OK, so we have now all seen Episode II - what do we all think?
- still rubbish?
- getting better?
- didn't bother to watch?
Me - I think it was a bit better.
- They let Matt White take more of a lead presenter role and he was quite good and more unforced and natural than Evans.
- Chris Evans turned the volume down - a bit, but needs to more.
- I don't 'get' the idea of having 3 guests against one in the Rallycross segment. Why not have 3 against 3 or 1 against 1??
Can't comment as i refuse to watch anything with the Ginger Winger in. :-X
Quote from: Paul-H on June 06, 2016, 10:16:06 AM
Can't comment as i refuse to watch anything with the Ginger Winger in. :-X
You just did !!
:P
Yeah it was a step in the right direction
I watched 60 seconds of the first one and switched off!
I hear that Jenson last night stole the show! Its just not Top Gear any more...
Haven't watched it and not going to watch it.
First one was rubbish. Second one was worse.
I'm gonna give it 1 more episode and then stop watching if it doesn't improve.
Honestly Chris Evans winds me up. He says everything in such a dull and boring manner and when he does try and amp up his excitement it's so fake and so shouty. The guy is a bore. And Matt Leblanc is stiff and crap too.
They took the previous formula and made it worse. So utterly fake.
With Chris Evans presenting it's not so much Top Gear as automatic stuck in 1st gear.
Re-programme him or ditch him BBC.
The Star in a reasonably priced car bit, where he is sole presenter, really shows how bad he is. At least Matt Leblanc helps carry the other studio stuff.
Naw - just ditch him BBC.
I'm still very much on the fence.
I think 'the old three' worked so well that nothing is going to come close. I know it was (and still looks to be) scripted and staged but they made it work so well due to being so relaxed around each other that it felt natural. It had the feel of 'three mates arsing about in cars'. These guys are very false and appear uncomfortable around each other. I cant imagine them sitting down the pub together having a laugh like I could the 'others'. Chris is quite clearly Lording it up and Matt might as well be a plank of wood.....
Did make me chuckle when Chris was in the McLaren though, looked like he was going to redecorate the interior at any moment!
Evans reminded me of this fella:
(http://s33.postimg.org/c7p6u9tl7/6176f02f8c03194541f4cc843acd338d.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/c7p6u9tl7/)
Quote from: Jake Bullit on June 06, 2016, 12:34:43 PM
Evans reminded me of this fella:
(http://s33.postimg.org/c7p6u9tl7/6176f02f8c03194541f4cc843acd338d.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/c7p6u9tl7/)
Don't think Evans has got a quarter of the brains of this guy !!
I didn't think the 1st was that bad. Yes unnecessary changes, Evans grinding voice but not a load of cobblers. Last night's was a bit better, a step in the right direction.
Evans face when Jensen was driving was so funny. Thought he was going to throw up.
Think the BBC missed a trick with this show. They should have put it to sleep and brought out a completely new format. Mrs BigT hates Clarkeson but even she wants me to get an Amazon Stick so we can watch the new show. As she said, imagine TisWas without Sally James, Chris Tarrant, Lennie Hendri and Spit The Dog. Or going to see Rod Stewart but it wasn't him just someone singing his songs.
I thought last nights show was a bit better but found the script grated as it was the same words the others would use.
Trouble is the franchise was worth millions of $ world wide. There is so much motoring talent out there, Jensen would have been excellent as lead presenter with LeBlanc and Suzi Perry. Funny thing is the Australian Top Gear is still good fun.
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Not sure if its true but been told Chris Evens as been sacked already :laugh:
dizzy ;D
Surely they must have this series in the can, so maybe he won't get series 2
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I believe they are putting the shows together every Thursday - that is the 'live in the hangar' parts. Apparently changes have been made after the bad comments on episode 1 - that will appear in episode 3.
Doubt they'd fire him after 2 Episodes - besides, he'll be in all the footage they shot for the last X months for the remainder of the series.
