BBC Babble – Top Gear redux

I couldn’t help myself. Despite having already extolled the many virtues of Top Gear a couple months ago, Monday night’s episode was too good to pass up. By the bye, if you’ve never seen this BBC America institution, you’re missing out. It has action, intrigue, comedy and steel smashing into more steel. What’s not to like? It has quickly become one of my favorite shows on television. The best part is you don’t have to be a car enthusiast to enjoy its many charms.

Normally, a sixty-minute episode will feature a couple segments that are ho-hum in nature. Not on Monday. The whole damn affair was brill. The masked driver known simply as, “The Stig” — whom I neglected to mention in my earlier review — had the pleasure of test-driving a posh Lexus IS F. He shredded the track, which is nothing new, and sold me on the Lexus’ four-door power. Too bad I can only afford a Ford Festiva.

In the evening’s funniest and most damaging segment, Richard Hammond took it upon himself to help the Mayor of London determine which bus is best suited for London’s congested streets. In classic Top Gear fashion, the only way to truly decide the most efficient form of public transport is to race. So, Richard and four professional touring car drivers climb behind the wheels of five traditional models: a double-decker, a single-decker, a hopper and a pair of Bendy buses. What started as a legit dash to the finish quickly became a good old fashioned demolition derby. Seeing a double-decker on two wheels is a sight indeed. Congrats to the single-decker for coming out on top.

The show closer was aptly titled “The Riviera Challenge.” Richard got to drive his dream car: a Ferrari Daytona. James May selected the fastest diesel-fueled production speed boat: an XSR 48. The first to make it from Portofino to Saint Tropez took the prize. Richard was in heaven as he sped his “essence of European super-car” along the coastal roadways. Meanwhile, James had to endure the Mediterranean’s vicious chop. In an ironic twist, both men were stopped by police for not having the proper documentation. Hilarious! It would be a tight finish, but James was the first to find his way to Saint Tropez.

In addition to madcap antics on wheels, Jeremy Clarkson added his usual acid-tongued wit to the proceedings. Here’s three memorable quips from Mr. Clarkson:

• “Some say one of his eyes is a testee.” Another not so flattering comment pointed at The Stig.
• “Anyone who buys a BMW is a !@#$.” Think female body part.
• “You can’t be. You are nowhere near fat enough.” His retort to a young girl in the audience who claimed to be American.

To sum up, Top Gear continues to kick major ass Mondays at 8pm. The production value is high. The host interaction is lively. The cars are sleek and cool. The challenges are inventive and never go as planned. I’ve seen a lot of auto series. Most are informative but also a little dry. Top Gear is pure fun. How many shows on TV can say that?

Clacked by Scott Tunstall
on Mar 11, 2009 @ 13:00 EST5EDT