Patrick liked Top Gear, gently put…I’m not convinced yet (1 Photo and my opinion)

Author: Rick | November 22, 2010 | In: Randomness

So the first episode is done and I will be watching the season. That being said, in my opinion, Top Gear USA has two things going for it. 1. They will have access to coolest cars. 2. Foust knows what he's talking about. He sounds intelligent. There is an important element that I, and others who love the UK version, have to remember: a huge portion of the American population is not familiar with the format of the show. Watching the episode brought many of my fears to the surface. Primarily, they can't rip into a car. So how can this show make it? Show off the great cars and be a good source of specs. Also, don't rehearse a stupid line about Pam Anderson. Instead, say what's on your mind. That's unpredictable and that's how comedy comes about; that's how you make your own version of Top Gear. Good luck History Channel, I really do want the show to be a hit.
Photo source

james hatler

"All we know about him is that he is called the Stig"

What?
Trent Stiel

Show was totally boring in my opinion. It had none of the "snap" that the British version has. The hosts were dull and semi-monotonous, everything was too-rehearsed and planned out (including the Buzz Aldrin interview). Hope the later episodes get better.
Tubesteak

In Australia they have had two attempts at doing Top Gear with 3 different line-ups. It inevitably gets compared to the UK version and flops. You can't recreate Jezza, Hamster and Capt Slow. Best to do your own thing.
http://twitter.com/Dishwater @Dishwater

it felt way to scripted. the only thing I wanted to do while watching the show was reach through the screen and slap that guys beard off. other than that the show was… Given time it might not stink as bad as the first one
scooter

It took the UK 3 versions to get the current line up. The first version was just a review show a la Fifth Gear (Which is where all the original presenters (except Jeremy) went. They've also just employed that Cockroach, Ben Collins). The 2nd Line up was Jeremy, Hamster and some guy who was an expert in getting the best deals. eg second hand cars or telling you what new cars were on promotion, etc. The 3rd and final is the current, and it wasn't until they started doing daft stuff it really got into its element.

All I can say is give your guys a chance, although in America you do seem to have an issue with knocking things, probably the advertising element doesn't help. (eg you can't knock the GM car coz a; you'll upset a large part of your viewers and b; possibly withdraw sponsers! In the UK Top Gear doesn't have that issue as we know most British Cars are crap (exceptions being Sports/Luxury Cars) and it's on a channel equivalent to your PBS, so sponsors are not an issue. Although Jeremy is hated in Birmingham and blamed for the death of Rover. Not their appalling build quality or design, but him pointing it out!)

einsteinonacid

For the record: I'm from Brum and we don't hate Clarkson here any more than he's hated anywhere else
Hitbox

The Expert on 2nd hand cars/1st hand cars was called Quentin Wilson

scooter

No the expert was Jason Dawe.

And Jezza hated all Rovers/British Leyland cars. Thats why James had to get a friend to go and get a test drive, of the CityRover, as they wouldn't let Top Gear near it. They were poorly built and his attitude of the Brummies construction was "It'll do!" (See also QI and papers as well as Top Gear). The only British stuff left is the Luxury/Sports Market. Ford and Vauxhall are US, Mini is BMW, Jaguar/Land Rover are Indian, TVR has gone to Russia, the list is endless. There's only stuff like the Morgan or the Noble or the Aero, so they tend to defend them (except the Morgan which Jeremy thinks is antiquated and Hamster loves so much he has one!)

topgearfan

best one ever imo

jim

i think the first episode was ok. the reason a lot of people will be disappointed is because it will always be compared to top gear uk. and its too serious and not funny to attract the most casual automotive fans.
Jorge

I've only discovered the UK version a week or so ago (thank you netflix!), and already feel like a long time watcher of the program. I always hold out hope for something that I feel is going to bomb, and it's wasn't as bad as seeing AvP in the theater and being incredibly pissed that it didn't live up to its source material. I was only "ok" with what was offered in the premiere. The only thing that really gave me hope was at the last segment of the show is when it felt like they were finally coming out of their shell, and Adam Ferrara finally got to drive a super car, which seemed to have given him a whole new appreciation for cars.

These guys aren't born presenters, but I think if they're given time they might end up pulling it off.

Hopefully.

Rick

…mostly

Head Chef

US adaptations of UK programs always suck, take the Office and Red Dwarf as examples. They will ruin The Inbetweeners as well.

FuckOff

The US version of The Office is much better in my opinion. I've watched both and just find the British version too dry for my taste. It got booted from Adult Swim damn quick as well.

http://twitter.com/MuliusJalema @MuliusJalema

Hey, at least it's not 5th Gear USA.
thetech2

any show that copies a show from the UK will always lack something from the UK and that is the UK sense of humor and that is just an opinion

James

I mostly agree, the only thing I can think of that has done better in the US is The Office. I like UK Office, but he US one has surpassed it in quality. I will give this a chance and try to keep them separate in my mind.

Bennn

They tried to copy the helicopter chase that what worked well in the UK version, but using a Dodge Viper, and loving it, come on car is dated scrap. I will not be watching this show each week, host's are terrible, seems too staged.
dave

Everything sounded scripted and poorly rehearsed. The show has potential but they need confidence. I do think they should dump the big guy. He looked awkward and more in tune to giving video game reviews than performance cars.
Hunter

I was not very impressed until they pulled out the Bulls. That sort of made up for it. It had a few funny moments, I will continue watching, it has some potential. I really do hope they get rid of that whole Stars in a crappy car, worst concept ever..I mean why watch it? its not fast, its not funny, and no chance of seeing a crash or rollover, its just boring and slow….hope it is not a segment they plan on doing often.
Ash

Disappointing… no chemistry between the hosts, lacks the bite of the original, no news, no reviews… maybe we'll see these down the road but a top gear without the controversial opinions just doesn't do it for me. I'll watch a few more but I found myself getting bored as the show went on…
equalizermax

I'd rather watch battle of the supercars…
Jimmy

it was okay, but I really hoped they would do their own thing. But everything from Top Gear UK was basically implemented into this show down to the engine block glass top table. It was nice to see a new Top Gear track, but the famous races aren't going to be as great. Only reason the races won't be as great is because here in America, road laws are a bit too strict to let loose. You could tell that when they were running from the cobra in the viper, they had to either stick to back roads that were easily closed to shoot a few scenes or to a rarely traveled area (the graveyard). I'll definitely keep watching in hopes that it gets better though!
McBeastie

Adam Corrolla was supposed to host a US version of Top Gear and even made a pilot that never saw the light of day. That show I would have watched.

aass

yeh cos i bet hed know alot about toyota corollas!! lOLOLROFL

Coldzilla

OK I can see the Tanner Foust and Rutledge Wood (Nascar) connection to cars but Adam Ferrara?

Maybe he should just stick to "Rescue Me"?

Good luck History Channel but I doubt its gonna fly