This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/may/27/matt-leblanc-top-gear-friends-chris-evans-joey
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Matt LeBlanc: Top Gear is an international juggernaut | Matt LeBlanc: Top Gear is an international juggernaut |
(3 months later) | |
Matt LeBlanc has hailed Top Gear’s global popularity, calling the BBC series an “international juggernaut”. | Matt LeBlanc has hailed Top Gear’s global popularity, calling the BBC series an “international juggernaut”. |
Speaking on the Graham Norton Show, which is due to be broadcast on Friday night, the new co-host discussed Top Gear’s reach overseas. | Speaking on the Graham Norton Show, which is due to be broadcast on Friday night, the new co-host discussed Top Gear’s reach overseas. |
LeBlanc said: “The show is a lot bigger than I thought it was. It’s an international juggernaut of a show – it’s massive. | LeBlanc said: “The show is a lot bigger than I thought it was. It’s an international juggernaut of a show – it’s massive. |
“It premieres this Sunday and by Wednesday, it will be in 83 countries on six continents. It’s just huge.” | “It premieres this Sunday and by Wednesday, it will be in 83 countries on six continents. It’s just huge.” |
Headed by Chris Evans, the new incarnation boasts a lineup including four other hosts, plus The Stig. | Headed by Chris Evans, the new incarnation boasts a lineup including four other hosts, plus The Stig. |
LeBlanc’s appointment marks the first time the show has ever had a non-British host in its 39-year history. | LeBlanc’s appointment marks the first time the show has ever had a non-British host in its 39-year history. |
The former Friends star was a two-time guest on the show and the fastest celebrity to date around the Top Gear track in its reasonably priced car. | The former Friends star was a two-time guest on the show and the fastest celebrity to date around the Top Gear track in its reasonably priced car. |
On the subject of how he landed the job, the 48-year-old said: “I did it (Top Gear) the first time to promote Episodes and went around the track which went pretty good, and I went back again in a new car to see if I could beat my old record. | On the subject of how he landed the job, the 48-year-old said: “I did it (Top Gear) the first time to promote Episodes and went around the track which went pretty good, and I went back again in a new car to see if I could beat my old record. |
“Then they had a clip show, Top Gear The Racers, which I introduced. Chris was on board already and I was asked if I’d like to be part of it. It sounded cool and I wasn’t doing anything else. It’s a lot of fun.” | “Then they had a clip show, Top Gear The Racers, which I introduced. Chris was on board already and I was asked if I’d like to be part of it. It sounded cool and I wasn’t doing anything else. It’s a lot of fun.” |
LeBlanc also teased Sunday’s first episode, which appears to have a transatlantic theme. | LeBlanc also teased Sunday’s first episode, which appears to have a transatlantic theme. |
“We had to drive Renault Reliant Rialtos with the roofs cut off, which is great with the British weather, from London to Blackpool,” he told host Norton. | “We had to drive Renault Reliant Rialtos with the roofs cut off, which is great with the British weather, from London to Blackpool,” he told host Norton. |
“Mine broke down about 10 times and I think Chris had it fixed because it’s UK versus USA. | “Mine broke down about 10 times and I think Chris had it fixed because it’s UK versus USA. |
“We’re in English cars – his is painted like the Union Jack and mine is the Stars and Stripes – and mine breaks down repeatedly and his runs like a clock! Go figure.” | “We’re in English cars – his is painted like the Union Jack and mine is the Stars and Stripes – and mine breaks down repeatedly and his runs like a clock! Go figure.” |
Although best known to millions around the world for his 10-year role as Friends’ Joey Tribbiani, LeBlanc said he is a “petrolhead”. | Although best known to millions around the world for his 10-year role as Friends’ Joey Tribbiani, LeBlanc said he is a “petrolhead”. |
“I’m one of those people who subscribe to about 15 different car magazines - I’ve been doing that forever and a friend said the other day, ‘It’s finally paid off!”’ | “I’m one of those people who subscribe to about 15 different car magazines - I’ve been doing that forever and a friend said the other day, ‘It’s finally paid off!”’ |
LeBlanc revealed that he has a big bulldozer on his range in the US. | LeBlanc revealed that he has a big bulldozer on his range in the US. |
“I use it to re-surface the motocross track or just use it to knock stuff down,” he said. | “I use it to re-surface the motocross track or just use it to knock stuff down,” he said. |
“I thought I needed one and I started looking and my friends said, ‘Don’t get one too big.’ And I was like, ‘What do you know?’ It’s way bigger than I need, but I love it.” | “I thought I needed one and I started looking and my friends said, ‘Don’t get one too big.’ And I was like, ‘What do you know?’ It’s way bigger than I need, but I love it.” |
Despite all the headlines about Top Gear, Joey rarely goes away. LeBlanc told Norton one story about his ever-present alter ego. | Despite all the headlines about Top Gear, Joey rarely goes away. LeBlanc told Norton one story about his ever-present alter ego. |
“Friends just follows me around,” he said. | “Friends just follows me around,” he said. |
“I was recording a piece to the dashboard camera of the broken down car while being towed and driving past were two guys in a plumber’s truck who shouted out, ‘How you doin’?’ We kept it in the show.” | “I was recording a piece to the dashboard camera of the broken down car while being towed and driving past were two guys in a plumber’s truck who shouted out, ‘How you doin’?’ We kept it in the show.” |
Previous version
1
Next version