I fully admit that I am a fan of Top Gear. For those who don’t know, the excellent original BBC television series about cars featured three quirky, funny blokes. The show was more than a car show though; the trio took on challenges, went on adventures, interviewed famous people and brought all news that might be of interest to petrolheads of the UK and beyond. But more than anything, the show was about its hosts; the dynamic between these three particular men was entertaining to say the least. Silliness at its best. You’d have to watch to understand it, but you really do develop a fondness for the lads. Top Gear was comfort food for car enthusiasts.
To the dismay of fans across the globe, the cast of Top Gear ended up leaving the BBC after an incident wherein one of the hosts punched a producer. It was then that old Top Gear transformed into The Grand Tour and joined the Amazon family. You can probably see where I’m going here… yes, the host that punched the producer is in fact Jeremy Clarkson of Amazon Prime’s Clarkson’s Farm.
I introduce Clarkson in this way to anyone who does not know him as it’s the most succinct way to bring you up to speed with the star of the show. Of all people, how did Jeremy Clarkson end up a farmer?
Clarkson is quite a big deal in the UK as he also hosts Who Wants to Be a Millionaire there; this of course means that Clarkson has millions of followers on social media. His beautiful farm in the bucolic green of the Cotswolds has caused a bit of a stir. This after Clarkson blew up his home (I’m telling you, it was more than simply a car show) and found himself on the wrong side of favor with his neighbors to begin with.
Clarkson’s presence in the small, formerly sleepy little village has made a considerable impact on local residents. Even with all of this, however, Clarkson isn’t necessarily the most interesting of the characters we get to know on Clarkson’s Farm.
With his background being nowhere near the likes of farming, Clarkson employs young Kaleb Cooper to work the land and show him the ropes. Kaleb is a delight and has no problem standing up to the mega-star when he feels it is warranted. The duo is joined by a cast of real life characters that bring a charm to the show that might not be expected. A charismatic cast is all that is needed to create TV show magic, and this show has it. But it also has the farm. The farm itself is perhaps the most dramatic of all the characters.
Considering that his first foray into farming came with a reality TV show, Clarkson has reason to implement many ideas on the farm to keep things interesting. The ideas range from animal husbandry to digging a pond and the implementations are guaranteed to get a laugh. Peeking behind the scenes into how our food is produced becomes fun instead of frustrating. I am sure things have been polished for our entertainment, but I learned a lot nonetheless.
The show has aired two seasons already; we are currently awaiting season three. During season two, Clarkson seemed to really be doubling down on his commitment to farm as sustainably as possible. Although, that which is possible for Clarkson is probably closer to impossible for most farmers, at least those who don’t happen to have the bankroll that Clarkson does. Switching from conventional to sustainable farming does not come easily or cheaply.
I recommend this show because it is fun, but while you are enjoying yourself, you are also learning about so much. You’ll discover that Lamborghini makes tractors. You learn about tramlines. You see firsthand how Brexit has effected farmers. You learn how bureaucracy often strangles those it’s meant to serve.
Many criticize Clarkson for his brazen clashes with authority, but his temperament might be just what local farmers need. What all farmers need. Farmers could use a voice that might actually be heard.
Speaking as someone who finds Clarkson pleasantly amusing in general, I have enjoyed watching him become a champion for responsible farming. Seeing topics like biodiversity or soil health covered in a mainstream reality TV show gives me the warm fuzzies. I hope that the show helps to inform the public as much as it entertains them. I hope it invokes a greater interest in investigating how food is produced.
Even if it doesn’t, I do know that it can deliver some much needed levity. If you’re looking for some reality TV entertainment unlike any other you’ve experienced, give Clarkson’s Farm a shot. Come join those of us eagerly awaiting season three.
I just watched the clip of Clarkson‘s farm and it looks hysterical. Good clean fun, as much as a farm can be, lol. The only problem is the cost of Amazon prime and my love-hate relationship with Amazon. Especially now that Bezos has laid off over 30,000 people. Oh, how I miss the good old days of regular network television!