In the cycle of production that makes a new Top Gear pop onto your Sunday night telly, Wednesday is filming day (and you can see what that was like in our rehearsal gallery) but Tuesday is writing day.
All three presenters turn up to TG’s London offices in good time – this week Hammond was especially early, announcing his arrival with the gigglingly self-referential words ‘I was the first to get here’ – and they spend the day knocking the script into shape, fed only by a constant supply of hot beverages and crisps.
Tuesday this week went especially well. Almost as well as yesterday. There were many crisps, there was much tea and everyone seemed in excellent spirits, presumably buoyed by the rather remarkable viewing figures for the first programme (an average of 7.1 million according to the people that know these things).
But what do three top television presenters do after a hard day hammering out fresh words for a script? Well, it seems by mid-morning James’s brain was already focussed on the evening’s activities.
And what did he have in mind? An eye wateringly expensive restaurant? A media luvvies private members club? A suite at the Dorchester and an open invitation to the Danish Ladies’ Beach Volleyball and Baby Oil Testing team? No. None of those things.
“Hammond,” he said as he sipped at his cup o’ char. “Do you want to come over to mine tonight after work? You can help me fix the carburettor on my old ‘bike…”
It’s rock ‘n’ roll my friends. But not as we know it.

First comment
Are the viewing figures posted somewhere, or are you going to keep them a secret?
Wouldn’t you just want to be the fly on the wall (or mole I guess) that sits there and listens to those three work it out?
Sorry – an average of 7.1 million viewers watched the show on Sunday night… will update the post.
(TopGear.com editor)
I can`t wait
Well I wouldn’t mind going over to James’s house to help him fix his bike.
It’ll be a bit of a drive tho, and a swim.
Why has Rich got a picture of a cow on his desk?
I love those boys ^^
(Especially James! <3)
7 milions – it’s amazing!
If you add the number of people watching on the interweb i guess you could possibly double the number
Seven million – great effort. Top Gear rules.
However, next show can’t be all that because the ideal car for a 17 year old is big, old and underpowered. Like say a 1.6 Mk1 Mondeo, let’s see ‘em immitate Sir Sterling in that. Also I think that the number and power of car speakers should be limited by law, until their thirtieth birthday. So there.
Wow, the Top Gear presenters actually have a proper desk job, who would have known?
I still find it very funny that Top Gear had won that ‘Best Non-Scripted Show’. But maybe you guys can tone down the scripted bits and just let your normal juvenile rivalry/brotherhood emege? Just a thought =)
Loved the new show boys and girls, but there’s one thing that always grinds my gears about the old beeb with their blessed licence fee… why do I have to pay to watch TG, and those who live elsewhere in the world can watch it on the web for free!? Don’t seem fair to me, somehow. Anyways, enough whining… looking forward to the Veyron vs F1 duke out!! I have a feeling I know which should win though…
So does it mean you lot are accually working only two days a week?
Let me know if you have any vacancies going.
I am not wery clever but can make great cuppa.
I am not wery clever but can make great cuppa.
You sound over-qualified to drive a van.
@8
Why does Richard <3 have a picture of a cow on his desk?!
PROBALEY HE LOVES IT AND WANTS TO HAVE PICTURES OF ANIMALS OK.
FROM KATIE
hes got a cow on desk lol
Pictures on desk-Mindy and girls in photo
Calendar with pic of dog (TG) 2 ‘ cows’ prob Made by the girls.
Dosn’t seem to be much scripting going on, would love to work with those guys.
love topgear cant wait for sunday =)
Maybe Hamster’s trying to milk all the attention.lol. Roll on sunday.
Went on wednesday to the filming!!! What a show sunday has in store for us
it is amazing!!!! haha watch out for james mays car in the challenge this week hehe its HILARIOUS!!!!
I’M not impressed with you telling everyone who the stig, What was the point it just ruins the show. rubbish. reece, 10 years old.
reese, are you saying that you took something that the TG guys said about the Stig seriously?
Maybe next week the SIARPC will be revealed to be Rig Stig.
Cant wait for sunday, im a 17 yr old driver myself so should be gd!!
only 6 more episodes though!!! not enough!!!
Brilliant!
Still can’t believe that Michael Shumaker owns a Fiat 500.
I love it
He loves it.
JC loves it.
It’s a great car!
I can’t wait for Sunday!
The link to the “Reheasal Galley” is broken
I can’t spell Gallery – sorry
get in there james
you have to pay to watch in other countries because in this country we have this thing called a TV license…
re Ben 30 and 31
“rehearsal” seems a bit wonky as well
I have just got back home and am drink and have just pestered Steven Fry on Twitter to announce the Stig’s identity. Need some support here. He just might crack.
I didn’t know we had a Ladies’ Beach Volleyball and Baby Oil Testing team in Denmark.. were can I buy tickets for an… eeh game/test session?
>If you add the number of people watching on the interweb i guess you could possibly double the number
Nope. Double the 7, double it again, add a nought and then add another 10x the UK audience. It’s been estimated at 350 million!
How we’d love to see on the up coming shows of Top Gear, Denmark’s new super car the 1,104BHP Zenvo ST1 and see how it rocks and also if they have a chance, take it to the track and see how it performs and also, match it up against the mighty Veyron, Pagani, and Enzo FXX version and McLaren F1.
An item for the news. Carver is bust! The wunderful, but sadly (too) expensive Dutch threewheeler didn’t sell. Sales were expected in the 300 per year, but they only sold 200 in 2 years. RIP. The TG boys really enjoyed this vehicle, so a few kind farewell words would be appreciated
gas video
They r mental or it’s much lik wot i do at school :p
DO YOU KNOW HOW FAST THE LAMBORGHINI IS?
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY HP?
hi im from mexico i just wanna say that i allready seen all the seasons and episodes of tg in the web, cos i have no other way to watch the show, i hope the season 13 in the web, i love tg cya!! greatings from mexico everyone bye!!
RIP JACKO
a legend
rafel (above) has swine flu
RIP M.J
Rafeal sory …..
RIP M.J
how can i get a car that can cost me cheap insurance, petrol , road tax, ?????help please thanks
what is the cheapest car in uk?
this si shitt!! ur crap at everything :S
your mam stink u cant even lead a show u arss!!
http://powerpets.com/sign up.asp?nocache=245.9528
Put this in ur referral id box when u register to get a lot of bonus money!!:764003
any1 saw stig photocopyin his head in the beack ground when richard is talkin about girls gettin less premium