[Closed] Top Gear Co-presenter named

The Stig's morse code on the Top Gear site says 'Chewie, we're home' in case you were wondering.

Get rid of an old gimmick.

No way will they do that - that gimmick makes the BBC shed loads of money.

I'd love to hear the racing driver talk about the cars credentials rather than a reported comment or two.

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Chris Harris 😀 ! So happy for him. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

TBH the only ones I know are Evans, LeBlanc and Schmitz. Of that the only one I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing is Sabine since she's the only pro driver. I think with her they're going for a modern answer to Tiff Needel albeit better looking.

From the look of it they're going for a happy medium between old TG and old new TG, getting the balance right and then trimming (May didn't join old new TG till series 2)

It's maybe, actually, quite good. And maybe points to what they're hoping to do?

Harris and Schmitz for their racing/knowing how a car actually feels and works knowledge.

Rory and Harris will be able to explain properly what's good about a car. And Harris for some serious car geekery and getting very excited about things and explaining accurately and without the cliched "feels/goes/looks like a rampant elephant/wibbly blamange/truck driving murderer" stuff.

Irvine and Schmitz for some racing coverage and background- old TG was sadly lacking in any motorsport stuff.

LeBlanc and Evans for some enthusiastic amateurs cocking around and doing the things the viewers would want to do.

And it's probably not fair to call Rory a token then Harris is part Iranian, and LeBlanc, Schmitz and Irvine are all foreign.

Daily Mail is being very, errm, Daily Mail about it;

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'cos everyone knows that only middle class white blokes drive cars.

I think it looks alright - I'll give it a go. Can't possibly be as cringey as the 'banter' between the last lot.

And yeah what a shame to have a bit of diversity rather than just representing the boorish middle-aged Tory tosser demographic.

I'm loving DM readers getting in a froth about a line up which is still predominantly more white and male than the population. Maybe it would be better if the Stig's hat was more pointy?

I'm also looking forward to it - it seems with the big team (which will presumably come and go on different programmes) that they might have found a way round the issue of not copying the previous setup without having to throw out what made it good. Or at least that's what I'm hoping.

Interesting, more people with a greater breath of experience and talent amongst them.
I'm hoping it's going to be a show about interesting cars, some technical stuff for those of us who are actually interested in that sort of thing, not interested in the racing side of things so much, but i suspect it will be a completely different show in which the only thing it had in common with the old top gear is the name.

So DM "journalism" is now scraping the ****ter barrel?

Strong on motor journalism - maybe it'll be more about cars than arsing about.

The arsing about was the fun bit - cars are boring, who seriously wants to watch an hour of stuff about cars?

OK, so I think this is pretty cool:

"words can't describe how quickly the speed comes
And how the **** can it do that when it weighs three tonnes?"

😀

The arsing about was the fun bit - cars are boring, who seriously wants to watch an hour of stuff about cars?

There's bound to be arising about - just hopefully less cringey dad bants in front of a sycophantic studio audience of Sun readers.

EJ - Does anyone like him? (Apart from himself)
SS - Can anyone understand her? (or is that not the point of her selection?)
American bloke - Stick shifts, trunk, gas, hoods

🙁

It's really pretty unpleasant and arguably racist to describe Rory Reid as the 'token black guy' - suggesting he's not there on his own merits but because of some PC agenda is pretty insulting to him.

Can anyone understand her?

Iz cos shez forrin innit?

Yes - I can understand her, better than some who claim it as their native tongue.

It's really pretty unpleasant and arguably trolling to describe a studio audience as Sun readers - suggesting they're not there on the rest of the experiences merits but because of some non-PC agenda and lack of intelligence is pretty insulting to them.

Sorted that for you.

Looks like an improvement to me, would watch in for Chris Harris alone.

Just the fact they've now got two presenters who can actually drive properly is a huge step in the right direction.

[quote=squirrelking ]So DM "journalism" is now scraping the ****ter barrel?

Now?

[quote=FunkyDunc ]EJ - Does anyone like him? (Apart from himself)
SS - Can anyone understand her? (or is that not the point of her selection?)

I don't want to have EJ's babies and nor am I particularly excited about him, but then neither do I hate him, and I suspect only the minority who do hate him are being vocal. Seems quite knowledgeable from what I've seen.

