Top Gear America
01-20-2009, 09:12 PM
#1
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Top Gear America
I just replied to a thread about "The Stig" and remembered something...
Isn't there going to be an American version of Top Gear airing in the US sometime soon? All I have heard recently is that they HAVE begun filming, but NBC has dropped the show (which means someone else will probably pick it up, hopefully). My source is my dad, so I can't say that this is 100% accurate since it is second-hand information.
Anyone heard anything? I doubt it can ever be as good as the UK version.
I actually became interested in the RX-8 because of Jeremy Clarkson's review of it.
Isn't there going to be an American version of Top Gear airing in the US sometime soon? All I have heard recently is that they HAVE begun filming, but NBC has dropped the show (which means someone else will probably pick it up, hopefully). My source is my dad, so I can't say that this is 100% accurate since it is second-hand information.
Anyone heard anything? I doubt it can ever be as good as the UK version.
I actually became interested in the RX-8 because of Jeremy Clarkson's review of it.
01-20-2009, 10:01 PM
#2
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gear_(U.S._TV_series)
Top Gear is an upcoming motoring television series that was supposed to air on the NBC network but is now being pitched to other cable outlets.[1] It is based on the BBC series with the same name.
Contents
As early as April 2007, the BBC was looking to export Top Gear to the United States.[2] NBC announced, in January 2008, that it had ordered a pilot for a United States version of the popular UK television show Top Gear, called Gear.[3] BBC Worldwide has been contracted to produce the pilot for NBC.[4] According to NBC reality chief Craig Plestis, many automakers have already shown interest in America's version of Top Gear.[5]
Jay Leno, who originally turned down offers to host the show, expressed concern over whether or not a show like Top Gear could be successful in America.[6][7] In a column published by The Sunday Times, Leno expresses concern that an American version could lack the critical reviews the British version is known for.[8] The British show is produced for the BBC with public funds while the American show will air on commercial television. Leno believes that the show may have to worry about offending current and potential sponsors by giving their products poor reviews, leading to a compromise in the journalistic integrity and freedom of the original show.
On June 16, 2008, NBC and BBC officially announced Top Gear.[9][10] On June 19, 2008, Adam Carolla mentioned on his radio talk show that NBC would be allowing the hosts of Top Gear to praise and criticize cars as they saw fit.[11]
The studio segments for the pilot were taped on July 26, 2008 to generally favorable reviews citing close following of the UK version's format.[12]
NBC expected to have Top Gear premiere as a mid-season 2009 replacement[13] but, on December 11, 2008, it was revealed that NBC passed on the show and that the BBC is currently looking at cable networks to pick it up.[1]
Hosts
Along with the official announcement of Top Gear was the announcement of the hosts of the show; Adam Carolla, Tanner Foust, and Eric Stromer.
The show will follow a similar format of the U.K. show. Three main hosts will present, a secret race driver will test vehicles, and celebrities will be invited for interviews and to drive vehicles around a test track.[3] In addition, challenges similar in nature to the ones presented in the U.K. show will be replicated in Top Gear. The "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment features a Kia Rio as the reasonably priced car.
Top Gear is an upcoming motoring television series that was supposed to air on the NBC network but is now being pitched to other cable outlets.[1] It is based on the BBC series with the same name.
Contents
As early as April 2007, the BBC was looking to export Top Gear to the United States.[2] NBC announced, in January 2008, that it had ordered a pilot for a United States version of the popular UK television show Top Gear, called Gear.[3] BBC Worldwide has been contracted to produce the pilot for NBC.[4] According to NBC reality chief Craig Plestis, many automakers have already shown interest in America's version of Top Gear.[5]
Jay Leno, who originally turned down offers to host the show, expressed concern over whether or not a show like Top Gear could be successful in America.[6][7] In a column published by The Sunday Times, Leno expresses concern that an American version could lack the critical reviews the British version is known for.[8] The British show is produced for the BBC with public funds while the American show will air on commercial television. Leno believes that the show may have to worry about offending current and potential sponsors by giving their products poor reviews, leading to a compromise in the journalistic integrity and freedom of the original show.
