I’d argue that Top Gear peaked in December 2009 when , Richard Hammond and James May traversed Bolivia in a trio of old off-roaders. It might have been controversial at times, but introduced generations of viewers to the joys of driving. And after its dramatic demise in 2015, many were left with a car show-shaped hole in their lives.
But if you really want to find a show that can ignite a passion for cars in a new audience, you’ve got to look elsewhere. .
Oh, you’ve not heard of Catie’s Amazing Machines? Well, it’s a show on the UK children’s TV network CBeebies, which apparently is for kids age six and younger – but we’ll glance over that.
In the show, gets to hoon about a bunch of “Amazing Machines”.
Each episode sees her pick out three machines across a different category. Munnings then drives each craft around a track, field, runway or even a quarry to show what they can do. At the end, she picks a favorite.
Oh, and Munnings also has her own “pet amazing machine”, a remote control car called Speedie.
The first season of the show covers things like Big-Wheeled Machines, Building Machines, Farm Machines and Fancy Machines. And in it, you’ll see Munnings get behind the wheel of a stretch limo, monster truck, racing catamaran and a fire engine.
There’s 19 episodes in the first season, and they’re each just 15 minutes long: Perfect for anyone with a short attention span who you might want to instill some automotive passion in.
And, if all that wasn’t enough of a reason to check the show out, the whole thing is sound tracked by early 2000s glam rock band The Darkness. Magnificent.
Now, where can I get my hands on a box-set?