View Full Version : New Top Gear ?
Audio Al
29-05-2016, 20:27
Well :rolleyes:
Is it just me ?
What was new about it ?
Sound quality was pants
Chris and Matt were a bit wooden , Hope things improve or it will be something else I don't bother seeing :(
Whats your initial opinions chaps and Bev
I appear to have missed it.
So I am nailing my colours to the new Clarkson mast, rather than the corpse of what was a good show excrutiatingly re-animated by a desperate BBC.
The show was broadcast tonight on BBC2 at 8pm. How did you miss it, daftee? :)
I thought it was ok, although trying too hard to be like its old self, with Chris Evans sounding embarrassingly 'Clarksonesque'... Quite liked the yank dude, Matt Le Blanc, as he was reasonably funny, in a stereotypical American way. Glad to see the Stig still there.
I think the show still needs to find its proper identity and stop being a poor facsimile of the original series. Also, less of the 'madcap antics' with ridiculously daft vehicles would be good, and more reviews of proper supercars, such as there was with the Viper and Corvette, which is what diehard 'petrolheads' want.
Agreed that the sound quality was pish - volume level way too low. The sound engineers responsible should be shot!
Marco.
Sovereign
29-05-2016, 21:53
It was ok, I agree with most of the comments above.
But for me to keep watching it, can the BBC not make Chris Evens voice and octive deeper, he sounded like one of the chipmunks from my daughters DVDs
No, nothing new at all. Made me realise how influential the scriptwriters are/were. The words were the same, the actors new. Needs some new ideas, and scriptwriters tbh.
Haselsh1
29-05-2016, 22:04
Well, I thought the show was painful but thought that 'Joey' was bloody funny. Will I watch it again...? Of course not :eyebrows:
No, nothing new at all. Made me realise how influential the scriptwriters are/were. The words were the same, the actors new. Needs some new ideas, and scriptwriters tbh.
Spot on, Peter, and my feelings exactly. It was essentially identical to the last shows with Clarkson et al, just different presenters going through the same motions. I quite enjoy Chris Evans, as like him or not, at least he has a personality. He just needs to stop trying to emulate JC, and just be himself.
Marco,
I don't know if anyone remembers the first Series of revitalised Top Gear with Clarkson, Hammond and that Jason bloke. They never repeat it. From memory it wasn't quite right, really crappy in parts, but with season 2 and James May joining it all clicked. So maybe worth giving this a chance. I'll take a look on i-player at some point.
It was not great, so I will give it another chance before doing something else with my time.
For me it had a few too many of the faults the previous version had - it seemed overly contrived and the three wheeler bit was just pointless and dull. Chris Evans is an acquired taste and there was a lot of him...
For me it had a few too many of the faults the previous version had - it seemed overly contrived and the three wheeler bit was just pointless and dull.
Yup, after the introduction of new presenters, the format now needs a revamp.
Marco.
Just watched the extra gear on i player with the new chap and Chris Harris. It was an infinitely more enjoyable show.
Yup, after the introduction of new presenters, the format now needs a revamp.
Marco.
If I was the old crew, I would feel infinitely ripped off.
Invent your own show, newbies.
Also, Evans needs to relax and slow down, as does the editing. With so many quick camera shot changes, and Evans (and others, egged on by his 'manicness' I suspect) in hyper mode, the whole thing was just too 'unchilled' to make for easy viewing.
Just watched the extra gear on i player with the new chap and Chris Harris. It was an infinitely more enjoyable show.
Yes, I also preferred it.
Ali Tait
30-05-2016, 09:48
Be better getting rid of Evans and let Matt front the show.
I recorded it, but am not in a hurry to see it. I loved Chris Evans when he was on Radio 1 with John Boy Revel, Holly Hot Lips, Jimmy 5 Bellies (If you remember what passed as a human being Google him and see his transformation - unbelievable) it was anarchic, funny and innovative, probably because they were all pissed most of the time. Fast forward 20 years or so to his Radio 2 programme, trying to re-create the atmosphere of Radio 1 but failing miserably. Hyper high pitched shouting, stupid and childish stuff like playing Banana Splits theme every day etc etc. Wogan was a genius of the understated, Evans is soo far off the mark.
No-one could re-create the magic of what TG was, trying and failing is no surprise as Evans thinks everything he is involved in can't fail:rolleyes::rolleyes:
Arkless Electronics
30-05-2016, 12:53
I thought it was excruciatingly, embarrassingly, awful. I couldn't watch it till the end and probably won't tune in again!
