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
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! I think I might call the BBC.
Edited by roger1361 on Wednesday 1st June 14:58
Edited by roger1361 on Wednesday 1st June 15:00
After really struggling through the first episode I can only echo my previous comments and those of others that, whilst I've nothing against CE, he is just too big and loud of a character for this type of show where you need to bounce off the other presenters a lot ... oh and the challenges were somewhat challenged.
However I have just watched Extra Gear on iPlayer and was, frankly, well impressed. It seemed like the two programs were the wrong way around... A version of Extra Gear should have been the main show with a version of CE's show on iPlayer - it would have still got views and the Beeb and CE could have been happy with that.
Going further.... Rory Reid as the main guy (I'd never really heard of him, but I like his presenting style - for a first show he was calm and likeable) with Chris Harris and Matt LB as Co-Stars. Potential for 3 very different characters to make a good program without any one of them taking over too much. CE doing a behind the scenes TFI style after show on the iPlayer.
However I have just watched Extra Gear on iPlayer and was, frankly, well impressed. It seemed like the two programs were the wrong way around... A version of Extra Gear should have been the main show with a version of CE's show on iPlayer - it would have still got views and the Beeb and CE could have been happy with that.
Going further.... Rory Reid as the main guy (I'd never really heard of him, but I like his presenting style - for a first show he was calm and likeable) with Chris Harris and Matt LB as Co-Stars. Potential for 3 very different characters to make a good program without any one of them taking over too much. CE doing a behind the scenes TFI style after show on the iPlayer.
edwheels said:
After really struggling through the first episode I can only echo my previous comments and those of others that, whilst I've nothing against CE, he is just too big and loud of a character for this type of show where you need to bounce off the other presenters a lot ... oh and the challenges were somewhat challenged.
However I have just watched Extra Gear on iPlayer and was, frankly, well impressed. It seemed like the two programs were the wrong way around... A version of Extra Gear should have been the main show with a version of CE's show on iPlayer - it would have still got views and the Beeb and CE could have been happy with that.
Going further.... Rory Reid as the main guy (I'd never really heard of him, but I like his presenting style - for a first show he was calm and likeable) with Chris Harris and Matt LB as Co-Stars. Potential for 3 very different characters to make a good program without any one of them taking over too much. CE doing a behind the scenes TFI style after show on the iPlayer.
+1However I have just watched Extra Gear on iPlayer and was, frankly, well impressed. It seemed like the two programs were the wrong way around... A version of Extra Gear should have been the main show with a version of CE's show on iPlayer - it would have still got views and the Beeb and CE could have been happy with that.
Going further.... Rory Reid as the main guy (I'd never really heard of him, but I like his presenting style - for a first show he was calm and likeable) with Chris Harris and Matt LB as Co-Stars. Potential for 3 very different characters to make a good program without any one of them taking over too much. CE doing a behind the scenes TFI style after show on the iPlayer.
Just finished watching BBC3 TG Extra and thought it was ten times more 'watchable' and enjoyable than the main show. I think Rory does an extremely good straight/anchor job for Sabine and Chris H.
[quote=edwheels]After really struggling through the first episode I can only echo my previous comments and those of others that, whilst I've nothing against CE, he is just too big and loud of a character for this type of show where you need to bounce off the other presenters a lot ... oh and the challenges were somewhat challenged. [quote/]
Chris Evans isn't used to sharing the limelight, probably explains why he was running around the set like a petulant child. Going head to head with MLB and he's failed big time.
Chris Evans isn't used to sharing the limelight, probably explains why he was running around the set like a petulant child. Going head to head with MLB and he's failed big time.
edwheels said:
After really struggling through the first episode I can only echo my previous comments and those of others that, whilst I've nothing against CE, he is just too big and loud of a character for this type of show where you need to bounce off the other presenters a lot ... oh and the challenges were somewhat challenged.
However I have just watched Extra Gear on iPlayer and was, frankly, well impressed. It seemed like the two programs were the wrong way around... A version of Extra Gear should have been the main show with a version of CE's show on iPlayer - it would have still got views and the Beeb and CE could have been happy with that.
