It was filming day at the Top Gear studio for Sunday’s show today - and after earwigging the rehearsals this morning (and yesterday’s run through in the TG office) it looks like a corker.
The bulk of the show is given up to an epic road trip from San Francisco to Utah, with Richard, Jeremy and James testing some proper American muscle – we told you about this in a blog a few week’s back and you can catch some glimpses of the muscle on our preview vid.
As ever, hilarity ensues – after the last big US trip’s adventures with gunfire, this time they provoke angry locals to pelt them with rocks.
Jeremy’s big test this week is the Fiat 500 Abarth and pop star Will Young is the star in our reasonably priced Lacetti.
He’s been out this morning trying to forget how quick Simon Cowell was around our track – the rumour is he booked a track day last week to practice.
We’ll be down here all day getting in the way so expect more updates before we wrap this evening.

looking forward to sunday! more angry americans haha!
wwwooooooo cant wait, make sure its up on iplayer much quicker, no tv
sweeeeet.
i <3 Top Gear
woo cant wait. but do think it was wise going back to America after what happened last time. any way i bet it will be really funny.
Just to say that myself, my family, grand-parents and friends are looking forward to the next episode in the happy knowledge that Jeremy will continue to be his normal unrestrained funny self.
The Daily Mail and its cohort’s fake outrage is being seen for the what it is, an attempt to boost sales with finger-pointing and moral outrage devoid of any truth and honesty.
Jeremy, rest assured you have all our support and thank you for making sure we all do not take ourselves too seriously!
Keep up the good work boys..long may you continue!
SWEEEEEEt cant wait.
jeremy do not change your on tv personality. u are loved by most people and the handful of people who donot enjoy it have a tv remote.
Are we allowed some good will over here now that we’ve elected Obama and W will be gone in a few months?
No?
Great show… shame about the spurious apostrophe in “few week’s back”, though!
I hope they show how crappy the roads are here in California. I’ve seen gravel roads that are smoother, and thats no joke.
Gee, I wish I had known that they were coming to Utah. I would have helped to pelt rocks at them. Anything for a laugh, eh?
.
Personally I can’t get to angry about these things. First off, the last America show was really funny and this will probably be the same. Second, when American sends shows over to England, we make fun of you too… So it all kind of evens out in the end.
And before anyone thinks badly of me, I voted for Obama.
I want too see how fast truck can get around top gear test track! please show that in this season.
Yay amerians they love throughing rocks at the!
Looking forward to the show…
Clarence get a life.
u gotta love this.
The second espisode sounds good and I hope the don’t get to much stick off the fat americans
Will american/fat Stig be on the episode?
cant wait it sounds great!
I wonder where they get rocks chucked at them. America’s so diverse I’d like to see Top Gear’s take on flamboyant San Francisco vs Mormon Utah.
Top Gear’s road trip in America is always a show stealer!Can’t wait
Can’t wait till this Sundays installation!!
And about the Daily Mail writing that story about Jezza, it was wronng for them to say that. He is adored by many and all I can say is, be yourself. That is why he is adored by many!
Anybody who takes the Daily Mail’s stories seriously needs to be working in a Mcdonalds.
Jezza, we all love you.
Cant wait for more top gear fun!
and Jezza, dont stop being who you are, if the daily mail dont quit with all their crap, i hope you poke some more FUN but this time aim it at the daily mails editor
I remember reading Jeremy’s story in the Sun about the road trip between Cali and Utah. I loved it. Jeremy, you handled the whinging Richard alot nicer than I would’ve. Turning up the radio to drown him out was great. I would’ve said, “Richard! It’s a long walk to the nearest airport from here!” and dropped him off. I know I’ve just seen the southwest of America a few months ago (great memories and beautiful scenery), but I’m really looking forward to seeing it again and how the guys handle another yank road trip.
Looking forward to it already
Surely though, on the last road trip the locals were hurling rocks? or was this dubbed?
What might be interesting, if potentially expensive, for the next US roadtrip, if the lads were to purchase a car in Britain for say £500, ship them to the states, and drive them across the US Continent (or at least a few hundred miles) still GB reg’d/taxed/motd. Possibly in cars that were never officially available in the states. Just for the craic and sheer unavailability of parts
.
James I’d say would go for something like an XM or Rover 600. Richard might go for a Nissan Terrano2 / Ford Maverick to fit in with the SUV crowd. Jeremy might find a ropey Calibra or high mileage 406 coupe.
I remember reading about NI. Italian motor club doing something similar in a Panda and a new Fiat 500.
