Now we all know that the first episode of the new incarnation of Top Gear was not taken to kindly and social media was awash with negative comments. However Extra Gear may have salvaged the situation as it provided a much more watchable experience.
I finally got around to watching the show which is presented by Rory Reid and Chris Harris who had Chris Ramsey on as a guest. Sabine Schmitz also featured in the show but there is still no sign of F1 star Eddie Jordan so it will be interesting to see how and where he will fit in.
The show had a fresh feel to it and I found Rory Reid to be a laid-back but informative presenter and he gelled well with Chris Harris. It was far better than the excitable and shouty effort Chris Evans mustered last Sunday. Reid walked us through the new track and how it was made, before trying it out for himself.
It was then the turn of Chris Harris to take to the track, this time in the Ariel Nomad that Matt LeBlanc tested in the 'full-fat' Top Gear. Again it was a good piece, not that I personally found much wrong with LeBlanc's effort - although the paparazzi theme to it felt unnecessary.
We then go back to the studio where Harris and Reid briefly discuss some motoring based news and have some good - and genuine - banter before bringing on comedian Chris Ramsey. Once again the banter was good and there was a nice laid-back feel to it. On the whole, it just felt genuine and it didn't feel like they were having to try too hard or act up for the cameras.
The show concludes with Reid heading to the 'ring - Nurburgring that is - to visit Sabine Schmitz at her home to briefly discuss topics such as early life and her racing career. All in all the show was much better than the main show because it's simply not trying too hard and it has more of it's own identity. Reid and Harris bounce off each other much more than Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc and I would rather watch those two in all honesty.
I have nothing against LeBlanc - I think he did alright to be honest - but it's a choice between him and Evans or Reid and Harris, I would pick Reid and Harris without giving it a second thought. It will be interesting to see how the ratings of each show compare as the weeks pass by but at this moment in time Extra Gear is the ray of hope for the new series of Top Gear.