Matt LeBlanc and 4 others join Top Gear

[Johnuk123]

Audience for 2nd one dropped by a third.

 

[GB]

Did that continue in episode 2 then?

I wonder if Evans refuses to do the chat-show plugging thing?

It was more of an announcement what the other guest was doing but still find it a bit odd and annoying.

 

[Dave1987]

I don't understand this hatred for Chris Evans! what has he done wrong?

What's he done wrong? Well he has been incredibly lazy. He is trying to be Clarkson on screen and failing miserably, even using the same intros that Clarkson did! And if you are going to copy exactly what the old presenters did you are going to be compared against them. And compared to the trio he is awful.
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Audience for 2nd one dropped by a third.

Lowest audience figures for the show since its reincarnation in 2002.

 

[Domh245]

Lowest audience figures for the show since its reincarnation in 2002.

And Evans has gone full defense mode on Twitter. It's a shame really, because (as has been said) this one was a lot better than Episode 1, and Episode 3 looks to be better as well (They've got Chris Harris and Rory Reid from Extra gear to do some Segments). I suppose we'll see if the viewing figures for Ep 3 pick up again following the less negative reviews of Ep 2, but I fear it won't be a huge swing

 

[northwichcat]

Did that continue in episode 2 then?

Worse.

He had Eddie Jordan with Seasick Steve and Sharleen Spiteri (who took part in the South Africa challenge) on a sofa and Damian Lewis on an armchair, then started doing comparisons between Damian Lewis and 'team South Africa.' He got Seasick Steve to introduce Lewis, who gave the least enthusiastic introduction possible.

 

[jon0844]

Didn't watch it and won't until they drop Evans as lead presenter. Viewing figures today will reveal how popular the show really is. Rumours on the Internet that Beeb bosses are already in damage control mode after disastrous feedback from first show, along with accusations that "canned laughter" was used to cover up awkward silences in studio filming. Those of you that liked it are perfectly welcome to it. In the meantime until the new series is launched with the old trio there are all the old episodes to watch again.

Record it and fast forward bits you don't like. Why miss out on everything because Chris Evans likes the sound of his own voice (and brags)?

 

[northwichcat]

I don't understand this hatred for Chris Evans! what has he done wrong? It isn't like he has ever punched member of staff for not bringing him his dinner.............

The producers haven't helped him by obviously editing in laughter to episode 1 after one of his jokes failed to get the audience laughing. Although, if Evans had to do multiple takes the audience may have found the joke funny the first time but not on the final take.

 

[Dave1987]

And Evans has gone full defense mode on Twitter. It's a shame really, because (as has been said) this one was a lot better than Episode 1, and Episode 3 looks to be better as well (They've got Chris Harris and Rory Reid from Extra gear to do some Segments). I suppose we'll see if the viewing figures for Ep 3 pick up again following the less negative reviews of Ep 2, but I fear it won't be a huge swing

People on Twitter are pointing out exactly what is wrong and Evans is just completely ignoring them. I suppose it all depends on what the Beeb big bosses want from the show. If they were expecting it to be the £50m a year monster earner which it was then I suspect they will be very disappointed.
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Record it and fast forward bits you don't like. Why miss out on everything because Chris Evans likes the sound of his own voice (and brags)?

Because I don't like the fact they are trying to copy the old format. I was really hoping they would go for something fresh and new. The old format worked because of the friendship the trio have.

 

[Johnuk123]

Because I don't like the fact they are trying to copy the old format. I was really hoping they would go for something fresh and new. The old format worked because of the friendship the trio have.

By simply being a tribute act to the proper Top Gear they're on a hiding to nothing, as that show was gold and the present one is plastic.

They should have done a brand new show with nothing from the proper Top Gear whatsoever.

 

[Dave1987]

By simply being a tribute act to the proper Top Gear they're on a hiding to nothing, as that show was gold and the present one is plastic.

They should have done a brand new show with nothing from the proper Top Gear whatsoever.

Totally agree.

 

[ExRes]

Personally I couldn't care less about the 'new' show, other than the BBC are giving my licence fee cash to someone as awful as Evans, sink or swim I'll never be watching it

It will be interesting to see the weekly monday morning excuses from both Evans and the BBC though, I'm particularly amused to see how proud they are that they have come second to repeats of Antiques Roadshow in the 8pm slot, what a target to set for your (very expensive) programming .........

 

[507021]

I quite enjoyed last night's episode, looking forward to next week's.

