Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson Expands Own Universe

LONDON — Top Gear has become a global phenomenon and, just as the TV show is on the verge of expanding to the United States and NBC, chief presenter and conspirator Jeremy Clarkson has asserted a new level of control over the brand. In short, the better Top Gear does worldwide, the more money Clarkson is going to reap. The iron grip of British socialism obviously isn't what it used to be.

Clarkson has long been one of the U.K. government-owned-and-operated BBC's top paid stars. But, according to Britain's Guardian newspaper, with production overtures coming from other networks and American Idol producer/creator Simon Fuller, in order for the BBC to keep Clarkson happy and on Top Gear took more filthy lucre. So BBC Worldwide, the commercial portion of the BBC charged with actually making money, has taken a "controlling stake" in a production company controlled by Clarkson and Top Gear Producer Andy Wilman that will concentrate on expanding and exploiting the Top Gear brand around the known universe.

Known as "Bedder 6," The Guardian reports it will be the main conduit through which merchandising and other commercial ventures surrounding Top Gear will be funneled. That should include much of what goes on with any production and/or distribution of Top Gear here in America.

According to The Guardian, at least one of its sources said the deal was crucial to keeping Clarkson with the program. And subsequently, it's rumored to have led co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond to have signed better-paying deals also.

Here's Clarkson on the Ford RS200:



What this means to you: Top Gear isn't just a TV show any more. Now it's a massive profit machine. And Jeremy Clarkson has a massive stake in seeing it succeed in America. — John Pearley Huffman, Correspondent