On June 16, 2008, NBC and BBC officially announced Top Gear.[9][10] On June 19, 2008, Adam Carolla mentioned on his radio talk show that NBC would be allowing the hosts of Top Gear to praise and criticize cars as they saw fit.[11]
The studio segments for the pilot were taped on July 26, 2008 to generally favorable reviews citing close following of the UK version's format.[12]
NBC expected to have Top Gear premiere as a mid-season 2009 replacement[13] but, on December 11, 2008, it was revealed that NBC passed on the show and that the BBC is currently looking at cable networks to pick it up.[1]
Hosts
Along with the official announcement of Top Gear was the announcement of the hosts of the show; Adam Carolla, Tanner Foust, and Eric Stromer.
The show will follow a similar format of the U.K. show. Three main hosts will present, a secret race driver will test vehicles, and celebrities will be invited for interviews and to drive vehicles around a test track.[3] In addition, challenges similar in nature to the ones presented in the U.K. show will be replicated in Top Gear. The "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment features a Kia Rio as the reasonably priced car.
01-21-2009, 08:52 AM
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NBC sucks. American Top Gear can't be any less entertaining then that trash they call Knight Rider. I guess NBC is scared it will offend it's sponsors and I guess Americans would rather watch fat people lose weight during primetime. A channel like Spike or something needs to pick it up. The show will probably never be as good as the real Top Gear but with hosts like Adam Corrola, it has some potential.
01-21-2009, 03:46 PM
#8
Having seen Top Gear Australia, I have low expectations for TG America.
My problem is that it closely follows the UK version and that makes it look like a poor imitation. 2 older guys and 1 younger, same opening music and sequence, and their own Stig. I believe there can be one Stig, otherwise it just cheapens the character.
My problem is that it closely follows the UK version and that makes it look like a poor imitation. 2 older guys and 1 younger, same opening music and sequence, and their own Stig. I believe there can be one Stig, otherwise it just cheapens the character.
01-21-2009, 04:47 PM
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Having seen Top Gear Australia, I have low expectations for TG America.
My problem is that it closely follows the UK version and that makes it look like a poor imitation. 2 older guys and 1 younger, same opening music and sequence, and their own Stig. I believe there can be one Stig, otherwise it just cheapens the character.
My problem is that it closely follows the UK version and that makes it look like a poor imitation. 2 older guys and 1 younger, same opening music and sequence, and their own Stig. I believe there can be one Stig, otherwise it just cheapens the character.
01-21-2009, 05:22 PM
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There has been no news on Top Gear America since the alleged pilot last summer. I seriously doubt it will ever happen but NBC has the option at any time. But I really dont want it to happen, we will probably ruin the show. Enjoy the masterpiece exported from England on BBC America or www.hessmo.com
01-22-2009, 01:26 AM
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Enjoy the masterpiece exported from England on BBC America or www.hessmo.com
But anyways, I agree that this will likely not be as good as the UK version, but we'll see, i guess (i hope). It would be really nice if Jay Leno didhost. In fact the first time I ever heard of the idea "Top Gear America" I thought Jay Leno would make a good candidate.
01-22-2009, 07:43 AM
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Post expired but here it is.....
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/web/960139637.html
My mistake it does not pertain to top gear america.
TopGear.com Intern (Midtown East)
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-12-16, 12:26PM EST
Do you:
-Live in or around New York City?
-Attend a college or university that will give you course credit for an internship?
-Have opposable thumbs?
-Love cars more than you heart your little Sister?
-Install a fiber optic backbone to more quickly torrent new "Top Gear" episodes?
-Fantasize about slaving over TopGear.com minutiae for free while drinking bad coffee? If you answer yes to most of these questions, you might be the right guy/girl for us.
You'd start in January.
Musts:
-Feel confident whipping through the creation and processing of documents and spreadsheets.
-Be able to distinguish a Caterham from a Catera.
-Love fluorescent-lit cube farms.
-Really, really want to be here.
Big Pluses:
-Web publishing experience
-Photoshop, Flash, and video-editing skills
-Be able to distinguish a Lancia Fulvia from a Lancia Flavia.
Deal breakers:
-You'd rather watch that other show with Gear in the title
-You don't have an opinion about the worst car ever made
To apply submit resume to http://www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp
We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-12-16, 12:26PM EST
Do you:
-Live in or around New York City?
