I saw on TV where Top Gear is going to be on the History Channel :)
No mention of a starting date .
Dolph
it's top gear USA.......::sigh::
Debut's Nov 21st
Top Gear: Donut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=42-N7-HyG8A#normal)
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Dolph >:(
Some things you clearly can't improve
...it'd be like fight club 2
Top Gear Australia was a complete failure. I can see that going the same way.
Quote from: Howley on October 22, 2010, 04:25:16 AM
Top Gear Australia was a complete failure.
Whaddya mean...
was? It continues to be a cringe inducing wannabe. There's only one Jeremy Clarkson - alright.. well possibly two if you include me. Obviously.
At very least they dropped adam corolla as host
...he's like the fran drescher of men
Quote from: Paper5tr3et7 on October 22, 2010, 09:49:26 AM
At very least they dropped adam corolla as host
...he's like the fran drescher of men
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
I can't recall a single English-language remake of something from another country, irrespective of in which direction it crossed an ocean, that was worth a jot. Some are worse than others. Think of John Cleese's Basil Fawlty reincarnated as Bea Arthur. Attempts to make an American Red Dwarf have failed twice. I can't even imagine an American Doctor Who, but I assume someone has seriously considered it more than once.
Top Gear is one such show. Making versions in other languages makes sense, as many of the idioms don't translate. There's a perfectly good English-language version already. An American version would just be sad. Among many other problems, they would never have free reign to criticize cars or manufacturers the way that Top Gear does. It would end up describing every car they tested as simply marvelous in some way.
Quote from: mstevens on October 23, 2010, 07:24:35 PM
I can't recall a single English-language remake of something from another country, irrespective of in which direction it crossed an ocean, that was worth a jot. Some are worse than others.
Lake House was a pretty good remake and flowed a bit better than the original but that's the ONLY remake I can think of that was better.
I read a review from a guy that went to the taping and it said that the show wasn't bad and could be liked by people that don't know the original but it is no copy. There's no way to reproduce the original so think of it as just another car show that happens to have the same name and it's not so bad.
Quote from: mstevens on October 23, 2010, 07:24:35 PM
I can't recall a single English-language remake of something from another country, irrespective of in which direction it crossed an ocean, that was worth a jot. Some are worse than others. Think of John Cleese's Basil Fawlty reincarnated as Bea Arthur. Attempts to make an American Red Dwarf have failed twice. I can't even imagine an American Doctor Who, but I assume someone has seriously considered it more than once.
Top Gear is one such show. Making versions in other languages makes sense, as many of the idioms don't translate. There's a perfectly good English-language version already. An American version would just be sad. Among many other problems, they would never have free reign to criticize cars or manufacturers the way that Top Gear does. It would end up describing every car they tested as simply marvelous in some way.
Wait until TOP GEAR USA brought to you by TOYOTA ::cut back to show:: We're here with the new 2011 prius which is truly amazing in every conceivable way, I recommend not getting the recalls delt with as they just add character.
...i've been silently annoyed by this for like half a year. The Office is the only America remake of a BBC that that has made it, but 1 show out of 20 isnt an amazing percentage rate.
You can't mess with something that has such a loving/obsessive fanbase, Actual gearheads love it and their girlfriends liek it as well as the truly unhinged...its the perfect show
Quote from: Paper5tr3et7 on October 23, 2010, 07:51:32 PMthe truly unhinged
That's my demographic. Cars and trebuchets just naturally go together in my mind.
Quote from: mstevens on October 23, 2010, 07:24:35 PM
<snip>
Among many other problems, they would never have free reign to criticize cars or manufacturers the way that Top Gear does.
</snip>
That's my problem with it. Top Gear (the original) will get a car from a manufacturer to test, feature, beat-on...and if it sucks, they tell it like it is. Here in the States? Oh hell no...
The casting of the original Top Gear was priceless... I *love* those guys... Hamster, Clarkson & May... [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
Quote from: Duck-Stew on October 24, 2010, 05:27:27 PM
The casting of the original Top Gear was priceless... I *love* those guys... Hamster, Clarkson & May... [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
Sorry to be Derby-ish but May isn't an original, he replaced some goose a long while back.
But anyway, Top Gear does not translate with other hosts. [thumbsdown]
I'll give it a go... if only to satisfy a masochistic streak. If it's even half as good as the real one, it'll at least be worth tossing on as background noise when doing something else. But beyond that, I don't have much hope. I'd love to be proven wrong though.
They have been working at doing this version for a long time - originally the courted Leno to be a lead in it. I think that might have been pretty good. But, much to his credit, Leno passed on it becuase he didn't think he could do as good a job as the brits and didn't want to turn out something half assed.
Quote from: yuu on October 25, 2010, 06:07:56 AM
They have been working at doing this version for a long time - originally the courted Leno to be a lead in it. I think that might have been pretty good. But, much to his credit, Leno passed on it becuase he didn't think he could do as good a job as the brits and didn't want to turn out something half assed.
