‘Top Gear’ Hosts: Amazon Steals Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, And James May From ITV?
When it comes to the Top Gear hosts, Amazon Prime TV just landed a great deal. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May will all be joining the internet-only network to create a new Top Gear sequel. But does this leave ITV in the dust?
In a related report by the Inquisitr, Top Gear‘s Jeremy Clarkson managed to land himself in hot water during a live show in Johannesburg when he made a joke about Oscar Pistorius.
Shortly after the Top Gear finale, it was rumored Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were jumping ship to join British broadcaster ITV. It was said Clarkson was hoping to make the new ITV show as “anarchic, edgy, and funny” as Top Gear was before his firing.
“The boys believe with the backing of ITV and a prime-time slot they can easily match, and probably beat, their BBC2 viewing figures,” a source said. “The thought of making a show for the BBC’s main rival is very appealing for them.”
They were even going to be competing directly with Chris Evans’ Top Gear. BBC knows it needs to replace the other Top Gear hosts, so it was recently leaked that former world champion Formula One driver Jensen Button may be joining the original Top Gear TV show soon.
“The 35-year-old driver is in talks with the BBC about co-presenting Top Gear with Chris Evans,” the Daily Mail reported.
Former model Jodie Kidd also claims the third replacement for the Top Gear hosts may include a woman.
“Women are buying cars – it’s the norm – so you need a woman’s angle. Because we’re different, men and women, and it’s great to listen to a car expert who is a woman,” explained Kidd.
But BBC must be sweating after the new announcement about the former Top Gear hosts’ Amazon deal. The Top Gear ratings after Clarkson left were dismal in comparison to previous finales. Now, the official statement by Amazon must have left BBC feeling drenched.
“Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are reuniting to create an all-new car show, exclusively for Amazon Prime. The show will be produced by the trio’s long time executive producer Andy Wilman. On working with Amazon, Jeremy Clarkson said, ‘I feel like I’ve climbed out of a bi-plane and into a spaceship.’ The first show will go into production shortly and arrive exclusively on Amazon Prime in 2016.”
Shortly after the former Top Gear hosts’ Amazon deal went public, the boy made sure to rub it in everyone’s faces on Twitter.
.@AmazonVideoUK now saying I can’t be their chief drone pilot. Apparently they want us to make a car show.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 30, 2015
I’ve got a job I’ve got a job I’ve got a job. Haircut, clean jeans and practice driving again. Forrrrwaaaaaaaard!!
— Richard Hammond (@RichardHammond) July 30, 2015
Good news! I’ve got a job with @AmazonVideoUK. Bad news! So have the other two. #AmazonPrime #ItSaysHere
— James May (@MrJamesMay) July 30, 2015
The former Top Gear hosts’ Amazon contract still has drying ink, so perhaps it’s with no surprise they have not released a name for the new Amazon Prime TV show. But if we know the original crew at all, they’re sure to make it a joke on BBC.
Will you dump the original Top Gear to watch Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May on Amazon?