TBH he's a puppet - anyone who replaced Clarkson on Top Gear was going to be burned alive, he had no chance.
Clarkson got fired (sorry, contract didn't get renewed) but I bet he's saying... "still, could be worse..."
UK viewers are only a small part of the market. How well it's received abroad is more important- that's why they have a yank in it now.
I refuse to watch it becuase I hate the pathetic left wing BBC and now clarkson isn't on, it will never be the same. Clarkson is Top Gear. Top Gear is clarkson. The two are one.
I gave it a 2nd chance last night, watched Ep 1&2 back to back... I just had to get used to the new guys, the scripting is obvious but I did still find the show mildly entertaining.
Watching Top Gear now is similar to watching F1 - It's basically rubbish / you know before it's going to be rubbish / but you can't stop yourself from watching / in the hope that something exciting / good happens !!
Quote from: wgt40w on June 07, 2016, 05:08:55 PM
Watching Top Gear now is similar to watching F1 - It's basically rubbish / you know before it's going to be rubbish / but you can't stop yourself from watching / in the hope that something exciting / good happens !!
Exactly- you live in hope of a big crash. Preferably with the annoying ginger one in it.
Wait - Conan O'Brien is in it?
Bring back William Woolard :D
Quentin Willllllson wasn't so bad either.
Did a trawl and found this article on former Top Gear presenters. The first one really is a shocker but in a sort of nice way. And young Jeremy.........not sure what to say.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/11583450/A-history-of-Top-Gear-presenters.html?frame=3290470 (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/11583450/A-history-of-Top-Gear-presenters.html?frame=3290470)
Don't forget Raymond Baxter - the original tech 'gentleman' tv presenter!
Watching Episode 3 as I write this, started to think it was getting a bit better - until Chris Evans took centre stage - interviewing a world champion boxer ! on Top Gear? WTF. Is Chris trying to put some Parkinson non car related celebrity chat into the show?
Sorry Chris Evens - but you are killing the show for me.
Improving, but........
I think the recipe is still good but not all the ingredients are suitable or blend well together.
Rather like fat free yoghurt, you can get used to it but it's never as good tasting.
For the first time i tried it last night- managed about 10 mins before deciding it was crap.
Le Blanc wasn't acting in Friends. He is Joey. All his mannerisms and personality just scream joey.
Sabine has no personality Sorry. She's not right. Shame she was very attractive and fun in the original top gear series.
Evans is an idiot. Can't stand the man.
The show just isn't funny.
Even Chris harris- who I really like on YouTube - didn't seem right on it.
And why has EVERY presenter somehow adopted the a little bit of Hammonds personality? It's hard to describe. the little bouncing buzzing annoying style.
So Mr Farage what's next? I hear there's a vacancy at Top Gear. :laugh:
I have heard that Evans has gone due to some sexual allegations being made against him. Not sure how true they are but some woman reckons he kept showing her his "gear stick" in the office back in the day.
Maybe the BBC are playing it safe seeing as how Top Gear isn't exactly super-popular any more.. damage limitation so that they can still salvage it??
I watched the whole series, it did get better in every episode. You could tell they were watching social media like a hawk because the complaints / suggestions were lept upon the very next program.
Chris Harris is a much better presenter than Evans, but still wet behind the ears, even so they have brought him from the online extra gear to the main program and then as the episodes ran on more and more screen time.
Rory doesn't really do anything for me as well as Evans. I like Chris's enthusiasm with classics, he really tries to get across certain points but the chemistry from him just isn't there and all the pro's just don't compensate for his shortcomings imo.
Sabine Schmitz just needs a bit more time, the girl can drive the arse off anything just like Harris but she is not natural yet speaking English, on the German Top Gear speaking her native tongue she is much more relaxed.
Eddie Jordan - Don't see the point of him being on the show at all. But Matt is getting better and better each episode and is really starting to grow on me.
So they in my opinion have something to work from, Evans going is the best outcome. Now they have hit rock bottom with the ratings they can build it up again from there. Hopefully with more original ideas instead of have baked rehashed ideas they tried this time around.
