This is the problem though, try and replicate what worked before with new people and get criticised for doing it, try and do something different in a new format and people moan because it's not what it was. Can't win either way.
Television Top Gear
- Thread starter Ramshock
- Start date
This is the problem though, try and replicate what worked before with new people and get criticised for doing it, try and do something different in a new format and people moan because it's not what it was. Can't win either way.
Watched Extra Gear, the new guy is absolutely bloody awful and a right dipstick. Don't really see the point of the show because for what they have on there it seems like a waste of time.
I fell asleep and missedmost of the 2nd half.
I liked the idea of the 500K mile cars, but not the execution
I liked the idea of the 500K mile cars, but not the execution
I'm not so sure. Top Gear in the old format seemed to work because it was bad boys doing naughty things, and there happened to be expensive cars involved. When you get rid of the bad boys for doing naughty things, the formula is irrevocably broken, and having good boys pretending to be naughty doesn't fill the void. The new cast just doesn't seem as stupid, self-absorbed or egotistical as the old lot, and somehow that's not a good thing.
On the plus side, Top Gear was one of very few shows I still watched on traditional TV. That TV license is looking less appealing by the day.
It worked mainly because it involved three relatively average middle aged British white men, who just happened to be mates, moaning a lot and doing stupid immature stuff, all in the name of entertaining themselves. Having an American at the focal point and trying to replicate or maintain the same sense of charm with a new cast as the old show was always going to be a big challenge, simply because it instantly lost the same appeal.
Anyone who's still under the illusion the the old show wasn't heavily scripted and choreographed needs to give their head a wobble. One watch of The Grand Tour tells you that instantly. The new cast lacks chemistry, hence some of the banter and the interactions between them comes across as a bit forced and unnatural. Possibly this might improve over time but I still feel that they should have stuck with three Brits rather than having an American as the centrepiece.
They should have gone with David Coulthard, Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell.
Agree completely. The segment with the Ferrari FECK was probably the best part of the episode, and I really enjoyed his reviews of racing cars last season too. His enthusiasm for cars shines through when he's driving a car that he genuinely likes. He just comes across as a proper bellend in the scripted parts, like his commentary of McAvoy's lap and the movie gaffe segments. I'm still not sure if that's just the character they want him to be or if that's just how he is when he's not reviewing cars, but the producers should reconsider the whole direction they're taking there.
I feel like they're close to getting it right. Harris and Reid should stick to reviewing fast cars and consumer cars respectively, and then get a new guy for the studio who has more natural chemistry with Matt LeBlanc.
The answer is pretty obvious, when I think about it...
The only reason top gear was a success was because of the presenters and the amazing chemistry they had.
That can not be replicated no matter how hard anyone tries if the chemistry and brains behind the show (Clarkson) are gone
That can not be replicated no matter how hard anyone tries if the chemistry and brains behind the show (Clarkson) are gone
I must be alone in not giving a flying feck who presents it.
The feck segment gave me goose bumps.
The feck segment gave me goose bumps.
Hated it.
The 3 of them just dont work, they even managed to make a great idea, the high mileage cars, just boring.
The only good part was the Ferrari FXXK , what a stunning car.
The 3 of them just dont work, they even managed to make a great idea, the high mileage cars, just boring.
The only good part was the Ferrari FXXK , what a stunning car.
Fixed
Imagine being Chris and seeing the Lord's of the car flip It the finger and gun itThe only thing better was if either had a mad fast car.
It would be like me and @Sassy Colin.
Later you beetle driving mother fecker.
Never been a fan of Alfa Romeo but this Giulia looks beautiful.
I feel like every ounce of credit I gave the show in the first episode has just been ruined with Rory Reid's 'bring on the wall'.
WHY THE feck IS A SHOW THAT PEOPLE CRITICISED FOR BEING ANNOYING LAST SEASON DOING SOMETHING DELIBERATELY THEY KNOW IS ANNOYING?!?
WHY THE feck IS A SHOW THAT PEOPLE CRITICISED FOR BEING ANNOYING LAST SEASON DOING SOMETHING DELIBERATELY THEY KNOW IS ANNOYING?!?
I'm liking this episode. Much better than last weeks car crash.
Thought it was on at 9, not 8.
It's made a big leap between last week and this week. Harris seemed more relaxed and less contrived and LeBlanc more settled and less wooden. Reid didn't have much to do and came off a little awkward in his segments, but it's clearly all a work in progress. They're feeling their way through for now and I think it's fair to afford them the time to naturalise themselves.
I thought this episode as a whole was enjoyable.
I thought this episode as a whole was enjoyable.
Agreed. I really enjoyed the Alfa Romeo segment but that Harris/Le Blanc supercar segment was brilliant, two beautiful cars, driven in amazing environments and the challenges were cool too.
If they can keep this standard of episode up, then it will surpass Grand Tour with ease.
They need to get rid of the Harris as a instructor to celebs schtick. t is just annoying and cheesy.. and makes me want to punch him.
