'Friends' Mainstay Matt LeBlanc to Sign On for New Season of 'Top Gear'

By Yuri Mangahas - 28 Sep '16 03:05AM
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BBC has announced that former "Friends" mainstay Matt LeBlanc will be headlining the next two seasons of the network's long-running automotive show "Top Gear."

Announced recently, LeBlanc will be hosting the show alongside regulars Chris Harris and Rory Reid, while Eddie Jordan, Sabine Chmitz and The Stig will be making appearances for the show.

It is worthy of note that LeBlanc was the first non-British individual to host the show in its 39 years of existence. LeBlanc's casting was announced last February, much to the glee of the show and the actor's fans, who believe that his capacity as a comedian will bring jive to "Top Gear." In addition, LeBlanc is also a car enthusiast, which was made apparent by the show's recent episodes.

BBC Studios director Mark Linsey commented on LeBlanc's renewal as a host, "Matt was hugely popular with 'Top Gear' viewers last series with his humour, warmth and obvious passion for cars and for the show, so I couldn't be more delighted that he's agreed to come back and do more for us."

LeBlanc will move on to the next two seasons without Chris Evans, who departed the show last July.

In recollection, both LeBlanc and Evans were hired by BBC for a complete revamp of the show, following Jeremy Clarkson's unceremonious ousting as host. On the other hand, Clarkson will be hosting a new show for Amazon, titled "The Grand Tour," alongside Richard Hammond and James May.

Aside from "Top Gear," LeBlanc will be a part of the new CBS comedy show "Man With a Plan," which is set to debut this October 24th.

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