Any Questions
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Fiearri FXXK is dirty
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Top Gear New Series |OT| No Longer Starring Chris Evans
- Thread starter Betty
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Purple_Orchid
Member
It's good so far, the banter is pretty funny in spots.
BluenoseGames
Member
I'm liking it so far but I feel like they still need some more time to jell together.
Any Questions
Member
I will watch this series. I think it will grow into something pretty good
Bananajama
Banned
That was vastly better than last years. Loved it
DeadOnions
Member
Much better opener. Looking forward to seeing the rest now.
Betta Lines
Member
What a transformation. One of the best TG episodes in years!
This is far more watchable than Grand Tour imo.
This is far more watchable than Grand Tour imo.
chromatic9
Member
Pretty good though the new guest spot seemed more pointless than ever.
Really enjoyed the Kazakhstan segment and Chris Harris in his terminator Volvo
Really enjoyed the Kazakhstan segment and Chris Harris in his terminator Volvo
LoveCake
Member
Still not sure about Matt.
Better than last series, I think this was down to the cars involved, the original trio could make the show work even if the cars were not interesting or appealing, only Chris can in this trio though.
Not sure about keeping the guest on throughout the show either, depends on the guest I suppose.
I wonder how Matt would feel if Chris was given the lead role?
Better than last series, I think this was down to the cars involved, the original trio could make the show work even if the cars were not interesting or appealing, only Chris can in this trio though.
Not sure about keeping the guest on throughout the show either, depends on the guest I suppose.
I wonder how Matt would feel if Chris was given the lead role?
Dominican Power
Member
When does this air in the US
Betta Lines
Member
It was a bit pointless in the sense that McAvoy didn't appear have anything to promote, but otherwise it was a huge improvement over last season. No more stupid 'car offs', a more relaxed chat, and a return to the proper test track. I'd argue it was better than the previous era too, as the guest stays longer, the RWD 'Reasonably Fast Car' is simply a more entertaining machine to see people grapple with, and the idea of showing the training with Harris before the actual lap is great.
And it is certainly a better way of including a celeb than the 'joke' they do on Grand Tour. It was hardly funny the first time, and I still don't understand why they thought it was good enough to use as a running gag for the entire series.
JonathanEx
Member
Enjoyed that. Still a bit of settling in to do with their new format, but good reversal of some changes, and a few new good changes introduced.
Some really cool visual bits in the FXXK film (the POV shots they quickly cut), fun and clever challenges.
Oh, and if you enjoyed 'Angry Chris Harris' as an instructor, check out 'Extra Gear'. Strong episode of that too, particularly with Harris/Reid as the real chemistry on the show.
Some really cool visual bits in the FXXK film (the POV shots they quickly cut), fun and clever challenges.
Oh, and if you enjoyed 'Angry Chris Harris' as an instructor, check out 'Extra Gear'. Strong episode of that too, particularly with Harris/Reid as the real chemistry on the show.
chromatic9
Member
Well yes last season was the worst ever but while the guest stayed longer, all it meant was he appeared to stay while they played the main segment and saved the lap for later. Jeremy had more of a interaction and there was more audience involvement. If you go over what the guest was asked and said it was very brief. I think showing Chris teaching might wear thin each week but it's a more exciting car so maybe it will be good. Maybe better interviews will mean the teaching is cut short.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
I think this was better than all the Amazon episodes. I was really surprised the three would have any kind of chemistry given the whole "B-team" nature of the two guys from last season.
The best part is that it doesn't feel fake and there aren't passive aggressive homophobic jokes about eating ice cream.
The best part is that it doesn't feel fake and there aren't passive aggressive homophobic jokes about eating ice cream.
Dominican Power
Member
So this episode airs in the US a week after the UK one?
Exterminieren
Banned
There's the makings of a really good group dynamic with the three of them- I liked LeBlanc's dryness coupled with Harris's intensity, and Rory's just a treasure.
You really get the sense that they took a long, hard look about what didn't work about last series, and adjusted accordingly. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and can't wait to see where it goes from here.
You really get the sense that they took a long, hard look about what didn't work about last series, and adjusted accordingly. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and can't wait to see where it goes from here.
tomwhite2004
Member
Leblanc - Clarkson
Rory - Hammond
Harris - May
Really think the hosts have been selected to try and create the chemistry of the old cast, and judging by this episode it worked quite well. Hope they dont become too caricatured like the Grand Tour was, which I found utterly forgettable.
Rory - Hammond
Harris - May
Really think the hosts have been selected to try and create the chemistry of the old cast, and judging by this episode it worked quite well. Hope they dont become too caricatured like the Grand Tour was, which I found utterly forgettable.
Thing is, if we *are* doing that, I think I'd swap Leblanc and Harris. Harris is too competitive and intense to be the May, and I think LeBlanc's dry laid-backness is a good fit for that.
