Can’t wait to read it should be a laugh, last one was.

I call BS. Everyone KNOWS it’s BS too.

I would disagree with Kenneth – Living in the USA and having been to places like Alabama, Wyoming, Texas and most other klan states, and having personally been involved with these rednecks, I can completely believe that this is real.
A friend of mine and me almost started a riot in a club because I bought him a drink (that was not a beer) and they did not tolorate “fags” in their town .

haha this book seems awesome, is it available in America

Dreamless.Dead, I will dispute your claim 100%. We have spent many years working in the states and quite a few in “the south”. The time we spent in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, both North and South Carolina was simply incredible. The people there are easily the nicest, most decent people you will find anywhere on the planet. Some of the most vile persons I have encountered were when I spent 4 miserable years in Chelsea.

Stop buying into the propaganda you git.

I think Hammond is a flat out liar. I’ve lived a good portion of my life in Texas, Alabama and Georgia. Those are the best people I’ve known. Their gracious hospitality put’s Brits to shame. That scene was undoubtedly completely staged. It is a television show after all.

Keep thinking that we’re inbred hicks who shoot at anything different. We like to see the stereotype perpetuation because it keeps the idiots who believe it living somewhere else.

Thanks for the help, Hamster!

Living in Oz is a stone cow… the book is down for release at Borders in November for $54.95 AUD, even with exchange and postage it was cheaper for me (and faster) to order it from amazon uk. Can’t wait for it! (and with the pound weak against the Aussie Dollar even better!)

Dreamless.Dead… I’ve heard a similar story from a friend of mine who was heavily involved with NIDA (think Aussie RADA) who has been long time friends with Mel Gibson. He tells a story that during the press junket for The Patriot, the late Heath Ledger nearly caused an international incident when he declared in front of the media (including members of GLADD) that he was “Going outside to smoke me a fag”. Mel had to hastily apologise and explain that Heath was going to have a cigarette instead of kill a homosexual.

If slogans like the boys had were seen here in Australia, the most they would be likely to illicit from even the most radical of yobbos here would be a well placed “*expletive* Off Pom!” (and that would probably be said with a friendly finger gesture and wry smile anyway)

America is just a little too insular and sadly lacking the “mickey” or “p***taking” gene that Aussies and Brits seem to be born with?

I just hope there is a lot more book deals being done with Orion so that our reading enjoyment is there for years to come!

i love people from texas they have nice accents anyway sounds like a great book im gonna get asap

I call BS too, my time in Texas was memorable for three things;

The Food, The Hospitality and the complete and utter demolition of my narrow preconceptions of what “redneck” land would be like.

The people I met were nuanced and humerous and very friendly.

can i also please point out the use of the word redneck some yanks find it a compliment as the term was given to ppl who worked hard for there “daily bread” when the sun bead down on the back of there necks while they worked hense the term red neck

Before people start this of as a massive trans-atlantic slugging match of who’s right and who’s wrong and I’ve had good/bad/indifferent experiences in , remember this.

You can ask 10 people the same question about a town and you will get ten different answers subject to their experiences.

Yes, there are some amazingly helpful and wonderful people in all the states of the US and the UK

Yes, this was television and the boys said from the outset of the challenge what the aim was.

Yes, they were going to paint slogans deliberately trying to incite a reaction.

Were they doing a bit of baiting with that stunt? Bet your sweet Aunt Nelly they were – but that’s one of the reasons we watch the damn show in the first place.

Did it bite them on the backside – quite possibly?

Are they likely, or have they done anything like it since? Not that I can recall – lesson learned.

They were being Jack-the-Lads playing on yes a stereo-type, it’s part of what they do – for crying out loud doesn’t the fact they tease each other with quips like “Captain Slow” and “Hamster” in itself give it away. It was a lark that seemed to have backfired somewhat.

As to “Hamster” writing about it (who’s stereotyping now?) – why should he be ashamed? He’s the author so the story is his to tell. If you don’t think you will like what it’s got to say, simple, don’t buy it.

I am proud to be a redneck. What is a redneck? Well, in my case, I’m a grandfather of 8. My eldest son married a wonderful African-American lady, and my next oldest son married a lovely Asian lady. They have given me the most wonderful grandchildren anyone can hope for. I care not a whit about the color of one’s skin, or who they go to bed with. I care about the character of the person. Their honesty and their work ethic. Their love of family and their loyalty to friends.

That is what a redneck is. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Mr. Hammond. Because you sir, have no clue what a proud southern gentleman, a redneck, is.

I love Top Gear, it’s great entertainment. But the boys are actors and comedians. Don’t take them too seriously.

Bill, Baton Rouge, Lousianna

There’s true in all of what you said (Dreamless.Dead, Kenneth, Blair, etc) but I just wanted to point out that there’s a small place in Kansas know as Topeka where the Westboro Baptist Church is located. This church is responsible of all of those “God hate fags” and “God hates you” paraphernalia and they could easily be the ones that wanted to shoot the Top Gear crew just for making fun of them…
then again, it just could be staged as easily

fcoramirez
Westboro Baptist church is a stain on humanity. They are a miniscule group of nut jobs who have no relationship with any legitimate baptist church and are NOT represented in Alabama. Those actors in the Top Gear scene were certainly not from Westboro Baptist.

I could find similar, tiny, extremist groups in any country that have no bearing on the region they are from, let alone the entire country.

wow this blew up didn’t it.

Give Hammond a break.

It is quite possible that from Hammond’s perspective, not being able to see over the steering wheel or even over the hood of his car while standing next to it, that he didn’t see the producers and director staging the actors for the faux “redneck” scene. So from Hammond’s Lilliputian perspective, it may all have appeared quite real.

Dreamless.Dead: That usually happens when a group of racist, elitists spout their anti-Southerner hatred. When will these people learn to judge people by the content of their character and stop stereotyping and labeling people based upon where they live?

Hey, all I care about is that the book is out in just over a week. I enjoyed the first two and am looking forward to the third.

And when I am reading it, I’m not going to get my knickers (.co.uk) or undies (.com.au) or panties (.com) in a twist trying get my head around the unfairness of name calling.

I’m just going enjoy a good chuckle from a book I have been mightily looking forward to reading – and where I can get a nice cool beverage and a sunny spot to read from is going to be the deepest my thoughts will delve.

As Frankie so wisely said. Relax!

Hammond, May, and Clarkson – I love you guys dearly, but you really are idiots sometimes, aren’t you?

This is what happens when a group of bigoted, America hating, film producers and their actors-stooges come to America. They hire actors to play out scenes of their petty bigotry and hatred and then attempt to deceive the rest of the world into believing that it is real. Reality TV is not real. It’s a product of the producers and directors imagination and distortion of “reality.” I’ve been a TG fan for many years, and have always known it was well staged entertainment. But for Mr. Hammond to try to spread the lie that this was real is just plain wrong. You should be ashamed Richard. Very ashamed. I would like to know more about the “gas station” where this hoax took place and the actors involved.

I agree with Surreal – It’s time for people to step back and take a couple of deep breaths. Seriously we haven’t even reached post 30 and already gloves are coming off.

To Richard, Jeremy, James and all the crew from Top Gear.

I would like to say sorry to you all, and hope you will ignore most of the clap-trap and vitriolic bigoted bull-biscuits that is coming out from BOTH sides of the argument here.

Please be reassured that there are people out here who are reasonable and appreciate the enjoyment you bring in all its forms every show.

I’d like to see the 3 stooges, Jerry, Dick and Jimmy, paint I HATE RAP on the side of a new McLaren MP4-12C and drive it through Compton.

