT has the full support of the previous presenters and no one thinks they're just putting on a brave face.
existential_chaos@reddit
No, that is true.
Trickster289@reddit
The difference in this case is they may have at least some of the trio helping to find new presenters buy honestly I don't think even they could replicate it.
arg_77@reddit
It’ll be interesting to see won’t it?
I’m pretty optimistic - Jeremy seems to have a ‘knack’ for people, we all know he’s stubborn and the whole concept is kinda his ‘baby’.. I feel like if Amazon gives he, Wilman and the boys the trust they’ll come up with something good.
No matter what, it’ll have to be better than those always screaming idiots BBC got for TG. Made me turn off the show every time. Paddy and the tall one always “wwwhhooaaaaaa”ing 🙄
Anyway, go Amazon (never thought I’d ever say that….), putting something great together!
Scorpionvenom1@reddit
They should absolutely cameo sometimes when the new trio screws it up, to come, "fix it", screw it up worse, and leave declaring it somehow solved, or shagged beyond fixable due to the new groups incompetence.
DrFGHobo@reddit
*New crew drives some insanely expensive unique hand-crafted supercar around a race course without incident*
*Get out, talk about the car a bit*
*Faint engine noise in the distance*
OH MY GOD IT'S RICHARD HAMMOND ~~WITH A STEEL CHAIR~~ IN A VAUXHALL CORSA
*Insurance guy commits honorable seppuku*
arg_77@reddit
Million dollar idea!
GeoHog713@reddit
I can't see them helping much, since they dissolved their production company
If they were going to be involved, theyd keep that and keep getting paid.
Maybe Kaleb Cooper will host. I'd watch that
Workodactyl@reddit
I'm optimistic too. I really enjoyed Chris Harris when Top Gear rebooted, but didn't care for Paddy and Flintoff. Now that Top Gear is cancelled, maybe The Grand Tour can pick up Harris with a couple of other quality presenters. Hopefully the Trio can be apart of the selection process.
frutiger-aero-actual@reddit
Absolutely - pretty sure James has said Harris is one of his favourite motoring journalists.
IMO that's what new Top Gear was missing - actual journalists, not celebs who happen to enjoy driving.
teetaps@reddit
I’m optimistic too. We were incredibly fortunate to have had the trio when we did, but that doesn’t mean that that specific show and its content should go away when they do. “Car facts with some comedy” has a right to exist without the trio, and I don’t think it’s fair to deprive future audiences of TG/TGT just because the trio are done with their work. But, it does mean that whatever follows will have a lot to live up to, and that’s where the real discussions will have to be had.
MasterPong@reddit
If one of them is Kaleb from Clarkson’s Farm it could still be very entertaining.
FrankReynoldsCPA@reddit
This time they won't have the OG trio starting a new show and competing with them either. TG under the new hosts would likely have been more popular if we didn't have the option to continue watching the Holy Trinity on Amazon.
But it's really iimportant they find the right hosts to make it work. Maybe they could hire Thomas & James from Throttle House. Maybe add Jason Cammisa.
CuntLasso@reddit
I liked Top Gear with Matt, Rory and Chris. They haf GREAT chemistry together and it was almost a return to form.
If they pick the right presenters you may still get your wish!
AlanDevonshire@reddit
Rory was horrific
CuntLasso@reddit
What makes you say that?
AlanDevonshire@reddit
I didn’t like him. We don’t all like the same people, he was not entertaining or funny. But, that’s my opinion
CuntLasso@reddit
And you’re entitled to it, I was just interested as to why 😁
ThatAdamsGuy@reddit
Excuse me, this is the internet, we don't accept reasonable discourse here.
AlanDevonshire@reddit
There was reasonable discourse. I said I didn’t find him funny or entertaining. Top Gear has had a lot of failed presenters over the years. Before they settled on the three we all love and after they left.
ThatAdamsGuy@reddit
I was saying that you were both having reasonable discourse, but that this is the internet and that's not allowed here. We only have room for flame wars.
AlanDevonshire@reddit
Lol sorry got you. I’m so used to being attacked. I probably have Reddit PTSD
ThatAdamsGuy@reddit
Haha, I know the feeling!
Adrian_Shoey@reddit
The best thing Rory ever did was the rhythmic poetry review of the Rolls Royce. And that was before he got the Top Gear job.
dumahim@reddit
Didn't Matt back out due to having to spend so much time in the UK? With no studio segments and lighter schedule, I wonder if he'd be interested.
CuntLasso@reddit
I think that was the case. Lots of flying back and forth between the UK and home.
And I was thinking that myself tbf. Amazon, make it happen!
E400wagon@reddit
Chris Evans?
WhipTheLlama@reddit
Chris Harris
ShEsHy@reddit
The only time I enjoyed post-CHM Top Gear, was Matt LeBlanc's final episode as presenter.
It was the only time it felt like any of the presenters actually, truly let themselves go and had fun, and it showed with Matt. Every other time it just felt rigid.
GeoHog713@reddit
I would watch weekly episodes just of conversation street.
Interestingcathouse@reddit
Top Gear carried on for years even returning to viewer numbers this trio seen and that ended badly with these 3 and angered a lot of fans.
It isn’t even remotely the same. You brush off the Clarkson firing like it was irrelevant when it was the biggest reason for the backlash with fans. And yet with that Top Gear continued and got better.
There is no resentment here minus bullshit things the fans say. The current presenters have no issue with the show continuing, have given their blessing to new hosts. So why should you automatically hate it?
I would love it if they found 3 awesome hosts that can carry on the show and make it their own great thing. Because then we can have these adventures all over again.
Remember the boys used to be random nobodies and unfamiliar with one another. It actually took several years before it turned into what we love.
