Top Gear Rant
I am a total fangirl, and I have been having a fangirl squee about my latest obsession - Top Gear.
I have actually considered writing fanmail - which I have actually never done (unless you count inviting Ant and Dec to my 18th!)
So, I’ve been thinking about what I would actually say, and decided I would just write it here instead...at least I know where it is if I DO decide to send one!
So, firstly, I must point out that for years, I have not been much of a car person, seeing them as little more than a way to get from A to B. As long as they ran without killing anyone, I was happy.
However, since I passed my test, I actually started looking at cars. I still didn’t know much beyond - over 1.4 engine means my insurance will probably go up, that’s ugly, and that’s a nice colour! But I was starting to get more interested.
When I became immersed in the Life on Mars fandom, it was/is a programme mentioned a lot; as something Gene would enjoy, and potential crossover.
It is also on the freeview channel ‘Dave’ quite a lot.
I had snippets of it bookmarked on YouTube - mainly interviews with people I like; such as Phil Glenister.
Accidentally one day, I came across the episode with Christopher Eccleston in, and enjoyed it immensely. By the time I had seen the Tennant ep, I was totally hooked!
It’s bizarre, but Jeremy, James and Richard work really well together!
None of them are men I would normally go for, but I do find them all rather attractive in their own way.
Jeremy is loud, tall, and very opinionated…he IS Gene Hunt in modern-day, slightly taller form! He is a very good presenter, but he is incapable of taking a back-seat for long. Extremely competitive, making for good telly, and I think he really is the perfect figure-head for TG. He is also far more intelligent than he appears on TG - which does kinda put him across as little more than a petrolhead. He has published multiple books - the ones I have read (and am currently reading) are compliations of colums he's written for British newspapers. They are as blunt and opinionated as he himself is, but are very well-written and make for a very amusing read!
In spite of the cracks the others occasionally make as to his age, him being an old man with a bad back and such, he has a youthful exuberance and enthusiasm that is lovely to see, especially when he gets to review the cars. And in the challenges, his NEED to win, to beat the other two…it should be annoying how he thinks he is, and always has to be, the best, but you cannot help but love him all the more for it, rather than in spite of it! He’s someone that, if I knew in real life, he would drive me absolutely batty, but he’d make me laugh, so I’m sure I’d forgive him!
I also love the chemistry he has with the other two. Specifically, with Richard. I think all of them have great chemistry, together as a group and paired off, but the dynamic between Jeremy and Richard surprises me, in that it’s actually there, and actually works. Both are strong-willed, stubborn alpha males, and yes, they do but heads. But they are thrown together, and they just play off each other brilliantly! Their banter is so natural, and I LOVE when they argue about the Cool Wall. I used to get upset for James not being included there, but he’s such a non-touchy person that the dynamic would change. Jeremy and Richard argue and bicker like children - like brothers. And I’ve watched ep’s where they scuffle over the photo, with the childish kind of ‘it’s cool!’ ‘is not!’ ‘is too!’ that you just EXPECT from little kids - complete with Jeremy putting the picture where HE thinks it should go; and right at the top where Richard cannot reach to move it! It’s something that SHOULD be annoying, that totally SHOULDN’T work, but does! And I’m so glad!
So, Jeremy comes across as tall, dark and handsome in a well-worn sort of way - until he opens his mouth, and then he’s the modern-day Gene Hunt that you can’t help but love, even though you know you shouldn’t!
By contrast, Richard is…well, he’s the fangirls favourite. Much more conventionally handsome, (although I personally think he looks far better with his hair cut shorter, and in the header of the TG comm. I am a member of, looks not unlike a lil Rod Stewart) the puppy-dog, chocolate ‘I could drown in them’ eyes are rather Tennant-esque, and I can therefore see the attraction. And the shortness, it just sort of adds to the appeal, making him seem sweet and cute (deserving of his nickname Hamster!) - especially in comparison to the loud, large and in charge Clarkson! But at the same time, Hammond has an attitude that more than makes up for his height, which is why you wouldn’t expect him and Clarkson to work; they are alike in many ways. They are BOTH exceedingly competitive, never more obvious than in the various challenge episodes.
However, although I don’t think anyone could change Richard’s mind about his love for the Porsche 911, he is willing to listen, whereas Jeremy would just talk louder and louder and louder until you agreed just to shut him up! Once Richard has made up his mind about something he tends to stick with it, but he doesn’t shout about it, and does attempt to argue his case without resorting to cursing.
He’s a tremendous daredevil, evidenced no better than with the jet-car stunt in 2006, which left him with brain-damage and could have cost him his life. His autobiography focuses on this incident, and its aftermath, and is a very good read btw.
