Top Gear (2002 TV series)

Top Gear (2002 TV series)
Title	Top Gear
Caption	Title card used from 2002 to 2021
Creator	Andy Wilman
Presenter	Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May, The Stig
Narrated	Jeremy Clarkson
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Num series	22
Num episodes	175 (plus 36 specials)
Network	BBC Two (2002–2019, 2020–2021), BBC One (2020)
Runtime	60–90 minutes

Top Gear (2002 TV series) is a British motoring magazine and entertainment television series, a revival of the original 1977 programme of the same name. Premiering on BBC Two on 20 October 2002, it was developed by former presenter Jeremy Clarkson and producer Andy Wilman, transforming the format into a globally successful entertainment franchise. The show became renowned for its blend of automotive journalism, ambitious challenges, and comedic presentation style, centered for most of its run around the trio of Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May.

Overview

The series was conceived as a complete reinvention of the original BBC motoring show, moving from a traditional magazine format to a studio-based entertainment programme with filmed reports. Filmed primarily at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, the show utilized its famous test track for performance car reviews. Its immense popularity made it one of the most-watched factual television programmes in the world, with BBC Worldwide estimating a global audience of 350 million viewers across 170 territories. The programme's success spawned a vast commercial empire, including live tours, magazines, and numerous international adaptations.

Presenters and personnel

The core presenting team for the majority of the series' run consisted of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, whose chemistry and rivalry defined the show's character. The mysterious, helmeted test driver known as The Stig became an iconic figure, with various performers taking the role, including Perry McCarthy and Ben Collins. The show's long-time executive producer was Andy Wilman, who co-created the revised format. Other regular contributors included news presenter Richard Porter and a succession of celebrity guests for the "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" segment, filmed in the BBC Television Centre studio.

Format and segments

Each episode typically featured a mix of pre-recorded films and studio segments. Regular features included road tests of new performance cars, often culminating in a timed lap by The Stig on the Dunsfold track. The "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" segment involved celebrities setting lap times in a modest vehicle like a Suzuki Liana or Kia Cee'd. Ambitious, often absurd challenges were a hallmark, such as converting regular cars into amphibious vehicles or racing across countries. Specials involved epic road trips across locations like Vietnam, Botswana, and the North Pole.

Production and broadcast

Produced by BBC Studios (formerly BBC Worldwide), the show was filmed at Dunsfold Aerodrome, with its studio segments recorded in front of a live audience. The programme originally aired on BBC Two before a high-profile, one-series move to BBC One in 2020. Following a major hiatus and revamp, it returned to BBC Two in 2021. Key filming for international specials took place across the globe, from the American South to Madagascar. The production faced significant logistical challenges, including a serious accident involving Richard Hammond at RAF Elvington in 2006.

Reception and impact

The series received widespread critical and popular acclaim, winning multiple BAFTA TV Awards and National Television Awards. It was credited with revitalizing interest in automotive television and making car culture accessible to a mainstream audience. The show's commercial success was enormous, generating significant revenue for BBC Worldwide through international sales and merchandising. Its influence extended into publishing with the relaunch of Top Gear magazine, and it inspired a generation of similar programming worldwide.

Controversies and criticism

The programme frequently faced criticism for perceived insensitivity and politically incorrect content. Notable incidents included accusations of racism during a filming segment in Myanmar, and complaints to Ofcom over Jeremy Clarkson's deliberate provocation of Mexican diplomats. The most significant controversy occurred in 2015 when Clarkson was suspended by the BBC following a "fracas" with a producer, leading to the departure of Clarkson, Hammond, and May. The show has also been criticized by environmental groups like Greenpeace and faced complaints from bodies such as the Mental Health Foundation.

Specials and international versions

The series produced numerous standalone specials, often feature-length episodes involving arduous journeys in modified cars across terrains like the Amazon rainforest or the Mongolian desert. The format was successfully licensed globally, leading to many international versions, including Top Gear America, Top Gear Australia, and Top Gear Russia. Following the departure of the main trio, the franchise continued with new presenters, while Clarkson, Hammond, and May launched a rival motoring show, The Grand Tour, for Amazon Prime Video.

Category:2002 British television series debuts Category:BBC television programmes Category:Top Gear