As you can tell from my name I am from Kentucky. I grew up on a farm in a rural community much like the one in Alabama and yes, those people exist. I’m not saying every from the South is that way but, there are still an incredible amount of backwards redneck people who have very short tempers. As someone from the South it was sad to see the boys run into our ugly side but, it’s real and it does exist.

If the guys had behaved like good guests. (Impossible for them I know.) They would have been fine. What did they expect with that stuff painted on their cars?

We were all surprised they didn’t get killed in Miami with the places they went!

If Richard hadn’t had a “gay” slogan on his truck he would have had a different problem but it would have been with the women. They might have called him “Davy Jones” but he wouldn’t have been killed with rocks and buckshot.

Umm… Not sure if this is true, and I am not in the US and as much as I love the show I am not calling international just to satisfy my curiosity… however check this site out…

http://lifeinmotion.wordp ress.com/2007/02/12/top-g ear-in-america/

In particular these posts…

“The gas station they stopped at is:
State Line Pride
32485 Us Highway 90
Seminole, AL 36574
+ 1 (251) 946-2080 ”

and

lifeinmotion Says:
February 22, 2008 at 10:48 pm

If there are any more questions about the lynchings in question, please call + 1 (251) 946-2080, which is the direct line to that woman who called “the boys”

I’m going to wade in on this one, so sit back with a nice pint, and read on…….

The minute I saw the opening of the great trip to the southern U.S., I knew we were in for it over here. Why? Because

1. those folks really do exist. Ask any minority

2. if there is a flaw in U.S. culture, Top Gear will find it. For a bunch of petrol heads, they’re good at smoking out the worst…

3. did we really think this would be positive? Positive is rarely seen as funny…..

Still, even with all of that said, when I watched the vid, several years after the fact, I was still scared for them and in fact skipped most of that section. Maybe a bit too close to home for me……

However, having said that, I agree with all the people who maintain, correctly, that some of us is not all of us. I can guarantee you that I rarely see anyone just like me on U.S. television, or like any of my friends for that matter. Not all that surprised that a show from “over there” would be more of the same. Still, as I said before, some of us is not all of us.

I’ll also say this. We have a long way to go with relations between ethnic groups in the U.S. of A., but I have spent some time ferreting out a few facts, and from what I have seen and heard few countries are dealing with that particular issue on the scale the U.S. is. Take Great Britain for example. I am sure that they would be quick to say that they don’t have nearly the problems, and given the fact that they’ve been around since the 10th century, that is no surprise. It is especially no surprise, however, when when you go to wikipedia and learn that the entire “minority” population in Great Britain is roughly 8%, compared to 24% in the U.S. of A. That 24% comes to about 74 million people, which just happens to be about 15 million more than everybody all together in G.B.

Bigger nation. Bigger issues. There you are.

Still, as I said before, some of us is not all of us. I have no doubt that there are some really decent folks down south. I have not been there myself. Being an African American, I am a bit leery. But then given the images of Americans that end up on Brit t.v., I may need to think twice before going across the pond; it doesn’t sound as if they think much of us there either.

One last point for those who are still awake. I don’t see Richard’s comments as racist. Negative, sure, but being chased by a mob isn’t a fun experience, and leaves a bit of a bitter aftertaste. But I doubt, he’s a racist. I doubt he’s that stupid……

And by the by (so much for the last point) the best thing anyone coming here can do is keep the party polite, regardless of which side of the Atlantic you call home.

@Funnylookinnut – well said!

So rule of errr… dip-stick… play nice people

This kind of stuff really does exist in the US. We even have it here in Florida. Surprisingly, on a trip through West Virginia all the people I met there were very friendly, even in some very, very rural areas. Just depends on where you go I guess.

Well Hammond,there are some strange cultures to be enjoyed in the southern states.Think of them as different countries speaking basically the same language.At least you can drive 3000 miles and be in California or New York,Last time I did that In europe I entertained machine guns pointed at me somewhere in eastern Ukraine.Anyway…Which is really more redneck;is it the southern rebel states in the US or is it Americas’colonial cousin Australia.

wow I havnt seen this piece yet, how bad can it really be? We Americans should be careful what we say to the lads, they are super tough, remember 1812? I’ll stop feeding the fire.PS Brittian’s weather sucks….so there.

Hammond makes it very clear that the PIRA & Scottish independence movements are right and the English, as usual, are an evil lot, not to be trusted.

Rural Australia is worse than rural America. While American rednecks hate “liberals” and minorities, Aussie rednecks hate everyone and act on it.
Only Canadian rednecks are nice people.

One of the people I used to work with used Google maps to work out where that particular station was, got the contact details and called it from the UK via Skype to ask about what happened. The reaction he got was particularly nasty, and left me in no doubt that it was all real and exactly as shown on screen.

it is probley just over dramatized by the way they produse it

I live in Florida, including 2 years in Pensacola in the panhandle, in LA (Lower Alabama). I’ve been visiting Alabama since I was 8 years old. I’ve been to 3 Iron Bowls (that’s the Alabama-Auburn game), and 2 SEC championships at Legion Field in Alabama. (Haven’t seen the Tide, though, since they hired that overpaid Saban). I’ve spent a lot of time in Birmingham (a nice town now, no more pollution alerts telling you to stay indoors), Tuscaloosa, and other locations.

I can assure you that there really are people in Alabama like those in the Top Gear episode. They’re not anywhere near a majority, but they are not an insignificant minority.

I would love to watch this episode with the head of Alabama’s business development agency. He must have crapped in his pants when he saw this. Imagine a UK business executive considering investing in Alabama and seeing this episode.

@Dale Jr: Let’s see, the USSR defeated the Third Reich, not us. We helped create and fund al Qaeda. We support two-bit dictators like Saddam Hussein, supplying him with WMD. Finally, we elect a draft-dodging AWOL deserter as President who goes on vacation as soon as he’s warned that al Qaeda is about to attack. When we suffer the inevitable blowback, know-nothings wrapping themselves in the flag pop up and insist the only solution is to kill everyone.

Pathetic.

@Below Capricorn: Thanks for the map. Turns out I’ve been to Seminole, AL–or at least, through it.

Can’t wait to return and look up the lovely lady running that gas station. I’ll make a point of wearing my Obama 2008 shirt.

I love how this episode is mention in the same story as his New Book. Obviously trying to pump up sales, huh?

Another failed attempt by irrelevant brits to get notice for their sad, little island. Funny and pathetic all at the same time.

What is with Hammonds hair? Mid life crisis u buy a Porsche, because u have one ur next best thing is that hair??? Go to the salon for a wee trim.

To be racist, would that not imply that Hammond was picking on a “Race” of people, not merely a “Sub-culture”? Redneck as much as people may love or hate it is not a race.

So maybe “Culturist” would be more accurate

YES! Just got an email from Amazon.co.uk, my copy of the book has shipped and started its journey to Australia.

So this is all going to become fairly academic for me in a few short days as I will have a new book to chortle and choke over and wait for the next series of TG…

Hammond makes as much sense as his perpetually changing hairstyles. I supposed he does that so he looks a bit different at all the grocery store openings he does.

There were several Americans who claimed the incident with the rednecks were staged on my blog. They also claim the lady who called the boys was in on the act…

actually french people were rated “the rudest tourists”… =P anyways all the people who think it was staged are full of it. politics or no, everyone knows you can find those people if you are unlucky, and yes, we do have them in canada, toronto anyone? there are some MEAN neighborhoods there…

I love this show, and I love Jeremy, Richard, and James. I have lived all over the US, but i’ve been in Georgia for the last 10 years. All their comments on the US and America are joking and I find them quite funny actually. I mean it is an entertainment show, you have to take everything they say with a grain of salt. I do think that sometimes they seem like they are trying a bit too hard to make fun of americans and thats just kind of pathetic. They seem to grasp frantically at any american fault and exploit it until its all dried up. None of what they say is ever as bad as they make it out to be though. They try to play us americans off as stupid, but england does buy into all of our entertainment, food, and technology. None of this ever really offends me though because its all in good fun!

