When Jeremy Clarkson was fired by the BBC in 2015, the future of his and the operations flagship show, Top Gear, was in serious jeopardy. With Co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May choosing to depart the show with him, the Britsh institution was in need of a whole new cast of presenters capable of following the popular trio.
In 2016, in came Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc, and unlikely double act, to say the least. The latter would attain some plaudits for his humor and suitability to the role. Evans on the other hand, found himself unceremoniously ousted from the job of a lifetime after just one series.
Here then, are just some of the reasons why fans of Top Gear never quite warmed to Chris Evans, and why the show, under his direction, was doomed from the onset.
He Had A Tough Act To Follow
It's no secret that part of Top Gear's original charm was the humor provided by Jeremy Clarkson. In spite of his various controversies, the 6ft 6 inch presenter was widely viewed as the prime contributor towards the show's success. Scathing, cynical, polarising - whether you loved him or hated him, you just had to watch. Evans meanwhile, had an unfortunate habit of turning people away, on account of his overbearing enthusiasm. With Clarkson, his persona appeared to be an extension of his personality - Evans couldn't quite say the same.
Some Thought He Had An Ego Problem
With Evans very much the star of the show, rumors soon began to circulate that he was assuming a dominant position over his fellow co-stars and producers. As many have since attested to, Evans, in his previous presenting roles, was equally domineering. Guardian journalist Stuart Heritage claims that Evans was a "cranky control freak with a messiah complex who barged his way to success only to scupper himself with his own hubris".
His New Idea's Failed To Inspire
Stick or twist? The conundrum facing Evans when he first assumed the role must have been whether to continue the work of the previous regime - or introduce a host of new ideas in order to take the show in a whole new direction. Unsurprisingly, he did the latter, often with little success. Concepts such as a 'Star in a Rallycross Car', was neither new nor a continuation of the previous regime. Instead, it was a clunky attempt to put a spin on a show favorite. The segment itself was long in length and felt like a slightly lazy attempt to modernize a stale idea.
Matt LeBlanc Stole The Show
One of the key ingredients to Top Gear's previous success had been the presenter dynamic. Clarkson was unashamedly the main presenter - while his co-hosts assumed subordinate positions. Each contributed, but Clarkson was the draw, the man called upon to interview celebrity guests. However, the dynamic between Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc was markedly more complicated. LeBlanc blossomed as the series progressed, becoming more central to the show, and thus, more popular. Evans could never quite assume a position of authority in the same way Clarkson once did.
His First Top Gear Episode Was His Worst
By consensus, Evans made the unfortunate error of airing his worst episode first. Episode one, with Evans arguably at his most nervous, was enough for some fans to scrap the rest of the series, and by extension Evans, for good. Initial viewing figures of 4.4 million for episode one, dropped to just 1.9 million by the time of the series finale. Had Evans only opened with a stronger episode, things may have turned out differently. although, decisively, critics pointed to Chris Evans' reduced screentime as a reason for the show's improvement.
Initial Nerves Led To Him Being Too Shouty
One of the biggest complaints against Evans was his habit of being a tad too 'shouty' during the first few episodes of the series. Whether overcompensating for initial nerves or just attempting to inject enthusiasm into the broadcast, it smacked of desperation and it took the show further away from its previously relaxed, jovial nature. Authenticity was central to Top Gear's success, but Evans failed to come across as relatable or genuine. In time, he may have been able to use this energy to transform the show, but after Clarkson, he was inheriting a much-loved series that was custom-built for an altogether different personality.
The Show's Best Producers Quit
It wasn't just onscreen issues that plagued Evans' time on the show. Behind the scenes, key producers, central to the show's success, also departed. One, Andy Millman, followed Jeremy Clarkson out of the exit door not long after his firing from the BBC. This was perhaps unsurprising, given that Wilman was an old school friend of Clarkson, but it was still a devastating blow, as Top Gear lost a man who was widely credited with helping popularise the show globally. Furthermore, Executive Producer Lisa Clark quit midway through Evan's only season in charge, leaving him without one of the shows key financial managers.
Chemistry Issues With Co-hosts
It's no secret that by the end of their one and only series together, Evans and former Friends star LeBlanc were not on the best of terms. On the contrary, it was widely reported that LeBlanc threatened to quit the show if Evans would have continued on. Chemistry issues between the pair were visible from the start, with much of their dialogue appearing to be contrived, as opposing to the effortless banter between the previous hosts. This relationship eventually soured, leaving LeBlanc to front the show for the following season.
The Grand Tour's Immediate Success
Evans wasn't exactly helped by Clarkson's relatively quick return to work - on Amazon Prime's The Grand Tour. The new Top Gear host was probably secretly wishing that his predecessor would quietly retreat to his country manor, not spearhead a direct rival show on a popular streaming site. Not only did The Grand Tour bottle the magic of old Top Gear, but it was also instantly available to a global audience, something that Top Gear, as a BBC show, is not. The Grand Tour today continues to be a smash hit, while Top Gear is in somewhat of a slow demise.
He Was Too Focused On Sportscars
In the many incarnations of Top Gear, part of its mystique and charm was its accessibility. Yes, supercars would feature heavily, but alongside the glamour, were features on cars and real-world scenario's more palatable t0 the average man in the street. Hot hatchbacks and challenges involving affordable cars were regular segments during the Clarkson years; but for many, Evans' infatuation with fast, stylish vehicles, took the show away from its roots.
Sources: The Guardian, Radio Times, BBC, Carbuzz.com, Telegraph.co.uk.