-Attend a college or university that will give you course credit for an internship?
-Have opposable thumbs?
-Love cars more than you heart your little Sister?
-Install a fiber optic backbone to more quickly torrent new "Top Gear" episodes?
-Fantasize about slaving over TopGear.com minutiae for free while drinking bad coffee? If you answer yes to most of these questions, you might be the right guy/girl for us.
You'd start in January.
Musts:
-Feel confident whipping through the creation and processing of documents and spreadsheets.
-Be able to distinguish a Caterham from a Catera.
-Love fluorescent-lit cube farms.
-Really, really want to be here.
Big Pluses:
-Web publishing experience
-Photoshop, Flash, and video-editing skills
-Be able to distinguish a Lancia Fulvia from a Lancia Flavia.
Deal breakers:
-You'd rather watch that other show with Gear in the title
-You don't have an opinion about the worst car ever made
To apply submit resume to http://www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp
We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/web/960139637.html
My mistake it does not pertain to top gear america.
01-22-2009, 08:33 AM
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01-22-2009, 05:50 PM
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http://www.finalgear.com/news/catego.../adam-carolla/
Top post. Adam Carolla says that Jeremy isn't funny, because he doesn't come from a comedy background and that he will be funnier
Top post. Adam Carolla says that Jeremy isn't funny, because he doesn't come from a comedy background and that he will be funnier
01-22-2009, 06:22 PM
#17
finalgear is the shizzle, love that site.
While there's no way any version of Top Gear other than the original will be as good as ...er.. the original, I hope they do try and bring it over here, give us a break from "idol" and all the other brainless drivel that has pounded us over the head from the networks the last decade or so.
While there's no way any version of Top Gear other than the original will be as good as ...er.. the original, I hope they do try and bring it over here, give us a break from "idol" and all the other brainless drivel that has pounded us over the head from the networks the last decade or so.
01-21-2011, 01:08 PM
#18
Did you guys see the 9th episode where they buy pickup trucks and go to Alaska?
I laughed my *** off. They desperately tried to prove that old American trucks were as good as an old Toyota Hylux, but completely failed. 2 of the 3 trucks broke down and the 3rd barely made it. The Dodge was a '96, so not even that old.
The funny thing is that I used to work for a landscaping company and we had a Dodge truck and pretty much an identical Ford 250. I can personally attest to how both trucks were ****.
I laughed my *** off. They desperately tried to prove that old American trucks were as good as an old Toyota Hylux, but completely failed. 2 of the 3 trucks broke down and the 3rd barely made it. The Dodge was a '96, so not even that old.
The funny thing is that I used to work for a landscaping company and we had a Dodge truck and pretty much an identical Ford 250. I can personally attest to how both trucks were ****.
01-24-2011, 06:59 PM
#19
every week I try to watch this show and every week I am disgusted in 5 minutes...
I just can't get over how monotone boring the hosts are and they all just seem like they rehearsed the hell out of everything they say or are reading off cur cards.
That in the unimaginative stuff they come up with to do, it is all copies of stuff the UK show did eons ago. Can't they come up with something original?
overall, show is total junk.
I'm convinced it is for redneck tards that wouldn't know a decent show if it came at them like a road kill deer for supper. People like my wife's brother love it, and he is a redneck idiot, and I am not lying about this.
I just can't get over how monotone boring the hosts are and they all just seem like they rehearsed the hell out of everything they say or are reading off cur cards.
That in the unimaginative stuff they come up with to do, it is all copies of stuff the UK show did eons ago. Can't they come up with something original?
overall, show is total junk.
I'm convinced it is for redneck tards that wouldn't know a decent show if it came at them like a road kill deer for supper. People like my wife's brother love it, and he is a redneck idiot, and I am not lying about this.
Last edited by Bigbacon; 01-24-2011 at 07:04 PM.
01-24-2011, 07:13 PM
#20
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I haven't watched it since the 4th or 5th episode. Cast sucks, way too scripted (badly at that) and un-original. I wouldn't mind them copying the original, if the did it well, but they don't. It bothers me that they focus on the "south" so much. Big Bacon is right. It's by redneck tards, for redneck tards. They've barely even reviewed any cars and have driven even fewer on the track. BLAH!