I would be interested in seeing a directors cut of that trip. In the article Hammond says at the end

“Well, yes, it really happened. You didn’t even see the half of it. ”

I believe him in this, we wouldn’t have seen the half of it. Working freelance for whatever scripted or non-scripted shoots coming my way, it’s standard practice for crews to shoot hours of footage only to cut it down to the 43 plus minutes you see on TV.

I’m sure if you were to look at the full footage of that day there would be more to the story that what was finally edited for the show.

And remember, the crew were put on severe visa restrictions the next time they came across.

Firstly: Speculation over this matter is silly. It was great entertainment be it fact or fiction. Isn’t that the point?

Secondly: The guys (especially Jeremy) have said a great many things which should have seriously ticked me of…which it didn’t. I can laugh at the abuse because it hits home, not inspite of it. The most recent insults have ranged from calling Nelson Mandela a terrorist (I am South African so this is particularly taboo), suggesting our wine to be vile and calling our rugby team a bunch of losers. The thing that should upset me most is what really makes me laugh. The gay jokes that is. Being a gay, beer drinking, slightly homophobic, car mad, farmboy has served me up as the punchline of many jokes. Such is life. Rather laugh it off than get hot under your tweed collar.

Thanks guys, you always make me smile. Oh, by the way Richard, please cut your hair, I liked it more in season 12.

I found that episode gas! 1 of the best!

i agree with Az9000 gas!!!

Just got back from Texas and I can easily believe Hammond’s story. The people there were easily some of the nicest in the world, very hospitable and always up for a good chat. Very similar to us Australian’s in very many ways. But there was this little bar on Eagle mountain lake – we rocked up on the jet ski and stepped in through the door and such stereotypical rednecks were everywhere.

I didn’t feel unsafe – I’ve been in bars in Australia where men would ogle and wolf whistle at my girlfriend before, if you laugh it off nothing ever amounts.

Here though, I was having a good chat with a lovely man – toothless, in a singlet and jeans – you know the stereotype and I may have said something about Obama doing a good job and the guy almost immediately turned violent – yelling and banging his fists everywhere.

So we hightailed it, with the entire bar coming out to the verandah to watch us.

you guys are lucky …… i live sort of by alabama and those people are crazy and sensitive.
they could of killed you guys no joke…and make you squeal like a pig. got to be careful… if you wanna have a thrill ride with no consequences go to texas.

Can’t wait to read the book.

oh yeah i love obama and i live in texas… but i would have to agree to not mention his name here…

The locals Thank Hammond for the paycheck as well. Like he did on his older show BRAINIAC, (that is, pay to exaggerate the results to make for better television) locals say that the producers paid them to act like idiots. Staged or not, it was funny TV.
I really wish TG would stage an I-285 Hundred (three laps of the perimeter of Atlanta in Supercars while avoiding the cops… Cannonball-esque).

The boys may run to stupid at times… but generally not illegal so the Cannonball idea while nice wouldn’t make it past Wilmans desk…

Local car reporter here in WA decided to do a ‘road test’ of a Fezza that had just been brought into the state the day before… took it country and floored it – was mightly stunned when the cops got him. Not only did he lose his licence and his job, but the car was impounded under the state’s hoon laws – suffice to say the dealer that had only JUST got the car in was less than impressed because he couldn’t even get it out of impound

http://blog.al.com/live/2 009/10/teen_rides_in_card board_box_at.html

@foblis

*Snort* Oh that’s just too perfect!

this has definately been the highlight of my day.

i definately believe that what happened could have happened. but as everyone pointed out, wear something (or paint your car) with the right slogan and you can get yourself beat up anywhere.

the one thing about that episode the really bothered me was at the end when (I think it was) Jeremy said “moral of the story: never go to America.”

I promise most of us are very nice and would be enthralled by an English accent.

The problem, as I see it, is a confusion of terms: that is, the boys are using “redneck” as opposed to “white trash”- this is the same as calling a “working bloke” a “chav”- very different types of folk!

Gentlemen, could I invite you to visit our “redneck” town? No, we aren’t homophobic or violent. In fact, if you drove your provocative vehicles into town, you probably wouldn’t get a second-glance! (maybe a laugh or two, though!).

Many of our residents are university educated, have traveled to the UK and Europe, and are accepting of social and political differences- after all, when you live in a small town, tolerance is an important asset! What we DO share in common is hard work, love of the out-of-doors (hence, the term “redneck”), and determination to succeed.

So, please, come to Susanville- not a lot here- just lakes, rivers, woods, wild beasts (mountain lions and bears still roam the Sierra Nevada Mountains), and a volcano in our back yard.

Here, you shall meet the friendliest, most non-stereotypical American “rednecks”- in fact, let’s share a pint or a cuppa tea at our local pub (yes, your heard me: our pub- we have British and French ex-pats here!)

Cheers!

P.S. Just a gentle reminder: 70 percent of Americans came from the UK and Europe. You created us, you are our cousins and our grandparents; all that we know, all that we believe, we learned from you!

Let me get this straight. Hammond, May and Clarkson were run out of town by a bunch of hicks counting down from 10.

It’s no wonder the British lost their empire and we had to step in to save their pathetic little isle – twice.

This is like Dave Attell making fun of the Amish on TV. It’s great because THEY’LL NEVER FIND OUT! Alabama is a welfare state and of no consequence. What are the chances that a backwoods ‘Bama resident even watches BBC– let alone Top Gear?

Jeeee-sus Christ Richard’s book doesn’t say that everyone from down-south is an inbred psychopath! He’s only telling the story of the time a minority of crazies pelted him with rocks. I find it hilarious that a load of “Rednecks” have commented on this post and taken huge offence. I wouldn’t be angry if some idiots from where I live were critisized, I’d agree. By insulting Richard Hammond you are just proving that you are also either,rascist and homophobic or as thick as too short planks! Nobody is insulting you, can we leave this to people who actually like Top gear, not a load of scheming Rednecks.

Ooooh dear this blog has caused a bit of a fuss hasn’t it?? The American special was brilliant tv. and why would Hamster say it was for real if it wasn’t? Give him a break.

Comments for the third time: People who are saying that they would have been beaten up in England for saying, the queen is queer or sub-way bombing is cool for instance, I don’t think that’s a vaild comparison. The pick-up had MAN LOVE RULES OK on it, that is not an insult, nor was anything written on the cars. They were opinions, once again people are pretending opionons are insults. Richard Hammond and Co. were making an important point, hilighting racsism and homophobia in that community, exactly like In Borat, but I don’t suppose you like that either. Shame.

In 2008 I was unfortunate enough to need to move to the South. Georgia, specifically.

I am a descendant of two men who fought in the revolutionary war, and one man who fought in the war of 1812.

