that was so funny... "I'm the *********g steward, I make the announcements"... Classic Top Gear!Quote:
Originally Posted by Chloe O'brien
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that was so funny... "I'm the *********g steward, I make the announcements"... Classic Top Gear!Quote:
Originally Posted by Chloe O'brien
TOP Gear's axed Stig has been welcomed back to the BBC2 motoring show.
Ben Collins pops in tomorrow night for the first time since being dropped last year over his tell-all book.
He returned to help out a trio of soldiers maimed while fighting in Afghanistan. Racing driver Ben, 36, who teaches driving skills to Britain's special forces, handed out tips to the heroes as they prepare to enter the gruelling off-road Dakar Rally in 18 months.
Unmasked ... driver Ben Collins
Despite the row over revealing his secret identity as the white helmet-wearing Stig in his memoirs, he was welcomed back on the show by presenter Richard Hammond.
And the host jokingly told the group's navigator, Cpl Tom Neathway, 27, not to tell Ben anything.
He said to Tom, who lost both legs and his left arm in a booby-trap bomb blast: "If you see him writing just stop talking."
Richard, 41, added: "To be honest I am glad to see the old splitter back and I do know how much giving these guys a hand means to him."
The trio are racing for Project Mobility - and hope to become the first disabled team to enter the annual race.
Tom said: "If you can crack on in a Dakar Rally, where you are pretty much doing 18 hours for two weeks solid, you can pretty much achieve anything."
Heroes ... with Richard Hammond, left
Gutsy driver Capt Anthony Harris, 28, even tells Richard he feels lucky compared with his colleagues - having "only" lost part of one leg.
He said: "I'm just a below knee scratch."
Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman, said: "If we could run the country on their spirit and zest, it would be an infinitely better country."
His outspoken comments and motoring expertise have helped make him one of the BBC’s highest-paid stars.
But it has now been claimed that many of the scenes filmed by Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson are actually performed by professional drivers.
Sources say a large proportion of the stunts on the BBC2 series which appear to show Clarkson careering around the show’s racetrack at high speed are actually executed by professional racing drivers hired by the BBC.
Fakery: A large proportion of the stunts which appear to show Clarkson careering around the show's racetrack at high speed are actually executed by professional racing drivers
These are then edited alongside footage of the star inside the car, leaving viewers with the impression that he has been behind the wheel throughout.
One source says that a memorable clip from April 2008 which appeared to show Clarkson test-driving a Lamborghini at over 200mph is actually the work of Formula 3 driver Aaron Scott.
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Top Gear is one of the BBC’s most successful formats and has been sold around the world with spin-off series in Australia, America and Russia.
Clarkson pockets a reported £1million-a-year salary, which was topped up last year by £830,000 earned from merchandising and overseas sales of the Top Gear brand – to which the 51-year-old owns the rights along with executive producer Andy Wilman.
Wrong impression: A clip from 2008 appeared to show Clarkson test-driving a Lamborghini at over 200mph is actually the work of Formula 3 driver Aaron Scott
Tricked: The April 2008 clip shows Clarkson test driving a £178,000 Lamborghini Murcielago and apparently pushing it to reach a top speed of 207mph in heavy rain
But a well-placed figure, who worked on the series for more than five years, said professional racers were in the driving seat ‘most of the time’ on complicated filming sequences when viewers believed they were watching Clarkson.
He said: ‘Certainly most of the time professional drivers are doing the clever stuff on the track. These takes are cut in to the presenters’ in-car pieces when the programme goes out to make it look like Clarkson has been driving all the way through. Pros make it all look more exciting. That’s what I did and that’s what others currently do.’
A source estimated that 80 per cent of the driving on the show is done by pros such as Aaron Scott, although it is made to look as if it's done by Jeremy
Two independent sources, both with close links to Top Gear, told The Mail on Sunday professional drivers were used to make the programme more dramatic and because the presenters weren’t able to perform the tricks themselves.
Asked if Clarkson could do the work himself, one source said: ‘Well, he’s not a pro, is he? There are limitations with filming. It’s all done on a pretty tight time schedule and they need to get the right shots quickly, which is why they use pros because they can do the stunts in one take.’
