After months of coming up with ridiculous names for their new Amazon Show, Clarkson Hammond and May finally got it: The Grand Tour – TGT for short or GT for those of you who like sticking their tongue in their cheeks.
It might not impress and excite at first, but the show’s name hides a comprehensive and captivating theme behind it, as it will feature short films shot in different locations around the globe, while the studio audience portion will also take place at a different location around the world every week, as Jeremy Clarkson cared to explain:
“Thing is, we’ll be travelling the world hosting each episode in a different country, from a giant tent. It’s a sort of ‘grand tour,’ if you like. So we’ve decided to call it ‘The Grand Tour.’”
Like on Top Gear, the pre-recorded studio segments of the program will be filmed in front of a live audience, all housed within a giant tent – so, if you were wondering what possibly can they do with Amazon’s immense budget, here’s your answer.
In a previous interview, Clarkson said he and the crew spent thousands of pounds brainstorming different names, even considering “Gear Knobs” at one point, albeit a clause with the BBC stopped them to use a title with the word “gear” in it. No matter, at least the current moniker reflects their worldwide ambition, adventure and intrigue – even if James May had something else in mind:
“I wanted to call it ‘Nigel,’ or ‘Roger.’ We needed a name, and they’re names”, said Captain slow.
Hammond on the other hand was thrilled, especially about the idea of a tent: “I already love camping,” he enthused, “But this is something else. We are like our pioneering and prospecting forebears, sallying forth into a new frontier of broadcasting, and making our home where…”
Unfortunately, his speech was cut short after Clarkson and May strangled him with a guy rope.
Start the smoke. We have a name.— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) May 11, 2016
So, the Grand Tour (GT for short) will come from a tent, which we will put up in a different location every week. Your town?— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) May 11, 2016
We have 12 shows. One is a Christmas thing. That means 11 locations for our tent. Many requests from Mexico.— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) May 11, 2016
The leading contenders for locations so far are Heckmondwike and Texas.— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) May 11, 2016