History Trivia / TopGearUK

* AudienceAlienatingEra: Season 23 in 2016, no doubt. From the atrocious changes to segments that weren't broken (like for example the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" becoming rally-cross themed and having a much longer interview - a.k.a. the part that always was seen as the weakest of the show), over badly timed humor to an abrasive and very much unlikeable Chris Evans not being suited for the role of main host, the series failed spectacularly, bringing barely a third of the viewers the Clarkson era had by its' end.

* DoingItForTheArt: For all the flack the show gets about being bawdy and offensive, deep down you know that the trio really love cars (especially Clarkson; see the last scene of Series 13) and it's really just sixty minutes of gushing about them with gorgeous imagery.

* BackedByThePentagon: Well, Ministry Of Defence. ''Top Gear'' frequently has appearances from members of the British Army, Royal Marines or Royal Air Force, taking part in all sorts of hijinks under the guise of car tests. This includes a tank/an attack helicopter/snipers from the Irish Guards hunting down Jeremy Clarkson as he drives a car or SUV, and Clarkson reviewing the new Ford Fiesta in part by using it in a Royal Marine beach assault and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5rRY2ICT4k playing a motorised version of British Bulldog with various armoured vehicles and a Mitsubishi]], Richard Hammond racing a British Army parachutist or RAF pilot flying a Eurofighter Typhoon (Hammond's first shot at driving the Bugatti Veyron), and a BAE Sea Harrier doing a Power Lap. This trope continues in SpiritualSuccessor ''Series/TheGrandTour'', which continues ''Top Gear'''s tendency to feature plenty of military hardware.\\
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In 2009, the [=MoD=] revealed that since 2004, the Armed Forces were involved in filming for the equivalent of 141 days and civilian officials spent 48 days working on items for the programme. Although there was a bit of snarkery over this, the [=MoD=] insists that it was an excellent way to boost support for the Army. Clarkson notably supports the troops, and he is a patron of [[http://helpforheroes.co.uk Help For Heroes]].

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: James May was originally planning to present the Vampire rocket-car segment but had to back out due to a schedule conflict. Particularly frightening because Hammond said he only survived the car sliding ''upside down at 280 mph'' because when the roll cage dug in, his short stature reduced the forces on his head and neck. Hammond is 5'7". May is 6'. On the other hand, if May had been presenting that segment, he probably wouldn't have taken the car for an additional last-minute run.

* DorkAge: Season 23 in 2016, no doubt. From the atrocious changes to segments that weren't broken (like for example the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" becoming rally-cross themed and having a much longer interview - a.k.a. the part that always was seen as the weakest of the show), over badly timed humor to an abrasive and very much unlikeable Chris Evans not being suited for the role of main host, the series failed spectacularly, bringing barely a third of the viewers the Clarkson era had by its' end.

* McLeaned: The original Stig, as a result of the driver revealing his identity. Black Stig was launched off of an aircraft carrier and never seen again.

* WriterRevolt: After his "fracas" with Oisin Tymon, Clarkson returned to work fully believing that everyone could simply forget about the incident and move on. The entire staff, however, apparently refused to let bygones be bygones and demanded that Clarkson report himself to the BBC for review.