If you watched new Top Gear was it any good, yes or no?

[944fan]

I watched it last night. My wife pointed out half way through that I hadn't laughed once. I chuckled a few times though.

Good parts were I liked that they have kept the whizzy camera stuff, the soundtracks were good. I really liked Matt Le Blanc, thought he was great. Sure he needs to relax a bit in the studio but that must be a little out of his comfort zone. He always seems a bit awkward on chat shows and things. He dead pan humour was good, I did laugh at the desert bit "Where's he going? That way is Algeria, that's unfortunate"

The biggest thing missing was the banter and relationship between the presenters. Need a bit of piss taking etc. Chris Evans I really didn't like. Too shouty, and WTF fk was he wearing, he does realise he is in his 50s now doesn't he? He Clarkson pastiche was awful as well, as were the digs about catering etc. Just all smacked of trying too hard.

So I didn't hate it and will watch it again next week. Still think the Grand Tour will probably be better, but who knows, they might fk that up

[Digga]

944fan said:

I really liked Matt Le Blanc, thought he was great. Sure he needs to relax a bit in the studio but that must be a little out of his comfort zone. He always seems a bit awkward on chat shows and things. He dead pan humour was good, I did laugh at the desert bit "Where's he going? That way is Algeria, that's unfortunate"

I thought this too. Given the relatively positive reviews he got, let's hope he warms to the role, because it does seem he has great potential to fill some of the void left by the previous team.

[r11co]

Durzel said:

Evans will find his feet.

No he won't.

Durzel said:

love him or hate him he's got the chops for this game.

Chris Evans said:

I no longer know how to be successful on TV.

Durzel said:

I think a lot of people have got really short term memories.

Mainly the people who employed Evans for this task.

[98elise]

Durzel said:

Evans will find his feet, love him or hate him he's got the chops for this game.

I think a lot of people have got really short term memories. OG Top Gear didn't exactly hit the ground running, pre James May and for some time it wasn't anything to write home about and was arguably worse than this new version. It was only in recent seasons (if that's the right vernacular) that they struck gold with the chemistry, format, etc.

The difference is old TG started with the name from a cancelled show, new presenters, a new format and no budget. They then built this into a very very successful brand.

The new TG as started with a successful format, an international brand, and a huge budget. All they could come up with was a bit of dirt on the track, and a bloke doing a impression of Clarkson, only shouting more.

It doesn't really matter what we think though because its a success.....FACT

[bad company]

This morning while working out in a gym I watched the episode where Clarkson was driving a Bugatti Veyron racing JM and RH who were in a light airplane. Obviously I had seen it before but the difference in quality/entertainment compared to Chris Evans offering was obvious to me.

As I said previously Sunday's effort was like a duff cover version of a great song.

[marcosgt]

roger1361 said:

Topgear on Sunday wasn't good, I think even I could do a better job than Chris Evans and co. actually I already did and it's on youtube, Top Gear road trip(not) with an astonishing 246 views! FACT! I think I might call the BBC.

Fixed that for you

Can we start referring to NGT as OFI Chris Evans?

Personally, I'd just say OFO Chris Evans...

M.

[Digga]

bad company said:

As I said previously Sunday's effort was like a duff cover version of a great song.

Funny but NSFW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj_F9yRpx_M

Turn volume down!

[RegMolehusband]

I suspect Chris has taken on too much, when combined with his other activities, and didn't have the time to sit down with the team to think up a new format with new features. So he has taken the easier route.

Having said that, his limited knowledge of cars and driving would probably have made it very difficult to create new features anyway.

[nicanary]

RegMolehusband said:

I suspect Chris has taken on too much, when combined with his other activities, and didn't have the time to sit down with the team to think up a new format with new features. So he has taken the easier route.

Having said that, his limited knowledge of cars and driving would probably have made it very difficult to create new features anyway.

I think it's more likely the Beeb didn't want to change what had been a successful format, nobody bothering to consider that it wouldn't work with different presenters.

I do agree with you about Evans' knowledge. Just because you've got the cash and the enthusiasm to buy expensive and exotic cars, doesn't mean you understand the history of them and how to get the best out of them. He's a parvenu. He's in a position to splash the cash, but doesn't know how to do it in a style which is acceptable to the classic car hierarchy. Painting your cars white FFS! He paid way over the odds for the Coburn car, just getting carried away by the excitement of it all.