CiaphasCain8849@reddit
The current top gear trio is actually very good
SleepyFox2089@reddit
Paddy, Freddie and Chris did some good episodes. Its obviously nothing on the OG trio but I did enjoy their tenure as hosts. The episode about driving their dads cars came out not long after my own dad passed away, so it holds a special place for me.
RhodiusMaximus@reddit
Honestly they were the perfect replacements, I really enjoyed the latest series. Such a shame about Freddie’s crash as it had become a show I really, really enjoyed.
Huge Freddie Flintoff fan personally and very sad for him on a personal level as much as for the show.
SleepyFox2089@reddit
Same man, Freddie's crash was horrific. But it's good to see him getting back out there with his cricket show. You can tell how much confidence he's lost and I'm rooting for him and his recovery.
csukoh78@reddit
Amazon- "wait....it's about the characters?
World- "always was."
goldberg1303@reddit
Amazon is very aware of that fact. It's why they went out and paid them a lot of money to come to Prime. It's not like Amazon is forcing them out and expecting to keep the show going without them. The trio is hanging it up on their own and there's no harm in seeing if it can work with different presenters.
Acrobatic-Prize-6917@reddit
There isn't a car show on tv right now, full stop. There is a totally unserved market for highish budget edutainment show about cars, that market is entirely served by youtubers right now. Amazon have a brand to launch off of and the money to make a few missteps, if they make sth a budget closer to early trio top gear just as it was starting to get big and give it a few series to find its feet and explore the new world of car programming they could make a good go of it.
The mistake will be is if they try and keep the exact same format but with 3 new hosts, you strip it right back and make it about cars again and grow it from there and hope you strike it right with the hosts.
The mistake the BBC made was trying to buy expensive "talent" to try and keep Top Gear as a behemoth equal to the latter days of the trio, it should have been stripped right back and built back up with less glossy but more appropriate hosts (Chris Harris and Rory Reid were pretty good choices, people of their ilk should have been the call from the get go).
Even the trio tried some new things with the grand tour to play with the format a bit, it didn't really work but they're old and established, the audience wants more of the same now. This is the opportunity to be the big reboot for modern audiences that Clarksons top gear was in 2002, but it has to be slow and organic, the trio didn't even cone together until the second series of the tg reboot and it was years before they really started to become what we know today
Silver_Wolf_Dragon@reddit
I think it would be good if the trio can "pick" or suggest who to replace them with
Adventurous_Object16@reddit
TBF I really liked Matt Leblanc in Top Gear. The second and third season after the boys left, had some good moments.
MagnusBrickson@reddit
This is me. I don't care about them reviewing the latest sports car or whatever. I watched for the comradery of the 3 old men. Though I would like to see their reviews of the Cybertruck disaster
ChiefCodeX@reddit
Dude that’s literally the entire fandom. Not one serious fan of the show watched it solely for the cars.
FordsFavouriteTowel@reddit
It baffles you that Amazon is continuing on with filming and releasing the intellectual property they own?
formation@reddit
Unless it's established presenters with existing chemistry. Or if they cast Americans its done.
markhewitt1978@reddit
It is almost certain they will cast an American IMO.
formation@reddit
Its done for me and everyone else who can't stand the level of fake you'll get from that person.
FrankReynoldsCPA@reddit
Jason Cammisa would be good.
Zeewulfeh@reddit
I suggested him up thread, but I'll say it here....if that American is Mr. Regular from Regular Car Reviews, nothing is sacred and he'll be brutal as hell. And it would be awesome.
PI-E0423@reddit
Top Gear USA was also quite good
TanMan166@reddit
Also have to agree.... Tanner, Adam, and Rut actually had a great chemistry....too bad even that got cancelled
---TC---@reddit
No, it wasn’t. At all.
Interestingcathouse@reddit
It was bad at first but so was Top Gear UK. Season 5 and 6 were honestly great.
deekster_caddy@reddit
Rutlidge, Tanner and Adam had great chemistry. The new USA trio was miserable to watch.
7148675309@reddit
That one was awful. And the fact only Tanner could drive a manual….
PI-E0423@reddit
Yes, i ment those guys. I did not know there was a newer cast
timechild_02@reddit
My family only had local channels when I was growing up as we couldn’t afford cable or satellite. In the early days of streaming you could go to the history channel’s website and watch free episodes.
One day I stumbled upon Top Gear USA and fell in love with it. But since I didn’t have cable or anything I didn’t know that Top Gear USA was a spinoff of a British series. I was always surprised when people said the US version sucked since it was the only version I knew. Since then, I’ve watched the British series and while I think that version is better, TGUSA will always be special to me.
formation@reddit
A lot of people can't stand enthusiasm hence why I think this
Shock_The_Monkey_@reddit
I'd like an Australian, a Brit and a Canadian.
WhipTheLlama@reddit
An English-speaking Canadian, a French-speaking Canadian, and an American. There's just enough disdain between them to be interesting but not enough to be annoying. It's like a sibling rivalry where they'd want to see the other fail, but not with serious consequences.
Floppie7th@reddit
I think is a decent concise description of the chemistry between James, Richard, and Jeremy
ItsMangel@reddit
That sounds like it would get old fast. CHM worked because even though there was banter and rivalry, it was all mostly good-natured. There was no disdain, just 3 lads taking the piss out of each other.
KEVLAR60442@reddit
I was actually really enjoying the last Top Gear run with Freddy, Paddy, and Chris, so it would be poetic and quite entertaining if Amazon manages to snag a complete Grand Tour trio once again.
