Top Gear - Evans / LeBlanc Era

I agree with your comments about the last few series of TG, and I too hadn't bothered to watch.

I watched it last night, however, but I was a little disappointed that the format hadn't been totally revised, as I thought it should have been.
I think it's difficult for a new presenting team to take over a successful format, and with what they were given, they didn't really have a chance to make the show their own. Put it this way, I could imagine most of the features would have been used on the last few series of TG.

In conclusion, it wasn't the clean sheet approach I was hoping for. I'll wait to see what the next episode brings.

Didn't think it was anywhere near as bad as people have suggested, not as good as the old Top Gear at its best but much better than at its worst and much of the last few series. The main show probably followed the old format too much but as mentioned above its hardly a surprise and when you add the Extra Gear into the mix you can see that they are giving more and pushing out on there own. Hopefully they will introduce some of the Extra Gear stuff into the main show, although it will need to be done carefully otherwise people will moan its too "Nerdy" or too like 5th gear!

Evans did seem to be trying a bit hard but he is enthusiastic and must be feeling the pressure, he just needs to calm down, enjoy himself. He is the sort of character that some will always dislike but then so was Clarkson.

I thought the second episode had much more content than the first and have to say I really enjoyed it!
There is still plenty of room for improvement but it is clear there is lots of potential and thought Chris Evans came accross much better and more relaxed, so hopefully he can continue to grow into / adjust to his role.

I like the breadth of guests he brings to the show and that together with the reputation the BBC / Top Gear has, could / should be very good news for the viewer. Sure there will always be those who decide the don't like Chris Evans as well as those who he genuinely doesn't mesh with but the latter could be said of any presenter.

Chris Evans may not be the fastest of best driver and may not get to the level that Clarkson did over time (he wasn't always as cofident as he became (both driving and presenting) but that doesn't mean he is not truelly pasionate about cars and a worthy presenter. On top of that we have a good selection of presenters with a wealth of skills.

Looking forward to next week!

Episode 3 and for me another good step in the right direction. Chris Evans had suggested it would be evolution rather than revolution and that they wanted to build on each episode and it seems he and the team are delivering.

The truth is that those determined not to like either the show or Evans are unlikely to ever be won over and that's their choice and I think their loss.

There are pobably still plenty of things I would like to see changed or added etc but have no doubt that they will differ to what others would like.

Hope the next episode goes the same way, roll on next week.

Not seen this weeks extra gear yet.

I've just watched the 3rd episode, I always knew a lot of people would moan and not like it weather it was Chris Evans fronting the show or even anybody else,
How ever I thought

Episode 1 was ok but few things I didn't like (Relients) but then I didn't always like every think the other presenters did!

Episode 2 was better and liked the fact it had guest presenters..

Episode 3 was even better and look forward to episode 4!

Just watched the latest Episode 4 and i thoroughly enjoyed it, you can see the chemisty between all presenters is getting stronger and not so wooden.

Also Chris Sabine and Matt managed to travel 967 miles and Nobodys brakes failed resulting in having to crash into one of the other presenters cars to stop!
Infact they managed to go all that way without damaging any of the vehicles unnecessary and yet still very entertaining..... Genius!

Is that because you were so appalled with the first episode or was you no longer a full time viewer?

I have watched all 4 so far, which is the first time in a good few years. Like many I was initially hoping for something radically new but now realise that was never really possible. There are still plenty of things I could imagine being done better but overall I think they have struck a good balance of car show and entertainment. It would be easy to pick holes in it or point out the bits I don't like but it is always going to be a bit of a compromise trying to keep a broad spectrum of people happy.

The original top gear (in various guises), the Clarkson era, current era and shows like 5th gear are all the same format it just depends on the car / fact / nerdy / entertainment ratio and the trick is to get the right balance. Clarkson really did open things up to a broader spectrum but eventually the presenters became tired with what they were doing and it showed.

The new format although at first not appearing sufficiently different might just take things to the next level if they can get it right. Although maybe better use could have been made of the challenges the feel of the show is lighter (I know some seem offended at the hosts being too happy) and almost magazine like, if that makes sense? Initially it seemed like there might be too many presenters but I am starting to really like the extra depth that gives.