A little history of our two favorite motor shows...5thG/TG

[justin syder]

[edit by Viper]

See also:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gear#History
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Gear

[/edit]



I have been doing some research on finding out the episode content to make my 5th Gear list and I've learned a few things regarding the history of both shows.

So for anyone that would find this usefull or didnt know anything about the two shows other than Tiff and Clarkson, well, here it is.

**BTW, this is based on what I know and my findings so I might not include EVERYTHING but it will be pretty factual. Feel free to challenge my info or add anything you think i left out.


Top Gear started on BBC in 1978. Clarkson was a presenter since the 1989 and would be joined with Tiff Needell, former F1 driver, who was a presenter from 1987-2001. The show reaches great success during the early 90's. Clarkson and Tiff are entertaining and informative while presenting cars while also have creating a growing fan base for the BBC program. Then something happened and Clarkson's ego grew faster than the popularity of the show. He released VHS tapes which were ok or mediocre at best. He apparently thought he was good or better than BBC's Top Gear. He parted from the Show in the late 90's, 1998 or 1999. He went to do mini series of diff programs along with more vhs and dvd releases. Clarkson even had a short lived talk show.

Originally Posted by NeuroVic

From what I've read, Renault or Peugeot or Citreon or one of those French companies didn't take too kindly to one of JC's reviews. I think to the point where the BBC actually issued an apology for it. JC left the show afterwards and it became about as innocuous as 5th Gear is right now.

BBC stopped the Show in 2001 and then 5th Gear was created. Channel 5 took the same cast of the Top Gear program and began a new series called 5th Gear. It started in April 2002 and BBC saw a competitor and decided to bring back the Top Gear program. In fall 2002 while 5th Gear was entering its second series Top Gear started with a new crew, new studio, a test track and the Stig. Though they dont directly compete the two shows kinda compete for UK's number one automotive show.

5th Gear will enter its 6th series this fall of 2004 and Top Gear will enter its 5th series. Both shows have lead presenters Tiff Needell and Jeremy Clarkson formerly side by side during Top Gear's run in the 90's.

[gumshuu008]

Interesting and informative

Thanks

[Dark_Templer_102]

i'm just wondering..are Jeremy and Tiff like enemies now or they are sortaish friends or what?

[justin syder]

sortaish friends

i dont think they hate each other but im not too sure they are really close.

[Dark_Templer_102]

that was a fast reply 0_o

i do wish they would race each other..that would be something!

[Renesis]

not really.. it wouldn't last long before Jeremy would be out of sight

[p0w3r]

Originally Posted by justin syder

Then something happened and Clarkson's ego grew faster than the popularity of the show. He released VHS tapes which were ok or mediocre at best. He apparently thought he was good or better than BBC's Top Gear. He parted from the Show in the late 90's, 1998 or 1999. He went to do mini series of diff programs along with more vhs and dvd releases. Clarkson even had a short lived talk show.

hmmm that sounds just like him...must be correct

Thanks for clearing it up, i have always been wondering about the two shows.

[haha604]

Good job Justin . I think a lot of memebers will find this informative.

[haz]

repost justin

haz

[Renesis]

? this is a repost???

[justin syder]

i never posted this before, where has this been posted haz?

[NeuroVic]

From what I've read, Renault or Peugeot or Citreon or one of those French companies didn't take too kindly to one of JC's reviews. I think to the point where the BBC actually issued an apology for it. JC left the show afterwards and it became about as innocuous as 5th Gear is right now.

[justin syder]

very good i didnt know that.

ill update the history with that, thanks.

[NeuroVic]

Ah went hunting around for where I read it.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/?news_id=343

Twas a Vauxhall Vectra... french, english whatever . Fiat's french right?

[Renesis]

Fiat is italian (sister company to Ferrari)

[NeuroVic]

Dammit.. I knew I forgot the smiley. Just a lame reference that that goober in the roadster episode who said the Fiat Barchetta wasn't cool because it was french .

[Renesis]

yeah what a dumbnuts

[therem3dy]

Tiff was never a formula 1 driver. He drove LeMans style cars, IMSA, and similar GT / Touring cars, but never an open wheel F1 racer (from everything I've read about him).

[SPG900]

Wrong, he did drive F1:

04-05-1980 : Zolder - retired (engine)
18-05-1980 : Monaco - DNQ

Team: Ensign

[haz]

Originally Posted by justin syder

i never posted this before, where has this been posted haz?

I posted the exact same text on the programs some time ago..no biggie..

haz