Since living here, I have been accused of being an immigrant, among having other very unethical and inappropriate things said to me. It seems that stupidity, lying, lack of education, and ignorant behavior are all things that are rewarded in the South. The very moment I can find a decent paying long-term job somewhere else, I am out of here.

wow this is kinda odd, all hes saying is that those red necks (white rash w/e) were nuts,
it happened just let it be,
every country has its skeleton in the closet, so stfu nubs

lies or not, the redkneck states are probably the only part of the world where people have worst theet then the brits, and that as to account for something

still, one thing hat to be said
hammond might be tiny as an hamster, but he´s got the balls of a sewer rat..huuuge, dragging along the floor as he goes.. i would have left cpt. slow behind

I truly like the British, and I’m a big fan of Top Gear (and BBCA — LOVE Coupling!) But for cheerist’s sake this show prove what TOTAL dicks the producers and the three amigos can be. They’d never have the balls to do such a thing in and insult people like that anywhere else. Only in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

Clarkson, Hammond and gay May should thank God they were in America and not Commie China when they decided to insult the locals. Because the ChiComs would have made them and the crew disappear.

Hamster doesn’t have any balls. He knew the PAID ACTORS were not going to harm him. It wasn’t in the script.

Get a grip. IT’S TELEVISION!!! It’s not REAL.

Me again….

Look people, I know this is a bit of a hot issue, but can I point out that some of it is getting pretty bloody close to the ‘code of conduct’ line here.

If you haven’t may I suggest that you read the terms and CoC (hee… sorry, had to laugh at that acronym – where’s May when you need him) before you post. Suggesting people act with criminal intent is grounds to get your post banned amongst other things.

Please, also consider that this is not a moderated forum and it is free to ALL web-users. Not everyone who reads these are over 18.

Wow, you sleep for several hours and it springs up all over again.

I think what we basically have here is a primeval territorial issue.

A couple of weeks ago only I was talking to some friends about this theory we have – it goes something like this…

An Aussie can slag off an Aussie, but god forbid someone from outside Australia tries – even if we hate our countryman with a fiery passion we will defend them against outsiders.

West Aussies can have a go at other West Aussies, but we will hiss and spit if an Eastern Stater tries it.

Perthites will complain about Perth, but fight tooth and nail against anyone else in the state who says anything bad about it.

I can whinge about my parents and family, but I’ll knock your damn teeth down your throat if you were to say it!

Seeing a common theme here?

And what’s happening here with the US trip and the chapter in Richard’s book, goes back to international territory.

We as a being are wired to do this… it is part of our reptilian brain stems. Defend our own against all comers.

So I am not surprised this has taken the course it has… I’m just suggesting that people think where the emotion has come from in the first place. Is it just a phantom emotion?

I’ve lived in Texas all my life and have traveled all over the US incl Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, etc. There are some real red-necks out there – some decent and hard-working and some that, well, aren’t. But I’d guess that if there were honestly that blatant an encounter, it was most likely provoked in an effort to lure the so-called red-necks into the scene and create ‘good’ TV.

Personally, I thought the episode in general was freaking hilarious! There were only 2 things that offended me about the episode in question:

1.) The truth, or rather, lack of truth of it. I’m a Tennessean. I live in rural, middle Tennessee (Cookeville, TN 38501 if you want to look it up). I’ve lived here since 1985, nearly all my life, and I can say with out a doubt that there ARE people like that here. What offended me most about the episode is how quickly and easily the “rednecks” gave up. In my opinion, it would have made for much better AMERICAN TV if the boys had been caught and tied to trees and made to squeal like little piggies… but of course not harmed in any way! And I mean that wholeheartedly. I love the show and the guys, and would not wish any ill on any of them.

2.) I had to download the episode to watch it in its original glory because the versions of TG we get here in the states on BBCA are so poorly edited they are almost unwatchable.

One final point I’d like to bring up… for those that think the episode was completely real… (and I honestly don’t know where I stand on that): In order for the show to be shone on TV with the “rednecks’” faces unblurred they would have had to sign waivers for their likenesses to appear on TV (hell, even the criminals on shows like COPS have the choice to sign or not sign the waivers). So I’ll ask this because its been quite a while since I’ve seen the episode… were the faces of the “rednecks” or the lady who “called in the boys” blurred? If they were… maybe it WAS real. If not… I think its safe to assume that the scene was at least partially scripted, and that all parties involved signed waivers and were possibly compensated.

Just my $.02… take it for what its worth

–Kevin

@Kevin “Just my $.02… take it for what its worth”

If your economy keeps going down the gurgler – I’d say not much mate

#90 – It depends on what the situation is as to the waiver issue. Most people on COPS have their faces blanked out because at the time of the screening their cases may still be pending and if it were the defense could argue that it was unfair/misrepresentation.

On private property you definitely do need a waiver signed – in places that are a public forum or utility not necessarily – it depends on the legislation in each state – and the fact this lot were from the UK makes it even more blurry.

it was funy to se it on the tely

First of all, I would like to say that I do think the things shown were real, so please bear that in mind.

As a part of a minority, I can say that whereever you go, you’ll be able to find people like this. I live in Belgium, which I would like to consider as a civilized country, but I am not unfamilliar with similar reactions. Expressing your beliefs to people who think differently can be dangerous and discouraging. I’ve gotten used to the homophobic reactions already.

What I do not understand is people defending the ‘hicks’ is that they can not seem to realise that on Hammonds truck, there was nothing offensive. Should it have said, “You’re a fag”, well yes, you then would have a point saying you can expect things like that with the right slogan in the right neighbourhood.
But it didn’t. A fond hate towards these people and their defenders is growing inside me, and that’s a pity.

Because wouldn’t it be easier if we all got allong? And on that cheesy bombshell, It’s time to end the discussion.

Proud Redneck’s comments sum up TG’s tendency to push people a bit too far. And like Mr Redneck, they are often fans of the show.

The list of groups TG has offended is whopping, especially one group in particular – think airships. I’m surprised they don’t spend some time on ridiculing aggressive drivers, impatient drivers, speeders, tailgaters, mobile phone-using drivers, drug and drunk drivers, drivers with no documents, road racers, drivers who pass cyclists with millimetres to spare etc, etc, etc.

All this just proves that Americans have zero sense of humour – or could that be a stereotype?! Anyway people seriously need to get a grip. If someone drove through a small town in England with slogans painted on their cars – such as the ones that someone suggested – people would stare and think they were idiots but they certainly wouldn’t start throwing rocks at them, or chase them with guns.

Let’s face it, even if the entirety of the show is a load of bollocks, it’s at least entertaining bollocks and that’s really what counts. If you want facts go and watch a documentary.

Buy the book or don’t, it’s a very simple choice and one that doesn’t need vitriol on a website to help you figure out. Peace out.

“In the fevered state of our country, no good can ever result from any attempt to set one of these fiery zealots to rights, either in fact or principle. They are determined as to the facts they will believe, and the opinions on which they will act. Get by them, therefore, as you would by an angry bull; it is not for a man of sense to dispute the road with such an animal.”

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) Virginian… Third president of the United States.

I love this show, its proberly the most entertaining show going, and fake or not, I don’t care its still good to watch don’t you agree? and if it was fake it was one hell of an act! and suggsygirl has a point there, buy the book or don’t! lets not cause a racial debate over it!

I live in texas. none of you would know but whoever thinks this was staged and are sticking up for the “rednecks” should kill themselves. yes there are tons of rednecks in texas but even us texans make fun of people in alabama. they are stupid hillbillies.texas is a great state. but the weather blows and there is nothing to do. go to nyc the tell me how that goes

For God’s sake be careful guys. The next time you deliberately wind up dungaree-wearing three toothed homophobic killers, take some minders with you. A world without TG is unimaginable.

Good point The Stig AKA Stigmeister. But don’t bother buying the book. Just get it from the library.

*snip snip* Thanks mods… this discussion was getting a little on the nose from so many directions – PS – I have a prize going for the first person who… (shhh I’ll keep it a secret)!