Leno might have been too nice of a guy. I can't image him trashing any car no matter how bad it is.
60 Minutes interviewed the original Top Gear guys and aired it last night. No one will be able to compare.
sneak peak-
(dont watch its dreadful))
Top Gear on HISTORY Sneak Peak -- Riding with the Bulls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpGxfb-IRns&feature=player_embedded#normal)
re- brit shows transplanted to US-
game/reality shows seem to fair better
American Idol
Who wants to be a millionaire
hell's kitchen
dancing with the stars
whose line is it anyway (the only one on this list i would watch :) )
It's not horrendous compared to the other car shows in the US, but compared to its namesake, it is dreadful.
This is just going to be Americanized low brow crap in my opinion, how can you compare to the read thing?
Quote from: ungeheuer on October 22, 2010, 04:36:39 AM
Whaddya mean... was? It continues to be a cringe inducing wannabe. There's only one Jeremy Clarkson - alright.. well possibly two if you include me. Obviously.
I'm trying to pretend it's not on anymore.
Quote from: JEFF_H on October 25, 2010, 09:15:44 AM
sneak peak-
(dont watch its dreadful))
And here I was thinking 'how bad could it be?'
Dreadful is an entirely appropriate description: words like appalling, and abortion also spring to mind.
The show is trying waaaaaaaaay to hard to be like Top Gear UK.
1. The narrator sounds like he is asleep while he was reading an intro penned by Jeremy Clarkson.
2. Ok - here are the cars racing; here is a lizard on the road; cars racing; streetlight!; more cars racing; cars stopped!
3. The track side banter is obviously completely contrived - and is beyond painful. "I have the best car" etc.
[thumbsdown]
Quote from: roy-nexus-6 on October 25, 2010, 11:43:43 PM
And here I was thinking 'how bad could it be?'
Dreadful is an entirely appropriate description: words like appalling, and abortion also spring to mind.
The show is trying waaaaaaaaay to hard to be like Top Gear UK.
1. The narrator sounds like he is asleep while he was reading an intro penned by Jeremy Clarkson.
2. Ok - here are the cars racing; here is a lizard on the road; cars racing; streetlight!; more cars racing; cars stopped!
3. The track side banter is obviously completely contrived - and is beyond painful. "I have the best car" etc.
[thumbsdown]
It's clearly just better with accents
If I was producing this show, I would pack these yahoos off to the corporate office to "hang out" for a few months to capture the vibe. In other news, BBC America aired the Tom Cruise/Cameron Diaz episode last night. Cameron is a potty mouth.
Quote from: roy-nexus-6 on October 25, 2010, 11:43:43 PM
1. The narrator sounds like he is asleep while he was reading an intro penned by Jeremy Clarkson.
2. Ok - here are the cars racing; here is a lizard on the road; cars racing; streetlight!; more cars racing; cars stopped!
3. The track side banter is obviously completely contrived - and is beyond painful. "I have the best car" etc.
[thumbsdown]
4. None of them seem to have any sort of emotional range beyond "Boring white guy". I think they could make a description of Kiera Knightly dipped in honey sound drab...
Quote from: yuu on October 26, 2010, 06:30:11 AM
4. None of them seem to have any sort of emotional range beyond "Boring white guy". I think they could make a description of Kiera Knightly dipped in honey sound drab...
Exactly!
Why not find three guys who:
1. Love cars, and are knowledgeable about such.
2. Love practical jokes.
3. Don't freeze in front of the camera.
And then just let them lose. Let them have fun, and we'll go along for an enjoyable ride. Sheesh, its not rocket science.
Quote from: duccarlos on October 26, 2010, 05:16:48 AM
Cameron is a potty mouth.
and she can drive!
Maybe they should have done what 5th gear did and get a cute chick who can drive her ass off as one of the hosts.
Did anyone catch the BBC TG episode with Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise driving the 'econbox' around the track. [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
There's your threesome Jay Leno, Tom Cruise, and Cameron Diaz ;D ;D
Don't disguise him use John Force (of Funnycar fame) as the "TAME RACE CAR DRIVER". [thumbsup]
Quote from: sno_duc on October 26, 2010, 07:12:25 PM
Did anyone catch the BBC TG episode with Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise driving the 'econbox' around the track. [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
Oh yeah! [thumbsup]
Have to say, Cameron was far from the sexiest thing on the episode.
(http://limitedhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Bugatti_Veyron_Super_Sport_1-660x439.jpg)
okay...if you want a female for the show...who knows cars, or at least understands those things that are mechanical....and can drive....and has a sense of humor....get Zoe Bell....nuff said!
