I can't help but think that this may have partially been a ploy to retire without simply... retiring. I'm not saying he wasn't genuinely mad, but he is getting old and you know he doesn't need the money. If he simply retired then his fans would be pissed, but in this way it could be perceived that he was forced to retire.

I dunno.

click to play

Hammond does a lot of other BBC radio and TV work and so does May. I don't see them leaving the BBC to work elsewhere. Clarkson may do something else but it will likely be on his own. Hammond and May will not do the show without him so the show will be replaced eventually with another automotive show with a new concept/name. I'm guessing it will be dry, with a docile host. I'm picturing something like the Autoweek show on PBS and it will get weak ratings. But it will fill the public-owned broadcasting system's auto consumer news function, which is what the BBC really wants. They aren't beholden to advertisers and marketshare in the way that other networks are so they will do whatever is easy and expedient to fill the gap and not what will gain the greatest viewership or keep the public happy. Government doesn't care.

^usually I agree with you, but I think you're wrong on this one.

The BBC is used to huge revenue from this show and they will want to hang on to that.

I don't know what WILL happen, but I think they'll try to keep Top Gear, just perhaps with new presenters. It'll have weak ratings at first, but will pick up a bit as people realize that the new knobs aren't so bad.... but likely will never reach the crazy viewership the current show enjoyed.

Whatever comes down the road, I hope it's not as dry as TGUS :crx:

This news is so big even my wife is like "wtf, this is everywhere"

I heard Clarkson did it to distract from Berghdal.

friday night pub chat results: new top gear line up proposal....

Suzi Perry out of bbc F1
Ann Robinson out of weakest link... bbc
Sabine out of nurburgring taxi

.....debate

If you gave up on TGUS early give it another shot. Recently they dropped the star in a cheap car stuff and made it just adventures. They have some good stuff mixed in. I really liked their Alaska trip.

Conspiracy theory:

918 is faster than the P1 around MRLS, Jeremy didn't want to have to change his name so the show got canceled.

sad stig is sad :cry:

I made this:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1428354701

Can't wait for all three to find a new home, and one of their first episodes to make fun of that moment on every challenge when some BBC random nameless person in a white lab coat came out of the woodwork with instructions.

Now it'll be some roadie or something. The 'now we have a low-budget' humor will be epic.

Also, Clarkson should start raving about all GM products and claim BBC forced him to say he hated Corvettes back in the day.

I agree that TGUS has improved a lot in the last couple seasons. Still not as good as proper TG, but better than nothing.

British humor is British.

I would rather chew and eat a no. 2 pencil than watch TGUS.

Exactly!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEQwf1FW0AAuz-s.jpg:large

<https://twitter.com/jeremyclarkson/status/595654400623902720>