Can’t wait for the book, On the edge and as you do were amazing
He’s actually a really great writer

I was also amazed with the first two books. I have mine on order – now just waiting delivery.

So nice to have something enjoyable to read when you have a dull job.

Cornered a bunch of my friends on a holiday to do the “iPod Roulette”. Yes, the boys in the group ended up mightly embarrassed with songs from Roxette and Celine Dion being discovered in their track listings! (the “My Wife/Girlfriend/Mother put that on there” card was played pretty strongly!) The girls just mocked mercilessly. We have the advantage, a chick playing a guys song is fine, and we can get away with the highly emotional crap because we’re girls – it was just excellent!

Great game guys… see your type stranded in the arctic circle did better mankind!

As a RAN’s daughter, I am going to be intrigued to read the rum story about the HMS Illustrious! I wonder if it was Pussers????

God apparently *I* have been on the Rum!

That was supposed to read “Your TIME stranded” not type!

Gee…

I bet if I wrote some stuff on my car specifically intended to anger and insult people and drove it through portions of the UK I would not live long enough to talk about the experience. I would have been stabbed, clubbed and beaten to death by yobs and hooligans.

As for “race relations” go…Europe and the rest of the world isn’t exactly holding hands and singing “Kumbayah”. I know it makes all of you feel so “superior” to bash the US but all that reminds me of is the old adage “It is the small dog that barks the most.”.

Ah yes Ennis, that may well be true about small dogs…

But remember the pendulum swings both ways and there is the bards famous quote to consider. “Methinks the lady doth protest too much”

Well, this whole subject has stirred up a lot of comment and I have to say I have stuck with it and read all the posts, (ok I admit it I’m bored and had nothing better to do)
The one thing that has struck and disappointed me here is the cynical, uneducated and narrow-minded posts from some of the Brits. Our American cousins by comparison have contributed some great insights as have the Aussies and shown a brilliant sense of humour (take note suggsygirl)
The true sadness is the lack of understanding Brits seem to have about what it can be like in parts of Southern U.S.

Pity. I watched TOP GEAR regularly and enjoyed it but not any more.

You see, I’m a life long Alabamian and seven generations of my family have lived within 30 miles of where I’m sitting right now. Take it from me, what they claim to have happened had to have been set up. It isn’t 1955 anymore (when they declared marital law right down the road in Phenix City and brought in the National Guard) or some Hollywierd movie. Yes, there are still the scattered racist or you run of the mill idiots roaming around unsupervised in public but folks aren’t going to form an ad hoc lynch mob because a bunch of Brits with a camera crew have spray painted ‘Hilary for President’ on the side of some clunker Ford F-150. Living in a small town doesn’t mean you are stupid or irrational. Such an exaggerated response to such a minor irritation would suggest some serious psychological issues.

By the way, we DO have cameras in Alabama and folks DO know what a camera crew looks like. Lower Alabama isn’t the Indian tribal Preserve in the depths of Brazilian Amazonia. We have cable TV and satellite dishes, telephones, running water, indoor plumbing and everything ya’ll have in the big city. We just don’t live cheek to jowl with 2,000 strangers in some high rise apartment building.

All Hammond and the Top Gear gang did was continue a stereotype (the ignorant, racist, dangerous, hate filled and violent Southerner) that has been thrown around before the War for Independence. Back then, it was because the northerners were jealous of the political and economic power that the southern planters had from the exportation of tobacco and cotton. The vast majority of the early US Federal government budget was funded by export tariffs and taxes. Cotton and tobacco were the two biggest exports and that made the Southerners (led by Jefferson in the early 1800’s) very influential. The northerners were merchants and traders. Yes, they made money but it relied on the cotton/tobacco leg of the Triangle Trade for them to continue to do so.

I figure the TOP GEAR crew were just trying to play for laughs at our expense. I have to admit, I find it rather tiresome to continue to see such a stereotype to be shown as if it was an accurate portrayal of the American South. It was overdone back in 1800 and even more so now.

The men that helped put the Apollo astronauts on the moon were educated in Alabama. Many of the design team of the Space Shuttle were graduates of Alabama universities as well(the Aero-space Engineering department at Auburn bragged in the late ’80’s that the shuttle should be painted in Auburn’s orange and blue colors rather than black and white). The University of Auburn in Auburn, Alabama has had more graduates go into space than any other college or university in the world (63 the last time I heard). The Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery has a well deserved international reputation.

Not bad for a bunch of violent, inbred mouth breathing knuckledraggers, huh?

My question to all an sundry who are miffed about this…

Why are you arcing up about this NOW two and a half years after its original broadcast? I know people will say ‘because of the book’. But most of the people who have been complaining for a variety of reasons about the shoot in question have started their posts along the lines of “I’m a fan of TG…” or “I watch TG…”

Dudes if it ticked you off THIS MUCH now, then you must have had the same – if not even *more* intense reaction when it came around the first time, why the heck are you still watching it?

Where are your blogs of condemnation from back then? And more importantly why have you perpetuated in watching a show you clearly don’t approve of?

Someone is going to say that it’s because it was only one segment and that the rest of it is fun. Considering that “the rest of it” usually involves the boys mocking someone else (each other, other countries etc), isn’t that a little hypocritical?

Watch it, don’t watch it – read it, don’t read it – the choice is yours, but don’t hoot and carry on in one breath about it one day and then watch the new season the very next.

If you were really truly offended by what the boys did you wouldn’t have even seen this post, because you wouldn’t be watching the show or have reason to come here in the first place!

@Bartok, it’s a shame you came a little late to the party. If you had been here yesterday, before some judicious pruning of posts (not entirely unwarranted I might add) by the mods of the forum, there were a couple of corkers you missed out on.

Who else here would find in more than a little remotely amusing if reference to this whole palava was brought up in the next series

Oh the fun they could have!!!

What a load of drivel, real or fake, it was as funny as fook. Just a reminder to our yankee doodle friends, when TG returned for a second time, they were told to keep the film factual, proof of your inability to laugh at yourselves. In fact has any Yank on here accepted the event for its humour, or did you all get your backs up? Long live the Queen.

if they were really brave, they would’ve driven around with a van/people carrier with ‘Death to America’ written on it.

sadly the quote was copyrighted

Hi, here is the sentiment from a “typical, stereotypical” Canadian.

WHOOOO CARES, ITS JUST FUNNY!!!! (hey honey, switch to the hockey game and get me a beer, eh?)

#102 “Thank you Kindly”

A different excerpt dealing with the second American trip has surfaced on Times online… nothing really contentious here…

http://www.timesonline.co .uk/tol/driving/article68 67938.ece

Hey guys, sorry bout the rednecks in my state. Please don’t let the idiots stop y’all from coming back to Alabama… just come up to central Alabama.

Your guys need to look up the Barber motorsports track and museum in Birmingham Alabama at BARBERMOTORSPORTS.COM OR look up
PORSCHEDRIVING.COM also at the same track.
They also have a vintage motorcycle collection.

i read that i want his new book in this weeks times he talks about the other american trip on the salt flats he said it reminded him of his crash

7 generations said
“You see, I’m a life long Alabamian and seven generations of my family have lived within 30 miles of where I’m sitting right now”

Oh, the irony

i wached the clip when u got attacted by the rednecks it was funny but i dident see eney gunsso why does it say that they had gune i saw a dog

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillll lllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllleeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrr

It can’t possibly have been real….Rednecks can’t read ! ( I am told on great authority that it is something to do with being interbred.

