I havnt watched either episode of the new season yet.

i dont like evans, even during his coupe of guest bits on older TG he just annoyed me, and the TFI Friday show just raised my blood pressure during the 90secs i watched one night because one swmbo's former students was on as a backing dancer for somebody one night.

No, big names shouldnt be needed to get audience numbers if the show has the content to carry itself.

SIARPC had stopped being about the lap and a celeb car chat and become a plug for whoever was on releasing something. And also, the car stopped being what it should always have been - an underpowered, crappy handling bucket. When being replaced it shouldve become something closer to the lliana - imo even the cee'd was too "good" a car for the slot. A nissan tiida wouldve been more in keeping with the preceeding vehicles

Edited 6 June, 201610 yr by mac11irl

To be fair, all three of the old team used to brag in a similar vein on numerous occasions.

Not quite. One would brag about his new purchase and the other two would rip the **** out of it. Evans just likes people slapping him on the back and telling him what a great guy he is for having bought his latest (non) Ferarri.

I didn't watch last nights, I can't stand the ginger.

Re Post #150.

I do realise how much of an earner Top Gear is for the BBC or a Cash Cow.

The money coming in has not stopped me having to pay £12.12 a month for a licence or risk being given a Penalty or taken to court if i do not have one but Receiving Equipment in my property.

 

As much as Top Gear might earn the BBC it does  not mean that the programme is getting more enjoyable to watch, 

so time will tell and come time the Revenue Figures will show how profitable it has been to have Chris Even as the main Co-Presenter.

Edited 6 June, 201610 yr by GoneOffSKi

Episode 2 tonight...I won't bother watching after last week

Tune in next week for other programmes moley won't bother watching

SIARPC was always the worst bit of the show.

 

Now they've stuck them in a 7 ton, 4x4x 'mini' it's hardly more exciting.

If they must do that stick them in an MX5 or a GT86 that they might spin. Or stick them in a Caterham and let them do a proper lap.

 

I'm ambivalent about Evans, but so far I don't think he's working out well. But too many people are too eager to stick the boot in. It'll need time and that'll be a series or two and some presenting changes before it'll get it's own rhythm. I'm even more certain now that the BBC bigwigs insisted on keeping everything the same. Evans should have waited out the first 'new new' series, let it tank and then come in when the managers have let go.

I'll come out and say it but I really enjoyed last night's episode, on the whole. Mostly I think because on the whole they let the cars do the talking. I loved the McLaren section - thought Button's input was entertaining, and enjoyed the SA section much more than the Reliant piece the previous week. I really like LeBlanc, but find him much better in the recorded sections rather than the studio where he seems stilted so far. Am still not sure about the interview section where it feels Evans is covering up a big weakness by resorting to the same silly gameshow tactics he does when he has guests on TFI. I wouldn't mind if the game was entertaining or even surprising, but it's not. On the whole though I'm not missing the old team as much I thought, and certainly don't miss Hammond one jot. I'm hoping that the almost identical format is to ease the transition and that a new stamp is put on the show over a period of time. Top Gear always shines for me when the cars are front and centre, and I felt that happened last night.

 

As with previous series, any parts I didn't like I just fast forward through - this new series is no different. 

 

I liked the McLaren part - especially where Button was throwing Evans round the track; it's clear that although Evans likes his fast cars I don't think he does much "fast" driving.

 

SIARPC has had it's day - I just fast forward through it.

 

 

Why Oh why do they persist with trying to crack jokes about the old series - EJ going on about "...on that bombshell"; it's just silly and stupid. The old series is over, just get over it.

Once I saw that someone called Tiny Temper was billed to appear I concluded I wasn't part of the target audience any more. I am starting to enjoy watching reruns of Fifth Gear, a show that had passed me by up until now. 

I felt that episode in terms of content was better. I liked the South Africa challenges and the McLaren review.

 

The show is still a little crigeworthy in places, like the 'stars' reading from the auto queue about what the others are up to.

 

Also the jokes about the previous show were fine in the first show... but not this one. boring......

 

I have to admit, it does have potential.

Last nights show much better in places

If he'd have put a gun atop the McLaren though it would have been game over IMHO

Rallycross section dragged on and on,and showing clips to tell people who star was for me admits he wernt that famous

Also at the 4x4 finale I caught myself phone surfing,something I would never do during old tg

EJ, a ©rapper, and the lure of the Criterium de Dauphanaise mean I'll not be watching episode 2.

Tune in next week for other programmes moley won't bother watching

I'll send you list if you're that interested. 

 

Looks like I'm not alone as last nights viewing figures drop to 2.8 million.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/06/chris-evans-top-gear-audience-bbc

Note to Mr Evans: Only 2.8 million viewers last night FACT.

I'll send you list if you're that interested.

[/b]

I'm not, but I'm sure you'll let us know that you're not watching Top Gear next week

I'm not, but I'm sure you'll let us know that you're not watching Top Gear next week

I think you already know the answer.

I thought last night's episode was definitely much better than episode 1 but only due to the Mclaren & South Africa Was enjoyable seeing Chris Evans suffer in a hospital bed even if it was for 8 minutes   & when button destroyed Evans in the Mclaren, that was funny.

