Jose Santiago: BBC's Top Gear, the unconventional motor TV show

Although there are hundreds of motor programmes on TV, all of them seem to be the same. They are presented by a good-looking girl, who, I find it hard to believe, is there because of her speaking skills. Besides, most people cannot afford those expensive sports cars they show as if they were runabouts. Finally, a man’s voice-over tells us how incredibly majestic all the cars are.

Fortunately, exceptions do exist; yes, I am speaking about a TV-show called TOP GEAR. This programme is hosted by three men, Jeremy, James and Richard, who test cars and make funny interviews to VIPs. They do not intend to sell every single car as the best ever, and above all they do it humorously. They also test themselves any other kind of vehicle through very extravagant trials, which clearly demonstrate the programme’s ultimate intention, which is entertainment. However, like the rest of its competitors, TOP GEAR mainly tends to show expensive cars.

If your curiosity is now growing, I have attached a funny video of the show, so you will be able to notice why it is famous and successful worldwide. In Spain you can watch it daily from 8.15 to 10.15 a.m. on CUATRO (available in English, of course).

Thank you so much, Jose. Well, I can only say I utterly love the show, everything about it: from the opening music (a classic rock song, The Alman Bros' "Jessica") to Jeremy Clarkson's dry, often politically incorrect humour, and the wacky car tests, but above all, when the show puts celebrities in a "reasonably priced car". To give you an example, let's watch Spain's #1 public enemy as regards F1, indeed Lewis Hamilton, who visited Top Gear after his debut season in 2008. It's a good laugh to hear him say that our Fernando (his teammate then) "is a bloody good driver" before Jeremy jokingly boasts he once overtook him on an Oxford ring road!

But how about something a little more glamorous? This is Cameron & Tom (Diaz and Cruise, that is) in another reasonably-priced car. Who'll do the fastest lap?

C'mon folks, do as Jose and send your posts for our blog!