He will try his hand at pretty much anything, even if he’s sure to be rubbish at it, and he too has a youthful exuberance, enthusiasm and passion that is a joy to watch. And nothing shows his love an devotion more than him deciding to bring home OLIVER! Although that is car!love in the extreme, at the same time, I could not help but find it totally awwww-worthy.
Nowhere near as in your face as Clarkson, he is someone you like straight away.
And lastly there is James. Captain Slow himself. The Other One.
As I only really started watching this year, I’ve never known the show without the 3 of them together. But as Dave consists entirely of old eps, and shows them in absolutely no semblance of order, I have recently been able to see some of James’ earliest episodes. It must be difficult, trying to integrate yourself amongst people who are already so established and work so well together. And yet, without being intrusive, loud and brash, James quickly seems to have made himself at home. I find myself sympathising with him a lot, being able to empathise with the ‘odd one out’ status he seems to get at times, and often wish he played a more integral role in the show. But when he IS there, he’s excellent! A brilliant man, he presents his piece without playing to the camera, no over-dramatics here! Although he may be other LoM throwback in terms of style, his manner reminds me of a proper English gentleman. This is merely underlined with his love of tea, old planes, real ale and Spam. He has a Stephen Fry- like way about him; his accent in particular reminds me of Fry, as does his intelligent banter and dry wit. His intelligence and wit are shown in his publications, one of which I own; like Clarkson, a compliation of articles from his column.
He’s a good sport, and is perfectly willing to be the but of the jokes (often concerning his sexuality), and takes whatever the others throw at him. He also takes being last rather well - much better than Jeremy!! He is far from conventionally handsome, but his distinguished, older gentleman Stephen Fryness is attractive in its own way.
I think you see the chemistry between Richard and Jeremy more often in the episodes - most often at the Cool Wall, but they are more likely to start bickering about which car is better at any point in the ep, whilst James just says what he thinks and leaves it at that.
However, particular eps that spring to mind concerning the chemistry they have with JAMES are the Polar Episode - just James and Jeremy driving to the North Pole in that red jeep-thing! And the episode where Jeremy had to drive across Europe in a car, in an attempt to beat James and Richard, who had travelled (together!) by plane, train and bus!
And it is the chemistry between them that has kept me watching, because, although it is RPS, I sooooooooooooooooo see the slashability of them! And because of this, although I do read fics in all their various and sundry combinations (James/Jeremy, James/Richard, and Jeremy/Richard), ultimately, this fandom has produced my love, for the first time ever, of a threesome pairing! They are my first OT3!!!
I have actually considered writing fanmail - which I have actually never done (unless you count inviting Ant and Dec to my 18th!)
So, I’ve been thinking about what I would actually say, and decided I would just write it here instead...at least I know where it is if I DO decide to send one!
So, firstly, I must point out that for years, I have not been much of a car person, seeing them as little more than a way to get from A to B. As long as they ran without killing anyone, I was happy.
However, since I passed my test, I actually started looking at cars. I still didn’t know much beyond - over 1.4 engine means my insurance will probably go up, that’s ugly, and that’s a nice colour! But I was starting to get more interested.
When I became immersed in the Life on Mars fandom, it was/is a programme mentioned a lot; as something Gene would enjoy, and potential crossover.
It is also on the freeview channel ‘Dave’ quite a lot.
I had snippets of it bookmarked on YouTube - mainly interviews with people I like; such as Phil Glenister.
Accidentally one day, I came across the episode with Christopher Eccleston in, and enjoyed it immensely. By the time I had seen the Tennant ep, I was totally hooked!
It’s bizarre, but Jeremy, James and Richard work really well together!
None of them are men I would normally go for, but I do find them all rather attractive in their own way.
Jeremy is loud, tall, and very opinionated…he IS Gene Hunt in modern-day, slightly taller form! He is a very good presenter, but he is incapable of taking a back-seat for long. Extremely competitive, making for good telly, and I think he really is the perfect figure-head for TG. He is also far more intelligent than he appears on TG - which does kinda put him across as little more than a petrolhead. He has published multiple books - the ones I have read (and am currently reading) are compliations of colums he's written for British newspapers. They are as blunt and opinionated as he himself is, but are very well-written and make for a very amusing read!
In spite of the cracks the others occasionally make as to his age, him being an old man with a bad back and such, he has a youthful exuberance and enthusiasm that is lovely to see, especially when he gets to review the cars. And in the challenges, his NEED to win, to beat the other two…it should be annoying how he thinks he is, and always has to be, the best, but you cannot help but love him all the more for it, rather than in spite of it! He’s someone that, if I knew in real life, he would drive me absolutely batty, but he’d make me laugh, so I’m sure I’d forgive him!
