Matt LeBlanc announced as Top Gear co-presenter

[V8 FOU]

Matt who?
Never heard of him.......

[K12beano]

Well, regardless, the show is going to have at least something of a re-fresh. It might be quite similar - it might be quite different.

Sometimes change is nice, change is good.


Good luck to all the people involved.

[tankplanker]

unrepentant said:

I can only assume that they have gone for LeBlanc to appeal to the audience on this side of the pond where TG was very popular. LeBlanc is not particularly popular here though......... The reason TG was popular in the US is the same reason it was popular in Britain - blokey banter and in particular Clarkson. I can't see Evans and LeBlanc coming close.

Exactly what I was thinking when I saw this appointment, made with one eye on the US market. I do like LeBlanc and he comes across as a car lover so hes far from an awful appointment. I just hope they screen tested him with the rest of the presenters and there is some chemistry there.

[MitchT]

I like Matt LeBlanc though, based on the characters he's played over the years, I'm not sure if it'll seem right if there isn't a different female presenter every week whose pants he's managed to get into be the end of the show!

[ukaskew]

CRB14 said:

I don't have a problem with Americans but tell me the last successful american TV presenter on British TV. It's a different world. If you'd seen the US version of TG you'd know. It's utter garbage.

I thought the concept after series one (pretty much just road trips) was brilliant, much more focused. Tanner is a good host and comfortably the most competent driver in any Top Gear series anywhere.

[DMC2]

Hahahahahahahahahaha. WTF! That is all.

[Mr_Yogi]

I think this is a good move, at least the BBC aren't trying to replicate Clarkson, Hamond and May.

OT but I think this and the other TG threads would make a great base for a Dave Gorman "Found Poem". I can hear him reading it now...

Dave Gorman Voice said:

People, myself included, won't stand for an american on TG.

[Ste1987]

Mr_Yogi said:

I think this is a good move, at least the BBC aren't trying to replicate Clarkson, Hamond and May.

OT but I think this and the other TG threads would make a great base for a Dave Gorman "Found Poem". I can hear him reading it now...

Dave Gorman Voice said:

People, myself included, won't stand for an american on TG.

[sideways sid]

CaptainSlow said:

I always thought they should ask Guy Martin.

They did, but nobody understood his reply!

[suffolk009]

Unless Matt LeBlanc is a uniquely modest Hollywood star, or intends to appear on TG occasionally (as Andy Kaufmann did on Taxi), I think Chris Evans may have just become the sidekick presenter.

It's still possible for him to be the lead, but on screen with LeBlanc he's no longer the star of the show.

[85Carrera]

Lordbenny said:

As long as he doesn't start using phrases like hood, fender, trunk and alooominum we should be ok!

I though Monkey Harris was going to be on the show?

From the videos I've seen by clicking on links from his fanboys on here, I think it would be better without him.

[Shakermaker]

Mr_Yogi said:

I think this is a good move, at least the BBC aren't trying to replicate Clarkson, Hamond and May.

OT but I think this and the other TG threads would make a great base for a Dave Gorman "Found Poem". I can hear him reading it now...

Dave Gorman Voice said:

People, myself included, won't stand for an american on TG.

Dave Gorman Voice said:

People, myself included, won't stand for an American on Top Gear.
Who is he? I've never heard of him!
Is that the bloke that used to be Joey on Friends? How's he doing?

BRING BACK CLARKSON HAMMOND AND MAY!
For Top Gear is not about cars
but just about 3 men, cocking about in the world of motoring.

BRING BACK CLARKSON HAMMOND AND MAY!
I can't stand the ginger tosser Evans,
he is a loudmouth and doesn't know anything about cars.

I think it will be a good thing that Ross from Friends is on Top Gear
He was really good in Band of Brothers, and he had to drive an old Jeep in that
So he obviously knows his stuff.

Why would anyone watch this programme?
They have ruined it!
Next thing you know, they will have Nigel Farage presenting Countryfile
And Edd the Duck on The One Show

IS NOTHING SACRED ANYMORE?
BRING BACK CLARKSON HAMMOND AND MAY!
I think its horrible how I now have to download Amazon Prime illegally so I can complain that they are just doing the same old thing every time.

[r11co]

HorneyMX5 said:

On the flip side I've heard through a few people who have worked with him in the automotive sector saying he is knowledgeable, a huge petrol head and very engaging. This is people working with him at several prestige and performance brands.

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.

Mr_Yogi said:

at least the BBC aren't trying to replicate Clarkson, Hamond and May.

True, but on the flipside they don't seem to have a clue what they are trying to achieve either. It is looking more and more like TV by committee, with Evans as the shouty chairperson.

Edited by r11co on Thursday 4th February 13:51

[danllama]

I think Matt is one of the few Americans that could be popular on TG, due to his popularity as Joey. I feel like he's not had the best time since Friends finished, so I really hope this goes well for him.

Chris Evans on the other hand, still perplexed...

Harris and Matt would be a good duo.

[K12beano]

They'll presumably be filmed standing on a car lot called "Central Parks"?

[r11co]

danllama said:

I feel like he's not had the best time since Friends finished, so I really hope this goes well for him.

There's a reason for that (ahem)typecasting(ahem). What's his biggest success since Friends, I wonder.....

[Mr_Yogi]

Shakermaker said:

Mr_Yogi said:

I think this is a good move, at least the BBC aren't trying to replicate Clarkson, Hamond and May.

OT but I think this and the other TG threads would make a great base for a Dave Gorman "Found Poem". I can hear him reading it now...

Dave Gorman Voice said:

People, myself included, won't stand for an american on TG.

Dave Gorman Voice said:

People, myself included, won't stand for an American on Top Gear.
Who is he? I've never heard of him!
Is that the bloke that used to be Joey on Friends? How's he doing?

BRING BACK CLARKSON HAMMOND AND MAY!
For Top Gear is not about cars
but just about 3 men, cocking about in the world of motoring.

BRING BACK CLARKSON HAMMOND AND MAY!
I can't stand the ginger tosser Evans,
he is a loudmouth and doesn't know anything about cars.

I think it will be a good thing that Ross from Friends is on Top Gear
He was really good in Band of Brothers, and he had to drive an old Jeep in that
So he obviously knows his stuff.

Why would anyone watch this programme?
They have ruined it!
Next thing you know, they will have Nigel Farage presenting Countryfile
And Edd the Duck on The One Show

IS NOTHING SACRED ANYMORE?
BRING BACK CLARKSON HAMMOND AND MAY!
I think its horrible how I now have to download Amazon Prime illegally so I can complain that they are just doing the same old thing every time.

[stephen300o]

DMC2 said:

Hahahahahahahahahaha. WTF! That is all.

That is all indeed! And why would anything else need be said, this piece was put together with such insight and wit, surely any addition would be folly.

[suffolk009]

K12beano said:

They'll presumably be filmed standing on a car lot called "Central Parks"?

Good one.

[stephen300o]

r11co said:

danllama said:

I feel like he's not had the best time since Friends finished, so I really hope this goes well for him.

There's a reason for that (ahem)typecasting(ahem). What's his biggest success since Friends, I wonder.....

Golden globe he received for Episodes probably.