Oh I bet she'd be good... and she's got an accent. [thumbsup]
From jalopnik
screen shot of top gear us set
(http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/12/2010/10/500x_top_gear_first_shot.jpg)
This is america, V8 coffee table or GTFO
looks like a V10
Quote from: yuu on October 27, 2010, 12:50:59 PM
looks like a V10
it's an aston v12
6 holes on this side, six on the other ;D
Quote from: Paper5tr3et7 on October 27, 2010, 12:54:22 PM
it's an aston v12
okay captain smarty pants...name the cars that the seats came out of then....
;) LOL....jess messin wit ya...I couldn't do it either
Quote from: zooom on October 27, 2010, 01:02:35 PM
okay captain smarty pants...name the cars that the seats came out of then....
;) LOL....jess messin wit ya...I couldn't do it either
It's a JEEP wagoneer rear seat ;D
Ungh - sleep deprivation does not help my basic math skills. I think it should be a V10 out of a Viper or summin'. Seems a bit of a cheat to use a V12 out of a British car
As was mentioned in the P-51 thread, nothing says HorsePower [evil] quite like an even dozen pistons, especialy when they're fed by 4 camshafts and 48 valves.
Which was also British...
V12's were the hot ticket back in the day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V12_engine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V12_engine)
QuotePrior to World War II, 12-cylinder engines were found in many luxury models, including cars from Auburn, Cadillac, Packard, Lincoln, Franklin, Rolls-Royce, Pierce-Arrow, and Hispano-Suiza.
Aren't better than half of those cars American. ;D
Well Tanner Faust give 3 reasons why TG USA won't suck...
http://jalopnik.com/5680979/three-reasons-top-gear-usa-wont-suck (http://jalopnik.com/5680979/three-reasons-top-gear-usa-wont-suck)
We'll see.
Quote from: yuu on November 04, 2010, 12:33:47 PM
Well Tanner Faust give 3 reasons why TG USA won't suck...
http://jalopnik.com/5680979/three-reasons-top-gear-usa-wont-suck (http://jalopnik.com/5680979/three-reasons-top-gear-usa-wont-suck)
We'll see.
Meh, he didn't answer that very well imo.
But did anyone click the link in the comments from Jones Foyer? Clarkson: "We have no carbon footprint because we drive everywhere."
Quote from: yuu on November 04, 2010, 12:33:47 PM
Well Tanner Faust give 3 reasons why TG USA won't suck...
http://jalopnik.com/5680979/three-reasons-top-gear-usa-wont-suck (http://jalopnik.com/5680979/three-reasons-top-gear-usa-wont-suck)
We'll see.
Faust gives three reasons it wont suck, while sadly proving it will
Quote from: Paper5tr3et7 on November 04, 2010, 03:50:25 PM
Faust gives three reasons it wont suck, while sadly proving it will
I keep trying to watch that supercar wars show (I can't remember what the show is called, battle of the super cars?) with Faust on speed network. How could a show about competing overpriced over powered cars be that boring?
Quote from: The Architect on November 04, 2010, 04:20:22 PM
I keep trying to watch that supercar wars show (I can't remember what the show is called, battle of the super cars?) with Faust on speed network. How could a show about competing overpriced over powered cars be that boring?
it really is impressive, i'e never been able to watch an entire one
Quote from: Paper5tr3et7 on November 04, 2010, 04:30:37 PM
it really is impressive, i'e never been able to watch an entire one
Let me fill you in on what you missed; this car is so great, this car is awesome, this car is perfect, this car is so great, this car is awesome, this car is perfect, this car is so great, this car is awesome, this car is perfect, this car is so great, this car is awesome, this car is perfect, this car is so great, this car is awesome, this car is perfect, this car is so great, this car is awesome, this car is perfect, this car is so great, this car is awesome, this car is perfect, someone misses a shift and every now and then the two drives try to talk some smack.
Quote from: zooom on October 27, 2010, 01:02:35 PM
okay captain smarty pants...name the cars that the seats came out of then....
;) LOL....jess messin wit ya...I couldn't do it either
seat on the right is a bucket from a mini cooper.
Quote from: corey on November 04, 2010, 06:33:49 PM
seat on the right is a bucket from a mini cooper.
look at that, theres more than one purveyor of useless automotive knowledge in this thread....or smarty pants in this case
;D
So my POS cable provider killed history channel for me at some point. History, G4 and cartoon still all show up the listings on their website, but not on my TV.
So, who was it?
it was acceptable, but not particularly good.
the best comment I saw, it takes all of what top gear is, strips out what makes top gear great, and recycles that into subpar performances from 3 seemingly disconnected hosts.
It's just not the same without a clarkson...they should get one on clarkson island
Sounds like you're with Direct TV.
It was boring and I have more chemistry with my dining table compared with the 3 hosts.
ya know how bacon and sex are both exciting?
this is not like those things
Imo, it wasn't completely worthless.
I think any time you see a copy of something great, the copy suffers in the comparison.
and yes, they do need a Clarkson.
I saw it.
I don't know yet. Those three guys . . .
