Back in 2002 when we were planning New TopGear, we used to reflect on the newly minted idea of a star in a Reasonably Priced Car and cackle quietly to ourselves.
‘Tom Cruise!’ we would smirk. ‘Tom Cruise in a crappy Korean hatchback!’
That was the gag: massive A-list celebrities finding themselves shoehorned into the kind of car they’d normally never be seen dead in. The whole thing was deliberately preposterous.
And so, frankly, was our dream of getting the world’s biggest movie actor into an affordable mid-range car.
Except that this week, after just 15 series, somehow it has come to pass. This week’s star in the Reasonably Priced Car genuinely is Tom Cruise.
As if that wasn’t ludicrous enough, he’s brought a colleague with him. Her name is Cameron Diaz.
It’s fair to say, we’ve have never, ever had two bigger guests and for the past week the air in the office has been alive with a sort of sweaty-palmed excitement.
The rest of Sunday’s programme isn’t exactly shabby, either. Richard is in one of those exciting extreme sports races we haven’t done for a while. James has a world exclusive crack at maxing the brand new, 1,200bhp Bugatti Veyron Supersports. Jeremy reflects on the life of Ayrton Senna in a beautiful and moving piece of film making that should momentarily appease those who think TG isn’t serious enough these days.
Yet strangely, all these genuinely excellent items are slightly dwarfed by the appearance of two Hollywood A-listers in our funny little Kia.
Eight years after we first giggled at the idea of a star in a Reasonably Priced Car, this feels like we’ve finally achieved a small but important ambition.
EDIT: We’ve just put up lots of pictures here from filming, for anyone who still thinks this is a Jolie-esque hoax. We’ll put all the rest of the pics from the show up on Monday, including some excellent Bugatti Veyron Supersport stuff…
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Tom Carholic commented on this article
Wednesday August 18, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Guys I need an expert opinion on an Aston Martin modified by EDO Competition. Here is the link for the article.Check it and tell me what you think (my friend here thinks it sucks, please prove him wrong!):
http://dreamcarszone.blog spot.com/p/edo-competitio n-aston-martin-dbs-2010.h tml
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LoveHammond commented on this article
Monday August 23, 2010 at 9:30 am
I’ve had a picture with Tom Crusie and I love him!
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hey tom commented on this article
Wednesday March 9, 2011 at 1:01 am
fair crack lad and you know what, showing your love for a women is cool even if the usa thinks its odd.For my final point i dont realy like your movies there a bit cheesy but i have a 132 IQ and what i think means nothing i suppose.Your a nice lad so all nice people are stars in my book. well done on TOP GEAR but do a movie that shows the true you, people would like that better good luck and live happy.
btw the answer to the question is 42
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one for the lads commented on this article
Wednesday March 9, 2011 at 1:21 am
my friend rang up the other day complaining about life and how you had it made.I said if you watch them other than RH there real men and do what makes them happy you cant wait on a women but also need there support.I think not only do you potray how a man should just arse about and have fun + get paid but stop the metroman birthing children.I shudder to think of a newage man presenting a car show oo wait fith gear tiff is a nice guy but metrosexual is a bad word.RH makes me laugh and had a nasty bump so in the pub would be given space. james reminds me of my best friend who has worked in germany for 20 years at bmw YES they need english men when all said and done.Now make a car show in italy with 3 english cars and do the italian job, spend your budget and do us all a brilliant show.BTW james saying oo no its the rozzers was the worst acting ever god bless.
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