The End of the Road

As I delve deeper into the world of automotive entertainment, I can’t help but marvel at the unique bond shared by Clarkson, May, Hammond, and Wilman. They are a motley crew, much like The Rolling Stones of the car world – aging gracefully yet maintaining that raw, unbridled energy that has captivated millions.

The Grand Tour: One for the Road is available from Friday. Add it to your watchlist

Now we’re poised at the finish line, ready to witness the closing lap, the grand finale, of the three automotive musketeers Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. After 22 years of teaming up, and returning to their beloved destination, they signal the end with a chequered flag, assuring us that this is indeed the final leg of their journey. There won’t be any more reunions or special comebacks – it’s all over. Mission accomplished.

In a different yet clear manner: The fourth musketeer, much like D’Artagnan, who seems to be the most significant among them, expresses that instead of parting ways with a typical grand explosion, they preferred a heartfelt and affectionate celebration of their camaraderie. And indeed, this final Grand Tour special often resembles a love story that has been two decades in the making. As Andy Wilman, the creative force behind the scenes for the past 22 years, explains, “For this one, we decided to keep the dynamite at home and avoid any mischievous antics that might distract them from their farewell.” He continues, “It’s more subdued, more introspective, and I believe they truly gave their best in their conversation and their camaraderie, which was beautiful. The depth of their friendship is evident throughout.

The strength of their friendship, reinforced by constant teasing, is more apparent than ever before. It might be beneficial for Richard Hammond to drop his nickname Buttons, given that Clarkson and May believe he will spend his post-show years in pantomime. However, he does manage to provide one of the show’s best lines when reminiscing about its end, humorously commenting, “We don’t have to all move into the same retirement home, do we?

Wilman found himself shedding tears, primarily from laughter. He thought to himself, “I adore all of you three, for no one else could part ways like this. You’re evidently sad, yet you handle it with strength. You’re poking fun till the very end.

Setting the scene for their final adventure, which spans an extended duration of two hours and ten minutes, is a transcontinental journey east to west through Zimbabwe, where they fulfill their dreams of driving three coveted vehicles: a Lancia Montecarlo (Clarkson), a Ford Capri (Hammond), and a Triumph Stag (May). The tale concludes with a thrilling border dash across the salt flats of Botswana to Kubu Island, a unique rock formation they visited 17 years ago and continue to hold dear.

We’re past our peak, so we’ve ended on our own terms

According to Wilman’s explanation, there aren’t many stunts featured in the show. A VW Beetle is dramatically destroyed in an extravagant mountain spectacle, and at one point, the program playfully mocks itself as Clarkson is scolded by May for describing his car interior as “similar to the black hole of Calcutta”. May responds, “You can’t say that,” while suppressing a smile.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I’ve come to appreciate the intricate dance between mechanical breakdowns and ingenious fixes. And let me tell you, the visual feast is just as enthralling – it seems my love for rural landscapes has grown stronger, evidenced by my wistful gazes at the stunning Jacaranda trees that line the streets of Harare.

Translation: The question arises as to why stop now? Returning to Wilman’s perspective, he believes the primary reason for him was recognizing that we had passed our prime, yet we remained standing and desired. Thus, the logical step then becomes – wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could safely land this plane on our own terms instead of crashing into a mountain while everyone watching yells, ‘Please just leave us alone.’ So, I am content that we’ve concluded it on our own terms, and I am content that there will be an audience to witness it.

Wilman suggests that the audience’s fondness for the show is largely because of the magical on-screen camaraderie between the three hosts, though it’s also true that his unique editing skills play a significant role in this effect.

These individuals share a unique, humble sense of humor towards themselves and possess an unconventional masculinity. They wouldn’t fit the typical macho stereotype. If we had someone overtly macho instead, it would have been disastrous. Instead, they were incredibly endearing.

To put it simply, many women are drawn to intellectuals or ‘nerds.’ In this case, we’re talking about Richard, James, and Jeremy. They were an unusual trio, living together and often perceived as a bit odd yet amusing, much like the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise in their striped pajamas.