01-24-2011, 07:30 PM
#21
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I haven't watched it since the 4th or 5th episode. Cast sucks, way too scripted (badly at that) and un-original. I wouldn't mind them copying the original, if the did it well, but they don't. It bothers me that they focus on the "south" so much. Big Bacon is right. It's by redneck tards, for redneck tards. They've barely even reviewed any cars and have driven even fewer on the track. BLAH!
01-24-2011, 07:47 PM
#23
wow harsh, go back and watch the first season of Top Gear or the older ones with Tiff, this season wasn't that awful compared to some of that. People seem to like to forget, or just simply overlook that Top Gear UK took a couple of seasons to really flow at all and for the "presenters" to gel, it's not like they hit the scene and everyone was like "omg, this is the bestest show evah!!111", hell, most people didn't even know about them here in the US until right around the 4th or 5th season for that matter. I've watched every episode of the US one with an open mind and being full of excitement that I actually get to see a US version of my favorite show, and it's about cars, and it's in HD and I can dvr it, and even if it's not perfect it's still better than 99.9% of the network bullshit propagated by the "big 3". I'm stoked they might have a season 2, all this show needs is time and maybe someone who is genuinely funny to go with Rutledge and Tanner and it might have a shot.
01-30-2011, 03:12 AM
#24
Super Moderator
I have watch all 9 including the 10th "Best of", and I actually think the guys did a VERY Good Job..I enjoyed it..sure some of the Americanism is strange, just like British or Australian, but I hope it is back for another series...any news about that?
Plus having watched the 1st of Series 16 UK (2011) top gear, I love the show, but I am very disappointed that they don't even talk about "normal" cars, the news is ****...has been for years.
If it ain't German or Italian or British, it just does not get a look in.
Go back and have a look at TGUK 2003.4.5 and even 2006, WAY more car talk, way more variety.
Even though the show rates really well, I wonder if mainstream car makers actually refuse to give them new cars to "review"...think about it, a "bad" review can sink sales.
The exotics could not really care, they are smaller market...those with all the cash don't care about complaints.
Plus having watched the 1st of Series 16 UK (2011) top gear, I love the show, but I am very disappointed that they don't even talk about "normal" cars, the news is ****...has been for years.
If it ain't German or Italian or British, it just does not get a look in.
Go back and have a look at TGUK 2003.4.5 and even 2006, WAY more car talk, way more variety.
Even though the show rates really well, I wonder if mainstream car makers actually refuse to give them new cars to "review"...think about it, a "bad" review can sink sales.
The exotics could not really care, they are smaller market...those with all the cash don't care about complaints.
01-30-2011, 03:21 AM
#25
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At first I thought that the show was not good whatsoever... But, after watching a couple more episodes, I don't think it is actually that bad, its just not as good as UK by a long shot... I think that if there were no Top Gear UK, and I saw the US one, I would think it was a pretty good show. But due to the UK one my standards are too high I think...
And it does have a couple of pretty big problems/annoyances. And the worst one by far is how scripted it seems. It almost feels like they are reading off a teleprompter watching it. Plus they put random jokes in here and there that just aren't that funny, so its left with a sorta awkward silence. They just try too hard to be funny so a lot of the time it winds up looking like a bad comedy skit... And I don't think that their actual reviews of the car are as good as they could be... They usually wind up putting in info about the cars that isn't all that interesting to me, while leaving out some of the info that I would like to see.
But, all that being said, its not as bad as I thought it was at first. Just isn't as good as it has the potential to be.
And it does have a couple of pretty big problems/annoyances. And the worst one by far is how scripted it seems. It almost feels like they are reading off a teleprompter watching it. Plus they put random jokes in here and there that just aren't that funny, so its left with a sorta awkward silence. They just try too hard to be funny so a lot of the time it winds up looking like a bad comedy skit... And I don't think that their actual reviews of the car are as good as they could be... They usually wind up putting in info about the cars that isn't all that interesting to me, while leaving out some of the info that I would like to see.
But, all that being said, its not as bad as I thought it was at first. Just isn't as good as it has the potential to be.