Well after being positive about last weeks episode, I thought this weeks show was pretty rubbish.
Harris yet again showed he's a great car reviewer but not such a great tv presenter. Why they have him acting the fool and coming across as a bit of an obnoxious knob head I don't know, because that's not him.
Reid, not much to do in this episode apart from the annoying wall thing and awkward interview with Tennant. Tries a little too hard to be cool and it doesn't always work.
LeBlanc, sorry but he's fecking awful. Boring, terrible at presenting, rubbish at interviewing, dry sense of humour that becomes tiresome after about three seconds, he's horrible. What's even worse is the fact he's being paid £2m to do this, absolute joke.
Harris yet again showed he's a great car reviewer but not such a great tv presenter. Why they have him acting the fool and coming across as a bit of an obnoxious knob head I don't know, because that's not him.
Reid, not much to do in this episode apart from the annoying wall thing and awkward interview with Tennant. Tries a little too hard to be cool and it doesn't always work.
LeBlanc, sorry but he's fecking awful. Boring, terrible at presenting, rubbish at interviewing, dry sense of humour that becomes tiresome after about three seconds, he's horrible. What's even worse is the fact he's being paid £2m to do this, absolute joke.
I thought the first two episodes were better than anything in The Grand Tour, which was pure shite.
The show is always best when it concentrates on the cars. Anything studio wise is boring, but they know how to make an exciting car segment.
Yes, and it's awkward and obviously contrived. I hope they listen to the feedback and get rid of all the silly quirks they've felt the need to apply to Harris since he's become a main presenter. I suppose the best way to judge these three would be to compare the very early episodes of Tog Gear when Clarkson and his mates got together and compare the levels of fluency and synergy between them. I don't remember that far back off the top of my head, but I'd be surprised if they started off as the well oiled article they became.
All three of them have things to work on in their presentation and interaction, but it seems unfair of some to not give them the time to bed in.
Grand tour or not this second episode was much better than the first..
Le Blanc isnt good but you can feel it getting better. The other three (GT) have a special connection. Just glad we have both og these shows..
Le Blanc isnt good but you can feel it getting better. The other three (GT) have a special connection. Just glad we have both og these shows..
Anyone watch the show this week?
Thought it was good, i dare say better than Clarkson. I've quickly warmed to Joey.
Its easy sunday TV mixed in with the amazing production from the BBC. It'll need a special to really secure its foothold.
Its easy sunday TV mixed in with the amazing production from the BBC. It'll need a special to really secure its foothold.
All three episodes have been good I think, the guest interview (if you could even call it that) still needs a bit of work but the studio links are improving and I've enjoyed all the films. Feels like the LeBlanc and Harris show featuring Rory Reid so far, which I don't think is a bad thing.
Every driving segment have been fantastic, back to the original nature of the show.
The studio definitely needs more work though, but I don't think any of them have major chat show host charisma. Could probably do with knocking that part out of the show or actually hire a real host, leave the others to the cars.
The studio definitely needs more work though, but I don't think any of them have major chat show host charisma. Could probably do with knocking that part out of the show or actually hire a real host, leave the others to the cars.
This is getting good.. Starting to like this..
I'm really enjoying it, it's what Top Gear should be. The weak points are definitely the studio, they just don't have the natural chemistry of the other three, but I can forgive that.
Give it time... The three of the old Top Gear had time to make that bond.. But its really coming good.. Even joey is getting better.
I think this may become rather good if the presenters get some time to make it their own. Didn't enjoy this weeks episode as much as the previous though.
I definitely agree but the other three worked together on Top gear for 15 years, so it's an unfair comparision.
I definitely agree but the other three worked together on Top gear for 15 years, so it's an unfair comparision.
If you feel your car show is going to be rubbish, go to the Ring, put Sabine in an underdog car and film her make mincemeat out of Porsches. Always works. Can we just ditch the other three clowns?
Now that Edd from Wheeler Dealers has quit, they should get him involved.
Yes I agree with this. The actual driving segments have been on the whole very good. The camera work and the presentation has been great to watch. The studio stuff is much improved but the guest segment is still rather awkward and uncomfortable to watch.
Still think LeBlanc is a bit of a weak link personally, most of what he does comes across as too scripted and unnatural, not sure if it's just because he's American or it's just simply he's presenting style.
Only just heard about this, he was the only reason I watched the show. Mike Brewer is a total knobhead.
I agree, he did a vid to give his reasons and he did not hold back about the American production company.
Another quality episode. Already prefer this now to Grand Tour.. first episode was shite but past two episodes have been top tier stuff and next week the Bugatti!! Some tweaks still needed but the potential is there for all to see.. and the driving segments have just been excellent with some blunt analysis where needed.
Episode 3 is by far the best show so far.
More low key but definitely getting much better. Less bombastic. More focus on the car and less distraction on personality.
The bit with Tamsin learning how to drive fast and the Nuburgring drive were funny. They should do the Nuburgring as a test feature for cars in the future.
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