Photo: BBC Top Gear
Remember when Jeremy Clarkson punched a producer in the kisser? Oh, how the media rambled about that controversial punch-up. The thing is, BBC Top Gear became a lot more controversial after Chris Evans took over control.
Chris, as I’m sure you know, is an accomplished man in the British media. Be it radio or television, he’s done them all. He also loves cars, which is why he’s the right man to host Top Gear. Unfortunately for him, his autocratic style of dealing with the show and its presenters made him a persona non grata. At least that’s what The Mirror alleges.
Here are some excerpts from a story published by the British tabloid: "He’s now going to be told there will be changes and if he doesn’t like it then he should go… Matt is more well-known and popular with audiences, so Chris will take a back seat like he did towards the end of the series... The other presenters will have a more prominent role and it will be seen as an ensemble rather than Chris and his team.”
Top Gear’s communications team declined to comment on the speculation brought up by the unnamed source cited by The Mirror. Whatever the reality is behind closed doors, one thing is certain: BBC Top Gear audiences are dwindling ever since Jeremy Clarksonleft was fired and Chris Evans assumed control.
Whereas the least successful episode of Season 22 brought in 5.84 million British viewers, the least performant episodes of Series 23 racked up 2.68 million British viewers overnight. It’s rather clear, then, that something (or someone) has to change if the BBC wants to continue Top Gear for a 24th season.
I’m not keeping my hopes up that less screen time for Chris Evans equals better viewership, but I sure do want to see more of Rory Reid and Chris Harris on my television. And Matt too, he shows great promise. Kate Phillips, who is Controller, Entertainment Commissioning at the British Broadcasting Corporation, will have the last word regarding the changes that could make or break Top Gear as we know it today.
Here are some excerpts from a story published by the British tabloid: "He’s now going to be told there will be changes and if he doesn’t like it then he should go… Matt is more well-known and popular with audiences, so Chris will take a back seat like he did towards the end of the series... The other presenters will have a more prominent role and it will be seen as an ensemble rather than Chris and his team.”
Top Gear’s communications team declined to comment on the speculation brought up by the unnamed source cited by The Mirror. Whatever the reality is behind closed doors, one thing is certain: BBC Top Gear audiences are dwindling ever since Jeremy Clarkson
Whereas the least successful episode of Season 22 brought in 5.84 million British viewers, the least performant episodes of Series 23 racked up 2.68 million British viewers overnight. It’s rather clear, then, that something (or someone) has to change if the BBC wants to continue Top Gear for a 24th season.
I’m not keeping my hopes up that less screen time for Chris Evans equals better viewership, but I sure do want to see more of Rory Reid and Chris Harris on my television. And Matt too, he shows great promise. Kate Phillips, who is Controller, Entertainment Commissioning at the British Broadcasting Corporation, will have the last word regarding the changes that could make or break Top Gear as we know it today.
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