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New ‘Top Gear’? Jeremy Clarkson, Hammond, And May Sign Deal With Amazon Prime [Video]

By Maat van Uitert
Published on: 02:04 PST, Jul 30, 2015

That sound you heard is the collective cheers of Top Gear fans who just learned the stars of the now-defunct show have signed a deal with Amazon Prime to bring the team back for a new hurrah. And it will be epic, promises Jeremy Clarkson.

After the infamous “fracas” between Jeremy and a Top Gear producer, Clarkson’s contract with the BBC was summarily terminated. May and Hammond soon left the station as well — ending an era of manic car goodness that was known as Top Gear. However, the phoenix will rise again, this time bringing a new show to living rooms.

The news broke earlier today, July 30, when Jeremy Clarkson confirmed the trio snagged a new deal. “I’m very excited to announce that Hammond, May and I have signed a deal with @AmazonVideo.” According to BBC News, Jeremy Clarkson also said in a statement, “I feel like I’ve climbed out of a biplane and into a spaceship,” and although no one’s sure exactly what Clarkson means, it’s certain the new show’s format will bring even more automobile madness.

Since Amazon Prime doesn’t have pressure from advertisers, unlike the old Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May won’t have to “bow to pressure from advertisers, particularly those car manufacturers [Clarkson] regularly skewers,” according to BBC News.

And the old Top Gear team is clearly excited for the change. Hammond confessed, “Amazon? Oh yes. I have already been there. I got bitten by a bullet ant,” while May added, “We have become part of the new age of smart TV. Ironic, isn’t it?”

Although Jeremy Clarkson didn’t mention the title of the new show, Amazon is using #Drive2Prime when they tweeted about the new show starring Clarkson, Hammond, and May. The streaming giant promises the “first season will go into production soon and is scheduled to premiere for Prime members in 2016,” reports Car Throttle.

Amazon Prime Video EU vice-president Jay Marine said about the deal with the Top Gear alums, “Customers told us they wanted to see the team back on screen, and we are excited to make that happen… We can’t wait to see what Jeremy, Richard, James and the team will create in what is sure to be one of the most globally anticipated shows of 2016.”

Fans are clearly elated, congratulating Jeremy Clarkson and the old Top Gear gang — although some are outraged they will have to pay for the privilege of watching the show, since Prime users pay a $99 annual fee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o5Eo9170L8

[Image credit: Paul Gilham / Getty Images]

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