Television: Top Gear (UK) News and Discussion Thread
#5241
When Top Gear first started, it was all about the cars.
Around the 6 - 7 year, it was about the 3 comedians and the cars 2nd.
Top Gear should stick the theme around the cars instead of replacing Jeremy, Richard and May. The good hosts will come in time.
Around the 6 - 7 year, it was about the 3 comedians and the cars 2nd.
Top Gear should stick the theme around the cars instead of replacing Jeremy, Richard and May. The good hosts will come in time.
#5246
Matt LeBlanc is 'planning to quit Top Gear if co-host Chris Evans does not go first'
You gotta agree with MATT on this...
You gotta agree with MATT on this...
#5247
Damn. That 2.3 was fairly early on in its life, & in the 2nd season when James first came on, but the show was still hovering around 3.5 million for the first 2 seasons.
Looks like Evans' first 3 episodes has done its damage for this season if the viewership is still declining.
Looks like Evans' first 3 episodes has done its damage for this season if the viewership is still declining.
#5249
Matt LeBlanc is 'planning to quit Top Gear if co-host Chris Evans does not go first'
You gotta agree with MATT on this...
You gotta agree with MATT on this...
I agree with Matt, if Evens is an a**, let him go...
I'm now an even bigger fan of Matt LeBlanc for it!!!
The star needs to respect and appreciate the crew, they're the ones mainly doing the work...
Last edited by Midnight Mystery; 06-26-2016 at 10:42 PM. Reason: Finger to keypad error...
#5252
I wonder if it was due to low viewer numbers. Wonder what those viewer numbers were.
Netflix should pick it up.
Top Gear USA Cancelled - Top Gear on History Last Episode
Netflix should pick it up.
Top Gear USA Cancelled - Top Gear on History Last Episode
Top Gear USA Has Been Cancelled
In a post on Facebook, Rutledge Wood announced that Tuesday's episode is the last that was filmed for History Channel.
Top Gear USA, the History Channel's version of the long-running BBC automotive show, has been cancelled. Co-host Rutledge Wood announced in posts on Facebook and Instagram on Sunday night that the episode set to run on June 28th will be the last to air on the History Channel.
But US hosts Rutledge Wood, Adam Ferrara, and Tanner Foust thankfully stuck with it. And as the trio worked together, they defined a Top Gear that could stand on its own, with enough unique features and local flavor to distinguish it from the British show it was named and modeled after.
And as BBC Top Gear imploded in the wake of Clarkson's firing, the History Channel version offered US viewers a distinct and sincerely enjoyable alternative.
Of course, having a US variant of the show only became more important when the BBC put the original Top Gear in for a full post-Clarkson revamp. While the BBC's new six-member Top Gear team tries to figure each other out, having Wood, Ferrara and Foust as the well-oiled US team was welcome and refreshing.
It's unclear what happens next. As Wood points out in his Facebook post, it seems like the History network has severed its ties with the program. Perhaps a different network, either on cable TV or online streaming, is interested in continuing with the show. We'll just have to wait and see.
In a post on Facebook, Rutledge Wood announced that Tuesday's episode is the last that was filmed for History Channel.
Top Gear USA, the History Channel's version of the long-running BBC automotive show, has been cancelled. Co-host Rutledge Wood announced in posts on Facebook and Instagram on Sunday night that the episode set to run on June 28th will be the last to air on the History Channel.
I'm very sad to say, but Tuesday night's #TopGear on @History is the last TG US that we have shot for you. I'm not saying Top Gear USA is done, but it's done for the immediate future on @History .
I remember the day that I got the phone call to ask if I'd be interested in talking to one of the producers about possibly being one of the hosts of the US's version of the world's most iconic car show. It's been an amazing ride for sure, and although I don't think the show is done, it appears that it's done with our friends at History, and we're incredibly grateful for being a part of the A&E Networks family.
I have had so much fun with Tanner and Adam, they really are like brothers to me. We've traveled this amazing country and to some of the coolest places on earth together, and even in the hardest moments, it's been a total dream come true.
The three of us will stick together and hope to bring you much more Top Gear USA, albeit it somewhere else it appears.
