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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.
Related: Chris Evans says tabloid Top Gear criticism was ‘perfect storm’
“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.”
Related: Inside the new Top Gear: nerves, fluffed lines and good-natured banter
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.”