How Antiques Roadshow thrashed Top Gear by more than a MILLION viewers
Loudmouth Chris Evans only attracted 2.8million fans to car crash of an episode while 4.2million flocked to Roadshow
TOP Gear loudmouth Chris Evans has nothing to shout about when it comes to his show’s ratings.
After a dismal first week, the brash BBC2 series drew an average 2.8million viewers for its second episode – the lowest since 2002.
But a 2014 repeat of quiet, genteel Antiques Roadshow, which was on BBC1 at the same time on Sunday, attracted 4.2million viewers.
Here, AMY JONES and RUTH HARRISON compare the two very different shows . . .
0mins, 50 secs
It's the start of the second episode of Top Gear and Matt LeBlanc wheels out Chris Evans sedated on a hospital bed.
But it isn’t long before the 50-year-old presenter snubs his critics and vows to be “even more shouty”.
Over on BBC1, soothing Fiona Bruce introduces us to the Roadshow’s grand setting for this week.
Chenies Manor in Bucks dates from 1460 and is thought to be the UK’s oldest brick-built domestic dwelling.
2 mins, 11 secs
Time for the cars.
Introducing the McLaren F1 Longtail, Chris struggles to be heard over the engine revs. He drives the £10million car around the track, screaming: “It’s so powerful, it’s so naughty – it’s so loud.”
Never mind the McLaren Longtail – it’s the long DROP on BBC1 as Fiona walks us through the manor’s “en suite privy”. She describes it as a “most extraordinary” bog that used to be known as the “divine drop”.
3 mins, 10 secs
Introducing the £259,000 McLaren 675LT.
This road car is “really, really, really fast”.
It goes from 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds and soars to 100mph in just five seconds, with 666 horsepower.
But could it be a bad omen?
It's all about flower power on Roadshow as a punter brings along a flower seller ornament to be valued.
It doesn’t quite match the McLaren price tag but expert Eric Knowles reckons it could be worth £5,000.
7mins, 58secs
Jenson Button shows Chris a few tricks in the McLaren and the ginger host’s face looks like it is about to melt. The F1 pro does a few spins and social media goes crazy as viewers demand he replaces Chris.
A neon orange “banjo” glass vase is brought in by a lady who decided to show the striking piece in memory of her late mother. It is worth between £700 and £800 – roughly the contents of Chris Evans’ wallet.
13mins, 49secs
For their first group road test, the Top Gear team head to the highest pub in South Africa in three top- of-the-range SUVs.
Seemingly inexplicably, singers Seasick Steve, Sharleen Spiteri and rapper Tinie Tempah are along for the ride.
Time for some navel-gazing on BBC1. Viewers are treated to a home-made model of BBC Broadcasting House made from balsa wood.
It looks like a gust of wind would blow it over, yet it still seems sturdier than the new Top Gear’s foundations.
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29mins, 25secs
Back in the studio Homeland star Damian Lewis’s face turns the colour of his hair after Chris’s cringeworthy welcome: “Not only are you ace at football, you’re brilliant at golf and an accomplished cricketer.”
Damian's not the only genius on the telly. A cheery chap has brought along the decorative “slipwear” plate he made when he was a 12-year-old schoolboy and budding pottery whizz more than 60 years ago.
33mins, 00secs
Damian's chances of being the next 007 are slightly diminished when he describes his favourite car as the unBond-like Mini Convertible.
“I stick my kids in there, I stick a bit of Madness on, we sing along …”
There are mini vehicles making an impact on the Roadshow.
A pair of experts enthusiastically unpack toy train sets.
“It’s like Christmas, isn’t it?” Hilary Kay gushes, valuing the collection at upwards of £10,000.
45mins, 07secs
We're back in South Africa for the second part of the SUV challenge. Matt and Tinie engage in a boast-off. “Check out this pro-reversing I’m doing,” grins Matt, presumably talking about the show’s ratings.
Hankies at the ready. Fiona meets a woman whose grandmother received a final love letter from a soldier during World War One. It was written in advance, to be sent in the event of the squaddie’s death.
57mins, 02secs
The sun sets on Top Gear’s latest adventure, but not before bashful Eddie Jordan cracks the classic: “On that bombshell …”
A dwindling number of viewers agree – especially after missing a gripping Antiques Roadshow.
Sultry Fiona tells viewers she’s “slipped into something more comfortable” – a Japanese silk wedding kimono from the Eighties.
Fiona signs off by teasing viewers with a flourish of the stunning gold lining.
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