Haselsh1
30-05-2016, 14:17
Be better getting rid of Evans and let Matt front the show.
Gotta agree with this. That Joey guy was bloody good and could easily run the show. Also, I loved the camera work and the photography. Well done to them.
No, nothing new at all. Made me realise how influential the scriptwriters are/were. The words were the same, the actors new. Needs some new ideas, and scriptwriters tbh.
Very true, especially when you realise that the old scriptwriters were Clarkson, Hammond and May. Mostly Clarkson. The new scriptwriters, whoever they are, need to find their own voice.
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/a-top-gear-writer-has-spilled-the-beans-on-how-the-show-was-put-together/
Rush2112
30-05-2016, 18:22
The bottom line is quite simple Chris Evans is no fool he knows the show could quite easily be a poisoned chalice ! However, the same was said of him when he took over the breakfast slot on Radio 2 and no one can deny he's made a success of that, so I would say keep watching and by serious three people will be saying who was that Clarkson guy anyway !
Wakefield Turntables
30-05-2016, 19:29
This first episode can only be described as painful watching. I hope it gets better.
Audio Al
05-06-2016, 21:11
Episode 2
Much better , Why ? , A lot less Chris Evens and more guests , I laughed at some of it , Hope it continues to improve :)
Ali Tait
05-06-2016, 22:03
Yep, quite enjoyed it actually.
Stratmangler
05-06-2016, 22:24
They need to sound treat the studio a bit - most of the annoyance with the audio came from hearing the PA being picked up by the microphones.
The studio (hangar) they record the programme in is far too live sounding.
The programme itself was less self conscious and strained, and far more enjoyable.
Ninanina
05-06-2016, 22:44
I only really liked the first ever series of Top Gear when Quentin Willson (my car hero !) was in the team as it was much more informative unlike the recent stuff
I did watch the first episode with Chris Evans and to be honest it bored me however I will probably watch the series just to see how it goes ;)
I only really liked the first ever series of Top Gear when Quentin Willson (my car hero !) was in the team as it was much more informative unlike the recent stuff
I did watch the first episode with Chris Evans and to be honest it bored me however I will probably watch the series just to see how it goes ;)
was that the guy who hosted the one on c5?
Ali Tait
06-06-2016, 05:14
He does The Classic Car Show now.
The Black Adder
06-06-2016, 05:26
Well, I watched a bit last night...
:deceased:
Audio Al
19-06-2016, 22:42
19/6/16
Thought tonight episode was better , The Aston Vulcan was :eek: , again less Evans and more of the others , I enjoyed it :)
Only gripe so far is that whatever car Rory Reid is driving appears to be the best car ever.
I thought that the challenge was pretty lame.
Evans is a twat. Don't watch it - won't watch it.
I haven't managed to watch any of them yet, just got the telly fixed last night then had to go out. Presumably they will be repeated endlessly on 'Dave', so not to worry.
I don't think QW was in the first series of Top Gear. He's too young. Wasn't it that bloke off of Tomorrow's world?
All the non Chris Evans bits are watchable.
Always liked Chris Harris' stuff from his Autocar days and before.
Rory's reports are very good, Sabine's good for a laugh, Joey's less scripted so watchable.
Challenges only work if theres chemistry there a la Clarkson and the gang, but these ones dont.
Star(s) in a car...naa.
At least the BBC have the savvy to let the other guys come more to the fore than Evans was in the first couple of episodes.
Watching on Iplayer just like, whenever, for Chris Harris and Rory's stuff and skip through the rest.
William Woolard think he was?
Angela Rippon was the first presenter (handy info for a pub quiz..)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/11583450/A-history-of-Top-Gear-presenters.html?frame=3290470
I haven't managed to watch any of them yet, just got the telly fixed last night then had to go out. Presumably they will be repeated endlessly on 'Dave', so not to worry.
I don't think QW was in the first series of Top Gear. He's too young. Wasn't it that bloke off of Tomorrow's world?
Raymond Baxter was the one I was thinking of.
Angela Ripon was the first? That is a surprise.
I've got the last three episodes recorded, as there's been too much footy on TV recently to have been able to watch much else. It's tailing off now, so will get a chance to catch up!
I don't have much of an issue with Chris Evans - he doesn't bother me like he obviously does others. Yes, he's a cocky, smarmy little git, but who cares? His natural enthusiasm and effervescent personality is infectious. I like him on Radio 2, and always have done, and on things such as TFI Friday, from the old days.
