What do we all think of the Evans version? ....:?
Curse you - was just about to start a thread!
So I watched the first episode of New Top Gear - mostly as I had nothing else to do. Figured that we should probably share opinions, for those of us who have seen it. I did go in with an open mind, as I felt I should give it a chance.
Things what I liked
Cinematography still looks stunning in the Corvette / Viper review and race.
From what little of Sabine we saw, she looks like she'll settle in just fine.
I like Matt LeBlanc - he has a sense of humour and self-awareness. I could watch him quite happily.
Ariel Nomad review was great. Lovely scenery, Matt had some great lines. Daft car and I would like one in lime green please.
John Anderson!
Things what I didn't like
Needless format tweaks - new studio looks too big and too professional, and has lost the shabby chic of the old one
Timewasting - Chris Evans spending too long on his one tonne of downforce / local Indian comparison
Star in a car - utter waste of time, far too drawn out - could have lasted 30 seconds and got the same details across
Speaking of star in a car, did it have to become a rallycross car? The fun of the reasonably-priced car was it was something we could all drive and putting an A-list Hollywood Sleb in a crapbucket was amusing. All the previous times are also no longer comparable.
Chris Evans - I still can't bring myself to like him at all. His voice grates, his bouncing around grates, he doesn't fit the show at all.
Six presenters - where are they all? No sign of Chris Harris, no sign of Rory Reid, no sign of Eddie Jordan, far too little Sabine. It's the Matt and Chris show - and all the previews have suggested this is going to be a recurring theme. If you're going to have six presenters, use them all! At least have them in the studio sections.
Stig intro - cringeworthy. I don't mind Matt doing it but the audience call-and-response?
On that note - bored with audience interaction. We don't need them to cheer for their favourite star. We don't need them to shout out questions. They can stay put and enjoy the show.
Repeated ideas from 'old' Top Gear - we've seen laser guns and car dogfights. We've seen many car-and-plane comparisons. We've seen baddies appearing and chasing a car, and motorbikes jump over cars. We've seen Reliant Robins. We've seen stars drive convertibles in the rain and get soaked. We've seen a 4x4 climb a hill. Does anyone behind New Top Gear have an original idea?
There's glimmers of hope here, and glimpses of a better Top Gear yet to come. Bearing in mind rapport hasn't built between the main presenters yet, I'm willing to give it a few weeks more.
Suggested names for New Top Gear
The Chris and Matt Show
Flop Gear
Fifth Gear On Ice
A Ginger Person Crushes My Dreams