The Grand Tour producer talks bringing down the chequered flag on its motoring musketeers

As a longtime fan of Top Gear and The Grand Tour, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and melancholy as I read about the final chapter of Clarkson, May, and Hammond’s adventures together. With their unique blend of humor, camaraderie, and automotive expertise, they’ve provided countless hours of entertainment for millions of viewers worldwide.

This interview was originally published in TopMob magazine.

Now we’re standing at the finish, ready to witness the closing circuit, the grand finale, of those three auto-adventurers: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. After 22 years of teamwork, back at their beloved location, they cross the finish line with a vow that this is indeed the end of the journey. There will be no more reunions, no further comebacks – it’s all over. Mission accomplished.

The fourth musketeer, much like D’Artagnan and arguably the most significant among them, expressed their desire for a heartfelt farewell rather than a grand explosion, symbolizing a warm celebration of their bond. Indeed, this final Grand Tour special carries an air of a romance that has taken two decades to blossom.

Andy Wilman, the creative mastermind behind the scenes for the past 22 years, thought it best to keep explosive antics at bay during this occasion. He wanted a more subtle, contemplative atmosphere, allowing them to express their farewells sincerely. I believe they delivered exceptionally well, with their heartfelt conversation and camaraderie shining brightly. Their friendship was beautifully showcased throughout.

The strength of their friendship, built on relentless teasing, is more apparent than ever. It might be beneficial for Richard Hammond if he stops being called Buttons, a name given by Clarkson and May because they believe he’ll spend his post-show years in pantomime. However, he does manage to come up with one of the funniest lines during the show when reflecting on its end. “Don’t we all need to live somewhere other than the same old retirement home?

It brought Wilman to tears, mostly the laughter sort. “I thought, ‘I love you three, because only you three can say goodbye in this way. You are clearly sad, but you are robust about it. You are taking the piss to the very end.’”

As I embarked on this lengthy farewell journey, spanning two hours and ten minutes, the scenic route stretched east to west across Zimbabwe. Our trio of cherished automobiles – a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri, and a Triumph Stag – were finally ours to drive, making this an unforgettable adventure.

After an exhilarating border sprint through the vast salt flats of Botswana, I found myself once more captivated by the unique charm of Kubu Island – a remarkable, rocky crescent that holds a special place in my heart, a memory etched 17 years ago and still deeply cherished.

The Grand Tour producer talks bringing down the chequered flag on its motoring musketeers

According to Wilman’s explanation, there aren’t many stunts featured. One notable scene involves a dramatic mountain stage performance where a VW Beetle is symbolically sacrificed. The program momentarily pokes fun at itself when Clarkson is scolded by May for describing his car’s interior as “similar to the black hole of Calcutta.” May responds, “You can’t say that,” while managing to suppress a smile.

Abundant mechanical issues are matched by creative problem-solving, and the landscape is stunning, causing Clarkson to wistfully admire the majestic Jacaranda trees lining the streets of Harare, hinting at his newfound love for rural areas.

The question arises as to why we should stop now? Let’s revisit Wilman. “In my opinion, the primary reason, at least for me, was that I recognized we had surpassed our prime, yet we were still upright and desired.

Given the situation, it’s only logical that we should disembark – isn’t it fascinating if we manage to safely land the plane instead of crashing into a mountain while people are shouting, ‘Could you please depart now?’ So, I’m delighted that we’ve concluded this journey on our own terms and I’m thrilled that there will be spectators to witness our landing.

Wilman claims that the viewers’ fondness for the show is largely because of the strong camaraderie between the three hosts, yet it’s also accurate to credit a significant portion of this charm to his unique editing skills.

These individuals share a unique, harmonious understanding and possess an exceptional knack for self-mockery without being overly masculine or aggressive. A more macho figure wouldn’t have worked in our case. Instead, they were refreshingly endearing and well-rounded.

I’m oversimplifying a bit, but many women find intellectual types appealing. That was Richard, James, and Jeremy. They were often compared to the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, living together in their striped pajamas – a bit peculiar and harmless, yet amusing.

The Grand Tour producer talks bringing down the chequered flag on its motoring musketeers

For a man who professes to be only “moderately interested” in cars and who failed his driving test three times, Wilman is an unlikely flag-bearer for Top Gear and, latterly, Grand Tour. But both shows bear his formidable imprint.

