Richard Hammond's Crash Course

Ann Goody of the Three Ring Ranch, a non-profit certified exotic animal sanctuary in Hawaii, has the amazing ability to communicate with, and understand, the animals she cares for.  But will she be able to understand and communicate with Richard as she trains him as an exotic animal keeper? In Southern California, home to a multitude of rattlesnakes, Richard meets up with snake wrangler Bo, to see if he can help him keep the two species safely apart – Man and Snake.

Richard travels to the heart of Texas where TJ Haynie, descendant of “the old 300”- the first settlers of Texas, attempts to turn Richard into a real-life buckaroo. There’s riding and roping, cows and horses, shooting authentic lever-action rifles and six shooters, and of course, mucking out stalls.

Kamal Nuru puts Richard in a smock, hands over some clippers, and shows him how it’s done at Levels Barbershop in Harlem. He’s operated giant pieces of machinery, but can Richard keep a steady enough hand to give a proper Harlem style haircut? Then, Richard steps into the 617,000 square foot Robinson Helicopter factory in Torrance, CA.  As an owner and pilot of a Robinson R44 helicopter, Richard knows how helicopters fly. Now he’s going to learn how they’re built. Joining the nearly 1,300 person workforce, he must help build and test fly a brand new helicopter, the R66 Turbine. But will his creation be cleared for take-off?

Richard – so often found behind the wheel of a car – this time trains to be one of the key people tasked with changing the wheel in an actual IndyCar race in Sonoma, CA. Here, he’ll also get the opportunity to be driven around the racetrack in an IndyCar by legendary driver, Mario Andretti. In joining the Dragon Racing team, Richard has to achieve a sub-seven second time to change the front left wheel of the racecar driven by fellow Brit, Katherine Legge – if he wants to make the pit crew.

Richard travels to small-town Texas to see if he can handle the heat of the rodeo ring. With the help of Veteran bull fighter Clint Hopping, Richard will try to master the fancy footwork of a rodeo clown while being chased by a 1,700-pound bull. Richard’s balance will also be tested when he travels to Maui to be trained by Dave Kalama, one of the top big-wave surfers on the planet (frequent tow-in surfing partner of Laird Hamilton) and a premier paddle boarder. Richard will need upper body strength, a great sense of balance and plenty of sunscreen. Then it’s off to Hood River, Oregon, where Richard enters the eight-mile down-winder race in the Gorge Paddle Challenge.

Truth is, Richard hates navigating traffic so much that back in England he commutes to work via helicopter. So what better job is there for someone who loathes gridlock, than a gig as a New York City cabbie during Manhattan’s rush hour? Serving as Richard’s guiding compass - John McDonagh, a 35 year veteran behind the taxi wheel. John also takes Richard to his favorite lunch spot, Katz’s Delicatessen, where the two sit down to a meal at the famous Harry met Sally table. From the taxi to the open mic – Richard attempts to take on the role of stand-up comic at top New York comedy spot, Gotham Comedy Club. There he must face what he fears most – a live audience.

Richard goes to Hollywood to tackle the coolest job in town - stuntman. His mentor is A-list stuntman Rick Avery (Gangster Squad, The Dark Night Rises), who is credited with 30 years of experience performing stunts in countless blockbuster movies. Can Richard conquer his fear of heights, face the past while flipping a car, beat the heat when set on fire and convince other stuntmen that he can handle a proper fight scene? If he does, he’ll be welcomed into one of the most elite realms of filmmaking.