I don't know. It seemed like they hardly knew each other, like they were somewhat strangers.
My hope is that it improves.
I will continue to watch.
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 22, 2010, 05:56:01 PM
I saw it.
I don't know yet. Those three guys . . .
I don't know. It seemed like they hardly knew each other, like they were somewhat strangers.
My hope is that it improves.
I will continue to watch.
+1
Adam seems like he can be funny but not yet.
Tanner can drive! I didn't know that.
I was surprised that he show was an exact duplicate of the original just without the main characters. I was expecting some sort of change, anything to show some originality.
Quote from: The Architect on November 23, 2010, 04:01:32 AM
<snip>
I was surprised that he show was an exact duplicate of the original just without the main characters. I was expecting some sort of change, anything to show some originality.
Today...
in America? [laugh]
[bang]
Even the Stig was the Stig and he wore all white! Come on. Ar least call him something else; Stink, McLovin, John Doe, Jack Mehoffe, Bob, Him, Thing, It, Driver A, Anti Stig, American Stig, Ken (is in Barbie), Lead Foot, etc..............
ML's right. The presenters seem like strangers. That should get better as the show continues but I'm not sure about the bearded guy. Unless he improves, they may need to make some changes.
I will watch it next week and probably the rest of the season.
Thread jack: Sunday night was a good TV night (even though I fell asleep, good thing for DVR.) Top Gear, Brew Master and Walking Dead. A show about cars, a show about beer and a show about zombies, I'm almost set. All I need now is a show about Bourbon and about Ducati's. What else could a man ask for from television.
Quote from: humorless dp on November 23, 2010, 06:24:07 AM
Today...
in America? [laugh]
I know, when they dig up the Bionic Man I'll seriously consider ebay'ing my TV.
Quote from: The Architect on November 23, 2010, 07:14:49 AM
Thread jack: Sunday night was a good TV night (even though I fell asleep, good thing for DVR.) Top Gear, Brew Master and Walking Dead. A show about cars, a show about beer and a show about zombies, I'm almost set. All I need now is a show about Bourbon and about Ducati's. What else could a man ask for from television.
Skinemax to go hardcore.
Quote from: The Architect on November 23, 2010, 04:01:32 AM
I was surprised that he show was an exact duplicate of the original just without the main characters. I was expecting some sort of change, anything to show some originality.
Funny, that's one of the things I was good with. I was sure they were going to screw with the format , dumb it down, and turn it into just another car show.
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 22, 2010, 05:56:01 PM
I don't know. It seemed like they hardly knew each other, like they were somewhat strangers.
If you go back and watch some of the first few seasons of TGBBC, you'll see the same thing. Matter of fact, if you check out the first season, you'll see that there were cast changes made in the BBC version.
Quote from: duccarlos on November 23, 2010, 07:17:00 AM
Skinemax to go hardcore.
^
I was about to add naked women too
;D
so just to cover 3 important facts
1. produced by
2. written by
3. filmed by
thats right, the britts.
Im not being so critical of the first show im gonna give it the entire season to make up my mind.
I just hope they will talk trash about cars that deserve trash talking and not be stuck behind sponsor red tape.
Did anybody notice that The US stig is a bit on the short side? In the viper he/she IT looked like it was swimming in the seat of the car.
And the TG track kinda sucks, at least re-name tear drop corner. Give it a name of someone who almost rolled over in it.
Quote from: Latinbalar on November 23, 2010, 08:25:40 AM
And the TG track kinda sucks, at least re-name tear drop corner. Give it a name of someone who almost rolled over in it.
Give it some time.
Quote from: duccarlos on November 23, 2010, 07:17:00 AM
Skinemax to go hardcore.
Didn't see that one coming. ;D
I think you could have put 3 other hosts together all speaking different languages and there would be more chemistry between them =(
You know I thought Top Gear was about the cars but I did not realize how important the hosts are when they are driving around those cool cars =)
Man it sucked
who's worse Jason Britten or Tannor Faust there both crappy host's
you can see why Leno bailed
all i can say is thank God for BBC-A
I don't think it can possible get worse and perhaps once they have a season under there belt and get to know each other better maybe they will create some chemistry [thumbsup]
Quote from: Latinbalar on November 23, 2010, 08:25:40 AM
And the TG track kinda sucks, at least re-name tear drop corner. Give it a name of someone who almost rolled over in it.
Well the UK one wasn't always called Gambon.
I did a little time one the interwebs and watched the US episode and some oooold UK episodes. (Big shock here) the old episodes of the UK verson aren't nearly as good as the current ones. They are rougher, chemistry isn't what it is today - But they do have the Clarkson, and Hamster and May are also better than their US counterparts.
Adam could be good - he's got some passion and willingness to express his emotions. Faust is dry white toast in that episode, so it really makes it dull when you're only hearing his voice for the bulk of the episode. I think if he gets some more comfort in front of the camera, loosens up and is a bit more expressive he'll have some potential. I'm not sold yet, but we'll see.