The Beeb clearly didn't understand the difference between an enthusiast who had a grounding in the classic car world, and an enthusiast who taked the talk, but couldn't walk the walk.

[cerb4.5lee]

Just watched Extra Gear and I must say I really enjoyed that.

[Evangelion]

Extra Gear was 150% better than the main show but let's be honest, still bks. I fast forwarded completely through the part with the so-called comedian and didn't feel as if I'd missed anything.

[HoHoHo]

Durzel said:

EDIT: Poll is missing an option imo - "It's got potential".

Perhaps a bit late but I've added that for you

[BUG4LIFE]

Ok, I've now watched both the programmes and tbf I've become less disappointment than when I first watched the main programme only. I initially thought it's far to close to the old format, but it's a winning format so why should the BBC make huge changes.

I was bored as hell with the Clarkson, May and Hammond and the BS they got up too every episode so Evans and Joey will make me watch it again. I can understand why some of the guys don't like Chris Evans but I don't mind him, he's obviously excited about doing the show and it shows, nothing wrong with that.

I reason I changed my mind and actually will watch TG again is cos of Extra Gear. This is a great idea. It helps to keep people like me happy, who were pretty bored of the 'entertainment' side of the show. The chap who won the contest to present gives it a real element, which I liked.

So that's my assessment, as you asked!

[johnxjsc1985]

You can get any amount of information on any Car made on the Planet so why would anyone need a TV programme just to see Car Reviews.
Top Gear is entertainment I get people had issues with the characters but I cannot believe anyone could compare sundays show to even the worst of the old TG.
I will not be watching again and I suspect his 5million viewing figures will be close to 3 million this week

[williamp]

watching googlebox on plus 1. Yet to see what they have to say on the matter

[wilwak]

I enjoyed Top Gear Extra far more than Top Gear.

Chris Harris stands out as the best by a mile. A real car expert who I want to listen to.

I always though the old top gear was a load of silly rubbish. I stopped watching it. I prefer a proper car programme like Fifth Gear or that Quentin Wilson Classic car programme that was on.

The man banter is fine but the programme should be about cars and not silly stuff IMO.

Star in a car is fine. The stig is fine. Test drives of new cars fine. But the Reliant race was so manufactured it was irritating.

[98elise]

wilwak said:

I enjoyed Top Gear Extra far more than Top Gear.

Chris Harris stands out as the best by a mile. A real car expert who I want to listen to.

I always though the old top gear was a load of silly rubbish. I stopped watching it. I prefer a proper car programme like Fifth Gear or that Quentin Wilson Classic car programme that was on.

The man banter is fine but the programme should be about cars and not silly stuff IMO.

Star in a car is fine. The stig is fine. Test drives of new cars fine. But the Reliant race was so manufactured it was irritating.

Proper car shows appeal to a very small audience. If Extra Gear was the main show it would die no matter how good a driver CH is

Sadly i'm one of those views that prefers car based entertainment. I don't want facts about a car I'll never be able to afford, or how it compares to another car I'll never be able to afford. Some do, but its a small group.

[MarshPhantom]

98elise said:

wilwak said:

I enjoyed Top Gear Extra far more than Top Gear.

Chris Harris stands out as the best by a mile. A real car expert who I want to listen to.

I always though the old top gear was a load of silly rubbish. I stopped watching it. I prefer a proper car programme like Fifth Gear or that Quentin Wilson Classic car programme that was on.

The man banter is fine but the programme should be about cars and not silly stuff IMO.

Star in a car is fine. The stig is fine. Test drives of new cars fine. But the Reliant race was so manufactured it was irritating.

Proper car shows appeal to a very small audience. If Extra Gear was the main show it would die no matter how good a driver CH is

Sadly i'm one of those views that prefers car based entertainment. I don't want facts about a car I'll never be able to afford, or how it compares to another car I'll never be able to afford. Some do, but its a small group.

Me too, Top Gear is the only car show I watch, including motorsport.

[Bring on the clowns]

Well, this is much better so far. If i can manage to not let Evans annoy me it is still enjoyable and interesting - only wish they gave more time to the F1.

[Shinobi]

The cars and segment is good but Evans really needs to shut up. Appreciate this was probably filmed before the feedback of last week.