Richard Hammond's Workshop

I only watched 20 minutes of the first episode and decide to have a cup of tea. I didn't bother watching the rest of it I then watched the next 2 in a row now that there starting to work on cars it is becoming more enjoyable. Hammond just does not have the same class of dry wit that Clarkson and May have but I like it with less over the top drama. Just waiting on the first £5000 windscreen drop that most car shows have.

It's interesting, the rates show appreciation but the first written reviews are negative.. Of course the way 'the internet' works is mainly negativity based. Always easier to burn something down.. But to counterbalance that I think this show deserves a lot more positivity. The father and son team are an excellent choice for Richard's endeavour and if you are into cars, restoring them and the (entertaining, not too serious) business side of that, this show is definitely worth your watch. To me it invokes a lot of sympathy which keeps me watching.

Let's face it, Richard Hammond is a very likeable personality. And he is obviously very passionate about vintage cars, probably more so that Clarkson and May. And his dream to set up a workshop that restores and repairs classic and vintage cars is so clearly a long held dream. The two mechanics are both a brilliant sombering foil for Hammond's often misplaced exuberance. It is a really enjoyable show, but the one thing that sticks in my craw, is the constant supposed financial struggles. Hammond selling some of his vintage cars and motorcyles at auction makes for brilliant TV. And his meeting with the accountant telling him he needs to rein in his spending. "The new paint spray and bake rooms are going to cost 200K." At the last count, Hammonds net worth is 45 million UK pounds. So his on screen angst about how they are going to afford things just rings a little hollow. Just wish the'd cut out all the fakery and concentrate on the cars, the workshop, and the mechanics as the real heros.

There is some good workshop humor from the local mechanics working with Hammond, some good sarcastic remarks from Hammonds wife, and those local mechanics you can't help but really love them.

And then there is the mystery - is Hammond going to go bankrupt?

I do hope not.

Really enjoying this, see Hammond trying to start a serious car restoration business with help of 2 locals who have their name & reputation to uphold & how difficult, expensive & how much red tape their is to stating up a business. Enjoying it so far. Recommended.