So after what has felt like the wait of a lifetime, Top Gear is back on our screens. But was the first episode? What's new? What happened? Well I hope to answer these questions and give my take on what I thought of the first instalment of Top Gear 2016.
What happened?
This week's show started with a film of Chris Evans driving the Dodge Viper ACR as he races around and airfield before he is joined by Sabine Schmitz in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. They then try to shot each other with laser guns with the help of fighter pilot co-drivers.
Then there was a UK v US challenge as Chris Evans took on Matt LeBlanc as they drove up to Blackpool in Reliant Rialtos. Once there they braved the poor conditions in a series of challenges on classic off-roaders. Evans had a Series 1 Land Rover Defender and LeBlanc drove a Willis Jeep. It started with a speed test, then a tug of war and finally with a drag race, with a difference.
We move onto the guests - which I'll cover later - and Matt LeBlanc's review of the Ariel Nomad which is essentially an Ariel Atom designed to go off-road. The review consisted of LeBlanc hooning about in the dirt as he ran away from paparazzi, a situation that happens to all, right? Ok, maybe I'm being harsh as the old Top Gear did some 'out there' reviews but once again it just felt like they were trying to mimic what has been done before.
The show then finished with the conclusion of the USA v UK challenge and I must admit at this point my interest was waning. The feature just felt a bit dragged out and towards the end it just felt a bit aimless. I would have preferred a brand new film to be honest.
What's changed?
Well if you haven't already heard - if you haven't, where have you been?! - there are six new presenters, Chris Evans, Matt LeBlanc, Sabine Schmitz, Rory Reid, Chris Harris and Eddie Jordan. The Reasonably Priced Car appears to be no more as the guests were let loose in a Mini Rallycross car. That means the track itself has changed too, it is now a mix of tarmac and dirt, making it the perfect setting for the Mini.
Other than that not a great deal has changed to be honest and that is one of the problems with the new show. It lacked originality and it just felt like a cheap copy of what was produced by Clarkson, Hammond and May. Having said that I did like the change to guest's timed laps but I'm not sure what they'll call the feature now - Stars in a Rallycross Car I suppose.
Mismatch guests
Having two guests on Top Gear at the same time is nothing new, the last generation did that fairly often, but there was always a link between them. Tonight we had the very unusual - and unnatural - pairing of TV chef Gordon Ramsay and Actor Jesse Eisenberg, two people who have probably never crossed paths before. The Top Gear team played on this fact as the interview started.
This section of the show just didn't flow particularly well and it just felt like they were filling time. Chris Evans' commentary of the laps was far from polished as there was times he was just simply cheering to fill pauses and it just felt a little amateurish to be honest. And it was a tad annoying if truth be told.
Hang on, where are the other presenters?
Although Sabine Schmitz played a cameo in the Viper v Corvette it was Evans and LeBlanc who were centre stage in the first episode. Reid, Harris and Jordan were nowhere to be seen and I don't think they were even mentioned. Maybe they work on a rota system, who knows?
As we're on the topic of hosts I will say I'm not a fan of Chris Evans. I've tried to watch him with an open mind but the simple fact is I find him a bit annoying and a bit too much. The show had barely started and he took a cheap dig at Clarkson by saying something along the lines of "We no longer talk about catering on this show anymore".
Early Verdict
So far the show has not been well received but I don't think it was that bad. Did I enjoy it? Yes I did but it is not without it's flaws. I found Chris Evans annoying and the new show lacked identity and it felt like a reheated version of what Clarkson, Hammond and May had to offer. I don't particular like Evans, I've said it already but I just find him annoying I'm afraid.
But I enjoyed LeBlanc's performance, he was definitely the better of the pair and he got quite a few laughs from me. I actually think he's more suited to Top Gear presenting and he was a good balance of giving information whilst keeping it humorous.
What do I think they need to change?
- More LeBlanc
- Less Evans
- Give the other hosts some airtime
- Stop copying old Top Gear and find their own identity