American Top Gear

[Vettezuki]

American Top gear is kinda grow'n on me. I especially like Wood, he has some pretty funny moments. I thought it would be total failure, but, while it's got a long way to go to hit the original level, I'm watch'n it.

[AARP]

Yep, same here. All they need is some chemistry for the live bits and original challenges.

[Vettezuki]

Yep, same here. All they need is some chemistry for the live bits and original challenges.

People forget sometimes that TG in its current form took years and years to evolve, with different hosts over time. I think some more chemistry might evolve over some time with these guys. We'll see. But it's not bad for a start. I thought Adam Corolla would have been an obvious guy to get, but he's much more known, and having one "start" might have messed up the equilibrium of these three guys. On a side note, I think Ezra Dyer (Automobile) might be a good future candidate.

So far the skits are pretty much directly derivative of the BBC version, but that's an obviously smart place to start for a variety of reasons. There's a lot of things the guys could do that are way more American, that the BBC guys either couldn't or wouldn't do, for example.

- Dirt track, Midget Car, etc.
- Monster Trucks
- Unlimited Trucks, or anything Baja oriented
- Pike's Peak
- Texas Mile
- Silverstate Classic
- Grass Roots 1/4 Mile
- Week of speed at the Salt Flats
- Americans are WAY more into modifying their own cars; and have a hot rod history the Europeans just read about. Lots of opportunities.

Also, the Europeans are pretty snotty about all the great roads they have (and they certainly do), but they seem to think everything here is just a desert hwy in straight lines. Uh, no. We probably have as many or more miles of great roads as they have in all of Europe.

They should hire me as a consultant.

[DarkestSpade]

All people really wanted was the Original Top Gear to be shown when it was shown in the UK, not 6 months after. Instead History threw together something which is debatable...to say the least, I will never get over the poor cast selection. I would even prefer the myth busters and mike rowe over the clowns they selected. Regardless, I will still flip it on because I love cars but some of the things they say make me cringe. I do agree with you about it needing time and all that but that again goes to my original point how everyone I have talked to just wanted to see the UK version on time.

[Sonic03SVT]

I actually find Wood to be the least impressive of the hosts. Tanner just blows my mind with some of the car control abilities he puts on display during their stunts. It may lack some of the witty banter of the english one, but it has definitely grown on me a bit.

[SoCalC55]

I hate to say it, bit my perception has gone the other way.

After going to one of the tapings it really seemed like it would be a good show; the three presenters got along well in person.

However i find myself quickly becoming bored as hell during the broadcasts. The challenges, while amusing, become dull very fast and I, like spade, find myself watching it only because it is a car program.

I still have hope it will get better...

[kdracer73]

I hate to say it, bit my perception has gone the other way.

After going to one of the tapings it really seemed like it would be a good show; the three presenters got along well in person.

However i find myself quickly becoming bored as hell during the broadcasts. The challenges, while amusing, become dull very fast and I, like spade, find myself watching it only because it is a car program.

I still have hope it will get better...

What he said:uh:

[Vettezuki]

This is all reasonable for people very familiar with the original TG, because it is what it is, an imitation. Imitations can only ever be close to the original . . at best. The current BBC form of TG has been perfected and has BIG BUCK talent. The question becomes, will American TG pick up a completely new American audience, which might be a big part of the reason for doing an American variant. Only time will tell.

[Damian]

The problem people have is that they are expecting th 15 years of experience the the UK version has. Their original episodes were lame, now they are awsome. But the producers do try to hard to make the US version the same as the UK version.

[blackax]

I love the new US top gear....yes it takes a wile to get into it but the last episode sold me on it

[DarkestSpade]

I just find something wrong when my fiance yells at the TV (which she never does btw) "THIS IS STUPID, they already did this on the UK Version" (regarding last weeks episode)

[Vettezuki]

I just find something wrong when my fiance yells at the TV (which she never does btw) "THIS IS STUPID, they already did this on the UK Version" (regarding last weeks episode)

I wonder what their original demographic estimates were. Taking from the original so closely is dumb if they expected a significant carry over from the BBC version, but maybe thought it'd only be %10 or something like that,figuring most die hards wouldn't even bother with the American version. :huh: I have no idea. Pure speculation.

[DarkestSpade]

I was rather proud of her with the statement. But I keep telling her "it will get better" hahaha.

She misses the opening I think more than anything when ever we are about to watch Top Gear she tries her best Jeremy Clarkson impression with "Toniggggght"

[jedhead]

I would think that the History Channel is going for a new audience. Trying win over the UK versions fans would be a futile exercise for them.

Bob

[AARP]

My only major complaint right now is those stupid 'American Pickers' and 'Pawn Stars' ads in the bottom corner every 2 minutes...

[kdracer73]

They cut the" In the News " segment I was in ! Musta been the glare from my head . That is my bald head in the lower center....I never knew I had that many dents in the back of my head !!!
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad94/kdracer73/003.jpg

[Kozak]

Anyone not ready to accept that it took TGUK a few seasons to get into the swing of things needs to watch the "Honda" NSX episode...oh my god that host they had before had the personality of a kumquat. I like Rutledge Wood and Tanner Foust, but I find Adam Ferrara digging too deep for a laugh. Tanner's driving skill and knowledge are assets as are Wood's wit and opposing background. Adam just doesn't bring anything to the table, sometimes I have this nagging suspicion he can't even drive stick, I know that's harsh, I'm just saying.

[Vettezuki]

Looks like they did well enough to renew. Why it's on the History Channel is instead of Speed or even, gasp, Spike, is still a mystery, but no matter.

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2011/02/its-official-top-gear-usa-renewed-for-second-season.html

[Damian]

Good.

[AARP]

Why it's on the History Channel is instead of Speed or even, gasp, Spike, is still a mystery, but no matter.

If you haven't noticed, it's now The Anything but History channel now.

[Damian]

If you haven't noticed, it's now The Anything but History channel now.

Thats the new thing to do now, look at MTV.