Must See TV: Top Gear is the Best Car Show on Television

Having just finished its twelfth season, Top Gear is a must-watch for both car enthusiasts and for anyone who enjoys good, entertaining TV. Quick-witted lines and constant antics will keep you laughing from start to finish.

Setting

Top Gear makes great TV not only because of its car reviews, but also due to its very entertaining hosts. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are three very different personalities who are constantly poking fun at each other's oddities. They do not present themselves as Hollywood stars, but as three regular guys who enjoy a good time. This is one of the keys to success, and is why the show is such a joy to watch.

Top Gear is filmed in England, and takes place on a very simple set. Fans who are lucky enough to get tickets are able to stand right next to the hosts. It is a very unique setting, and carries out the relaxed environment of the entire show.

Content

In addition to car news and reviews, Top Gear includes many unique elements. One such element is the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car." Each week a celebrity is invited to take a reasonably priced, entry-level car around the Top Gear test track. After a short interview, the star's best lap is shown, and times are compared to a long list of past stars who have participated.

At the conclusion of most reviews, the "Stig," a professional race car driver, takes the car around the Top Gear test track. A log of all the times is kept, and cars are compared based on their performance. The identity of the Stig is a tightly-held secret, and Top Gear makes a point to keep it that way.

Special Episodes and Competitions

Occasionally, the Top Gear hosts will be given a special challenge. Such challenges in the past have included feats such as purchasing a car for 100 pounds and going through rigorous tests to see who got the best deal. Such tasks are full of breakdowns, failures, sabotage, and constant teasing that make them especially entertaining.

Unlike the competitions, which are surrounded by normal content, special episodes are comprised completely of the challenge. One such episode is the Batswana Special, where the hosts are given 1,500 pounds to buy a car, with the stipulation that it cannot be four-wheel drive or be designed in any way to go off road. The producers then inform them that they are to drive one thousand miles across the spine of Africa in these vehicles. This includes extremely rough terrain, deep water that must be crossed, and even a vast salt flat. Such episodes, however, are few and far between.

Where to Watch

Top Gear is a one-hour show that is aired on BBC. While TV times vary, it can typically be found on Monday and Thursday nights at 8 pm, and on Saturday afternoons from 4 to 6 pm. For complete show times, please visit BBC's TV schedule at www.bbcamerica.com.

In addition to TV, seasons 10, 11, and 12 are available on DVD and iTunes. Individual episodes can also be purchased from iTunes.

The Best Car Show on TV

Top Gear is a great car show, which wraps an informative show in an entertaining package. Even those completely uninterested in cars will find Top Gear extremely interesting and entertaining TV. Both amusing and informative, Top Gear is one of the best ways to spend an hour watching TV.