A reminder that that USA version of Top Gear is on tonight... (SUNDAY)

[Brock Samson]

http://jalopnik.com/5694780/first-drive-top-gear-usa   

first show they wring out a Viper...

[FastbackJon]

I don't know... I saw the previews and it looked lame compared to what they do on the British version like dropping them off in the jungle with a few beaters and making them get to the ocean. Or the time in Vietnam with the big model boat on the back of one of the guys motorcycles... priceless!

[Brock Samson]

 Well, it may take time to get with the "Flow" - UK's T.G has been on for several years now... from the review I read posted above they hit their stride or at least begin to, a few shows in to the series...  Might be fun to watch from the get, No?.. 

[moparstuart]

wasnt as bad as i figured it would be ,  wasnt funny ,  hope it gets alot better  ?

[miller]

Well, it may take time to get with the "Flow" - UK's T.G has been on for several years now... from the review I read posted above they hit their stride or at least begin to, a few shows in to the series...  Might be fun to watch from the get, No?.. 

I agree, even the new uk top gear was not that good for the first couple episodes... it just takes a while to "click."

[Ponch ®]

Awful. Hopes it gets better. I know that the whole point is to stick to the formula that made the UK version so succesful, but they're trying WAY too hard to be like it.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Well, I sat through the first episode...

As far as I'm concerned the show is already cancelled.

I won't be watching episode 2.

Or any episodes after that...

I will, however keep watching the British version on BBCA...

[FLG]

Wasn't as bad as I figured, but not very good.

I'm going to continue to watch, if it gets no better than I simply won't. Gotta give em a fair shakedown first.

[BrianShaughnessy]

Meh...  it was OK. 

But I love the BBC version because it's just so dam funny.     I love dry brit humor ( Monty Python, etc. ) and Clarkson, May and Hammond have a special knack for it.
The other important aspect is the great cinematography of the brit version...    they call their segments films and I think there's a good reason for it.   I also get to learn about the locales and the furrin cars that I know little about.

Meanwhile...  Tanner Faust is sorta like white bread.   I can't even remember the other 2 dudes names.    Granted,  I went in expecting almost nothing to begin with and got what I was expecting.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I liked it....thought it was pretty good

[Aero426]

It was horrible.     

[moparstuart]

It was horrible.     

no humor like the original

[TruckDriver]

Me and my oldest son liked it. Was entertaining, but it wasnt a super great show. I'll keep watching for a while anyway.

[Ponch ®]

It was horrible.    

no humor like the original

In all fairness (or rather, unfairness), we're holding this show to the standard set by the original. If none of us had ever heard of or seen Top Gear UK, we'd all be pretty excited that there's a new car show on TV (and they were doing stuff with Vipers!). However...we have heard of the original Top Gear and have been watching it for almost 5 years now. So we can't help it but watch Top Gear US and be thinking the entire time "Oh look...that guy is trying to be Clarkson, and that guy Hammond" and "Wait...didn't they do this challenge already in the UK show" or "That camera angle is exactly like in the original".

They showed previews for upcoming episodes, and some of the challenges look like exact reenactments of the ones in the UK version...and even some of the goofiness (the hosts crashing into each other's cars, sabotaging each other, pranks, etc) seems a little too contrived.

[Aero426]

The USA version of the show is the answer to a question that nobody asked.

[Brock Samson]

 Fun to see that Viper doing multiple full on reverse lock to locks Burnouts - I want to do that! and the ACR so far has top track time... I wonder how long intill the Chevy Boys have a ZL-1 On there,..
  BTW: I noticed the $100K Viper ACR beat the times of the $200K Lambo, even if only by a couple tenths,.. you gotta admit that's pretty Cool... I'd rather have the Viper then those Italians... 
I'm hoping they get their Act together down the road and maybe even a far more American less cookie cutter approach.
Sometimes these things take a while to develop though. 

[Ponch ®]

 BTW: I noticed the $100K Viper ACR beat the times of the $200K Lambo, even if only by a couple tenths,.. you gotta admit that's pretty cool

And the $200K Lambo beat the $450K Lambo....

[DC_1]

I watch the British version once in a while. It's seems to be well done. Do my fellow Canuks know if this US version is on in Canada?