You're suggesting SS has a foreign accent? Hard to understand, no.

I'll give it a go when it airs but predict it's going to be dull. Eddie Jordan nearly as engaging as Martin Blundell as a presenter and the less Chris Harris is featured the better.
Never heard of Rory Reid before but the youtube video above hasn't got me excited either for the coming episodes.

So we can safely say Schmitt isn't the Stig then.... 😕

It depends what you mean by The Stig - could just be a stand in for the publicity shot 😉

You're suggesting SS has a foreign accent? Hard to understand, no.

Reported.

Sorted that for you.

Very clever, hilarious, and making a good point - it's exactly the same thing isn't it. 🙄

Will Eddies syrup blow off in a convertible?

Very clever, hilarious, and making a good point - it's exactly the same thing isn't it.

Not exactly, no. But it still makes you look like a judgemental prat.

Its going to be just like Chris Evans R2 breakfast show.....an attempt at appealing to everyone by employing everyone from various ages and backgrounds who might strike a chord with different people.

Well, I used to really like the Chris Evans R2 evening show, but when he went to breakfast he did the above and basically lost the plot.....and I stopped listening to him.

Whether you liked Clarkson or not, it was his and the other two's personalities that carried TG and now it will just be a shapeless mess. 🙁

And they are all a bit old looking. Nobody under 35?

Couldn't afford the insurance.

Not exactly, no. But it still makes you look like a judgemental prat.

Pretty telling how one bothers you much more than the other though isn't it. Casual racism = fine, taking the piss out of the Top Gear audience = not fine.

And oh the ironing of calling someone a 'judgemental prat' for having a different opinion to you.

Just the fact they've now got two presenters who can actually drive properly is a huge step in the right direction.

I think you will find that the old presenters were all very good drivers, much more capable and skillful in a car than you or I

[i]And of the ironing of calling someone a 'judgemental prat' for having a different opinion to you.[/i]

To be fair though Grum, your post does smack of...ooh ooh look, RACISTS!!!! 😯

When in reality it probably wasn't!

Very good drivers for punters maybe - but TBH I'm not even totally convinced about that. Sure they could do the tricks needed for a TV show, but that doesn't make them very good drivers. Harris and Schmitz are in a completely different class, and TBH even Joey is probably a significantly better driver than any of them. Whether that makes for a better show is another matter, but clearly CH can also talk about cars.

Calling someone who happens to be black a 'token black guy' is pretty demeaning. If there was any evidence to suggest he wasn't into cars, didn't have a track record of presenting stuff about cars, or didn't have anything to offer the programme then it might have some kind of merit.

Otherwise it's just the usual 'PC gone mad' drivel spouted by simpletons I'm afraid.

I think you will find that the old presenters were all very good drivers, much more capable and skillful in a car than you or me

True, but the original Stig told me when we had dinner recently (he he) that it's easy to look good on an airfield. He also said James was the best diver.

On a different tack - for Amazon, I really hope Clarkson, May and Hammond don't go all "Christmas DVD for the dads" on us by blowing up a loads and loads stuff and dropping caravans from great heights.

Now and again is mildly amusing, but every week, nope.

So given who they've chosen, what's the programme actually for? Not the slightest bit interested in whether a Porsche GT is better or worse than a Carrera, and road testing a S-Max versus a Sharan isn't going to keep schoolboys buying Stig calendars is it?

PADI or Bsac ? 😉

usual 'PC gone mad' drivel spouted by simpletons I'm afraid.

Careful now. Bit close to the bone for the average top gear audience. 🙂

I think you will find that the old presenters were all very good drivers, much more capable and skillful in a car than you or I

i'm not sure thats true, it is a TV show with all the tricks that come with it.

I loved the old clarkson/may/hammond topgear but things move on and i really liked that link over the page that the new guy rory did on the rolls royce so am intrigued to see what the new show brings. And am going to try and not judge it what has gone before.

who seriously wants to watch an hour of stuff about cars?

Er, people who like cars? There are quite a few of them. I'd watch it.

And oh the ironing of calling someone a 'judgemental prat' for having a different opinion to you.

Difference being, I'm judging you on your own words, you were judging people simply on the fact they were there.