Snaz5@reddit
They REALLY need to find some people with chemistry. Taking any random three people who are tangentially interested in the subject isn’t going to work the same, it always ends up feeling way to scripted cause the presenters don’t have the rapport with each other to improv stuff on the fly. Even if it’s just one sentence here or there, it REALLY helps.
kuroyume_cl@reddit
Hopefully Amazon will do a better job than the BBC with casting. There's plenty of talented people who could do the job. Like I could see Cammisa, Matt Farah and Johnnie Liebermann, or the Car Trek crew or any number of mixes of car personalities working out.
tjhernandez34@reddit
Cammisa plus Thomas and James from Throttle House would be epic. And add Randy Pobst as the test driver and I would watch every episode, probably multiple times.
kuroyume_cl@reddit
I hadn't thought of Randy as driver but yes, that would be genius
BoofMasterQuan2@reddit
I fucking hate Lieberman. He’s absolutely insufferable. The other two you mentioned are good.
Interestingcathouse@reddit
I mean Top Gear carried on for years and actually got to the point where viewer numbers returned to what they were seeing with this trio. And Top Gear ended with these 3 on a very bitter note.
This isn’t ending on a bitter note. This is ending properly. I can see it doing well if they find good hosts.
JaFFsTer@reddit
Jeremy could still write the show or at stay on in an advisory role and get the showngets the benefit of being one good terms with the gang so cameos, consults, and using their old footage are all on the table.
Imagine an episode where they bring one back to redo a failed challenge for an episode? That's now possible.
lego_mannequin@reddit
Depends on the hosts they get but it will be an uphill battle. If they can find the old Top Gear magic they might, but I am extremely skeptical at these car shows. Most people probably like the specials with old / weird cars and goals.
I never really cared much for the reviews of super cars because I would never have one. I just liked the editing and cinematography of it all.
kuang89@reddit
Give it a Brady minute
PlatoDrago@reddit
It depends who they get. You need a balance of people but they all have to have some knowledge of cars and engineering.
markhewitt1978@reddit
Sure; everyone here will say it's shit. While watching it all the same.
BedBackground9065@reddit
Top Gear was shit after they left. So will The Grand Tour. Those three make the show. I am DEEPLY saddened.
iron8832@reddit
If they cast Thomas, James and Doug it would work!
spicesucker@reddit
THIS is a nineteen seventy seven Mark Four Ford Cortina, and in fact it’s not just any seventy seven mark four Ford Cortina, it’s my nineteen seventy seven mark four Ford Cortina.
This episode I’ll be driving my Ford Cortina to the summit of Mount Everest, during which I’ll show you some of its quirks and features.
-AbeFroman@reddit
Feels like we already tried this when Top Gear hired new hosts. The magic is intertwined exclusively with Clarkson, Hammond, and May.
JimBean@reddit
They will never find better ~~idiots~~ people to do the job...
AndrewCoja@reddit
Adam, Tanner, and Rutledge. When they finally got rid of the garbage studio section, they switched to nothing but road trips and it was very good.
-TheExtraMile-@reddit
I gotta say that I agree, they had good chemistry and I did like watching the specials. But I don’t know, I think Chris Harris is probably a given. I personally would introduce a huge youtuber to the mix like Cleetus, AdamLZ etc. and probably a “regular” celebrity that most people know.
KingKudzu117@reddit
There once was an Orangutan, a Hamster and an Old Lady…..
TrueSwagformyBois@reddit
I mean, the throttle house boys did this in miniature once already and it was awesome, would absolutely love to see them with a bigger budget (so long as they continued their YT!)
IraqLawbster@reddit
Does make you wonder if the interview from Wilman the other day, in part, was to remind us fans it takes time for chemistry. So when they replace the three don't pan it instantly give it time.
teratron27@reddit
“I can’t wait to sit on my own chair and watch somebody else” earn me a bunch of money in royalty fees :)
Vinlain458@reddit
Will we be getting Chris Evans again?
Upper-Let1564@reddit
I have a dollar that says it’ll be diversity hires for the sake of dei, instead of picking the cast for their chemistry. That’ll be a mistake, because tgt and top gear was all about the chemistry of the cast, not who they were.
Milospesh@reddit
picking youtubers = fail
picking chris harris = fail
picking- that guy who used to do moto gp with a thick accent - fail.
just leave it alone.
odanhammer@reddit
the usa topgear almost worked, found the issue being they just ripped off uk topgear ideas and the presenters where not given enough chance to bond
Milospesh@reddit
well tg usa had potential but imo the strictly mid over rated routledge wood just made it drag on, adam and tanner were fine if a lil forced at times.
Space-manatee@reddit
Personally I think it’s a big misguided by Amazon. They’ve seen the BBC try and do it with at best, mixed results.
Do the same basic premise, but give it its own name, and own voice and own character.
glenn1812@reddit
Honestly can't think of any trio on tv who has the chemistry of these 3. But they too started somewhere I guess. Still its going to be difficult continuing with the same name since expectations will be very high which i'd assume will kill the show in a season or two. If Amazon plans on continuing they should do so with a different name and see where it goes.
pitleif@reddit
Tbf, good chemistry is created over time. The trio didn't have perfect chemistry from day one. They adapted Top Gear to what the viewers liked, and their chemistry was a result of their interactions over time.
It's not impossible to see this happen again, but with other presenters.
FastestpigeoninSeoul@reddit
Tbf it did take like 3 years, I think the cheap porsche episode was where it really came in to its own
Tiny-Mulberry-2114@reddit
Can you imagine the marketing expenses it would need for new show with new name. It would be terrible especially for something that will likely be experimental to see how the audience reacts to it and if it's worth continuing or not. Budget for it would be much lower than it was when the trio were active.
Kolipe@reddit
Give it to Conan, Sona and Gourley
Quasarya@reddit
how about Conan, Leno and Joe Biden?
