Rumor has it Chris Evan's punched Chris Harris in the mouth over an undercooked piece of lasagna, and Sabine Schmitz punched Kim Shillinglaw in the face over a improperly frosted pastry after a hard days work.
After reading that article I'm absolutely convinced it will fail. If Chris Evans was seriously thinking of doing the show alone, and is that much of a control freak, it's not going to work. Top Gear was the BBC's most popular show not because it attracted a huge following of people who loved cars, but because it attracted a fair number of car nuts but an even larger number of people who watched an entertaining show that happened to be centered around cars, people who were as interested or more interested in the star in the reasonably priced car or a famous guest appearance. Gimicky, but fun; Top Gear was a car show/sitcom comedy/variety show all wrapped in one. The BBC has lost site of that, and I don't see any chance of chemistry building with this group. A sterile, unimaginative show aiming for political correctness, avoiding pushing the boundaries is a recipe for failure. If it does survive, you'll find it at 3 AM on the Speed channel, for the five people who'll care. Oh right, that's gone too. There's always YouTube...
This seems as little surprise. Some interesting insight to the truths behind the scenes. I say let the show R.I.P.
You're absolutely right that the appeal was greater than car folks, because of the personalities, the show and the writing. That show is dead, and the audience is gone. They'll never be able to reproduce that, especially with Chris Evans, from what I've seen of his work/personality. However, they could produce a compelling car show with a smaller audience with Harris, Schmitz and Couldtard. They'll have to start with an earnest show, and those three are infinitely capable of doing that. Minidave, I think you have it wrong with Harris. Look at his work. Look at his passion for cars and how he communicates it. He is hands down the best automotive journalist working today. The new TG will not be competitive with the old TG, that's a fact that the BBC has no doubt realized. Moving forward, all they have to do is to be competitive with bilge like Tiff and Company at Fifth Gear, which is easily done.
You've hit on exactly what IMHO will be the downfall of the show--I agree Sabine, Harris and Coultard could make a compelling show, but will Chris Evans let them? Seems like he needs to be the center of the universe; is he willing to let the others shine? I think he's going to ruin it. As overbearing as Clarkson is, he was smart enough to realize he had to share the stage, and that there had to be some give and take. It took Top Gear awhile to get the formula right, I'm not sure Evans is capable of that or really wants to do that. And I don't think people will have the patience to follow the show to let it develop given all that's happened, and also given that original three will be on Amazon, with a huge budget for the show, later this year. They have a very small window of opportunity--and they need a good start to make a go of it. By the looks of it, it's off to anything but a smooth start, and that will kill them. It will be interesting to look back on all of this a year from now and see how it all plays out.
Clarkson is a pussy cat compared to the self-centered Evans... As for the new Amazon gig, I'll bet it'll be short time before it's once again a mainstream broadcast.
I can remember (before I came to live in the United States) watching Chris Evans on TV, and listening to him on the radio and never did understand his popularity. Always considered him to be a self-absorbed, pretentious d*ckhead.
That's what I thought initially--then I saw how much money Amazon put into the kitty. I think they're banking on this to do for Amazon prime what Howard Stern did for SiriusXM, and Amazon's pockets are VERY deep....
I hope both do well. I really didn't care about TG with Clarkson and gang gone. But..... David Coulthard had a good sense of humor in F1 and is a good guy, Chris Harris makes some great videos and deserves a brake, I have seen Sabine Schmitz in several videos she also has a good sense of humor and does not take herself seriously. I no nothing abut Chris Evans but for the other three I hope it makes it.
Funny thing Chris Evans has been on Top Gear before as a guest; James May went over to his house to take his Ferrari California for a drive. My favorite Twitter post: methinks chris evans should just engage jeremy clarkson in a fist fight and the undisputed winner gets to keep the top gear job
Top Gear In Crisis As Chris Evans 'Struggles To Talk And Drive At The Same Time' Wonder how he does with walking and chewing gum...
I don't hold out much hope for this working. But what's not to like about the Queen of the Ring. https://youtu.be/sP7aFlznAk0
Just like Car Talk was one of NPR's most popular programs. Who's going to turn on the radio to listen about car repair? Everybody tuned in to be entertained by Tom and Ray. It takes special chemistry to attract a wider audience, and I'm skeptical that the new hosts can pull it off.
today's headline "Fresh blow for Top Gear as David Coulthard snubs co-presenter role on the show to front Channel 4's Formula One coverage instead"
Seems like a major meltdown is occurring.... David Coulthard snubs Top Gear co-presenter role to front Formula One coverage | Daily Mail Online
So they haven't signed Sabine or the Monkey. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytCEuuW2_A"]The Price is Right losing horn - YouTube[/ame]