The BBC is pumping the brakes on Top Gear.
The British public broadcaster announced Tuesday that the veteran car show — which airs Stateside on BBC America and was most recently hosted by Freddie Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris — is being put on “rest” for the foreseeable future.
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“Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the U.
The British public broadcaster announced Tuesday that the veteran car show — which airs Stateside on BBC America and was most recently hosted by Freddie Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris — is being put on “rest” for the foreseeable future.
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“Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the U.
- 11/21/2023
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
Matt LeBlanc is leaving the BBC’s flagship automotive show “Top Gear,” BBC Studios confirmed Thursday.
LeBlanc will depart after the next series airs later this year, BBC Studios said. LeBlanc said the time and travel commitments for the show had fuelled his decision to leave. He wished the “Top Gear” team continued success saying he would “forever be a ‘Top Gear’ fan.”
“My experience on ‘Top Gear’ has been great fun,” said LeBlanc in a statement. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the whole team. However, the time commitment and extensive travel required takes me away from my family and friends more than I’m comfortable with. It’s unfortunate, but for these reasons I will not be continuing my involvement with the show.”
The former “Friends” and “Episodes” star joined the British show as co-host in 2016 alongside Chris Evans, following the departure of long-term hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.
LeBlanc will depart after the next series airs later this year, BBC Studios said. LeBlanc said the time and travel commitments for the show had fuelled his decision to leave. He wished the “Top Gear” team continued success saying he would “forever be a ‘Top Gear’ fan.”
“My experience on ‘Top Gear’ has been great fun,” said LeBlanc in a statement. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the whole team. However, the time commitment and extensive travel required takes me away from my family and friends more than I’m comfortable with. It’s unfortunate, but for these reasons I will not be continuing my involvement with the show.”
The former “Friends” and “Episodes” star joined the British show as co-host in 2016 alongside Chris Evans, following the departure of long-term hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.
- 5/31/2018
- by Robert Mitchell
- Variety Film + TV
Top Gear achieved huge success with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May at the helm - but it almost didn't happen.
The show's former executive producer Andy Wilman has revealed that the BBC almost sacked Hammond after just one series in 2002 as they "had a wobble" about his involvement.
He told Top Gear magazine: "For a while, for some reason I cannot fathom, the BBC management had a wobble about Richard staying and, in their usual classic Hr style, said to him in December: 'We may not want you back for the second series, but, anyway, have a good Christmas'."
The BBC was unsure whether to bring in two new presenters following the show's return to air in 2002, as original presenter Jason Dawe also left due to things not "working out".
"There was no doubt that Richard would stay," Wilman continued. "It was about this time we had another...
The show's former executive producer Andy Wilman has revealed that the BBC almost sacked Hammond after just one series in 2002 as they "had a wobble" about his involvement.
He told Top Gear magazine: "For a while, for some reason I cannot fathom, the BBC management had a wobble about Richard staying and, in their usual classic Hr style, said to him in December: 'We may not want you back for the second series, but, anyway, have a good Christmas'."
The BBC was unsure whether to bring in two new presenters following the show's return to air in 2002, as original presenter Jason Dawe also left due to things not "working out".
"There was no doubt that Richard would stay," Wilman continued. "It was about this time we had another...
- 5/20/2015
- Digital Spy
American Idol was announced to be coming to an end after 15 seasons yesterday (May 12), but did you know that Ryan Seacrest used to have a co-host?
Brian Dunkleman hosted the Fox competition's first season alongside Ryan Seacrest, before the latter took sole control. History has not been kind to poor old Brian since, with Fox TV CEO Dana Walden joking about a possible reunion for the pair.
"Where is Brian Dunkleman? If you give me his number, I will call and invite him," she joked, though Dunkleman gave as good as he got last night:
I knew American Idol would never last without me #Cancelled
— brian dunkleman (@briandunkleman) May 11, 2015
To honour Dunkleman, we have collected a few hosts of massive shows that you may have cruelly forgotten, starting with the man himself.
1. Brian Dunkleman (American Idol)
The comedian co-hosted the Fox series with Ryan Seacrest for its first season, which...
Brian Dunkleman hosted the Fox competition's first season alongside Ryan Seacrest, before the latter took sole control. History has not been kind to poor old Brian since, with Fox TV CEO Dana Walden joking about a possible reunion for the pair.
"Where is Brian Dunkleman? If you give me his number, I will call and invite him," she joked, though Dunkleman gave as good as he got last night:
I knew American Idol would never last without me #Cancelled
— brian dunkleman (@briandunkleman) May 11, 2015
To honour Dunkleman, we have collected a few hosts of massive shows that you may have cruelly forgotten, starting with the man himself.
1. Brian Dunkleman (American Idol)
The comedian co-hosted the Fox series with Ryan Seacrest for its first season, which...
- 5/12/2015
- Digital Spy
The creator of the original Top Gear series has died.
Derek Smith - who launched the motoring series on the BBC in 1977 - passed away last week at the age of 87.
While he is best known for his work on Top Gear, Smith also worked on competition series Now Get Out of That, aircraft documentary The Flight Deck Story and Mini, a film to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the British car brand in 1979.
The original Top Gear debuted on BBC Midlands as a magazine programme looking at cars and road safety, but went on to grow into a national programme fronted by Angela Rippon.
The show was cancelled by the BBC in 2001, but relaunched a year later as a one-hour studio-based programme with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe. James May joined the show in 2003.
Smith's son Graham wrote in an obituary on The Guardian: "He was a character,...
Derek Smith - who launched the motoring series on the BBC in 1977 - passed away last week at the age of 87.
While he is best known for his work on Top Gear, Smith also worked on competition series Now Get Out of That, aircraft documentary The Flight Deck Story and Mini, a film to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the British car brand in 1979.
The original Top Gear debuted on BBC Midlands as a magazine programme looking at cars and road safety, but went on to grow into a national programme fronted by Angela Rippon.
The show was cancelled by the BBC in 2001, but relaunched a year later as a one-hour studio-based programme with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe. James May joined the show in 2003.
Smith's son Graham wrote in an obituary on The Guardian: "He was a character,...
- 4/7/2015
- Digital Spy
F1 presenter Suzi Perry has said that turning down the opportunity to present Top Gear was a "bad decision".
Perry, who is the first permanent female presenter of F1 on British TV, spoke to producers about joining hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Jason Dawe and Richard Hammond before the show's relaunch in 2002.
However, she insisted that she has no regrets about the way her career has unfolded.
Asked by The Daily Telegraph about her worst business decision, she said: "Years ago, when TV was about to bring Top Gear back and rebrand it with Jeremy, James [May] and Richard, I sat down and talked to Andy Wilman, the series producer, about joining them.
"I remember thinking, 'I might be out of my depth and it might not be a good idea', instead of grabbing the opportunity.
"Looking back, I may have made a large error, but it's not like I didn't work for the next 15 years.
Perry, who is the first permanent female presenter of F1 on British TV, spoke to producers about joining hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Jason Dawe and Richard Hammond before the show's relaunch in 2002.
However, she insisted that she has no regrets about the way her career has unfolded.
Asked by The Daily Telegraph about her worst business decision, she said: "Years ago, when TV was about to bring Top Gear back and rebrand it with Jeremy, James [May] and Richard, I sat down and talked to Andy Wilman, the series producer, about joining them.
"I remember thinking, 'I might be out of my depth and it might not be a good idea', instead of grabbing the opportunity.
"Looking back, I may have made a large error, but it's not like I didn't work for the next 15 years.
- 3/30/2014
- Digital Spy
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