Weather_Only@reddit
You forgot the Jordan Schlansky my man!
Last-Performance-435@reddit
I absolutely did not expect to see a needs a friend reference here.
BoondockBilly@reddit
Give it to Jamie Fox, Kevin Hart, and The Rock
Scottishhardman@reddit
Gordon Ramsay, Gino D'Acampo and Fred Sirieix are a pretty funny trio. If you havent watched their road trips i highly recommend you give it a go.
explodinghat@reddit
Agree with this but that works in it's own way because the show loosely revolves around cooking the same way grand tour/ TG revolves around motoring and cars.
k1netic@reddit
That show works the same as TG/GT because the trio are more than willing to fully take the piss at each other at any given opportunity. It’s what makes it special and why the TG formula felt stiff with other presenters. Most of the time it’s bloody uncomfortable to make fun of someone if you’re not 100% sure they can take it but when they can it’s hilarious. Reminds me of schoolyard friends who grew up together or brothers. Just relentless teasing and good times. Oh yeah and there’s a shared interest in cars or something too - often used to win an argument ;)
-piso_mojado-@reddit
Where does one find these road trips?
Scottishhardman@reddit
Its called Gordon, Gino and freds road trip.
Scottishhardman@reddit
UK netflix. ItvX. I would think they are probably on youtube aswell although i havent had a look.
gingerbeer987654321@reddit
The two guys doing throttle house are good. Just need the aussie
Last-Performance-435@reddit
Throttle house are just fine as they are. I don't want them to do much more than they are now, honestly.
the_placi_affect@reddit
Their Desert Roadtrip episoded gave me huge TG/TGT vibes. I could see them with an Amazon Budget. Maybe Mat Watson from carwow would be a fun addition to complete a trio.
gingerbeer987654321@reddit
Agreed, just pointed out that they had the chemistry that @glenn1812 was looking for
Tiny-Mulberry-2114@reddit
From a business perspective that would be immensely dumb from their side. This show has a legacy, everyone in the world knows it, people buy subscriptions just to watch it. Creating new name for it would be a shot to the foot. Profits would probably not be the same and marketing expenses would be enormous to create nearly the same fame that Grand Tour has so therefore budget for it would be lower and wouldn't be able to provide quality entertainment.
Sure everyone watched for the trio but I think we are all secretly interested in what way will they try reinvent grand tour even though it will never nearly be the same as it was with those three I am still looking forward as there are no other car shows that combine adventure with car reviews in such a way.
Roushfan5@reddit
If they were going to do it they should've brought in a B team of presenters. Try folks out and let them get their grove on while having the original trio as training wheels. Something akin to what they did with the Mythbusters, even though Grant, Tori, and Kari never replaced Adam and Jamie.
Interestingcathouse@reddit
It isn’t the same situation at all and I don’t know why everybody acts like it is.
Clarkson getting fired was by far the biggest reason why Top Gear struggled. They’re not being fired from this, it is ending positively.
And after a few years Top Gear got better and returned to viewer numbers similar to what this trio was seeing. Once people got over the anger and frustration more people started watching. And if it wasn’t for a crash they did manage to find a solid. There’s no anger or hostility here and the trio are supporting this.
And remember this trio wasn’t who they became back in 2003. Go watch that season, wasn’t even remotely similar to what it is now. It took years for them to find what they have. Everybody is acting like episode 1 was exactly like any episode in series 12 when that’s far from the truth. They didn’t have chemistry or even the format immediately.
They could hit it out of the park with a new cast and in 20 years we could be having the exact same conversation. And personally I’d love another 20 Years of this even if it’s different people.
Argon288@reddit
The BBC had one issue though, the trio weren't done. People instantly wrote off reboot Top Gear because they all went to Amazon with TGT.
Nobody really gave Top Gear a chance because of that reason. I do think people will give Amazon's TGT reboot with new presenters a chance, because there is no other option.
I think the BBC fucked up with Chris Evans. He was not the right fit for Top Gear, I don't think many people liked his presenting style (which was very over the top).
Someone else mentioned it, but YouTubers like Autoalex and his crew would have good chemistry. Alex and Taylor would be a good fit, but who would be number three?
JaFFsTer@reddit
Don't forget the show has the benefit of being in good terms with the trio. Clarkson can still oversee the writing of the show and the trio can consult or even do guest appearances.
Unstoffe@reddit
The second I saw that quote from Hammond my thought was Ben Collins.
Space-manatee@reddit
I mean I kinda see why the BBC went with Evans, as they needed a household name to lead it. Same reason they went with LeBlanc and then Paddy and Freddie.
If they went with Harris leading it, it might’ve crossed over to the realms of a “car show” like the old top gear/ fifth gear, rather than light entertainment featuring cars. Which would make good viewing for petrolheads but lose the wider audience.
But yeah, none of these presenters really landed as if you asked 5 different people over which presenter was annoying, you’d get 5 different answers.
ThePrancingHorse94@reddit
I'm not sure, the studio parts of the Top Gear reboot were awful, they got better but didn't have the magic. But the trips and challenges were pretty good, especially in later series. If they can just do the big trips with other people it will still be watchable.
If you also have the backing of the original trio and input to steady the ship i can see it working.
Qurutin@reddit
I think if James, Richard and especially Jeremy keep being involved they run the risk of trying to mimic and replicate what they did and that's not gonna work. They have to do something new and take a new angle on the show to move forward, and especially give it time to gather momentum and move to be its own thing. Nobody is gonna match what those three did because well, they have over 20 years together under their belts. But they didn't have that in the beginning, they built it up, and if the show wants to continue they need to build it up again. Scale it down a bit, smaller adventures and challenges, give the viewers time to get to know the new presenters and let them give the show their own flair. It will bomb in the beginning anyway but if they can ride it out and move forward from Jeremy, Richard and James it's possible they'll be fine. But if they set out for a super grand adventure where one of them just shouts about power and sees hammer as the ultimate multitool, one is slow and responsible and a bit anal about engineering, and one crashes all the time, it will fail and won't have a chance to grow on people.