 

[Puffing Devil]

Saw the first episode last night (PVR copy) and I'm not sure if I can be bothered to watch another. The scripted "challenges" were more fun with 3 and seemed a little less, well... scripted.

10 year old boy lapped it up, however.

 

[northwichcat]

It will be interesting to see the weekly monday morning excuses from both Evans and the BBC though, I'm particularly amused to see how proud they are that they have come second to repeats of Antiques Roadshow in the 8pm slot, what a target to set for your (very expensive) programming .........

How long before the BBC give a different timed slot on BBC 1? They've always seemed to think fewer people can find the number 2 button on their remote control.

 

[DarloRich]

i watched the second show on Iplayer last night and it seemed decent. I still notice people seem to detest Chris Evans but don't seem to have a reason for why!

Clearly the presenters have to work on their relationships but the show still seemed to do the same thing as the older version: fast cars, silly trips out, some messing about. It just didn't have Clarkson. Perhaps that is the issue.............

 

[Johnuk123]

Despite having an American presenter the first episode has flopped in the US as well with only 388,000 bothering to watch.

 

[richw]

It's natural for people to dislike change.
I find Mr Evans slightly annoying but can tolerate him. The content is decent when the presenters are ignored
Matt Le blanc is growing on me, and ive seen several journalist reviews suggest he is stealing the show and they all write highly of him.

 

[miami]

It's natural for people to dislike change.
I find Mr Evans slightly annoying but can tolerate him. The content is decent when the presenters are ignored
Matt Le blanc is growing on me, and ive seen several journalist reviews suggest he is stealing the show and they all write highly of him.

He certainly is. It's still early days - there's been some uncomfortable moments -- when MLB rear-ended Evans (on a public road no less!) in episode 1, when Eddie Jordan was told he shouldn't be driving in episode 2. The cheating worked fairly well though.

 

[ainsworth74]

My opinion hasn't really changed. Evans still annoys me (though that has nothing to do with Top Gear and everything to do with me just finding him one of those people who irritates. I have no real reason but I just don't get on with his style) and LeBlanc was still entertaining. The films were good (and I enjoyed Jason Button's appearance) but the studio was still by far the weakest link and I just gave up and skipped through the chat show bit.

 

[Johnuk123]

Replacing well respected motoring journalists with a disc jockey was always doomed to failure.

 

[EM2]

Replacing well respected motoring journalists with a disc jockey was always doomed to failure.

Unlike Richard Hammond, who worked for a number of local BBC Radio stations, before auditioning for Top Gear?

 

[Kite159]

Unlike Richard Hammond, who worked for a number of local BBC Radio stations, before auditioning for Top Gear?

Although he had time doing motoring TV on a little program on "Men & Motors"so it wasn't all new.

 

[northwichcat]

Although he had time doing motoring TV on a little program on "Men & Motors"so it wasn't all new.

Which was a Granada channel at the time and he did appear on programs for other Granada channels as well before joining Top Gear.

 

[EM2]

Which was a Granada channel at the time and he did appear on programs for other Granada channels as well before joining Top Gear.

Yes, but hardly a 'well respected motoring journalist'.

 

[Johnuk123]

Yes, but hardly a 'well respected motoring journalist'.

One thing is pretty certain Chris Evans isn't a "well respected motoring journalist" at all just because he's rich and buys expensive cars doesn't make him a good motoring show presenter which has now become abundantly clear.

 

[DarloRich]

One thing is pretty certain Chris Evans isn't a "well respected motoring journalist" at all just because he's rich and buys expensive cars doesn't make him a good motoring show presenter which has now become abundantly clear.

or perhaps you aren't prepared to give him a chance

 

[Johnuk123]

or perhaps you aren't prepared to give him a chance

I admit he's up there with Ant & Dec, and Davina McCall in my most hated list.

 

[Dennis]

I suggest cut the audience interaction rubbish and bring back 'the news'.

 

[Harbornite]

I suggest cut the audience interaction rubbish and bring back 'the news'.

I did wonder where the news had gone, bringing it back is a good call.

 

[Dave1987]

or perhaps you aren't prepared to give him a chance

Why? He's copied a 'winning formula' so surely the show should be great straight of the bat. And then when people point out that he too shouty he just says he is going to get even louder!
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I suggest cut the audience interaction rubbish and bring back 'the news'.

Ah but the news was one of the areas of the show that regularly caused controversy and the Beeb can't possibly allow that!