A second source said: ‘Top Gear rely on professional racing drivers a lot more than the show would suggest. I would say 80 per cent of the driving on the show is done by pros but it is made to look as if it’s done by Jeremy. When you see the wheels on a car spinning and smoke coming out, that will more than likely be a professional driver.
‘It’s been going on for years. The fact is the presenters on Top Gear are presenters. They are not professional drivers, so why would you get them to do a job that an expert can do better, faster and in one take?’
The April 2008 clip shows Clarkson test driving a £178,000 Lamborghini Murcielago and apparently pushing it to reach a top speed of 207mph in heavy rain.
According to a source, it was Aaron Scott, a Formula 3 driver and motor racing coach, who reached the top speed in the car. The source said: ‘That was Aaron getting to 207mph in the wet, not Jeremy.’
Clarkson pockets a reported £1million-a-year salary, which is topped up with merchandising and overseas sales of the Top Gear brand
Close-ups filmed in the Lamborghini show Clarkson speaking to camera as he builds up speed along the Top Gear racetrack during the Power Lap section of the show – which sees him take a different supercar out for a test drive each week.
The carefully edited film then shows a close-up of the speedometer needle creeping over 200mph. It then cuts back to a shot of Clarkson driving – with no sign of a camera to film the speedometer and no view of the speed dial.
Aaron Scott declined to comment when asked whether he was driving the Lamborghini in 2008. He said: ‘I can’t help you with that, I’m afraid.’
On Friday The Mail on Sunday contacted the BBC to ask if Top Gear used professional drivers for the Power Lap.
The show’s spokeswoman Tara Davies said: ‘Yes, professional drivers are used on the show.
‘On the Power Laps, production have the car for a day, and during that time Jeremy has to go off to do scripting, so rather than him driving for a bit and then everyone having some down time and the car just sitting there while he goes off and writes, and because it is a very expensive show to make, other people may do the driving.
Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May: Professional drivers were used to make the programme more dramatic and because the presenters weren't able to perform the tricks themselves
A cut above: Top Gear is one of the BBC's most successful formats and has been sold around the world with spin-off series in Australia, America and Russia
'Having said that, a lot of the shots are Jeremy. That’s not to say that every time it’s an external shot it’s not Jeremy, because more often than not, it is.’
She added: ‘If you see Jeremy, Richard [Hammond] or James [May] driving a car around a track it is them driving but the crew may need to go back and get “pick-up” shots, which may use another driver.’
Yesterday Miss Davies released two further statements at 1pm and 3pm clarifying their position.
The first statement, which the BBC demanded be printed in full, said: ‘When Jeremy, James and Richard are seen driving on the show, it is them driving, but on occasion, the crew may need to go back and get pick-up shots.
‘As Jeremy wrote in his column in The Sunday Times in October 2007, “On Top Gear I whiz about for the camera until I have a feel for the car. Then I disappear into a hut for an hour or so to corral my thoughts into a workable script. And how do we occupy the expensive film crew while I’m doing that? Stand them down? Or put a researcher in the car and have him slither about until I’m ready to come back?” ’
A BBC statement issued two hours later at 3pm said: ‘To be clear, Jeremy performs all of the challenges you see him perform on Top Gear. During power tests, the speed at which Jeremy is seen driving is the speed at which he drove the car, so to suggest otherwise is untrue.’
Miss Davies added: ‘Jeremy would have driven the car and got it to 207mph. Then, when they wanted a camera shot of the speedometer going up to 207mph they would have got a different driver to do that.
‘For just the shot of the speedometer, it may have been another driver but Jeremy absolutely would have driven the car at 207mph.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz1UwughmwX
seriously who cares how fake it is... it is a great format, hugely popular and has increased women's interest in cars and motor sports....
FURIOUS Jeremy Clarkson has blasted claims 80 per cent of his stunts on Top Gear are faked.
Sun columnist Jeremy said: "It is complete rubbish. If I say I drove a Lamborghini and got to 207mph then that's what I did. I was in the car.
"I'll challenge whoever says I wasn't doing that to come to the track. I'll stick them in the car and do it again. But they better bring a sick bag."
An "insider" on the BBC2 show had claimed pro drivers "do the clever stuff on the track".
