Culture

Chris Evans, Matt LeBlanc Cause Tension In 'Top Gear'?

Chris Evans, Matt LeBlanc Cause Tension In 'Top Gear'?

Jenia Gracia

Working with Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc reportedly caused tension on the set of "Top Gear."

In an interview with RedBull.com, Rory Reid admitted that working together with the two hosts was "like being in a war." 

"It was like being a soldier parachuted into a war, and you have some people that are on your side, and some people that are not on your side, and then you have the rest of them who are just watching to see what happens anyway," the presenter shared. 

It can be recalled that Matt LeBlanc has already taken over "Top Gear" after Chris Evans left the show.

This is the second host change for the British automotive program in little more than a year, according to Variety

According to sources of Variety, the former "Friends" cast will return for the show's 24th season.

He will be joined by season 23's contributors Chris Harris, Eddie Jordan, Rory Reid and Sabine Schmitz.

The American actor-comedian will have to single-handedly take on the show's hosting chores with the "Captain America: Civil War" star's departure.  

Early this month, Chris Evans announced his resignation from "Top Gear," the long-running BBC motoring show, leaving behind his pal Mat LeBlanc.   

"Stepping down from Top Gear. Gave it my best shot but sometimes that's not enough," he wrote on Twitter. "The team are [sic] beyond brilliant, I wish them all the best."

Poor ratings and reports in the U.K. tabloids of on-and off-set controversy may have prompted Evans' early exit from the show.

The situation could also have been exacerbated when the season 23 finale dropped to a season-low 1.9 million overnight viewers in the U.K. earlier this month.

This figure was less than half the show's average as compared to the previous season.

Moreover, the show's finale encountered stiff competition from the Euro 2016 soccer tournament, and was outpaced by ITV's "Antiques Roadshow," which drew 3.9 million viewers.

The Chris Evans-Matt LeBlanc tandem on "Top Gear" was poorly received by most viewers and fans.

However, most of the negative comments were directed at the "Fantastic Four" actor.

In a separate interview with BBC, Chris Evans said that his co-host Matt LeBlanc is "the captain Top Gear truly needs going forward."

"Not only does he eat, sleep, breathe and dream engines, propshafts and trail-braking, but the overwhelming quality that struck me about him is that he's just such a pro," the "Snowpiercer" star said.

"The whole time I worked with him, he never once looked at the clock, was never late on set, knew his lines inside out and back to front and, most importantly on such an intense production, he always had time for everyone, especially the crew," he added.

Despite these recent developments, Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc's friendship is expected to go beyond their stint at "Top Gear."

© Copyright 2020 Mobile & Apps, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

more stories from Culture

Back
Real Time Analytics