If you watched new Top Gear was it any good, yes or no?
Poll: If you watched new Top Gear was it any good, yes or no?
Total Members Polled: 1113
Discussion
My boys (aged 10 & 8), have been dying for this to start, watching all the old ones on Netflix constantly....
They'd both walked off within 20 minutes, claiming it to be complete rubbish. They were completely right! The eldest just asked me to email Amazon to find out when Clarkson and co start.
There are plenty of apologists on this thread saying "yes, but the old crew took a while to get into the feel of things too".
That may well be true, but the old crew were forging a completely new format. All Evans did was try to do a straight copy of that, and they failed miserably.
If they'd done something completely different, they could've been forgiven a few teething troubles, but they didn't, and it was just staggeringly dull.
I very much doubt we'll bother watching it again.
They'd both walked off within 20 minutes, claiming it to be complete rubbish. They were completely right! The eldest just asked me to email Amazon to find out when Clarkson and co start.
There are plenty of apologists on this thread saying "yes, but the old crew took a while to get into the feel of things too".
That may well be true, but the old crew were forging a completely new format. All Evans did was try to do a straight copy of that, and they failed miserably.
If they'd done something completely different, they could've been forgiven a few teething troubles, but they didn't, and it was just staggeringly dull.
I very much doubt we'll bother watching it again.
I left a comment immediately after watching the show.
'Have had a night to think about it.
Still not impressed although I must admit I was hoping to hate it, so my opinions are slightly tainted.
However I think most men of a certain age and experience will agree with me when I liken the new show to a greedy ex-wife who got the house, kids, Porsche and all the box sets...after a particularly messy divorce, showing their new and old friends around the place now that the husband has been packed off to some bed-sit with an enormous solicitor's bill. Listening to Evans when he gloated about getting "custody" of the Stig, made me puke...well, nearly.
And other little things pissed me off too....for instance the new lap board had all the old TG childish scrawlings with the former cars' and times' replaced with sanitised-primary-schoolteacher-written lap times on them. Yuk.
I couldn't believe they had the gall to keep all the good stuff that JC and his gang invented and then wiped away any tangible evidence that they were ever there at all. w
kers.
P.S. Chris Evans......that designer stubble that you (and I) used to sport in the 80s and 90s? Nowadays, it's less George Michael and more Alan Sugar. It makes you look like a dick.
'Have had a night to think about it.
Still not impressed although I must admit I was hoping to hate it, so my opinions are slightly tainted.
However I think most men of a certain age and experience will agree with me when I liken the new show to a greedy ex-wife who got the house, kids, Porsche and all the box sets...after a particularly messy divorce, showing their new and old friends around the place now that the husband has been packed off to some bed-sit with an enormous solicitor's bill. Listening to Evans when he gloated about getting "custody" of the Stig, made me puke...well, nearly.
And other little things pissed me off too....for instance the new lap board had all the old TG childish scrawlings with the former cars' and times' replaced with sanitised-primary-schoolteacher-written lap times on them. Yuk.
I couldn't believe they had the gall to keep all the good stuff that JC and his gang invented and then wiped away any tangible evidence that they were ever there at all. w
kers.P.S. Chris Evans......that designer stubble that you (and I) used to sport in the 80s and 90s? Nowadays, it's less George Michael and more Alan Sugar. It makes you look like a dick.
MrsFallon said:
So the viewing figures are apparently out. Evans last week said anything less than 5 million wouldn't be considered a success. It debuted last night on 4.3 million.
The only reason for watching last night was curiosity. It was mediocre at best. The figures week by week will tumble.Monty Python said:
I've an idea - get rid of Evans and LeBlanc and let The Stig present the programme.
Each segment the Stig is standing there awaiting the man in the white coat to give him instructions in an envelope. He hops in a car and pushes it to the limit in various locations. A good spin off or YouTube channel for sure!I think this highlights that the whole appeal of TG was in the presenters. You can copy the entire format with new presenters and it just doesn't gel. Perhaps the BBC was so scared of affecting it's worldwide sales that they were terrified of messing with the format?
Personally I thought the old format was getting tired even with the previous presenters (find the threads reviewing the last series and you'll find that many people agree).
Dump these elements:
- SIARPC (or the new equivalent)
- Studio audience (adds nothing)
- The Stig (yes really - it's a joke that's truly expired)
Keep the incredible production values and cinematography. Find a group of presenters capable of spontaneous banter.
I was hoping that Chris Evans would be brave enough to rework the show with some fresh ideas. Apparently not.
Personally I thought the old format was getting tired even with the previous presenters (find the threads reviewing the last series and you'll find that many people agree).
