back to article Matt LeBlanc handed £1.5m to front next two series of Top Gear

Former Friends star Matt MeBlanc has penned a £1.5m deal with licence fee payers of the BBC to front up Top Gear for the next two series. Joining the chisel jawed comedy actor are car journos Chris Harris and Rory Reid, along with regular guests including domineering ex-Formula One team boss Eddie Jordan, pro motor racer …

  1. andy 28

    Episodes

    It'll be better without Evans, and Matt is quite watchable though you can't help but compare with his role in Episodes. Pity about EJ, he's one of the many reasons why F1 isn't worth watching

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Episodes

      Indeed, I can only hope they quietly get rid of Eddie Jordan before he does any more damage. He was terrible on Top Gear and he makes the F1 coverage worse.

      1. Shades

        Re: Episodes

        Shirley you both mean Eddie "When I Had a Team" Jordan?

    2. peter 45

      Re: Episodes

      Yep. Eddie looked as if someone's granddad had wandered onto the set by mistake.

  2. 0laf Silver badge

    If it sells he'll be worth the money

    I wasn't against Evans getting the TG job but it really didn't work. I think the remaining 3 have a fighting chance at least.

    EJ, I just don't get what he's there for.

    1. 142

      Re: If it sells he'll be worth the money

      Evans was sabotaged, by himself bottling it, the previous team refusing to adapt, or BBC management being idiots. Someone refused to change up the show, and I can't figure out which.

      It was blindingly obvious that he was never going to work in a slow paced, wink-and-nod, show like Jeremy and co's Top Gear. He's just not that kind of presenter. He's the king of facepaced, chaotic shows.

      Why he didn't transform it to his strengths, I'll never know. It would have been great, and it would have alienated plenty of people I'm sure, too! But at least it wouldn't have been that trainwreck!

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Evans was sabotaged

        No, Evans was always completely wrong for the job.

        My suspicion is that top brass at the beeb made a bit of a panic decision when they realised their cash cow was in the process of falling apart, which went along the lines of:

        - Right, this 'Top Gear' business, thats a rather 'Petrol Head' show isn't it.

        - Who've we got on the payroll who is a petrol head ?

        - Ooh, we seem to have Chris Evans, he's rather populal on the radio isn't he - and he knows somethign about cars?

        - Right get him in!

        ...completely overlooking the whole point of the show, which is that Top Gear is a bunch of laughs with infantile humour, with exotic cars mixed in. It is NOT 'Fifth Gear'.

        Evans was never the guy for the job - I really could not stand his high pitched voice, and feedback in the media suggests that neither could a lot of other viewers. I have no idea why Eddie Jordan was brought it - again thats trying to turn TG back into Fifth Gear.

        Now, Steve Cougan on the other hand ... I'm astonished that he was never mentioned as an option. I really think his dry sense of humour would have worked, and he is a proper, Ferarri-driving, 'Petrol Head'.

        IMHO, Le Blanc works because he's got the right laddish attitude. Also the young black guy (whos name, embarrasingly, I can't recall right now - Rory Reid?) was a good addition to the show.

        Finally, I hope they keep Sabine Schmidt a part of the show - she's got attitude and talent by the bucketload.

    2. Danny 14

      Re: If it sells he'll be worth the money

      It wont work because TG was more than a "name" and format. It was an amalgamation of the original 3, silly ideas and chemistry. They would have been better off spending the 1.5million on developing a new format rather than trying to compete with the old TG.

      1.5mil for one presenter though. Fucking fuck that's a waste of money.

      1. MJI Silver badge

        Re: If it sells he'll be worth the money

        Danny 14 : BBC Worldwide are paying it, out of TG sales

        142 : Actually that would have been worse, he is just too hectic for many people, I have found him irritating since TFIF

  3. Peter X

    EJ

    I don't mind EJ on F1 because he does at least know the business and is happy to ask rich, important people awkward questions. But I wouldn't have bothered with him for Top Gear... there's just no point in him. I'm not even sure if he's really that into cars - in a petrol-head way?

