Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Jeremy Clarkson is a name that is synonymous with motoring TV shows. He is the former host of Top Gear, the BBC’s flagship car show that ran for 22 seasons and reached a global audience of over 350 million. He is also the current host of The Grand Tour, Amazon Prime Video’s exclusive car show that has been running for four seasons and has broken records for the streaming service.
But what is the difference between The Grand Tour and Top Gear? How did Clarkson change the future of motoring TV shows? And which one is better? In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between the two shows, the challenges and controversies that Clarkson faced, and the impact and influence that he had.
The Similarities Between The Grand Tour and Top Gear
The Grand Tour and Top Gear have a lot in common, as they are both based on the same concept and format that Clarkson and his producer Andy Wilman created and developed. They are both car shows that feature three hosts, who are Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, who have a strong chemistry and a hilarious banter. They are both car shows that feature a mix of segments, such as car reviews, road trips, races, challenges, and celebrity guests. They are both car shows that showcase a variety of cars, from supercars to classics, from sports cars to SUVs, from electric cars to hybrids.
The Grand Tour and Top Gear also share the same style and tone, as they are both entertaining and humorous, but also informative and educational. They are both car shows that appeal to a wide range of viewers, from car enthusiasts to casual fans, from young to old, from male to female. They are both car shows that have a loyal and passionate fan base, who follow and support the hosts and their adventures.
The Differences Between The Grand Tour and Top Gear
The Grand Tour and Top Gear also have some differences, as they are both influenced by the different contexts and circumstances that they operate in. They are both car shows that have different platforms, budgets, and audiences. They are both car shows that have different challenges, opportunities, and limitations.
The Grand Tour is a car show that is exclusive to Amazon Prime Video, a streaming service that has over 200 million subscribers worldwide. The Grand Tour has a huge budget, estimated at £4.5 million per episode, which allows it to have a high production value, a global scope, and a creative freedom. The Grand Tour has a flexible schedule, as it releases one episode per week, and it can vary the length and the number of episodes per season. The Grand Tour has a loyal audience, who are mostly fans of the former Top Gear trio, and who are willing to pay for the subscription and watch the show online.
Top Gear is a car show that is broadcast on BBC One, a public service broadcaster that reaches over 90% of the UK population. Top Gear has a smaller budget, estimated at £650,000 per episode, which limits its production value, scope, and freedom. Top Gear has a fixed schedule, as it airs one episode per week, and it has to follow the standard length and number of episodes per season. Top Gear has a diverse audience, who are not necessarily fans of the current hosts, and who can watch the show for free on TV or online.
The Challenges and Controversies That Clarkson Faced
Clarkson faced many challenges and controversies during his career as a motoring TV show host, both on Top Gear and on The Grand Tour. He faced challenges from the car industry, the media, the public, and the authorities, who often criticised, sued, or banned him for his opinions, actions, or incidents. He faced controversies for his jokes, comments, or behaviour, which often offended, angered, or hurt some people or groups, such as politicians, celebrities, minorities, or cultures.
Some of the most notable challenges and controversies that Clarkson faced include:
Being fired from Top Gear in 2015, after he assaulted a producer over a catering dispute, which also led to the departure of Hammond and May, and the end of their era on the show.
Being sued by Tesla in 2011, after he claimed that their electric car ran out of battery on Top Gear, which Tesla said was false and damaging to their reputation.
Being banned from Argentina in 2014, after he drove a car with the number plate H982 FKL, which some people interpreted as a reference to the Falklands War, which sparked protests and attacks from angry locals.
Being accused of racism in 2014, after he used the N-word in an unaired footage from Top Gear, which he apologised for and said was a slip of the tongue.
Being criticised for sexism in 2016, after he joked that men who eat ice cream are gay on The Grand Tour, which he defended as a harmless and funny remark.
The Impact and Influence That Clarkson Had
Clarkson had a huge impact and influence on the motoring TV shows, as he revolutionised the genre and set the standard for the others. He transformed a car magazine show into a mass entertainment show, that combined cars, comedy, and adventure. He created a car show that was not only about the cars, but also about the hosts, their personalities, and their relationships. He created a car show that was not only informative and educational, but also entertaining and humorous. He created a car show that appealed to a wide and diverse audience, who loved and admired him and his co-hosts.
Clarkson also influenced and inspired many other motoring TV shows, both in the UK and worldwide, who followed or copied his concept and format. He influenced and inspired many other car enthusiasts, celebrities, and influencers, who became fans or friends of him and his co-hosts. He influenced and inspired many other car manufacturers, designers, and engineers, who respected or challenged his opinions and reviews.
The Conclusion
The Grand Tour and Top Gear are two of the most popular and successful motoring TV shows, that have a lot in common, but also some differences. They are both based on the same concept and format that Jeremy Clarkson created and developed, along with Richard Hammond and James May, who are his co-hosts and friends. They are both car shows that feature a mix of segments, such as car reviews, road trips, races, challenges, and celebrity guests. They are both car shows that showcase a variety of cars, from supercars to classics, from sports cars to SUVs, from electric cars to hybrids.
However, they are also influenced by the different platforms, budgets, and audiences that they operate in. The Grand Tour is exclusive to Amazon Prime Video, and has a huge budget, a global scope, and a creative freedom. Top Gear is broadcast on BBC One, and has a smaller budget, a national scope, and a public service obligation. The Grand Tour has a loyal audience, who are mostly fans of the former Top Gear trio, and who are willing to pay for the subscription and watch the show online. Top Gear has a diverse audience, who are not necessarily fans of the current hosts, and who can watch the show for free on TV or online.
Clarkson faced many challenges and controversies during his career as a motoring TV show host, both on Top Gear and on The Grand Tour. He faced challenges from the car industry, the media, the public, and the authorities, who often criticised, sued, or banned him for his opinions, actions, or incidents. He faced controversies for his jokes, comments, or behaviour, which often offended, angered, or hurt some people or groups, such as politicians, celebrities, minorities, or cultures.
Clarkson had a huge impact and influence on the motoring TV shows, as he revolutionised the genre and set the standard for the others. He transformed a car magazine show into a mass entertainment show, that combined cars, comedy, and adventure. He created a car show that was not only about the cars, but also about the hosts, their personalities, and their relationships. He created a car show that was not only informative and educational, but also entertaining and humorous. He created a car show that appealed to a wide and diverse audience, who loved and admired him and his co-hosts.
Clarkson is a name that is synonymous with motoring TV shows, and he is the reason why The Grand Tour and Top Gear are two of the best car shows in the world.
