Cape Town - The anticipation for an all-new season of the world's biggest motoring show has been building for the past few months.
Top Gear (TG), the no-holds barred, tongue in cheek, pedal to the metal car show that the world has come to love, aired for the first time on South African television without Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
The trio have started their own show called The Grand Tour.
Evans and LeBlanc lack chemistry
Back to Wednesday night's show (June 1), Season 23, Episode 1: The main hosts, Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc, starred in the episode's feature film: a USA vs UK motoring challenge. The duo were set a number of challenges and while the production value is high, as one would expect, Evans' 'shouty' delivery was weird and to be honest, did not fit the TG style.
In January 2016, the Daily Mail reported that during filming for the new season Evans struggled to drive and talk into the camera at the same time.
During a film, in which two American muscle cars were pitted against each other, it was evident that Evans certainly isn't natural when reviewing a car on camera. A brief appearance by another presenter Sabine Schmitz, showed glimpses of her racing driver background, but as a Top Gear host, she didn't look comfortable at all. As I said, it was a short stint on camera, so we need to give her more time.
I thought LeBlanc did a good job, his persona, delivery and dry sense of humour came to the fore and he put his own stamp on the show. The former Friends star's driving skills and presenting work was highlighted in a film with the bonkers Ariel Nomad in Morocco.
As for Evans, well he was lambasted in the UK for his performance in the first episode. But hit back at 'haters', claiming the debut episode raked in 5.6-million viewers according to the Evening Standard.
The second episode will air on Wednesday (June 8) at 8:00pm on BBC Brit.
WATCH: LeBlanc get acquainted with the Ariel Nomad
Let's see what SA viewers of the show thought:
New Top Gear. No thanks. Too much posing and shouting. Perfect face for radio Chris! #TopGearSA
— Barney Simon (@BarneySimon) June 1, 2016
My first reaction to watching #TopGearSA was "when is #TheGrandTour starting?????.
— Derek Mundondo (@Deh_Rehk) June 1, 2016
#TopGearSA no originality at all and also audience response seem forced. I think Chris Evans should not try and copy @JeremyClarkson.
— Derek Mundondo (@Deh_Rehk) June 1, 2016
Yes, I Knew Top Gear Without Clarkson, May And Hammond Wouldn't Seem Right, But Damn ??... #TopGearSA #TopGear2016
— Tawfeeq Mahomed (@MahomedTawfeeq) June 1, 2016
It should now be called "Top Flop". This is properly disappointing. Everything is so forced. No originality whatsoever #TopGearSA
— Barrie Ferreira (@BarrieFerreira) June 1, 2016
— Snapchat: Spaga23 (@Spaga23) June 1, 2016#TopGearSA is boring and latagic
— Zaahid (@furiousAvatar) June 1, 2016
Production value of #TopGear has always been high, the new season is no exception. Beautiful camera work.
— Snapchat: Spaga23 (@Spaga23) June 1, 2016
New #TopGear in my opinion shouldn't try and mention anything about the previous hosts or quips. Make your own mark.
— Snapchat: Spaga23 (@Spaga23) June 1, 2016
New #TopGearSA presenters suck.
— R • O • Y (@LeeMcRoy) June 1, 2016
#TopGearSA no originality at all and also audience response seem forced. I think Chris Evans should not try and copy @JeremyClarkson.
— Derek Mundondo (@Deh_Rehk) June 1, 2016
Patiently waiting for #TheGrandTour . #JeremyClarkson the king. #ChrisEvans you suck #TopGearSA
— Ndosi (@NathiCele) June 1, 2016
This new boring TopGearSA is making my flu worse. I think I should go back to bed. #TopGearSA
— Lepepe (@KeNnaLepepa) June 1, 2016
@BBC_TopGear definitely should have taken the show in a different direction! Unrelated question - When is #TheGrandTour starting? #TopGearSA
— Kyle Smythe (@Kyle_Smythe_2) June 1, 2016
Matt isn't bad at all. Chris on the other hand ?? - no thanks #stopshouting #TopGear #TopGearSA
— Roxanne Van Vuuren (@Roxanne0807) June 1, 2016
Presenters aside ...??.....producers =Job Welldone ?????? #TopGearSA
— MPHO MOTALA (@mphoVmotala) June 1, 2016