I think the biggest problem everyone has here is the name: Top Gear. Over the time span of more than a decade the trio of Clarkson/Hammond/May has built as cult TV-show that, let's be honest, can't be topped under that name. But what followed in the season after their departure was not just an attempt, it was an insult. Instead of reinventing the format properly we had way too much going on with an armada of hosts who frankly didn't quite know what they were doing - although their casting and presence mostly made sense.
In the meantime Clarkson, Hammond and May picket up where they left off - only with a lot - yes, a LOT more money. So come on, honestly, how can you top that? You simply can't.
So what did Top Gear do for its 24th season? They've gone through a diet, obviously a tight one. What's left is LeBlanc, Harris and Reed, a rather politically correct response to the all white, all British trio Clarkson/Hammond/May. What I did was what most of you couldn't: Give 'em a chance.
The chemistry is at its beginning - you can literally feel how the three have to find their way to each other first and the show sends them through plenty of scenarios to do so. Nice. We got the Stig back, we got the Top Gear track back and we got great cars, kind of pointless but fun challenges (like before) and a celebrity. Now the new hosts have to glue these parts together in "their" manner and to be honest - for a first shot they did it quite well.
LeBlanc brings the typical American swag, Harris is a nice guy with three times the technical knowledge of cars of the previous trio combined and Reed is the funny guy who brings things closer to the average-joe-watcher. It's a balanced recipe, but of course it needs time to sit to start working properly.
Yes, eight stars may be a bit generous but it's my trust bonus as I believe those three can actually pull it off. Production values are high as usual and I'm looking forward to what's coming up next. You should do the same - it can't be a Grand Tour 2 anyways, so let's be open to where they carry it.