Episode #23.1

I know old TG by heart, I don't know how many times have I watched all the episodes.

Honestly, I was genuinely very happy when the day came for new TG to air, because I wanted to see what have they done. Well, not much.

I am not from UK so my knowledge of Chris Evans is limited to what I saw on TV, I know he is a very successful radio host and real petrol head, but he is not for TV, at least not TV in this format. Some people already said it, too jumpy, to loud, and I don't know why.

Only bright spot is Matt LaBlanc, as strange as that can be. Only in his review of Nomad, I smiled a couple of times.

They announced 7 hosts, and we only saw three (well two and a half, since Sabine we saw for like 3 min), so I am guessing it will be like that for the duration of this season.

Instead of changing the show and to bring us, the viewers, something new, they stuck with the same format, that just don't work without the other three. They even rewrote the power lap times. The guest segment is boring, short and not at all interesting, the only bright spot is a new track.

Too much trouble and not much result.

I am huge fan of TG, and I will keep watching it, but I will not wait for it with the same joy as I used to, Sundays will never be the same (well until GoT finishes ;) )

Gave it a go but unfortunately there is no magic here.

Chris Evans bounces around like a school boy on red cordial and Matt Leblanc gives it his best but this new show doesn't seem to work.

You can even see the reactions of the studio audience are like what the hell is this? Where is Top Gear?

I was hoping to see Chris Harris to bring some kind of credibility but alas he was nowhere to be found and after seeing this poor attempt I hope he decides to go back to his very popular online programming as this show will surely taint his stellar reputation.

Best to wait for The Grand Tour and leave this one alone.

The beginning felt awkward but, to be honest, I don't know what they could've done differently to avoid the elephant in the room. And then they put about 8 Indians on top of a car, for whatever reason. Sure as hell wasn't because it was funny.

Apparently they really want to sell to the US audience, so they had to incorporate a segment about US military. Because $$$. That German women seemed fun though, shame we didn't get to see more of her and we had to settle for that thing.

That main host, whatever his name is, is annoying as... I'm trying to come up with something, but can't, he is the most annoying thing I saw on TV. Even worse then Olly! He seems to be that 13 year old kid who can only express himself with capslock on all the time. Seriously, shut up. My advice to him: whenever you feel the need to speak, just don't. Do whatever else you want, just do it in silence. And somewhere where we cant see you. I'd pay for that.

Matt was cool, relaxed, even though from time to time even he didn't seem to be able to make it look like they weren't reading from the teleprompter all the time.

The new interview with a star had a random guy who no one knows who he is and Gordon Ramsey. Gordon seemed fun, but then that diva started shouting again for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

Best segment was the one with Matt reviewing the orange car. Seemed like something Hammond used to do, but with Matt's spin on it. Was good.

The end race was OK at most, but again, interrupted every 20 seconds by that obnoxious 13 year old kid screaming.

There's just no chemistry between the two host, one is super relaxed and has his own witty segments and the other one feels like they needed someone who can imitate a cat getting stepped on it's tail for an hour. "Ah, you said a joke? Let me look in the camera and scream random words, that sure is entertaining"

Maybe, maybe, I'll give the 2nd episode a go and that just because of Matt. But if it will be the same scream-fest performed by a spoiled kid, I'm out.

To start off I want to state that I'm not familiar with Chris Evans and I'm somewhat familiar with Matt Le Blanc. I heard some people had misgivings about Chris being involved with Top Gear and now I clearly understand why.

The entire feel of the show was completely off, right from the start with the incredibly awkward introduction of Matt and a overly energetic Chris who felt compelled to shout at the camera like the audience was a bunch of pensioners who forgot their hearing aids.

The segments with Chris had an incredibly scripted feel that lacked any genuine emotion. With the previous hosts I didn't notice the scripted bits, the show felt more cohesive. This "new" Top Gear feels like a movie with bad CG effects that stick out like a sore thumb. Every contest had a BS you win and then Chris wins plot line result that a three year old child could have predicted.

The BBC needs to find a better host who can handle off the cuff humou, someone who is more of an everyday bloke that can talk like a normal human being.

That being said, Matt Le Blanc was OK, incredibly dry, but OK when reviewing the cars. Couldn't tell a joke to save his life... That bit about your mothers g-string was odd and the way he tried to play up the "bad guys" was just awful. With a different host Matt may have really turned out better but he was very awkward and forced with Chris. He looked like a guy on a date with a woman who is desperately attempting to get in his pants and post the play by play on snap chat.

I have watched Top Gear on and off since it's first show in the late 70's where Noel Edmonds was it's main presenter. This show was mainly aimed at people who liked cars and wanted honest reviews. When Clarkson arrived on the show around 1986 he gave honest reviews where he was not concerned if he upset the manufacturers. In a way Clarkson would say what you would love to say but were too afraid in case you offended anyone. He had a new way of presenting which gave the show a lift. After ten years on the program Clarkson left where he had his own program, aptly named CLARKSON where you could see the beginnings of what would become the new Top Gear format which has been a huge success as it not only appealed to car fanatics, but a whole new audience who would never have watched the original Top Gear. The original program had got old and stale so this re-boot made it the great success it has been over the past 14 years. Now new Top Gear, the BBC missed a trick not to re-invent but to re- heat old programs with new presenters who are not up to the task. When going on an adventure Clarkson, Hammond and May would explain why they were doing it and what the end goal would be, whether this was best rear wheel drive, best 4x4, best convertible and so on. What was the point of driving to Blackpool in two three wheelers? What was the entertainment value with one being on a transporter? The Jeep and Land Rover trials were utterly awful and dull. What's the point of taking a three wheeler to the top of a hill. We already know the Jeep and Land Rover will not struggle making those journeys. This was just weak and lazy programming with no thought, imagination or entertainment value whatsoever. The rally cross is a good idea but the guests were dull which made it difficult to watch. Chris Evans was turning the studio into TFI Friday, just remember how successful OFI Sunday was!! I think Chris Evans should stick to what he knows best and do shows which are his idea and built around him as he is struggling with this format. I think if Top Gear is going to remain with the BBC it is in urgent need of another re-boot to move it as far as possible from the Clarkson, Hammond and May era. This show was still at it's peak when the others left so it's always going to be a monumental task to continue this format without the magic of the original three. I don't even think this new Top Gear will make it to Dave where the original and best is still being shown. If the Grand tour is a success, which it probably will be then the BBC will have a huge decision to make about commissioning another series of this now awful program.