Episode #23.1

Wow, wow, wow! I really was hoping for a good show but, I'm sorry, it just didn't work for me at all. No chemistry between the two presenters is the problem. Matt Leblanc is actually not bad at all: he is quite funny and laid back and with a worthy British counterpart could blossom in this show. The real problem in my view is the casting of Chris Evans - this otherwise talented presenter here seems to be completely out of sorts. He is running around like an over-grown boy who has seriously overdone on drinking too much sugary soda. He is trying too hard and it doesn't seem he's enjoying himself really or - indeed - enjoying anything that Matt Leblanc does or says. I didn't believe him. Perhaps he's desperately trying to come across as an Alpha male next to Matt who is one? In short, it is simply not the right show for Chris. He has done much better in the past. I know this is very tough but he is a good guy and a professional and will find many more suitable things to do in the future of his long and no doubt successful career.

Who knows - perhaps Matt and Chris will have that drink after all between the episode 1 and 2 and their bromance will start blossoming from now on! I hope so but, unfortunately, I doubt it very much.

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.

"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.

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.

People say the old show became overgrown, obnoxious and self-indulgent, but at least while the boys were driving super cars around the world they would actually review them and give you every fact and figure they had. This new show had barely a scripted sentence pertaining to a car they were driving. That along with Chris Evans god awful presenting skills which would have suited a village panto better than TV and the absolute lack of any rapport between the show's hosts is why I won't be watching this again, and I recommend you don't either.

One upside to this mess is Matt Le'Blanc, he seems to enjoy himself on the show but only when he's presenting alone.

Oh, and please Chris Evans.. stop shouting.. just stop shouting.