To the FANS- we cannot say enough how much we truly appreciate each and every one of you. You have always been there for us in great numbers, and we really do love you all. You are the reason shows like ours exist, and you're also the reason we've been so lucky to do this show for so long together. We never dreamed how many families would sit and watch our show and laugh together. We never knew how many couples would sit and watch three goofballs go out and try to make each other laugh. And yet, you all watched...and you told other people and shared in the joy.
To everyone who worked on TGUS- thank you. For everything. You're our family and you're the reason we got to do this for so many years together.
So here's a toast to all of you out there. I hope you'll watch Tuesday night and enjoy the last show we made for you. We took a trip of a lifetime down to Cuba and drove classic American cars from the 50's down there, and I can tell you it's one of the coolest things we have ever done together. Cheers and lots of love, Rutledge
Top Gear USA had an uphill battle when it first hit the air. The show had to compete against the years-long popularity of the original BBC version starring Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. In the first season, the US version didn't have the polished production and unfakeable charm of the long-running British hosting trio.I remember the day that I got the phone call to ask if I'd be interested in talking to one of the producers about possibly being one of the hosts of the US's version of the world's most iconic car show. It's been an amazing ride for sure, and although I don't think the show is done, it appears that it's done with our friends at History, and we're incredibly grateful for being a part of the A&E Networks family.
I have had so much fun with Tanner and Adam, they really are like brothers to me. We've traveled this amazing country and to some of the coolest places on earth together, and even in the hardest moments, it's been a total dream come true.
The three of us will stick together and hope to bring you much more Top Gear USA, albeit it somewhere else it appears.
To the FANS- we cannot say enough how much we truly appreciate each and every one of you. You have always been there for us in great numbers, and we really do love you all. You are the reason shows like ours exist, and you're also the reason we've been so lucky to do this show for so long together. We never dreamed how many families would sit and watch our show and laugh together. We never knew how many couples would sit and watch three goofballs go out and try to make each other laugh. And yet, you all watched...and you told other people and shared in the joy.
To everyone who worked on TGUS- thank you. For everything. You're our family and you're the reason we got to do this for so many years together.
So here's a toast to all of you out there. I hope you'll watch Tuesday night and enjoy the last show we made for you. We took a trip of a lifetime down to Cuba and drove classic American cars from the 50's down there, and I can tell you it's one of the coolest things we have ever done together. Cheers and lots of love, Rutledge
But US hosts Rutledge Wood, Adam Ferrara, and Tanner Foust thankfully stuck with it. And as the trio worked together, they defined a Top Gear that could stand on its own, with enough unique features and local flavor to distinguish it from the British show it was named and modeled after.
And as BBC Top Gear imploded in the wake of Clarkson's firing, the History Channel version offered US viewers a distinct and sincerely enjoyable alternative.
Of course, having a US variant of the show only became more important when the BBC put the original Top Gear in for a full post-Clarkson revamp. While the BBC's new six-member Top Gear team tries to figure each other out, having Wood, Ferrara and Foust as the well-oiled US team was welcome and refreshing.
It's unclear what happens next. As Wood points out in his Facebook post, it seems like the History network has severed its ties with the program. Perhaps a different network, either on cable TV or online streaming, is interested in continuing with the show. We'll just have to wait and see.
#5255
#5256
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
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ttribe (06-28-2016)
#5257
In defense, the problems the US show ran into was them trying to replicate the UK show. Once they started doing their own thing, it really took off.
The hard fact is that May, Hammond, & Clarkson became Top Gear after decade together and that's why a lot of people ended up continuing to watch it. This re-boot or whatever still has the unique challenges, highly desirable cars, & even same cinematography-style with great shots & music (actually, I've felt the new show does a lot of cuts during segments). It's the hosts that can't carry it, and part of the problem is far too many of them. Harris & Rory have already done actual review segments whilst Sabine is Stig's hot German cousin, & Eddie is just used for comedic relief. Evans', as someone pointed out perfectly, is just a brochure-reader. I have no desire to go back & actually watch his segments, but reflecting on what I remember, he doesn't seem to actually present actual pros & cons like Rory & Chris can.
