Exit Charlie Cox, Enter James Morrison - Top Gear Australia

james-morrison
Dec 19, 2008
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Top Gear Australia co-host Charlie Cox is, well, host no longer. Citing media and business commitments in the UK – where Cox has spent a good chunk of his life and career – the inaugural TGA presenter will step aside for the 2009 season.

Cox’s current co-hosts Steve Pizzati and Warren Brown will be joined next year for the show’s second season by famed musician James Morrison.  You know, the trumpet-playing bloke with the eternally red face and puffed out cheeks.

 

“My time on Top Gear Australia was very special and it was a fantastic opportunity to be part of launching an extraordinary series. Sadly, though, I’ve lived in the UK for the past 19 years and I’m not able to give the time I want to Series Two. It seems best to leave the show and I wish James all the best in joining the two best blokes in Australian television -Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati,” Cox said.

 

Cox, along with Pizzati and Brown but markedly more so, has been the subject of much criticism online for his hosting style and attitude.  Is it possible then that Cox was in fact asked to leave the show – or perhaps even sacked – in an attempt to quell viewer ire and bring in someone a little more palatable?

 

“SBS thanks Charlie Cox for helping to launch and bed down Top Gear Australia. I understand the decision Charlie has made and accept his UK commitments wouldn’t allow him to return in 2009.

We now look forward to seeing James Morrison on our screens when the series returns in 2009. James brings with him a deep love of cars, a huge personality and a strong sense of fun - a perfect complement to Warren and Steve,” SBS executive Matt Campbell said.

 

Morrison has appeared on the show once already, as a celebrity guest in a reasonably-priced car, and paid tribute to Cox’s efforts in the show’s first season.

 

“As a huge fan of the show, you couldn’t ask for better blokes to be working with than Warren and Steve - this is going to be FUN! I don’t want to sound like I’m blowing my own trumpet… but I think series two is going to be bigger and better than ever - I just hope some of the challenges include playing a chorus of the blues!”

 

Co-host Warren Brown welcomed Morrison to the cast.

 

“I’m as excited as anyone to be knocking around with James on the next series of Top Gear Australia. As everyone knows, he’s a red-hot hand behind the wheel, an unrepentant, unreconstructed and unabashed car enthusiast – but more importantly he’s a bloke with whom it’s huge fun to be around. (Aside from that, he’s far more accomplished with a trumpet than I am with a five-string banjo as Steve Pizzati will testify).

“No doubt about it – we’ll be missing Charlie, a top bloke who’s become a terrific mate, but I’d love to welcome James on board and can’t wait to work with him on Top Gear Australia II.”

 

While Pizzati lamented the likelihood that a musical instrument might worm its way into a challenge or two.

 

“It’s a shame that Charlie’s commitments overseas mean that he can’t complete the journey we all started together nearly a year ago. I’m looking forward to James joining Warren and myself, although, on top of everything else, it now means I’ll have to learn how to play a bloody musical instrument too! Perhaps the kazoo…”

 

[Source: SBS]

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Comments

  • Charlie [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Good riddance.
  • sturap [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    yeah ahhh I dunno, it's sunk IMO and no jazz trumpeteer is gonna save it
  • Derek [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Tough industry.

    Getting rid of that fat bloke from TGUK after series 1 (Does anyone even remember his name) really revived it. May came to the fore from his very first episode with his Bentley 'review'.

    Hopefully Morrison can give the show some real charisma. A likeable nice guy (as James will be) is a far cry from the UK's likeable/amusing asshole (Clarkson). It's just a shame that Cox was just an asshole and not even remotely likeable.
  • gary [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Thank god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    The guy was a complete tosser.
    There is no way he walked without being pushed. SBS would have realised that he was the weakest link and told him to take a hike.
  • Ludwig Heinrich [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I found Cox irritating
    I assume Morrison will not feel obliged to yell at me like some demented fruiterer
    I had stopped watching the show but now I will give it another try
  • Fudge [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Now they just need to get rid of Warren and Steve and they might be halfway to salvaging something of this show. What were they thinking when they picked Charlie, Warren and Steve for the inaugural series of TGA...
  • Andy [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    What's Eric Banna doing? He should be hosting the show since the Hulk he needs to slip back into the lime light..
  • MaxST-R [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Great news!, I remember James Morrison doing some low budget car show in the 90's, he has REAL charisma and is a real car nut, I reckon he will do wonder for TGOZ image. When I saw him in the reasonably priced car segment I said to my wife they should get HIM! Charlie Cox had zero charisma or empathy with the audience IMO.
  • Steve Searle [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    If James hosts the show like he plays all his instruments and entertains and involves the audience with his repeditive but highly effective humour the new Top Gear series will kick ***.
  • Tornado [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    James Morrison may be a consumate performer as a musician, but as a TV show host, I think he'll be as exciting as a 2-hour flugel solo. It seems Top Gear Australia isn't ever likely to possess the politically incorrect edge that makes Top Gear so much fun to watch. It'll be like a party where everything except non-alcoholic punch is served.

    Now could somebody please pass the lamingtons?
    • Tornado [reply]
      1 year ago 0 points
      Ummm... that's meant to read nothing but non-alcoholic punch.
  • petepigottcom [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    James Morrison will be absolutely brilliant!
    cheers Cox for standing down.
  • michael porcu [reply]
    11 months ago 0 points
    hey, what can one say ?
  • michael porcu [reply]
    11 months ago 0 points
    very good, give him time and he will grow into the role. we need enthusiasts as part of the success of the overall program an ratings.
  • Sandra smith [reply]
    10 months ago 0 points
    I am an older lady and I love top gear from england, I watched the first Australian top gear for 2 shows did not like Charlie Cox as host, I am giving the new one an other chance, they are improving and it is getting more entertaining, love Steve, not impressed with the others.
    sandra

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