Top Gear 2016 Official TV show thread *contains spoilers*
Discussion
Thinking ahead to programmes that will feature "normal" cars, Ford Fiesta, Twingo, Mondeo etc. Does anyone care really what Evans thinks about them given he is a millionaire with a garage full of white Ferraris. A car show needs car journalists, not a DJ and an US actor. There is only one proper car journalist on the program and he is relegated to BBC3.
Would it be fairer to compare this new revamp with the American version of Top Gear?
That is, they took a well-established formula of the CHM era, put their own twist on it, but used a brand new set of presenters and had to try and get them to gel and act the same kind of parts as CHM had done?
From the reviews on here, it seems it tanked to begin with but picked up after a few shows and has found its own niche? I saw an episode when I was on holiday a few weeks ago and I really rather enjoyed their version.
Matt, Chris and co need to find their groove. We've got 70-ish pages of discussion over 2 threads here between us in just 36 hours.. their is some constructive criticism for them to take on board. Turn down CE's microphone, chill a bit...
That is, they took a well-established formula of the CHM era, put their own twist on it, but used a brand new set of presenters and had to try and get them to gel and act the same kind of parts as CHM had done?
From the reviews on here, it seems it tanked to begin with but picked up after a few shows and has found its own niche? I saw an episode when I was on holiday a few weeks ago and I really rather enjoyed their version.
Matt, Chris and co need to find their groove. We've got 70-ish pages of discussion over 2 threads here between us in just 36 hours.. their is some constructive criticism for them to take on board. Turn down CE's microphone, chill a bit...
Wanted to see what the general feed back here was like and I agree with most, it was poor.
Evans had the chance to change the format, but he chose to keep it very similar, which I think was a mistake.
Bad stuff:
Cars shooting each other...
GB V's USA in Robins...
That US actor that could hardly even drive V's Ramsey (of the North)...
Good Stuff:
They kept the music...
Evans had the chance to change the format, but he chose to keep it very similar, which I think was a mistake.
Bad stuff:
Cars shooting each other...
GB V's USA in Robins...
That US actor that could hardly even drive V's Ramsey (of the North)...
Good Stuff:
They kept the music...
The daft thing is you've got, in Harris, a motivated content-producer who is enthusiastic, car-mad and can present well. Think back to his 918/LaFerrari/P1 piece, he bounced off Needell and Franchitti really well. It's madness not to have him in the main show. He'd struggle in the studio segments as that's not his forté, but for god's sake get him in the pre-filmed pieces with Sabine and LeBlanc.
r11co said:
...except that it wasn't. Using a rallycross car removed the USP of the segment (whether you were aware of that or not, seeing as you are still using the now entirely incorrect acronym).
Whoever thought of that clearly wasn't thinking.
Jay Leno took the SIARPC format to his own show and intentionally used a Ford Focus because he understood the point ie. a series of A-listers trolling around a track in a bland box anyone could afford.
There is no USP of that segment - it was only ever an excuse to get a celebrity on (who would invariably be plugging some new project of theirs) and fill ten minutes of programming cheaply. I have a ten minute skip on my PVR box and it was as if it was designed for this ... one button press and you'd skip straight to the start of a hopefully more interesting segment of the show.Whoever thought of that clearly wasn't thinking.
Jay Leno took the SIARPC format to his own show and intentionally used a Ford Focus because he understood the point ie. a series of A-listers trolling around a track in a bland box anyone could afford.
The only time it was ever interesting was when they had F1 drivers on - it was great to see them trying to outdo their rivals' lap times and the interview was usually entertaining too.
At least they've spiced up the actual timed laps with the rallycross bits - there was little more boring than seeing random celebs just barrel around a runway in a low powered FWD car.
TankRizzo said:
The daft thing is you've got, in Harris, a motivated content-producer who is enthusiastic, car-mad and can present well. Think back to his 918/LaFerrari/P1 piece, he bounced off Needell and Franchitti really well. It's madness not to have him in the main show. He'd struggle in the studio segments as that's not his forté, but for god's sake get him in the pre-filmed pieces with Sabine and LeBlanc.
Agree too. Even Rory - who initially going by his YouTube "gangsta" style reviews was looking to be a bad choice - has turned out, first episode at least, to be a good presenter. It feels like they kept the worst bits of old TG (predictable, formulaic, puerile, stale) and changed the best bits (the chemistry of the presenters and the easy humour). Those made the old programme work, despite the obvious handicaps.
