Matt LeBlanc On ‘Top Gear’: What Would Joey Tribbiani Say?
Matt LeBlanc is still likely most well-known and fondly remembered as Joey Tribbiani from Friends, but he is making his mark in other areas of the entertainment world. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Matt LeBlanc is joining Top Gear as a co-host of the show. This will make LeBlanc the first non-British host Top Gear has had. LeBlanc said he is thrilled about joining the show.
“As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I’m [honored] and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter. What a thrill!”
Matt LeBlanc will be teaming up with one of the British presenters, radio personality Chris Evans, and Evans is excited.
“Matt’s a lifelong fellow petrolhead, and I’m thrilled he’s joining Top Gear. Acting out our craziest car notions on screen is a dream job and I know we’ll both be debating some epic road trip ideas.”
Matt LeBlanc joins Chris Evans as the first American host of Top Gear!???????????? https://t.co/jLprGsljk0 pic.twitter.com/a75bmeP04o
— Perez Hilton (@PerezHilton) February 4, 2016
Epsom Guardian reports that fans of Matt LeBlanc are already tweeting about his upcoming time on Top Gear, but they aren’t leaving Joey Tribbiani out of it. Twitter has lit up with people’s favorite Joey moments in honor of Matt LeBlanc’s connection with Top Gear.
Matt LeBlanc’s early Stig impression. We should’ve seen this coming. #TopGear pic.twitter.com/gdqIjrzn01
— Josh Barrie (@joshbythesea) February 4, 2016
It will be a wasted opportunity if @BBC_TopGear don’t dress Matt Le Blanc like this for a Porsche episode. pic.twitter.com/GeKynp3BQq
— Jennifer (@jenbrewitt) February 4, 2016
Love that Matt Le Blanc’s joined TopGear. pic.twitter.com/xyJRRcT9zD
— Sam Homewood (@SamHomewood) February 4, 2016
This is what @Matt_LeBlanc thinks if you don’t like his appointment on @BBC_TopGear #TopGear pic.twitter.com/ikXlsM90T4
— Paul Gosling (@Paul_Gosling) February 4, 2016
Matt LeBlanc announced as new Top Gear host. I’m picturing him standing next to some shiny sports car doing this: pic.twitter.com/i6fYfEfnKL
— Kaya Burgess (@kayaburgess) February 4, 2016
BBC reports that Matt LeBlanc is blown away by the reaction he has gotten from fans and the media since the Top Gear announcement.
“I knew Top Gear was a big show. But, wow, I was on the front page of the New York Times. There was so much I couldn’t read it all. Thanks to Top Gear and the BBC, my day has been ducking paparazzi all day long.”
Forbes reveals that the appointment of Matt LeBlanc to Top Gear is a masterstroke by BBC. Forbes says that the decision to cast LeBlanc makes perfect sense.
“First, never forget that TV is a business. Top Gear is one of the BBC’s most lucrative shows bringing in an estimated $225.8 million in revenue for their commercial arm, BBC Worldwide. It has a global viewership of 350 million and is shown in 214 territories – it is the most watched factual television show in the world. Top Gear also makes in excess of $73 million in merchandise sales including, among others things, live shows and DVDs. While Evans is a household name in the UK, and has been for over 20 years, outside of it he is pretty much an unknown. LeBlanc, on the other hand, is undeniably internationally recognizable and holds a place in pop culture. He is extremely bankable.”
The Guardian tends to agree, stating that Matt LeBlanc joining Top Gear is coming just in time to help bolster the show, which has been through some setbacks. Unfortunately, LeBlanc couldn’t make his first team meeting, at a pub in England, but his new colleagues raised a glass to him.
@Matt_LeBlanc Welcome but hurry up. You’re late for the weekly TG production meeting. pic.twitter.com/KhNpsEyZI6
— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) February 4, 2016
The announcement about Matt Leblanc joining Top Gear comes not long after he reunited with his old Friends co-stars at the James Burrows tribute. Apparently, the paparazzi don’t miss a thing. After the reunion, photos were taken of Matt LeBlanc sharing a kiss with Courteney Cox. Despite the rumors that started to circulate, LeBlanc and Cox are not in a relationship. Gossip Cop caught up with a spokesperson for Matt LeBlanc, who set the record straight. There is absolutely nothing romantic going on between Cox and LeBlanc.
That’s probably a good thing, since Matt LeBlanc is going to be so busy with Top Gear. Have fun with your fabulous new gig, Matt. Fans are looking forward to seeing you on the show.
[Composite image containing photos by Rick Kern/Getty Images, Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images]