by "Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
Published 03/25/2017 at 09:11
by "Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
Published 03/25/2017 at 09:11
No Tags
STARS: 8
I get it, it’s not Clarkson, Hammond, and May and that upsets you. You truly believe Grand Tour is the BEST because it has those hosts. Chris Evans, the redheaded one that isn’t Captain America, killed the BBC in your opinion.
But New New Top Gear, the one with Chris Harris and that one guy from that one sitcom you probably are too young to remember, is fantastic. Le Blanc has embraced the host role well and has developed genuine chemistry with Harris that’s a joy to watch. Rory Reid is a very well spoken reviewer with an eye for silly humor, never missing an opportunity to have a laugh. The cinematography is top notch with excellent musical backing.
New New Top Gear is a great show. It’s fun to watch, it’s beautiful to see, and I for one can’t wait to see how the rest of the season goes. If you’ve given up on the BBC and decided Grand Tour is the only car show for you I’m truly sorry for your loss, you’re really missing out on some quality car content.
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"zdkfocus" (zdkibler89)
03/25/2017 at 09:19, STARS: 2
100% agree. While they certainly aren’t as good at hosting (their delivery is a little wooden most of the time), I like New Top Gear more - so far - than I liked The Grand Tour.
"Biased Plies" (biased-plies)
03/25/2017 at 09:22, STARS: 0
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone say anything negative about new Top Gear here, quite the opposite in fact, but hey thanks for patronizing everyone anyway.
Fwiw, I agree, though I’d like to see more of Rory; the balance is definitely toward Chris and Matt at the moment.
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
03/25/2017 at 09:22, STARS: 0
It’s awesome and I enjoy it! CHM are awesome, but that doesn’t mean another car show can’t be great either. It’s genuinely fun.
But now... James May is probably the one guy on this planet I’d really LOVE to have dinner with! Clarkson? I’d love a drink oriented evening with the guy (and May, just too listen to them argue)! Hammond? A walk with my cat.
The new Top Gear is great and fun. But the personalities of the new 3, as nice ask they seem to be, aren’t even close to what a trio CHM is :)
"Leon711" (leon711)
03/25/2017 at 09:23, STARS: 0
Fuck the haters, this is genuinely good. It is interesting every week and I look forward to seeing it.
The grand tour appears to have gone back to the malaise era of TG.
"jimz" (jimz)
03/25/2017 at 09:29, STARS: 0
that one guy from that one sitcom you probably are too young to remember,
cripes, I remember when he was on a few episodes of Married with Children.
"Biased Plies" (biased-plies)
03/25/2017 at 09:30, STARS: 0
I think we just have to give few TG some more time to let the hosts develop chemistry and comraderie. It’s off to a good start and with time it has the potential to get even better with more personal and friendly banter.
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
03/25/2017 at 09:31, STARS: 0
I’ve only seen the first 2 episodes because I just watch it on BBC America, but I’ve been thrilled so far. It’s not perfect, and the hosts are still developing their chemistry, but it is very good. I look forward to more, unlike with Evans.
"UserNotFound" (jalopnik2)
03/25/2017 at 09:38, STARS: 0
This last episode was great, my wife and I really enjoyed it. I like the way they’re integrating the celeb guests in to the news and showing Chris training the celebs on the track. The bit where Tamsin politely scolded Chris on his manners and then tells him to get the f**k out of the car was hillarious. And Sabine in the GTI! Holy crap that was fantastic.
"DarrenMR" (darrenmr)
03/25/2017 at 09:48, STARS: 0
I didnt realize the new season had started. Thanks.
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
03/25/2017 at 09:57, STARS: 0
There is litteraly no time to give them... It’s genuinely awesome right now! I truly enjoy it. What I mean is that James May is a freakishly unique human being... so is Clarskon. And Hammond fits with them as an outside so perfectly. As awesome as new Top Gear is, they are not them... And whatever they’d do, no matter how shitty it is would be... They are still on an other level :)
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
03/25/2017 at 09:58, STARS: 0
When the first version of new Top Gear hit there was a significant amount of skepticism. Then when New New Top Gear started to appear there was more skepticism, but a little optimism came out. Maybe I haven’t been around as much, but it sort of feels like no one is talking about it positively or negatively, it’s just forgotten. I simply wanted to bring it up and did so with some hyperbolic criticism of the old critiques it was subject to prior to air
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
03/25/2017 at 10:00, STARS: 0
I think they’re making noticeable improvements in hosting. Still a little stiff in studio but outside they have been great
"zdkfocus" (zdkibler89)
03/25/2017 at 10:10, STARS: 0
Yes, I agree. Harris is especially good in the tests and challenge films. What’s odd to me is how deadpan Matt LeBlanc is all the time, I guess primarily because he was Joey Tribbiani.
"PatBateman" (PatBateman)
03/25/2017 at 10:18, STARS: 0
Watched episode two last night on the DVR. There is absolutely a marked improvement over last year’s season. I felt some of the gags were a little forced on this episode, but I’m sure that’s just growing pains.
Also, please beat Oregon tonight.
