[Closed] New Top Gear series...

I'm liking it. Thought this week's was better than last, and I'm warming to Matt LeBlanc a bit - he seemed a bit more relaxed in this one.

Not sure what I'll think once the novelty wears off, but for the time being it's exciting again and I look forward to watching it.

Kinda like the Extra show. Brings it back to cars.

That's the problem though: the vast majority of viewers weren't interested in the latest Kieniseggegggegg. Like me, they just enjoyed middle-aged mates making prats of themselves.

I enjoyed it. Would have been better without the pointless guest and Eddie jordan

I'm enjoying TG again after only seeing the odd one for years.
Yep, Evans is annoying.
MLB is dry, but hell's teeth, he's a bit wooden isn't he?

They don't seem to like each other very much either, do they?
🙂

I don't really mind Eddie J but Sabine is the best thing on it by miles.

Do like the idea of guest presenters, though only if they have never, ever appeared on a panel show.

Looking forward to catching up on the 'Extra' show too.

Chris Harris isn't that great in front of a camera. He has a mesmersied frightened rabbit look that might work on Youtube, but looks a bit like fear in HD.

Reid is a natural presenter. Except for when he says everything is a 'solid choice'

After the first episode I can't bring myself to even be bothered about trying to catch it.

Reid is a natural presenter. Except for when he says everything is a 'solid choice'

He said "murdered out" on the first episode. Elvis shot his TV for less, then died on the toilet.

I watched the 2nd episode last night and thought it was certainly an improvement on the 1st.

Star in the Rallycross car needs dumping though - waaaaaaaay to long. If I want to watch a chat-show I'll watch Graham Norton.

Gave the second episode a try last night on catch-up (should help the viewing figures..).

Better but it just seems to lack that spark. The features seem rushed and with no storyline, something the old 3 did very well IMO. It's like they're trying to cram too much into the hour and not letting any particular section breathe and settle in.

LeBlanc is getting better, seems to be settling into the non-autocue stuff with a good humour which comes across well. Actually enjoyed Eddie too 😳

Might try episode 3 to give it one last chance.

Not seen the first yet, saw the 2nd by accident last night (been too busy with other things to watch TV). It was okay. Evans was OTT driving the mclaren, Button was great (as expected).

they should get the lady from Texas and Seasick Steve on every week.

My money is on this series bombing, CE being dropped with MLB & Sabine taking over!

He said "murdered out" on the first episode.

My 8 year old picked up on this; because I have black wheels on my car.

I was watching the A League Of Their Own USA special last week, and was struck by the similarities between that and old TG. 3 odd blokes cocking about with a sport theme instead of 3 odd blokes cocking about with a car theme.

There is a reason the 3 blokes thing works. Two or six doesn't.

I was watching the A League Of Their Own USA

Get out!

dare-i-say-it.. I actually thought it was quite good. No really. I actually lol-ed in a few bits.

They might actually pull something good out of this.

It's entertaining enough, but then it struck me, take out 5 minutes of Evans, trim 5 minutes of guest spots, put in 10 minutes of Extra Gear, bonza!

Oh and do something about that terrible studio echo it hurts my ears, did the sound guys leave too?

It amuses me how many people are taking time out of their lives to explain how much they didn't like it.

Personally, it was far from perfect but it's the funniest it's been in years, I laughed throughout.

Phew, came on this thread expecting everybody but me to be hating it. Wasn't sure myself after the first episode, but the second was a lot better and they seemed to be growing into the roles (CE was also a lot less shouty and seems to have stopped trying to be JC) - I can see this actually working.

The first TG I've watched in a few years, as realising that JC really is a tosser in real life coincided with realising that the show had got a bit rubbish (though I'll still happily watch pretty much everything else JM does).

LBC summed it up perfectly this morning "the Top Gear fans fell for and in the main were institutionslised to the format, presenters and relationships of the show. That same audience has seen thier institution being poorly replicated with a partial reboot. No one cared that JC punched a producer, but everyone cares that CE is a poor imitation of the expected outcome". Not a direct quote I couldn't remember the exact words but you get the point.

cheekymonkey888 - Member

It seems to be about Evans showing off his ability to buy cars with the Mclaren as a case point.

