Can "Top Gear" make it in America?

[stuartcox]

Being British, I wouldn't like to watch the American version!
Top Gear has been around for 33 years and is well established in the UK.
We have different interests and taste.
You can't just adopt the British format if you want it to work in America.

 

[Wittpilot]

So.... It has been on twice here in the States...

Comments?

I personally think it was what I envisioned it to be... I think Foust is really the only good presenter, followed by Wood, and then I think Adam is just plain horrible..... The show just doesn't have a really comfortable feel yet to it.... I mean, yeah, it's only two episodes in, but everything just doens't gel together real well... I guess it is hard to explain what I mean, maybe you guys feel the same.....

-witt

 

[wiltzei]

The chaps don´t seem to have any major dissimilarities in their personalities, which leads to certain dullness and lack of humour compared to show at the shoal (TG UK) I think. Cinematography is great, though. Especially the Aston section in E02.

 

[djscoo]

I think the poor writing and the host's inexperience is to blame for the awkwardness. I was watching yesterday's episode, and during the Lancer Evo film Tanner says something like "Suddenly, a propane truck...highly explosive, I was doomed". What does a line like that even mean? It's some writer's attempt at creating suspense, but it makes no sense! Highly contrived situations like that aren't necessary, the Original TG at least tries to cover up their staged situations. With the exception of some shaky moving shots, they did do a good job recreating the Top Gear look (a stack of filters, vignetting and a low camera angle ).

 

[Rockster234]

No......No it won't

No I am afraid the current US version will not draw a late 2010 or early 2011 US audience of marketable scale.

I believe ...across the board........must working groups have had thier pocket books scortched............and don't have an appetite for high end gear and a remake at that???

It's not capturing any imagination

 

[strega13]

with the 3 that have been chosen to be the hosts of the american TG , it's not going to work . i have seen toasters with more personality than these 3 combined ( tanner foust has not changed whatsoever since he started hosting supercars exposed ) , there is no form of originality in the challenges or in the show itself ...
i know that remakes of foreign shows or movies are usualy pathetic ( and now they had to remake being human ) but the US TG was by far the worst ( more than likely until they have a US remake of torchwood ).

 

[Wittpilot]

Or worse yet, a US "Doctor Who"!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[TeaSea]

Okay, It sucks....

Good call Wittpilot.

I do like the cinematography. Really excellent actually, something it shares with the UK original....

but the hosts are too contrived, too much alike, trying too hard. No chemistry between them at all.

Bah!

 

[Lionheart]

I heard their head main guy/spokesman/reviewer/star actor talk one time on Americans. He went on to describe us as some unusual, disqusting, inner bread form of race. He continued on and my face actually turned hot. I was embarrassed. I couldnt believe what all things he said about 'Americans'.

I had loved that show, and that guy, up until that moment, and at that moment, I lost all integrity in that show and havent watched it since.

I loved it up until then.

 

[stiz]

you talking about clarkson?? if so you should hear what he says about germans! All in good fun playing up the sterotypes

 

[wombat666]

( more than likely until they have a US remake of torchwood ).

NO!!!!
Perish the thought!!
Look at the botch the American version of 'Ashes to Ashes' turned out to be.

 

[allcott]

I heard their head main guy/spokesman/reviewer/star actor talk one time on Americans. He went on to describe us as some unusual, disqusting, inner bread form of race. He continued on and my face actually turned hot. I was embarrassed. I couldnt believe what all things he said about 'Americans'.

I had loved that show, and that guy, up until that moment, and at that moment, I lost all integrity in that show and havent watched it since.

I loved it up until then.

I think you missed the earlier comments about quintessentially British humour. And the ability to laugh at yourself. You also missed the group dynamic where they actually take the mickey out of each other as well as you Americans - and Germans, Italians, French, Irish, Welsh, Scots, rich people, poor people, fat people, thin people and anyone and anything that crosses their sights. Especially themselves and each other. The only thing the show doesn't have is integrity. It's entertainment, not news reporting!:ernae:

It wears its pretence on its sleeve and if you don't get it, then the show most definitely isn't for you. Many Americans DO get it - Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz certainly did, turning up early and spending all day at the studio. Seasick Steve did and he's only owned one car since 1957, David Soul certainly got it, Christian Slater certainly did too, although he's an honorary Brit these days anyway, Mark Wahlberg was brilliantly funny. And in the last series Andy Garcia and Jeff Goldblum actually took Clarkson on at his own game, and won!

It's a sit-com about three geezers who get together every week to talk cars and take the mickey out of guest stars, in front of a live studio audience. `Internal Combustion Friends` set in a hangar, not a loft.

I am British. I watched one of the ATG episodes. And they've missed the point completely. It should be about the presenters, not the cars, or the flashy camera effects. And certainly NOT about testing out the cars. Are the presenters dead? I've seen lumps of Blu Tak with more life in them.:salute:

 

[Naki]

you talking about clarkson?? if so you should hear what he says about germans! All in good fun playing up the sterotypes

Yes you are right its all part of the show and act.

I've met Clarkson (and Hammond) when I was working back stage on Top Gear Live in Auckland...from first impressions he is a bit of a grump and quite a serious guy (not what you see on air), but at the same time quite laid back (and a chain smoker). He was quite happy to sign one of my Clarkson books. He also made a point of thanking us for our back stage work when he left which was great.

Hammond on the other hand is much like he is on stage...a rather hyper active type.

 

[Quixoticish]

Or worse yet, a US "Doctor Who"!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

To be fair Doctor Who is pretty bloody awful anyway, I don't think a US version could make it any worse than it already is.

 

[Aviator32]

To be fair Doctor Who is pretty bloody awful anyway, I don't think a US version could make it any worse than it already is.

Here, here! It's already a kids program though so at least they could turn it into a cartoon, Scooby Doo style!

(In fact Doctor Who and Scooby Doo would make a good team!)

 

[Wittpilot]

I don't know what it is, but I really enjoy watching Doctor Who. Call me weird.... It is just really entertaining to me... Oh well.. To each their own..>

Im eagerly awaiting the Christmas Special, which oddly enough, will air here in the States on Christmas Day as well!

 

[andersel]

My question is: why?

Why do we need an American version? Isn't the Brit version we already get on BBC-America okay?

I'm with you 100% OBIO, Americans are too uptight.

And the thing about most American humor (other than Andy and Barney Ed) is that our best comedians cannot be so without being vulgar and crass. The Brits have an innate sense of humor, sometimes quite dark, which I like. It's that quintessential part of Brit humor where "nothing is sacred" that attracts me, most Americans cannot deal with that part. I eat it up.

Caz

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