Just when we thought we were finally going to see the three remaining TG UK episodes from this season, the latest buzz is that neither Richard Hammond or James May are willing to film without their colleague.
According to Mirror, a BBC source stated that “They didn’t want to do it without Jeremy so the talks didn’t get off the ground. There is a feeling that it is all of them or none of them.”
This outcome was somewhat predictable, since airing the remaining episodes would have meant for somebody to be there in the studio and talk to the audience – otherwise the show would have looked very different.
The source was also quoted as saying that “Clarkson’s friends continue to pour pressure on the BBC” which we imagine is very inconvenient for the network, but we’re with the hosts on this one. There has to be some type of solidarity, and we respect it.
If we had to guess, we’d say that either all of them return or they all move on to bigger and better things. The rumor that even Netflix had an offer standing by for the chaps was more than interesting – since it would give them the freedom to do and say pretty much anything.
What’s troubling, though, is that 16,000 Top Gear fans signed a petition for Alan Partridge (comedian Steve Coogan) to replace Clarkson on the show, because of his “strong track record for broadcast presenting and passion for cars”.
If that was to happen, would either Hammond or May stick around and work with somebody else instead of choosing to recreate Top Gear someplace else? Tough call.