The One, The Only, TopGear Thread

[Mikey]

So did anyone see first episode of the Americanized version of TopGear?

I feel as tho the American Top Gear is lacking the intelligence and witty character that it's British counter part has been successfully built upon. Clearly the talent pool has been pissed in by the lowest bidder and the over saturation of History channels reality TV fad. I will admit that it seems very difficult to find a suitable American talent that is on par with and comparable to the likes of Clarkson, Hammand and May, but I feel as tho watching last weeks episode was like watching a modern day episode of three stooges, stuffed to the brim with mediocre talent, lackluster dialog, old boring segments, and a high level of commercialization and negative influence from the History network.

Last weeks episode was to put it nicely, a miserable failure. If I wanted to watch a bunch of air heads drive around in a circle while being chased in a helicopter with the show constantly being interrupted with long segments of commercials, I would drop cable and just watch NASCAR. I understand that Topgear USA must be Americanized and modifyed to fit the format for the Histroy channel, but for God sakes the quality is not up to what I would expect from the Top Gear Franchise.

Thanks but no Thanks, Ill just watch the reruns on BBC America.

[hyyyper]

One question: Have you seen the first episode(s) of the UK Top Gear?

That show was really awful when they started it, and the presenters had to get to know each other and build up their relationship.

For a pilot, I tought the show was pretty decent. I am hoping this can come off the ground so they can develop themselves and not be just a copy.

American TopGear?

...Just wow.

[Mikey]

Yes, I have watched the very old episodes of Top Gear, before Hammond and May where onboard and Clackson still had a perm. This version however was worse, I simply fail to see how it will recover.

I love TopGear. I missed the new american one, but I can see how it would lack the British wit. I need to get the extra cable channels back so I can watch it again...

I need to by the Boxed sets of top-gear and watch them all. And american stuff always seems to ruin British stuff for some reason. Three fat guys driving cars and no Captin Slow sayng "Oh Cock" just isn't entertaining.

British TopGear > American TopGear

I think we've established that.

Why is it that all these new tv shows are so blatantly scripted...

[Mikey]

Episode number two, I'm not so sure it was any better. If it where I movie, I would probably ask for my money back.

I saw 15 minutes and it was crap. Ill keep recording the British version with guys who actually love cars and can be in front of a camera.

In a British tone,

It was rubbish.

[gouldy]

To be fair, I haven't seen the American version, but I do know some things about the British one.

Clarkson is an absolute twat of a man who I very much dislike, however, combined with the other two, his general idiocy seems to work somehow to help make a great show. Even though the majority of the stuff that goes on is entirely scripted, and set up, they help to make it feel like it isn't.

Also, in the British version, they are aware of what makes a good car. I can't imagine the same being true for an American version

Still, I'm sure the American version has a lot more money to throw around.

Ive liked Clarkson's take on most of the cars hes driven. His over-the-top humor is needed in a lot of cases to make it that much more entertaining to watch.

James is just as much an idiot but its great because even though they can fumble around and be total doofs, they KNOW cars and at the end, thats what matters.

The best is anytime they're given a challenge to use some old beater car. Listening to them ramble on about it is pure gold.

[Mikey]

Actually, I think the American version has less funding then the UK version. Mainly because History channel wants their cut and to chalk it full of as many advertisements as possible.

[hyyyper]

Just watched episodes nr. 2. The skiing/Lancer Evo race was pretty cool, but the rest of the show seemed to revolve around a blind guy drifting.

And I know it's on the History Channel, but why don't they have a 'news' section?