But Rutledge Wood, I'm not sure why he's there.
As far as the content of that first episode... lame. If they were going to copy one of the stunts from the UK series at least make it better... not worse. This was a lamed down rehash of jeremys evo rally chase with the Army.
And the Lambo segment was weeeeeak. A standing mile as the test? Really... For cars sold on their ability to carve a corner at Mach 5, a standing mile is lame. And the little 'mine's better' set piece was lame due to Fausts boring white-guy-ness and Woods lack of believable emotion. The only who sold it at all was Adam. - I did get a laugh out of his "Oh make the beast with two backs!" on launch and 'make the beast with two backs!' with each shift.
So, I'm willing to give it a run. Let them settle in a bit.. though I'm not so sold on the casting apart from Adam.
have not seen it yet. I doubt any of them will compare to the best episode ever when the British trio went to Vietnam. That was simply amazing television beautifully shot, informative,funny ,amazing scenery and in my mind the best television show I have ever seen ever. It was thoroughly beautiful and after all I could say was "make the beast with two backs!" [thumbsup]
Quote from: The Architect on November 23, 2010, 04:01:32 AM
Tanner can drive! I didn't know that.
that's what he does...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanner_Foust (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanner_Foust)
Quote from: yuu on November 26, 2010, 08:00:57 AM
But Rutledge Wood, I'm not sure why he's there.
...to attract the nascar audience.
I watched it last night.
Mr Wood has the personality of a dead fish.
I felt somewhat let down by it.
BGB
It should get better. :)
I hope. :-\
:o Maybe Im getting old and crotchey BUT holy moly drifting around corners like that on a public road that isn''t closed... in the winter?!?!!? And racing through a parking lot? [thumbsdown]
The dry lake bed made me sad for the Aston's paint.
BGB - that Vietnam episode was epic.
I liked it better this week
I agree on the public road thing, and I know there was a car and truck on it but id bet it was closed. Its tv after all.
Didn't care for the Aston piece.
The drifting piece I liked. That blind guy pulled off a hell of an e brake turn :o
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 28, 2010, 08:07:41 PM
Didn't care for the Aston piece.
The whole speedo British liar thing was weird... what car has a speedo that only goes to the top speed of the car? I guess it was just an unfunny joke.
The show wasn't as bad as people made it out to be. The 2nd episod is definitely an improvement over the first. I thought, considering it's a carbon copy and at its frist try, the show (the story segments) was pretty good. Got some really cool shots of cars, in the typical Top Gear fashion. The live segments and interviews though are painful to watch. Interactions between presenters seem un-natural and awkard.
Overall, it's pretty cool. I'd keep watching it.
BTW, below is Tanner's bio on History.com. That explains a lot.
"Tanner's driving career started early when he was fired from his job driving a ski resort bus for drifting across the parking lot."
Who's bright make the beast with two backsing idea was it to take a $180,000 supercar and (with the exception of the Stig's lap) test it exclusively on dirt??
And in the first episode... let's measure up three Lambos with a head to head to head drag race.
Second episode... let's test two Aston Martins with a drag race on a lakebed.
[bang] [bang] [bang]
I'm convinced that, with the exception of Tanner Foust, they don't have a host that can drive worth a damn and that's why everything's in a straight line. [roll]
One thing that has just solidified for me this morning-
On this show the dialog seems scripted.
On the show we love it seems as if they make it up as they go along. Much more natural.
The second episode was better. They should send the other 2 dudes to a driving school somewhere. James May is not considered fast compared to the others, but he can most likely lap these 2 jokers
James May is slow compared to the other two but I believe that is just the part he plays. I'll bet anyone here he is way fast when he wants to be...............
i think the dog said it all
Quote from: Turf on November 29, 2010, 06:27:07 AM
i think the dog said it all
Even that seemed scripted.
+1
Quote from: badgalbetty on November 29, 2010, 05:59:02 AM
James May is slow compared to the other two but I believe that is just the part he plays.
James and Richard ride motorcycles "in real life," and James rides more than Richard. He's also the only one of the hosts who actually owns a Ferrari. I'm sure he's faster than I am.
The US show takes way too much from the
real good original version in some ways, such as "The Stig" (which works for British cultural reasons but not American), stunts, and even phrasing and timing ("You did it in... one... minute and fifty.... two point three seconds!" and "All we know is, he's called 'The Stig'.") that make it feel far too scripted to me. In other ways, they changed things that worked better before, such as "Star in a reasonably-priced car" vs. "Big star, little car."
I do like the little progress meter on the track runs. They should use that on the British version.
Quote from: mstevens on November 29, 2010, 09:33:07 AM
The US show takes way too much from the real good original version in some ways, such as "The Stig" (which works for British cultural reasons but not American), stunts, and even phrasing and timing ("You did it in... one... minute and fifty.... two point three seconds!" and "All we know is, he's called 'The Stig'.") that make it feel far too scripted to me. In other ways, they changed things that worked better before, such as "Star in a reasonably-priced car" vs. "Big star, little car."