I also love the chemistry he has with the other two. Specifically, with Richard. I think all of them have great chemistry, together as a group and paired off, but the dynamic between Jeremy and Richard surprises me, in that it’s actually there, and actually works. Both are strong-willed, stubborn alpha males, and yes, they do but heads. But they are thrown together, and they just play off each other brilliantly! Their banter is so natural, and I LOVE when they argue about the Cool Wall. I used to get upset for James not being included there, but he’s such a non-touchy person that the dynamic would change. Jeremy and Richard argue and bicker like children - like brothers. And I’ve watched ep’s where they scuffle over the photo, with the childish kind of ‘it’s cool!’ ‘is not!’ ‘is too!’ that you just EXPECT from little kids - complete with Jeremy putting the picture where HE thinks it should go; and right at the top where Richard cannot reach to move it! It’s something that SHOULD be annoying, that totally SHOULDN’T work, but does! And I’m so glad!
So, Jeremy comes across as tall, dark and handsome in a well-worn sort of way - until he opens his mouth, and then he’s the modern-day Gene Hunt that you can’t help but love, even though you know you shouldn’t!
By contrast, Richard is…well, he’s the fangirls favourite. Much more conventionally handsome, (although I personally think he looks far better with his hair cut shorter, and in the header of the TG comm. I am a member of, looks not unlike a lil Rod Stewart) the puppy-dog, chocolate ‘I could drown in them’ eyes are rather Tennant-esque, and I can therefore see the attraction. And the shortness, it just sort of adds to the appeal, making him seem sweet and cute (deserving of his nickname Hamster!) - especially in comparison to the loud, large and in charge Clarkson! But at the same time, Hammond has an attitude that more than makes up for his height, which is why you wouldn’t expect him and Clarkson to work; they are alike in many ways. They are BOTH exceedingly competitive, never more obvious than in the various challenge episodes.
However, although I don’t think anyone could change Richard’s mind about his love for the Porsche 911, he is willing to listen, whereas Jeremy would just talk louder and louder and louder until you agreed just to shut him up! Once Richard has made up his mind about something he tends to stick with it, but he doesn’t shout about it, and does attempt to argue his case without resorting to cursing.
He’s a tremendous daredevil, evidenced no better than with the jet-car stunt in 2006, which left him with brain-damage and could have cost him his life. His autobiography focuses on this incident, and its aftermath, and is a very good read btw.
He will try his hand at pretty much anything, even if he’s sure to be rubbish at it, and he too has a youthful exuberance, enthusiasm and passion that is a joy to watch. And nothing shows his love an devotion more than him deciding to bring home OLIVER! Although that is car!love in the extreme, at the same time, I could not help but find it totally awwww-worthy.
Nowhere near as in your face as Clarkson, he is someone you like straight away.
And lastly there is James. Captain Slow himself. The Other One.
As I only really started watching this year, I’ve never known the show without the 3 of them together. But as Dave consists entirely of old eps, and shows them in absolutely no semblance of order, I have recently been able to see some of James’ earliest episodes. It must be difficult, trying to integrate yourself amongst people who are already so established and work so well together. And yet, without being intrusive, loud and brash, James quickly seems to have made himself at home. I find myself sympathising with him a lot, being able to empathise with the ‘odd one out’ status he seems to get at times, and often wish he played a more integral role in the show. But when he IS there, he’s excellent! A brilliant man, he presents his piece without playing to the camera, no over-dramatics here! Although he may be other LoM throwback in terms of style, his manner reminds me of a proper English gentleman. This is merely underlined with his love of tea, old planes, real ale and Spam. He has a Stephen Fry- like way about him; his accent in particular reminds me of Fry, as does his intelligent banter and dry wit. His intelligence and wit are shown in his publications, one of which I own; like Clarkson, a compliation of articles from his column.
He’s a good sport, and is perfectly willing to be the but of the jokes (often concerning his sexuality), and takes whatever the others throw at him. He also takes being last rather well - much better than Jeremy!! He is far from conventionally handsome, but his distinguished, older gentleman Stephen Fryness is attractive in its own way.
I think you see the chemistry between Richard and Jeremy more often in the episodes - most often at the Cool Wall, but they are more likely to start bickering about which car is better at any point in the ep, whilst James just says what he thinks and leaves it at that.
However, particular eps that spring to mind concerning the chemistry they have with JAMES are the Polar Episode - just James and Jeremy driving to the North Pole in that red jeep-thing! And the episode where Jeremy had to drive across Europe in a car, in an attempt to beat James and Richard, who had travelled (together!) by plane, train and bus!
And it is the chemistry between them that has kept me watching, because, although it is RPS, I sooooooooooooooooo see the slashability of them! And because of this, although I do read fics in all their various and sundry combinations (James/Jeremy, James/Richard, and Jeremy/Richard), ultimately, this fandom has produced my love, for the first time ever, of a threesome pairing! They are my first OT3!!!