So we've had another episode of Top Gear which means another episode of Extra Gear. So far the general consensus has been that the spin-off is actually better than the main event and I'm inclined to agree.
No Harris this week
There was no Chris Harris this week as he was competing at the Nurburgring - it's a tough old life I suppose. Fear not though as comedian Stephen K. Amos was on hand to provide plenty of banter with Rory Reid as they spoke about Porsche 911s, trackday fails and even a turquoise Austin 1100.
We also saw Reid talk to Chris Evans about the McLaren film and how the F1 had brought Evans to tears. Evans spoke about how the car reminded him of when he had his first car that his mum had barely afforded to buy. I may sound harsh for saying it but I think he was playing up for the cameras in all honesty.
Rory Reid carried on the Top Gear theme of SUVs as he took the Volvo XC90 around the Top Gear track. Unlike the main film in the main show Reid was able to be entertaining but provide information about the car at the same time. Seriously BBC, you need to have this guy on the main show, simple as that.
Learning curve
So in a nutshell the spin-off remains to be better than the main show and I feel lessons need to be learnt in order to improve the main show. Top Gear has changed, it has a new studio layout, new titles and of course new hosts, so why are they trying to make the same show?
This is the ideal opportunity to create something new but they are insistent on recreating what has already been done. Why? They need to step out of the comfort zone and find their own identity. The show was always likely to face a steep learning curve but I hope for the sake of the show they are able to learn quickly.