To be fair, Chris Evans might calm down a bit over the next few weeks. He was trying (very trying) far too hard. And who can blame him? It is a huge job and he will succeed or fail in the glare of the media. Also, the chemistry might improve. They might take more risks with the format and freshen it up.
Also, I suspect it will be a great help the TGT and Team Clarkson. They will be more confident that it was not the format that ensured success. They can be more relaxed about delivering us a change of format that gives their programme a rejuvenated feel.
To be fair, Chris Evans might calm down a bit over the next few weeks. He was trying (very trying) far too hard. And who can blame him? It is a huge job and he will succeed or fail in the glare of the media. Also, the chemistry might improve. They might take more risks with the format and freshen it up.
Also, I suspect it will be a great help the TGT and Team Clarkson. They will be more confident that it was not the format that ensured success. They can be more relaxed about delivering us a change of format that gives their programme a rejuvenated feel.
TankRizzo said:
The daft thing is you've got, in Harris, a motivated content-producer who is enthusiastic, car-mad and can present well. Think back to his 918/LaFerrari/P1 piece, he bounced off Needell and Franchitti really well. It's madness not to have him in the main show. He'd struggle in the studio segments as that's not his forté, but for god's sake get him in the pre-filmed pieces with Sabine and LeBlanc.
Yep, Evans shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a pre-filmed driving piece unless it's as one of the contestants in a challenge episode and even then make sure he doesn't hog the camera.Let Sabine and Harris do the serious driving bits (hooning high performance cars) with Le Blanc doing the less serious driving articles (blasting around in fun cars).
Emeye said:
Mmmm - You do see the irony of posting that here, right? 
M
Funk said:
robemcdonald said:
Funk said:
Let's see if he's as quick to tweet next week's figures...
I have a feeling they'll only drop from here and the BBC will finally have the excuse it's been looking for to drop TG completely.
If they had wanted rid of it they would have dropped it when Clarkson went raging bull over a sandwich. A more perfect opportunity would never occur. The idea they are spending millions making a sub-standard show to destroy "the brand" is tin foil hat territory.I have a feeling they'll only drop from here and the BBC will finally have the excuse it's been looking for to drop TG completely.
However, if the goose starts to die they can kill it and point to the viewing figure as the reason why. The last episode of CH&MTG was around 5.5m viewers. I can see this new one dropping hard in numbers and not being renewed for next year.
Bonkers
Newsthump's take:
Top Gear viewers beg Chris Evans to thump someone
http://newsthump.com/2016/05/31/top-gear-viewers-b...
Top Gear viewers beg Chris Evans to thump someone
http://newsthump.com/2016/05/31/top-gear-viewers-b...
Everyone has their opinion and I think Evans was always really good on TFI Friday and have to admit to the odd listen of Radio 2 on a morning however he just didn't fit with Top Gear. Perhaps if he was just more himself than trying to imitate Clarkson all the time. It all got too cringeworthy and I don't know about others but it was so strange with different presenters at the helm - almost as if you were expecting to hear Clarkson's voice on the voiceovers but it was Evans. I was certain he was going to shout a Clarkson-esque 'poweeeeeeeeeeeeeer' at one point. Agreed with everyone saying his use of 'brother' and 'yeah baby' is excruciating.
I think where Evans falls down is he's not manly enough for the role. Pracing about like an excited child spouting meaningless nonsense. MLB on the other hand, despite being a bit wooden reading the autocue was much better suited and perfect in a supporting role. With a bit more experience, he would be a great front man. Problem is I can't think of any equivalent English macho car afficianados.
I think where Evans falls down is he's not manly enough for the role. Pracing about like an excited child spouting meaningless nonsense. MLB on the other hand, despite being a bit wooden reading the autocue was much better suited and perfect in a supporting role. With a bit more experience, he would be a great front man. Problem is I can't think of any equivalent English macho car afficianados.
AstonZagato said:
Newsthump's take:
Top Gear viewers beg Chris Evans to thump someone
http://newsthump.com/2016/05/31/top-gear-viewers-b...
Top Gear viewers beg Chris Evans to thump someone
http://newsthump.com/2016/05/31/top-gear-viewers-b...
otolith said:
Where Evans falls down is that he thinks that he and what he's doing are cool and wants to tell everyone that -
But the BBC must take a big bit of the blame with their obsession with the anti-hero, initially when he appeared on C4 breakfast telly he came across as a humble jovial chap, Oh how wrong was I!!The bloke has turned into a total
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