Chris Evans new Top Gear host ....

[peterb]

I'm not a big fan of the Chris Evans broadcast persona, to the extent that I'll generally switch channels if I hear or see him. That said, I am told by people that know him that his off air persona is very different. I guess the same is true of Clarkson.

So while I wont go out of my way to watch TG (it's something I'll stumble on when there isn't anything better to watch and I haven't got anything better to do) and haven't for a long time, I'll be interested to watch one episode to see how it goes.

[chris_gg]

Wonder how much they are paying him? TBH far better petrol heads out there that could also fit the bill. Jamiroquai for one. International star, might do it because of the cars not really for any money.

We were having a conflab in the office this morning about possible co-presenters, and Jay Kay was one of the names that came up. Would be nice to have someone controversial and outspoken like Clarkson but I couldn't think of anyone sensible - Frankie Boyle or Jimmy Carr were the best I came up with. I guess the BBC are trying to distance themselves from Clarkson-type personalities anyway...

[Biscuit]

We were having a conflab in the office this morning about possible co-presenters, and Jay Kay was one of the names that came up. Would be nice to have someone controversial and outspoken like Clarkson but I couldn't think of anyone sensible - Frankie Boyle or Jimmy Carr were the best I came up with. I guess the BBC are trying to distance themselves from Clarkson-type personalities anyway...

The BBC, like many organisations these days, have caved in to this over PC none-sense that seems to have emerged from twitter and tumblr to ruin everyone's fun.

[ik9000]

I thought this would happen. CE has been talking cars most mornings on the radio since this whole thing blew up.

Right, let's start the betting.

1) I bet there will be at least 1 woman. BBC seems to demand it these days. Even if they're not as good as the males they replace (QI). Hopefully she might know her stuff but I fear she'll either be screachy and annoying or know f*a about cars but there for the "audience appeal" . Here's hoping for our version of that german one from the Nurburg Ring however... they do exist!

2) I bet they try and replicate quite a bit of the format of the show - the star in a car, stig, challenges etc. They're scared of losing the brand and the brand kind of has become to be a rather well understood format (and was beginning to get a bit too formulaic some would say). If they venture too far from it it wouldn't really be Top Gear anymore...

3) I bet viewing figures decline 50% over the first series

[Smudger]

Evans has mentioned that there will '100%' be a woman co-presenter, but not just for the sake of it. He's said she'll have to know her stuff. The current betting is it's her off F1, Suzi Perry, or Jodie Kidd. Both have the knowledge, I reckon, and would be a good fit.

[TheAnimus]

Feels rather relevant.

[Biscuit]

Evans has mentioned that there will '100%' be a woman co-presenter, but not just for the sake of it. He's said she'll have to know her stuff. The current betting is it's her off F1, Suzi Perry, or Jodie Kidd. Both have the knowledge, I reckon, and would be a good fit.

Suzi Perry is awful on the F1 footage though. She has got slightly better this season but previously she's been an utter train wreck.

[santa claus]

What about Ed Miliband? He could drive a car into the 'Edstone' in episode 1. There would be no episode 2 though...

Anyway, back to the crumpet choices: drop Chris Evans and have 3 girls presenting it. In bikinis.

[Lee H]

I reckon it will be Jodie Kidd, Jamaroquai and Chris Evans for the final line-up

[TheAnimus]

Anyway, back to the crumpet choices: drop Chris Evans and have 3 girls presenting it. In bikinis.

Whilst I'd normally agree with that idea, given that Sandy Tocsvich has been mentioned.... ergh.

[Spreadie]

He is a pretty big car guy, so I'll be giving him the benefit of the doubt.

This.

The number of knee jerk "it's gunna be crap" types of post/comment/text I've read today is quite astonishing.

I'll watch it. If it turns out to be rubbish, I'll stop watching it.

[abaxas]

It'll be shyte.

Topgear was a global brand with the Clarkson/Hamster/May combo eclipsing the success of almost (maybe all) every TV partnership who went before them. Think of it this way, any combo what makes Morecambe and Wise's success look small and inconsequential, cannot be easily replaced.

[kalniel]

TFI friday rematch with Denise Van Outen as well?

[chris_gg]

TFI friday rematch with Denise Van Outen as well?

He was strongly hinting at Nick Grimshaw presenting it if it comes back wasn't he?

[Andy3536]

Well that was a surprise.
Tbh, i'm starting to think he's probably the one person that could do it. He's also producing the show himself, so i suppose it really is all on his shoulders. I'm still struggling to believe it will ever be as big as it was though. But i'll watch it and see.
If anyone missed the announcment, his co hosts (or some of them, he did also say it didn't need to be 3 presenters) will not be known presenters/TV personalities. He's holding auditions, send in a video of yourself etc. Will be announced how to tomorrow on his radio show.

[Lucio]

Last time I watched TV that wasn't Netflix was nearly 4 months ago, even then it was Dave which is 90% re-runs.

This Top Gear problem will likely hit me around 2017-2018, then I'll have an opinion