 

Still the show has a lot to improve on & too even get to the stage it was at before, before they can even think that there better!

 

Still find both presenters not right for the job personally but I'm just watching it for the entertainment, when Chris Evans comes on to speak, I mute my TV. 

 

I liked the McLaren part - especially where Button was throwing Evans round the track; it's clear that although Evans likes his fast cars I don't think he does much "fast" driving.

 

Why Oh why do they persist with trying to crack jokes about the old series - EJ going on about "...on that bombshell"; it's just silly and stupid. The old series is over, just get over it.

 

I thought he was going to puke or cry when Button was driving, he really did not look happy.

 

I read last week that all references to the old show have been dropped, ep2 was recorded before the bad press and there will be some changes for ep3.

 

Don't know why they don't get Eddie out on the track, I bet he's still handy in a car, maybe not off road though.

Edited 6 June, 201610 yr by Aspman

I thought he was going to puke or cry when Button was driving, he really did not look happy.

 

I read last week that all references to the old show have been dropped, ep2 was recorded before the bad press and there will be some changes for ep3.

 

Just read an article on Telegraph which was quite good, apparently ep 3 is improved - but by how much.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/06/06/top-gear-6-ways-to-improve-chris-evanss-show/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

To fair to Chris Evans there's nothing like turning a negative into a positive!

 

This from him this morning before the figures came out:

The way Top Gear is being viewed is repositioning the way television is consumed. Last week 9 millions viewers. This week we shall see.

Then after the figures came out:

Overnight television viewing figures for Top Gear have never been less relevant. Obviously some newspapers prefer to live in the past.

Last week the overnight figure of 4.4 million was relevant because the show was a HIT and this was a FACT.

 

If I re position my TV will the show look any better? :think:

Episode 2:

 

675 LT - first coverage ive enjoyed so far.

 

SUV - Why these mum mobiles gain more air time than the 675 LT baffles me. Much to long a production for cars aimed at who? Petrol heads? Car enthusiasts?  

 

Celbs in a car - So long winded, 4 guests becomes boring, I guess TG didnt have much content this week? 

 

 - Seems to me that this "new" TG has copied the wrong things... 

 

Give historically changing cars the max air time  - Mac F1 & 675 LT

Give boring SUV's less time.

Max two guests, or its like watching paint dry.

 

Was less shouting from CE this time, and LeBlanc im warming too as he seems to think CE is a tit judging by the looks he gives him.

 

I think the structure of the show is all over the place and needs working on as much as CE needs replacing. I mean he doesnt seem to like driving fast, or bends, cant talk and drive, shouts when not driving, isnt funny but thinks he is, as a unique way of being condescending, arrogant and self important. Hmm a lot going for him!! 

I would be happy to replace him with Chris Harris.

 

 - Where was Sabine - no mention of her?

Edited 6 June, 201610 yr by FromTheDarkness

...

Overnight television viewing figures for Top Gear have never been less relevant. Obviously some newspapers prefer to live in the past.

...

Can't the BBC/CE see that the newspapers are living in the past because that's where the show's format is. So they're judging TG by the standards of the past.

It's not as if streaming and i player were invented to coincide with the new series of Top Gear, not sure how he can use that as an excuse. Fairly sure most people prefer to watch it in its allocated timeslot, other programs still pull in consistent and/or record breaking figures despite the numerous ways television is watched.

Not watching Top Gear until next season.  But Extra gear looked like it might be ok if a bit stilted on episode one, unfortunately without Chris Harris Rory Reid is just irritating and his attempt to fluff Evans sickening.

 

I can't say the BBC is selling me the need for a TV license come autumn.

Edited 6 June, 201610 yr by gullyg

Just watched the second episode on iPlayer.

Enjoyed it a lot more than the first, although still things that could be improved. Couple of awkward moments here and there. I think by having the 3 completely different music artists on the show, maybe they were aiming at a wider audience. I'd only heard of seasick Steve from when he was last on, no idea who the lady was and I'm a big fan of Tinie Tempah.

I hope it keeps getting better and I will keep watching.

Also agree that the McLaren section and most of the South Africa were very good.

Good episode and liked Extra Gear too. The way Jenson was talking to camera while ragging the ar5se off the McLaren you could swear he's after a job. Matt getting more confident in studio.

Viewers dropped but that's to be expected. Probably people who say they won't watch again but inevitably will eventually just to whinge about it. Many of the same whingers moaned about old Top Gear too. British people in general like a moan.

As for the canned laughter or canned cheering or shock, etc old Top Gear did this all the time. It's been on Dave so much you start to notice it. End of a segment or a lap you'd often here a "whey!" that was always the same. Or the woman gasping in shock at something, normally the price of a car.

I actually wasn't a big fan of the latest episode of extra gear. Taking the Volvo round the track seemed pointless and really not sure what I made of the whole crying thing.

I'd only heard of seasick Steve from when he was last on, no idea who the lady was.

Have you spent much time on Earth?