What I’d like to know is when or if there are any plans to bring out a DVD of the shows from Earls Court.
hope you tell us the gt2 time in this one
Rule #1. If you _tell_ us hilarity ensures, it invariably doesn’t.
“Eddie Murphy is in a fat suit and his girlfriend is keeping a penguin in the flat, with hilarious consequences”.
Exactly. Just film the boys being the boys. No hokey setups. No over-writing. They are funny enough as it is without you trying to _make_ it funny.
Sounds great, can’t wait
Reviewing the Abarth 500 isa great idea, but i think they could have made it much better by having BOTH new Abarths on- the Abarth 500 and Abarth Grande Punto.
That or they could have a hot-supermini knockout like the hot-hatch shootout from series 6! Pit the Abarth 500 againt the new RenaultSport Twingo 133 and New Mini Cooper S JCW!
Still, i’ll definately be tuning in to the show on Sunday
P.S- We gotta know the GT2’s time!!!!!
This is sounding promising, I’ve been looking forward to this trip since it was filmed and now there’s a Fiat 500 Abarth to look forward to as well
(and I’ve been looking forward to that since Fiat first said they’d be reviving the 500).
And while I’m here – Jeremy, please keep doing what you’re doing – ignore all the pointless hype and stupid press over-reaction (as I’m sure you will) and keep making the vast majority of TG viewers laugh. It’s all been a lot of fuss about nothing. PS: hope your bum’s fully recovered
I’m from Portugal and i would like to know:
WHY DOESN’T BBC PRIME PLAY TG?
Buaaaaaaa…
I would love to see TG more often… I just love, your show!!!
I wish i were on your team… “from Poooooortugal TG, it’s Tiagoooo!!!” heheheh
Best regards
CHALLENGER VS CTS VS CORVETTE
Just keep in mind, never EVER try to piss off the locals in south centeral LA or any area like that. You won’t get rocks pelted at ya, you’ll be dodging bullets.
Come on up to the north end of the midwest next time yer in the US. Locals are much friendlier and you can do a challenge requiring a drive through a -80 windchill blizzard!!!
the first episode was okay, i mean the trucking thing felt a bit underdone, i didn’t understand the point of them driving through things and deliberately putting themselves in danger, usually topgear comes up with challenges that you expect, and other challenges that you don’t expect but have a point buried under the cover, but the trucking one is just silly. I think in Jeremey’s review of the lambo should of had richard more involved as the antithesis to the gallardo, and not just as porsche 911 fanboy. Yes there were some funny bits but it was overshadowed by the pointlessness of the program the great thing about topgear it always managed to get facts in along with comedy, but that time they failed.
Rocks again?!?!? Come on! The rocks thing was worn out from the minute someone thought of it. Even liberal Democrats over here have guns!
adizorz didn`t understand the trucking thing, probably in the same way he doesn`t understand why lorries drive around roundabouts taking up most of the road,so he will not end up under the back wheels.
It sounds much much more of a handful to squeeze in one episode now. I hope this is as entertaining or better than the previous American road trip (not like episode 1).
If it’s going to be anything like the previous episode (read: utterly pointless programming), the future of Top Gear is going to be bleak.
I was lucky enough to be at the Top gear studios for episode one of the new series.Whatever anybody says all three guys are legends.
P.S put some carpet down in the hanger my feet were freezin LOL
Oh no. Time to be humiliated by my idiotic countrymen. Oh well, I love Top Gear too much to get angry.
P.S. In America we don’t get the Daily Mail, so ha!
JEZZA – KEEP DOING AND SAYING WHAT YOU DO. DON’T EVEN MIND IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE A MESSAGE ON ANDREW SACH’S ANSWERPHONE OR GIVE HIS GRANDAUGHTER A PORTION.
Well I love Top Gear and i live in Greece. I depend on watching the show off the ppl who post it on the net…. and if no one does…i go MENTAL I love the show it’s the best!!! I hope they dont stop for a LONG LONG time
Jeremy plz dont leave plz ur great
I just love it when they piss the Americans off. Rightfully should.
You think they should do an episode on like the where is the most expensive place to own a car in the world?
Anyone thought of Singapore? its ridiculously expensive there.
Love the show, ignore those idiots that have had a sence of humor bypass.
I went to the recording of it yesterday, brilliant day. Hats off to the guys for keeping everyone entertained.Jeremy is a legend
Sundays show is a very good one.
