Episode #23.1

"Ifeelzeneedzeneedforzspeed." - either this killer line from Sabine, or the PC wagon full of Indians, the "chemistry" of two 2x4's, Gordon's cars versus what-now? - take your pick, the show gave me plenty of reasons for turning it off. It is something else entirely now - the show you used to love will be airing on Amazon. This however, does not fly with me and I'm not putting myself through another hour of this. I'll be surprised if it finds its crowd and if it proves big enough for BBC to keep pouring money into it. Leblanc is okay on his own, but when they're together with Evans - oh. my. god. If you are going to keep this running though, BBC - word to the wise - make Sabine The Stig.

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.

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.

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 ;) )

I was looking forward to this "New" show I wanted for it to be good but had my doubts it would work. I was a big fan of the old show and I would not call myself a fan of driving and cars. The other presenters simply did such a great job. as for the new presenters I didn't expect them to be this bad, simply no chemistry between Matt and Chris. Matt did his best but Evans just didn't click. The only good point about episode 1 is the new star in a rally car segment. I will watch again as it surely can't get any worse, It may be unfair to base my review on a pilot episode. But I am more and more looking forward to the new Clarkson and company version on Netflix.