I'm sure there are other Top Gear fans on here, and this may be old news, but apparently Top Gear USA is actually going to happen.

 

Top Gear USA article on NYTimes blog

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpGxfb-IRns

 

The cast has changed a bit from what was originally announced a couple years ago, and I don't think this show will ever be as amusing as the UK version... Nonetheless, I'll be watching it.

Faust is entertaining and def drives a lot like Tiff but frankly without the cheeky Brit commentary, its not going to have the same allure. TG BBC has jsut the right blend of humor and seriousness that keep the show enjoyable and prevent it from being just another "Autoweek" (:barf:).

Definitely won't be anything like Top Gear, and Faust has never been that great a host IMO.

 

That said, every single episode will be DVR'd and saved until the woman deletes them behind my back.

I need to get the History Channel again.... oy.

I dunno, between the different humor, various US tv show regs, and stuck up US car companies, I can't imagine it being anywhere near as good as the Brit version - I'll still give it a shot though.

 

one problem with that clip - I keep seeing Clarkson, Hammond, and May doing the same review in my head, and it's much better.

 

I also can't see the challenges being anywhere near as good.

Hopefully the USA version can actually tell the difference between a v6 Mustang and a Shelby GT500.

I dunno, between the different humor, various US tv show regs, and stuck up US car companies, I can't imagine it being anywhere near as good as the Brit version - I'll still give it a shot though.

 

one problem with that clip - I keep seeing Clarkson, Hammond, and May doing the same review in my head, and it's much better.

 

I also can't see the challenges being anywhere near as good.

 

I felt the exact same way... Jeremy Clarkson's sarcasm can not be duplicated... This show will be seen for the cheap knock-off it is. 1-1½ seasons tops...

Jeremy Clarkson's sarcasm can not be duplicated...

Absolutely. But, for me at least, it's the interaction between all 3 that makes the show. The 3 of them together have great chemistry, and that's gonna be the hardest thing to duplicate for these 3 new guys. I saw a couple episodes of the Australian Top Gear, and it just wasn't working for me cuz the hosts didn't have good chemistry in my opinion.

I really want to drive one

In case you all missed it, 60 Minutes had a spot last night on Top Gear that was worth watching. I'm not a fan of 60 Minutes but was happy I tuned in for it... Enjoy!

 

60 Minutes: Top Gear's Wild Ride

Caught most of that last night. Was hoping they would mention something about the TG USA edition, but if they did, I missed it.

autoblog.com had some info about the us version last week.

 

They were invited to a taping of the show and liked what they saw.

It's official - http://www.history.com/shows/top-gear

Premieres Sunday, November 21, at 10/9c

I will have to make a note to watch this..

Yea... pretty awful.

wow. What a piece of shit of a show.

 

The hosts are just horrible. 1 is ok, 1 is barely tolerable.. and the fat guy with the beard (in the passenger seat of the viper) is just horribly annoying.

 

I really think they tried to make it tooo much like the original BBC Top Gear, but failed horribly. There is absolutely no humor. (about halfway done watching the show)

wow. What a piece of **** of a show.

 

The hosts are just horrible. 1 is ok, 1 is barely tolerable.. and the fat guy with the beard (in the passenger seat of the viper) is just horribly annoying.

 

I really think they tried to make it tooo much like the original BBC Top Gear, but failed horribly. There is absolutely no humor. (about halfway done watching the show)

 

Yup... pretty terrible.

Ok. Tanner is pretty ok... not bad. reminds me of hammond.

Adam is bearable.

rutledge is just horrible, take him off the screen as fast as you can.

man this show kinda sucked. I had high high hopes. The hosts are not funny at all.

the limeys on the UK top queer gear are funny because nearly all of their lines are unscripted. sure they have their lines when describing the cars or events, but even then it comes out naturally with a comfortable flow. every single word these guys said was scripted, and you can tell. the limes have a good chemistry, and what people dont realize is most of what they go through is prepared behind the scenes. their 'challenges' are usually unknown to them.

 

tanner is a prissy douche and i cant stand him. rutledge is funny. if youve ever seen him on any nascar show, youll see he is genuinely funny and entertaining........when hes off script and working on his own. ferrara is a great comic, but again needs to be off leash and let his personality come through. though i still think adam corolla would have been better, since he seems to have a better improv act then ferrara.

 

i also dont like how its a rivet for rivet copy of the UK show. get our own intro music at least. if you must have a 'stig', then call him something else, with a different firesuit. make it the US top gear, not the uk top gear with 3 americans hosting.

Such potential... wasted.

I have my fingers crossed that it will improve.

 

I'm just glad that there is a car show on tv that does not involve installing big screen tvs in a chevy cavalier.

I have my fingers crossed that it will improve.

 

I'm just glad that there is a car show on tv that does not involve installing big screen tvs in a chevy cavalier.

 

There already are. There's MuscleCar, Xtreme 4x4, Trucks!, HorsePower, Car & Driver, etc. Most are those crappy 30 minute deals on Spike TV on Saturday/Sundays.

I am a big fan of the BBC's Top Gear... wanted to say that right out.

 

I have given the US version a couple of chances and have to agree with everyone here that it is at best a poor imitation of the original. If you watch the US version after you have just viewed the BBC version, you really see how bad it is. I dont think anyone could duplicate the interaction between the hosts, or Jeremy's comments. Here's hoping it improves.

They need to create a contest between the Brit cast and US cast to tie them together. I would suggest if they don't tie the two together in some way (and soon) the US show is toast. By itself it is like a street Rolex, it says It's the real deal but it just feels cheap.

the next episode looks better. they had to get away from the regular car 'testing' and do something stupid and funny. adam has a massive old cadillac doing jumps on a dirt track.

I say just change the cast, or let it die.

 

There is the one guy, the one that reminds me of Hammond, he can actually drive and seems to be a good act. The other two are just horrid on camera, especially the fat guy?

 

On the last episode, the Evo test was pretty cool... the rest... eh.

I actually feel the exact opposite, Maks.

 

I think Foust is the worst of the bunch. Yes, he may be the best driver, but he has the personality of a rock... and, personally, I can only put up with so much drifting. He's taking himself too seriously and needs to learn to loosen up a bit. It's Top Gear for f*ck's sake... not some PBS show.

 

They all need to loosen up a bit. Ferrara, who is a stand up comedian, should, in theory, be a lot funnier than he's coming across on the show. Rutledge ("the fat guy") I didn't know at all before Top Gear, but aside from being a lousy interviewer, he is the least objectionable to me so far.

 

As a whole, the show has been a let down. I'd be surprised if it goes more than one season. I know it takes time for people to gel and get to the point where they can seamlessly work off each other, but at this rate, they're never gonna get there.