Maybe it has something to do with keeping the BBC lawyers happy? Maybe the touring aspect is a nod to the fact that its availability on Amazon Prime is not restricted to one relatively small country?

I suspect there's quite a few things they have to be careful about and it will take some time to fill those gaps.

Why have the tent in Whitby for the Italian film, in South Africa for Jordan and in Los Angeles for the Portugal film? It defeats the purpose of the tour to me.

Maybe it's taking the people in the tent on a grand tour?

But the purpose of the tent is like the Top Gear studio, for the audience. Having it portable is just to make it a bit different to TG.

Top Gear was shown in more countries than even Amazon will make it available later this month.

I thought it was a hotel near Hawes? The Simonstone Hall Hotel. I really went off JC after reading those news reports. Always thought he was a bully and this confirmed it.

We've enjoyed the series so far. It feels good with the trio back together. I think they need to stop the celebrity section though it might get a little tired by the end of the series.

Last Friday's was an improvement on the previous one, but that wouldn't have been difficult.
I find the filmed segments too long and rather too glossy. I much prefer the ones where they basically just blunder about being foolish rather than driving very expensive supercars in far-off countries, I really do get bored with that.
There's room for improvment.

Agree with this re. the third episode. It was better that the second episode, which should not have been a hard task to overcome, but left me a little bored with Hammond being annoying gag running too long despite some lovely scenes during the segment.
That said though it's the first time I have actually LOL at something said (I think it was during Conversation Street about the two Oxford roundabouts) and first time I noticed the title sequence for CS with Clarkson wearing heels!!


Also agree with this too - esp. the last sentence.

Me too. I thought it was my eyes playing tricks until I rewound.

TG was made primarily for the UK audience, and (unless I am mistaken) was not made available/broadcast at the same time as the UK Sunday 8pm broadcast.

Really enjoying the GT, it just gets better every episode and way surpasses any episode of TG even before 'The Chris Evans show' version.

I am loving the programme but totally agree with a previous comment that they need to get back to basics with the cars. Are the days of challenges like putting old cars under a £1000 to the test gone.

Too much money has been spent on the programme but thankfully the three best friends shine through.

This.

Considering that this is probably the first show of its type- a 'studio audience' show that's not strictly confined to a specific nation, the tent is an elegant way around making it possible for people in different countries to be in the audience- it's not like the studio part of the show is particularly elaborate, especially now it's decoupled from the track.

(On that note, I've always wondered why panel games like HIGNFY which have two series a year don't film one series up north for the same reason- can't be that hard to undo that long desk and stick it in the back of a van, right?)

Given that the sets are dismantled between filming sessions in any case it should be quite easy. The logistics of moving everything around are less so, which TGT are finding even with their tent.

Given the difficulties I don't know if the tent will stay forever - probably for the 3 year run but then they may try something different if they get renewed.

TGT have two tents, they 'leapfrog' each other so each one does every other show.

The point I answered was not the time shown but that it was shown in more countries.

Amazon haven't even confirmed how The Grand Tour will be made available through 200 countries nevertheless the streaming option means that wherever anyone lives people will choose when to watch just in the same way that people will chose to watch Top Gear through traditional broadcasting services.

With regard to Top Gear bing made primarily for a UK audience, it was made to attract an international audience that is why so much was spent filming in other countries. The appeal of Top Gear or indeed The Grand Tour is the format of the show not a domestic audience. If Top Gear had only concentrated on a UK audience and filming here and being UK centric, I doubt whether it would have appealed to so many worlwide.

They said they'd only planned another 2 or 3 years of TG so I expect them to retire after the 3 year contract, Clarkson will be pushing 60 by then and he's not aged well.

Don't think anyone watches this for his looks

Orangutans might.

Can't agree with that! It has been getting better but it is nowhere near the classic Top Gear days yet IMO.

I've just started an Amazon Prime 30 day free trial & have just watched the first three episodes.

The chemistry between the 3 is still there & the format feels familiar but with the obvious tweaks to avoid issues with the BBC.

I'm looking forward to watching the remaining episodes before my trial ends.

I won't be spending £79 to continue, even though I like the series.

I shall wait because I am sure I'll be able to get to see them without paying for Prime subscription.

It's just far too scripted now and lacks the casual interactions of Top Gear. Hammond is now in full on 'hamming it up' mode and is essentially a caricature of himself. It's embarrassing at times.

One thing I agree with Richard Hammond about is his dislike of the Nissan Juke.

I think it is one of the most grotesquely ugly cars ever made, yet it's on every single street corner.

How do Nissan manage to sell so many?

All Nissans are ugly. Horrible cars.