    Rory Reid was better than I had expected and I think he improved with each Extra Gear and you need his character to help with Chris Harris's dryness.

    I hope they put the Reasonably-Priced-Car track back to how it was before. The changes they made were stoopid. I'm also not 100% convinced that having two stars to interview/race was a good idea either.

    1. 142

      Re: EJ

      EJ definitely does like *racing*, whatever about liking cars as such. He was a former F3 and F2 driver, and (according to wiki) a McLaren tester, before being a team boss.

      I wonder if they're using him the right way? I didn't watch much of him on the new Top Gear, but there should be plenty of scope for hilarious stories based on the old pro running rings around the new guys, especially if they got their hands on some old F3 cars from the 70s.

      1. JimboSmith

        Re: EJ

        I really like him on F1 he adds the former team boss element (don't see Sky having one of them) to complement the former driver in the shape of DC. The only problem I have with F1 is the German coverage (when C4 aren't showing it live) has adverts in. For Top Gear I didn't think Evans worked and they need to get Jodie Kidd in alongside MLB and one of the other lads CH or RR and go back to making a show that is mostly about the laughs.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: EJ

      I'm also not 100% convinced that having two stars to interview/race was a good idea either.

      I suspect this is where the accountants came in. Making such a show costs money, and the longer you can make the waffly bits, the less you have to spend on the show (important consideration of you just ended up with a £50M hole in your budget that you can't really ask the license payer to fill). People don't watch the show for deep insight into the (car)life of the stars, and that segment just had too much prominence. It's a good thing fewer people were watching, because I think that would have become the kettle segment: the time you realise that you won't miss much when making a cup of tea..

      Speaking of accountants - would it not be better to take the best bits out of the actual show and the "background" episode which was really just another show segment?

      I've never really been a fan of Chris Evans as I don't like his voice and his extravert personality, but he's given it at least a go (well, for good money I'd imagine). That said, not only do I have to give him thumbs up for broadcasting the "stop because I need to barf" segment when Sabine Schmitz showed him what real driving is, using an Audi (and, let's be honest, it IS harder as a passenger), I also think he was predestined to fail. He had to find a middle ground between taking over a show with established personalities and quirks and somehow give it a new spin (pardon the pun) without changing it so much that it was no longer Top Gear, and without making it a "Chris Evans and other people" type show, which would work more with his personality.

      I might not like the guy, but hat off for trying - it was never easy. At least they now know what doesn't work - a process that also took a few years for the previous team..

      1. Matt 21

        Re: EJ

        EJ should have intelligent comments to make based on his experience in F1 but that's not what comes across. He does manage to get the big interviews but never manages to ask the right questions and he always sucks up to Bernie and never puts him under pressure.

        Isn't the Irish expression a "gob shite"?

  4. This post has been deleted by its author

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: arguably the UK’s most famous ginger man

      Rupert Grint, Frankie Boyle, Tim Minchin...

      In fact.. just get Boyle in to do a guest episode. I'd watch topgear for that.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: arguably the UK’s most famous ginger man

        In fact.. just get Boyle in to do a guest episode. I'd watch topgear for that.

        Well, guest presenters worked quite well on Have I Got News For You after Angus Deayton, so that might work :).

      2. Huw D

        Re: arguably the UK’s most famous ginger man

        <Boyle>

        Well, quite frankly, this car's got about as much charisma as a Glaswegian herion addict...

        </Boyle>

        1. This post has been deleted by its author

          1. Huw D
            Pint

            Re: arguably the UK’s most famous ginger man

            a) Apologies for the typo on "heroin". I sent myself to bed with no supper for that one.

            b) Frankie Boyle tends to stereotype all Scots as heroin addicts and I was using that route, honest. ;)

            c) Pint of anything would be great.

          2. Lotaresco

            Re: arguably the UK’s most famous ginger man

            "Glaswegian herion(sic) addict."

            Bzzt tautology.

      3. A Non e-mouse Silver badge

        Re: arguably the UK’s most famous ginger man

        In fact.. just get Boyle in to do a guest episode. I'd watch topgear for that.

