Episode #24.1

Let's get the obvious statement out of the way. This season seems to be better than the horrendous train wreck that was season 23. There isn't a annoying shouty person in front of the camera. LeBlanc seems to have settled in a bit more, although the horrible US butchery of car manufacturer names (Marzda, Neesarn, Feeart, Hunday, etc) really grates on the nerves.

However, the chemistry that made for such a great show before Clarkson's brainfart is just not there.

The current team try to recapture the friendly but intense competition in the original but it feels forced.

I am quite happy to sit and watch replays of the old series as they are entertaining. With the current series I cannot see me doing that unless there is absolutely nothing else to watch.

While season 22 was the "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace" to Clarkson/Hammond/May's Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, this season is more like the "Alien 3" to Clarkson/Hammond/May's Aliens

Some actually funny bits, a nice new studio, the classic track is back, the Top Gear visuals are still front and centre and this is clear and distinct from the Clarkson era rather than just trying to make a copy.

The guest spots seemed a bit staged and some of the scripted sections still need to be a bit more relaxed but that was maybe just the first one and having McAvoy as the guest.

Definitely an improvement on last years disaster.

oh no they've done it again. if it wasn't for Matt Leblanc i wouldn't'd have watched the entire episode.

the two new presenters is so stiff and lacks everything that the original team had, no need to mention them do i.

they tried to much to concentrate on a stiff new studio, but Matt is the only one keeping the fort up.

its just a show not the show and trust me i want it to be good!

I think the biggest problem everyone has here is the name: Top Gear. Over the time span of more than a decade the trio of Clarkson/Hammond/May has built as cult TV-show that, let's be honest, can't be topped under that name. But what followed in the season after their departure was not just an attempt, it was an insult. Instead of reinventing the format properly we had way too much going on with an armada of hosts who frankly didn't quite know what they were doing - although their casting and presence mostly made sense.

In the meantime Clarkson, Hammond and May picket up where they left off - only with a lot - yes, a LOT more money. So come on, honestly, how can you top that? You simply can't.

So what did Top Gear do for its 24th season? They've gone through a diet, obviously a tight one. What's left is LeBlanc, Harris and Reed, a rather politically correct response to the all white, all British trio Clarkson/Hammond/May. What I did was what most of you couldn't: Give 'em a chance.

The chemistry is at its beginning - you can literally feel how the three have to find their way to each other first and the show sends them through plenty of scenarios to do so. Nice. We got the Stig back, we got the Top Gear track back and we got great cars, kind of pointless but fun challenges (like before) and a celebrity. Now the new hosts have to glue these parts together in "their" manner and to be honest - for a first shot they did it quite well.

LeBlanc brings the typical American swag, Harris is a nice guy with three times the technical knowledge of cars of the previous trio combined and Reed is the funny guy who brings things closer to the average-joe-watcher. It's a balanced recipe, but of course it needs time to sit to start working properly.

Yes, eight stars may be a bit generous but it's my trust bonus as I believe those three can actually pull it off. Production values are high as usual and I'm looking forward to what's coming up next. You should do the same - it can't be a Grand Tour 2 anyways, so let's be open to where they carry it.

After the sheer car crash that was the first/last series with Chris Evans at the helm it's almost now or never for this show, that lives with the shadow of its former hosts hanging over it.

But, fear not, there's a saviour in the form of Matt Le Blanc. Yes, Joey from 'Friends' believe it or not is single-handedly saving this show. And it's easy to see why, not least the fact that his co-hosts aren't that interesting.

Le Blanc is funny, warm, engaging, and importantly knows about cars. I don't really care about them to be honest, but with Le Blanc fronting this show I at least feel like i'm learning and am entertained.

If this is the shows last lap of the race then Le Blanc has given it his best shot.