Car-Builder John Hennessy on Working with Top Gear and The Grand Tour

Summary

In this episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the guest discusses their experiences with the Top Gear crew, including a visit to their track at Dunsfold and an encounter with Jeremy Clarkson. They delve into the show's move to Amazon with 'The Grand Tour' and Clarkson's new farming show. The conversation touches on the controversial Tesla review, where the show was accused of faking a car breakdown, leading to a lawsuit that the BBC won. The guest shares behind-the-scenes insights, including the show's production techniques and the risks taken for entertainment, such as a dangerous truck crash that sent Clarkson to the hospital.

Takeaways

• 🏎️ The conversation revolves around the popular car show 'Top Gear' and its transition to 'The Grand Tour' with the same hosts on Amazon Prime.
• 🎥 The guest shares personal experiences visiting the Top Gear track and meeting the show's hosts, including an anecdote about Aerosmith's Steven Tyler.
• 🚗 The discussion touches on the hosts' individual projects post-Top Gear, such as Jeremy Clarkson's farming show.
• 🤼‍♂️ There's a mention of a physical altercation between Jeremy Clarkson and a producer, which led to a show cancellation.
• 🎬 Behind-the-scenes insights are provided, including the role of producer Andy Willman and the show's editing process using live audience reactions.
• 📺 The script highlights the show's controversial treatment of Tesla, including a staged battery failure that led to a lawsuit.
• 🏁 The conversation includes a discussion about the show's stunts and the risks taken by the hosts, such as Clarkson's truck crash into a wall.
• 🌎 A recount of an incident in Argentina where the show's hosts had to flee due to local backlash, leaving the crew in a precarious situation.
• 🚔 The script also covers the lengths the show goes to for entertainment, including endangering the hosts and crew for dramatic effect.
• 🤝 Despite controversies and high-stress situations, the hosts are described as having a tight bond, with a special mention of their escape from Argentina.

Q & A

What is the name of the track used by Top Gear for testing?

The track used by Top Gear for testing is called Dunsfold, which is an old runway southwest of London.

Who are the hosts of the show 'The Grand Tour'?

The hosts of 'The Grand Tour' are Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May.

What is the name of the show that Jeremy Clarkson started about farming?

Jeremy Clarkson started a show about farming called 'Clarkson's Farm'.

Why did Tesla attempt to sue the BBC?

Tesla attempted to sue the BBC for libel in March 2011 because Top Gear allegedly portrayed the Tesla Roadster with false negative battery performance.

What was the outcome of Tesla's lawsuit against the BBC?

The courts ruled in favor of the BBC, stating that no viewer would reasonably compare the Roadster's performance on the show with its real-world performance.

What incident led to the cancellation of a Top Gear episode?

An incident where Jeremy Clarkson punched a producer led to the cancellation of a Top Gear episode.

Who is Andy Wilman and what is his role in relation to Top Gear and The Grand Tour?

Andy Wilman is a talented producer who worked with Top Gear when it was on BBC and continued as the producer for 'The Grand Tour'.

What dangerous stunt did Jeremy Clarkson perform involving a truck?

Jeremy Clarkson performed a stunt where he drove a truck into a brick wall at full speed, resulting in him going to the hospital with injuries.

What controversy did the Top Gear crew face in Argentina?

The Top Gear crew faced a controversy in Argentina where they were chased out of the country due to a segment that poked fun at the Argentines' loss in the Falklands War.

What was the consequence for the crew after the Argentina incident on Top Gear?

After the Argentina incident, the presenters bought the crew business or first-class tickets back to the UK as they feared for their safety.

What is the Velociraptor truck mentioned in the script?

The Velociraptor truck is a vehicle that was featured in an episode of Top Gear where it was used for a cross-country challenge in Canada.