There is a compilation (actually many) of when the 3 of them are laughing so hard they’re speechless
For me, one of my favourite scenes is in the special where they bring the sea to the desert and James has that Merc wagon with the fish tank in it. When he false starts and about 10 litres of water wash over him and it cuts to JC and Hammond absolutely pissing themselves, I can’t help but belly laugh with them - and I’ve watched that particular sequence probably a hundred times. Never stops being funny.
For the "Which arm have you broken" joke, it's the fact Richard asks the question in such a serious manner when it's obvious which arm James has broken, because his broken arm is obviously the one in the sling.
For the "Which seat do they put in as standard" joke, it's again Richard asking the question seriously when it's obvious that the driver's seat is the one that would be put in as standard.
Jeremy always says that Richard is one of the funniest and quick witted people he knows. The problem is that once the cameras roll he becomes a blithering idiot but on occasions such as this one you can see what Jeremy is on about.
I think this “character” really is a part of him and he just plays it up. He is genuinely a funny person and I think he just enjoys entertaining people and making them laugh.
100%. Look at George Carlin. Everyone who knew him says he was soft-spoken and very humble and nice off-stage, but you know there's still an authenticity to his standup.
I literally do the same thing. I would never claim to be any kind of television ready humorist of any variety at all, but at work I am "the funny one." One of my favorite things to do is to deadpan intentionally stupid comments as seriously I possibly can. You'd be surprised how much thought has to go in to deliberate stupidity.
My favourite one of Hammonds is when James says the A N L keys on Mr Wilmons' keyboard are worn. Without skipping a beat, Hammond says, "He's been emailing his friend Alan a lot." This one is a close second.
Willman basically said the same thing in his book. He talks about Richards initial interview and how it went horrible. Then Richard hung around just to chat with everyone an within a few minutes he had the entire room just rolling with his random stories. Jeremy then told Andy that they HAD to have Richard as he was absolutely hilarious.
Listening to Wilman talk about how when they prepare to do a piece to camera both Jeremy and James rehearse and get a little flustered and Hammond is just sat there on his phone and is ready to go when they call action, it's pretty interesting.
Here is Wilman talking with Hammond and says a similar thing - Richard was quickest on improvisation, while Clarkson preferred to workout and script all of his stuff.
It works on both levels. The obvious cast showing which arm is broken, but also with the car being a right hand drive, he should be able to use his unaffected left arm to operate a manual transmission.
PrincipleNo8733@reddit
Legends
Pana79@reddit
There is a compilation (actually many) of when the 3 of them are laughing so hard they’re speechless
For me, one of my favourite scenes is in the special where they bring the sea to the desert and James has that Merc wagon with the fish tank in it. When he false starts and about 10 litres of water wash over him and it cuts to JC and Hammond absolutely pissing themselves, I can’t help but belly laugh with them - and I’ve watched that particular sequence probably a hundred times. Never stops being funny.
15-99@reddit
Which seat comes as standard?
Gramerdim@reddit
I don't get either joke
W126_300SE@reddit
For the "Which arm have you broken" joke, it's the fact Richard asks the question in such a serious manner when it's obvious which arm James has broken, because his broken arm is obviously the one in the sling.
For the "Which seat do they put in as standard" joke, it's again Richard asking the question seriously when it's obvious that the driver's seat is the one that would be put in as standard.
15-99@reddit
Actually May asks that question to Hammond since Hammond is the one in the Challenger.
W126_300SE@reddit
Thanks for the correction, I forgot which way around it was.
Azurefroz@reddit
Aand thank you for your clear explanation without contempt and derision to the commenter above!
PercentageNonGrata@reddit
I thought he was also maybe being a bit sarcastic as well, considering the shifter being controlled by the obvious non-broken arm.
Substantial-Ebb4100@reddit
Exactly this. He’s basically saying “That is no excuse May as it’s not your shifting arm. Stop being a wuss.”
Slight_Way_3190@reddit
Damn it, I came here to say that. First thing I thought of when I saw this post.
JirriG@reddit
Comedy gold
Wirexia1@reddit
Same vibe with the Demon seat that comes for a Dollar 🤣
Special_Name362@reddit
Which arm have you broken?
JohnGazman@reddit
There's a few times where Richard drops a banger and it absolutely breaks Clarkson.
The one I always remember is the Alfa Romeo episode where he tells Clarkson "Second is good, it's underrated as a gear".
AllYouNeed_Is_Smiles@reddit
Jeremy always says that Richard is one of the funniest and quick witted people he knows. The problem is that once the cameras roll he becomes a blithering idiot but on occasions such as this one you can see what Jeremy is on about.
brokenlampPMW2@reddit
that's an example of how he plays a character. It's why he's still different off the main show and on the news.