I do like the little progress meter on the track runs. They should use that on the British version.
Pretty much nail-on-head for me.
I like the progress meter as well, but they need to drop the surrounding box - eats up too much screen space.
I can't do it. My eyes were bleeding afterwards and I was prematurely left deaf until I walked outside sat on my bike and revved the engine for a couple of minutes. All three hosts have dead BORING personalities and the names they came up with to mirror the UK version as just awful. 'A Big Star in a Small Car,' who came up with that?
Overall, they're just trying way too hard to be funny and the scripted material sucks. They need just need to get drunk and then get on camera and go with the flow. I'm sure Top Gear UK will make fun of them every chance they get. I would.
I'm with ya madduc, I really have no interest in watching another episode
Foust is as exciting as an unopened jar of mayonnaise
(http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/6981/topgearusahostsmayo.jpg)
can't we stop remaking shit and talk to someone who has an original idea
Americans are pretty crap at remaking things others made, great at making things that are pants on head retardedly awesome..so lets go back to that.
::edited as a picture was needed::
Pants on head...
[laugh]
And in a fight UK Stig or any of his inernational cousins kicks the piss out of US Stig
Quote from: MadDuc 20/20 on November 29, 2010, 12:49:58 PM
And in a fight UK Stig or any of his inernational cousins kicks the piss out of US Stig
My money says the American Stig is Tanner Foust.
He certainly could pull it off...
American Stig is a big fat guy in a trailer in Florida...
Not sure who *that* impostor is.
Quote from: yuu on November 29, 2010, 01:01:35 PM
American Stig is a big fat guy in a trailer in Florida...
Not sure who *that* impostor is.
(http://tajracing.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/picture4qf3.2291858_std.png)
This is still like watching your friend in a high school drama production. You hope and hope that they succeed, but it is still undeniably unwatchable.
Knowing that this is a UK production crew working on this show puts it all in perspective for me. I think we were all afraid that they would Americanize out all the things we like about the good version. Instead, they cloned it, warmed it up to room temperature, and made adjustments the British would think we would want.
There should be, at most, one person who can't drive on the show. We have two. One of those shows faint potential of being the comic relief, and the other is much less funny version of Mike Teutul. One slow driver is funny, two is tragic. It is like watching a show about two 13 year-old boys that get to hang out in The Grotto -lucky for them, but it is a pointless waste of talent and resources.
I think the show would seem less awkward if they fluffed the audience a bit. They seem every bit as stiff as the hosts. Let them actually banter, instead of reading bantery lines, and get rid of Rutledge. If they really wanted to appeal to NASCAR fans, get an actual NASCAR driver.
(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z53/b_upton/facepalm/1191457-homer_facepalm_super.jpg)
Got to watch episode 2. What is it with them driving super cars in dirt!? First the lambo in the bull ring then the Aston in a lake bed...
Speaking of that... I skipped the bulk of that segment... pain.
Now seeing a spark of emotion from Faust when driving the Evo and the drift stuff gave me a little hope. Just a little... not much really... But still Wood has got to go.
Quote from: yuu on November 29, 2010, 05:29:21 PM
Got to watch episode 2. What is it with them driving super cars in dirt!? First the lambo in the bull ring then the Aston in a lake bed...
lamborghini in a bull ring... kinda fitting, no?
(http://www.cartype.com/pics/2902/small/lamborghini_frame.jpg)
;D
Quote from: derby on November 29, 2010, 06:10:14 PM
lamborghini in a bull ring... kinda fitting, no?
(http://www.cartype.com/pics/2902/small/lamborghini_frame.jpg)
Oh, I get the way too obvious analogy...so are they going to put a Mustang in a quarter horse ring, fly a Mercedes etc etc? I just thought it was trying too hard :-\ And seeing that car getting all crudded up made me a sad panda
Quote from: Sad Panda on November 29, 2010, 06:21:14 PM
Oh, I get the way too obvious analogy...so are they going to put a Mustang in a quarter horse ring, fly a Mercedes etc etc? I just thought it was trying too hard :-\ And seeing that car getting all crudded up made me a sad panda
Well, BBCTG raced a greyhound (I forget what the car was) on a dog track. I wouldn't put it past TGA to run a Mustang on a horse track. Not very original but then again...
The second episode was better. Yes the dialog is scripted. Yes originality is missing. Yes hosts behave like it's your friends at a high school production. Yes some of the dialog would work in the UK but doesn't really translate to the US.
Give them time. Most of our complaints could have been applied to the first season of the real Top Gear. I only hope our 30 second attention span can wait for them to work things out before they pull the show off the air.