I think the incident was provoked by producers or camera men before they even drove up. I’ve lived in Tennessee all my life and we tolerate alot. We are always polite to visitors unless provoked – I think that goes for most people around the world. But hey, they would have been dead for sure up North in NY, Chicago, Cincinnati or St. Louis – the gangs would have had a field day with them! Provoking that lot would be their LAST episode I’d wager! Not just cleaning out soiled trousers like in Alabama! Know your Limits boys!

OH – and I almost forgot! They got chased off for having slogans written on their cars that attacked some of what Southern people enjoy – namely car racing, music and our religious beliefs. You are saying Brits would not have chased down anyone attacking your favorite “football” team with crazy slogans on their cars? Maybe saying something dirty about your King? Come on – we see that you guys can’t even sit through one match without attacking each other – your fellow countrymen over a “football” match. In America sporting and racing events are venues geared toward EVERYONE having a great time! So let me ask – who are the true rednecks here?

I dunno if it was staged or not, I was born and raised in Colorado and have seen quite a few of that type as I now reside in Texas. I have been to Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana and you get a few of that type in any of the southern states.

However you also can get that type of persons anywhere on earth not just the southern US. There are plenty of very nice and hospitable people in the south and around the world.

It could have been completely legit, could have been staged. Either way I thought it was quite funny.

They probably went through the worst parts of the towns. Do you see normal people doing that to their cars here or anywhere else? Probably not. They (the presenters) deliberatly put that stuff on the cars to piss people off. What did they honestly think would happen? Try doing that same thing in the Middle East or China!

On you tube there is an interview with the boys for the Australian version of 60 minutes. At time code 07:18 Jeremy gives his perspective on this issue.

I’m from North Carolina and YES, there are rednecks in the deep south! Not in NC though, well, not everywhere. We don’t go to Alabama or Arkansas, etc. stay away!

I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY HAS HELL.

Dude, its real. trust me… ive SEEN it happen. I used to live in Memphis TN and ive been down to alabama like a billion times. it happens all the time. Dude ther crazyyyy

Yeah, it’s me again. Did you know that the IQ level drops the further south that you travel in the US? Now, however, for the past 8 years and 10 months, the IQ level in Washington,DC has sunk to an all time low…woe is me!

“for the past 8 years and 10 months, the IQ level in Washington,DC has sunk to an all time low”

ONLY for the last 8 years, 10 months ? I still say the best president the US ever had was Jed Bartlett, and he was fictional!

That episode was REALLY funny. Ofcoarse not ALL americans are like that.. but that type of garbage does happen ALL the time in the South.. and their is really no other place like it. Truth be told, its mostly people who have been deprived of a proper education that think like that..

We don’t get this book released here until the 1st of November dang it!

I was hoping to see a Buford T. Justice coming your way in that episode

Jed Bartlett? Is he kin to Jed Clampett or Jethro Bodine? They could probably run a country “a sight better” than the “Obamanation” we have trying to run it now! Conservative Rednecks Rule!

It was fake. Hammond is a liar. They were all actors and it was set up.

NA, ALL Americans lack a proper education, ipso facto, all Americans are stupid rednecks. It is a horrid country.

I’ve been a police officer in that area of the US for about 15 years now, and I’m really thinking that even if you could find one person who would seriously harm someone in full view of a camera crew, you probably couldn’t find more than one. Was a fight at hand? Probably. Was life and limb in danger? Probably not. Great TV, though!

YES! I was right Pussers all the way… oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!

As a lifelong southerner and a massive Top Gear fan, I have to believe that the attack really occured. There are narrow-minded idiots in the south. There are also warm, welcoming, normal people who live here. Having seen much of the world, I believe this is true everywhere.
And just for the record, the America trip is my favorite episode of all time!

I guess that even the nicest, warmest, most welcoming people can turn not so nice, warm and welcoming if you come as a visitor and set about offending everything they hold dear. I mean, if a bunch of guys from Texas or Alabama started to shout – I don’t know – “Free Scotland!” or anything like it in front of the Buckingham palace, or drove around Belfast with religious statements on their cars, I don’t think the locals would welcome them with a cup of tea, would they?
I am a really huge Top Gear fan, but this was just plain dumb and disgusting. (Just for the record, I’m neither British nor American)

Hammond is no liar. they were real and funny XD keep up the good work Top Gear! XD X

cant wait to read his new book, loved his 1st one, i read it when i was on hol, its funny upsetting, he is one great role model x XD

just in time for Halloween…..
Nope, those “Rednecks” were really real-life Zombies who like tricks instead of treats..case closed…game over! See…http://www.revok.com/ images/zombie_front_image .gif

Oh No! You can’t copy and paste a pic on here?! Well….it’s a Zombie pic ,of course!

I have lived in the US my whole life. I have lived in Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin, and North Carolina. Being in the south most my life you come across all kinds of people and as much as we would like to think rednecks have changed into more civil open minded people, there are still hick towns where I don’t even have the tolerance for their small minded raciest comments. I’m surprised they gave you a 10 count. On the other hand you have some of the nicest people in the south, southern hospitality isn’t dead yet. I’m sorry you had such a bad experience.

I talked to Stigs American Cousin and he said he did not like Hammonds pick up truck it scared him.

Now,now, Richard!!!!!!!…….As a British/American I take offense at those who paint us one and all with the same brush, so to speak!!!…..Strangely enough, so many Brits who have moved to the states have gravitated towards the South, to the Atlanta and Savannah areas; They seem to feel at home with the descendants of many of their fellow countrymen…….Look through a phone directory in the South and you will find many a British family/surname in the residential listings!!! I happen to be a Northerner from Ohio, where Hoovering was invented and, also, the Goodyear tire/tyre…….T.T.F.N.(Ta,t a for now!!!)

I don’t doubt this was a factual encounter, but please, please, please don’t lump all Americans in with this lot! I’m an Oklahoman and couldn’t imagine something like what happened over East of the Mississippi happening anywhere in this state where I have lived. Sigh.

PS
I doubt that everyone in GB is warm-welcomes and acceptance either.

Americans can’t stand being made fun of.

No wonder the world’s going totally PC these days

NO. AMERICANS NEED TO BE SHOT.

Just wondering and sorry if its a repost but wasn’t Jeremy’s car a Camaro not a TransAm as Richard says in his article????

Kenneth is a god damn IDIOT

At least James can shoot a rifle well. Next time have him defend you!

You know, you play with fire, you’re going to get burned. Most Americans don’t have the same sense of humor, regardless if we think your accents are cute. I’m sure had you not done that, you would have had a pleasant time.

But then I wouldn’t have laughed as hard, so thank you for that.

I got the opportunity to read your book, which they don’t sell in California, and I had mixed feelings about it, but overall, mission accomplished.

Oh, and you should be more careful around flexible dancers in red body-hugging outfits. Their viscious.

i am an American and have spent alot of time in the deep south. Rednecks is a totally acceptable term and yes almost all people from Alabama are rednecks. that was the funniest episode I have ever seen. Make sure you stop by Ohio next series for a visit!

The Deep South is not the only place where they have guns and open dislike for Top Gear. In Utah http://www.madogre.com says Clarksons hot air is going to warm his Hairy Buttocks. Be warned as he’s also a crack shot.On youtube he can be seen taking his ear defenders clean off with a whistling ricochet from his .50 cal rifle.

I can’t believe I just sat and read this giant wall of text…Waste of time. It doesnt matter if it was real or not, it was funny, its meant to be. If it was real it was very possible that they ran into some bad company…even though many are usually nice and will welcome u with open arms. Next time you come to the US, swing by Ohio. If you pull the stuff you did in Alabama we will give you a high five, and a good chance of a drink. Can’t wait to see more of you three back in the US.