Reddity65@reddit
I have the hope that at least this time around, some of the trio can help guide Amazon to picking hosts, which the BBC didn't have the luxury of back then.
djaxial@reddit
It’s not about the quality, it’s about the subscriptions. Amazon will happily do a series or two as plenty of people will sign up, or continue their subscription, to see it even if it’s rubbish. TG lasted on the BBC as it’s a public broadcaster and it was one of their highest viewed shows, doesn’t matter if it’s any good, people will put it on in the background regardless.
The reality is that TG and GT have been mediocre viewing versus the hey day, but we’ve all watched it anyway.
ExtraThirdtestical@reddit
Yeah naaaw. We will see clones of them trying to imitate what made the show successful, then it will fail and the world will move on.
Fingers crossed that I am wrong, but I find it hard to think that I would watch TGT without the OGs anyway.
Obvious-Hat4068@reddit
I’m just going to leave this here… Hammond guested on Throttle House a couple of weeks ago. Make of that what you will…
JubJub964@reddit
I hope Chris Harris is involved
DiarrheaVampire@reddit
Matt Leblanc is the only worthy successor. And it’s bc he’s genuinely into cars, had great lap times, and got to come back for a special.
No one can replace the boys, but a few dudes could carry the torch. I wish Ken Block was still alive. I think he’d do well.
TrenchSquire@reddit
Isnt Jay Leno also at that age of the current presenters? Id go through all the old footage and pick from the guests of star in reasonably priced car, one of the F1 drivers that used to come on and do the same (seb Vettel for instance) And for the third one im coming up short atm. I reckon a james may type that is old school and kind of nerdy but can pull you into their way of thinking like James can.
DiarrheaVampire@reddit
T-Pain! I like where your head’s at.
TrenchSquire@reddit
Hell yeah. He already sort of works for amazon as a twitch partner and i truely think he could work well on a show similar to grand tour.
wosmo@reddit
I think what makes the trio almost impossible to replicate is that they were basically nobodies before top gear. Hammond was on local radio, May did autocar magazine and then some pretty forgettable TV, and Clarkson was a print journalist.
They were more manufactured by circumstance by design. I think it's really difficult to design for this.
7148675309@reddit
Clarkson was well known in the 90s in the UK on the original Top Gear.
ThisOneTimeAtLolCamp@reddit
If money is no object then Jay Leno, Jay Kay and Jenson Button would be sick.
Iamokoono@reddit
Nope.
The show dies when they leave.
cpj79@reddit
What the BBC failed to realise, and Amazon are doing exactly the same, is that the show is not about the cars. It’s about the three of them. You can’t replace that.
bradyso@reddit
As always, casting is key. And most tv nowadays doesn't do this well. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
After-Session@reddit
The 2 lads off Throttle house could be a good start. They did a road trip, it was hilarious
Hello_Hollow_Halo@reddit
They also just made their career on just trying to be top gear except it’s simply just not as good. Idk their two names but every video is the same good cop bad cop on every car. Yawn.
MyTwitterID@reddit
In my head Throttle House is the new Grand Tour.. Atleast in my head for a while now.. Those guys are amazing.. I hope Amazon brings them in.
Hello_Hollow_Halo@reddit
It’s just a try hard attempt to be TG. And idk their names but the one guy they just shits on every car and tried to be the Simon (from American idol) just gets old
me_naam@reddit
That’s a great show indeed. Professional and fun.
derekneiladams@reddit
I want to see the Vinwiki guys do it or with Tavarish
Robbbbbbbbb@reddit
Give the reigns to Cammisa
Cleets11@reddit
The new hosts stand a chance as long as they get the right ones. Top gear was doomed no matter who hosted but they also chose the worst host possible that ruined the show so bad it never recovered. The trio willingly stepping away and retiring is different than the shock of the bbc exit so the fans I think will be more receptive I think. Just have to get the right hosts and have them involved in writing the show like the trio is.
MrIrrelevantsHypeMan@reddit
Rut, Tanner, and Adam have entered the chat
XMAN2YMAN@reddit
I think the American one by the end was actually half way decent. When they just did challenges, they were pretty okay. Not great but tolerable
stonecoder@reddit
It was awkward but was catching on organically and having Tanner, a professional rally driver with personality, as a presenter was pretty good. I stopped watching for some reason, surprised they made it that long.
MrIrrelevantsHypeMan@reddit
It lasted six seasons which seems way longer than I remember. The early seasons was a clone which just didn't work but by the end they grew into their own
XMAN2YMAN@reddit
I whole heartedly agree, and I was genuinely a little sad when it got cancelled when they finally got in their zone. Plus is was cool that their challenges were just more towards Americans with including trucks, off roading etc into more.
IveKnownItAll@reddit
I could not stand Rut or Adam at all.
MrIrrelevantsHypeMan@reddit
I don't think I'm going to get my wish
kvbt7@reddit
I actually enjoyed watching them, especially the challenges and specials. Not as good as the trio, but still.
a141abc@reddit
I'd unironically love that
Its been over a decade now, and looking back you can see that everyone involved didn't entirely know what they wanted to make so it ended up being a copy of the original
Now Rut's hot wheels show wasnt for me but I could see that he's a great presenter, Tanner is the real deal when it comes to driving and Adam's comedy is solid
And you can see that they're all real life friends and they're very proud of what they made back then
Poliosaurus@reddit
Yeah I actually enjoyed TG America with those three.
