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And on that Bombshell: Inside the Madness and Genius of Top Gear
I was Top Gear's script editor for 13 years and all 22 series. I basically used to check spelling and think of stupid gags about The Stig. I also got to hang around with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. It didn't feel like something you should get paid for. From the disastrous pilot show of 2002 to the sudden and unexpected ending in 2015, working on Top Gear was quite a rollercoaster ride. We crossed continents, we made space ships, we bobbed across the world's busiest shipping lane in a pick-up truck. We also got chased by an angry mob, repeatedly sparked fury in newspapers, and almost killed one of our presenters. I realised that I had quite a few stories to tell from behind the scenes on the show. I remembered whose daft idea it was to get a dog. I recalled the willfully stupid way in which we decorated our horrible office. I had a sudden flashback to the time a Bolivian drug lord threatened to kill us. I decided I should write down some of these stories. So I have. I hope you like them. And now, a quote from James 'Richard Porter has asked me to "write a quote" for his new book about the ancient history of Top Gear. But this is a ridiculous request. How can one "write a quote"? Surely, by definition, a quote must be extracted from a greater body of writing, for the purpose of illustrating or supporting a point in an unrelated work. I cannot "write a quote" any more than I could "film an out-take".'Porter, like Athens, has lost his marbles.'
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
March 24, 2019
And on that Bombshell is a look back at the golden years of Top Gear from 2002 to the disastrous events of 2015 by the series script editor Richard Porter. As a big fan of the show I enjoyed the book immensely. As you might expect from a show writer, the book is just as witty and silly as the series was as it dives into the history of the show and how it became a global phenomenon. I loved hearing about the origin of the Stig and how the show managed to put stars in their reasonably priced car. It also answers the one question I always had about the series - yes the three presenters are basically the same in real life as you see them on tv. Overall it was a wonderful, nostalgic look back at Top Gear that made me want to go watch some reruns. This is definitely a must read for fans of the show.
I listened to the audio book narrated by Ben Elliot.
I listened to the audio book narrated by Ben Elliot.
March 30, 2016
ambitious and not rubbish!
July 12, 2025
An interesting and chill read about the workings and rise and fall of Top Gear (the good one). It was interesting also to see just how much thought went into making the silly VTs become silly and it wasn’t just a bunch of man children zooming around the place spontaneously blowing things up. There was a bit of repetition but this didn’t really matter, and I enjoyed reading immensely. It becomes apparent just how close the whole crew was together, whilst also not shying away from the mistakes and bad parts.
December 31, 2017
I inhaled this book. It is a fantastic combination of silly but witty jokes, amusing but insightful anecdotes, and genuine historical lore about Top Gear. Porter's clean style and clear voice make for a quick read that takes you into pretty much every aspect of the show you'd always wondered about.
Was it scripted? How the hell did The Stig coach celebrities without revealing his identity? What was it like to get famous? What was it like to get really famous? Is Jeremy really like that? Is James really like that?
(I don't think anyone wonders about Hammond—he's pretty clearly just a really nice guy.)
The great part about this book isn't just that it gives you these answers, it's that the answers are way better, funnier, and more revealing than you'd have expected.
Was it scripted? How the hell did The Stig coach celebrities without revealing his identity? What was it like to get famous? What was it like to get really famous? Is Jeremy really like that? Is James really like that?
(I don't think anyone wonders about Hammond—he's pretty clearly just a really nice guy.)
The great part about this book isn't just that it gives you these answers, it's that the answers are way better, funnier, and more revealing than you'd have expected.
August 21, 2025
A good read. The book is written with a Top Gear voice outlining the hard work that goes into a seemingly effortless television series. Laddish culture that was also very funny for us females. I miss the programme.
March 26, 2018
Couldn’t put this one down! A well written tale of Top Gear, and what goes on behind the scenes.
