Matt Le Blanc is the new Top Gear presenter

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35490238?SThisFB

Didn't see that one coming....

 

That'll be a genius idea or a disaster, can't see any middle ground with that.

 

Well, bloody hell, wouldn't have thought that. I like Matt Le Blanc, whenever I've seen him interviewed he seems like a really nice bloke. And he can obviously laugh at himself as Episodes proves, which is one of few comedies these days that I actually like. But I think the BBC are making a mistake in commissioning another series of Top Gear, whichever presenters they choose.

The new format of Top Gear that started in 2002 was excellent. I don't care for cars, I don't share any of Clarkson's political views, I'm nothing like what many people will have you believe is the typical Top Gear viewer, nor is my wife who also liked it, nor are millions of others who watched the show. To get people to watch a TV show, that is ostensibly about cars, who don't care for the subject matter at all is ******* genius. It was fantastic television, almost essential viewing. But over the years, it gradually got tired and lost its edge. That's no failing on the part of the show, the producers or the presenters. It's what happens to everything when you do it for so long. It doesn't matter how good Matt Le Blanc and Chris Evans are, it won't be as good as it was because it's all been done before and things have changed.

I'd like the BBC to really invest in new talent with new ideas rather than rehash what has gone before. But everyone plays safe these days: old films are remade, successful films have a never ending number of sequels, successful TV programmes go on well past their sell by date, old bands reform to do stadium tours... little money or time is given to what's new and radical that could be such a huge hit. I would imagine if the modern day equivalent of John Cleese and Michael Palin turned up at the BBC they wouldn't get past the first meeting.

Sorry, don't know where that rant came from.

 

Are you trying to tell us your idea for a show got turned down by the BBC ?

But in a way yes, TG's day has gone with those 3 leaving.

 

Arm wrestling with Chas and Dave?

 

Yes I don't see the point in continuing with this, except of course it was the BBC's biggest overseas seller, but it's not the same product anymore.

 

There's some assumption here that the new TG will be just like the old TG but with different hosts. I know nothing of what they're up to; it might be, but Chris Evans isn't stupid enough to try and re-create it. He hasn't had many failures, TV-wise - I'd hazard they're trying something a bit different. Same name, different show.

 

Easier to sell to the Yanks id say...

 

Unfortunately, I'm neither talented nor radical.

 

I will never watch or listen to anything that involves that odious ginger w*nker Evans.

 

But Chris Evans himself is now old hat. He's a safe, middle of the road, BBC Radio 2 DJ and The One Show presenter. At one time, with Don't Forget Your Toothbrush, TFI Friday and his Virgin Radio breakfast show, he was cutting edge and full of ideas. Now he's establishment. He's professional but he's not going to bring anything new. Broadcasting companies should be investing in the new Chris Evans, not recommissioning TFI Friday and giving the Top Gear job to the old one. I would imagine, to anyone born in the 90s or later, Chris Evans is to them what Tony Blackburn was to my generation: A sad old git trying to look young and hip.

 

I like Matt Le Blanc, I'm just not sure it's the right fit.

Coincidentally, the BBC also announced yesterday that Dara O'Brien will be presenting the new series of Robot Wars. Again, like the bloke, just doesn't seem the right fit.

Sent from my I-Microwave using the internets

 

This. Look at the picture from the BBC website - he's a 50 year old man trying to be 30 and not getting it quite right:



The jacket, the hoodie underneath it, the stonewash jeans, even the thumbs poking out of the pockets - it all comes across as a bit too affected and is embarrassing.

 

It's Chris Evans, of course it's embarrassing.

 

Rather him dress like that than ******* Clarkson!


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