BlueBloodLive@reddit
There's just absolutely no way it works out long term.
It can't be the same name and it can't be the same concept, which basically leaves them shit out of luck.
You simply cannot replace 20+ years of people being invested in a show hosted by particular people, have them retire and then bring on three new faces and think it's going to work.
The BBC gave it a shot and it's just missing so much.
Just for starters you'd need three huge names, that everyone already knows, and who have a long history of being friends.
Then, you'd need them to do things that we've never seen on TG/GT before, and since they've covered so fucking much, that's a big ask.
Take your 3 spinoff shows that you got from one, hope people are interested enough in them individually and go from there.
Anything else is doomed to fail.
FeherDenes@reddit
For the new presenters: 1) don’t try to imitate them
That’s it
Sea-Computer496@reddit
Obviously he’d have to retire from F1 first but I always thought Daniel Riccardo would be a great addition to a TG or TGT continuation
JaFFsTer@reddit
Nico is free..... and having a fancy boy Monaco test driver thrashing cars around would play well on screen
Sea-Computer496@reddit
I don’t hate that at all. I definitely enjoy Nico’s commentary.
JaFFsTer@reddit
Exactly. It's the polar opposite of the fat American
noneentered9965@reddit
Why not the guys from Car Trek? Ed Bolian hoovie and tavaris? I think they could pull it off I'd watch that.
Kutay-T@reddit
I want that hagerty guy who looks like adam sandler
Winston_Sm@reddit
Oh No
BartholomewKnightIII@reddit
James Cordon, Jayden Smith and Amber Heard are the only people who could keep it going.
What a trio!!!
X0AN@reddit
If you're outside of a UK sub you have to put /s for the americans to understand.
BartholomewKnightIII@reddit
I didn't think it would be needed to be honest, I mean who actually likes Cordon?
iceman983@reddit
They should start a new show. This is a huge mistake. Ask BBC.
jodorthedwarf@reddit
I mean, Amazon can try it. We knew that the OG trio would eventually break up. They're all getting on a bit and probably struggle to do the kinds of adventures they did back when they were younger. Besides, 22 years (I think) is a great run for the trio.
I get what you're saying, though. Though, I personally be okay with Amazon wasting a ton of money on a show that flops. I get it'd taint the memory of Clarkson, May, and Hammond's run but big businesses are always going to try and milk a brand for too long.
iceman983@reddit
You need to build chemistry before going mainstream. Every other top gear failed because they pretend they can do special and stuff, but they have not built proper chemistry. Everything is scripted and fake, while the best moment from the trio are the one where they banter on each others after having been together for years.
You need a new and fresh concept or it's gonna always be the Temu version of Hammond May and Clarkson
Ch1pples@reddit
They need three relatively unknowns, so that we don't have any preconceptions about who they are. They need to be given some free reign and a three season contract so that they can find their feet. If you watch early top gear season 1 & 2 it's not that great, but by season 3 things were coming together.
ficellePicarde@reddit
It could be sometimes fun, but it Will never have the aura of the there lads. Amazon should stop it and rename anything that comes without thé Guys.
letsbuildasnowman@reddit
I’m seriously going to miss these guys. Greatest hosts in the history of television.
RecoverWilling@reddit
Im not much of a car guy, but i know some things because of these chaps. I'm glad we had them for as long as we did. The creative license they had after moving over. No way would the BBC have bought a new Bentley for Jezza drive through Madagascar, nor take the risk of what they did in Namibia or Mongolia. They've done everything they wanted, and we got them at their best. This trio definitely stretched out the glove of the TV host. It's gonna be hard to find others it fits.
SirNurtle@reddit
I think it depends on how the show is presented/structured and who the new presenters are, and considering that this time the trio (plus Mr Wilman) get to pick who the new guys are I have some hope for the future of the show.
If they change up a little how the show is presented and more importantly the new 3 have their own unique dynamic/personalities then it could absolutely work. Modern Top Gear has flopped not because of monetary reasons or lack of effort but because they are trying to do what the trio did instead of trying to become their own thing.
smackythefrog@reddit
Don't keep it under the same name. Let it retire with the trio.
The landscape is different now than it was in 2014 or so when they left the BBC. Amazon can find trusted and loved YouTube reviewers and offer them a chance to create their own car-based show and do something different with it.
The problem is, they'd be chasing the success of CHM and fans will expect it to be the same despite calling for the show to not be the same as TGT and that will complicate things.
rtc3@reddit
For the love of motoring bring us Jason Camissa
JustSomeDudeItWas@reddit
If the shows continuing with other hosts, I'd love to see the top gear USA guys have another shot at it.
RetiredTxCoastie@reddit
Which ones? There are 3 different crews now, I think?
JustSomeDudeItWas@reddit
I only saw top gear USA hosted by Tanner Faust, Adam, and Rutledge
Rhediix@reddit
This. It's honestly the smartest idea of the whole lot.
Those three bonded as hosts doing exactly what Clarkson, Hammond, and May did. They remained friends after the show had been cancelled, and did their own podcast for awhile.
Each of them have their discrete personality types, and completely understand the assignment to the point where they'd be able to hit the ground running with absolutely no delay.
This actually makes the most sense.
me_naam@reddit
That was horrible as a TG franchise. In another format it might work.
RetiredTxCoastie@reddit
Those were the ones I saw the most. I enjoyed most of their trips. Mostly Adam and Rutledge. One or two from the other crews were OK.
J-Madrid@reddit
The Pasty, Steve Mitchell and the bald manc, anyone?
lucidrenegade@reddit
Yeah, 'cause that worked out so well for Top Gear... They lost half their viewers and they never came back.