December 4, 2021
Five stars because I couldn't put this down, losing track of time whenever I picked it up. I've been a fan of the 2002 series of Top Gear since being shown one of their crazy pieces of racing motorhomes on a track in 2008. I still watch old pieces, now over ten years later. Reading about the qualifications, or rather, lack of them and experience that guided them to the insane orbit of Clarkson, Wilman and co was fascinating, as was reading about all of the bad parts as well as the good.
March 24, 2024
“I was wise enough never to grow up, while fooling people into believing I had”.
Más allá de ser un programa de televisión sobre coches, hay algo de Top Gear que transluce destellos de lo que es vivir: crecer sin madurar, tener por propósito vital hacer reír a tus amigos, y recorrer el mundo con ellos al volante de un Mustang.
May 22, 2025
Great read!
December 26, 2015
This would be my usual in depth style review but by the time Goodreads put it on here I'd read quite a few more books.
That said, I absolutely loved this book, for any fan of the show it's an essential read. It tells the reader how Top Gear used to be and how in its new format how it became the global phenomenon it was right up until the end. But it's also so much more, we get backstage stories, how The Stig came to be, the preparation that went into creating the challenges that became as much a staple of the show as car reviews as well as the pros and cons of working for the BBC.
There is so much more but words can't do it justice. I flew through this book in a matter of days and found it an utter joy. One of the best I've read this year.
That said, I absolutely loved this book, for any fan of the show it's an essential read. It tells the reader how Top Gear used to be and how in its new format how it became the global phenomenon it was right up until the end. But it's also so much more, we get backstage stories, how The Stig came to be, the preparation that went into creating the challenges that became as much a staple of the show as car reviews as well as the pros and cons of working for the BBC.
There is so much more but words can't do it justice. I flew through this book in a matter of days and found it an utter joy. One of the best I've read this year.
December 28, 2015
Great read. Very humerous at times. Last chapter dealing with Clarkson's stupidity could have been more detailed
March 1, 2016
No logic to how it is written. Like a bunch of small blurbs pasted together to make a book. Dissapointing
November 5, 2018
This is the story of Top Gear's triumphant run where it became the most-watched show worldwide and the most popular car show of all time, rewriting what many of the rules and style of television in the process. It is written by the script editor Richard Porter, who worked with the three main hosts to build each show.
At times Porter waxes so Top Gear-comedy-writer that its hard to read. Getting a zinger once in a while is funny, but non stop for several paragraphs in a row (or the entire intro and first chapter) gives no space for the funny to build or work, so its just too much at a time. At other times its so heartfelt (particularly the last two chapters) you almost feel embarrassed reading about the events.
That makes the book less of a breezy fun fest than one would expect given the writer and the topic, which is probably why I was able to pick the book up at the Dollar Tree for one whole buck.
Plus, he's kind of a jerk. What I mean is this: you know the parts of Top Gear where you go "why would anyone do that to their friend???" or the episode where they painted their cars outrageous and insulting provocative slurs and drove through the deep south to show how bigoted and awful Americans are? That's him all the way through. He thinks being an a-hole is funny, that you backstab to show affection, that being mean, degrading, and insulting is high comedy. And it shows in his writing.
Yes, he's self-deprecating, but never in a way that feels honest or compelling. He talks about how his blog on cars was never funny, but then describes all these high profile people telling him how hilarious it was.
On the other hand it is an interesting and entertaining overview of the Top Gear show from the 1970s until it suddenly and abruptly shut down in 2015 with the firing of Jeremy Clarkson. Clarkson is a very complex figure in this book: brilliant, likable, hard working, and energetic, but at the same time very difficult to be around. Porter states that while they are a somewhat exaggerated TV version of themselves, James May, Richard Hammond, and Jeremy Clarkson are really like that. And Clarkson would be difficult to be around in large doses.
Overall I recommend this book to Top Gear fans for tons of inside info and background to how the show came about and why it was the way it was, but be ready for it to be less hilarious than the show.
At times Porter waxes so Top Gear-comedy-writer that its hard to read. Getting a zinger once in a while is funny, but non stop for several paragraphs in a row (or the entire intro and first chapter) gives no space for the funny to build or work, so its just too much at a time. At other times its so heartfelt (particularly the last two chapters) you almost feel embarrassed reading about the events.
