If there was a struggle, I do very much expect you to be correct.Well it was rumored that there was a back room power struggle between Evans and the BBC about control of the show. Who knows maybe Evans wanted to change the format and was over ruled by the producers that just wanted a continuation of what came before just without Clarkson.
The problem is that they already have someone on their roster who is a car enthusiast and is infinitely more personable for a show like this - problem is they stuck him on the iPlayer-only sister show instead.I think its become a mutual agreement that Evans sucks as a presenter. I would gladly take someone who is a real car enthusiast (Tiff Needel), over Evans to present this show. Remember, Needel was once upon a time a Top Gear host with Clarkson. While Needel might not have the "funnies", he definately knows his cars. Hell, even Steve Coogan wouldve been a better choice over Evans.
The problem is that they already have someone on their roster who is a car enthusiast and is infinitely more personable for a show like this - problem is they stuck him on the iPlayer-only sister show instead.
"Hey, lets add some dirt sections to the track the celebrities drive on."
The problem is that they already have someone on their roster who is a car enthusiast and is infinitely more personable for a show like this - problem is they stuck him on the iPlayer-only sister show instead.
They really need to promote Chris Harris and even his Extra Gear co-host Rory Reid to the main show to make it more tolerable.
Also yeah I was going to mention those Tweets from Chris Evans - I hope he realises that a chunk of that viewership was to see what sort of tone would be set for the series from the first episode. I wouldn't expect the same numbers next week or for the rest of the series unless it improves dramatically.
I lasted about 10 minutes before bailing on this - from reading this thread it doesn't look like I missed much. It just seemed like such a tone deaf approach. They were too scared to create something new and this poor imitation is the result.
Yep not as bad as people are making it out to be.Holy hyperbole Batman, seems like this is the cool thing to hate on at the moment!!!!.
I haven't watched it yet, but Top Gear has been pretty shit for many years imo.
Can it really be that much worse now?
Yep not as bad as people are making it out to be.
Holy hyperbole Batman, seems like this is the cool thing to hate on at the moment!!!!.
Yep not as bad as people are making it out to be.
Holy hyperbole Batman, seems like this is the cool thing to hate on at the moment!!!!.
how long before they get ocean colour scene on as star in a car?
Holy hyperbole Batman, seems like this is the cool thing to hate on at the moment!!!!.
Does't Evans have a 3 year contract?
Can't speak for anyone else but I'm definitely not jumping on any bandwagons. I loved TFI Friday back in the day and I listen to Chris Evans' breakfast radio show quite regular. I've got nothing against the guy. His hyper excited style just didn't fit in this format, I almost expected some tumbleweed to roll past as he tried to engage the live audience, and the blokey banter between him and Matt LeBlanc didn't work because they obviously have no chemistry yet. The jokes fell flat, pretty much every one.
Evans may tone it down a bit in the next couple of weeks, and maybe LeBlanc and him can build a relationship where the jokes will come more naturally. Let's give them time. But that first episode was pretty bad, it's that simple. I don't think that's an unfair statement.
Pretty much nailed it.Did they lose everybody that knew what made Top Gear work?
"Hey, the Reliant Robin thing we did years ago was funny, lets do it again!"
"Hey, lets add some dirt sections to the track the celebrities drive on."
"Hey, lets hire this radio personality, and american actor, and a german racecar driver. They'll play off each other well!"
Also, where can I watch these James May builds lawnmowers in his shed?
The show debuted to disappointing ratings in the UK, netting just 4.3 million viewers on Sunday night. That's down 1.3 million viewers from the show's average with its former hosts, but the bigger concern for Chris Evans is that it's well below his target of 5 million viewers. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the opening episode of Top Gear's 23rd season was the lowest rated in 10 years.
I lasted about 10 minutes before bailing on this - from reading this thread it doesn't look like I missed much. It just seemed like such a tone deaf approach. They were too scared to create something new and this poor imitation is the result.
You can go check out Matt LeBlanc's segment in the desert with the Nomad. That part was solid. While he has absolutely no chemistry with Evans, LeBlanc on his own seems to be a pretty good presenter.
The rest sucked.
One thing I noticed about the taped segments other than the Nomad piece is that there wasn't any explanation of what and why. What was the Top Gun challenge even supposed to tell us about the cars? And, for that matter, your very first challenge involves Chris fucking Evans beating Sabine Schmitz on the track? Really? Speaking of, what's Sabine's role on this show anyway? Does anybody at Top Gear even know? Why were they going to Blackpool in the first place? Usually when Top Gear travels somewhere it has a specific reason for doing so. What was the UK vs. USA challenge for? Why was there no competitiveness between the hosts whatsoever if it was supposed to be a versus challenge? Why didn't they mention the concept of putting a "flag" on top of the mountain until the very end of the piece? What even was the point of hauling the Reliants up the hill? Even when old Top Gear did ridiculous and absurd challenges, they presented some reason for doing so, as if it was supposed to demonstrate something or make a point, even if it was a ludicrous one. They didn't even attempt to do that on this show. Just "we went to Blackpool because it's a place to go, I guess, and we did these challenges that don't really matter, mean anything, or tell us anything about the vehicles we're doing them in because reasons."
Holy hyperbole Batman, seems like this is the cool thing to hate on at the moment!!!!.
It really was just crap and everyone knows it. The show did no favors for itself by directly copying some old stunts and challenges for the opening episode, trying to pander to things people liked about the old show. They should have either canned it after Clarkson left, or actually rebooted it with an all new format.
They should have either canned it after Clarkson left, or actually rebooted it with an all new format.
I agree, the format is tired, I'd prefer it to return to a proper car show, something like Best Motoring.
Top Gear before the new one was a bit crap, this one is a bit crap, but there is a heck of a lot of hyperbole about it.
I agree, the format is tired, I'd prefer it to return to a proper car show, something like Best Motoring.
Top Gear before the new one was a bit crap, this one is a bit crap, but there is a heck of a lot of hyperbole about it.
Every other spinoff Top Gear in America and whatever just copy the format.
It only works with the trio. It just feels fake with everyone else.
I enjoyed Extra Gear more than Top Gear and that really isn't saying much.
Matt Le Blanc, Chris Evans and Sabine Schmitz should piss off and leave this in the hands of Eddie Jordan, Rory Reid and Chris Harris.
Top Gear's previous hosts were unknown car journalists at once upon a time too and Eddie Jordan is half-way to James May himself.I don't get this either, Chris Harris was wooden and stilted, I don't rate him, Eddie Jordan?!, yeah, NO, and Rory Reid just looked uncomfortable, what with his nervous guffawing at Chris Harris's "jokes".