ReincarnatedRadiator@reddit
I'll accept new presenters. Just keep it like it is now, three men "grand touring" while having fun. The new TG's Nepal special was amazing in my eyes.
ShaggedT-RexOnNublar@reddit
That’s no surprise, Top Gear would’ve continued on too if they stayed til they were done
Interested where this goes
hjhof1@reddit
I wonder if keeping the name but mixing up the format could work, I wouldn’t mind seeing a car focused version of An Idiot abroad so to speak. Get a host that loves cars, one that loves travel, and a third guy that isn’t into either and send them on trips around the world
AlanDevonshire@reddit
The best way to do it is find a really popular light comedy car based YouTube channel and give them the presenters job. Something like the guys from Top Dead Center. Or someone like Guy Martin
Barnacle_Baritone@reddit
Combining Top Dead Center, and All The Gear, was my first thought. They’ve been working together for years, the chemistry is already there. Lesser known then the big YouTubers maybe, but I think it’s only a matter of time before they blow up.
Dharmendra_old_wala@reddit
Amazon could just pay a tall man, a long haired man and a tiny man to make a show where they drive a collection of daily drivers, review them on the way to a farm to do some farming, then go to a pub at the end of the day and finally do some mild racing in classic cars.
And to top it all off these 3 places could be owned by each of them.
FlatTyres@reddit
Unless it involves David Coulthard, Gerhard Berger and Eddie Jordan, I can't see a future series being a hit too soon from now.
Tinguiririca@reddit
How do they expect the audience to warm up to three new people when they no longer produce a weekly show?
XMAN2YMAN@reddit
Maybe Thomas and James will get the gig.
TouchdownRaiden@reddit
With Chris Harris to complete the trio
XMAN2YMAN@reddit
That would be great. He was great to have cameo in those couple of episodes earlier this year.
ToxicOstrich91@reddit
This is the only way I would watch the show.
E400wagon@reddit
Gordon Ramsay to replace Clarkson, James Pumphrey who is cool but not really a great driver, and uhhh not sure
slybob@reddit
I couldn't care less about cars. I watch it for the entertainment from the three geezers.
InevitableOk5017@reddit
It’s not about the show it’s about the 3 in the show a new show with a new 3 won’t work.
tharnadar@reddit
Oh shit here we are again....
7148675309@reddit
Exactly. Thanks for the memories - but keep it that way. Maybe in another 5-10 years revive it but do something different.
siwo1986@reddit
Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Martin Freeman. You're welcome, goodnight.
EnglishJesus@reddit
I’ve always a thought a trio of Chris Harris, Jason Camissa and Henry Catchpole would be incredible for car based content. Probably not as funny as CHM but good in its own way. Those 3 consistently make the best car based content on YouTube at the moment.
Leave-A-Note@reddit
Others in this thread have said it might be misguided or a bad idea… but I think Amazon fortunately have the blessing of seeing how poor BBC did it that first season and the opportunity to nail it out of the gates.
The thing that makes the boys so watchable is the chemistry and blatant disregard toward each other they established as friends. It’s contagious and endearing and fantastic - it feels like real friendship.
Friendship exists in all forms, so I don’t doubt Amazon could find a few people that would have good chemistry and make their own path.
BLRFF@reddit
I’ll give it a try when it’s made because if it’s good, awesome! But I’m not here for the car show I’m there for them. It’s a lot like how when they had interviews and guests on either show I skipped past since I just don’t care about who they brought on I just want to hear them talk.
LGCGE@reddit
They’ll probably get the ThrottleHouse guys to do it. They’re already making a Top Gear clone and have great chemistry, can think of nobody better
GivenLoud@reddit
Ant Anstead would be one of my first choices.
mmw1000@reddit
He’s an awful presenter and very smarmy and annoying. I used to love wheeler dealers but when he replaced Edd it was painful tk watch him on it. I just can’t watch any episodes that he’s in.
Girfex@reddit
Amazon owns the idea, they can do what they want. I only watched for the lads.
metal_jester@reddit
"the grand tour presents" probably a smart way to ease us in.
kaijumoviefan@reddit
Not watching it. If it isn't these 3 blithering idiots, I don't care.
Beahner@reddit
I guess the question that hops to mind for me isn’t what three presenters will they replace them with, but how many writers and producers and general show runners will stay on?
Clarkson, Hammond and May have this unique chemistry I’m not sure can be duplicated. Especially creating anywhere near such a chemistry with three people. That’s very rare.
But, the big three didn’t totally create that chemistry fully on their own. It was a massive team that helped to make it all work and bring that out.
TG post the big three didn’t struggle strictly because the three hosts didn’t have any chemistry, but because the team they were surrounded weren’t the same talented team that helped form the big three.
They would still need the right mix of presenters, but if they don’t have much of that creative team together they will never form that up no matter what.
thspimpolds@reddit
It’s not as hard to have a new trio given a good mix just takes time. I honestly think Matt, Chris, and Rory were a fantastic mix by season 3. They would be awesome but Matt didn’t want to travel that much anymore if I remember right.
Blackmore_Vale@reddit
I think Andy Wilman and Jeremy Clarkson are involved in the hiring process while keeping creative control. I think they’d find the right set of hosts. I know it’s not the same but look at other shows that have swapped casts and succeeded
---TC---@reddit
Two things:
My ex brother in law turned me on to Top Gear in the early days and it and GT have been cherished by me for decades. I’m going to miss those idiots…at least I have Clarksons Farm and Richard Hammond Workshop to keep me company.
