As a lifelong cinephile and avid follower of automotive entertainment, I can wholeheartedly endorse “The Grand Tour: One for the Road” as a must-watch. This final installment serves as both a nostalgic trip down memory lane and an exhilarating ride into the unknown, encapsulating the very essence of what has made Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May a dynamic trio on screen for over two decades.
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“Last Call” – A fitting title for the final episode of Amazon Prime’s “The Grand Tour”, a series that its stars have announced will mark their definitive farewell, a decision that, barring an unforeseen reunion in 2039, signifies the conclusion of one of television’s most thriving ventures. After 22 years, countless hours together on screen and countless miles traveled, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are setting their GPS for separate journeys.
This extraordinary journey – spanning one end of Zimbabwe to the other, with a nostalgic detour back to Botswana, where they embarked on their first major adventure together – provides us with a greatest hits collection of everything that captivates their legions of fans worldwide. It includes: May’s intellectual curiosity, Hammond’s infectious energy, Clarkson’s feigned indignation, unforeseen challenges (to the viewer at least). The trio embark on another adventure in three seemingly impossible vehicles, only for one to inevitably malfunction, forcing them to find creative solutions such as crossing a lake, an unused railway track – even going backwards, “the disoriented express” – and finally, the magnificent Victoria Falls. There’s nothing new under the sun, but the formula remains unbroken and testifies to the enduring charm of three middle-aged men casually chatting up a storm, no matter where their adventures take them. (Or, if you prefer Hammond’s style, three middle-aged men in safari suits, one of whom is dressed like Roger Moore.)
Initially, when the trio started working together on Top Gear in 2003, they clicked instantly on-screen and off. This camaraderie was evident again in 2015, when Clarkson was dismissed from Top Gear after a dispute over a steak with a producer. Interestingly, May and Hammond expressed their sentiments eloquently at the time: “He’s an idiot, but our idiot.” This phrase encapsulates their unique bond as teammates.
Without a doubt, all three were swiftly settled into a new abode, maintaining their familiar antics. It’s no secret that The Grand Tour – initially featuring a live audience within an enigmatic tent, the mischief, the progressively daring adventures – has always been seen as Top Gear on a grander scale, and their benefactors Amazon have certainly reaped the rewards, with the show captivating millions more of the “heterosexual men beyond sports” audience, a demographic notoriously challenging for commissioners to engage.
It’s clear that other shows attempting a similar approach, such as recent versions of Top Gear, struggle to capture the magic of earlier times. Even before Freddie Flintoff’s accident in 2022, the show felt like an imitation of its past glory. Interestingly, one of its hosts, Matt LeBlanc, who had great on-screen chemistry in Friends, might have noticed when his new team was overdoing it. A League of Their Own and Never Mind the Buzzcocks lack charm, while the guests on Would I Lie to You? are often mocked instead of the hosts themselves. Lee Mack, David Mitchell, and Rob Brydon on Would I Lie to You? come closest to recreating this specific TV magic.
What’s the secret to its success? First, genuine camaraderie. In a period where distressing statistics highlight an era of male solitude, it’s heartening to witness three friends enjoying each other’s company. Second, authentic passion and expertise for their topic. Unlike many celebrities who are forced into hosting random documentaries, these individuals started as car aficionados and evolved into exceptional broadcasters. This serves as a valuable lesson for TV executives with decision-making power, but let’s save that discussion for another day. For now, we can only watch this trio depart in their unlikely, potentially faulty vehicles, knowing they were never truly about the cars.
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2024-09-13 17:05