Hello CT. My name is Richard Porter and I was the script editor on Top Gear. Ask me anything.
After working on the show for 13 years, 22 series and 175 programmes, there’s quite a lot I can tell you about Top Gear. I know whose idea it was to get a dog, I was there when we got threatened by drug barons in Bolivia, I can give you the real story of that Porsche number plate.
After working on the show for 13 years, 22 series and 175 programmes, there’s quite a lot I can tell you about Top Gear. I know whose idea it was to get a dog, I was there when we got threatened by drug barons in Bolivia, I can give you the real story of that Porsche number plate. I’ve put all these things in my new book, but you can ask me about them anyway. Or something else. Up to you. I’m here all night. Try the soup in a basket.
Comments
Behind the sences (We saw the 918 on Richards Twitter) what was fastest around the test track? 918, P1 or LaFerrari?
You know as much as me there. Have to wait until it’s on Amazon I guess.
DO YOU EVEN LIFT BROOO !?!
NAH BRO
What’s the thing you’re most proud and least proud of during your time as Top Gear’s script editor?
Perversely proud of the Alabama car slogans idea. Least proud of the India special and The Sweeney film and some of those things that got us into the papers.
Mazda MX-5, Yes or No?
It’s a yes from me. I wouldn’t listen to that pesky Monkey.
What’s your all time favourite car?
was scene with rednecks on gas station scripted or not?
It wasn’t. We were amazed at the reaction. Me especially since it was my idea but I was on holiday in New York when I got the call from the crew. I think Jeremy claimed they were ‘literally almost killed to death’.
Did the three build the kit car (caterham) themselves oder was there a group of mechanics behind the camera?
Nope, that was all them I think. Which is why they made such a mess of it. If memory serves, Caterham had to take it back and re-do it again from scratch.
what’s your favourite car and what do you drive? :)
I have lots of favourite cars. It changes almost daily. I thought about the 911 GTS this morning and remembered that it might be the greatest sports car in the world. I don’t have one, sadly. Got a Merc GLA, 500 Twinair. Waiting for my Defender Heritage.
What was the most expensive thing broken during filming?
If you count the zenvo it’s probably that
my company does stuff on Salsbury plane, where they played British Bulldog with the Army. When it rammed through the gravel pile it did £50k worth of damage
Was really Ferrari 250 GTO the only car for which BBC couldn’t afford insurance?
It was a bit squeaky with the Eagle E-types too, I seem to remember.