[Brock Samson]

 I find it curious that the orig. UK production of Top Gear was dissed pretty good on here a few years back, in relation to the Charger segment they did at that time,.. They hate all American cars and such,.. was the argument then and now folks are saying the Brand New First Episode USA Version is "Horrible" and "the answer to a question no one asked".  
One another note I wonder how they came to the conclusion the new Suzuki would be a good car for the interview old guy new car segment or whatever they're,..   sorry,- "there" calling it. Looks pretty top heavy to my eye watching it negotiate the corners.

I find it curious that the orig. UK production of Top Gear was dissed pretty good on here a few years back, in relation to the Charger segment they did at that time,.. They hate all American cars and such,.. was the argument then and now folks are saying the Brand New First Episode USA Version is "Horrible" and "the answer to a question no one asked".  
One another note I wonder how they came to the conclusion the new Suzuki would be a good car for the interview old guy new car segment or whatever they're,..   sorry,- "there" calling it. Looks pretty top heavy to my eye watching it negotiate the corners.

I wanted to add this pic too,..   sorry,..    to,.. this is Neal Armstrong. Though I think the astronauts all owned Vettes,.. as was alluded to in last night's program opener, I remember they used a SIX-PACK '71 Chally as a Chase Car on a runway somewhere, I think that was a NASA Strip.  
This pic shows an R/T with the late Prod. tall Bumper Guards.

[Ponch ®]

One another note I wonder how they came to the conclusion the new Suzuki would be a good car for the interview old guy new car segment or whatever they're,..   sorry,- "there" calling it. Looks pretty top heavy to my eye watching it negotiate the corners.

well, that's kind of the point (and what makes it entertaining).

[Brock Samson]

 I think they should use a Viper myself...
It would be entertaining to see who was the first to git "SnakeBit'... 

[moparstuart]

One another note I wonder how they came to the conclusion the new Suzuki would be a good car for the interview old guy new car segment or whatever they're,..   sorry,- "there" calling it. Looks pretty top heavy to my eye watching it negotiate the corners.

well, that's kind of the point (and what makes it entertaining).

I would bet they got the suzuki free   to use and abuse 

[ChgrSteve67]

Would be great if they had a Fiat 500

[SFRT]

I wish them the best, but they dont have Jeremy Clarkson, and Top Gear's appeal is about 90% Jeremy Clarkson making fun of the midget dude and the old hippy.

My favorite bit was where they did the review of the car where they had it participate in the Royal marines amphibious assault..that was absolutely amazing.

[Brock Samson]

Too bad they didn't recruit Mike Musto aka "Mr. Angry" but I'm sure he's pretty busy anyhow... 

[ChgrSteve67]

With the money I'm sure these guys are getting I think Mr. Angry would be availiable.

Not to mention the cars they get to abuse Mike would probably do the show for free or at a cut rate.

[learical1]

 
I wanted to add this pic too,..   sorry,..    to,.. this is Neal Armstrong. Though I think the astronauts all owned Vettes,.. as was alluded to in last night's program opener, I remember they used a SIX-PACK '71 Chally as a Chase Car on a runway somewhere, I think that was a NASA Strip.  
This pic shows an R/T with the late Prod. tall Bumper Guards.

So, is it possible that this photo was taken before the Apollo 11 moon landing?  Or does the late production tall bumper guards make it impossible for this shot to have occurred before the moon shot?

[bakerhillpins]

With the money I'm sure these guys are getting I think Mr. Angry would be availiable.

Not to mention the cars they get to abuse Mike would probably do the show for free or at a cut rate.

That would be an interesting show. 

I'm watching the 1st episode now on DVR and its ok, but as others have noted they have big shoes to fill.

Can anyone explain why they (whoever they are) keep making US versions of shows rather than just importing the real ones? Is there some sort of secret marketing reason? I don't have BBCA anymore and the loss of TopGear UK is acute.

[Troy]

Ok, so I've had a chance to watch a few episodes now and it's definitely getting better. Some parts are even downright hilarious! It doesn't seem nearly as scripted and the reactions seem genuine.

Troy

[Shakey]

With the money I'm sure these guys are getting I think Mr. Angry would be availiable.

Not to mention the cars they get to abuse Mike would probably do the show for free or at a cut rate.

That would be an interesting show. 

I'm watching the 1st episode now on DVR and its ok, but as others have noted they have big shoes to fill.