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. In the 1990s, he was a presenter on one of the many incarnations of Top Gear, having been given a significant professional leg-up by his Repton schoolboy chum – and since lifelong friend – Clarkson.

Wilman explains that their mutual adventures at Repton School laid the foundation for the format of the Top Gear series they revived for the BBC in 2002, which later became Grand Tour on Amazon after Clarkson’s departure from the BBC in 2015. “We both had a desire to be popular and well-regarded. We were capable of causing mischief and making people laugh. Our antics were funnier than most, and this humor continued into the shows we produced.

Wilman acknowledges that some of the issues caused by his work on Top Gear were unfortunate. However, if you’re seeking a comprehensive apology, he might not be the best choice. In essence, he admits they crossed boundaries at times, but they deserved a good reprimand, and generally, when trouble ensued, viewers tended to shrug it off, saying, “Nobody died – it’s all good.

Our shows have never been ordinary, and people often suggested we cover electric cars or other transportation options for variety. But it’s like asking ‘Two Fat Ladies’ to make a salad after a steak and kidney pie – they don’t need to balance their content. Good television doesn’t require balance; that’s what news is for.

They’re clearly sad, but are taking the piss to the very end

If you notice a bullish attitude hidden beneath Wilman’s generally friendly facade during the interview, you would be correct. Beforehand, he had made it clear that he was not interested in focusing on highlights. However, when asked about low points, his tone becomes more serious. He vividly remembers the 2006 crash that nearly claimed Richard Hammond’s life. “That incident is still etched in my memory,” he says. “I have never experienced fear and panic like that before. You feel completely powerless and incredibly angry and frustrated, knowing that you’re working on an eight-minute TV segment while he lies critically ill in a hospital bed.

There are distinct similarities between Freddie Flintoff’s incident leading to the halt of Top Gear‘s production by the BBC, and now, people wonder if it will return. However, Andy Wilman doesn’t seem optimistic about its comeback. He expressed that he was glad to see Freddie back on our screens with Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams. Regarding the revival of Top Gear, Wilman doesn’t believe the BBC has the motivation to produce another car show. He also doubts if there is anyone interested in creating it or if the topic still holds interest for the audience.

In the concluding moments of this episode of the Grand Tour, Clarkson, May, and Hammond’s escapades reach a satisfying culmination, signaling the series will continue on Amazon Prime with Wilman participating but featuring new hosts. As they speed across the salt plains of Botswana, car doors removed, goggles and face scarves fastened for safety, Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms” serenades them. Finally, as the credits unfurl, capturing casual shots of the team exchanging warm embraces and handshakes, George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” resonates. Wilman explains, “I desired something that conveyed melancholy yet uplifted, saying ‘We had some incredible times,’ and I believed ‘My Sweet Lord’ achieved that. It empowers you to rise. Its profound writing – you’ll still have a tear in your eye.

According to Wilman, the final days of filming were quite emotional. Even tough-guy Clarkson got choked up. Wilman mentioned that Jeremy was particularly sad when he watched the ending of the film, which affected him deeply. Wilman compared the production of Top Gear/Grand Tour to a touring band, with each series being like a new album and each episode a new track. When asked to compare it to a band, Wilman chuckled and said they were more like “Eddie and the Hot Rods,” adding that he doesn’t want any headlines suggesting they’re as big as the Beatles.

It’s safe to assume that, just like any other group, we had our fair share of disagreements. At times, we were cranky and may have rubbed each other the wrong way, but we remained a tightly bonded unit. We would fiercely protect our band from outside threats. It might seem dysfunctional to some, but it’s our unique brand of dysfunction.

Is he absolutely sure that The Fab Four won’t come together for a one-time reunion concert? “There won’t be another farewell tour from us. There definitely won’t. We were worried we were running out of creative energy. Jeremy mentioned, ‘I’m 63 and I have a granddaughter,’ and he’s so content on the farm. We will never do this again, but how fortunate were we?

2024-09-11 15:05

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