Top Gear series 23

Top Gear
Series 23
Promotional poster
Starring
No. of episodes6
Release
Original networkBBC Two
Original release29 May (2016-05-29) –
3 July 2016 (2016-07-03)
Series chronology
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Series 22
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Series 24
List of episodes

Series 23 of Top Gear, a British motoring magazine and factual television programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two during 2016, consisting of six episodes between 29 May and 3 July;[1][2] an additional four episodes were planned but not produced.[3] Following the dismissal of Jeremy Clarkson, and the subsequent departures of Richard Hammond and James May in the previous series,[4][5][6][7] the BBC hired Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc as the new hosts,[8][9] with Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris, Rory Reid and Eddie Jordan as their co-presenters, but appearing only when required for an episode.[10]

The twenty-third series saw the discontinuation of segments used by the previous presenters, modifying the celebrity segment to involve a timed lap on a newly designed rallycross circuit with a Mini Rallycross Car - the Vauxhall Astra Tech Line was sent back following the previous series - and a redesign of the programme's studio at Dunsfold. In addition, the programme received a spin-off show titled Extra Gear, which was presented by Harris and Reid and broadcast on online channel BBC Three, with each episode airing after those of the main programme. This series' highlights included a competition between British and American cars, and a race from London to Venice between cheap cars and a luxury train.

Although it was met with some positive praise, particularly with LeBlanc as one of the new presenters, viewers mostly gave negative feedback on the changes, criticising the new format of the celebrity segment and the presentation style of Evans. Viewing figures weakened over the series' broadcast, with the final episode drawing in the lowest overnight viewing figures ever in the show's history;[11] both these and the negative feedback to his involvement led to Evans resigning the day after the finale's broadcast,[12][13] and forced a rethink by production staff on the show's future.

  1. ^ Jess Denham (14 April 2016). "Netflix to stream new Top Gear worldwide in competition with Amazon Prime's Jeremy Clarkson series". The Independent.
  2. ^ "Top Gear is back on your TV on 29th May". topgear.com. 11 May 2016.
  3. ^ Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (29 February 2016). "New 'Top Gear' Delayed, Season Cut Short: Report". Motor Authority. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Jeremy Clarkson dropped from Top Gear, BBC confirms – BBC News". BBC News. 25 March 2015.
  5. ^ "Top Gear producer Andy Wilman quits show – BBC News". BBC News. 23 April 2015.
  6. ^ John Plunkett (24 April 2015). "Top Gear to have all-new team as Richard Hammond rules himself out". The Guardian.
  7. ^ Ward, Victoria (23 April 2015). "James May rules out returning to Top Gear without Jeremy Clarkson – Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  8. ^ "BBC – Chris Evans to lead new Top Gear line up – Media Centre". BBC Mediacentre. 16 June 2015.
  9. ^ "Friends star Matt LeBlanc to be new Top Gear presenter". MSN. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  10. ^ "Eddie Jordan and Sabine Schmitz join Top Gear line-up". BBC News. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  11. ^ Plunkett, John (20 June 2016). "Chris Evans' Top Gear skids to record Sunday low". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  12. ^ "Chris Evans quits BBC Top Gear after just one series". The Guardian. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  13. ^ "Chris Evans opens up about leaving Top Gear". autoblog.com. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.