-Dave

I’ve lived in the US my whole life and there are definitely people like that here. Even in Massachusetts, where I live, one of the most Democratic, blue states out there, I’ve met people who just down right HATE blacks and gays. I know some people who are genuine neo-nazis and believe that Aryans should reign supreme.

Having said that, I’m sure that there are people like that in every country. The idea that racism and bigotry only exists in America is just stupid and ignorant. We have a ton of people who are fighting for equal opportunities and gay rights.

So, coming from an American who has seen both sides of the argument; Calm down. We aren’t offended and we know they exist. Red-neck and hillbilly aren’t racial slurs, some people call themselves that. This isn’t the sixties and you aren’t The Black Panthers fighting for black rights. Until someone has been to every single city and town in the South, you can’t really say how great it is down there, now can you?

Quod Erat Demonstrandum.

Never been to America…but richard was spot-on about his Concerns in the Deliverance-Themed quote, I’m also shit-scared of meeting this same fate also!, which is why I’ve never been.
I like some aspects of the US, but the negatives outweigh the positives in my view
small amount of their people like to leave there mark on the World (and carbon footprnt) in a very large fashion before they pop thr clogs. so If they are gonna play ’silly-beggars’ Creating Groups and gangs,carrying weapons around,and Mpv and humvee-ing then its their perogative but they shouldn’t moan when they have roped other countries into it’s wars and have to shell-out Sweetener fuel.

I am a life long resident of the State of Wyoming. What really makes me laugh about this whole thing is Brits who where traveling through Wyoming in the 1870’s where writing the same thing about the people they met back then. Of course in the 1870’s large portions of Wyoming was owned by various UK based land and cattle companies that is until 1888 when the bottom dropped out of cattle prices. To illustrate what I am talking about there was an incident near Rock River, Wyoming in the fall of 1888 where “Calamity” Jane ( aka Martha Jane Canary-Burke) was guiding a hunting party of Englishmen. One of them was being a complete jerk. Calamity Jane took off his hat threw it up in the air and proceeded to shoot it all full of holes. Her dry comment when she handed the hat back to this fine example of English manhood was people who acted like he was and happen to be wearing fancy hats tend to have such things happen to them in this country. I suspect what happened in this story is either a fabrication or the result of a person acting like the Englishman above.

Oh did I mention I have a Ford pickup truck, and yes I own several Rifles, shotguns and revolvers.

The American South is one of the most entertaining places in the world, so of course, it makes for good TV. On one hand, it is full of tradition, style, penache and the best manners and hospitality I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Then, you have the rednecks who I think I have the most fun of any lot in existence. They really keep life simple and don’t really care what others think of them. With that kind of freedom, anything can happen – good and bad. All comes down to persepctive. I know many so called rednecks who would fight for their minority friends – even against other rednecks. Sterotypes are getting muddy these days…which, I welcome.

I have to say, that living here in the US and having lived in Alabama for a few years. I 100% believe that clip. Yea they can be some really nice people, but you talk bad about Nascar your asking for a beating. Whether or not people believe me, that’s how it is.

i watched and read and being a redneck my self, i believe it because we do that kind of thing

Who cares if it was real or staged it was quite simply the most entertaining show ever.
I was PMSL when watchin it.
I love TG and don’t know how i’d live without the boyish antics of the guys!
Can I have a free Aston Martin DBS for a valid comment pls???
LOL

No, it’s true. I have lived in the Great State of Alabama for 14 years. South AL really is like that. I once saw a Confederate flag flying over a public library down there. I have had a gun pulled on me for using esoteric vocabulary. They are out there, they are real, and they are damn scary. ***As a disclaimer I reside in a Highly Educated city in the North of AL known as Huntsville, and can comment objectively.

As a Canadian, I have gone through part of “The South” in Georgia and Florida. I have some relatives who live there, and we are visible minorities.

I haven’t been there in over 13 years, but back then, I have encountered very friendly people around Georgia and Florida, and were very hospitable and helpful many times over. I have also encountered the type of people that has been mentioned, such as the “stereotypes” because SOME of those people under those stereotypes actually exist. I won’t go into full details, but let’s just say we managed to get out of the situation alive.

Now I love Top Gear, and the guys hosting it! It’s a great show and I always look forward to it whenever it airs, but when some of you people cry foul about the guys, the producers and Top Gear in general being “racist” and such, think about what you just said, because you would be just as bad as the people you have claimed to be in your stereotypes… and that was some of the examples. Yes, I’m referring to the both sides of the arguments.

Was it faked? Was it staged? I don’t think so, because I know from experience that these sorts of people can exist, and they will always believe on things that some of us won’t understand, and vice versa.

I haven’t been to Great Britain (at least not yet anyways), and I’m sure the people there are nice, and I’m also sure there might be some not-so-friendly people there. The fact remains, there will be people who are closed minded xenophobes and self centred about themselves, only thinking what they think is “right” for themselves, and this does not only apply to the deep South of America, but to the rest of the world as well.

I don’t want to go political, but I feel that these groups of people IN GENERAL are the reason why there are wars in this world, because they shoot at other people and things they don’t understand.

Now, I do believe there are highly intelligent people in Alabama. I know that Huntsville, Alabama has NASA’s Marshall Spaceflight Center, and I know that not everyone there drive pickup trucks, but drive cars like BMWs, Porsches, Mercedes, Cadillacs, etc. If I wanted to, I would visit Alabama, with the positive aspects of the state through tourist attractions, etc. The people portrayed in Top Gear, from what I believe, are definitely NOT representive of the people of Alabama or the southern states. I’m not calling those people idiots or anything, because that would be bad taste, but what I think was a bit of bad taste was the producers letting the show go through these areas. At the same time however, there was a reason for it, and it’s because it’s a TV show, for entertainment! Of course, TG’s intention as “factual” rather than “entertainment” was later disputed in one of their later episodes because they came to America again, but the US government questioned them, mainly because they weren’t being “factual” from their last visit. It’s totally understandable, and that’s another debate to talk about.

Now, I’m sorry for those who feel offended about how TG represented America when they went there, and that’s fine. After all, it’s freedom of speech, right? That’s what America is all about, right? Hammond may have sounded negative from his experience because he nearly got stoned to death, but that’s okay, because he has every right to feel that way. It’s also unfortunate that these people are who they are. There’s no way you can change the ways of these people. Sure, someone can try, but not before you have bullet holes in you, and be pushing daisies the next day.

Poor Hammy!!

I think that this was just a hilarious stereotype played out and honestly I dont care if it was fixed or not. It was just funny. Like most of what these guys produce…except when they say anything mean about the corvette. That just hurts my feelings.

can do a report on the BMW GINA. thanks. keep on trance.!!!

I am an Aussie who likes to travel alot so ive been to the USA. My experience there wasnt a pleasant one.
I was with a friend in a small town in Alabama, we went into a fast food store to get some food.
Two guys were in there already so we had to wait awhile, so we sat down in the store to talk. I commented on how Obama was doing a much better job then Bush ever did and all hell broke loose.

One of the guys drew out a knife and headed towards us, so naturally we ran as fast as we could. I remember a guy in the street stopped us from running and asked the guy what we did.
The guy who wanted to attack us said something then I remember a sharp pain in my leg and i blacked out.
I woke up maybe an hour later in a hospital with 2 broken ribbs and a stab wound to my leg.
My friend only had a cut on his arm.
After that I never went back to america again.

I live in Galveston, Texas USA (not technically apart of America but an island off the coast) and i CANNOT believe i read this whole thing. Want to buy the book, great show guys!