Going further.... Rory Reid as the main guy (I'd never really heard of him, but I like his presenting style - for a first show he was calm and likeable) with Chris Harris and Matt LB as Co-Stars. Potential for 3 very different characters to make a good program without any one of them taking over too much. CE doing a behind the scenes TFI style after show on the iPlayer.
Rory is really good. He's done car reviews on YouTube and used to work for CNET too. Here's a good one. Some of his comments won't fly with the BBC but you get the entertainment factor he brings:However I have just watched Extra Gear on iPlayer and was, frankly, well impressed. It seemed like the two programs were the wrong way around... A version of Extra Gear should have been the main show with a version of CE's show on iPlayer - it would have still got views and the Beeb and CE could have been happy with that.
Going further.... Rory Reid as the main guy (I'd never really heard of him, but I like his presenting style - for a first show he was calm and likeable) with Chris Harris and Matt LB as Co-Stars. Potential for 3 very different characters to make a good program without any one of them taking over too much. CE doing a behind the scenes TFI style after show on the iPlayer.
https://youtu.be/sx8knHqpeSA
Ok the show had problems - but the worst thing for me is the way the BBC are whitewashing the reception this show got - rolling out a string of sycophants to heap praise upon it and seemingly dismissing the viewing figures as irrelevant on the one hand and hailing them as a triumph on the other.
(according to Evans on his breakfast show this morning, he said something the lines that the show was watched by something like 5.7 million people.......after they took account of online viewers etc etc - and apparently he claimed something like it was 'the most successful opening to a TG series ever' or words to that effect)
Maybe it actually was - but given TG's popularity in the past, topping 8 million viewers at one point - it does seem a bit dubious
(according to Evans on his breakfast show this morning, he said something the lines that the show was watched by something like 5.7 million people.......after they took account of online viewers etc etc - and apparently he claimed something like it was 'the most successful opening to a TG series ever' or words to that effect)
Maybe it actually was - but given TG's popularity in the past, topping 8 million viewers at one point - it does seem a bit dubious
Moonhawk said:
Ok the show had problems - but the worst thing for me is the way the BBC are whitewashing the reception this show got - rolling out a string of sycophants to heap praise upon it and seemingly dismissing the viewing figures as irrelevant on the one hand and hailing them as a triumph on the other.
(according to Evans on his breakfast show this morning, he said something the lines that the show was watched by something like 5.7 million people.......after they took account of online viewers etc etc - and apparently he claimed something like it was 'the most successful opening to a TG series ever' or words to that effect)
Maybe it actually was - but given TG's popularity in the past, topping 8 million viewers at one point - it does seem a bit dubious
In the case of new presenters - I don't think it's how many watch the first one that counts - it's how many watch the second and third.(according to Evans on his breakfast show this morning, he said something the lines that the show was watched by something like 5.7 million people.......after they took account of online viewers etc etc - and apparently he claimed something like it was 'the most successful opening to a TG series ever' or words to that effect)
Maybe it actually was - but given TG's popularity in the past, topping 8 million viewers at one point - it does seem a bit dubious
Watched Extra Gear last night, didn't think it was too much to shout about. Really liked CH, but I already liked him before being on TG - not too sure his persona suits it though as others have said. Time will tell. But more bloody celeb interviews? Why does TG need this...
Really hope that Rory and Chris H aren't relegated to purely being Extra Gear hosts and get some time on the main program.
Really hope that Rory and Chris H aren't relegated to purely being Extra Gear hosts and get some time on the main program.
I just felt they were trying to copy the previous top gear and they were never going to be able to do that so why bother. It was just a poor copy. Like when news reports are done by school children.
Really can't stand Chris Evans. Shouty, unfunny, unlikeable. Why do TV bosses think we want to see or hear him? He seems to be getting plenty of bad reviews so hopefully it wont continue.
Just getting rid of him would be a major improvement as Matt Le Blanc could host happily without being talked over by ginger pubes.
I am disappointed in a way. I was thinking it would be bad but hoped they might have done something different and it would be good.
Really can't stand Chris Evans. Shouty, unfunny, unlikeable. Why do TV bosses think we want to see or hear him? He seems to be getting plenty of bad reviews so hopefully it wont continue.
Just getting rid of him would be a major improvement as Matt Le Blanc could host happily without being talked over by ginger pubes.
