Practically Classics Forum

BBC close to signing Philip Glenister, Jodie Kidd and Guy Martin as Top Gear 'dream team'
THE BBC is close to signing its “dream team” of presenters for the new Top Gear.

BBC2 is desperate to close the deal after Jeremy Clarkson was sacked and co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond decided against signing new contracts. The show’s co-creator Andy Wilman has also quit. However, it was Wilman who was overheard describing the new line-up while having lunch with Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay in Sussex.

It is thought the show will be back on TV next spring at the earliest.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/5 ... dream-team

And a reminder of who they are

Guy Martin

http://www.guymartinracing.co.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Martin


Philip Glenister

http://www.philipglenister.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Glenister


Jodie Kidd

http://www.classiccarshow.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jodie_Kidd

So Jodie will be ragging cars round the track whilst Guy probably will be doing in depth engineering stuff or bike bits whilst Glennister does?

They need to decide what the new TG format will be and get that firmly in mind before picking out presenters.

Glenister will crack the jokes, and Guy Martin will do the silly stunts. He's totally fearless and can drive anything from a motorbike to a truck

If not Jodie Kidd how about Brian Johnson if he isn't busy as he is a total car nut!

I have to confess that I also thought of Brian J as a host. However, as the programme is sold abroad, I don't know if the "twang" would be acceptable (thinking of Cheryl Cole in the USA!). I would have thought Brian would do the "James May" part - knows a lot of the engineering and other "boring" stuff. However, he can drive a lot faster than Captain Slow!

However, I don't think it's really worth thinking about new hosts - the programme will be different and the presenters would need to reflect that style rather than the "Men Behaving Badly" style that the three muppets had.

As far as style goes, I would prefer to see something like and Autotest rather than a fast lap. It might seem slow and boring, but it would certainly show that you can get a lot of fun by not going as fast as you can! That might help stop the younger drivers thinking that speed is all that matters (because Clarkson said so and he's a driving god to those who know no better).

Brian has only the faintest trace of an accent, a result of his staying out in La-La Land these days so he'd be fine. Clarkson has more South Yorkshire left in his voice than BJ has Northumbrian left in his, or is it that nobody between the Wannie and the Tweed has an accent at all and it's all of you southern and western types who do?

Either way, please no Jodie Kidd! She acted dead from the neck up on the C4 car show with Quentula and was endlessly dull, what with that annoying estuary whine that comes out when her face moves. OK, I get that this wasn't her real self but come on, give us something with a pulse.
Guy Martin yes! Not that strong an accent and apparently the ladies like how he looks. Funny old world, eh.

JPB wrote:Brian has only the faintest trace of an accent, a result of his staying out in La-La Land these days so he'd be fine.

Er, wrong coast. He lives in Florida.

Easily confused by anyone who watched him in Goal! He looked right at home [in California]. But I was also wrong about his being Northumbrian since he was born in Dunston which, when he was born, was in Co Durham and became part of the then-new county of Tyne & Wear during the seventies when new counties were being created all over the place. Apart from Rutland, which vanished for a time and then came back leaner and fitter.
Anyway, staying in Florida should make his commute easier if he gets the job since the boat wouldn't take so long.
Oh, and Sarasota is on the west coast, albeit the west coast of Florida, which is something I've learnt from the sleeve notes in an ACDC album. That's why I buy records rather than CDs.

Rumours abound about the future for BBC's Top Gear

Silly sausage!