You guys absolutely picked the wrong part of our country to go to. I live in Wisconsin. We may be considered a nothing state to the rest of the country but some of the nicest live here. Also you obviously never rented a car from my mom.

First I just want to say I love Top Gear and I think the show is hilarious, and educational at the same time! But being a girl who was born, raised, and loves the South… I am going to step in.

I truly hope that we haven’t scared off our 3 favorite guys! I think they were just really in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don’t think it was what they wrote on their car at all, I mean, there ARE many many Southerners that hate Nascar and Country music. I think they retaliated back so angrily because of the principle. That being said… They should have just laughed it off and let the guys explain that it was for a TV show… Just for fun.

I work with the public, and I have many friends and people I meet from southern Alabama, Mississippi, New Orleans and they are so sweet! And some are Liberal, some are thin, some are even vegetarian! Southerners will give you the shirt off their back if you are nice to them (unfortunately, NOT for that woman in New Orleans that was terrible. Please don’t think America is usually like this.), and they will fight back with brute force if you are not… BUT I assure you, it is NOT like Deliverance down here! I actually live very close to where Deliverance was filmed and it is NOT like that at all!

I hope that someday when the 3 guys really ARE on vacation (or… Holiday) they will come back to the Southern US, no cameras, and enjoy the hospitality, rolling hills, history, unique towns, and the best part… the GREAT food. I just want everyone (including Mr. Clarkson, Mr. Hay, and Mr. Hammond) that the South is full of kind, good-humored, hard working people who they unfortunately, didn’t get a chance to meet.

Love from the Southern US!

-KayKay

Well a wee hint what to do next time you are there dont write slogans that offence them. Cant wait to get my copy

I meant to say offend at my comment

Having lived in the southern states for 23 years I have to admit you do find people like that. You just need to know how to handle them. If you go looking for trouble you will find it and thats true for any place you go. If it was real or not I dont know or care, just remember that they went looking for trouble and they found it. But dont put everyone in the southern states into that catagory.

Hey, I just saw your (i.e. Richard’s) Top Gear Uncovered special. AND MY GOD IT IS AWESOME.

I have can now finally pin point and say what Top Gear is all about.

It isn’t a information show of cars, nor is it just entertainment, not even infotainment.

TOP GEAR IS AN ART! You need to have nerves of steel, and lot of courage to make such a show, and make it work.

Deep down, I can tell for certain that every other car show envies Top Gear, no matter what they say.

This is art with cars in it. And BBC, I LOVE YOU for keeping this show alive.

This is the best TV show (concept, material presented and sheer awesomeness) I have, and probably will ever see!!!!!!

Period.

I am looking forward to reading the book. Is it available in the US? But I do have to say you missed the best state: Texas. Now why wouldn’t a car show come visit a state which takes at least 8 hours to drive across? You gotta stop in Austin on your way.

I apologize for your bad trip down here. You have to understand that the people who live in Alabama are not rednecks. They are more of a in breed. Hell they cant help it. Should have came to Texas. We will leave u with a smile and welcome you back at the same time.

sorry, i feel bad, but they went to the wrong place. Country can be nasty when it wants to be.

Oh Richard, dont stereo-type those from the South…I’m from Arkansas, no jokes, and yes there are those who do look like what you described, but most are well groomed, teeth and hair brushed, no 10-gallon hats, nice jeans(no holes), t-shirt WITH shoes(gee imagine that we DO wear shoes). You just happened to be in over your head, with the accent…Ya’ll need to make a visit to Arkansas; come for some good home cookin’, make a visit to ORV(Off Road Vehice) park and just have fun in the States. Later! oh and Yee-haw! haha!

As another writer mentioned, I can’t believe I read the whole thing. The basic conclusions that I have drawn from all this scribbling are that a) many of you have far too much free time on your hands, b) a lot of people need their meds adjusted, and c) there is still a lot of xenophobia out there.

A lot of you are acting as though you have never see the show before and are unaware of how it is structured. Jeremy going off on Americans is a standard feature of many programs, from our being too fat, too uncultured/unsophisticate d to understand Top Gear to our terrible cars. He also is prone to doing the same thing to English shibboleths, like Wayne Rooney, football in general, and the rich in general driving Land Rovers. It is a television programs designed to entertain, and you can visualize the presenters and the producer sitting down and asking themselves just what they could do to ruffle the feathers of good ol’ boy southerners. As a typical American boy from a typical American town (and if you remember the song you are old enough not to rise to the bait that was dangled in your face), a MAWG (middle age white guy and have been for what seems a looong time) and even I realize that Top Gear is to entertain and not enlighten, or at least shine a pretty dim light on things. You could get a punch in the nose in a lot of places with Richard’s truck, even up north in sunny Chicago, home of more ethnic minorities than you have ever heard of. Because some of us act like Deliverance is true, but it isn’t the whole truth. Jeremy isn’t, probably, as big a blowhard as he maintains, nor is Richard a complete innocent, nor is James quite as fussy and precise as he appears. It’s like street theater. Enjoy it, and stop acting as though they had spent a large portion of their show abusing squirrels or something.

Did anyone notice how easily the paint was removed from all of the vehicles? Staged? Who knows?

I’m from TN in the states, but I agree that this was very real. I’m almost positive all of you who wrote are white. Last I checked, most white Americans feel better around most other white Americans. In other words, if you were white in Alabama, you were, for the most part, accepted… unless you showed up with something like that on your truck.

Seriously, this is a rough topic in society. I don’t doubt this for a second.

Couldn’t help but notice most of the people claiming this was staged are using words like ‘git’ and ‘wee’. Perhaps America looks a little bit different from across the pond, but living here I can definitely vouch for the existence of Americans like that. As soon as I saw “Man love rules okay” and “NASCAR sucks”, I knew what was coming. The presenters were just lucky BillyBob and his boys weren’t drinking beforehand or it could have been very violent.

Belive me this was real…the south can be a frightning place…even parts of Wisconsin where I am from, you will run into situations of the like…

Being chased by angry rednecks is a common passtime in the south. If you’re 21 and it hasn’t happened to you, you’re not trying hard enough.

Its much like a right of passage for southern males. All cultures have them. The brits get roaring drunk in otherwise peaceful, tropical places. The french learn to cut back on the bathing and to sniff cheese. Germans learn industrial strenght techno and the Dutch…well, nobody really knows.
Actually the slogans were pretty weak.

I’d suggest the following for hick-baiting:
-Stonewall Jackson should’ve run.
-Bear Bryant was a mediocre football coach! (Northern Alabama only. In Georgia or around Auburn, people will only politely agree, and where’s the fun in that?)
-Charley Pride beats David Allen Coe.
-Neil Young was right!
-A teenaged yankee driving a Toyota will win the Winston Cup. Go Joey Logano!
-Earnhardt should’ve buckled up.

These should have you peeling out of any gas station, truck stop or red light anywhere below the mason-dixon line. Its a gut-tightening, adrenaline-pumping authentic american experience. Just remember that calling the police is useless, they’re probably related. Enjoy, because you might only get to do it once.

ive been too abunch of states and these are the top five redneck states 1mississippi 2texas 3louisiana 4tennessee 5oklahoma belive me i know i travel states and study cultures im from north carolina and i thought it was redneck here but im in texas right now texas is so country hick redneck im in a town called gilmer texas its the redneck capitol of the world dont come to rural texas because if you aint from here you arent wanted here

hey aston man im from wisconsin as well i thought the representation of the southerners was also VERY trueand same with wisconsin though except no one is going to hurt you about the whole nascar thing aaannnnd were alot nicer ey