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Can’t wait to see what the Abarth 500’s like, I might be in the market for something like that very soon !
hi jeremy i like top gear its better then 5th gear and i all-ways watch top gear hope for more good cars bye
dont get fire-d ok bye
Plese sign and pass it on!
http://www.ipetitions.com /petition/bbcclarkson/
I thinks its a safe bet, that the majority of this episode will be the american muscle car segemnt.
How can a quality tv show like Topgear contain the most poor pieces of tv, namely the special guest segments. Its the worse thing on the BBC, even considering the Brand and Ross fiasco.
Although I guess displeasure and sheer disgust that is Jermey clarkson, comes a close second.
I’m starting to feel that fifth gear is becoming the better show now days.
P.S GT2 lap time please!
the above reference was used to comically exaggerate, and make ridiculous, an incident and was not intended to cause offence
thats the excuse the bbc gave for clarksons behavior, i dont see how it would be unjust for me to excuse my behavior, no matter what i said.
Just went to the SEMA show here in vegas today. It should be called the Nissan GTR and Dodge Challenger showcase extravaganza.Almost every exhibitor featured one of these two cars. The general consensus among the participants I spoke with are not excited about the new administration about to take over the country. Nobody seems to know how to make a car that runs on good intentions yet. As one of Clarkson’s great unwashed Americans, I must say I owe him and Top Gear a debt of gratitude, as I am now able to discuss the minutae of several of the worlds supercars ad naseum with people who just stopped to look at the pretty wheels.And Jeremy, as soon as we can get the mexicans in southern california you talked about to pay off their bank loans, maybe the credit crunch will be over. BTW the American portion of the site is awful, is it only updated once a week? I don’t even bother with it, just come straight here.
come on guys! Be nice to us! we love your show too. Hell i love you guys!
I’ve lived in the middle of the pacific almost my whole life and I still do, and i’ll admit, I don’t like the mainland at times. Not my favorite place to be but sometimes i just go with the flow.
I do hope you guys had fun in America, even if it isn’t what you guys make of it. But then again, in any foreign country, it’s not what it is at all.
As long as you’re all alive and kicking, that’s all that matters.
Jeremy, have fun and trash talk all you like. Just be careful and try not to get killed. I need you alive for the next show.
Hamster, try not to argue too much. You might loose or if you win, let the cheering go on.
James, truth is, your going to need a rubber band to pull your hair back. It’s hot in LA and since your going though Arizona (from my guess), you’re going to die from the heat. All in all, it didn’t look like you got a hair cut at all! Not that I’m complaining, I did like it.
Keep it up boys.
vic
love the show guys and looking forward to the next episode.
i was just wondering why you guys don’t do a big race down under. Bring the stig along and get him to try our public transport here in Sydney. I’ll love to see the stig stuck next to a fat man in our very packed trains.
I must say Hamster your hair is getting pretty bad. Maybe you should spend less money on getting your teeth whiten and get a hair cut? Or maybe your trying to grow it into james may’s style?
well whatever it is keep up the good work guys!
They never took me to america
Thank god the series continues unabated… I was worried when the beeb pulled last Sunday’s repeat in the week!…
Jeremy… I don’t need to say this but… don’t ever change!! XXXX
As I don’t read the papers I had to Google what the Daily Mail had been saying about last weeks show,well it turns out they were moaning about the comment made about lorry drivers killing prossies,lol. I bet the guy who wrote the article doesn’t even watch or like T G or are trying to use it to get them selves noticed. If they did watch it they would find out that is Jezza’s sense of humour, but there and facts in his comments as the Yorkshire ripper was a lorry driver and so was steve wright they both killed prossies, it amazes me what some people will complain about, if you dont like it then dont watch we love love this show its the only show i watch religiously in fact we call it church because of that and the fact that it is on sundays lol.SO LEAVE ARE CHURCH ALONE !!!
kepp up the good work guys , long may you reign !!
This is, literally, an email just to say my 6 year old son and I both love the show in all it’s glorious non-PC-ishness. (Although he doesn’t express it in quite that way).
I am really looking forward to the USA show this weekend along with the rest of the regular viewers. I still wet myself laughing over the cow on the roof incident.
One note of discord however. I hope to never see the “dragged through the hedge backwards despite my gleaming gnashers” stylings of Mr. Hammond ever again. GET A HAIR CUT. Even my wife doesn’t like your hair, and she’s a woman and everything.
