Top Gear’s co-creator Andy Wilman has recently expressed reflections on the show’s past controversies, attributing some of them to the team’s overconfidence. He indicated that the show’s success led to a degree of arrogance, where the team felt empowered to “write our own rules.” This acknowledgment comes as Wilman looks back on the years he worked alongside Jeremy Clarkson, who was a presenter, while he served as the executive producer from 2002 to 2015.
Rise and Controversies of Top Gear
The iconic motoring series, aired by the BBC, gained immense popularity and created stars out of Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. However, along with its success came several significant controversies.
- 2008: Clarkson faced backlash after making an inappropriate joke involving lorry drivers and sex workers.
- 2011: The Mexican government lodged a formal complaint against the show over offensive stereotypes portrayed about Mexicans.
- 2014: Clarkson used a racial slur, leading to widespread criticism and a ruling from Ofcom deeming it a breach of broadcasting regulations.
Reflections on Past Incidents
In a recent interview with The Times, Wilman reflected on these past incidents, specifically the use of the term ‘slope’ during a show in Thailand. Although he claimed ignorance at the time about the term’s offensive nature, he admitted that it was unwise to use it. “We were giddy on our own popularity,” he stated, acknowledging the missteps made.
Wilman also pointed to a change in leadership at the BBC during the show’s run. He claimed that this shift led to a disconnect between the new executives and Top Gear’s established brand of humor.
Consequences of Controversies
Following the incidents, the BBC assigned an executive producer to oversee the show more closely, referred to as a “watchdog.” This was part of an effort to prevent similar occurrences. Despite this, controversies continued, ultimately leading to Clarkson’s departure from the network in 2015 after an altercation with a producer over catering arrangements during filming.
The End of an Era
As the controversies added up, the chemistry among the hosts began to fray. In solidarity with Clarkson, Hammond and May refused to sign new contracts, which effectively ended the show’s original run. Following their departure from the BBC, the trio transitioned to Amazon Prime Video, launching The Grand Tour, with Wilman also producing Clarkson’s Farm.
These reflections by Wilman highlight not only the challenges of navigating cultural sensitivities in entertainment but also the evolution of Top Gear as it faced the heat of its past. The series remains a significant part of television history, illustrating both the power of popularity and the consequences of overstepping boundaries.