That makes the book less of a breezy fun fest than one would expect given the writer and the topic, which is probably why I was able to pick the book up at the Dollar Tree for one whole buck.
Plus, he's kind of a jerk. What I mean is this: you know the parts of Top Gear where you go "why would anyone do that to their friend???" or the episode where they painted their cars outrageous and insulting provocative slurs and drove through the deep south to show how bigoted and awful Americans are? That's him all the way through. He thinks being an a-hole is funny, that you backstab to show affection, that being mean, degrading, and insulting is high comedy. And it shows in his writing.
Yes, he's self-deprecating, but never in a way that feels honest or compelling. He talks about how his blog on cars was never funny, but then describes all these high profile people telling him how hilarious it was.
On the other hand it is an interesting and entertaining overview of the Top Gear show from the 1970s until it suddenly and abruptly shut down in 2015 with the firing of Jeremy Clarkson. Clarkson is a very complex figure in this book: brilliant, likable, hard working, and energetic, but at the same time very difficult to be around. Porter states that while they are a somewhat exaggerated TV version of themselves, James May, Richard Hammond, and Jeremy Clarkson are really like that. And Clarkson would be difficult to be around in large doses.
Overall I recommend this book to Top Gear fans for tons of inside info and background to how the show came about and why it was the way it was, but be ready for it to be less hilarious than the show.
July 15, 2017
I, like many, was a fan of Top Gear. So a book that promises to take you “inside the madness and genius” of the programme was naturally of interest, especially if it was funny too (and how could it not be?).
The author was there before Andy Wilman took over as producer and the ‘new’ Top Gear was born, so has some insight into the whole affair from start to end. The chapters that largely flow chronologically through the series, but with the occasional step out to cover a specific topic (like The Stig, for example).
All well and good, punchy and amusing if not belly-laugh funny. I certainly had a few chuckles. What it lacked was a great deal of depth. You get the feeling the author didn’t want to reveal too much for fear of accusations he ‘sold out’ the family, although this may equally have been due to rushing to get this out while the headlines were still fresh.
The finish is a little brusque, we go from ‘all things swimming along’ to ‘a bad year’, to ‘it’s over, there’s not much to say.’ He then adds ‘by the way, I got a job on their new show.’
It does reaffirm what fans of the show hoped — that the three presenters are basically the same in real life and that the whole thing was as much fun to produce as it was to watch (if much harder work). It’s like discussing all your fondest memories of the show with more dedicated fan who has a better memory.
You forget how long the show ran for (22 series over 13 years!) and that it stumbled a bit in the early days (James May didn’t join until the second series). It became such a staple and changed car shows so much that you don’t remember what a revolution it was.
A good, if wistful, look back at the childish antics that often wrought entertainment gold.
The author was there before Andy Wilman took over as producer and the ‘new’ Top Gear was born, so has some insight into the whole affair from start to end. The chapters that largely flow chronologically through the series, but with the occasional step out to cover a specific topic (like The Stig, for example).
All well and good, punchy and amusing if not belly-laugh funny. I certainly had a few chuckles. What it lacked was a great deal of depth. You get the feeling the author didn’t want to reveal too much for fear of accusations he ‘sold out’ the family, although this may equally have been due to rushing to get this out while the headlines were still fresh.
The finish is a little brusque, we go from ‘all things swimming along’ to ‘a bad year’, to ‘it’s over, there’s not much to say.’ He then adds ‘by the way, I got a job on their new show.’
It does reaffirm what fans of the show hoped — that the three presenters are basically the same in real life and that the whole thing was as much fun to produce as it was to watch (if much harder work). It’s like discussing all your fondest memories of the show with more dedicated fan who has a better memory.
You forget how long the show ran for (22 series over 13 years!) and that it stumbled a bit in the early days (James May didn’t join until the second series). It became such a staple and changed car shows so much that you don’t remember what a revolution it was.