TBH I think Chris Evans was probably the worst possible selection - he's very marmite and people (like me!) had prejudged how crap he was going to be. Thing is, I think he's alright on the radio but he's always been hyperactive on the telly and I thought that's what he'd be like on Top Gear... I just haven't been able to bring myself to watch it primarily because of him. He's off-putting.
I think there needs to be a national referendum to decide who should replace Chris Evans ..... and then hold a second referendum if we don't like who is chosen.
:P
Funny you should say that - inside scoop is Nigel Farage is being considered.... :)
Certain similarities with Clarkson... loudmouth, opinionated, bad dress sense, non pc.. I could go on
Farage is the only politician who actually tells it how it is - popular opinion or not :D
Bring it on!!
I think Jimmy Carr should be the new Top Gear presenter.
He's been on a few times, topped the leaderboard at one point too...
Not a bad shout, although I think a replacement is the wrong tactic, there are too many presenters, just let him go and use who there is left.
It would be nice if it turned into.. 8 out of 10 cats do Top Gear... along with Rachel Riley (who's also been on it)
Evans has gone because he was rubh8sh and everyone hated him. nothing to do with grabbing some girls breasts 20 years ago.
imo Chris harris is great in video but he's like a child on a live film set. no way can he handle a bigger physical role. I would keep him 95% away from the set.
I quite like Rory. he's likeable. But he dumbs it down too much. I'm not sure if you need him and Harris though. Someone between the two ideally.
LeB is great but very scripted. he needs someone he actually likes to bounce and banter off. someone with real charisma and personality.
Sabine is rubbish. she used to be so fun and infectious but now she's dull.
Jordan can sod off.
if it was me I would get Harris LeB and one more person to make the 3.
Quote from: BlueFlyer on July 05, 2016, 02:18:58 PM
I think Jimmy Carr should be the new Top Gear presenter.
He's been on a few times, topped the leaderboard at one point too...
he topped the leader board because he's a nutter. crashed every other time since.
but I agree he wouldn't be a bad host. hes certainly funny enough and can host well. not sure if he's blokey enough though.
Quote from: Coyote on July 05, 2016, 02:20:07 PM
Not a bad shout, although I think a replacement is the wrong tactic, there are too many presenters, just let him go and use who there is left.
you still need a host and a leader to bond everyone together. Evans is the right personality type- he's just also a w@nker which spoils it.
they def need to cull a few ppl too. Jordan sabine and Rory need to go. you could almost keep Rory- but anything he can do, LeB can do better so there's little point.
I would seriously suggest for the whole of the next Series, they do what was done on "Have I Got News for You" - have a different guest presenter for each Episode.
That would soon show up who has a natural 'fit' for Top Gear.
I think Chris Harris ( heavily sedated while in the studio) with Matt LeBlanc and Sabine as the extra to make up the numbers for the challenges or real balls to the wall driving parts is the way to go.
Sabine could easily take over as "The Stig" - that's a Clarksonism, he had a mate at school called The Stig. So they could do something unique there.
One single presenter doing the main interviews etc like Clarkson (Le Blanc)
One "stunt challenge" presenter doing mental stuff like jumping over cars, or supervising a mentalist doing the same as a segment. (Position open)
All three presenters doing the "feature" segment against one another. (Le Blanc, Sabine, Position open).
Eddie Jordan... wtf?!?!?!?! I know it's scripted, but he's just crap. He's a funny guy in real life when he's not being told to follow a script, most of the funny stuff with him this season was just so un-natural feeling. I really like Jordan, always have done... the bit in the luxury 4x4s was testament to how funny he is naturally when not reading or acting out a scripted sketch.
