its back ,but will we like it?

[One Planer]

I've been an avid Top Gear fan since before James May came on board.

I've, quite literally, just finished watching the new variant and I agree with most of the above, both good and bad.

I though Le Blanc was good. Perhaps a little wooden for a first appearance in the studio. In the filmed articles I thought he was pretty good.

I found Evans shocking. He really should stick to radio.

All he did for 60 minutes was shout. His constant studio audience interaction was shocking and very OTT.

He comes across as a very over enthusiastic both in the studio and on the filmed sections. To be honest it comes across as forced and, well, acted.

I'll give it a few more episodes before forming any lasting opinions.

 

[Tashyboy]

As daft as it may seem, I found Clarkson tiring. It was like hearing the same old Chubby Brown jokes. I liked top gear for the cars that I will never drive. Yup Evans is an irritating little prat but that aside I quite liked the show.
like the new test track but why would you put someone on who cannot flippin drive.

 

[MarkE]

I've just watched it. Very poor, just an inferior copy. Whatever you think of Clarkson, May and Hammond, they are all life long motoring journalists as well as enthusiasts. The BBC have reverted to the formula from decades ago, using actors, presenters,newsreaders etc, who while enjoying cars don't have the motoring background and knowledge to carry it off.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I've just watched it. Very poor, just an inferior copy. Whatever you think of Clarkson, May and Hammond, they are all life long motoring journalists as well as enthusiasts. The BBC have reverted to the formula from decades ago, using actors, presenters,newsreaders etc, who while enjoying cars don't have the motoring background and knowledge to carry it off.

Are you dissing Angela Rippon, the best Top gear presenter ever!!!! I challenge you to a duel sir.

Other than that very fair comment.

 

[User62651]

Maybe Beeb aren't so bothered about the fickle UK audience, more the worldwide one (350 million watchers quoted) which is where they get a lot of money in from selling TG abroad. In that regard the quirkiness of the 3 former presenters is maybe not so important as a lot of their 'British' humour is probably lost on foreign audiences anyway who are just watching for the cars rather than the comedy. Getting a well known Yank on will possibly sell it even better overseas.

 

[Dan2501]

I actually enjoyed it. Evans was a bit cringeworthy, especially the run towards LeBlanc at the start, but not too bad. Matt LeBlanc was awesome in the filmed sections, but as mentioned, a little wooden in the studio, am sure he'll get better. Evans needs to stop shouting, and just talk normally. He's a passionate guy when it comes to cars, he just needs to stop being so OTT. Think it has potential. Not as good as the old format, I loved Clarkson, Hammond and May, but I'll watch for a few more weeks.

 

[MegaSteve]

I've just watched it. Very poor, just an inferior copy. Whatever you think of Clarkson, May and Hammond, they are all life long motoring journalists as well as enthusiasts. The BBC have reverted to the formula from decades ago, using actors, presenters,newsreaders etc, who while enjoying cars don't have the motoring background and knowledge to carry it off.

Wasn't aware Hammond had a background in motoring journalism... Thought that only came after joining TG... Remember May at Autocar and can't say I ever read anything from Clarkson before TG... So fair to say the program was the making of them rather than the other way round...

 

[Tashyboy]

Top gear now like top gear with clarkson Hammond and may, will and has split opinions. Don't think owt has changed on that front

 

[MegaSteve]

... but why would you put someone on who cannot flippin drive.

Well, they've featured someone wearing socks with sandals...
Can't get worse than that!

Best ever though was Jezza doing his level best to look up a guest's skirt... Carol Vorderman...

 

[MarkE]

Wasn't aware Hammond had a background in motoring journalism... Thought that only came after joining TG... Remember May at Autocar and can't say I ever read anything from Clarkson before TG... So fair to say the program was the making of them rather than the other way round...

Clarkson is a career journalist, working in the motoring sector for 30+ years. TG brought him to prominence but it was what he was doing anyway. Hammond, I believe started in radio journalism, then a couple of other tv motoring programs prior to TG.
TG was obviously the making of all three presenters. I quite like the new presenters, just not as direct replacements for the the original three. If the BBC had gone for a new format there would'nt have been the comparisons but as it is, the exact same show, comparisons are inevitable and the new lot can't compete.

 

[MarkE]

Are you dissing Angela Rippon, the best Top gear presenter ever!!!! I challenge you to a duel sir.

Other than that very fair comment.

Challenge accepted. Choose your weapons!!! :thup:

 

[Rooter]

Well i watched it properly last night and i enjoyed it. It is what it is, brain off sunday night TV. Evans will realise he doesn't have to shout soon enough, he needs to focus on the TV viewers, not ensuring the people in the hanger stood ten rows back can hear him, thats all.

Its on series link in our house.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Top Gear at 8-9. Flick over to Sky 1 for Hawaii 5-0 at 9pm. Boys night in our house :thup:

 

[Tongo]

I've just watched it. Very poor, just an inferior copy. Whatever you think of Clarkson, May and Hammond, they are all life long motoring journalists as well as enthusiasts. The BBC have reverted to the formula from decades ago, using actors, presenters,newsreaders etc, who while enjoying cars don't have the motoring background and knowledge to carry it off.

Yes, a very good point. And when one of their cars broke down Hammond and May could work out what was wrong and (apparently!) fix it.

 

[Tashyboy]

Well ave just watched the second show and there was nothing wrong with that at all. A very good show.

 

[richy]

Well ave just watched the second show and there was nothing wrong with that at all. A very good show.

Agreed. Most enjoyable episode of Top Gear I've watched in years. Even my missus enjoyed it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Well ave just watched the second show and there was nothing wrong with that at all. A very good show.

I agree. Evans's face when Button was driving that McClaren was hilarious. Proper scared

 

[chrisd]

After last weeks Evan's shouting show and LePlank resembling one I thought this week was a vast improvement- I will be looking in again next week!

 

[BrianM]

After last weeks Evan's shouting show and LePlank resembling one I thought this week was a vast improvement- I will be looking in again next week!

This for me as well, much better 👍🏻

 

[larmen]

Got better, but in the studio bits he is still shouting. And I don't like what they did with the starts segment. Not the driving, but the 'interview'. While that was never great they made it more weird.

Road trip and supercar bits were good.