It didn't really seem line most of the audience was enthused about being there.
It didn't really seem line most of the audience was enthused about being there.
To me, it seems like they tried to take new people and plug them into the old show. They are trying to re-create the chemistry of the old show. It isn't working. I like the Extra Gear segment, I think that's the direction the show needs to take. Let the new characters do their own thing and not try to be messers Clarkson, May and Hammond part dos. And will someone please give Evans an earpiece or something to stop him from yelling all the time. Oh, one more thing. Give Sabine some more air time, she dead sexy.. And can drive rings around me and anyone I know.
06HHR wrote: And will someone please give Evans an earpiece or something to stop him from yelling all the time.
I'd prefer a shock collar. the entertainment value is there.
As far as Sabine, I skipped through the only segment with her, because it was stupid. I second the need for more host exposure, and less for chris.
I didn't hate it. I agree Chris needs to stop yelling. His performance just seems to forced to me. I get the impression that Matt is just there to drive cool cars and have fun. I think it would work better if they didn't make Matt the lesser host. If they were equal, it would probably work better.
I agree that it'll take some time to gel. The US Top Gear wasn't all that smooth at the beginning, but the episodes this year have had me laughing for most of the show.
Extra Gear, however, seems so much better. Probably because I think Chris Harris is cool. Not sure I like Rory that much. We'll see.
-Rob
rob_lewis wrote: Extra Gear, however, seems so much better. Probably because I think Chris Harris is cool. Not sure I like Rory that much. We'll see. -Rob
I've never heard of Rory prior to watching Extra Gear, but from what I saw, I think he is knowledgeable about cars and is a much better interviewer/host than Chris Evans from the evidence of the first episode. I also believe that with time he and Chris Harris will gel and be able to play off each others personality in a way that I don't see happening between Chris Evans and Matt.
I guess time will tell.
Now I'm more curious than ever to see what Clarkson and the boys come up with.
About 30 min in, my biggest thought was, "it's good they hired a proper actor to be one of the hosts..." Matt knows what he's doing and is obviously a lot more comfortable in play a roll and delivering a script off the cuff. Evans needs work here.
I agree it was better than the first few episodes of USTG, which was definitely a case where you could tell the interplay between the hosts was forced. Now the US guys actually work pretty well together. It's almost to the point now where the US show is completely different - mostly because you can tell they are operating with a much smaller production budget.
But in the end, I laughed a lot and was entertained. Which is why I watch television. So I call it "good".
I was entertained, but the studio segments were very weak compared to the old trio, and I agree that Chris Evans needs to stop yelling. Actually, so far he is my biggest disappointment overall, it seems like he's trying to be like Clarkson, but without being offensive and boorish (that will never work). I also agree with the comment about them performing like a tribute band. Maybe in time they will get their own groove.
Actually, just dump Evans and bring up the crew from extra gear and you'd have a show.
Extra Gear was better than the show itself. You can really tell that Evans was a radio guy. Matt was trying too hard to be the cool American and came off as bored, almost disinterested. The challenges were hokey too.
I did enjoy the fact that they kept the old track and lap times. The celebrity car portion was pretty cool too.
I'm going to give it a while and see if these are just teething times. Top Gear USA was pretty bad until they ditched the studio. Maybe these guys need several episodes to get into the rythym.
I haven't seen it yet (no pay TV) but a friend recorded it for us, he himself was watching GoT apparently. The internetz have already written the show off as E36 M3 a year ago, if you read anything online. I myself like to think for, well, myself.
Watch season 2 or 3 of Top Gear (May had just started in season 2). Pretty dry stuff compared to the end.
The only problem I have with the new track layout is they are getting mud all over hammer head. That can't be good for the Stig to set lap times in super cars.
Oh yeah... and thank you for the spoiler warning. I didn't open the thread until after I watched the show.
It... wasn't good but it wasn't awful. Evans seems like he did a lot of cocaine right before the shoot. It's not just the yelling, it's the jumping around. I get that they want him to show energy, but damn, dude!