A good, if wistful, look back at the childish antics that often wrought entertainment gold.
May 6, 2024
This was a fun and engaging read, but only if you're into Top Gear haha I'm not British, so I do think some of his connections/anecdotes sometimes lost something in the translation (references to TV shows "everyone" has watched or actors who are not as well known here, etc). While roughly linear, the organization of the book is also somewhat haphazard, with each chapter kind of its own little essay. However, for the most part this worked, as I felt that I could delve in and out of this book easily.
Porter comes through as overall good guy - his writing is not pretentious, and he doesn't attempt to "cash in" by telling any shocking stories about any of the presenters - in fact, the presenters also come through as regular guys as well, and I enjoyed hearing about their hands-on involvement in the show, beyond just standing in front of a camera. As the scriptwriter, Porter handles the "is this scripted" question pretty well (answer: depends on how you define "scripted" haha), with insights into the way such an ambitious, daft, entertaining, and even sometimes educational, show comes together.
I also felt like he handled the final kerblam of the show's abrupt ending gracefully, not excusing Clarkson at all, but also not casting him in the role of some horrific villain.
All in all, some entertaining and engaging reading that has made me really want to watch this entire show straight through all the seasons.
Porter comes through as overall good guy - his writing is not pretentious, and he doesn't attempt to "cash in" by telling any shocking stories about any of the presenters - in fact, the presenters also come through as regular guys as well, and I enjoyed hearing about their hands-on involvement in the show, beyond just standing in front of a camera. As the scriptwriter, Porter handles the "is this scripted" question pretty well (answer: depends on how you define "scripted" haha), with insights into the way such an ambitious, daft, entertaining, and even sometimes educational, show comes together.
I also felt like he handled the final kerblam of the show's abrupt ending gracefully, not excusing Clarkson at all, but also not casting him in the role of some horrific villain.
All in all, some entertaining and engaging reading that has made me really want to watch this entire show straight through all the seasons.
January 2, 2024
I received this book as a surprise Christmas present from my son and, being a big fan of Top Gear, it was perfect for me!
It's written from the memoirs of Richard Porter, a young man who had no TV experience when he was hired by the team of the newly-relaunched 'Top Gear in a hangar' show of 2002 1 but who did have his own quirky car website which had caught the eye of the team.
He soon rose to the role of script-editor, and worked on all the series until its demise in 2015.
This book makes then for a fascinating read as we get to see the real genesis of new Top Gear and how, from rather a shaky start, it grew to be the world's top car show.
Working as close to the team and presenters as he did, we get some juicy insider-knowledge from Richard - and lots of fun along the way as you can imagine. The whole slightly 'men-in-a-shed' way of the Top Gear office and its unique way of creating the shows is wonderfully described here by Richard. He also worked with the team on many of the funny bits too, and deserves huge credit for that.
It all comes across as a dream job for a young man who's passionate about cars, and that's exactly how it comes across for Richard.
It was good to see at the end that he continued to work with the boys on their big comeback show 'Grand Tour' too.
All in all, a must for any fan of this classic show that brightnes up our Sunday evenings for 13 years.
It's written from the memoirs of Richard Porter, a young man who had no TV experience when he was hired by the team of the newly-relaunched 'Top Gear in a hangar' show of 2002 1 but who did have his own quirky car website which had caught the eye of the team.
He soon rose to the role of script-editor, and worked on all the series until its demise in 2015.
This book makes then for a fascinating read as we get to see the real genesis of new Top Gear and how, from rather a shaky start, it grew to be the world's top car show.
Working as close to the team and presenters as he did, we get some juicy insider-knowledge from Richard - and lots of fun along the way as you can imagine. The whole slightly 'men-in-a-shed' way of the Top Gear office and its unique way of creating the shows is wonderfully described here by Richard. He also worked with the team on many of the funny bits too, and deserves huge credit for that.
It all comes across as a dream job for a young man who's passionate about cars, and that's exactly how it comes across for Richard.