Because the old trio never talked constantly about the Porsche's, Ferrari's, American muscle cars & Ford GT's etc. that they had purchased, did they?

It amuses me how many people are taking time out of their lives to explain how much they didn't like it.

I won't watch it as Evans grates on me badly.

On cars owned Evans is no mug, he put all his vontage cars upmfor sale when it was announced he would be the new presenter - max publicity and hoped for extra value from "celebrity ownership". He also knew if TG was a bust value would be harmed

I suspect the type of person who sees JC as a role model couldn't care less about him punching a producer.
Hardly surprising that an unpleasant man has unpleasant fans.

Because the old trio never talked constantly about the Porsche's, Ferrari's, American muscle cars & Ford GT's etc. that they had purchased, did they?

Did the other presenters then take the piss out of Evans for his choice of car, though? I suspect that would be verboten. They probably didn't even take the piss out of his blubbing on air...

I took the Evans' Clarkson-esque presenting style in the 1st episode to be a bit of a mickey take.

I reckon it's exactly that; see also, "and on that bomb..." - looks to be turning into a running gag.

It seems to be about Evans showing off his ability to buy cars with the Mclaren as a case point.

The funny thing is that the car will be a much better investment than a £250k house right now - as a limited edition its value will only go up, and by a lot as well.

Just caught up on this weeks TG Extra-gear

It's far by far the better programme

Evans' piece about the F1 was nice, it was wonderful to see him being sensible and talking passionately about cars rather than the loudmouth arse that he's acting on the main programme.

Just needs to be longer.

It amuses me how many people are taking time out of their lives to explain how much they didn't like it.

Really?

What a bizarre thing to say..

Surely, as fans of the previous show, we are entitled to put forward our impressions of the current version?

Or is that just bad form....?

[quote=Kryton57 ]LBC summed it up perfectly this morning "the Top Gear fans fell for and in the main were institutionslised to the format, presenters and relationships of the show. That same audience has seen thier institution being poorly replicated with a partial reboot. No one cared that JC punched a producer, but everyone cares that CE is a poor imitation of the expected outcome". Not a direct quote I couldn't remember the exact words but you get the point.

Interesting point - though I'm tempted to place a different emphasis on the first sentence. The fans [b]were[/b] institutionalised, to the point they would have rejected anything new, and actually a lot of criticism seems to be just on the basis that it's something different (see many of the comments on the threads on here). Clearly also still a lot of fans of the bigoted, violent, fat git - couldn't agree more with Rusty Spanner on that point.

It is just the same with different people, as mentioned already it is the script writers who are running the show and the chance to change it has been missed.
Bit of a cop out really and I am no fan of Chris Evans as he reminds me of a kids entertainer about as talented as Timmy Mallet.
Maybe the producer will land one on Evans this time round.
That would be entertaining.

After the first episode I can't bring myself to even be bothered about trying to catch it.

Me too....I watch that 12 years a slave filmy thing, but switched that off before the end!

...max publicity and hoped for extra value from "celebrity ownership". He also knew if TG was a bust value would be harmed

I'm not so sure about that. Most of his cars don't need any additional appeal and the potential buyers of his cars aren't likely to be bothered who's owned it.

It not like David Beckham selling his 7yr old Range Rover/Audi.

The Old Top Gear was a modern televisual take on "Three Men in a Boat", the new version isn't so will need to find a new "entertainment" audience - there are not enough people interested in a pure car show to sustain the budget.

It's nearly that time again.

It is & I don't think I'll be bothering....

Damn Sabrine can drive.

So who was quicker, Audi computer or Sabine? Mrs Elbrus was yabbering away when they gave the result...

Thanks!

I had the same issue as I live with 3 females. 🙁

This one is better - actually reminds me of the pre hammond and may top gear. nice to involve the new presenters - they know what they are doing.