Jeremy, 51, who threatened legal action, blamed "a disgruntled driver" for the claims.
He said: "We employ loads and they get fired if they're not good enough."
Source: The Sun
Im sure a lot of it is set up beforehandm especially on their foreign trips but as you say Shiv WHO CARES!!!. The show is very entertainining and I would love a job on it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Siobhan
Some of the test have to be set up's especially stunts like the caravans, but I'm with everyone else who cares it's great entertainment. Can you imagine being involved in one or their hair-brain ideas it would be a blast.
Jeremy Clarkson has caused controversy again for apparently mocking the deaths of 23 Chinese cockle pickers in Morecambe.
The Top Gear host made light of the 2004 tragedy while registering his disapproval of synchronised swimming in a column for The Sun, writing: "[It is] Chinese women in hats, upside down, in a bit of water. You can see that sort of thing on Morecambe Beach. For free."
Clarkson's comments have since been described as "beneath contempt" by Morecambe town councillor Tracy Brown, who told The Sunday Telegraph: "He is just trying to make himself look big at other people's expense. Many people around here were deeply affected by the tragedy."
Others to condemn the 51-year-old include the Chinese Embassy, with a spokesman calling for the publication to allow a response from diplomats.
"We deplore and oppose Mr Clarkson's comments, which are insulting and show a woeful disrespect of decency and moral standards," the representative said. "We regret that The Sun has publicised such remarks."
Meanwhile, Matt Collins of equality campaign Hope Not Hate asked the Daily Star: "Why does Jeremy Clarkson constantly have to be so tasteless and offensive?
"He is not funny and all he proves is that he is out of touch with modern Britain and that he belongs in the Dark Ages. He has no right to offend communities in this country who live and work here and provide more to Britain than he does."
Clarkson's latest scandal follows his apparent mocking of India's poor living standards on Top Gear and his suggestion that striking public workers should be executed, which is to be investigated by Ofcom after garnering over 32,000 complaints from the public.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
is daily star seriously asking that? daily star isnt exacily tasteful!!
Meanwhile, Matt Collins of equality campaign Hope Not Hate asked the Daily Star:Quote:
Originally Posted by thestud2k7
The Daily Star is not asking that, Mr Collins of Hope Not Hate is asking it
ah sorryQuote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
racist bigot clarkson sacked
They will make TG for another channel now, maybe under different name but same format, I am sure
I heard it was going to keep being made without him. Even if Clarkson does get a similar job on another channel he's lost the kudos of being one of the BBC's biggest stars - home and abroad. Well deserved in my opinion.Quote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
Well, nobody is irreplaceable and no doubt there are plenty more charismatic people out there that are capable of replacing him, but maybe less controversial ...
Chris Evans has been announced as the new lead host of Top Gear.
The Radio Two presenter has signed a three-year deal with the BBC to front the show, and will be joined by an all-new lineup.
Evans said: "I'm thrilled, Top Gear is my favourite programme of all time. Created by a host of brilliant minds who love cars and understand how to make the massively complicated come across as fun, devil-may-care and effortless.
"When in fact of course, it's anything but and that's the genius of Top Gear's global success.
"I promise I will do everything I possibly can to respect what has gone on before and take the show forward."
He also took to Twitter to confirm the news and to assure fans of his Radio Two show that he won't be leaving his post there.
BBC Controller Kim Shillinglaw said of the new appointment: "His [Evans] knowledge of and passion for cars are well-known and combined with his sheer inventiveness and cheeky unpredictability he is the perfect choice to take our much-loved show into the future."
Although it reportedly took some very fine reading of their original Top Gear contracts, it looks as though Jeremy Clarkson, James May and "The Hamster" Richard Hammond will soon be returning to television near you. According to the latest gossip news updates, the car show co-hosts have found an Internet loophole in the BBC contracts and will likely be premiering a new series on a streaming service -- like Netflix or Amazon -- sometime before 2017. Meanwhile, the BBC network is continuing on with yet another revamped version of Top Gear with radio host turned television personality Chris Evans, who is still reportedly looking for at least one co-host from amongst the series fans.