I like the rallycross SIARPC, not sure about having two guests at once. The Nomad sequence was quite good, and Viper vs. Vette was decent. Reliant thing was bad, but it got better later on when they did the Jeep vs. Land Rover.
The chemistry isn't there yet, obviously. You can tell they don't know each other very well. But that takes time.
People say "they should have left well enough alone"....
Tom_Spangler wrote: It... wasn't good but it wasn't awful. Evans seems like he did a lot of cocaine right before the shoot. It's not just the yelling, it's the jumping around. I get that they want him to show energy, but damn, dude! I like the rallycross SIARPC, not sure about having two guests at once. The Nomad sequence was quite good, and Viper vs. Vette was decent. Reliant thing was bad, but it got better later on when they did the Jeep vs. Land Rover. The chemistry isn't there yet, obviously. You can tell they don't like each other very well. But that takes time.
FTFY
I turned it off after 15 minutes. Unless they can get someone to make sure Evans takes his meds before the show, it's a non-starter for me, and even if they do I'm skeptical about its longevity.
So... Evans seems to be in a bit of a defensive mood:
So, I watched the new Top Gear last night... The big question: is it as good as old Top Gear? Absolutely not. Mediocre at best, but certainly plenty of room for improvement. My thoughts on the new presenters:
Chris Evans- the BBC needs to fire that loud mouthed, excitable moron. I spent the entire episode thinking about punching him in the face. He's not funny, at all. Just annoying. For the life of me, I don't see how he is the lead presenter...
Chris Harris- this guy should be the star of the show. He's the most talented guy in the new crew by far, and yet he was relegated to the smallest role, namely a tiny spot on "Extra Gear". WTF? I only gave the new show a chance because I'm a long time Chris Harris fan, and they have him batting on the B-team. Incredibly disappointing.
Matt LeBlanc- Not bad at all. Certainly more entertaining than Chris Evans (I really hate that guy). He had a few funny moments and I didn't mind watching him.
Sabine Schmidt- she's entertaining as well. Very likable and brought some character to the show, even if she didn't spent much time in the studio.
Rory Reid- he doesn't fit in here. Too many "that's cool" and other yes-man associated lines. I understand they're trying to broaden their target audience, but their core audience is full of middle aged car guys that would rather listen to over-the-hill shiny happy people with opinions over young smiling puppets. If this is the direction the BBC is taking the show, I'm not interested.
In a nutshell: promote Chris Harris to actual Top Gear host, keep Matt LeBlanc and Sabine.... send the other 2 packing. Even at their worst Clarkson, May and Hammond were far more entertaining than the new cast. I'll certainly be watching The Grand Tour on Amazon.
Other than that, the format is familiar and I don't know how I feel about that.
So, his tweets shout inappropriately too, FACT.
I have to say (again without seeing it yet), I'll bet a lot of people will tune into the premiere of something they expect to be a train-wreck. FACT.
When your contract might depend on the FACTs, you yell about them- at least until they change.
I fast forwarded about 2/3rds of the show. Chris Evans needs to simmer down. He is out of his gourd excited all the time it seems like.
Am I the only one who thinks Chris Evans looks like Bricktop from Snatch?
BradLTL wrote: Am I the only one who thinks Chris Evans looks like Bricktop from Snatch?
If he does, in FACT, look like Brick top, I may like the show.
Finally got a chance to watch it last night, Chris Evans' shouting triggered my TV's auto-volume-leveling many times, but I guess it works because I didn't hate him at the end of it. The episode was just OK to me. I'm surprised they opened the new series with a segment as dull as the Reliant road trip. I think Matt needs to make his voiceovers sound a little more casual and less like he's recording an audiobook.
I watched Extra Gear last night, and it was actually kinda better than the main show. Rory Reid seems to be a good TV presenter, he seems at ease on camera, like a smooth pro who keeps things going. Chris Harris needs to be promoted ASAP. He's intense and opinionated, and they need that. And I love that they are keeping the news going. Also, Sabine's farm in Germany was nice, love the log cabin!
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