Dump these elements:
- SIARPC (or the new equivalent)
- Studio audience (adds nothing)
- The Stig (yes really - it's a joke that's truly expired)
Keep the incredible production values and cinematography. Find a group of presenters capable of spontaneous banter.
I was hoping that Chris Evans would be brave enough to rework the show with some fresh ideas. Apparently not.
ian in lancs said:
MrsFallon said:
So the viewing figures are apparently out. Evans last week said anything less than 5 million wouldn't be considered a success. It debuted last night on 4.3 million.
The only reason for watching last night was curiosity. It was mediocre at best. The figures week by week will tumble.I doubt I'll watch it next week as it lacks the entertainment value of old TG.
Evans was dire, as usual. Matt LeBlanc was a revelation ! Who'd have thought that the calm, laid back, laconic individual would be played an American ?! No sign of Chris Harris which was a shame, Sabine can drive as we all know but the Corvette / Viper bit was rubbish. The Reliant was rehashed and seemed ultimately pointless. I see the BBC are just as bereft of creativity as they were in 2001 when they cancelled the show the last time. They've just nicked the Clarkson / Wilman format and tweaked it a bit.
4/10 but only because LeBlanc was very good.
4/10 but only because LeBlanc was very good.
Lots of negative comment about TG and I think this was always going to be the case, but the BBC have really lost an opportunity by just rehashing the old show. It just seems wrong to have the old format without the old presenters. The BBC's fault as well, was allowing the old show to run for 13 years, long after it had passed its sell by date, meaning that they now have this major issue of trying to bring something new and fresh when so many people have grown up on the old format.
So, as others have said, ditch the SIARC, the studio audience, the Stig, even the track and do something completely different. CE is too polarising, but he isn't an idiot. He is a very successful media presenter, but perhaps just wont work on TG.
It takes me back to 1999 and how TOP GEAR soldiered on after Clarkson left first time round and the other members of the team were sacked and shipped off to do 5th Gear. Remember that season with Quentin Willson and Kate Humble? We could be headed for that again if something isn't done quickly!!
So, as others have said, ditch the SIARC, the studio audience, the Stig, even the track and do something completely different. CE is too polarising, but he isn't an idiot. He is a very successful media presenter, but perhaps just wont work on TG.
It takes me back to 1999 and how TOP GEAR soldiered on after Clarkson left first time round and the other members of the team were sacked and shipped off to do 5th Gear. Remember that season with Quentin Willson and Kate Humble? We could be headed for that again if something isn't done quickly!!
InfoRetrieval said:
I think this highlights that the whole appeal of TG was in the presenters. You can copy the entire format with new presenters and it just doesn't gel. Perhaps the BBC was so scared of affecting it's worldwide sales that they were terrified of messing with the format?
Personally I thought the old format was getting tired even with the previous presenters (find the threads reviewing the last series and you'll find that many people agree).
Dump these elements:
- SIARPC (or the new equivalent)
- Studio audience (adds nothing)
- The Stig (yes really - it's a joke that's truly expired)
Keep the incredible production values and cinematography. Find a group of presenters capable of spontaneous banter.
I was hoping that Chris Evans would be brave enough to rework the show with some fresh ideas. Apparently not.
This is it, it was a very simple formula. That doesn't mean it's easy to do well.Personally I thought the old format was getting tired even with the previous presenters (find the threads reviewing the last series and you'll find that many people agree).
Dump these elements:
- SIARPC (or the new equivalent)
- Studio audience (adds nothing)
- The Stig (yes really - it's a joke that's truly expired)
Keep the incredible production values and cinematography. Find a group of presenters capable of spontaneous banter.
I was hoping that Chris Evans would be brave enough to rework the show with some fresh ideas. Apparently not.
I must start by saying that whilst a big fan of the old show with the trio, the actual format itself, bar the odd gem segment, was getting staid.
Here it seems to have been lifted wholesale and that staid-ness is laid bare. I think it shows a testament to just how good the trio + Willman + Porter et al were/are; still an enjoyable watch, despite the format.
Perfect opportunity to change it up and they didn't. Allows direct comparison to the past where it is bound to come off worse in most people's eyes.
Here it seems to have been lifted wholesale and that staid-ness is laid bare. I think it shows a testament to just how good the trio + Willman + Porter et al were/are; still an enjoyable watch, despite the format.
Perfect opportunity to change it up and they didn't. Allows direct comparison to the past where it is bound to come off worse in most people's eyes.
I concur with many of the comments already posted, but do feel compelled to add to them.
Firstly, despite my favouritism for Clarkson, Hammond and May, I still want the New Top Gear to be a success and to remain essential viewing.