"Invinciblejets" (invinciblejets13b)
03/25/2017 at 10:39, STARS: 1
Do they do trips with old random cars and beat on them? If so I’ll watch. That’s the only reason I watched grand tour and old TG. I could give a fuck about some ugly new super car or BMW tbh....
"facw" (facw)
03/25/2017 at 10:54, STARS: 1
That’s what they did to open the season. They know what the people like.
"Wheelerguy" (wheelerguy)
03/25/2017 at 11:13, STARS: 0
Thing is, though, Clarkson, Hammond and May weren’t what they are today until after Series 6. Not like the BBC can’t do it with the new guys in half the season count (if you watch the last third of Harris’ P1/918/F70 test, he does get along quite well with Tiff), but it’s not like it was set in stone right from the get-go.
Maybe Rory, Harris, and Matt will see a longer, tougher road, but they’ll be fine I reckon.
"Berang" (berang)
03/25/2017 at 11:33, STARS: 0
Everybody but LeBlanc is fine.
"nermal" (nermal)
03/25/2017 at 11:44, STARS: 0
It is indeed very good. I’m glad it worked out that the
seasons
series for the two shows don’t overlap. That way there are twice as many weeks with a new show.
"Wheelerguy" (wheelerguy)
03/25/2017 at 11:55, STARS: 1
Here’s my take:
TopGear Mk4 (that’s how it should be called here) is in this level right now because the BBC has realized that they have to make the show about the presenters they have now. The material is there, they just needed to know how to make something out of it. They cannot make them CHM, because that won’t cut it.
So the BBC played to each presenter’s strengths: Harris with his outright road-testing powers, Rory with the more “regular reviewer” feel, and Matt with this kinda outsider, kinda pizzazz-filled style.
They did it individually, so now the next job is to make sure their personas gel well. Harris is loads of fun when reviewing, but is a bit more serious and in-to-it. Matt is cool, calm, chill, never letting his celebrity get in the way. Rory is more like a bro-next-door neighbor kind of bloke. What I think the BBC did was a rock-paper-scissors dynamic: Rory is Harris’ foil, Harris is Matt’s foil, Matt is Rory’s foil. The interactions—and therefore the script—will be worked out from there.
And I think they got it.
The rate of polish in the studio section is a little slower than the field, but I can already see the results of their new approach. It does work. The interactions are natural, as scripted as the segments are, and the presenters ooze with genuine gusto, like they really want to work here and create a great product, not just to save the brand, not just to prove that they can carry the show, but to entertain.
They only have 4 episodes left this season, but I feel like I got my money’s worth with three. I am satisfied and happy. And relieved. TopGear was put back together again.
Still would love to see an actual Harris vs Sabine track battle. Maybe during the Aston Valkyrie vs Mercedes RoadF1 test? Or a VLN/N24 special?
"Wheelerguy" (wheelerguy)
03/25/2017 at 11:55, STARS: 0
Here’s my take:
TopGear Mk4 (that’s how it should be called here) is in this level right now because the BBC has realized that they have to make the show about the presenters they have now. The material is there, they just needed to know how to make something out of it. They cannot make them CHM, because that won’t cut it.
So the BBC played to each presenter’s strengths: Harris with his outright road-testing powers, Rory with the more “regular reviewer” feel, and Matt with this kinda outsider, kinda pizzazz-filled style.
They did it individually, so now the next job is to make sure their personas gel well. Harris is loads of fun when reviewing, but is a bit more serious and in-to-it. Matt is cool, calm, chill, never letting his celebrity get in the way. Rory is more like a bro-next-door neighbor kind of bloke. What I think the BBC did was a rock-paper-scissors dynamic: Rory is Harris’ foil, Harris is Matt’s foil, Matt is Rory’s foil. The interactions—and therefore the script—will be worked out from there.
And I think they got it.
The rate of polish in the studio section is a little slower than the field, but I can already see the results of their new approach. It does work. The interactions are natural, as scripted as the segments are, and the presenters ooze with genuine gusto, like they really want to work here and create a great product, not just to save the brand, not just to prove that they can carry the show, but to entertain.
They only have 4 episodes left this season, but I feel like I got my money’s worth with three. I am satisfied and happy. And relieved. TopGear was put back together again.
Still would love to see an actual Harris vs Sabine track battle. Maybe during the Aston Valkyrie vs Mercedes RoadF1 test? Or a VLN/N24 special?
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
03/25/2017 at 13:20, STARS: 1
They did in the first episode, they haven’t in episode 2 or 3
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
03/25/2017 at 13:20, STARS: 0
I would very much like to beat Oregon
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
03/25/2017 at 13:21, STARS: 1
What don’t you like about Le Blanc? I think he’s entertaining
"Berang" (berang)
03/25/2017 at 13:42, STARS: 0
He’s too stiff. And he’s not a character. Even Evans was more entertaining.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
03/25/2017 at 14:02, STARS: 0
You know, I have not been able to watch it yet, but I am very very interested to see it no that NotCaptainAmerica is gone
"Hoccy" (Hoccy)
03/27/2017 at 10:13, STARS: 0
The first three episodes have been better on average than TGT’s first season was. They are yet to combine a perfect episode though, as the guests haven’t been interesting. I like how Matt isn’t the screaming type of presenter like the one we had last year.