        Yeah, but after the lawyers had vetted the show, how much would be left?

      4. Goldmember

        Re: arguably the UK’s most famous ginger man

        Tim Minchin identifies as Australian, not British

      5. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: arguably the UK’s most famous ginger man

        Hang on, I thought Tim Minchin was Australian ...

    2. Kurt Meyer

      Re: arguably the UK’s most famous ginger man

      Chris Evans, Prince Harry, Rupert Grint, Frankie Boyle. Zzzzzz.

      If you want to have a Ginger, I have a suggestion.

      1. The Nazz

        Re: arguably the UK’s most famous ginger man

        There is only ONE ginger for the role.

        L & G, I give you Mrs Horner, fka Ginger spice.

        Can you imagine all that pillow talk, fired up on Red Bull.

        Pistons, big ends fnarr, fnarr.

  5. Huw D

    So...

    "Joining the chisel jawed comedy actor are car journos Chris Harris and Rory Reid, along with regular guests including domineering ex-Formula One team boss Eddie Jordan, pro motor racer Sabine Schmitz and The Stig."

    It's the same as last year, without the Ginger One then?

    1. Jason Bloomberg Silver badge

      Re: So...

      Let's hope not. That LeBlanc isn't as bad as Evans won't fix things; it needs a kick up the arse just to get it back into third gear.

      Evans was dire, 'kid's show' and shouty, the rest just so-so, set dressing. Eddie Jordan could have been replaced by the proverbial tub of lard. The 'road trips' were inane. The 'Star in a RPC' segment became dull and stupid. The interviews tedious. Above all, it felt contrived with none of the past sparkle.

      It seemed like they were dragging a dead carcass around, trying to pretend it was still alive. I can watch any old crap but that doesn't make me a viewer.

      I gave it a chance. I more often than not ended up fast-forwarding 85%, watching about 15%. And it never held its own against old re-runs of TG on Dave.

    2. phuzz Silver badge

      Re: So...

      More Chris Harris is always welcome as far as I'm concerned. In fact, the TG Extra that he and Rory were doing was probably the best bit of the last season of Top Gear.

  6. This post has been deleted by its author

  7. I Like Heckling Silver badge

    Still Undecided

    Granted LeBlanc did kinda grow into the role by the end... Evans was a trainwreck from start to finish... Whilst the 2 proper motoring journos were a breath of fresh air. EJ is a terrible presenter regardless of his knowledge. His presenting style on the BBC's F1 shows was cringe worthy and alongside Coulthard made for the dullest pairing in sports history.

    It's why I stopped watching F1 on the BBC after they sold out fans to Sky... a terrible move, and then selling out to C4;.. who as a publicly funded station should be barred from stealing shows from the BBC and instead create of find their own shows... or have their funding withdrawn.

    I'm not sure if LeBlanc can carry the entire show, but his dry humour and deadpan style is far more likeable than Evans Clarkson impersonation ever was.

    1. djack

      Re: Still Undecided

      In partial defence of C4 as I totally agree with your thoughts about that other show (which was a totally different set of circumstances) ..

      The BBC clearly didn't want F1 and were trying to do so in as quick a way as possible. So C4 picking it up has been a very good thing indeed. Whilst they haven't done quite as well as the BBC did in previous years, their coverage hasn't been too bad and also their live race sessions are broadcast advert-free (which wouldn't happen if a more commercial terrestrial channel picked it up).

      With regards to EJ, he is essential viewing in the F1, his knowledge and insight is second to none (I don't believe any rumour until he has repeated it) but in TG he was totally wasted - not that I suppose he minded being paid to travel 1st class on the orient express.

      1. Matt 21

        Re: Still Undecided

        I agree with you djack's comment about C4 picking up F1 from the BBC.

        However, I disagree with comments about EJ. I can't think of any insightful comment he's ever made. He tends to brown nose and mostly talks rubbish. He's quite happy to tell you X is Y when you can see on the screen for yourself that X isn't Y. Quite frankly he's a waste of space.