I guess that I'm not particularly critical of TV presenters, in the way that some folks are, so as long as they do their jobs well enough, I'm happy. Either that, or cocky, smarmy little gits don't offend me much. I often laugh when folk moan about so-and-so on TV being an 'utter twat', or whatever, getting all 'het up' about it, and just shrug my shoulders in relative apathy... :eyebrows:
Unless some presenters *really* are assholes, and for me few qualify as such, I can't get overly 'worked up' about any of them :)
Marco.
No..GET WORKED UP !!!! :)
Lol... Only important things, such as what my dinner will consist of, on any given evening, get me worked up! :D
Marco.
Lol... Only important things, such as what my dinner will consist of, on any given evening, get me worked up! :D
Marco.
Well that, and Scottish independence.
Indeed, although these days Welsh independence would directly matter more... Anything to save the rest of us from the domineering control and oppression of unjustified English rule from Westmonster!
http://imageshack.com/a/img923/5373/U0JPuM.gif (https://imageshack.com/i/pnU0JPuMg)
:yesbruv: :yesbruv:
Marco.
Indeed, although these days Welsh independence would directly matter more... Anything to save the rest of us from the domineering control and oppression of English rule from Westmonster!
The Welsh haven't been independent since the 13th century. How would they manage as an independent country? About the only thing they're self-sufficient in is water. Oh, and sheep.
What more do you need than sheep? :goodfriends::goodfriends:
:D :D
:sheep:
Marco.
At least the "shouty" one has done the decent thing..
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/04/chris-evans-to-leave-top-gear-after-police-launch-sexual-assault/
I don't mind him on the wireless, but on TV, no thanks.
trio leo
04-07-2016, 16:25
I used to like TG, then it became the Jeremy Clarkson comedy hour, now it's infantile petrolheadism at best, watched it once, won't bother again.
Glad Evans is going
Al
Floyddroid
04-07-2016, 18:29
Evan's has walked. What's that telling you?
skimminstones
04-07-2016, 18:37
BBC should recognise its not Top Gear that is the draw, it was the dynamic between Clarkson, Hammond and May. Yes it was scripted and contrived on occasion but they made it work and thats why people watched. It wasnt the stunts with cars etc.... It was the 3 blokes having a laugh.
Top Gear died the moment they sacked Clarkson.
Plus Chris Evans ceased being watchable in 1998
The Black Adder
04-07-2016, 19:07
Oh dear... nevermind, Top Gear, Shlop Gear... Don't worry... the BBC has stepped up to the plate with 'Trainspotting Live'... yes ladies and gentlemen, your licence fee is safe. :rolleyes: lol
I actually had to look up "train spotting live" to find it's really a thing :doh:
Now, if they did it with Robert Carlyle, Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Kelly McDonald et al I'd feel all warm inside for paying my licence fee.
BBC should recognise its not Top Gear that is the draw, it was the dynamic between Clarkson, Hammond and May. Yes it was scripted and contrived on occasion but they made it work and thats why people watched. It wasnt the stunts with cars etc.... It was the 3 blokes having a laugh.
Top Gear died the moment they sacked Clarkson.
I think that's true and a very valid point, Keith. However, history demonstrates that established TV shows eventually live on in the absence of old and much liked presenters, *providing* that in their absence there is still something worthwhile to watch.
I agree, in terms of Top Gear, that that remans to be seen. Chris Evans obviously wasn't the one to carry the show forward (proving to be somewhat of a round peg in a square hole), but that person will be found and Top Gear will live on in whatever format it takes, free from being shackled by the ghosts of the previous trio of presenters.
Marco.
Interesting point a chap on pfm made:
I didn't think Evans was that bad tbf. I thought it was more a mistake to write the show in exactly the same format and style as before and expect the new presenters to present it in the same manner as Clarkson and co when they really own that style now.
I especially thought it daft as even when Clarkson's lot were doing the same scripted thing, over and over again, it'd gotten tired. For example, the first few times Hammond opened his door onto May's car, it was really funny but by the 6 millionth time, it was getting annoying and predictable. Having a new presenting team was the chance to write the show differently and sell it as a revamped offering, but maybe it's the writers that have become stale?
Indeed!
Marco.
Clarkson wrote the old show so part of their problem now is that you have staff writers trying to ape his style and they just can't do it.
When they changed the presenters they should have changed the format and made a completely fresh show. Would require someone with some originality and vision though so the BBC not exactly best placed for that.
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