Sabine... It's such a shame that her English isn't that great. I'm not being ignorant or xenophobic here, I'm well aware her English is far superior to my German speaking ability... but I'm not a presenter on a TV show in Germany am I? Again, I really liked the episodes of old Top Gear when she was in them, she added an extra "spark"... a female driver who's frickin awesome and can drive most wannabe men off the track. The Episode in this season when she made Chris Evans sick up his brekkie was brilliant, she needs to be used as a driver... like Steve says, some kind of Stig character... a standard that the "normal" presenters have to match up against in challenges.
Chris Harris... I really like him, I honestly think he fits right in with the Top Gear ethos... he's SO enthuiastic and gets really passionate about cars and motoring. If there's one person who should definitely STAY it's him.
Rory Reid... Hmmmmm, not really sure what his purpose is in this line up... perhaps they've added him to show that young people can also enjoy motoring....which they actually can't, not in a Top Gear way anyhoo... The only people his age that can afford to drive a Jag F-Type are spoilt daddy's boys, born into privilege, Premier League footballers, or chavvy lottery winners. I think if they used Rory in situations and driving cars that were actually within reach of the majority of people in the country of his rough age... they'd be onto a winner, someone to represent the "yoof" of today.
Matt LeBlanc.... oh matty matty matty, I hate what they've turned you into lol. Seriously though, along with Eddie his scripted parts are too unnatural and he's so much better when he's making off the cuff comments that are part of his real personality. I really like him and I think he should stay, perhaps when the "team" get friendlier with each other, their banter will be real and not manufactured like it is now.
As for who to replace Chris Evans? No-one... I think with the line up of Chris Harris, Matt LeBlanc and Rory Reid, with the odd special drivers position for Sabine, the show will be much better.
The BBC have confirmed earlier today that Chris Evans will not be replaced by a new presenter.
This brings me to the conclusion :
The BBC are reading this thread :)
Shame they didn't listen before filming started - loads of people said he was wrong for the job ...
Yeah, they overpopulated the show... it would always be tough getting the chemistry right with 6 presenters and a stig
LOL told you so ;D
dizzy :laugh:
That's a heck of a lot of pressure on LeB to host and perform. Given he's worked with scripts all his life I think he will struggle. He may be able to bounce off Rory a bit but no one else is going to manage it. can you imagine sabine and Harris joking around on stage? and everyone hates Jordan so he won't be much good.
2 stars in a rallycross car was utter garbage, the only thing reasonably watchable was the "first car/best car" with the celebs. Simply because it's quite interesting to hear about a person's motoring history (it is a car show after all)
The senior controllers at Auntie Beeb must be s%#}}^[g themselves! I can just hear the W1 meetings. "Tony's not happy on this one, we should have populated the show with a more viewer popular baseline agenda. We need to appeal to the LGBT and Disadvantaged Youth Leadership and the ethnically challenged consumer base to encompass a more proletariat viewer experience with sub script in Русский язык (Russian)".
Really? Perhaps all the Beeb needs to do is a deal with Amazon.
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As long as they keep trying to emulate Top Gear as it was, it'll always be a poor imitation. New ideas required.
You can't buy the type of chemistry Clarkson, May + Hammond have because they built that up over years and actually being friends outside of work. It's real, actual banter (yes, some scripted, but a lot of it is off-the-cuff).
Ant+Dec? :D
Clarkson's Top Gear wasn't really about cars (thank god) it was more about three middle aged men having a mid life crisis, its where over worked, over stressed men could lever the telly remote from there beloved wifes and relax for some man banter for an hour on a sunday night, it was the new hour at the pub on a sunday evening before the working week, it featured cars becouse thats what we men like to think we know what were on about, haha, the three wise men really need to make a come back, iam not bothered what subject they base a programme on, its the banter i miss,
New top is ok, Evans just doesnt cut it for me, iam just English for his enthusism, he really has a persona for radio only
Quote from: BigT on July 07, 2016, 09:22:41 AM
We need to appeal to the LGBT and Disadvantaged Youth Leadership and the ethnically challenged consumer base to encompass a more proletariat viewer experience with sub script in Русский язык (Russian)".
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Gosh, I haven't heard that type of language since I worked at the city council.