You've got to give them credit where it's due. Drifting with a blind guy?! That's awesome. His seeing eye dog pee's on the stage! [thumbsup]
I also like the progress meter for the track runs. The first season of Real TG not only had the track map but the also has a g-force meter which was cool. But I can see how it could be distracting.
Quote from: The Architect on November 30, 2010, 06:22:37 AM
You've got to give them credit where it's due. Drifting with a blind guy?! That's awesome. His seeing eye dog pee's on the stage! [thumbsup]
Did like that segment. They opened up a bit and were more off the cuff during it, which is where this sort of show seems best. Capping it off with the dog peeing was pretty funny.
Quote from: The Architect on November 30, 2010, 06:22:37 AM
Give them time. Most of our complaints could have been applied to the first season of the real Top Gear. I only hope our 30 second attention span can wait for them to work things out before they pull the show off the air.
I think this is key.
I watched last night's episode, and liked a fair amount of it.....
More crap .....I would rather drive a nail through my eye
I am watching it now. Fifth Gear is better. Top Gear UK is WAYYYY better. Homestly, John Davidson in the cheesy PBS low budget Motorweek is better. As I believe some people have alluded, this seems like a high school homage to Top Gear.
I can't believe they couldn't come up with someone else in the wide world of motorsports other than these guys to host a car show.
The real top gear is good but try watching this episode and any of the other early episodes.
http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-season-1-episode-1-full-episode_380787.htm (http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-season-1-episode-1-full-episode_380787.htm)
They need a show called first gear. One week they compare head to head unrestored american sports cars from the late 70s ($6000 maximum budget per car, no less than 100,000 miles). The next week, each host has to ride shotgun with a brand new 16 year old driver who had a license for less than a month, each in a car that cost less than $10k. They could race stock honda civics, then give them to local kids each with a $3000 budget to make it go faster, then race them again.
I just think there is more opportunity for creativity when you go old and cheap then when you go new and expensive. Plus new and expensive has been done to death.
other ideas off the top of my head:
Off roading with mid '80s domestic luxury sedans! Cadillac vs Lincoln!
Ice racing on Harleys!
Hill climbs in econoboxes (Pikes Peak anyone?)!
Pizza delivery challenge!
Spring break road trip throwdown minivan vs SUV! 4 people per vehicle minimum at least 2 guys and 2 women per vehicle! 26 hour minimum drive and everyone has to drive at least 4 hours.
Hosts who are not all white guys!
Goth Racing: Hoopty Hearses Head to Head!
^
You are the man
Quote from: The Architect on November 30, 2010, 07:27:12 PM
The real top gear is good but try watching this episode and any of the other early episodes.
http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-season-1-episode-1-full-episode_380787.htm (http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-season-1-episode-1-full-episode_380787.htm)
You're right. It's not as horrid as TGA, but I couldn't get through the whole thing. I think is was due to them explaining EVERYTHING. Since it was the first show, the viewers were probably not all that well versed in the auto lingo.
While the first episode of UK Top Gear wasn't as well done as the new ones, the hosts are still so much better. You can tell they are car guys, and they can just blab about cars with enthusiasm.
AND... get those two dudes to driving school ASAP.
Quote from: 77south on December 01, 2010, 09:01:39 AM
A bunch of insightful and creative stuff
Absolutely spot-on.
Quote from: Vindingo on December 01, 2010, 06:16:51 PM
AND... get those two dudes to driving school ASAP.
Just Adam, the bearded guy needs to be the misfit.
just watched the last 14 mins or so of the latest offering. I am done.
Im still in it.
I didn't like the content as much this week buy I did like the dialog more.
I actually laughed a couple of times.
I don't know if what I saw last night was the latest or a re-run (the nascar/bootleg show), but I'm pretty much done. Knew it wouldn't be long into the series before they went nascar (I know I know, it's the American motorsport call to glory). That Rutledge guy is a flipping tool.
Just because they did 1 episode where they mentioned Nascar, even though they never really did anything remotely related to what Nascar is today?
It was painful to watch while they were in the studio, from the stupid banter to the god awful interview, but when they were in the "challenge" it was passable. It even got ome chuckles. I think you just need to remove Tanner's stick from his ass and get rid of the other 2. Bring in Adam Carolla and Jummiy Kimmel and turn it into a car based Man Show with Tanner as the guy that can drive.
Id watch that.
I'm sticking with "give it some time, it'll get better".
Why didn't they run the Mustang around the track?
Because they knew it wasn't going to be that fast?
Quote from: duccarlos on December 06, 2010, 08:18:52 AM
Because they knew it wasn't going to be that fast?
Is Ford one of their advertisers? Or are they looking to not upset the nascar crowd?
I'm bothered that Mercedes is one of their sponsors. Any chance we'll see them bashing a Mercedes?
Once they learn how to drive Mercedes might allow them the use of one of their cars.
So I'm watching the new season. The cast is getting better but they still have a long way to go. The shows budget and production is helping. And it still seems like a knockoff of the original.
