About 18 months ago I had an idea to design and manufacture a set of dashboard toys, modelled on the guys. They were little figures that had a button on a plinth and when you pressed the button, a range of pre-recorded favourite quotes would come from the toy- e.g "You utter pirate, Powerrrrrrrrrrr, And on that bombshell, I am a driving God, What's the Norwegian for Cock?" etc etc, so being stuck in a traffic jam needed be such a complete bore and infuriating experience.
I got copyright for my designs and sent the ideas to BBC Worldwide marketing and TG HQ, but they said there was some clause to say they couldn't make money out of merchandise!?
WTF?
(I hope Andy Wilman is reading this...)
What are the keyrings, hats, CD albums and all the stuff they sell at the gazebo on a recording day then?
I still like my idea, and have many others too. I am still pursuing other avenues but i think the BBC needs to relax on their policies and accept TG is a global phenomenon and needs wider recognition in the shape of car trash and accessories for the discerning motorist or would be motorist.
And for show ideas- single decker bus racing. Summer Holiday meets On the Buses meets Days of Thunder!
Or crossing the outback without being eaten in some sort of "The Hills Have Eyes" type situation, adopting a sort of Mad Max feel, having to beg, borrow or steal fuel to make it across.
(The original "The Hills Have Eyes" was much better in my opinion)