PS. ””””’ – just some spurious apostrophe’s to annoy pedant’s.
sounds awsome to me
keep it up jezza . you entertained me last sunday please do make a joke about how much of a joke chris mole is .. he should be sacked
Keep up the excellent work guys. Change nothing as i havent lost my sense of humour. Hope to hear more of it at NEC next weekend
hi i love it carnt wait for sunday y carnt it be sunday everyday! should be really funny in the usawouldnt dare watch stricty come dancing! that rubbish
Excellent. I can’t wait to see this episode.
In 2011, when BBC America sends it over. But still.
Best show on TV, Sunday was made for Top Gear, Its the onlprogramme that makes paying the TV licence bearable 0.o
SHame about the complaints you got, but to me, it was quite easily a joke. It wasn’t a feeling jezza had in his heart. Besides, it was only 188 people who complained out of 7 million viewers. Likely these 188 are ones whop couldn’t find their remote to turn over to Strictly come dancing on the other side.
Fiat 500 Abarth, looking forward to that and also another road trip.. IN AMERICA which will make this show yet again.. a, how can i put this… corker.
Had a great laugh at last week’s show – never thought driving lorries would be such a laugh and look fun. Wonder how Jeremy’s butt is now. Looking forward to the American drive could it get any funnier or worse than their last American antics.
Sweeeeeeeeeeeett
Can’t Wait!
Me Loves Jezza,May&Hammond =D
xx
Its gona be a hell of a show..American muscle…hmm..sounds interstin..especially wid these 3 guys at their wheels.
As I sit here in the middle of the US-of-A, Littleton Colorado (to be more exact) I’m always a little sad that it’s so easy to poke fun at Americans…and sometimes deservedly so. But on the other hand how funny would it be to find some non-hillbilly, non-gun totin’, non-rock throw’in (I have to take your word on that one…we’ll see that particular show next year at best) non-overweight, non-SUV drivin’ normal folks. Sigh…not all of us thought Palin was a good idea. I do enjoy the show a lot (so do my wife and our teenaged sons), and hope BBC America will start showing up to date ones soon. Keep up the good work…challenging the status quo, and close held perceptions is good for the soul…and good for a laugh or two.
I love Top Gear your show is the best show ever from Tony Brown.
Hi your show is the best ever on the earth.
Can’t believe the comments in the press calling for clarkson to resign, for gods sake, its a light entertainment show, why do saddo’s have to watch it and complain about ‘killing prostitutes’ line, I watched it and haven’t felt the urge to kill a prostitute all week. If your that worried about it, change channels and leave TG to do what it does best, entertain me
So J upset a few people, there is always the off button…… I love the show and so does my 8 year odl james so don.t change what isn’t broke…..roll on sunday
I loved the show on Sunday. It was hilarious. I think there’s been such a lot of fuss about what Jeremy said. It was meant to be taken as a joke. I hope Jeremy won’t be sacked over this. Top Gear wouldn’t be the same without the three boys.
omg what is all the fuss about a couple of strictly come sequins fans couldnt find the remote & complained & now its another scandal jezza must sacked blah blah blah. Grow up it wasnt ment to be offensive it was a joke if it offended you accept the apology & dont watch it again , top gear is one of the few programs worth paying the licence fee for ,jezzas outspoken nature & willingness to speak out if he thinks somthing isnt right are one of the many reasons millions of us all around the world love the show. Keep up the good work the world would be a dull place without you guys. From a believer in freedom of speech!
Jezza………..please please get the VEYRON ROUND THE TRACK. I need to know if it is the best! If i win the Lotty tomorrow u could borrow it. You can replace the 4 corners afterwards tho! YO… GR8 Show keep ii comming.
Stoney.
Yeah well, anyone watch the cut out news bits? Everything he said I understood, including the bits about the Burr Brown DAC (Digital-Analog converters) and dual sampling and 96KHz and all that rubbish. And being American, I must say, some Infinitis are quite nice indeed, if not German, they can at least match some of the best Lexus has to offer sometimes. Also being American, I’m looking forward to what might just not be Americana hate, but might still be entertaining.
i love the show, think it is great, and James, if you are gay, your fit
just wanted to say i love love love top gear! yes im a girl but that is allowed! also wanted to tell you that i have never laughed so much as i did when i watched the episod last sunday (02/11/08) with the lorrys and the prostitue comments!! cant belive people complained!! if they are easily offended or they have had a sence of humour bypass they should just go to bed at 8pm on a sunday or watch something more to their liking..like strickly come and be bored stupid!! love you guys!! xx
Top gear? whether it be repeat episodes on dave or new ones on two, they are all brilliant. if it was’nt for top gear i would sell my tv set, and yes i do mean that, and the saddos that not like it? well! most tvs come with remotes in this day and age, clarkson hammond and may keep up the good work.