Why does it feel like Clarkson just keeps getting away with his bad behaviour? He's in the news again today for apparently re-tweeting an obscene image. The BBC's well rid. :thumbsdowQuote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
Matt LeBlanc has been announced as a new Top Gear presenter - seen here alongside Chris Evans and the Stig Credit: BBC
Chris Evans, the first new presenter to be announced for the revamped Top Gear, said he was "thrilled" a "lifelong fellow petrolhead" was joining him.
As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I'm honoured and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter. What a thrill!
The new-look Top Gear is expected to air in May, according to the BBC, following the departures of Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.
LeBlanc has previous with Top Gear; he was a two-time guest on the show and the fastest celebrity to date around the Top Gear track in its reasonably priced car.
He also presented a recent standalone spin-off where he led fans through some of the most memorable racing moments from previous series.
So Friends star Matt LeBlanc is the new presenter of Top Gear.
Let's hope he doesn't get stuck in second gear
:)
So Friends star Matt LeBlanc is the new presenter of Top Gear.
Let's hope he doesn't get stuck in second gear
:)
Very funny! :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rear window
I won't claim the credit for it. My husband cut and paste it off somewhere else. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dazzle
I won't claim the credit for it. My husband cut and paste it off somewhere else. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dazzle
That's very honest of you! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Rear window
Actually think it would be great if he did the show as Joey.. sees a nice car "How you doing?"
its quite smart move by bbc when you think about it. LeBlanc is worldwide star unlike evans
They may just have outmanoeuvred Amazon and their deal with Clarkson et al.Quote:
Originally Posted by thestud2k7
http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/16/06/...0-topgear1.jpg
Chris Evans has polished off the hosting lineup for the new-look Top Gear - and they're now a Magnificent SEVEN.
As previously rumoured, ex-Formula 1 boss Eddie Jordan and German racing driver Sabine Schmitz will help front the series opposite Evans and Friends favourite Matt LeBlanc.
They will be joined by YouTube star Chris Harris and journalist Rory Reid - who won his place through those public auditions that took place last year.
"We really do have a bit of everything for everyone," explained Evans, who made the announcement on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.
http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/16/05/...80-jordan2.jpg
Eddie Jordan
© Getty Images Vladimir Rys
"A fellow lifelong petrolhead from the other side of the pond in Matt; a fearless speed-demon in the irrepressible and effervescent Sabine; the encyclopedic, funny and wonderfully colourful character that is EJ; Chris, one of the world's top no-nonsense car reviewers; and Rory, who simply blew me away in his audition and fully deserves his place on the team."
BBC Top Gear new series: Chris Evans, Matt LeBlanc plus new presenters, start date and everything you need to know
Jordan, who has served as an analyst on the BBC's F1 coverage since 2009, said of his new role: "I have such enormous respect for all my fellow presenters and I politely ask that they go easy on these old bones."
Schmitz has famously appeared on Top Gear in the past - scorching around the Nürburgring in a Transit van - and she is already said to have filmed a particularly gruelling high-speed sequence with Evans for the new series.
https://youtu.be/5KiC03_wVjc
"I grew up next to the Nürburgring and have been racing for most of my life, so the chance to combine both driving and filming was too good an opportunity to pass up," Schmitz added.
The new presenters are, of course, joined by everyone's favourite masked entity The Stig.
Top Gear is due to return to screens in May.
Think there is just too many people to have that closeness that Clarkson, Hammond and May had. Not sure if this format will work
The funniest thing I read was: "Will we get to vote one of them off every week?" :)
Chris Evans has left the building.
The ginger mouthpiece has quit Top Gear
Three Cheers:cheer::cheer::cheer:
As much as I have an intense dislike for Jeremy Clakson, Top Gear was all about him and his two buddies.
I really think that once they went, the BBC should have pulled the plug. But, I suppose money talks and the show makes the BBC zillions....
I haven't watched Top Gear for years so can't comment on the new show. However, what annoys me about the recent news is how smug the appalling Jeremy Clarkson will be feeling at the moment. :thumbsdow
Funny enough Jeremy has not commented on the new show or this recent news..Quote:
Originally Posted by Dazzle
Funny enough Jeremy has not commented on the new show or this recent news..Quote:
Originally Posted by Dazzle