But I think they're not *quite* the same model anyway. Sure, Rory is excitable, but there's a childish glee that's a level far beyond Hammond. Harris seems to be shaping up as the hardened cynic, and the 'nasty' one, albeit with tongue firmly in cheek. And Leblanc's got a laid-back bemusement that again, doesn't really gel with the original trio.
It's similar, but not quite, and I think that give this episode a bit of extra pep. Last year's Top Gear felt too different for the sake of being different, whereas this... right now, this feels like classic Top Gear with a hint of freshness that hasn't been around for a while, and I'm interested to see where it goes next.
tomwhite2004
Member
No doubt i was being a bit crude in terms of character traits but you get the gist. Three people with a love / relationship which makes for a good balance of chemistry, Chris Evans was too overtly "the boss" for that to happen on the previous series.
The biggest surprise for me was that the series was on at all until i tuned in, didnt see a single promo anywhere which in actually worked in its favour given the catastrophy that the Evans hype and buildup created.
The biggest surprise for me was that the series was on at all until i tuned in, didnt see a single promo anywhere which in actually worked in its favour given the catastrophy that the Evans hype and buildup created.
I think they were quite obviously trying to position Harris as being the May-ish one with that segment on him being anal about films. LeBlanc is laid back but they're trying to position him as the main host - the Clarkson.
KimonoNoNo
Member
Much better.
Yes it's more or less the same formula, but it didn't feel quite as contrived as before.
Yes it's more or less the same formula, but it didn't feel quite as contrived as before.
Thoughts:
- Studio continues to look shinier, more generic, and less charming by the season
- FXX K is just an incredible machine. Can't even imagine drifting a thing. It just looks like it was styled specifically to just rip through the air.
- Cinematography is all over the place at times, but hard to complain when it's this gorgeous anyways, and the replacement crew is getting better compared to last season I think
- Old Top Gear track being back is nice.. but that wasn't that bad of a change given that they would have switched the car anyways, but on that note..
- GT86 completely defeats the purpose of SIARPC, what the hell? Again, more of the charm of the show just slipping away.
- Having the guest there for the news is awkward, McAvoy was pretty out of place and had little to contribute, like a fourth wheel. I can only see it working with comedian guests. Also.. where was the news? Harris' knowledge is going to waste here.
- Challenge was FANTASTIC, especially great coming off of The Grand Tour which was sorely lacking in challenges during these segments. Great concept/theme, great setting, great challenges, great use of music, it was very vintage Top Gear. A lot of the stuff missing from the
TGT challenges that was in the
old Top Gear was present here.
It's getting noticeably better (especially as the episode went on), but IMO they still have very little chemistry. They had their moments throughout the episode, and I still see more room for improvement. Banter is super hit-or-miss, more often a miss, and awkward when it is. I wouldn't call it bad by any means, just feels like it contributes to the void of charm personality since the trio's departure. But I wholly admit I am biased here, and I'm still on some level wanting the old trio reincarnate. They're doing great for being the thrown together cast that they are, and I'm hopeful it will get better as time goes on.
Evans actually jived better with LeBlanc at times, there was a better contrast. I wonder what this might've been like if Vicki took the place of LeBlanc.
- Studio continues to look shinier, more generic, and less charming by the season
- FXX K is just an incredible machine. Can't even imagine drifting a thing. It just looks like it was styled specifically to just rip through the air.
- Cinematography is all over the place at times, but hard to complain when it's this gorgeous anyways, and the replacement crew is getting better compared to last season I think
- Old Top Gear track being back is nice.. but that wasn't that bad of a change given that they would have switched the car anyways, but on that note..
- GT86 completely defeats the purpose of SIARPC, what the hell? Again, more of the charm of the show just slipping away.
- Having the guest there for the news is awkward, McAvoy was pretty out of place and had little to contribute, like a fourth wheel. I can only see it working with comedian guests. Also.. where was the news? Harris' knowledge is going to waste here.
- Challenge was FANTASTIC, especially great coming off of The Grand Tour which was sorely lacking in challenges during these segments. Great concept/theme, great setting, great challenges, great use of music, it was very vintage Top Gear. A lot of the stuff missing from the
scripting of the
scripting of the
It's getting noticeably better (especially as the episode went on), but IMO they still have very little chemistry. They had their moments throughout the episode, and I still see more room for improvement. Banter is super hit-or-miss, more often a miss, and awkward when it is. I wouldn't call it bad by any means, just feels like it contributes to the void of charm personality since the trio's departure. But I wholly admit I am biased here, and I'm still on some level wanting the old trio reincarnate. They're doing great for being the thrown together cast that they are, and I'm hopeful it will get better as time goes on.