Forgot you stig sorry! you as well, brilliant.
i can already see it, clarkson in the new zr1 corvette(best car in the world), may in the new cts-v(best sedan in the world), and hammond in the new dodge challenger(second best muscle car in the world behind the camaro).
When do we get to see these episodes in South Africa. I keep watching sunday, but only re-runs of 2007. Love the show you guys rock.
hi boys the loony Chris Mole who is asking for Jeremy’s head, You will not get ur way, there are millions of TG fan from around the world over, u are such a petty man, grow a back bone watch TG for once in ur life & have a good laugh for just an hour, cant get enough of TG, this beats all the other rubbish on the other channels, keeps up the very good work expect more of the good stuff, love u more boys, Beware i’m coming to get yah next saturday, love & cuddles biggest TG fan rachel xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Episode one wasnt as good an opening to the season as had been expected, nonetheless it was watchable. And by the looks of things episode two will be pretty much dominated by the american muscle car segment, so who knows?
P.S. What was the lap time for the 911 GT2?
can’t wait :d
LOVE TOP GEAR!!
No Challenger in the UK? Wait a sec: SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGA BABIES>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>L{F<POEDV]# pmrt#proekg
#se4pgbftlohnpvrh#f
\aqxsw#a[‘d[gtmofv#xc[plz ;l.
THere. ummmm…. The shows is gonna be great. Yeaaaahhhhh….
Let me put it these way, i like DBS by miles than DB9, and i still love Jezza…
TG Boys, please, don’t loose your POOWWWEEEEERRRRRR!!!!!!
Can’t wait for your next shows…
Greeting from your fans in Indonesia.
i hope the lads took guns with them to america -
last time they were there they nearly got killed
cnt wait till till 2nite
wen is the veitnam special on – tht will b ace 2 watch
i reckon the lads should do a race from scotland to lands end – with jeremy and james on public transport and richard in a Mercedes CLK Black
(jeremy on public transport – tht wud b funni)
Can’t wait for tonights episode!
Keep up the outstanding work boys, love what you do.
i thought it was legal for truckers too murder prostitutes.
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1001010 101011!
love 10001010
Sounds great. Muscle cars – will be
some moaning about corrnering haha
Sorry but that silly corvette lover is talking right out of his poo pipe. you have a lot to learn little boy
i enjoyed your factual thing for the americans- just because it was entertaining!
Jey Bee- I liked the corvette. Although i do prefer the CTS V…
???
Why, oh why do the anally retentive, ignorant, politically correct excuses for the species we pathetically call the human race have to get so uptight about a few consanants and adjectives that some overly tall bloke strings together and broadcasts on a show on BBC2 on a Sunday night??? Do the rectums of society really have nothing better to do than complain about a program that they accidentally found whilst trying to find the I’m a trainee a!£$&*%e channel???? DO ALL THE T.G FANS A FAVOUR AND GO JUMP!! I don’t care what you jump off just do it and stop ruining some peoples’ fun and factual entertainment. It’s not like it’s harming anybody. After all, weren’t most of us taught as kids that “sticks and stones will break my bones BUT WORDS WILL NEVER HURT ME”.
Therefore, if you don’t like it or you happen to be anally retentive,ignorant or just a pathetic excuse for a human being then there are a couple of things you could do.
1) Turn your television of and finish polishing your tongue for monday mornings bottom licking session at the office.
2) Get a life of your own and stop interferring in mine! thankyou.
i think that richard had know choice but to buy that mustang.
what are you going to do with it
kit it up like oliver lol
soz for me slang language but im only 13
lol
means laugh out loud
how can stig type?
Oliver dressed up like a challenger, i think you’ve just desighed a new episode of topgear….
Non posso credere che capitano lento è andato più veloce della velocità degli “smanettoni” che è Jeremy Clarkson. Cosa c’è di sbagliato con il mondo in questo momento? Sono profondamente scioccato, veloce prendere capitano lento in ospedale!
to translate this go on google language tools
it will not be in queens english by the way.
the Bugatti Veyron is not the fastest car in the world
the shelby supercar ultimlte aero tt is top speed is 256
you tont like mustangs
Well, it’s not related to the article but everyone else keeps mentioning it.
Jeremy has accused anyone and everyone of being a murderer. And then he accused someone of having a giant nose. And neither of them seemed annoyed in any way, (this was at TG live on Saturday) they just laughed.
I would have to write a letter of complaint if he stopped insulting everyone and shouting random murder accusations.