The hard fact is that May, Hammond, & Clarkson became Top Gear after decade together and that's why a lot of people ended up continuing to watch it. This re-boot or whatever still has the unique challenges, highly desirable cars, & even same cinematography-style with great shots & music (actually, I've felt the new show does a lot of cuts during segments). It's the hosts that can't carry it, and part of the problem is far too many of them. Harris & Rory have already done actual review segments whilst Sabine is Stig's hot German cousin, & Eddie is just used for comedic relief. Evans', as someone pointed out perfectly, is just a brochure-reader. I have no desire to go back & actually watch his segments, but reflecting on what I remember, he doesn't seem to actually present actual pros & cons like Rory & Chris can.
#5259
I've known for a while TGUSA came and went, read an article from over a year ago stating it was cancelled... But the shows been excellent this year, I nearly prefer over the UK Top Gear...
That being said, I just don't think it's dead, maybe just a bad break up with the History Channel, like it belongs there...
Better off selling the show to MSNBC to air alongside Jay Leno's Garage, then they could make it a whole-night event, or go to Netflix...
That, or merge it with UK Top Gear and finally get rid of Evens... But that kinda ruins the whole "British" thing...
That being said, I just don't think it's dead, maybe just a bad break up with the History Channel, like it belongs there...
Better off selling the show to MSNBC to air alongside Jay Leno's Garage, then they could make it a whole-night event, or go to Netflix...
That, or merge it with UK Top Gear and finally get rid of Evens... But that kinda ruins the whole "British" thing...
#5261
Every episode convinces me more than the previous that Matt, Harris, and Sabine should be the every day crew for the show. It would be so much more watchable.
#5264
Really, this show needs to be rebranded as "Top Drama". Wow.
#5268
i watched episode 1 on demand yesterday... or rather i started to watch episode 1... i turned it off after it got to the SIARPC segment... yea Evans is annoying... he is trying to hard and you can see it in the studio audiences face as well...
#5271
Top Gear host Evans facing 'crisis talks' with BBC entertainment boss - Autoblog
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbi...on-_-506778840
Top Gear host Evans facing 'crisis talks' with BBC entertainment boss
Kate Phillips wants to rein in Evans' allegedly diva-like behavior and force him to release some creative control.
Chris Evans has a new boss, and it sounds like she's not too tolerant of the Top Gear host's allegedly diva-like behavior. Of course, this is a report from The Sun, essentially a gossip tabloid. But considering the numerous reports of behind-the-scenes trouble, we aren't recommending much salt with this story.
The BBC's new entertainment boss, Kate Phillips is going to have a sit down with Evans later this month to discuss his alleged tantrums. – the tabloid is calling it "crisis talks". Pushing the meeting back to the end of July gives the Beeb ammunition in the form of the worldwide viewing figures for Top Gear's most recent run. Phillips will reportedly draw up a plan to manage Evans' behavior and force him to release some creative control over the show, or risk losing the hosting gig on Top Gear's 24th season (or series, if you prefer British English).
If Evans gets the sack, The Sun claims the BBC sees Matt LeBlanc as the show's future. An unnamed source says the other hosts – Rory Reid, Chris Harris, Sabine Schmitz, and Eddie Jordan – would fall in with LeBlanc for an ensemble, rather than the Chris Evans-and-everyone-else format displayed earlier this season.
"Chris has annoyed a lot of the crew with his behavior and by being a control freak," the source claims. "He's now going to be told there will be changes and if he doesn't like it then he should go. Matt is more well-known and popular with audiences, so Chris will take a back seat like he did towards the end of the series."
For fans, Phillips' lordship over Top Gear is a good thing. According to the source, she was the driving force in bringing the celebrity ballroom dancing show Strictly Come Dancing to the US as the hugely successful Dancing With The Stars. That doesn't mean we'll see hosts doing the foxtrot with the guest of the week, but it does mean that the show has a steward that The Sun's source claims "knows what makes shows successful around the world." Sounds like just what Top Gear needs.
Kate Phillips wants to rein in Evans' allegedly diva-like behavior and force him to release some creative control.
Chris Evans has a new boss, and it sounds like she's not too tolerant of the Top Gear host's allegedly diva-like behavior. Of course, this is a report from The Sun, essentially a gossip tabloid. But considering the numerous reports of behind-the-scenes trouble, we aren't recommending much salt with this story.
