Top Gear: USA
polycounter lvl 19
Anyone going to watch this tonight? I've got it set to record and I'm genuinely interested, but cautious. Part of me wants it to be great but another wants to see a massive train wreck, which is what most seem to expect.
I think it's generally going to have a very different feeling, even if they do copy camera shots and "challenge" type events verbatim. There's just no replacement for witty brits and their dry, dry humor.
Not to mention I flat out hate two of the USA hosts. Well okay, I could possibly tolerate the heavy set nascar dude, but the skinny bitch sounds like he's fresh out of 7th grade. His voice is like nails on a chalkboard.
Trying to stay optimistic, but I guess we'll see how it turns out.
I think it's generally going to have a very different feeling, even if they do copy camera shots and "challenge" type events verbatim. There's just no replacement for witty brits and their dry, dry humor.
Not to mention I flat out hate two of the USA hosts. Well okay, I could possibly tolerate the heavy set nascar dude, but the skinny bitch sounds like he's fresh out of 7th grade. His voice is like nails on a chalkboard.
Trying to stay optimistic, but I guess we'll see how it turns out.
Replies
Yeah, I had to set my DVR to record Top Gear at 11pm instead. Damn thing
But...the American Office is way better
I've never going to see the weird euro cars they mess around with.
if you saw the british version, then saw the first three seasons of the american office, they pretty much say the same jokes verbatim, same pranks, same everything, and without that special touch.
if youve never seen the british version, then it would have been great, sure.
Don't worry, we never get to see those cars either. Well, not the good ones.
This
Oh and personally I love top gear but dislike Jeremy Clarkson (although he is amusing at some points) it's just the whole package that makes it fun to watch. Unless they found some decent hosts for it I'm sure it will just be another car program like the countless ones on UK tv trying to emulate.
Can;t imagine it being nearly as good as the original.
History Channel. Hosts are Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara. It's really not the same. Adam is the only one that doesn't bug the shit out of me.
I'm fine with them copying the BBC version, just so we can get new episodes faster, and with American cars. Unfortunately, these hosts are the most bland and boring twats they could have chosen.
Rutledge is a f'n moron, which I already knew from watching him on NASCAR. His attempts at humor are horrible. "WAIT, STOP STOP. Did you guys have lunch yet?" Ohhh, HIIIIiilarious
The other two guys had NO emotion, and their attempts at being funny also fell flat and seemed forced.
The have a stig too... and they have no funny intro for the Stig. They just cut to him.
And, to top things off, they start with a Dodge Viper (cool), but then move right into Lamborghinis. The SAME Lambos that the BBC version just got done covering. I know that new viewers may not have seen the BBC version, but damn, cover something new.
If I watch this show again, it will be by mistake, or an attempt to watch a trainwreck in progress. My wife wants to see them teach the blind man how to drift, so we may watch the next one for that reason only.
What I really hate, is I can see them canceling the show, and never revisiting an American version, rather than realizing they chose the wrong hosts.
That's key right there. I love the BBC version, not because of the cars, spotlights, or challenges, but because of the hosts and their interactions. Crappy host will make a crappy show.
Should have got Mike Rowe.
I'll give it a few more episodes. I'm hoping that the hosts warm up and fall into the roll a bit better as the season rolls on.
It's not just about the chemistry. Even individually, these guys were just BORING. I commented on their Facebook page, that I was glad it was at 10pm... it's at a good time to help me go to sleep.
Its the benchmark no?
I dont think any other country will ever be successful when trying to recreate cult British programs (American Office being the exception to the rule)
The humour doesnt carry so well and sounds false imho...i dunno it just always sounds fake and pushed.
Plus allot of the time things get changed that make the show great.
Take the Red Dwarf USA for example. They changed the music, made Lister buff and cat is a female? what the hell? :P
DIAF!
Seriously, do you call yourself a gearhead at all? "Supposed to be a motoring review program"... go watch fifth gear if your just want to hear drivel about cars and not see people actually enjoying them.
As for Top Gear USA - keep Foust (he's the only one excited to be there), polish the cinematography a bit, treat the viewers like they know WTF Top Gear is, and ditch the fat clueless hipster and the failed comedian in favor of some real car people. Rutledge has his moments, but hardly enough to justify him being there, he's usually just standing around with a clueless look on his face waiting for his queue to say another cheesy one liner. Ferrera.... just wtf, why.
That being said, I will give the show the benefit of the doubt and watch the next few episodes, as car blog writers who've seen future episodes have said it gets better, so we will see...
Your opinion is incorrect.
As someone who doesn't really like Top Gear, I even feel you've undersold the show's merit. I fast forward through the car reviews to get to the challenges. Where else on television can you find people traveling across countries in ancient cars with pieces that fall off, and engines that must be repaired at every turn. Or tight paint-tradin' races between motor-homes and double decker buses. This is the good stuff, this is the reason the show is so popular. Maybe the show sucks at what it used to be, but it changed a lot. If you don't like how it has changed, find another show.
Also, I don't like clarkson either, and hammond has too much energy, I prefer mr. slow.
haha. Ludix is probably one of those people who sends Top Gear mail about how they should focus on real world cars.
If you've ever seen Road & Track Magazine's show, it is very bland and filled with technical details that make it very boring. I like to watch it at times, when there is a domestic car that I want to see details on, but it definitely doesn't have me DVR'ing it. This US show reminded me of the R&T show, but with BAD attempts at adding humor.