Evans was in a word - annoying. He's trying hard but for the car guy demographic he's got no appeal. Seems like a so so driver - despite a great collection of cars that he owns personally.
LeBlanc is wooden, but I think we expected that. He does seem to be a pretty decent driver, as shown by his Power Lap.
I'll still watch occasional it as the cars and action segments can be entertaining (I didn't mind the Top Gun segment, mainly because I love that movie). But it's kind of made it like a "Fifth Gear"for me now. Great if I have time, but it's not my go to.
Not sure I like the autocross segment. Or the dual person SIARPC format. Those seemed to be "changes to be different" gimmicks.
That said, ditch Evans for Harris, and more Sabine time (all folks that can really drive) and you'd have my interest back. For all the greatness of Clarkson and Co - they weren't first rate drivers like Harris, Schmidt, and LeBlanc (to a much lesser extent). (I used to watch TG USA for Tanner's sick skills).
Last edited by I-Hate-Hulse; 05-29-2016 at 10:02 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to I-Hate-Hulse For This Useful Post:
It's not organic. That is very much apparent. The editing and cinematography is second rate in comparison. They may have kept the stig, but Clarkson got the whole creative team. I'm sure they'll present much better after a few episodes and the timing is fix, but there is a lot to fixed to make it the world class show that it once was.
I think the juxtaposition of the Brit/American to be pretty good. I'm going to enjoy them putting Leblanc is less than ideal situations all season only for him to get his comeuppance.
It's like classic British self-deprecation but written for an American.
Plus, convertible trikes. My wife says at the very beginning of the episode, "Do you think it's going to rain?" I burst out laughing. Of course it is, it's England.
How in hell did Chris Harris shuffled down to the after show? Ditch Evans, put Harris in the main host spot. Harris, Schmidt and Leblanc would be an amazing trio now that we've seen the new format.
Evans might need time to calm down and be less aggressive in his tone. Either way. It's not "Top Gear" but I liked what I watched. More Sabine and get Harris on the main show. And I liked Leblanc, more than I should have maybe. I get the dry, cocky humor.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to dammage79 For This Useful Post:
Top Gear US seemed super wooden at first but by the end of the first season there was some better chemistry (albeit not anything compared to the original trio). I think it'll round into a decent car show, again, something I'll probably like to the same extent as a show like Mythbusters. I'll watch it but I won't be jonesing for it every sunday like I used too.
And hey, this show is better than no show. Especially while we wait for Clarkson and co. to finally put something out.
One thing I learned yesterday that might make us all feel better about what happened to Top Gear is that The Grand Tour is signed for 36 episodes over three years. Thats way more episodes than we could have expected if the normal Top Gear was still going. By the end they where doing what, 6-8 episodes a season normally? So we gain an extra 10ish episodes of Jezza and the boys? That's a win!
Top Gear US seemed super wooden at first but by the end of the first season there was some better chemistry (albeit not anything compared to the original trio). I think it'll round into a decent car show, again, something I'll probably like to the same extent as a show like Mythbusters. I'll watch it but I won't be jonesing for it every sunday like I used too.
And hey, this show is better than no show. Especially while we wait for Clarkson and co. to finally put something out.
One thing I learned yesterday that might make us all feel better about what happened to Top Gear is that The Grand Tour is signed for 36 episodes over three years. Thats way more episodes than we could have expected if the normal Top Gear was still going. By the end they where doing what, 6-8 episodes a season normally? So we gain an extra 10ish episodes of Jezza and the boys? That's a win!
Honestly, the first episode was much better than I anticipated. Considering what they had to live up to, it was pretty good. I wouldn't say that Chris Evans was horrible, but he's just not a likable person. Like you said, it's better than no show at all. The same goes for Fifth Gear. I didn't like it as much as the original Top Gear, but it was still enjoyable. For me, the real test of the new Top Gear will be their Christmas special. That's when the hosts really have to interact, but so far the chemistry looks good for the short amount of time they've been together.
The Following User Says Thank You to wontondestruction For This Useful Post:
Top Gear US started again and has some pretty solid episodes so far. The first episode is them trying to Google street view the Rubicon with budget 4x4s.
Top Gear US started again and has some pretty solid episodes so far. The first episode is them trying to Google street view the Rubicon with budget 4x4s.
Kickstarting Top Gear US seems like a desperation move.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
Top Gear US started again and has some pretty solid episodes so far. The first episode is them trying to Google street view the Rubicon with budget 4x4s.
How was I not aware of this?!? I guess I won't be getting a good sleep tonight.
It's pretty sad that the illegal streaming site I use gets the word out better than the actual show or network.
I thought I subscribed to all things Top Gear, US/UK...perhaps not. I did see a "all-new Top Gear" pop-up when I watched the season premiere of Mountain Men, I just passed it off as the previous season of Top Gear UK. That's on me.
I didn't hate the first episode of the "new era", but I didn't fall in love with it either. I liked LeBlanc more than I expected, and I think that he'll get better as the show goes on. Despite being American, his deliberate dryness will work in the UK I think.
To offset that, however, Chris Evans was more annoying than I expected. I get that they are trying to play off of the flamboyant, loud Brit and the dry, cocky yank. Maybe they'll find their groove as it goes on.
I can't blame the BBC for trying to keep their flagship programme alive, but I do think that it will be in trouble. Viewership was apparently the lowest in a decade for an opener, and it really needed to be a slam dunk in order to draw people in. If you don't compare it to the Clarkson, Hammond, & May era, it really isn't too bad of a show. But those three were the magic ingredient, obviously, so this was always going to be a tough sell. I'll tune in from time to time, but it'll take some work to really pull me in.
2nd episode was a lot better I thought. I enjoyed it.
I also started watching Top Gear USA again. Im really starting to like it. They actually have chemistry now that they have a few seasons under the belt.