        DC and Ben Edwards work quite well together... not legendary talent as they don't play off each other as well as Murrey and James Hunt did but you can't always have that.

        Mind you I think I'll give yp on it once Sky get all the coverage... or start watching it in French for free.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Still Undecided

          If you've not watched it in French for a while, you probably won't know it went encrypted on TF1 ages ago, then to Canal+.

          You could try in German on RTL but it has ads including PiP.

    2. Quando

      Re: Still Undecided

      @I like heckling : C4 is publicly owned, but self funds from advertising and other activities. Hasn't had any government money in a long time.

    3. This post has been deleted by its author

    4. JustNiz

      Re: Still Undecided

      > Whilst the 2 proper motoring journos were a breath of fresh air.

      The only 2 credible car people on the show are Chris Harris and Sabine Schmitz. Chris is both an excellent driver and seriously knows about cars. Sabine is genuinely quick at least around the Nurburgring. The rest are just talentless space-filling "celebs" that can't drive properly, don't know too much, and have absolutely zero valuable insights to share. Given EJ won the Irish Kart Championship in 1971 and used to race in Formula Ford before he managed his Formula 1 team, I really expected more from him than some boring senile old duffer that clearly can't even drive safely on the road any more. After season 1 I have literally no idea WTF he's even doing on the show.

      They should have just given the show to Chris and Sabine. Sorry but Matt LeBlanc doesn''t cut it either. At least he might have been bought some good humour to the show, but for most of Season 1 he looked like he was on antidepressants.

  8. M7S

    If Chris Evans had stayed

    The incentive for autonomous vehicles would have become far more pressing

    1. Rich 11

      Re: If Chris Evans had stayed

      Because of the increased likelihood of him being run over by one?

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: If Chris Evans had stayed

      Couldn't stand him on Radio 2 when he took over from Terry Wogan, and refused to watch any Top Gear episodes even out of curiosity as I didn't want to inflate the viewing figures.

      Presume that they are now going to be repeated on Dave - but if I fast forward the ads as well as the bits with him in, will there be anything left to watch?

      1. Just Enough

        Re: If Chris Evans had stayed

        >refused to watch any Top Gear episodes even out of curiosity as I didn't want to inflate the viewing figures.

        Unless you're part of the BARB sample, no one knows or cares what you personally are watching.

  9. inmypjs Silver badge

    About the only good thing

    I can say about LeBlanc is he doesn't constantly instil a desire to punch him in the face.

    Wish I could deduct an Amazon Prime membership from the BBC license fee.

  10. NanoMeter

    Looked like he did a good job in the last season. He's a keeper.

    1. VinceH

      I thought so.

      His biggest problem was playing second fiddle to Evans. While Evans seemed to be trying to channel Clarkson, and failing abysmally (as well as just being an annoying twat*), LeBlanc was just being himself - and seemed to be getting more comfortable presenting as the series went on.

      * I enjoyed Don't Forget Your Toothbrush - but I was a lot younger then. I've found him annoying ever since, though.

  11. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Seriously tough...

    Is it true that all gingers smell of piss?

    That might be why Matt LeBlanc wanted Chris Evans off the show.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Seriously tough...

      Give me your phone number, I'll let you smell me.

      1. VinceH

        Re: Seriously tough...

        Can you do that over the phone now? I'm impressed!

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Seriously tough...

          "Steps removed and sequence shortened. Network speeds may vary."

          Thanks for helping me get an IT angle in there!

    2. Martin Summers

      Re: Seriously tough...

      No but your comment reminds me of what comes out the other side.

  12. Your alien overlord - fear me

    Well, it'll sell to the 'Muricans then if one of their own fronts it. Downside is they'll just review trucks and SUVs !!

    1. eriksolo

      We Americans watch British shows because they are good in their format. I loved Top Gear as it was. I watched the new one and I liked LeBlanc, but not because he was American.