Evans actually jived better with LeBlanc at times, there was a better contrast. I wonder what this might've been like if Vicki took the place of LeBlanc.
the_milkybar_kid
Member
Knocked it out of the park. The studio 'bantz' were a bit stiff but on the whole I though it was the best TG in years. Far better than that shite Clarkson and co came up with.
Nice new studio
Format felt really fluid
Actually charismatic presenters that have a genuine dynamic
Little obvious scripting
The old track
Car porn as good as it's ever been.
Heavy emphasis on the cars.
Genuinely funny at times. Felt like 3 blokes having a laugh rather than 3 blokes pretending to have a laugh
Nice new studio
Format felt really fluid
Actually charismatic presenters that have a genuine dynamic
Little obvious scripting
The old track
Car porn as good as it's ever been.
Heavy emphasis on the cars.
Genuinely funny at times. Felt like 3 blokes having a laugh rather than 3 blokes pretending to have a laugh
ClivePwned
Member
It was on last night? I better check it out.
CrudeDiatribe
Member
Mostly loved it!
Thought that the usual post-adventure "these are our cars" speech was delivered with Matt rolling his eyes and not just me-- whereas Jeremy sounded like he believed it, even after the umpteenth hackneyed variation. Think they should come up with something else to cap those films off.
Thought that the usual post-adventure "these are our cars" speech was delivered with Matt rolling his eyes and not just me-- whereas Jeremy sounded like he believed it, even after the umpteenth hackneyed variation. Think they should come up with something else to cap those films off.
I don't think the celebrity should be in the talking segment, just gives the impression that they don't have any confidence in the chemistry between the hosts. Other than that I thought it was good, actually felt like it could really work when the hosts settle in to it which would be great because Grand Tour was OK but some of the shit that comes out of Clarkson & Hammonds mouths makes me really want a car show without them to work.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
I loved the premier. Also, much respect for no mention of Borat. LOL. And yes, that Star Wars music when they woke up from their sleep. The first episode was solid. Great new car to shred the track with. The OG track returns.
I didn't mind McAvoy being in the studio for the first half. It's better than just shoehorning a star in the middle of the show and forcing people to skip it all. At least they showed his driving outtakes and shared some funny stories of him. It was fine.
I didn't mind McAvoy being in the studio for the first half. It's better than just shoehorning a star in the middle of the show and forcing people to skip it all. At least they showed his driving outtakes and shared some funny stories of him. It was fine.
Rekwest
Member
iplayer with VPN.
Betta Lines
Member
The foreshadowing before the
Terminator
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
The Ford GT segment will be epic.
Looks like this new crew is able to procure some extremely insane and exclusive stuff. Makes are going to be more willing to work with them since Top Gear has shed a very jaded image with the original 3.
Looks like this new crew is able to procure some extremely insane and exclusive stuff. Makes are going to be more willing to work with them since Top Gear has shed a very jaded image with the original 3.
Really enjoyed this episode, no overly obvious scripted parts like tgt was all season. Harris was great with the celebs (in extra gear too) but I can't help but think it's only a matter of time til one of them gets a bit peed off with him ripping into them.
Only thing I wasn't massive on was the "interview" section where they didn't really ask him much and he was just sat there.
Also I missed all the promo/news for this series, has the stig now been dropped seeing as they have Harris?
Only thing I wasn't massive on was the "interview" section where they didn't really ask him much and he was just sat there.
Also I missed all the promo/news for this series, has the stig now been dropped seeing as they have Harris?
CrudeDiatribe
Member
The Stig is still featured on the Top Gear website in the same photos as the three current hosts, so probably?
JonathanEx
Member
Yes, still around. He'll still do the track laps, but they couldn't do one this week.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
Btw, the premier brought in 3.1M viewers in the UK. Let's see how it does on Sunday.
2.79M on the night, and the +7 numbers shouldn't be in yet as far as I'm aware - is that the overnight numbers on Sunday plus the overnight numbers of the Thursday repeat?
(There are also now +28 numbers, in part reflecting the increasing tendency of people to catch-up when they wish, so I guess they aren't *truly* final numbers until the +28s come out. Although I wouldn't expect much of an increase beyond the +7)
Pete the Ferret
Member
Really enjoyed episode 2,felt more natural than episode 1. Some great cinematography in the challenge and that Alfa Romeo...I want one!
Spectrum128
Member
Enjoying the new series too, Chris Harris is really excellent. I feel they could be using Rory a bit better, but it's early days.
I love the new top gear but strangely, having seen a lot of Harris on YouTube, I honestly feel he's being neutered slightly on the show. He doesn't seem like quite the wordsmith he usually is and his way of showing excitement is a little awkward compared to what I've seen in the past.
I am wondering why Reid want involved in the us segment. I feel it would have been better with a third person.
Regardless, it's very watchable and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
I am wondering why Reid want involved in the us segment. I feel it would have been better with a third person.
Regardless, it's very watchable and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
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