Sabine ..... 7 seconds

Good to see Harris involved

Yeah they're showing a bit more companionship.

I wasn't keen on Chris Harris mind, good film but his presenting style was a bit dull.

Not Chris H's finest hour, but he is definitely prefferable to the other Chris

If you haven't seen what Monkey* is capable of have a look at some of his other work on youtube.
For example:

*he has had this nickname from school

Multiple presenters = much better. The predictability of the past has mostly gone.
I still liked the old program but this is better.

Much better this week - finding it's feet.

More Harris, Schmidt, Leblanc, less Evans. Ditch him and it's a winner.

how long 'til I can watch it on Dave ?

LeBlanc was good on the section. Reyonlds is it? Was better than Harris.

Evans is OK. They need a 'big name' to front it, but I bet you'll see less of him .

One of the best produced TGs in as long time as I can remember.

The presenters were second to the cars and action in this one. How it should be.

Suddenly 'old' TG seems antiquated.

Definitely better this week with less Evans. It felt more like Mlb was the main presenter.
Get rid of Evans and the rest of the program might turn out ok.

Much better, less Evans, no pointless challenges, some exciting cars.

Not Harris at his best.

Yep,loads better this week. The star in a car bit is still too long though.

More of this type of episode please bbc

Oh yes, finding their feet! Mr LeBlanc was excellent in that Ken Block section.

For all the stuff written here about that Chris guy who drove the Ferrari....Erm, I was a bit disappointed. He's not exactly charismatic.
They guy who did the Focus was tons better; Ryan, was it?

2 good guests this week, but it still wasn't that good, even though I like the new 'rallycross' lap....looks like fun.

They should scrap that star in a car bit.

Excellent telly.

That was better! Actually enjoyed Ken Block... for the first time.

Thought it was pretty good. Less Evans (and I don't mind him TBH) and more cars. What was Ken Block driving?

Fast forwarded over the Star (really?) In A Car bit.

What was Ken Block driving?

a fire-breathing Mustang. want that car.

that tunnel from the Lloyds building... was that for real? or artistic license?

My mate was the Chinook pilot in that episode.

What was Ken Block driving?

A custom built 4x4 845bhp mustang called the Hoonicorn, it's quite a machine. https://www.hoonigan.com/hoonicorn

There's also a good article on the speed hunters website about the build by RTR

http://www.speedhunters.com/2014/12/the-hoonicorn-rtr-build-story/

Shame they didn't send it round the track as it'd be interesting how fast it could do it.

Amazingly positive reaction to that one and I agree. So much better - a proper car programme. Chris Harris and Rory Reid will take a bit of bedding in as they both looked a little uncomfortable in that situation but the potential is there.

Will be interesting to hear Chris Evans' reaction in the morning given he was so positive in the face of overwhelming errrr [i]disappointment [/i]with the first two episodes.

Fast forwarded over the Star (really?) In A Car bit.

Whatever you think about the segment, you have to admit that Kevin a Hart is pretty famous. Let alone Joshua.

Like others, I thought knight was brilliant. Way, way better than the stale rehashed shit of Clarkson. He's probably feeling a bit less smug this morning...

On cars owned Evans is no mug

He is. He lost his arse on the James Coburn Ferrari because he didn't do his research.

I liked the Chris Harris bit, it's good to have someone talking normally about the car they're driving (at speed) instead of in 'comedy' similes.

It's still early days yet, there's a lot of upheaval gone on at the BBC TG office, I'm sure so trying to find a winning formula from the off was always going to be difficult. It's on the up for me, I'm looking forward to when they get the chemistry balance better - maybe when CE has a hissy fit and naffs off.

I thought it was passable. And given that latterly I'd given up watching the formulaic Clarkson TG, it seems like they are heading in the right direction.

Enjoyed. It was entertaining, and agreed the new boys will need to find their feet a bit but seemed pretty good to me.