Based on the first episode, I can only agree with the many that CE desperately overplayed his part. I hated his constant cajoling of the audience to applaud at every opportunity, like some cheap American talk show. Where Clarkson displayed wit and measure with each sentence, CE shouted and was intellectually weak by comparison. Yet, the frustrating thing is, I'm sure he can be MUCH better than this. But he wasn't.
The SIARPC was the biggest let-down. Getting GR to enthusiastically talk about his La Ferrari and then to practically invent a Porsche 918 for the other chap for the audience to applaud against was awful. The rallycross course was underwhelming and that watersplash was a shallow muddy puddle. And more annoying and cajoled audience applauds at every turn and mistake.
MLB turned out to be the saviour. He did it his own way and was all the better for it.
The Viper thing had promise, but we learned little about the car itself other than it had a slightly problematic gear change and that 6 Indians sat on top of a clapped-out Vectra was about the same as the rear wing downforce. Promising, but it didn't quite get there. And then the Corvette appeared and we had the makings of a great bit of film. But it was immediately ruined by the cheesy Top Gun stuff and yet more weak commentary from both presenters.
I desperately hope the second episode improves over the first and I will be watching it. I'm sure things will improve. Let's be positive about it.
And on the subject of positivity, I absolutely cannot wait for The Grand Tour to start.
Firstly, despite my favouritism for Clarkson, Hammond and May, I still want the New Top Gear to be a success and to remain essential viewing.
Based on the first episode, I can only agree with the many that CE desperately overplayed his part. I hated his constant cajoling of the audience to applaud at every opportunity, like some cheap American talk show. Where Clarkson displayed wit and measure with each sentence, CE shouted and was intellectually weak by comparison. Yet, the frustrating thing is, I'm sure he can be MUCH better than this. But he wasn't.
The SIARPC was the biggest let-down. Getting GR to enthusiastically talk about his La Ferrari and then to practically invent a Porsche 918 for the other chap for the audience to applaud against was awful. The rallycross course was underwhelming and that watersplash was a shallow muddy puddle. And more annoying and cajoled audience applauds at every turn and mistake.
MLB turned out to be the saviour. He did it his own way and was all the better for it.
The Viper thing had promise, but we learned little about the car itself other than it had a slightly problematic gear change and that 6 Indians sat on top of a clapped-out Vectra was about the same as the rear wing downforce. Promising, but it didn't quite get there. And then the Corvette appeared and we had the makings of a great bit of film. But it was immediately ruined by the cheesy Top Gun stuff and yet more weak commentary from both presenters.
I desperately hope the second episode improves over the first and I will be watching it. I'm sure things will improve. Let's be positive about it.
And on the subject of positivity, I absolutely cannot wait for The Grand Tour to start.
Watched both shows before work this morning and I guess they were OK'ish. Can't stand the ghetto hand shake business where they pull in for a forced hug kinda thing. The stuff with the 3 wheelers and the Corvette with guns on was all a bit old TG, but like a poor copy. I don't want to just give it a hard time but I do hope it'll improve. A lot.
Not much changed in the formula which is to be expected as it's a golden goose for the BBC. CE was far too hyper but can and I suspect will tone it down, MLB was very good, pretty watchable and a car guy.
The SIARPC changes absolutely did not work, worse part of the old formula combined with a hopeless new rally cross section , ruined by CE cheerleading through the puddle (!) and then MINI being , well rubbish.And one of the guests being the opposite of a car guy. Like him or loathe him GR is a car nut.
The american segment needed far less cheesy Top Gun references but great cars none the less.
But what it most lacks of course is the banter of the old team which personally made me laugh all the time and be in tears on occasions. Thats MUCH harder to find no what resources you throw at it.
But early days, lets see how it develops
The SIARPC changes absolutely did not work, worse part of the old formula combined with a hopeless new rally cross section , ruined by CE cheerleading through the puddle (!) and then MINI being , well rubbish.And one of the guests being the opposite of a car guy. Like him or loathe him GR is a car nut.
The american segment needed far less cheesy Top Gun references but great cars none the less.
But what it most lacks of course is the banter of the old team which personally made me laugh all the time and be in tears on occasions. Thats MUCH harder to find no what resources you throw at it.
But early days, lets see how it develops
MrsFallon said:
So the viewing figures are apparently out.
It debuted last night on 4.3 million.
What does that figure mean though?
Judging by the comments that I have read, I was not alone in switching off part way through.
If there were 4.3 million viewers when the programme started, how many were still watching at the end?
Well, I've just caught up with both programs on the iplayer. I don't think it's very good. I agree MLB is quite good, CE not so good. I enjoyed extra gear and I was actually surprised how good Rory and Chris Harris were together. I will continue to watch it when time permits but it's a thumbs down from me. I'll make an effort when Chris Harris makes his appearances.
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