Format
''Top Gear'' functioned under a magazine format focusing on key topics that could be covered within each episode's 30-minute timeslot. Presenters focused on various motoring-related subjects, the most common being road tests of new cars, consumer advice, road safety, and motorsport. Other subjects covered varied over its 24-year history, but included elements such as road safety and interviews with figures related to transportation and cars. Alongside standard episodes, the programme included a number of specials focused on cars or journeys.History
Origins
The original programme and its title were conceived by producer Derek Smith, who proposed the concept to BBC Midlands as a monthly television series with a magazine format aimed at looking at various subjects such as new cars, road safety and other topics, and involving presenters supported by reporters. The format had already been proven by1980s–1990s
By 1980, the growing popularity of the programme led to the BBC making ''Top Gear'' a staple part of its schedules forDemise and aftermath
By 1999, after the departure of Clarkson, the peak audience figures of ''Top Gear'', while still favourable, began to decline, affected further by additional members of the presenting team leaving the programme - a notable departure was of Brendan Coogan, who was forced to resign after being convicted of drunk-driving in July. Presenting duties were mainly handled by Willson andSpin-offs
''Top Gear'' was a title sponsor of the 1987 and 1988Presenter line-up
Theme music
The show's opening theme music from the very first programme in 1977 was theMerchandising
In September 1993, the BBC launched a magazine entitled ''CD releases
* (1994) ''Top Gear'' – 36 track rock compilation on 2 discs (Epic Records). * (1995) ''Top Gear 2'' – 36 track rock compilation on 2 discs (Columbia Records). * (1995) ''Top Gear Classics: Turbo Classics'' – compilation of 17 classical tracks on a single disc (PolyGram TV). * (1995) ''Top Gear Classics: Baroque Busters'' – compilation of 18 classical baroque tracks on a single disc (Deutsche Grammophon). * (1995) ''Top Gear Classics: Open Top Opera'' – compilation of 18 tracks from classic operas on a single disc (Deutsche Grammophon). * (1995) ''Top Gear Classics: Motoring Moods'' – compilation of 12 classical tracks on a single disc (Deutsche Grammophon/PolyGram TV). * (1996) ''Top Gear 3: Rock Ballads'' – 38 tracks of rock and pop on 2 discs (Columbia Records). * (1996) ''Top Gear: On the Road Again'' – 36 track pop compilation on 2 discs (EMI TV). * (1998) ''Top Gear Anthems'' – 38 tracks of rock and electronic music on 2 discs (Virgin Records).VHS releases
* (1994) ''Top Gear: Super Cars'' – Presented by Jeremy Clarkson and Tiff Needell (63 min). * (1994) ''Top Gear: Classic Cars'' – Presented by Quentin Willson (65 min). * (1997) ''Top Gear: Fast & Furious'' – Presented by Jeremy Clarkson and Tiff Needell (77 min). * (1998) ''Classic Cars: Aston Martin'' – Presented by Jeremy Clarkson (45 min). * (1998) ''Classic Cars: Porsche'' – Presented by Tiff Needell (45 min). * (1998) ''Classic Cars: Ferrari'' – Presented by Chris Goffey (45 min). * (1998) ''Classic Cars: Jaguar'' – Presented by Quentin Willson (45 min). * (1999) ''Top Gear: 21 Years of Top Gear'' – (preproduction/promotional release of TV special) Presented by Kate Humble (29 min). * (2000) ''Top Gear: Fast and Furious 2'' – Presented by Tiff Needell (with foreword by Clarkson, Willson and Butler-Henderson) (72 min).Relaunch
After the first series of ''Fifth Gear'' was completed, the BBC decided to relaunch ''Top Gear'', but in a new studio based format as opposed to the magazine format used until the cancellation. The idea came from producer Andy Wilman andSee also
* ''References
External links
* {{Top Gear BBC Television shows 1977 British television series debuts 2001 British television series endings 1970s British television series 1980s British television series 1990s British television series English-language television shows Television series by BBC Studios Driving in the United Kingdom Top Gear 1977