      The one thing we Americans do not understand is the British affection for creepy DJs. Before he was dead I was shown a episode of "Jim 'll Fix It"...I remember thinking it was a clever show, that would be watchable without the host. When I told my opinion to my hosts I was told he was a national icon of sorts. That confused me.

      Not saying Evans is a paedo, but he seemed to have the same amount of affection towards him as Savile did. No one seemed to think a collection of all white Ferraris was a sign of mania rather than success.

      1. JustNiz

        Yeah speaking as a Brit, I never got the whole Evans thing either. I've always thought he is an irritating little shit, even on the radio.

        1. Lotaresco

          Irritating little shit

          Chris Evans used to be my neighbour in the days when I lived near Dunsfold. If I never see him again it will be too soon. He's bad enough on TV but in RL he took over the local pub and was tedious in the extreme. Many of the regulars upped and left for somewhere with a lower content of Evans. Also, if this is anything to go by, don't expect Evans to do anything practical, ever.

          Man overboard

      2. x 7

        "Not saying Evans is a paedo, but he seemed to have the same amount of affection towards him as Savile did."

        After Evans married Billie Piper when she was just 19, and he 16 years older, I think some people began to have issues with him. Given the potential for exploitation between a top DJ and a young pretty pop singer, the marriage raised eyebrows among the public.

      3. werdsmith Silver badge

        I was a kid when Saville was all over TV and always found him to be a bit repulsive, and find that most other people felt the same. I think he was one of those people that forced and manipulated into where he wanted to be and wasn't actually talented in anyway at all.

      4. Lotaresco

        Look to your own house

        "The one thing we Americans do not understand is the British affection for creepy DJs."

        I loathe Evans with a vengeance. I don't understand why the BBC pay him a fortune. He doesn't have any recognisable talent (see also Gervais, R). However I'm also raising an eyebrow at any American commenting about creepy DJs (see Howard Stern) and as to creepy and talentless Paul Reubens/Peewee Herman. I rest my case.

        1. Alan Brown Silver badge

          Re: Look to your own house

          "creepy and talentless Paul Reubens/Peewee Herman"

          He has played roles better suited.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKmHBFgIoX0 (1:06)

  13. Hans Neeson-Bumpsadese Silver badge

    IMHO the problem is that rather than reinventing TG with a new set of presenters, they just tried to recycle the previous incarnation.

    Time to start afresh - new format, new presenters

  14. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Yeah those gingers are awful. But have you met any of those black haired people? They're the worst.

    1. phuzz Silver badge

      Nice try ginge ;)

      1. This post has been deleted by its author

  15. Arachnoid
    Coat

    The scenery would improve

    If he got some of his old Friends to join the show

  16. JustNiz

    Wait they already have Chris Harris and they gave the lead job to Joey from Friends?

    Do you really need any more signs that the BBC is now being run by a bunch of utterly clueless muppets?

    1. Doctor Syntax Silver badge

      "the BBC is now being run by a bunch of utterly clueless muppets?"

      Now? Has been for decades.

  17. Dan Paul

    1.5 Million pounds to an AMERICAN "Ha, Ha!"

    That is utterly hilarious, let's see the British Bullcrap Corporation gave an AMERICAN 1.5 million pounds to continue in his role on Top Gun. Worse, it's Matt LeBlanc who they chose in the first place.

    When all they REALLY had to do to keep 6.9 million people watching was stop the nancy pants interference of some bluenose tosser at the Beeb who was offended by something Jeremy Clarkson did or said. Half the world was always "offended" by something Clarkson said or did and they tuned in EACH WEEK to see him do it again. NEWSFLASH: That was what made the show popular.

    Being politically correct simply for the sake of your agenda just might NOT be the brightest idea that ever crossed their collective "minds" (if I can call it that).

    1. Jason Bloomberg Silver badge

      Re: 1.5 Million pounds to an AMERICAN "Ha, Ha!"

      An inescapable fact is that Clarkson did step over the line. He wasn't just being 'excusably offensive' on air, he went way beyond that.