Can anyone explain why they (whoever they are) keep making US versions of shows rather than just importing the real ones? Is there some sort of secret marketing reason? I don't have BBCA anymore and the loss of TopGear UK is acute.

Many of the American sitcoms from the '70's were also based on British shows - what they're doing is nothing new, just North Americanizing it for us.

[moparstuart]

Ok, so I've had a chance to watch a few episodes now and it's definitely getting better. Some parts are even downright hilarious! It doesn't seem nearly as scripted and the reactions seem genuine.

Troy

It has gotten somewhat better , if i had not seen the original I may even have liked it .   It still falls short of the mark for me but I am still watching .   

[BrianShaughnessy]

Ok, so I've had a chance to watch a few episodes now and it's definitely getting better. Some parts are even downright hilarious! It doesn't seem nearly as scripted and the reactions seem genuine.

Troy

I saw the Alaska thing last night...  it wasn't as truly horrendous as the first few episodes but I'm sure they had a team of writers feeding these guys lines behind the scenes.

Anyway it wasn't bad...  or it could have been the combination of OTC and prescription meds I'm on.   

[moparstuart]

Ok, so I've had a chance to watch a few episodes now and it's definitely getting better. Some parts are even downright hilarious! It doesn't seem nearly as scripted and the reactions seem genuine.

Troy

I saw the Alaska thing last night...  it wasn't as truly horrendous as the first few episodes but I'm sure they had a team of writers feeding these guys lines behind the scenes.

Anyway it wasn't bad...  or it could have been the combination of OTC and prescription meds I'm on.   

[Landonsrt]

I've watched several episodes now. I still can't get past that deusche bag Adam ferrera..... He can't drive and is the least funny comedian I've ever seen!

[greenpigs]

I've watched several episodes now. I still can't get past that deusche bag Adam ferrera..... He can't drive and is the least funny comedian I've ever seen!

X2

He needs replaced the other two are OK.

I liked the Alaska episode, guess I'm just easily entertained.

[BrianShaughnessy]

Meanwhile,  over at another network....  that specializes in automotive programming.

Adam Carolla and a few friends are working on the pilot of "the Car Show".   One of the co-hosts appears to be Mike / Mr. Angry's friend Matt Farah.

http://autoeclectic.com/bestdamncarshow

[moparstuart]

Meanwhile,  over at another network....  that specializes in automotive programming.

Adam Carolla and a few friends are working on the pilot of "the Car Show".   One of the co-hosts appears to be Mike / Mr. Angry's friend Matt Farah.

http://autoeclectic.com/bestdamncarshow

funnier guys it may work   

[Brock Samson]

 i managed to catch the trucks in alaska segment which was rather amusing,.. i'm thinking if they went with an totally American style as opposed to apeing the Brits it might be a lot more interesting,.. but the guys - least of all adam are not seeming to be typical american motor heads or particuarlly memorable...    i'd nominate the big brother from american chopper i forget his name now.. but i really like his attitude. "Mikey"?.. 

[greenpigs]

Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor                 


Tim Allen............. he is a car guy, its Ford but still & unlike Adam he is funny. 

[Brock Samson]

  ...
  OK: Tim Allen, Mikey and...
   J. Leno... he's funny,.. or at least his chin is...

[greenpigs]

I think Tanner is fine as you need a straight man for the humor to work.

[Landonsrt]

I think Tanner is fine as you need a straight man for the humor to work.

I do like tanner since he can drive.

Bill Goldberg?  At least he's a mopar man....

[bakerhillpins]

Looks like they sprung for a new season. I see my DVR set to record tonight at 9pm on The History Channel.

Says the guys drive big rigs. 

[Ponch ®]

Looks like they sprung for a new season. I see my DVR set to record tonight at 9pm on The History Channel.

Says the guys drive big rigs. 

finally an original idea.

Oh wait..

[bakerhillpins]

finally an original idea.

Oh wait..

Yea, all those original ideas out there on TV these days.   

[moparstuart]

Looks like they sprung for a new season. I see my DVR set to record tonight at 9pm on The History Channel.

Says the guys drive big rigs. 

finally an original idea.

Oh wait..

they should have raced them  , oh wait   

[ChgrSteve67]

Was an entertaining episode.
Pretty obvious it was all staged for TV but definitely funny stuff.
The big rigs bucking shows the true meaning of torque.