I have created this post because I want to track my consumption of Top Gear/Grand Tour specials. (And now the standard format for The Grand Tour.) I have little interest in the normal Top Gear format but enjoy the specials where they travel and do stupid things. Normally I classify TV shows as to whether I’ve completed them or whether I have given up on them. That is, unless they are still on, as The Grand Tour was when I first started this post, and then I am trying to write reviews as I complete each season, but generally failing to remember to do that. (As I didn’t used to review individual seasons of shows.) But this is a strange situation as I have no intention of ever completing Top Gear except the specials and I have zero interest in the early, Top Gear-esque episodes of The Grand Tour. Also, the hosts left the first show to create the second show (after one of them assaulted a producer), which means I will likely never watch the latest Top Gear specials. So I guess I’ll put them here until I check off all the original Top Gear specials and then I can sort of add that to my completed list. Sorry for all these logistics. You don’t care.
Top Gear [specials only] – BBC Two (/10)
I have only bothered with the specials of this show because I am not a car person. So I will never actually watch this entire show.
“United States”
I’m not 100% sure I’ve seen this first one.
“Polar”
This is one of those specials that make the show worthwhile. The difference between these guys and a lot of other travel hosts is that they are buffoons and willing to do dumb things and risk their bodies for their show. At their best/worst, remarkable things happen that you won’t find on too many other shows. This is the first of those.
“Botswana”
A classic. One of the first I saw, I think.
“Vietnam”
I’m not 100% sure if I’ve seen this one.
“Bolivia”
This is a great one. A particularly crazy one. I’ve seen multiple “famous people driving in Bolivia” shows and they’re all pretty good but this one has perhaps the craziest moment.
“Middle East”
I haven’t seen this one.
“India”
Not sure I’ve seen this one.
“Africa”
I get this one and the Botswana one confused (obviously) but I’m fairly sure I’ve seen it.
“Burma”
I do not believe I’ve seen this.
“Patagonia”
This is a crazy one and one of the rare times they break the fourth wall.
“Nepal”
I haven’t seen this one since it doesn’t have the original hosts.
“Christmas”
See above.
The Grand Tour
“Opera, Arts and Donuts”
Not sure I’ve seen this one.
“Enviro-mental”
I have a vague feeling I’ve seen this.
“Moroccan Roll”
I actually don’t think I’ve seen this.
“The Beach (Buggy) Boys”
I do believe I’ve seen this and it got me thinking about going to Namibia.
“Italian Lessons”
I think this is fun. But I might be confusing it with an episode of The Amazing Race.
“[censored] to [censored]”
Don’t believe I’ve seen this one.
“The Falls Guys”
Definitely haven’t seen this.
“Jaaaaaaaags”
Haven’t seen it yet.
“Blasts from the past”
I feel like I would remember an episode featuring Stewart fucking Copeland and Nick fucking Mason.
“Feed the world”
Pretty sure I’ve seen this one.
“Colombia Special”
Have we watched this? I feel like we should have if we haven’t.
“Pick Up, Put Downs”
Not yet.
“Well Aged Scotch”
Maybe.
“International Buffoons’ Vacation”
Nope.
“Sea to Unsalty Sea”
I haven’t seen this but seen other stuff filmed in this area.
“Survival of the Fattest”
This is a classic. Reminds me of Long Way Round.
“Seamen”
This is a really classic one, where they abandon cars for crazier vehicles.
“A Massive Hunt”
I don’t believe I’ve seen this one. Jenn thinks so.
“Lochdown”
Seen it.
“Carnage A Trois”
This is really enjoyable.
“A Scandi Flick”
This is one of their best episodes. They do some really stupid shit.
“Eurocrash”
‘Enjoyable but not their best.
“Sand Job”
A little contrived – look up the towns they go to and where they are on the map – but still a classic episode.
“One for the Road”
Another classic episode that makes me want to go to the country its set in (Zimbabwe)