Pretty telling how one bothers you much more than the other though isn't it. Casual racism = fine, taking the piss out of the Top Gear audience = not fine.

I never said anything about the racism thing mostly as I found it ironic that you were the first to cry foul having just done a similar if not entirely comparable thing yourself. Do try to think things through a bit more before posting baseless accusations. Or keep digging, either or...

I think you will find that the old presenters were all very good drivers, much more capable and skillful in a car than you or I

I'm not convinced, JC was still decidedly average even after a lot of tuition in smoking tyres for the cameras.

Very good drivers for punters maybe - but TBH I'm not even totally convinced about that. Sure they could do the tricks needed for a TV show, but that doesn't make them very good drivers. Harris and Schmitz are in a completely different class, and TBH even Joey is probably a significantly better driver than any of them. Whether that makes for a better show is another matter, but clearly CH can also talk about cars.

+1

squirrelking - thanks for confirming: casual racism is all good with you, just woe betide anyone who takes the piss out of the Top Gear studio audience. Well done on clearing that up.

You'll find lots of like minded folks in the Daily Mail comments section if alternative opinions upset you. It's a shame there probably won't be any more jokes about 'slopes' or mocking of gypsies on the new show as well isn't it?

Careful now. Bit close to the bone for the average top gear audience.

Clearly!

That's not what I said at all. Usually the knuckle dragger comments come from the aggrieved party rather than those dishing out the ad-hom and straw men so well done for the unusual twist.

Once again proving you are in fact a monumental judgemental prat.

[quote=grum]squirrelking - thanks for confirming: casual racism is all good with you, just woe betide anyone who takes the piss out of the Top Gear studio audience. Well done on clearing that up.

Well, as you chose to comment on the "token black guy" but didn't even mention "the woman"

Thanks for confirming: casual sexism is all good with you.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Er, people who like cars? There are quite a few of them. I'd watch it.

But car shows have never previously done very well. and the costs mean this has to be very well watched to make sense.

This crew reminds me of when fifth Gear tried to go a bit Top gear and I stopped watching altogether. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I wonder if the new format will be like big brother where you vote one off every week. You cant fit them all in a reasonably priced car so someone is going to get the short straw.

My guess not everyone will be driving cars, there will be a woman on the show, a man in a white suit, various nationalities will be represented but not all and it will be PC.

I watching a rerun now. It's got cars in and seems to be about cars. Most odd.

Well, as you chose to comment on the "token black guy" but didn't even mention "the woman"

Thanks for confirming: casual sexism is all good with you.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Look, we get it - you're still gutted about them sacking Clarkson. Let it go. 😆

I wasn't the one claiming that taking the piss out of the TG audience is the same as racism. Again - great point, well made. But ok, yes - the sexism is also pathetic, thanks for reminding me. I doubt it bothers you or squirrelking though.

If only we could go back to the glory days of calling Mexicans lazy and flatulent.

Drac - Moderator
I watching a rerun now. It's got cars in and seems to be about cars. Most odd.

2003/2004 series?

2010 I think.

Oooh...is there a race in it?

If this is what it's like between series, I really can't wait for the regular Sunday evening bants during the new series.

Yes there was a Top Gear Challenge. It was very close.

It was very close.

😀

I wasn't the one claiming that taking the piss out of the TG audience is the same as racism

Neither was I as I already pointed out. In fact it was you, once again, making unfounded assumptions and a prat of yourself.

Honestly, you must be hitting bedrock by now.

What is it about Top Gear?!?! 😀

Can't see what's wrong with TG 'NOT' being racist or sexist. I know it's only 2016 and all that but I'm sure there
are other TV shows which will suit whatever needs you may have (plus the Internet ).

It's the BBC after all, you will still be guaranteed the recommended quota of 70s comments so don't worry to much 🙂

Big hugs -X-

Can't see what's wrong with TG 'NOT' being racist or sexist.

You're clearly not dragging your knuckles low enough.

😯

I think it looks like a great lineup. Ok EJ is an acquired taste but I'm full of respect for anyone that can go from bank teller to F1 team owner. The man's a star, especially as he brought us arguably the best looking F1 car ever and was the first guy to put Schui in an F1 car. I'll forgive him if his exuberance and self confidence sometimes comes across as I know it all and makes him look a d!ck.

