Top Gear Australia wins second series
SBS has hit the ?GO? light on pre-production for a second season of Top Gear Australia, despite some viewer criticism of the local hosts.
The broadcaster says a second series will go to air ?as early as possible? in 2009.
The series has rated in the high 600,000s for its second and third weeks, dropping from its premiere of 933,000. By SBS standards, it?s still a solid audience, though about a third behind the UK original.
Meanwhile SBS has been swift to boast that Jeremy Clarkson has given the series a thumbs up.
?Massive congratulations from the Top Gear boys in England on your Australian version. We?re loving it, even though your funny accents make you hard to understand,? said Clarkson.
Clarkson is said to have commented on the chemistry between the three hosts, the set and camera work.
?And Warren the cartoonist, his face underwater was an absolute peach,? said Clarkson.
Aussie viewers haven?t been quite as generous with many dubbing the three hosts as clones of the original. But for SBS having both a local and international series is probably its best case scenario. The Aussie series can fill in the months in between UK episodes, allowing one brand to sit regularly in the 7:30pm Monday timeslot. Other international versions are due in the US, Russia and Germany.
In tonight?s episode Jack Thompson is the ?Celebrity in a Bog Standard Car? while Shannon Noll visits next week.
Press Release:
Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has given his thumbs up to Top Gear Australia, the first locally produced version of the global motoring entertainment phenomenon, on air Monday nights on SBS.
He contacted Top Gear Australia?s Freehand production team after watching the show to personally give his approval.
?Massive congratulations from the Top Gear boys in England on your Australian version. We?re loving it, even though your funny accents make you hard to understand,? said Clarkson.
After watching the first episode, Clarkson commented on the great chemistry between the three hosts, how good the set looked and the program?s great camera work.
?And Warren the cartoonist, his face underwater was an absolute peach,? said Clarkson.
SBS Director of Television and Online, Matt Campbell said Clarkson?s comments reinforce the network?s confidence in Top Gear Australia being a continuing, long term success for SBS.
?We?ve received the blessing from the Godfather of the Brand! The praise from the Top Gear UK Mother Ship gives SBS and the Freehand production team added enthusiasm as we continue to work on Series One and begin pre-production for Series Two - which will go to air on SBS as early as possible in 2009.?
Tonight Top Gear Australia test the fastest Australian car ever built, pit a satellite navigator against a local Aboriginal tracker. The lads also play lawn bowls with Holden Astras and iconic Australian actor, Jack Thompson is the ?Celebrity in a Bog Standard Car?.
Top Gear Australia Mondays at 7:30pm on SBS.