I am disappointed in a way. I was thinking it would be bad but hoped they might have done something different and it would be good.
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.
People talk about Clarkson, Hammond and May like they are some kind of vein of pure gold that the BBC stumbled upon rather than a partnership that has been honed and refined over several years. These same people are writing Evans and co off on the strength of one episode, and in many cases even less than that. I don't doubt that there is a significant proportion of people who were looking for it to fail, despite whatever faux protestations they might offer about wanting it to succeed, etc. There was probably a good proportion of people who already had their negative posts written, hovering over the Submit button, itching to press it.
The BBC always had to fire Clarkson, but they were damned either way. I don't quite get why there are so many people up in arms at the result though. Now we've got two shows instead of one, it's not as if fans of Clarkson, Hammond and May haven't got an outlet to sate themselves. It's a given that their new show will be OG TopGear in all but name. If anything finally people who were looking for a car show with car reviews being more than just background noise now have something to enjoy.
I'll concede I found parts of it tough to watch simply because one automatically looks at it through the lens of the old version. There is certainly some valid criticism that can be leveled towards Evans in terms of whether or not his Clarkson impersonation was ironic or earnest (neither was wanted), but equally there are signs that it could be a breath of fresh air. Matt Le Blanc in particular - whilst clearly out of his comfort zone in a studio - seemed to ease into his "role" with aplomb.
EDIT: Poll is missing an option imo - "It's got potential".
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.
People talk about Clarkson, Hammond and May like they are some kind of vein of pure gold that the BBC stumbled upon rather than a partnership that has been honed and refined over several years. These same people are writing Evans and co off on the strength of one episode, and in many cases even less than that. I don't doubt that there is a significant proportion of people who were looking for it to fail, despite whatever faux protestations they might offer about wanting it to succeed, etc. There was probably a good proportion of people who already had their negative posts written, hovering over the Submit button, itching to press it.
The BBC always had to fire Clarkson, but they were damned either way. I don't quite get why there are so many people up in arms at the result though. Now we've got two shows instead of one, it's not as if fans of Clarkson, Hammond and May haven't got an outlet to sate themselves. It's a given that their new show will be OG TopGear in all but name. If anything finally people who were looking for a car show with car reviews being more than just background noise now have something to enjoy.
I'll concede I found parts of it tough to watch simply because one automatically looks at it through the lens of the old version. There is certainly some valid criticism that can be leveled towards Evans in terms of whether or not his Clarkson impersonation was ironic or earnest (neither was wanted), but equally there are signs that it could be a breath of fresh air. Matt Le Blanc in particular - whilst clearly out of his comfort zone in a studio - seemed to ease into his "role" with aplomb.
EDIT: Poll is missing an option imo - "It's got potential".
I doubt if we'll see the back of Evans, however much the ratings drop. The BBC have too much money invested in him, and axing him from TG would have some sort of effect on his radio cerdibility. They'd lost too much face.
Bear in mind that many of the individual items for the series will already have been filmed - they wouldn't have flown Evans to the USA just for that Viper/Corvette skit, they would have filmed other American-based bits at the same time. He's here to stay folks. As I have already said, any car-oriented magazine show is better than none and I'll still watch it, even if my blood pressure increases every time.
I watched the "Extrs" show on catch-up. It was OK, but not as scintillating as some observations would have it. However, they both pass the time on a slow Sunday evening.
Bear in mind that many of the individual items for the series will already have been filmed - they wouldn't have flown Evans to the USA just for that Viper/Corvette skit, they would have filmed other American-based bits at the same time. He's here to stay folks. As I have already said, any car-oriented magazine show is better than none and I'll still watch it, even if my blood pressure increases every time.
I watched the "Extrs" show on catch-up. It was OK, but not as scintillating as some observations would have it. However, they both pass the time on a slow Sunday evening.
speech said:
TG appealed to the masses, not PistonHeads, and that's why it was successful.
This is spot on and it's just an entertainment programme(which I personally don't find it entertaining) and because I am into cars I only watch it to see if they review a car I like( which they hardly ever do). I never reckoned much to the dicking around on the old top gear and I think the same with the new one, I would imagine that if you aren't into cars though you will find it funny/entertaining hence why it does so well.
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