Sabine, well she sure can drive. Whether she'll make a great presenter I'll reserve judgement on but lets face it there weren't many contenders and I'd far rather have her than the other obvious shoe in Suzi Perry (TF that didn't happen) cos lets face it the programme had to get a girl, didn't it?

Matt LeJoey? Could be surprisingly good - can drive loves cars and seems pretty personable. I hope he's good.

Rory Reid - never heard of him before this but he's obviously not the "guy off the street" Chris Evans painted him as this morning. Have watched his showreel stuff and he could be great. Really promising

Chris Evans - loves cars, can present. Just hope this doesn't end up like Zoo TV but I do think he's got good instincts for TV and he won't be flogging any dead horses and will be in it to make the best programme he can. I think it's possibly the best appointment they could have made though he will be spreading himself verrrry thin with R2 early starts, TG and TFI. God knows how he can even contemplate it all and hats off to him.

The Stig - does he even have a place now? Bit redundant given the lineup - I think his days are numbered unless he can put some clean air between himself and CH/SS.

Finally Chris Harris - the best thing that could have happened and pretty much the only shoe in. If they hadn't appointed him there'd quite rightly be huge outcry. Love his videos and general attitude to cars/life. He's a bit of a mountainbiker as well doncha know?

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I'm really excited by the prospects for a proper car show that's actually interesting to watch rather than a n entertainment show based around cars.

I will miss old Top Gear as I really like May & Hammond, I even think Clarkson is good to watch but it had got a bit long in the tooth and it was tie for change. I hope their Amazon show evolves a bit rather than just delivering more of the same old same old.

Speeder - Member
... He's a bit of a mountainbiker as well doncha know? ...

Ya, everyone wants to put a bike in their car ... 😆

And everyone gets to park right outside the caff at BPW...

Ya, everyone wants to put a bike in their car ...

Que?

BMW - tick
Orange - tick
Trail centre - tick...

OK, which STWer is he?

BMW - tick

Erm....

Oops ,that's not a beemer, is it?!?

🙂 no, but he did use this in the past before that car:

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but he did lose points back then for not having the Five

well the one on the right is.

Do the BBC allow sponsorship now? Fat-Face and NEXT should be all over this lot. The presenters just need to be one step ahead of the static inducing blue and white sportswear of the corpulent audience to capture the bleeding edge of comfortable shoes/dad school run sartorial zeitgeist of middle England.
I'm ironing my floral shirt and soaking my crocs in napisan in anticipation of being cool again.

I used to like Top Gear, some of it became tiresome, some of it was properly enjoyable.

You can't tell me for a second that the timing of the Clarkson "sacking" wasn't concocted to benefit someone? Go in a fresh direction while the other 3 just happen to be courted in quick smart time to another channel right around the time when their contracts were up for negotiation anyway.

Clarkson makes a mint off Top Gear whether he's on it or not so he probably doesn't really care all that much. Hammond and May are still getting work with the BBC. I think this has all been concocted to a certain degree and if nothing else, it's kept folk interested in what happens next.

legend - Member

Ya, everyone wants to put a bike in their car ...

Que?

Some lefty elite from STW ... 😆

markgraylish - Member
Oops ,that's not a beemer, is it?!?

😆

There is the symbol of a "zebra" ... ya "zebra" as logo, if not "zebra" then it might be a "pony" ... 😆

While the other Italian car company has a "cow" as their logo ... 😆

Clarkson makes a mint off Top Gear whether he's on it or not so he probably doesn't really care all that much.

You can't tell me for a second that the timing of the Clarkson "sacking" wasn't concocted to benefit someone?

Probably not but sometimes people seem to want to see much more in things than probably exist. I'll probably watch both new series then decide what I think about then - wow that makes me sound dull....

Everyone knows it's just a TV show?

Clarkson makes a mint off Top Gear whether he's on it or not so he probably doesn't really care all that much.

You think the BBC still pay him for a show he's not involved in and doesn't appear on ?

Everyone knows it's just a TV show?

I know! people actually talking about a TV show!

Whatever next.

Clarkson used to have a share of the rights to Top Gear but got paid off - £1m?