The BBC's new entertainment boss, Kate Phillips is going to have a sit down with Evans later this month to discuss his alleged tantrums. – the tabloid is calling it "crisis talks". Pushing the meeting back to the end of July gives the Beeb ammunition in the form of the worldwide viewing figures for Top Gear's most recent run. Phillips will reportedly draw up a plan to manage Evans' behavior and force him to release some creative control over the show, or risk losing the hosting gig on Top Gear's 24th season (or series, if you prefer British English).
If Evans gets the sack, The Sun claims the BBC sees Matt LeBlanc as the show's future. An unnamed source says the other hosts – Rory Reid, Chris Harris, Sabine Schmitz, and Eddie Jordan – would fall in with LeBlanc for an ensemble, rather than the Chris Evans-and-everyone-else format displayed earlier this season.
"Chris has annoyed a lot of the crew with his behavior and by being a control freak," the source claims. "He's now going to be told there will be changes and if he doesn't like it then he should go. Matt is more well-known and popular with audiences, so Chris will take a back seat like he did towards the end of the series."
For fans, Phillips' lordship over Top Gear is a good thing. According to the source, she was the driving force in bringing the celebrity ballroom dancing show Strictly Come Dancing to the US as the hugely successful Dancing With The Stars. That doesn't mean we'll see hosts doing the foxtrot with the guest of the week, but it does mean that the show has a steward that The Sun's source claims "knows what makes shows successful around the world." Sounds like just what Top Gear needs.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbi...on-_-506778840
Final warning Chris Evans will be told to drop the tantrums in crisis talks with the Beeb’s new big boss… or face being kicked to the kerb
Motormouth DJ will be ordered to rein his behaviour in if he has any hope of returning for a second series
30th June 2016, 9:47 pm
TOP GEAR host CHRIS EVANS is heading for the biggest telling-off of his career.
The motormouth DJ has been summoned for crisis talks with the Beeb’s new entertainment boss after a string of complaints about his behaviour on set.
Kate Phillips will tell Evans to drop the tantrums and allow others to have some creative control, otherwise he is getting kicked to the kerb.
She will demand he stick to a plan drawn up to rein him in if he has any hope of returning for a second series.
Insiders have revealed Chris’s diva act is severely testing the patience of BBC execs, who see co-host MATT LeBLANC as the future of the show should Evans not change.
A Top Gear source said: “Chris has annoyed a lot of the crew with his behaviour and by being a control freak.
“He’s now going to be told there will be changes and if he doesn’t like it then he should go.
“Kate’s background at the BBC is taking Strictly to the US and she knows what makes shows successful around the world.
“Matt is more well-known and popular with audiences, so Chris will take a back seat like he did towards the end of the series.
"The other presenters will have a more prominent role and it will be seen as an ensemble rather than Chris and his team.”
The crisis talks are planned for later this month after the final episode of the six-show run airs on BBC2 on Sunday — and once worldwide viewing figures can be analysed.
It has already recorded its lowest-ever ratings under the revamp following JEREMY CLARKSON’s sacking last year.
Entertainment chief Kate is now spearheading transatlantic negotiations with Episodes and Friends star Matt, whose contract expired last week, to return for two more series.
Earlier this week I revealed how the corporation has already advertised internally for a series producer to wrestle back editorial control from Evans.
Beeb chiefs feel the programme was left “rudderless” when executive producer Lisa Clark quit in December, after just five months in the job, having clashed badly with Radio 2 breakfast show Chris.
However, they are publicly claiming that the new role reflects “greater ambitions”.
Their first ambition should be to win back fed-up viewers.
Motormouth DJ will be ordered to rein his behaviour in if he has any hope of returning for a second series
30th June 2016, 9:47 pm
TOP GEAR host CHRIS EVANS is heading for the biggest telling-off of his career.
The motormouth DJ has been summoned for crisis talks with the Beeb’s new entertainment boss after a string of complaints about his behaviour on set.
Kate Phillips will tell Evans to drop the tantrums and allow others to have some creative control, otherwise he is getting kicked to the kerb.
She will demand he stick to a plan drawn up to rein him in if he has any hope of returning for a second series.