      No employer can turn a blind eye to that. There are enough people who want to crucify the BBC that he put them in a position where they really had little choice. I don't think there was the possibility of 'one more chance'.

      1. Moeluk

        Re: 1.5 Million pounds to an AMERICAN "Ha, Ha!"

        I don't think it was so much the "one last chance" that annoyed everyone about the situation, it was more Danny Cohens' mission to nail clarkson whatever the cost.

        The man that brought us "Snog Marry Avoid", a man so left wing that his ethnic peace bicycle went in circles..had a grudge to settle with Clarkson and so brought him up on several false/needless charges the slope comment/eeny meeny/the falklands plate.

        So of course when Clarkson went off the deep end there was no room to manoeuvre, but in fairness if my boss was basically being a cock and trying to stifle all creativity I'd get understandably frustrated too.

  18. FIA Silver badge

    Personally I think Evans deserves some credit, as he probably saved TG.

    Given the nature of the previous presenting team you could never really follow that with any great success, however the collective ire at Evans did provide a distracting focus from the loss of Clarkson and Co., which allowed Reid, Harris and LeBlanc the space to grow into their rolls without too much scrutiny.

    Then, rather than being dismissive of the new 'unknowns' the consensus seemed to be that 'these other guys are pretty good; if only they'd drop Evans'.

    I'm sure it wasn't what he intended, but ironically, I think he did the job he was hired to do.

    1. Lotaresco

      Drugs, the only rational explanation

      "Personally I think Evans deserves some credit, as he probably saved TG."

      What on earth are you smoking?

      1. FIA Silver badge

        Re: Drugs, the only rational explanation

        What on earth are you smoking?

        Just curious, what part of my reasoning did you disagree with?

        I really do think the ire at Evans allowed the rest of the team to grow without too much focus on them, and they'll be a good team going forward. I enjoyed LeBlanc, Reid and Harris and think they'll make a good show, they have real potential to develop a level of chemistry the old team had. (See the very last episode of TG:Extra as an example).

        I don't think they would have managed to do this had the focus been solely on them, I think the show would have been derided for not being 'old TG' and before they would have had a chance to find their feet it would have been interfered with, probably perpetually, until it was taken out back and shot.

        Just to be clear, I find Evans consistently annoying, although now Moyles is back on the radio I don't listen to him much any more.

  19. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Not the best choice

    Matt's OK but not likely to carry the show well at all IMO.

  20. Herby

    Thought...

    Buy the Amazon show, and go from there. Might be cheaper.

    Of course you may need to fire the producer who was the object of Clarkson's ire, but that's OK with me.

    To paraphrase: "That's just stupid" (As it relates to the new show).

  21. Stevie

    Bah!

    LeBlanc is an excellent fit for the new Gear. I would like to know what the person who hired the squeaky vomiter was drinking. Perhaps the idea was to kill the show outright?

    The real problem is that the chemistry between Clarkson, Hammond and May has been lost. The Three Idiots was what sold that show, even when it was at its most contrived and unbelievable. So the TG team deliberately set the "accidental" fire in the caravan? Coo! Who'd have guessed it?

    Personally, I lived for the moments when Clarkson would shout "I've ruined m'car!" after he'd made some unwise modifications in the middle of some jungle or desert.

    What will TG do to fill the gap left by the "special projects"? A show about nothing but cars has only a limited appeal, which is why the format changed all those years ago. Unless some of those cars get turned into trains or boats or space shuttles it all gets a bot boring.

    1. Chz

      Re: Bah!

      I'll happily admit that I only gave NewTopGear three episodes (Episodes?), but LeBlanc seemed awfully wooden. Since Episodes has proven that he *can* act to a limited degree, I do hope he lightened up a bit towards the end. But there was certainly nothing I saw from him that seemed worth $1M a year, bar the fact that he isn't Chris Evans. In fact the both of them did an awful job of letting on that they were reading off a teleprompter. The only bit that Evans did well was the interview, and I'm presuming that since he has gobs of experience there, it's also the only bit that wasn't entirely scripted.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Bah!

