Matt LeBlanc announced as Top Gear co-presenter

[Spannerski]

Top gear has been re-invented once, successfully.

I remember watching the first episode of the new TG with new presenters back in 2000 and something... I had to switch over as I couldn't stand the new presenters, format etc... Then tuned in a year later and was hooked.

I'm sure the first few episodes will get panned until they find their feet.

Good luck to 'em.

[johnxjsc1985]

Tyre Smoke said:

Is it just me that is thinking the new TG is starting to sound a lot like TFI but with cars instead of bands?

I think it will be loud fast paced and very annoying but I guess we will have to wait and see.

[K12beano]

I think Joey's only doing it because they mentioned he be up after "Jessica".....

[Amy.B]

Can definitely see why he's been chosen

[dazzaturbo]

Chris Evans has just tweeted a pic

Spot Chris Harris


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CaYYFPuWQAQ37bs.jpg:la...

[MadmanO/T People]

Matt LeBlanc has recently been introducing segments in a series of Best Of Top Gear clip shows on BBC America so, clearly, this deal has been in the works for some time now.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDtgCnRjztw

[soad]

dazzaturbo said:

Chris Evans has just tweeted a pic

Spot Chris Harris


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CaYYFPuWQAQ37bs.jpg:la...

Good looking wimmin in the back.

[castex]

dazzaturbo said:

Chris Evans has just tweeted a pic

Spot Chris Harris


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CaYYFPuWQAQ37bs.jpg:la...

Jennifer Aniston too. Get in!

[bakerstreet]

cullenster said:

I think he will be a good addition. People criticising his appointment based on his previous career, let's not forget he has more experience than either Hammond or May had when they started.

His various appearances on chat shows, and indeed on Top Gear, mark him out as a charismatic, enthusiastic guy. Plus, I'm sure TG are not above using his 'American-ness' to score some xenophobic cheap shots, just like the old Top Gear!

James May was a presenter of old Top Gear and a Motoring Journalist for many years before Top Gear. Hammond had bugger all experience apart from presenting on Men & Motors.

I think Matt is an excellent choice. Generally speaking he is liked and Episodes has proved that he could be successful outside of Friends.

He is also a proven talent behind the wheel. He has also raced cars and bikes. Hes also known to be pretty tough and I think TG will need that. Someone once tried to steel his Mountain bike, so he broke their arm

[Jasper Gilder]

As the presenter's slots fill up I'm still awaiting my call, surely they didn't ignore my super-duper audition video! Should have had it recorded whilst driving - I can do two things at once ha ha)

[DSLiverpool]

dazzaturbo said:

Chris Evans has just tweeted a pic

Spot Chris Harris


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CaYYFPuWQAQ37bs.jpg:la...

Is they guy to Evans left that Oisin Tymon ? (the guy Jezza lamped)

[Mafffew]

dazzaturbo said:

Chris Evans has just tweeted a pic

Spot Chris Harris


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CaYYFPuWQAQ37bs.jpg:la...

Well that wasn't very clever was it?

[bakerstreet]

r11co said:

HorneyMX5 said:

There's a difference between an actor who is a good brand ambassador, and a journalist who is also a good TV presenter. That's what TG had three of before and is now noticeably lacking.

FFS. Hammond was never a motoring journalist. He was a TV presenter from the west midlands. Clarkson and May were the two with the actual motoring journalism background. However we all agree that the chemistry worked and we have no idea if Matt and Chris wiill have chemistry on screen.

I don't think any Top Series has ever faced this much pressure before a single minute of it has been aired. Roll on May I'm looking forward to it.

[nicfaz]

With Matt appealing to the worldwide audience, ChrisE appealing to his listeners and ChrisH appealing to those who like his vids / evo / autocar stuff, this could work out OK. I just hope Matt's a good actor...

If ChrisH is confirmed then I'll watch it.

[GhostDriver]

Good to see Monkey on that table, as well as being one of PHs own, I've enjoyed his reviews and style since his days of writing for evo mag.
I also actually respect his opinion on cars, unlike JC,may & Hammond.

He would make a great counterbalance to Evans' & Sabine's squeaky excitable deliveries. I really do find Schmitz annoying though.

As for LeBlanc. Obviously catering for broader audience. Will get more female viewers in, BBC are being very clever getting in presenters that will bring in as wide an audience as possible. I was getting pretty bored of TG, but will probably watch the new one just because of Harris, my wife will now watch it with me because of LeBlanc.

Painting by numbers whether it will make it look like a masterpiece, time will tell.

[Lucas Ayde]

405dogvan said:

People said that when the BBC binned it and Tiff/Vicki headed-over to Fifth Gear - then it kinda got better.

Moreover, it stopped being a show about cars and became a show people who don't like cars watched - and that, ladies and gentlemen, is what the BBC are hoping not to fk-up

and to be frank, I think they have as-much chance as Clarkson/Hammond/May have - people expect more from them and I think they'll struggle.

Let's not forget too, that latter seasons of Top Gear were really hit and miss. They had milked the formula dry and were getting into unfunny overacting to try to get laughs.

Giving them a whole bunch of money and laying a massive weight of expectations for a new show on an unconventional media channel (which will be giving them massive hype) might not produce great results.

[graeme4130]

Given how the current formula pretty much belonged the the Clarkson trio, they're going to have to reinvent the top gear recipe, and I reckon having someone truly likeable like Matt leBlanc is perfect for that
Why not have Matt and Chris doing to the studio stuff and some of the TG test track stuff, and Harris doing the offsite stuff
MLB is a decent driver, and supposedly a massive petrol head
I think he's a million times better than Jody Kidd would have been or the characterless Sabine

When's it starting to air ?

[subirg]

This is a master stroke and will drive massive international revenue growth for bbc worldwide. Hope it works out for them. I want top gear to be fresh and new, not just a rehash of the Clarkson years...

[elhashbrown]

LeBlanc seems like a good match for Evans in an entertainment type show. Not my kind of thing but TFI Friday was once popular and I can see this being of the same style. Pop Gear?. I can't see how Chris Harris fits into the mix at all. He's a proper car journalist with rather dry humour and I struggle to imagine this working well with the lightweight banter of the other two.

We'll see I'm sure. I have to admit, I'm much more looking forward to my Amazon Prime subscription.

[Krikkit]

elhashbrown said:

LeBlanc seems like a good match for Evans in an entertainment type show. Not my kind of thing but TFI Friday was once popular and I can see this being of the same style. Pop Gear?. I can't see how Chris Harris fits into the mix at all. He's a proper car journalist with rather dry humour and I struggle to imagine this working well with the lightweight banter of the other two.

We'll see I'm sure. I have to admit, I'm much more looking forward to my Amazon Prime subscription.

I disagree, I think on the whole a quintet of Evans, LeBlanc, Harris, Schmitz and Coulthard will make a nicely balanced set of presenters.