Words: Alex Woodhall
Last week, Friends star Matt Le Blanc was confirmed to be joining the Top Gear team. This morning, 2 others have joined the cast, bringing the post-Clarkson line up to a total of 6. Formula 1 commentator Eddie Jordan and German racing driver Sabine Schmitz will now co-present the show alongside – deep breath – Chris Evans, Motor journalist Chris Harris, TV presenter Rory Reid and Le Blanc. The Stig will be there too, naturally.
With the triumvirate of May and Hammond flanking Clarkson proving so successful, will the new regime prove only to spoil the broth?
Schmitz, the first female host of the show in 15 years, is no stranger to Top Gear viewers, having previously flamed around the Nürburgring in a Transit van. Eddie Jordan’s distinct voice won’t be too unfamiliar either. Harris and Reid though will likely prove fresher propositions. To get a measure of the men, Harris was previously banned from test driving Ferraris and Lamborghinis for less than favourable reviews, whilst Reid’s unorthodox style once led to him rapping in poetry about a Rolls Royce Ghost Series II.
All good. All very different. As Evan’s said: “We really do have a bit of everything for everyone,” but is it all too different? Is Top Gear trying to appeal to too many eyes, as daft as it sounds.
There was an almost telepathic connection between the previous 3 co-hosts – it was easy to believe they were actually 3 mates who loved cars. You’d imagine the conversation post filming wouldn’t differ too much from what we saw on screen, when Clarkson wasn’t chewing out producers as opposed to steak, that is. You loved or you hated it, and those that loved it, and there were many, really loved it. Judging by the promo pictures alone, this won’t have the same dynamic. The mob looks a little uncomfortable, not sure what to do with their hands and dressed like they’re on their way to the football on Saturday morning.
Right now, Top Gear looks to be in trouble. BBC’s most fruitful export may be about to become a very expensive flop. A producer, who Evans was very keen to work with has left after just 5 months, and there have been many stories about the main man that suggest he’s struggling with the demands: namely, talking and driving at the same time – a somewhat crucial skill you could say.
When the show returns in May, a Jeremy Clarkson-sized ghost will loom large, especially with news yesterday that he and his sidekicks have begun filming his new motoring show for Amazon. One thing’s for sure, the initial uptake in Top Gear will be big, consider our curiosity piqued, although it’s the second show that’ll be more telling.
(Images: BBC)
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