Top Gear

Expecting politics, were you?

Sorry, not today. Simply politicked out.

Instead I'd like to observe and comment on a show hosted on BBC America (BBC = British Broadcasting Corporation, otherwise known as "Auntie Beebe"), entitled Top Gear -- a show about all makes and models of cars -- a subject near and dear to my heart, as I currently subscribe to Car & Driver, Motor Trend and Road & Track -- as well as a few other professional periodicals.

I admittedly do not know much of the history of Top Gear. But I do know that the show now consists of three hosts led by the towering Jeremy Clarkson, the long-haired James "Capt. Slow" May, and the Dudley Moore-ish Richard ("Hamster") Hammond .

This one-hour show just tickles me throughout. Though, with great admiration and truthfulness, I admit I am a sucker for dry, deadpan British Humour. Monty Python is the pinnacle of chuckles for me - absent any good original Laurel & Hardy or Three Stooges episodes. Call me wacky.

But now don't call me late for Top Gear.

This is an excellently-produced (and apparently well-funded) UK series that features -- at least for us U.S. viewers -- vehicles in obscurum that we will never see or drive but that tantalize and draw us into the show itself. Cars manufactured by Jaguar, Aston-Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and the like.

This is a show that I enjoy simply for its "foreign-ness". Cars featured are predominantly ones I can't buy due to the U.S. EPA or because they cannot be imported, driven pretty much by "common guys" (with accents) who make mistakes and hold to commonly-dry UK miens.

And I am considerably hooked to this show.

Certainly, the three hosts make the best of the cars they are proffered to drive. Not professionals, they however leave room for the Star In A Reasonably-Priced Car as well as their on-show APD (Anonymous Professional Driver) in his white racing suit and helmet, simply known as The Stig.

On my DirecTV, BBC America's Top Gear is on channel 264.

Top Gear is, quite frankly, great fun.

I am now a consistent Top Gear addict -- and not necessarily just for the cars, but for the production values inherent in the various segments featured. This isn't a cheap show -- but it is a tremendously-entertaining show.

BZ