After an illustrious journey spanning over two decades, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May have officially wrapped up their TV careers with the release of ‘One for the Road’.
This final special marks the end of ‘The Grand Tour’, a show that captured the imagination of car enthusiasts worldwide.
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Why The Grand Tour is Coming to an End?
The trio’s departure from the limelight comes after an impressive 437 episodes of television, including 299 from their previous hit show, BBC’s Top Gear.
Their transition to Amazon Prime Video with The Grand Tour introduced a new era of automotive journalism, but all good things must come to an end.
In a heartfelt farewell, Clarkson revealed the primary reason for ending the show was the physical toll it took on him and his co-hosts. “The show is immensely physical… when you’re unfit and fat and old, like I am,” Clarkson admitted.
He reflected on the grueling conditions they faced, such as crossing the Sahara Desert, and noted the challenges were becoming too demanding.
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A Shift from Adventure to Reality
Clarkson described the evolution of the show as a “young man’s game,” expressing that they had explored every conceivable adventure with cars.
“We’ve done everything you can realistically do with a car,” he said, lamenting how the world has changed since their earlier exploits. Once, they traversed regions like Iraq and Syria, but such journeys are now fraught with logistical and political challenges.
James May echoed Clarkson’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of ending the show on a high note. “We wanted to stop while we were still vaguely ahead,” May said, reflecting on their decision to conclude the series before it became a shadow of its former self.
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The Legacy of The Grand Tour
Producer Andy Willman, who has been with the team since their Top Gear days, praised their ability to end the series on their own terms.
“We’re lucky that we’ve been able to control our destiny,” Willman remarked. Their agreement with Amazon allowed them to focus on quality over quantity, resulting in fewer but more impactful specials.
As ‘The Grand Tour’ evolved, it shifted from a traditional car review format to grand cinematic adventures. This change, while thrilling, also contributed to the physical strain on the hosts.
Clarkson’s growing disinterest in electric vehicles further complicated their decision to retire the show. He has been vocal about his disdain for electric cars, which he has dismissed as “shit.”
Looking Ahead
Though The Grand Tour is ending, Clarkson isn’t stepping away from the spotlight. His popular agriculture-based reality series, Clarkson’s Farm, will return for a fourth season in 2025. Fans can look forward to more of Clarkson’s unique brand of storytelling and humour.
For now, The Grand Tour’s final special, ‘One for the Road’, is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. It serves as a fitting conclusion to a remarkable chapter in automotive entertainment.