Back in the ’90s, I found myself as the host of one of the numerous versions of Top Gear, thanks to my old schoolmate and longtime buddy, Clarkson, who gave me a much-needed career boost from Repton School. Here’s my take on that era.

Wilman mentions that the common memories they made at Repton School laid the foundation for the structure of the Top Gear series they rebooted for the BBC in 2002, which later evolved into The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime after Clarkson’s dismissal by the BBC in 2015. In essence, they both had a strong desire to be well-regarded and noticed at that time.

By finding ourselves in amusing predicaments, we managed to elicit laughter from others. Our knack for creating such situations gave us an edge in comedy, which translated well into the programs we produced.

Wilman acknowledges now that some of the issues caused by Top Gear were regrettable. However, if you’re looking for a full and sincere apology, he might not be the best person to turn to. In essence, they occasionally crossed the line and deserved a stern reprimand, but most times when they got into trouble, viewers seemed to think, “No harm done – it’s all good.

In our productions, we’ve always aimed to steer clear of the ordinary. People would suggest we tackle electric cars or other modes of transport for ‘balance.’ But let me tell you, we’re not making a documentary about transportation. Should the Two Fat Ladies concern themselves with balance by offering a salad after a steak and kidney pie? Of course not! Good television thrives in its lack of balance. That’s what news is for.

If you notice a hint of bullishness in Wilman’s typically friendly attitude, you would be correct. Before the interview, he had stated that he was not planning to focus on highlights. Instead, when it comes to low points, he adopts a more serious tone as he remembers the 2006 crash that came dangerously close to claiming Richard Hammond’s life. The event is something that remains deeply etched in his memory.

I’ve never experienced such intense fear and agitation before. He’s both powerless and enraged, feeling utterly overwhelmed while producing an eight-minute TV segment, all the while his child is seriously ill in the hospital.

Is there a likeness between Freddie Flintoff’s incident that halted the production of Top Gear by BBC, and the current situation? Does Wilman believe that Top Gear may resume after this pause? “What happened to Freddie was tragic, but it’s heartening to see him back [on screen with Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams]. Is there a possibility that Top Gear might return too?

Whether Top Gear returns is uncertain. It seems unlikely that the BBC has the motivation to produce another car show, as they may not find the subject appealing or have someone willing to take it on.

In the final scenes of this Grand Tour episode, Clarkson, May, Hammond’s escapades come to a satisfying end (the series will carry on at Amazon Prime Video with Wilman participating but featuring new hosts). As they speed across Botswana’s salt plains, with their car doors removed and protective gear like goggles and face scarves secured, Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms plays as the background music.

After the closing credits, there are casual scenes of the crew embracing and shaking hands, and George Harrison’s song “My Sweet Lord” plays softly. Wilman explains, “I wanted something that was melancholic yet uplifting, something that said, ‘Hey, we had some wonderful times,’ and I thought ‘My Sweet Lord’ fit that perfectly. It allows you to rise up. It’s so beautifully penned – your eyes will still be a little moist.

According to Wilman, the final days of filming were quite emotional. Not even the usually stoic Clarkson could hold back his feelings. “I’ve never seen Jeremy more moved than when I showed him a rough cut of the movie and he watched the end; it really affected him deeply.

Wilman compares the creation of each series to that of a touring band releasing new albums and tracks. When asked which musical group Top Gear/Grand Tour resembles, he chuckles and suggests “Eddie and the Hot Rods,” noting he doesn’t want to be quoted as saying they are on par with the Beatles.

Just like any group, there were likely instances of disagreement among us. At times, we may have rubbed each other the wrong way, but our bond within the band was strong and unyielding. We would fiercely defend ourselves against external threats. It’s an odd dynamic, but it’s our unique brand of oddity.

Is it definite that the original Fab Four won’t perform together for a one-time comeback show, or is this just speculation? (In other words, there are no plans for such an event.)

Initially, we were worried we might exhaust our creative resources. However, Jeremy shared that at 63 years old, he has a granddaughter and finds immense joy on his farm. Truly, we’ve had quite the fortunate journey, one we won’t replicate.

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2024-09-13 14:34

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