BBC Top Gear - Series 23 discussion thread

Hedge · 30 May 2016 at 09:06

People just seem to have forgotten that top gear has been like this for years. Tired, scripted and predictable. The only reason I can feel any differently about this series is that I hoped for something different. Not the same regurgitated rubbish.

The change of presenters didn't make it crap, it was crap with the last 3 for years.

peterattheboro · 30 May 2016 at 09:16

Watched this on iplayer. Gave it 15 mins then skipped through.

It's just an awful copy of a once successful show.

Sargatanas2511 · 30 May 2016 at 09:17

I was looking forward to giving it a run through later on today but it seems I should just pass over it.

I don't hold any hatred for any of the cast so I might just give it a gander anyway.

Nismo · 30 May 2016 at 09:18

Just watched the extra programme over breakfast, while I like Chris Harris and the general idea of bonus content, Rory and the syle of it remind me of a kids programme on CBBC.

[TW]Fox · 30 May 2016 at 09:19

Hedge said:
People just seem to have forgotten that top gear has been like this for years. Tired, scripted and predictable. The only reason I can feel any differently about this series is that I hoped for something different. Not the same regurgitated rubbish.

The change of presenters didn't make it crap, it was crap with the last 3 for years.

Many of us thoroughly enjoyed the last series right to the end.

agnes · 30 May 2016 at 09:21

Glad I didn't bust a nut to watch this.

Don't think I'll bother. Reruns will do for now

ZG002 · 30 May 2016 at 09:28

Yep, I enjoyed the old trio right to the end. Yeah it was scripted etc etc, but they just made it work. Sounds strange but they were like one of the lads, all had their different quirks. Evans isn't likeable, never has been! He's not a lads lad. Running about shouting everything, just puts the core audience off I'd imagine (seeing the comments everywhere!) Matt is completely Unknown in this role, I don't mind him so far.

Chris Harris is a known to likely the core audience or at least some and they need him on the main show imo.

It was a mess really.

Jono8 · 30 May 2016 at 09:35

Chris Evans was just awful. Awful, awful, awful.

The only bit i enjoyed was Matt's off road atom bit. It was actually quite funny.

They should get rid of Evans and just get Matt to do it yo be honest. Then i might continue watching it.

doofer · 30 May 2016 at 09:46

Caught it on iPlayer, the best single word I can use to describe it is: Awkward.

Evans was vaguely tolerable on the voice-overs, but anything with him on-screen was pure cringe. Everyone else (Including the other Presenters) just looked like they didn't want to be there, there was zero chemistry and the audience genuinely looked to me like paid stooges, there was something unnatural about them.

The Studio scenes, wow, car-crash TV. Awful. The SIARC was always one of the weakest segments and they have managed to make it even worse somehow, the little yank guy just looked like he had been forced by some Contractual obligation to be there, he looked completely confused and un-easy.

Evans needs to walk away for it to stand any chance of it not haemorrhaging viewers, hopefully it will be the end of his 'Celebrity' career and also the Execs who choose ***** like Evans as 'Talent'.

Dogbreath · 30 May 2016 at 09:47

[TW]Fox;29560082 said:
Many of us thoroughly enjoyed the last series right to the end.

I certainly did. It was often a bit predictable but always entertaining.

Last night was like Clarskon's TG, but with all the entertainment surgically removed. Trying to clone the Clarkson format and style is a big mistake IMO, they should have made a fresh start and let everyone play to their own strengths rather than trying to emulate the previous hosts.

asim18 · 30 May 2016 at 09:49

ZG002 said:
Yep, I enjoyed the old trio right to the end. Yeah it was scripted etc etc, but they just made it work. Sounds strange but they were like one of the lads, all had their different quirks.

Exactly. The dynamics of the old trio will be impossible to match, their balance of predictability and unpredictibility was perfect. Can't imagine Evans having an argument or a disagreement with LeBlanc, firstly LeBlanc is just too alpha compared to Evans.

MoBo · 30 May 2016 at 09:52

jpaul said:
Agh - extra gear - willl that tell me who team member Chris Harris

Chris Harris used to work for autocar & done YouTube stuff, check out his P1, La Ferrari & Porsche video.

MichaelAwkward · 30 May 2016 at 09:53

I think the BBC have misunderstood that most people watched Top Gear mainly for Clarkson, Hammond, and May. They could have a show completely unrelated to cars and it would still get millions of viewers. Taking what was left of TG without them was always going to fail.

ianh · 30 May 2016 at 10:02

doofer said:
Evans was vaguely tolerable on the voice-overs, but anything with him on-screen was pure cringe. Everyone else (Including the other Presenters) just looked like they didn't want to be there.

The Studio scenes, wow, car-crash TV. Awful

This for me, the filming/editing was as fantastic as usual but everything else (considering it was the relaunch) just felt a bit Meh and I couldn't stand Chris during the Studio sections, utterly cringe worthy. Matt has an extremely unexcitable voice which doesn't blend well with the footage.

However, it'll be interesting when there's more of the other presenters and less Matt/Chris.

GeForce · 30 May 2016 at 10:02

[TW]Fox;29560082 said:
Many of us thoroughly enjoyed the last series right to the end.

This. Certainly true for me.

thecremeegg · 30 May 2016 at 10:08

I think I can sum it up as "ok". Like others I expected it to be a bit more original and not a carbon copy, even down to the way Stig was introduced!
I don't mind Evans tbh but Leblanc was the surprise as I really enjoyed his style.
Need to watch the extra bit now for a bit of Harris.

I have a feeling that it's a bit cool to hate the new show atm and people will claim it's horrific etc...they'll be watching next week

Wang Computer · 30 May 2016 at 10:17

Well, that was fairly abysmal. I find Chris Evans to be inherently unlikable, the exchanges between he and LeBlanc were cringe inducing and the format just feels tired. You just don't get the sense these people are truly interested in cars (and yes, I know Evans has a huge collection of Ferraris).

As much as I recognise the necessity that Clarkson had to go for his indiscretion, I can't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude on watching this rubbish.

Chris Harris in a sort of higher budget version of what he does on his YouTube channel would be a much better proposition.

Will Gill · 30 May 2016 at 10:25

fairly average, perfectly watchable but not really enjoyable

Matt - 7/10
Chris - 2/10

el_dazza · 30 May 2016 at 10:28

Just watched it on iplayer.

Generally, it's somewhat watchable but won't ever be a scratch on the previous presenters version. It's what I imagine TG to be like if Hammond was the lead presenter after 19 cans of red bull, May alongside and Clarkson in the background. Some bits were funny but they're trying to imitate the 'old' TG too much. The car bumps, the 'some say' Stig thing.. Chris Evans isn't right for it. I liked TGI Friday but that was its own unique show, not a spin off or copy of anything else.

Can't see it lasting.

slick rick · 30 May 2016 at 10:34

Iplayered it and honestly, it was poor.

Evans is irritating as hell, Matt was OK though. The content itself was just boring. I know the majority of people will disagree with me here but even with the trio Top Gear was starting to get quite stale and had gone a bit to silly. This should have been a chance to do something fresh and new but it came across as some sort of TG parody.