ZedFraunce@reddit
If they do continue TGT, the og trio should have a say on who the host should be. What we love about them is their bond. If they can pick people who are knowledgeable about cars but also have a good chance of clicking with each other, they will fare better off than whatever the BBC tried to do. It's a car show where funnily enough, isn't the main attraction, it's the presenters.
Carbonga@reddit
The only way this could be even better was if they'd get Rowan Atkinson as main host.
SnooMarzipans7466@reddit
Matt was good and for sure is loved in América
evanweb546@reddit
Get three enthusiastic, funny, invested people and it'll work. The road trips are a winning formula.
scalectrix@reddit
A cowardly man, trapped between two forms of cowardice.
BunglingBoris@reddit
Will Andy Wilman still be running the show?
markhewitt1978@reddit
Richard Porter is the man you need. There is a reason The Grand Tour season 1 wasn't as good and it was because he had not forgiven Jeremy yet.
BunglingBoris@reddit
Well if I said I'd heard that name before I'd be lying.
markhewitt1978@reddit
https://www.amazon.co.uk/That-Bombshell-Inside-Madness-Genius/dp/1409165078/ref=asc_df_1409165078
BunglingBoris@reddit
Well then, I've learned my thing for the day! Does that mean he'll be staying on then?
markhewitt1978@reddit
Hammond just said in that article 'it is up to Amazon now', so I guess it depends on their intentions.
Zofia-Bosak@reddit
It will never work.
PapaGuhl@reddit
Just let it die.
that_effing_cat@reddit
Honestly, I don't think we really need the Grand Tour format with all its specials and overblown production budget.
Just look at Donut and make a CHM podcast.
ARookwood@reddit
I hope they don’t get the drivetribe guys to do it, they’re boring as hell.
Matt Armstrong would make a good one.
markhewitt1978@reddit
I hope it does continue; and perhaps even get the tent back! You can just film it where it is next to Jeremy's pub.
If Top Gear really is over I hope they get Chris Harris; he was the one consistent good thing about post CHM Top Gear:
IS316@reddit
They need to remember, The Grand Tour and Top Gear did so well because it’s a show about three GUYS who like cars.
They were the stars, not the cars.
melker_the_elk@reddit
Its extremely difficult to cook up that kind of relationship. There must have been 100 presenters who could have been instead of may or 100 other presenters who could have been instead of hammond. Most of them would have been fine and top gear would have ran its course, but because it was these dudes it became the behemoth it is today.
noirbourboncoffee@reddit
If they could get Henry Metcalfe, Chris Harris, Jason Plato. Then yes.
LordBogus@reddit
I dont really care about it. TG and TGT were always with the trio and end with the trio.
Ive got plenty other stuff to do so I will sign off, so long!
AkaSmallzz@reddit
It could work. The BBC attempt failed but if i recall correctly the writers left the show to go to amazon too? So maybe with the same writers new presenters could work
Ged_UK@reddit
Did the BBC attempt fail? It ran for several seasons and viewing figures were broadly similar to the earlier years, and the demographic got younger. Only reason it stopped is because of the terrible accident.
AkaSmallzz@reddit
The initial relaunch wasn’t great. It was getting its footing before the accident. I still believe with the original writers/directors amazons attempt could get off to a better start.
The accident was a shame for the BBC version, safety needs to be taken way more seriously
existential_chaos@reddit
Yeah, pretty much everyone left to go with Jeremy, James and Richard.
brett1081@reddit
Bring back Abby. Honestly I will give it a go. We could be getting nothing. I’ll always take something over that
cirrusblau@reddit
How about Abby, Ben, and Perry? Oh and Mike too!
CaptainAksh_G@reddit
As much as the new presenters would be interested in doing the new Grand Tour, it'll face the same date as Top Gear faced.
Once these three are gone, fans would just stop watching Grand Tour, either that, or there would be very less people.
Nevertheless, it would be like starting from ground 1 (a step above ground 0, but still at the very grassroots)
cotch85@reddit
Sadly these 3 are the substance of every show and we’d watch them travel the world watching paint dry because of their interactions and chemistry overall.
They are the fuel that keeps it burning not anything else.
I have no interest in a show without them.
Feisty-Army-2208@reddit
Think it'd be a good idea to have guest hosts who have to do the big challenges. Might be good television depending on the guests
Dutchgio@reddit
I doubt this will work, just like with Top Gear. In the end it wasn't a show about cars, it was about those three together. You can see the same with their individual shows that catch on.
giganticsquid@reddit
The Aussie one is awful because they are just pretending to be these characters. If it's genuine it's got a shot
TacticalAcquisition@reddit
Right? As an Aussie I was super keen for it, then when it started I couldn't even make it halfway.
lt12765@reddit
Amazon is mistaken in thinking I like the show enough to continue to watch it, when I really just like the 3 old presenters.
ThePrancingHorse94@reddit
Guarantee they'll try and get Auto alex or a youtuber like that.
TheRealPyroManiac@reddit
Amazon SHOULD carry on with the premise, new presenters etc but change the name. However, The Grand Tour has name & brand value compared to a new venture, so they won’t.
The grand tour may continue, but the trio won’t and so like the new top gear I won’t be watching.
Chilledinho@reddit
It’s impossible to replace something which is so natural.
But there are 100% people out there who could form a good union of something similar; but don’t keep it under the same guise.
KerbalEnginner@reddit
So they want to cock up the same way as BBC did?
I mean... yeah give it a shot.
Who knows? Maybe a miracle will happen. It happened before.
Depends on the cast and crew.
glenn1812@reddit
You'd honestly be better off with Prime tho than the BBC considering how many rules the BBC has.
KerbalEnginner@reddit
Prime only for these three. I will give the newbies a chance. If they will suck, I will invest my money into something else