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And On That Bombshell

Inside the Madness and Genius of TOP GEAR

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And On That Bombshell

By: Richard Porter
Narrated by: Ben Elliot, Richard Porter
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For 13 years, 22 series and 175 shows, Richard Porter was script editor of Top Gear, from the first faltering pilot episode in 2002 until the very last show presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in 2015.

Along the way they destroyed cars, sparked diplomatic incidents, set fire to caravans, almost killed one of the presenters, and somehow transformed Top Gear from a shabby BBC Two motoring show into an Emmy-winning, record-breaking, planet-straddling behemoth.

And on That Bombshell tells stories from behind the scenes of one of the world's most successful television programmes, taking in driving monkeys, broken bones, flying cars, angry rednecks and Jeremy Clarkson's secret nickname. A unique insight into how the show was made, it reveals behind-the-scenes disasters more comical than anything seen on screen...

*****
And now, a quote from James May: '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.'


Read by Ben Elliot

(p) 2015 Orion Publishing Group©2015 Sniff Petrol Limited Engineering Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV History & Criticism Entertainment
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Critic Reviews

I can't imagine that it's [Top Gear] triumphant 13 year run will have a finer chronicler.
AND ON THAT BOMBSHELL is a funny and revealing look behind the scenes at the 13 years of the Clarkson-Hammond-May Top Gear era.
... a funny and, at times, thought-provoking look into the world of one of the biggest motoring programmes of all-time.
a fascinating and amusing insight into a true TV phenomenon
All stars
Most relevant
I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook, i was not a massive Top Gear fan but definitely watched it whenever I could. Great insight to the behind the scenes of the phenomenal show. Loved it

Fabulous

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Some say.......that this is actually a long lost Shakespeare comedy and that the narrator is actually Kristin Scott Thomas putting on her deep voice. All we know is......this is a bloody good book!
As befits the show, great writing, about a subject we all love, read with style and humour. Get it....now...and start listening with a grin on your face.

A laugh in every chapter.

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Makes you laugh, makes you sad, and everything inbetween.
Gives you a clear, concise, and honest look into the lives of the people who worked so hard to make the second coming of Top Gear such a huge success.
Well written.
Well read.
Excellent.

Fantastic insight into my favourite show.

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What a story. His attempts at humor are often painful, but the telling of real events brings you to the room.

Fantastic insight into the world's greatest show

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You get hear inner working of Top Gear. makes you want to watch the shows again from series 1 and including old top gear

This is a must for top gear fans.

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