[ptack]

Matt LeBlanc (aka Joey) just announced he is leaving Top Gear next season. He says the time and travel demands were too high. I guess he wants his life back. It's too bad - he was the only reason I watched. The other guys are ok, but don't have the personality, humor and charm that Matt has.


Grand Tour seems to have more of less hit it's stride finally. Hopefully their next season is the best one yet.

[TXSTYLE]

That is unfortunate. But I STILL enjoy this Top Gear way more than the original.

[c1pher]

I hate to hear that. He made the show and it probably wouldn’t have survived its second incarnation if not for casting him. I think he is an unrderrated talent too. I think he got typecast as Joey, partly evidenced by the title of this thread.

[rlmesq]

He's a decent guy and a true motorsport enthusiast. I rode with him at several motorcycle track days and always found him to be friendly and accessible... if you overlooked the huge bodyguard who followed him around the paddock.

[Mingwan]

The travel demands were too high, eh?

Surely his mother warned him that there would be days like these.

[shadowfax]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

That is unfortunate. But I STILL enjoy this Top Gear way more than the original.

I'll have to give it another chance. I love the original and never got past more than a few minutes of this version.

[Nkc]

Joey and Chris made a good team on TG. I would've thought that this would be the dream job for him even with all the traveling.

[stooker]

Dang, just when the new cast was starting to gel. First several episodes of their first season together were hard to watch, but only got better. I just watched the Japan episode last night and was just thinking that they were hitting their stride...

[yco]

Top Gear was Top Gear with Jeremy..

[martin mustang]

Original one with Jeremy was simply the best, must admit Joe is good too.
I am also finding the new show Grand Tourer by ex-Top Gear folks quite boring and no match to the original work they did with the BBC

[Never_Enough]

A shame, I enjoy watching Matt on the show.

[protecon]

It was like he was always stuck in second gear.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by protecon

It was like he was always stuck in second gear.

BOOO

[blschaefer1]

LeBlanc was awkward at first but as he got more comfortable I really enjoyed the dynamic between he and Chris Harris. He will be missed.

[yousefnjr]

[Dthltm]

I have faith that their casting department will find another person to fill his seat and it will work out. I actually did like the new cast more than the old one though.

[ShocknAwe]

Formal announcement confirmed by the BBC? Or negotiating ploy by Matt to get a better deal? Just because he said he was leaving doesn't make it so.

I really enjoy the show with the "new" trio, they really gel.

[MarkDemma]

Too bad, I was starting to like the mix of the new cast. The first season of the recast show was a disaster with Chris Evans, who seemed ill suited for the role. As someone mentioned, the chemistry between LeBlanc and Harris has become quite interesting. And as much as I enjoy shenanigans, the old show with Clarkson / Hamster / Capt Slow was getting more and more tedious to watch the last few seasons and their new show, Grand Tour, has been even more disappointing.

[scanspeak]

Nothing against him personally but I think there are plenty of car Youtubers with more presenting talent and wit.

[Bomex]

They should get Henry Catchpole to replace him.

[Bingobimmer]

I think he really grew into the role. This will be a major hit to a show that was hitting its stride. I think TG and GT have turned into solid shows, but will never be as good as original TG. May seems like he's fed up with Clarkson and is just there for the paycheck.

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

Frigging funny