‘Top Gear wasn’t sexist, it was just painfully honest,’ says James May

‘Top Gear wasn’t sexist, it was just painfully honest,’ says James May

As a long-time admirer and avid viewer of Top Gear, I must say that James May‘s recent interview has stirred a wave of nostalgia within me. His reflections on the show’s golden era, with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, have reminded me of the unparalleled joy those three men brought to our screens every week.


In a recent chat, ex-Top Gear host, James May, spoke up about his time on the popular BBC automobile program, offering a defense against criticisms that have been hurled its way.

As I shared with The Telegraph, Top Gear was undeniably a product of its era. Times have certainly shifted regarding our relationship with cars, and today, they seem to hold a greater political significance.

May defended the show, stating that it wasn’t “biased against women or hateful towards them,” following allegations from some viewers who felt the show exhibited sexism during the period when May co-hosted with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.

May added, ‘It was strikingly frank.’ Essentially, it was a perspective on life that seemed overly preoccupied with automobiles due to an unusual level of worry.

‘Top Gear wasn’t sexist, it was just painfully honest,’ says James May

May acknowledged that Clarkson’s tendency to make contentious remarks during the program was inherent to his position, stating: “I didn’t flinch over Clarkson stirring controversy as it’s part of his job description to be a bit of a troublemaker, and he excels at it.

It would surprise me if he didn’t grasp the fundamentals of aerodynamics. I can’t help but wonder, ‘How could this be unknown to him?’

From 2003 to 2015, May joined Clarkson and Hammond as co-hosts of Top Gear. Afterward, they all moved on to create and star in The Grand Tour, a spin-off series on Prime Video. This past month marked their final episode, titled One for the Road.

After Freddie Flintoff’s accident, the BBC decided to halt production of Top Gear season 34 and indicated that they will be taking a break from the Top Gear format for an indefinite period.

Reflecting similarly on his television career, Clarkson has shared his belief that the version of Top Gear from his time might not be produced in today’s context.

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2024-10-21 15:04