      Not a petrolhead myself, so enjoyed those "special projects" and the Star in the reasonably priced car sections, and like you say, the chemistry between the presenters and their very different styles.

      When it came to driving super cars around the track - boring!

  22. Daedalus

    One and half million sounds like a lot...

    ...until you remember what Matty got paid in the last two seasons of "Friends". Basically he's doing two years for the same as the last three episodes of That Show.

    The One Where He Gets a Pay Cut

  23. WibbleMe

    Is there nothing the yanks will not take over.

    Soon it will be Matt hist flat mate and the 3 hot girls from the apartment across the corridor running the show.

    1. WibbleMe

      Clearly, only 1 in 3 read the full text of a comment

  24. John 104

    IT Angle?

    Love TG, Clarkson and crew, but WTF is this doing here?

  25. Martin Summers

    I thought LeBlanc was too awkward and wooden for this show. Got nothing against him as he seems a decent guy,but as a presenter he just didn't work for me. Eddie Jordan should never be allowed anywhere near a presenting job again either.

    Top Gear is dead without Clarkson Hammond and May, I wish Jeremy hadn't been so foolish and thrown it away in one crazed moment. Rightly said above though, the BBC couldn't ignore it.

    1. werdsmith Silver badge

      Clarkson, Hammond and May were quite prepared to play the idiot and happy to look stupid for the show (an act that took a lot of people in judging by the indignation). LeBlanc is unlikely to let himself be anything but a cool guy. And that's why he's a bit shit at the job.

      1. Lotaresco

        Say what?

        "LeBlanc is unlikely to let himself be anything but a cool guy."

        That's Matt LeBlanc who played an idiot in Friends and a venal self-seeking idiot in Episodes? It would look like he really doesn't mind playing the part of someone who is anything but "a cool guy". He also seems to have taken in several people commenting here who think his on-screen character is his real-life persona.

  26. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    All we can say for sure is now the Evans is gone its not going to be as bad (FACT)... I suspect EJ will go after another season, but after evans walked the beeb knew that letting EJ go would just fuel the media storm, even if they know he doesnt fit. Considering how much the beeb wasted on a flights to russia to remember then didnt have any permits to film to then fly back again last season, 1.5m is not so much.

  27. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    If I thought the licence fee was worth it and I paid it, I would watch TG with Matt Leblanc.

    I refused to watch it with Chris evans because he is an arrogant asshole. Constancy spurting on twitter about how popular he is and how good top gear would be with him, only for him to eat his words when the ratings came out and eventually do the right thing and step down.

  28. x 7

    The best people for Top Gear would be Guy Martin and John McGuinness.

    Both know a heck of a lot about motoring, speed,vehicles, don't give a shit about political correctness, are totally irreverent and totally daft*.

    *Daft as in would you ride in the TT?

  29. Alan Brown Silver badge

    Getting yourself fired

    "when professional bloke Jeremy Clarkson punched the producer after he wasn’t able to get a hot meal after insisting on drinking himself stupid following a day’s filming and consequently showing up well after the restaurant closed."

    There FTFY

    Being a professional bloke and having an onscreen personality is one thing. Depriving the ENTIRE CREW of a hot meal by insisting on stopping off in a pub on the way to the restaurant, insisting on staying in the pub for hours when people wanted to get back to base, then blaming the crew for your own crass behaviour is another.

    At some point (like many Prime Ministers), Jeremy Clarkson started believing his own press releases. Even if he hadn't gone, TG would be struggling eventually as Clarkson progressively managed to alienate more segments of his viewing audience as well as the people unfortunate enough to have to work with him.

    The TG _brand_ doesn't need Clarkson - the franchised versions are doing quite well without needing an abrasive personality fronting it.

  30. Chris Hunt

    Hmmmm...

    So the BBC are looking to replace three presenters on a much-loved show. One older one and two younger ones. The show's mostly about larking about and innuendo between the presenters, rather than being a serious treatment of the subject of the show.

    Mary Berry, Mel and Sue will soon be available...

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