Top Gear series 24
| Top Gear | |
|---|---|
| Series 24 | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 7 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC Two |
| Original release | 5 March – 23 April 2017 |
| Series chronology | |
Series 24 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2017, consisting of seven episodes between 5 March and 23 April;[1] due to the BBC's live coverage of the Masters Tournament on 9 April, the series took a break between its fifth and sixth episodes.[2] This series' highlights included road trip across Kazakhstan in high-mileage cars, a race between a car and several high-value forms of transportation, and the presenters converting a car into a yacht.
Following the negative feedback on the previous series, and the departure of Chris Evans a day after its conclusion,[3] production staff decided on the remaining presenter Matt LeBlanc being joined by Chris Harris and Rory Reid as his co-hosts full time,[4] with occasional appearances by both Sabine Schmitz and Eddie Jordan. To improve the programme's viewing figures, staff opted for a revamp of Top Gear's studio, logo and opening titles, while restoring its celebrity segment to its previous format, but with minor changes to the name and style when they opted for the use of a fast car.
Production
Following the mixed to negative feedback for the previous series from critics and viewers, and the resignation of Chris Evans, the show underwent a revamp, with the creation of a brand new studio, complete with new seats, a racing tyre designed table and new screens, along with a brand new logo design and opening titles. In addition, along with continuing to host BBC Three companion show, Extra Gear, the BBC decided to reassign both Chris Harris and Rory Reid as Top Gear's main hosts alongside Matt LeBlanc. In February 2017, it was confirmed that comedian George Lewis would be joining the spin-off programme as a presenter alongside Harris and Reid.[5] It was also announced that the format of the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment would return for Series 24, after the BBC dropped the controversial Star in a Rally-Cross Car segment that had replaced it due to the negative feedback it received.[6] As the previous car for the segment, the Vauxhall Astra Tech Line, had been sent back to Vauxhall and auctioned off for charity,[7] a brand new car was provided for the segment, the Toyota GT86,[8][9] leading to the segment being renamed as Star in a Reasonably Fast Car.[citation needed]
Marketing
On 4 February 2017, BBC Two began showcasing trailers for the new series, with the caption "Top Gear: Coming Soon".[10] On 24 February, Top Gear's official Twitter page confirmed that the twenty-fourth series would premiere on 5 March 2017, broadcasting seven weekly episodes.[10]
Episodes
| No. overall | No. in series | Reviews | Features/challenges | Guest(s) | Original air date | UK viewers (millions) [11] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 186 | 1 | Ferrari FXX-K | Race across Kazakhstan in three high-mileage cars: (Volvo V70 • Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210) • Black Cab) | James McAvoy | 5 March 2017 | 3.77 |
| 187 | 2 | Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio | US road trip in two convertible supercars: (Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet • Lamborghini Huracán Spyder) | David Tennant | 12 March 2017 | 3.60 |
| 188 | 3 | Aston Martin DB11 • Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S • Abarth 124 Spider | DB11 vs Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupé Bond Style • Clubsport S: "Supercar hunting" at the Nürburgring | Tamsin Greig | 19 March 2017 | 3.13 |
| 189 | 4 | Bugatti Chiron • Renault Twingo GT | Epic race across Arabian Peninsula: Chiron vs. alternative "money-no-object" transportation • Twingo arcade game challenge | Tinie Tempah | 26 March 2017 | 3.17 |
| 190 | 5 | Ford GT | Extreme off-road buggy race on the California desert | Chris Hoy | 2 April 2017 | 3.27 |
| 191 | 6 | Mercedes-AMG GT R | Road trip across Cuba with second-hand sports cars: (Maserati Biturbo • Chevrolet Camaro) | Ross Noble | 16 April 2017 | 2.40 |
| 192 | 7 | Porsche 718 Cayman S • Avtoros Shaman | Turning a SsangYong Rodius into a luxury yacht | Jay Kay | 23 April 2017 | 2.69 |
References
- ^ "'Top Gear' returns to BBC Two on 5th March". USwitch. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- ^ "Top Gear TV returns to BBC Two 16 April". TopGear.com. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
- ^ "BBC – Chris Evans to step down as Top Gear presenter". bbc.co.uk. 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Top Gear: Matt LeBlanc signs two-series deal - BBC News". BBC News Online. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- ^ "Top Gear - Media Centre". BBC. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "Top Gear Returns March 12th Without That Silly Star In A Rallycross Car Segment (Update)". Jalopnik.com. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "Top Gear 'Reasonably Priced Car' auctioned for charity". The Daily Telegraph. 27 December 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
- ^ Westbrook, Justin T. "Top Gear Returns March 12th Without That Silly Star In A Rallycross Car Segment (Update)". Jalopnik. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- ^ "Is This Top Gear's 'Reasonably Priced' Toyota GT86?". CarScoops. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ a b Alice Vincent Press Association (14 February 2017). "'RIP Top Gear': new series trailer divides fans after yet another shake-up of presenting team". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.