Oh dear.
To be fair, following up Clarkson, May and Hammond was going to be a virtually impossible task, but many fans had hope for the new-look Top Gear, with Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc at the helm.
The pair certainly made a good start with Irish fans before the new series even aired, following their filming around Ireland.
NEW! #TopGear tonight at 8.20pm @RTE2 with all new line-up of presenters #cars #stig pic.twitter.com/WaOQMdUrTu
— RTÉ (@rte) May 29, 2016
However, viewers didn’t exactly take too kindly to the first episode of the new era on Twitter.
Here’s the best reaction…
Sorry #TopGear … switching off … looking forward to the proper boys on @amazonprimenow soon … night all xxx
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) May 29, 2016
The new #topgear resembles a 4th generation Subaru Impreza Turbo. A faint facsimile of something that was fun and relevant a decade ago.
— Paul Colgan (@paulcolgan) May 29, 2016
The way Chris Evans introduced the Stig completely ruined it. I think this will be the first and last new #TopGear episode I watch
— Jack Mendel ✍️ (@Mendelpol) May 29, 2016
Le Blanc in between takes with shouting Evans…#TopGear pic.twitter.com/GtcsqkoJjA
— Dave Flynn (@Dave_K_Flynn) May 29, 2016
Stop it, it's already dead #TopGear pic.twitter.com/05kpn2v22O
— Luke Stedmon (@lukestedmon) May 29, 2016
I can't believe they've included cars in this new series of #TopGear! They've totally ruined it. Cars. Driving. Pfft.
— Darryl Morris 🇺🇦 (@darrylmorris) May 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/GeorgeBack5/status/737012846677118976
Really not enjoying this new #TopGear the old show had so much more atmosphere and fun
— Dr Shane Kenna (@shkenna) May 29, 2016
'And then they said, the new Top Gear would be good!!' #TopGear pic.twitter.com/SlwFn4q3pB
— A… Fan (@RingGeneral) May 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheJoshYouAre/status/737016054254317573
New #TopGear is awful. Chris Evans not a big enough personality👎
— Tom Connor (@TomConnor4) May 29, 2016
Having said that, some people quite liked it, especially Matt LeBlanc’s highly anticipated debut…
#TopGear not terrible not great #MattLeBlanc very good why oh why not reboot the whole format and make it fresher feels like a remake
— Gavin James Sheldon (@sheldinigj) May 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/HchyB/status/737015884888313857
Forget what everyone is saying! I think #TopGear was a great show & I'm so proud of my old mate @achrisevans & @Matt_LeBlanc Well done guys
— Gaby Roslin (@GabyRoslin) May 29, 2016
Twitter seems to detest #TopGear
What were the Beeb to do ? Pack it up & go home ? 50 mill a year goes back into public broadcasting
— Will Leahy (@willleahy) May 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/TVRav/status/737021710453592064
Leblanc was decent. Evans below average. Should be given time to make it work though, the first episode was always gonna be slated #TopGear
— George Shone (@shone_george) May 29, 2016
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