Insiders have revealed Chris’s diva act is severely testing the patience of BBC execs, who see co-host MATT LeBLANC as the future of the show should Evans not change.
A Top Gear source said: “Chris has annoyed a lot of the crew with his behaviour and by being a control freak.
“He’s now going to be told there will be changes and if he doesn’t like it then he should go.
“Kate’s background at the BBC is taking Strictly to the US and she knows what makes shows successful around the world.
“Matt is more well-known and popular with audiences, so Chris will take a back seat like he did towards the end of the series.
"The other presenters will have a more prominent role and it will be seen as an ensemble rather than Chris and his team.”
The crisis talks are planned for later this month after the final episode of the six-show run airs on BBC2 on Sunday — and once worldwide viewing figures can be analysed.
It has already recorded its lowest-ever ratings under the revamp following JEREMY CLARKSON’s sacking last year.
Entertainment chief Kate is now spearheading transatlantic negotiations with Episodes and Friends star Matt, whose contract expired last week, to return for two more series.
Earlier this week I revealed how the corporation has already advertised internally for a series producer to wrestle back editorial control from Evans.
Beeb chiefs feel the programme was left “rudderless” when executive producer Lisa Clark quit in December, after just five months in the job, having clashed badly with Radio 2 breakfast show Chris.
However, they are publicly claiming that the new role reflects “greater ambitions”.
Their first ambition should be to win back fed-up viewers.
#5273
And he's gone.
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/its...quit-top-gear/
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/its...quit-top-gear/
After weeks of poor critical reception from viewers and rumours of co-star Matt LeBlanc threatening to quit, Chris Evans has announced that he is to step down from his role as host of Top Gear. Announcing the news on Twitter, Evans said the he: “Gave it my best shot but sometimes that’s not enough.”
From reaction in mainstream media to our own opinion polls, it’s clear that Evans was the least liked aspect of Top Gear for much of the show’s audience. There had also been numerous newspaper reports of Evans being difficult to work with behind the scenes, claims he branded as “Mad and made up,” just before the series started.
In a statement, BBC Studios Director, BBC Studios Mark Linsey said: “Chris is stepping down from his duties on Top Gear. He says he gave it his best shot doing everything he could to make the show a success. He firmly believes that the right people remain, on both the production team and presenting team to take the show forward and make it the hit we want it to be.”
It’s not clear exactly what will happen next with the show. One option would be for Matt LeBlanc to be the only host, if the BBC choose not to directly replace Evans, which - judging by the wording of the statement from Linsey - might well be the case. Such a move would also free up space for Chris Harris and Rory Reid to appear more frequently, something which Top Gear producers may well be considering, since the pair have been well received by the audience and critics alike.
With Chris Evans at the helm, ratings for the show fell dramatically. After opening with 4.4 million overnight viewers, the show’s audience fell to 2.34 million by the fourth episode. The fifth episode fared better at 2.7 million viewers, but Sunday’s show was the least viewed so far with just 1.9 million tuning in.
From reaction in mainstream media to our own opinion polls, it’s clear that Evans was the least liked aspect of Top Gear for much of the show’s audience. There had also been numerous newspaper reports of Evans being difficult to work with behind the scenes, claims he branded as “Mad and made up,” just before the series started.
In a statement, BBC Studios Director, BBC Studios Mark Linsey said: “Chris is stepping down from his duties on Top Gear. He says he gave it his best shot doing everything he could to make the show a success. He firmly believes that the right people remain, on both the production team and presenting team to take the show forward and make it the hit we want it to be.”
It’s not clear exactly what will happen next with the show. One option would be for Matt LeBlanc to be the only host, if the BBC choose not to directly replace Evans, which - judging by the wording of the statement from Linsey - might well be the case. Such a move would also free up space for Chris Harris and Rory Reid to appear more frequently, something which Top Gear producers may well be considering, since the pair have been well received by the audience and critics alike.
With Chris Evans at the helm, ratings for the show fell dramatically. After opening with 4.4 million overnight viewers, the show’s audience fell to 2.34 million by the fourth episode. The fifth episode fared better at 2.7 million viewers, but Sunday’s show was the least viewed so far with just 1.9 million tuning in.