It was good to see at the end that he continued to work with the boys on their big comeback show 'Grand Tour' too.
All in all, a must for any fan of this classic show that brightnes up our Sunday evenings for 13 years.
August 14, 2022
I'll be the first to admit that I'm one of the biggest Top Gear fans in the USA and have been since I discovered it in about 2009, so I was predisposed to like this book. (Though on the other hand, you could say I was predisposed to hate it if it didn't meet my preconceived preferences; but it did, so that doesn't matter). As he says in his cover blurb, author Porter was the script editor for the entire run of "new" Top Gear from 2002 to 2015, so he saw it all and knew everyone. His funny writing style makes it easy to see how he got and kept that job, and why he was also one of the idea guys dreaming up segments and challenges for the show. Even with the British idioms (I still don't think there's an American who can adequately define what "taking the piss" means) and name-dropping of British celebrities we've never heard of over here, this book is a delight to read from cover to cover.
August 31, 2025
A very funny and extremely interesting look into the inner machinations of Top Gear, I love that Porter was there for the whole run and didn't miss a beat. I laughed out loud quite a few times and the anecdotes were so clear and true I could see them playing out like an episode.
I especially appreciate Porter acknowledging one of the biggest appeals of the show is the utterly ADORABLE Richard Hammond.
I did think Porter sucked Jeremy Clarkson off in parts, I'm a bit hazy on his interpretation of the N-word incident but I do appreciate his take on Clarkson's firing, and it's quite a sobering note to end the book on. There was no Grand Tour at that point! Oh god and now that's over. Kill me.
The most spectacularly aged sentence in this entire book has to be In our worst nightmares, post-Clarkson Top Gear would become a hollow shell of itself, watched by seven uninterested people.
I especially appreciate Porter acknowledging one of the biggest appeals of the show is the utterly ADORABLE Richard Hammond.
I did think Porter sucked Jeremy Clarkson off in parts, I'm a bit hazy on his interpretation of the N-word incident but I do appreciate his take on Clarkson's firing, and it's quite a sobering note to end the book on. There was no Grand Tour at that point! Oh god and now that's over. Kill me.
The most spectacularly aged sentence in this entire book has to be In our worst nightmares, post-Clarkson Top Gear would become a hollow shell of itself, watched by seven uninterested people.
January 12, 2022
Five stars because I am a fan of the TV show "Top Gear" and the book is well written. You never forget your first love, your first job, your first car, and the actor you first saw portray "Doctor Who!" On that note, this book chronicles the glory days of Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May as presenters. The author is the script supervisor for the show, and at the time of this writing had been for over a dozen years. The chapters are short and to the point. If you've never seen the show, this book will either leave you cold or have you running to your TV to seek episodes "On Demand." I'm the sort of guy that likes to watch shows about how things are made, so this book was right up my alley. I've even done "extra" or "background" work on a few movies just to see how they were made. And on that bombshell, I loved this book!
May 7, 2018
This was a good, light read. If you are a fan of Top Gear you will enjoy the stories that Porter shares. Some really interesting stuff about the formation of the show and behind the scenes things that went on. There was an interesting reveal about the Patagonia special and a guest they had lined up.
Porter is also pretty candid on his feelings regarding the incident with Clarkson assaulting Oisin Tymon that caused the end of the show. I feel like Porter could have shared a bit more about some of the classic episodes but this is a worthwhile read.
Porter is also pretty candid on his feelings regarding the incident with Clarkson assaulting Oisin Tymon that caused the end of the show. I feel like Porter could have shared a bit more about some of the classic episodes but this is a worthwhile read.
June 22, 2023
Read this for insight into the much loved specials. But we get a single chapter on why he hated them (mainly as a writer because they were less scripted). Wanted more insight into the presenters themselves too but as they're mates it feels like (other than the Clarkson sacking fiasco) he veers away from making any criticism into their way of working and personality. The style of essays around a subject, rather than a chronological history, was also disappointing. Some great anecdotes, but there's surely a lot more story to tell.
