Cape Town - Spare a thought for new Top Gear presenter Chris Evans; despite being one of many presenters, he has been hung out to dry on social media since taking up the unenviable task of filling former host Jeremy Clarkson's huge shoes.
Since the first episode aired earlier in May, Evans has been critisised for his "shouty", aggressive approach, lack of driving skills and missing the all too important je ne sais quoi... a quality Clarkson has in bucketloads, at least when he's not out punching producers or spouting racist quips.
Each episode a smidgen better than the last
I've watched the first three episodes of the all-new 23rd season, featuring the aforementioned Evans alongside Matt LeBlanc, Sabine Schmitz, Eddie Jordan, Chris Harris and Rory Reid.
I must admit that the show has improved with each new episode. Evans has "calmed down" quite a bit, LeBlanc's dry sense of humour comes to the fore, Sabine's driving skill is world class and Harris' ability to fuse nerdy car facts with 'slideways' action is masterful.
The two presenters I'd like to see more are former F1 driver Eddie Jordan and Rory Reid.
The third episode, which aired in the UK (June 12) opens with a track test of the new SA-bound Audi R8 around the California's Laguna Seca (in which Evans may or not throw-up in...).
Chris Harris drives a Ferrari F12 TDF
The latest episode, due to air on SA screens at 8pm on Wednesday (June 15,) features arguably the show's best host yet - Chris Harris.
Harris, a long-time British motoring journalist, makes his debut in the third episode behind the wheel of the ferocious Ferrari F12 TDF at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.
Read: Top Flop? SA fans react to all-new Top Gear
Fans also meet the team's youngest member, Rory Reid (He has previously only been in TG's spin-off Extra Gear). He drives the new Ford Focus RS (set to be launched in SA in July 2016) and compares it to the latest hot hatches: Mercedes-AMG A45 and the Honda Civic Type R.
If you're watching the show this evening tweet us @Wheels24 using the #Wheels24TG or email us and give us your thoughts.
The Internet reacts to S23/E3 of Top Gear:
@achrisevans Like #TopGear ,don't mind your shouting -but playing Chris Rea -'road to hell' is more like song to hell !! - no more !
— martyn folley (@FolleyMartyn) June 15, 2016
Watched episode 3 of #TopGear on internet. Really was entertained by @MrRoryReid and @harrismonkey . But the arsewhitefaced man was (1)
— Hans Efdé (@HansEfde) June 15, 2016
terrible again. I now noticed he also has the voice of #kermit. Make #Topgear great with @Matt_LeBlanc , @MrRoryReid and @harrismonkey (2)
— Hans Efdé (@HansEfde) June 15, 2016
@Matt_LeBlanc gives a great performance though, would be better if he got more screen time #TopGear
— Shamrock? (@AbdeeAamir) June 15, 2016
#TopGear Episode 1-Fail
— Denton Bruintjies (@dee_ai89) June 15, 2016
Episode 2-Pass
Episode 3-Fail
and #TopGear Extra is a total disaster.Feels like Top Gear season 1 back in the days
3 new #TopGear eps in and it all feels so tired. Eddie Jordan needs to go. As does the guests introducing each other. And Chris Evans.
— Glen Laker (@glenlaker) June 15, 2016
Caught up with three episodes of #TopGear in the last few days. Well I enjoyed it. Each episode got better than the last.
— Peter (@BritSToc) June 15, 2016
The New Top Gear is good! I wonder what people don't like about it!? #TopGear #MattLeBlanc
— Vaibhav Jain (@mav337) June 15, 2016
THEY LET SABINE INTRODUCE THE STIG IN GERMAN! Definitely coming around to the new new #TopGear.
— Rachel Pierce (@thejuniebird) June 15, 2016
I wanted to watch the new #TopGear episodes to see how bad it really is... But then I don't want to add to the ratings... #conundrum
— Aloha-laulau (@SweetPea_Ellie) June 15, 2016
#TopGear is still awful. It has no soul. Shouty Evans and 'haven't had a proper job since Friends' can't save it. I'll wait for #grandtour
— V. O'Reilly-Ramesar (@globewriter) June 15, 2016
OK, the Latest #TopGear episode didn’t suck completely.
— Ed Van Tassell™ (@EdVanTassell) June 15, 2016
More @harrismonkey and Sabine please.
If you want #TopGear to be potentially good again, get rid of @achrisevans and put in Rory, Chris Harris and Matt as your main guys 1/2
— Drew (@DrewL1988) June 15, 2016
Chris Evans tweeted on Tuesday (June 14):2/2 or better still bring back @JeremyClarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, and keep a watchful eye over them this time @BBC_TopGear
— Drew (@DrewL1988) June 15, 2016
@achrisevans Still banging on about numbers? These are the official TV viewing numbers. #touché pic.twitter.com/2UsiKwBtll
— Nick (@beanbaguk2) June 14, 2016