Bummer: The Grand Tour Heads for the Exit Ramp Right After BBC’s Top Gear

Jeremy Clarkson stated that he’s had enough of car reviewing, so the show is kaput… or is it?

Clarkson, who has been the constant among the trio with Top Gear and The Grand Tour, indicated that he’s had enough in a recent interview with the Times UK. “We’re done. I have reviewed cars on TV since 1989. That’s 34 years, and after next year, I won’t be doing that anymore.” It looks like he’s not quite finished with making television, as another season of Clarkson’s Farm has received the green light from Amazon.

Before you look at a nearby ledge in despair, considering a leap, remember that all three of these stars (Richard Hammond, James May, and Jeremy Clarkson) are still making television/online shows. In addition, there is (at least) one more special from The Grand Tour that we will see next year. The Grand Tour’s Zimbabwe recently wrapped, and that special will air in 2024.

Top Gear UK is also done, at least for now

Sadly, the BBC announced that Top Gear will be on ice as well. The timing is just ducky for automotive fans, especially those who lamented the reformation of Top Gear in 2015. At that time, it was one of the most popular television shows worldwide. Attempts were made in several countries to replicate the success of UK’s Top Gear. Unfortunately, the trio of Clarkson, May and Hammond were impossible to replicate. After the 2015 departure of the aforementioned trio, Top Gear began a painfully slow slide. It was like watching a plane crash in slow motion, over and over again.

The staff at TFL Studios felt is was odd that the BBC, and other production organizations failed to recapture lightning. At the very least, I thought it was bizarre that so many version of Top Gear were plagued by indifference. Perhaps using journalists instead of actors, athletes and comedians might have helped. We never saw the chemistry, and individual (unique) automotive insight again.

Maybe that’s why Top Gear failed.

As for The Grand Tour, it may not be a complete deathroll yet. While Clarkson says he’s done with “reviewing cars,” that’s far from what he’s been doing for the past few years. People have watched him play with cars, and his mates, as he goes on adventures. Perhaps there will be some wiggle-room for other types of specials for the three of them to work together again?

Rumor has it: they act like they dislike each other, but they are rather fond of each other. In addition, they are supposed to be pretty fond of producer Andy Wilman too. As such, maybe there is some sort of future for The Grand Tour?