A character like Evans is essential to the show, he's a host, the anchor - I'm not a great fan but you need someone like him to bring it all together and manage the Celebs etc (apparently he can drive too).
I've noted people on various sites say being in Idris... the man couldn't do it. He's a great actor but he couldn't be a credible, entertaining host and he's 'not that competent' in a car (I have competed in Motorsport for 15yrs so think I can judge).

I hadn't watched any of the new series but having read this thread thought i would pick it up again.
I thought the episode was good but yeah agree the star in the car bit is overlong and a bit dull to be honest.
The focus bit was great and actually i liked the Ferrari section.
Watching Evans chuck his guts up was funny

Best episode of Topgear in many a long year. Chris Harris was excellent. Skipped through the Star car bullshit mind.

The interview bit was too long

But overall I thought it was pretty good, they needed to include the Golf R in that hot hatch punch up, which would have fared pretty well. RS3 maybe less so, but still deserving of a mention

Having not watched Top Gear for a few years now, due to not wishing to have to endure Jeremy Clarkson, I've watched the recent three shows, and have to say that I find it infinitely better now that the belligerent racist has gone. Good riddance. Very pleased that our licence fee no longer funds his boorish attention seeking. I really don't think the 'brand' has been damaged at all, and I'm pretty sure it will gain popularity once people realise Clarkson is totally unnecessary. Those needing to continue seeing him on their screens can subscribe to that exciting new digital service, Amazon Prime. 😆 So they've not lost anything at all, and the rest of us have gained a programme that's now watchable.

I do like James May, and he'll still be around doing the kind of stuff he does, which makes for enjoyable telly.

Can't remember the other one. Who was he again?

I quite enjoyed it. A Teutonic dalliance in my youth means that I'm a sucker for a lady saying "Ja!" in a German accent.

As for Chris Evans, he seems to be warming up. There were fewer annoying Clarksonisms this week, which came as a relief.

I've just jumped in at episode three and am quite enjoying it. I like Chris Harris's presenting style - his passion and geekiness for cars comes through really well. (PS that thrust ssc video above was great!)

I think they need to get rid of more of the Clarkson era segments and find some new ones - SIARPC was flagging long before the dynamic trio left

Best episode of this series by far (and miles better than any from the last series).
Was a relief not to have to sit through a tedious "challenge" and the London segment was really excellent IMO.

I wonder if they're re-editing them before broadcast based on the feedback from the previous week? (i.e. cutting out loads of the CE studio bits which haven't been going down well!)

Chris Harris nailed it! I love his presenting style. Shame that TG have chaved it up with ridiculous CGI. So happy that he's getting the recognition he deserves. Hopefully he'll still make the odd YT video.

What about all the OUTRAGE for the Ken Block bit? Storm in a tea cup?

The StarCar bit was 20 minutes long! That's just too much.

The Ken Block bit was excellent; despite all the CARMAGGEDON headlines it generated. The folks watching seemed to be enjoying it immensely, too.

FunkyDunc - Member

What about all the OUTRAGE for the Ken Block bit? Storm in a tea cup?

Chris Evans apologised & they edited out any scenes involving the cenotaph, as far as I can remember.
There were definitely no shots of it in the video.

Just watched the 3rd episode and thought it was better than anything in the last series. I don't know what all the fuss is about. Sure, it's rough around the edges in places, but I think they've done a really good job. Ken Block bit was much more entertaining than his usual videos, and Matt Leblanc is definitely improving.

I'm enjoying it. Top Gear needed a new lease of life and I think it's finding it.

Caught this on i-player earlier.

A8 film, good. Focus RS film, good. Hoonigan, good. Studio guests/rallycross waste of time. Chris Harris, my god, he's boring!

FunkyDunc - Member
What about all the OUTRAGE for the Ken Block bit? Storm in a tea cup?

I think that was a concoction of Murdoch's Sun as part of the continued attack of the empire on the free to air BBC. All long lenses and faux outrage. . . . .

Chris Evans apologised & they edited out any scenes involving the cenotaph,

The cenotaph was never involved the press try to make it look that way.