It is reported that after tanking audience numbers just three episodes into the new series of Top Gear, lead host Chris Evans will take a step back from the limelight at the helm of the revamped motoring programme, according to The Telegraph.
Live viewer turnout for the third episode, which aired last Sunday, sat at just 2.37 million. That’s nearly half a million less than the week before, and is the second-lowest figure since the show was revived by Jeremy Clarkson and former executive producer Andy Wilman in 2002. Only one episode, which aired on June 2003, recorded fewer people watching live at 2.36 million, just 9,000 less than the latest episode.
The poor figures were despite positive reviews garnered by the performances of Chris Harris and Rory Reid, who made their first appearance on the show driving the Ferrari F12tdf and the new Ford Focus RS respectively. Harris had a strong following through his YouTube car reviews before taking on the role, while Reid, a motoring journalist, was the only presenter to win a spot on the show via a public audition.
Both Reid and Harris were consigned to the behind-the-scenes show Extra Gear for the first two weeks, but while Evans and Matt LeBlanc will continue to handle the studio bits between the films, you can expect to see more of the other hosts from here on out through their prerecorded films. Reid replied to a tweet – a positive review of his and Harris’ performance, no less – with, “We are on the main show every Sunday now.”
@danjmoon @harrismonkey we are on the main show every Sunday now.
— Rory Reid (@MrRoryReid) June 13, 2016
Despite the opening episode drawing in 4.3 million live viewers, the new Top Gear hasn’t gotten on the most stellar of starts, with the debut episode rated as the worst quality show on terrestrial television when it aired. That episode received just 60 out of 100 on its appreciation index (AI) score, compared to the average for a BBC Two programme – around 82.
The second episode didn’t fare much better with a score of 68 and a live viewership of 2.8 million. However, The Telegraph also reported that most impartial observers were more approving of the show’s performance in the weeks following its debut, with the toning down of Evan’s “hyperactive enthusiasm.”
The slump in audience figures are unlikely to improve for the rest of the series – every subsequent episode over the coming weeks will clash with Euro 2016 football matches happening at the same time, which eats into Top Gear‘s typical young male audience.
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bring back the 3 stooges
Better ask Ron Jeremy to host the show. Lagi better!
Jeremy Clarkson IS Top Gear. They will never achieve the same rating as before. Better rename the show…
Same fate like Potong… close down lah
…so that tokong can buy all perdanas under market value…hes good at that bcoz all his statements are below iq…
Rename the show to Free Gear.
Fell asleep watching the 1st episode. Didn’t bother with the 2nd episode.
3rd one was much better minus the in Studio part. Luckily Kevin Hart and company was there to brighten things up.
What were they thinking when they put Evans & LeBlanc as the main hosts. They have absolutely zero automotive journalism experience at all.
Evans is trying too hard to be another Jeremy Clarkson instead of being himself. Him being hyperactive on the set is another trait annoying audiences. Chris Harris should be promoted to being main host. Watch Chris Monkey car videos and you will know why.
Should have made Harris a main. BBC might still have a chance to pull this off by routing back to early 2000 format where the show is more informative, critical and a bit of usual top gear fun. Harris is sort of a journalistic critic, playing to his strengths.
One is an informative, critical and bits of fun.. the other is all out bonkers and making clowns jokes with cars… Nobody does it so well like Clarkson and co. So BBC can stop replicate that.. and start to play to their own strengths..
BBC screwed the show.
just watched a few episodes on top gear usa realised it even more sux than top gear uk…every episode is a road trip by 3 idiots…not much review on new cars etc
Growing pains. But yeah asking Evans to step back is a good move. Glad the others were better liked. Jeremy had his days. He got too full of himself or probably just got tired with TG. Whatever the case, it’s time for viewers to let go. We should give the new hosts and BBC the chance to tinker with and ultimately bring on a good car show instead of tuning off and cry for the old cast. Creative comments please.