Top Gear 2016 - Episode 1 - Matt LeBlanc, and, Chris Evans

Well I had to write a review of the first episode of the "new" Top Gear.  I can sum it up as follows:

- Boring - I kept looking at the clock to see how much longer I had to endure the programme for;
- Tedious - My view is that all the features were not really relevant;
- Not enough women - My limited mathematics counted one woman in the whole show;
- Old hat - A new team, but the same format, surely with all the money the BBC ploughed in to the programme it could have been more creative.

So for a quick overview of the programme.

It started out with the two hosts Chris Evans, and, Matt LeBlanc introducing themselves with the studio audience.

Next we headed to a US Air Base in Nevada to test the Dodge Viper ACR, and, the Corvette Z06.  Here Evans is joined by co-host Sabine Schmitz (the only woman featured in the entire programme).  To help out with the absolute tedious final part of the feature which involved trying to shoot the other hosts car, they were joined by two male US airmen.

The next part of the programme involved a challenge.  Travelling to Blackpool in two fibreglass Reliant Robins painted in the colours of the UK, and, USA flags.  This feature went on far too long, and, involved the obligatory hitting of each others cars.

Back to the studio now with two stars in rally cross car (oh, this must be the creative innovative part).  The stars were Gordon Ramsey, and, Jesse Eisenberg, who were surprisingly both male.

Now to another feature involving LeBlanc, and, the off road Ariel Nomad, which amazingly called on the assistance of another three male paparazzi photographers.

So to end the show it was back to the Blackpool challenge, featuring a Willys Jeep, and, a Series one Landrover. To aid the hosts two Blackpool Council Officials were enlisted, the Fylde Vandals Rugby team, the Lancashire Wolverines American Football team, two men in drag, a power lifter called Nick Best, and Alistair, and, Jonny Brownlee. All males, albeit two dressed as women to address the gender balance.

A quick count reveals 12 individual males, two male teams, two males dressed as women, and, one woman.  It's a good job the BBC said that they were changing the format so it was less "blokey".

I suppose the good thing is that from such a low base things can only get better.  They also need to cut out the "beeped" swearing.  It adds nothing apart from a lack of imagination.  The programme is aired far too early to have to incorporate beeping.

A special mention has to go to the BBC 3 Extra Gear programme.  Now this show I did find entertaining.  Unfortunately it was nearly all male again, but it flowed, the features were more entertaining, and, it was interesting.  I did not know the two presenters, but I imagine they are not paid as highly as Evans, or, LeBlanc. This is what the BBC should be all about promoting new talent.  For some reason it feels that all the public are interested in are the same "stars" in the same formats.

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