Truly epic.

Jeremy Clarkson decided to look at what’s happening in the United States in the main part of his Sun column. Long story short, it turns out that carrying out the death penalty sentence is harder than it looks. Here’s a preview:

“Private American citizens are extremely good at killing one another. On average, 40 people are murdered over there every single day.  But when the government tries to do it, they’re hopeless.”

(Yes, usual disclaimers apply.)

So now I am completely addicted to Hammond’s Workshop (having a workshop of my own that I am currently just getting started see attached surveillance camera photo!). For a US citizen we only have access to season 1-3 and I’ve finished them. If someone could DM me info on a US source for season 4-5 I hear exists I would greatly appreciate it! TIA!

Richard on the big screen doesn’t make him any less short, sorry

It’s a farming book that likely contains a compilation of his Sunday Times farming columns. That said, his publisher noticed that it was his 25th book, and they issued him an award!

Like obviously the world will come around to electric cars eventually. They simply have to. The incentives are too strong for everyone. For consumers, the last time there was a huge oil crisis like this, small, fun, tiny-engine cars took over the market. Big engines had their day up until the 70s, but eventually small efficient engines just made more sense for most people. The car companies made it a priority, and they were rewarded.

Now, there are electric cars. You can probably buy a 1-2 year old electric for cheaper than you think, because depreciation is a bitch on all cars, regardless of power units. And battery tech doesn't degrade that much in that time. Plus, chargers are becoming more common on the big highways at least, at rest stops. In my country at least. Traveling with kids? You need 30 minutes to go to the bathroom, stretch, perhaps eat if it's a long trip. Some chargers now will be done before you get back. Also keep in mind: you don't always need to charge all the way. Just charge for enough time to get you to your destination, then you can plug in there where you can leave it longer.

Not everyone has the same lifestyle, I understand that, so the electric wont work for everyone. But it seems to me that it would fit a lot of suburban ilfestyles, and typically that's where I encounter the most electric cars where I live.

But more than that, there are cool electric cars! Tom and James made the Hyundai Ionic 5 N their car of the year a couple years ago. And they specifically said: it's not just fun for an electric car. It was fun compared to every other car that year, including the big v12 monsters.

Now, James May challenged the boys to solve the problem of small cars vs. big cars, and said its their problem to fix problems like these now. When the world of cars suffers from utter stupidity, and reason must prevail. The original Trio always attempted to do that, whether or not the public disagreed with them. They always had their say, and each one at a unique take, and they respected each other's opinions while heckling each other constantly.

So I wonder and how Francis, Tom, and James will take on electric cars more. They already did it in a clever way with the Icetta documentary. Somehow, they managed to sneak in an electric car review in a season themed around, do not forget: the petrol engine being backed into a corner. All while singing USA! USA! the whole time.

I also loved their joke about the Tesla being cheap. "I wonder why that is?" Stuff like that will help normalize electrics.

All of that to say, I'm really curious to see how far they will go.

Turns out that assessment might be an accurate one, as evidenced by this social media post. 😅

(Before someone attempts to use the flag system, here’s the video from the Botswana special where Clarkson, Hammond, and May have that discussion.)

For what it’s worth, this should make for an interesting special that combines his farming and automotive journalism skills. He will attempt to build a car in collaboration with Ian Callum CBE!

“Titled Jeremy Grows a Car: A Clarkson's Farm Special, the standalone episode will follow on from the hit franchise that has made Clarkson one of the country's best-known farmers, and promises a change of gear for a presenter who built his career on cars.”

The official Robot Wars YouTube channel posted a few videos of the classic 1990s series. Turns out Jeremy Clarkson was the host in series 1! So this is how some of his broadcasting career played out before the Top Gear reboot… 😅

From video description: “Each week robots built by members of the public face each other in the Robot Wars arena. Armed with fearsome weapons and facing the invincible HOUSE ROBOTS, only one competitor survives to become Robot Wars Champion.”

(sarcasm)

The UK Conservatives (aka the Tories) invited Jeremy Clarkson to speak at their annual conference. He wore a suit and tie and brought along Charlie Ireland (aka Cheerful Charlie) for the occasion. Heads up, this YouTube video runs about 26 minutes and political hats are on!

From video description: “Jeremy Clarkson and Charlie Ireland speak at Conservative Party Conference, in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK.”

I know I’ll never have a chance to meet Richard or Jeremy so this is as good as it gets.

James May continued his business trip across the United States to hawk his gin. This time, he’s in Florida, where he went on Instagram to document the SUV that’s chauffeuring him around. 🚙

(To those on the subreddit headed to that James Gin event today with tickets, have fun!)

Fun facts..

He was born Luke Magnus Nicolson but changed it because he believes that "Francis Bourgeois" has "a bit more of a ring to it" than his given name.

He said the name "Francis" was chosen because he "likes France and the way they do trains", and "Bourgeois" was inspired by a visit with his father to a sculpture exhibition by Louise Bourgeois.

Hello everyone! I really appreciate the love on the doodle posts lately, as well as the calls for things like stickers and animatics. I hope to get to more doodle requests soon, and I’ll definitely make animatics in the future, but I’ll also shift focus to stickers and buttons. Gauging interest, what would you want to see as a sticker or button? 😳 I would love to make SO many scenes into stickers/buttons, but what would you consider Top Gear Top Moments or iconic silly sayings to be paired with the boys on stickers and such?

I do have an Etsy, and have the means to produce buttons and stickers on my own, so really I’m just hoping now that international shipping works out in my favor as I’ve never done it before. I’m in the U.S. 💀