August 28, 2023
3.5- A very interesting read about a very interesting show. The biggest let down of this book isn't so much the book itself but really more that, as the author stated, when interesting things happened, they didn't get hidden or scrapped as much as highlighted. This means the behind the scenes stuff was less new and exciting stories as much as it was details and factoids about the same things that made it on air. Never the less, for giant TG fans, it is valuable insight and a glimmer into the world of Clarkson, Hammond, & May.
November 6, 2023
Amazing insights into one of the best and quirkiest TV shows of all time. Having seen the episodes 10-15 years after they were released did not dampen the enthusiasm a bit. Richard porter breaks down the book into independent anecdotes of his time at Top gear which can be read in any order. Funny to know that such effort went Into what at most times seemed to be tomfoolery, and the rare gems where actual tomfoolery was allowed to be aired on screen. The go to book for ardent fans of TG deleted scenes and outtakes on youtube.
August 10, 2025
I don’t think many people know how much I loved cars growing up. I was obsessed with them, reading and memorizing as many facts about supercars as my mind could absorb. When I was 17, my buddy and I created a racetrack in our school parking lot furnished with a ton of hairpins, chicanes, and a couple of straightaways. It was the time of my life. When Top Gear died, I think my love of cars died with it. I am convinced that if JC, JM, and RH presented yoga poses, I would be in somewhere in Tibet right now with a mat and no shoes on.
May 7, 2018
If you loved Top Gear with Jeremy, Richard, and James, you will love this book about the show written by script editor Richard Porter. Each short chapter gives a behind the scenes description of a different aspect of making the show, stuff that enriches your favorite films and confirms that the presenters are as good as they seem on TV. There are stories of things never aired as well. I wish the book didn't end the way the show ended, but it is logical. Three sections contain dozens of photos.
April 25, 2021
The source of a lot of Top Gear’s humorous writing is very evident in this book. It was very interesting to read about the evolution and development of one of my favorite shows, although I was a bit bummed there weren’t more funny stories about the trio or other miscellaneous anecdotes. This is a book about the making of a TV show, not about the ramblings or shenanigans of an orangutan, a hamster, and a spaniel.
September 14, 2024
My Top Gear-viewing days are limited to happening to be in front of the TV at the right time as a teenager, so while I do have some nostalgia for it I was never a hardcore fan nor have I gone back to it since then, not really.
This was thoroughly enjoyable, just a lot of anecdotes from the making of it all.
Some of the jokes from the writer didn't do it for me, but the overall hit rate was still good, so no real complaints.
Could have probably read a hundred more pages of this.
This was thoroughly enjoyable, just a lot of anecdotes from the making of it all.
Some of the jokes from the writer didn't do it for me, but the overall hit rate was still good, so no real complaints.
Could have probably read a hundred more pages of this.
August 5, 2025
I enjoyed the show coming to it late in its lifecycle. I was not sure how well this would read but it ended up being a nostalgic hug, several laugh out loud moments, and even a few touching times while reading. There was even a few chapters I read aloud to my two teenagers who laughed along since they enjoyed the show too. Thats the best review I can give of this book. Not a pinnacle of literature by any stretch, but just a big dumb fun enjoyable time, just like the show was.
April 8, 2019
this book is well-written and if you have ever watched ANY episode of Top Gear, you'll have a good idea about the shenanigans these three get up to. of course, if you don't speak Her Majesty's english, you may need a translator.
my main problem is that this non-fiction book SORELY needs an index and less so, a table of contents.
my main problem is that this non-fiction book SORELY needs an index and less so, a table of contents.
June 25, 2020
Histórias incríveis sobre os bastidores de um dos programas mais vistos da televisão mundial. Desde o início complicado, passando pela fase de topo, até ao final abrupto. Episódios como as viagens à Argentina e ao Sul dos Estados Unidos e a ida de Schumacher ao estúdio, relatados em detalhe. Obrigatório para os fãs
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