I also starting watching The Car Show on Speed. It's almost the complete opposite. The crew work well together but the budget and production is a little lacking.
I seem to be enjoying The Car Show a little more.
I'm still traumatized by the season opener. No way in hell I'm watching that mountain of steaming skunk poo again
[thumbsdown]
I'd managed to forget it existed...but then you revived this thread...and I'm now going to go rock in the corner...
Sorry to dig up an old thread.
There is a part of me that wants these shows to succeed. I want to see people interrested in cars, car design, etc. Cars are such a big part of our lives. If we show more interest and educate the general public maybe the manufacturers will improve their product.
Quote from: The Architect on August 07, 2011, 03:39:16 PM
There is a part of me that wants these shows to succeed. I want to see people interrested in cars, car design, etc. Cars are such a big part of our lives. If we show more interest and educate the general public maybe the manufacturers will improve their product.
I think that'd be awesome, but I just don't see Top Gear (USA), given how tepid/effing painful it is, generating that kind of benefit to society. :-\
I love 77south's ideas [thumbsup] I think that would get people engaged & interested, especially given the economy for the last 3 years.
Quote from: 77south on December 01, 2010, 09:01:39 AM
They need a show called first gear. One week they compare head to head unrestored american sports cars from the late 70s ($6000 maximum budget per car, no less than 100,000 miles). The next week, each host has to ride shotgun with a brand new 16 year old driver who had a license for less than a month, each in a car that cost less than $10k. They could race stock honda civics, then give them to local kids each with a $3000 budget to make it go faster, then race them again.
I just think there is more opportunity for creativity when you go old and cheap then when you go new and expensive. Plus new and expensive has been done to death.
other ideas off the top of my head:
Off roading with mid '80s domestic luxury sedans! Cadillac vs Lincoln!
Ice racing on Harleys!
Hill climbs in econoboxes (Pikes Peak anyone?)!
Pizza delivery challenge!
Spring break road trip throwdown minivan vs SUV! 4 people per vehicle minimum at least 2 guys and 2 women per vehicle! 26 hour minimum drive and everyone has to drive at least 4 hours.
Hosts who are not all white guys!
Goth Racing: Hoopty Hearses Head to Head!
The Car Show is the Man Show with cars added.
Sponsered by TireRack.com, friend them on facebook and follow them on Twitter. (repeat this last sentence every 7 1/2 minutes)
Quote from: Scooter Montgomery on August 08, 2011, 09:51:09 AM
The Car Show is the Man Show with cars added.
+1 So much better than TGUSA.
Im going to have to check out The Car Show now.
US Top Gear is painful, and god knows I have tried to give it a chance. I want it to be a success. I was completely floored when I saw it was back for another season. I will try to get through an episode.
The chemistry and writing on UK Top gear can't be replicated, and the dorks on the US version are just not likeable or natural.
That Tanner jack-hole gets on my nerves ever since the show he was on competing against Paul Tracy, the big guy has about as much charisma as an earplug, and the other bloke is just all wrong.
The Car Show (Man Show), I don't know, the jury is still out, but I am trying.
UK Top Gear new season soon, YES! [bow_down]
The car show is what TGUSA should have been
They do need to lose the basketball player I see no use for him in the show
The ZR1 vs Ferrari 458 track test lost all my respect for their ability to review cars. Watch this clip of the 'Vette....and it's faster than this 458 with aftermarket 22's on it, but you're just going to have to take our word for it.
I'm not saying that stock vs stock wouldn't be the same outcome, just isn't really objective. Regardless, I bet they never get another car from FNA.
Quote from: ute on August 08, 2011, 04:45:39 PM
The car show is what TGUSA should have been
They do need to lose the basketball player I see no use for him in the show
Apparently Carolla was approached originally to host TGUSA but declined.
I am happy with watching old episodes of Top Gear on NetFlix as they are still entertaining even after years and years.
Quote from: Duc Buz on August 08, 2011, 04:33:43 PM
UK Top Gear new season soon, YES! [bow_down]
It's a good one. Just ended about a week ago.
I can't lie, TGUSA started really slow, but I really enjoy it now. Sure the 'Vette vs. 458 was tilted in the 'Vette's favor, but the Vette probably actually is faster, and can you blame them, it is TG "USA".
I personally can't stand Adam Carolla.
I also can't stand Carolla, but he's not overwhelming in The Car Show. IMO it's far better than TGUSA.
Quote from: sugarcrook on August 11, 2011, 10:18:37 PM
I also can't stand Carolla, but he's not overwhelming in The Car Show. IMO it's far better than TGUSA.
I also can't stand Carolla but the team works well together, even the basketball guy.
TGUSA needs some personality and originality.
TGUSA might not be so bad if it was a complete copy of TGUK script. Its like McDonald's opening a new burger place called Ronald's where all the burgers are the same but the buns don't have sesame seeds on them.