Pass_The_Salt_@reddit
I think this “character” really is a part of him and he just plays it up. He is genuinely a funny person and I think he just enjoys entertaining people and making them laugh.
brokenlampPMW2@reddit
oh, 100%. That's part of the fun. The characters aren't made up, they're just the extremes of their personalities at times
jakeod27@reddit
That’s when comedy is the most authentic ironically. Just a caricature of what was already there.
brokenlampPMW2@reddit
100%. Look at George Carlin. Everyone who knew him says he was soft-spoken and very humble and nice off-stage, but you know there's still an authenticity to his standup.
PlanetLandon@reddit
Exactly. None of these guys are actors, but they got very good at playing exaggerated versions of themselves for the sake of kayfabe.
WySLatestWit@reddit
I literally do the same thing. I would never claim to be any kind of television ready humorist of any variety at all, but at work I am "the funny one." One of my favorite things to do is to deadpan intentionally stupid comments as seriously I possibly can. You'd be surprised how much thought has to go in to deliberate stupidity.
Chiddy_B@reddit
My favourite one of Hammonds is when James says the A N L keys on Mr Wilmons' keyboard are worn. Without skipping a beat, Hammond says, "He's been emailing his friend Alan a lot." This one is a close second.
fecalbeetle@reddit
Willman basically said the same thing in his book. He talks about Richards initial interview and how it went horrible. Then Richard hung around just to chat with everyone an within a few minutes he had the entire room just rolling with his random stories. Jeremy then told Andy that they HAD to have Richard as he was absolutely hilarious.
Regular_Promise3605@reddit
Listening to Wilman talk about how when they prepare to do a piece to camera both Jeremy and James rehearse and get a little flustered and Hammond is just sat there on his phone and is ready to go when they call action, it's pretty interesting.
twofedsinnc@reddit
Here is Wilman talking with Hammond and says a similar thing - Richard was quickest on improvisation, while Clarkson preferred to workout and script all of his stuff.
It's almost an hour, but worth the watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQOZZRxJjYc
dctrtwelve@reddit
Where did he talk about this? Thanks!
Regular_Promise3605@reddit
He did it in a few podcasts. I think on Jake Humphreys High Performance one i remember it from
Thomrose007@reddit
One of my fave when Jeremy points out a hippo in the water "oh look a hippos head"
James "Its probably a whole hippo" 😂
Greengiant304@reddit
I almost spit my wine out just reading this.
Spooky_6@reddit
"They're hot for James May!"
TeacherTeacher85@reddit
That and the comment by May over the Dodge Demon seats...Hammond- "You only get one seat in the race trim version".......May- "which seat do you get?"
wispswimming65@reddit
Lol
mydeadface@reddit
Isn't this where they glue or tape a dildo to the steering column so he can steer?
H_K-R@reddit
Yes, it is
eduardsosh@reddit
I have never gotten this joke
Individual-System174@reddit
It works on both levels. The obvious cast showing which arm is broken, but also with the car being a right hand drive, he should be able to use his unaffected left arm to operate a manual transmission.
Eleven918@reddit
And hold the steering wheel with his mouth?
andyd151@reddit
Found the German
PlatoDrago@reddit
It’s obvious that James’ right arm is broken, so Hammond asks which arm despite it being obvious.
eduardsosh@reddit
Oh. They are usually deeper with their jokes so I was looking for something that wasn't there I guess.
Beer-Milkshakes@reddit
When expectation obstructs observation.
techtornado@reddit
He has never let facts get in the way of his opinions
BrentDavidTT@reddit
This has to be a joke!
eduardsosh@reddit
It isn't/wasn't (reference to saab news, which is a funny bit)
Apathy784@reddit
Jeremy: Now we need to find the two sons Uday and….what’s the other son’s name?
Hammond: Edgar.
Mclarenrob2@reddit
It was funny when they were just chatting and completely ignoring James until he had to mention his arm 😂
X0AN@reddit
God, I remember the family howling at this quip. Good times. 😂
techtornado@reddit
Which arm have you broken?
That is a top line from Hammond!
HualtaHuyte@reddit
I swear to god you people don't understand anything about TV production and think this shit is 100% organic and unedited 😂
Chrismonn@reddit
What are you even on about?
Having an argument with yourself on a Sunday? Haha
J_spec6@reddit
"I can't wait for it to choose reverse "
Lucifers_Tits@reddit
Made him break character lmao