Well the American version of Top Gear has already failed

[MauiV]

Originally Posted by Blackout

It's a tight lipped secret but rumor has it that it is F1 driver Julian Bailey

It is also widely believed it is a few different F1 drivers and whomever is free gets to be The Stig that week. Damon Hill and Ben Collins top the list

The original "Black Stig" was F1 driver Perry mcCarthy but was "killed off by producers who were unhappy he revealed his identity.

[AMGoff]

I had already lost interest in this new version once it was released that they would be picking celebrities to present the show. When I heard however that Dan Neil would be the "nuts and bolts" guy, I thought they might have some hope, as Neil is infamous for his sharp tongue... but so much for that now.

It just goes to show how sad this country is sometimes when we can't even get a show like this off the ground properly. Granted, the current format of Top Gear is much more of an entertainment program than anything else, unlike its first iteration.... but when they do actually review a car, they're brutally honest about it (although not always correct.) But the fact remains that you don't go to Top Gear for information... if that's all you're after there are countless other outlets, most notably - Fifth Gear... which is basically nothing but a transplant of old Top Gear.

Unfortunately, American Top Gear just won't work for two reasons... A: it's already been proven it can't fly on network TV... had they gone to something like HBO... or hell, even PBS, that would be a different story... but noooo - we can't piss off our advertisers! And B: Love him or hate him... Clarkson is the meat and potatoes of that show... and it's his chemistry with May (whom I think is the best one out of the lot) and Hammond which makes Top Gear what it is.

Either way... I don't really care because I've got my Top Gear Mondays on BBC America (which I've heard has been gathering solid rating), as well as about 30GBs of TG on my server, so all is well!

Speaking of which... did anyone catch their latest special? Top Gear Ground Force? Not a single car in the entire program but it was amusing as hell! I just can't wait until the summer when the new series starts!

[gary88]

Originally Posted by AMGoff

Speaking of which... did anyone catch their latest special? Top Gear Ground Force? Not a single car in the entire program but it was amusing as hell! I just can't wait until the summer when the new series starts!

I was JUST going to comment about that. What an episode! The things that happened to that poor shed. I don't know where I would be without my fix of Top Gear "fixes".

[hardrockcamaro@mac.c]

Indeed, no-one seriously watches Top Gear for actual car buying advice (at least I hope not!).
The stuff they say is 90-95% for entertainment value only.

And the key to Top Gear is the relationship between the 3 presenters, that's why it works.
Fifth Gear in the UK has tried to copy the format of the show, but it's somehow low budget (with, in comparison, poor photography and editing) and their is no chemistry between the presenters which is unsurprising as they're not very good individually anyway...

[concorso]

Ive noticed lots of you guys watch Top Gear on a couple different networks.

If the network you watch shows an episode thats less then 1 full hour, youre missing out an parts of that episode.

[concorso]

Originally Posted by Murphyg

IE : The Mustang GT was the only super car that was able to get out of the parking garage unassisted LOL

Ford GT...

I know what you meant, but it bothered me.

[HITMONEY]

Originally Posted by Blackout

It's a tight lipped secret but rumor has it that it is F1 driver Julian Bailey

There has been more than one Stig.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stig

[hardrockcamaro@mac.c]

A friend of mine knows the Stig. He came to collect the data logger they manufacture for racing cars. (the one that was used in the crash that Hammond had in the jet car btw).
He won't tell me who he is though...

[Blackout]

Originally Posted by concorso

Ive noticed lots of you guys watch Top Gear on a couple different networks.

If the network you watch shows an episode thats less then 1 full hour, youre missing out an parts of that episode.

Usually when the Top Gear episode is under an hour long it's because they usually edit out the interview they do with the english star and then have them do a lap on the course.

[Blackout]

Originally Posted by concorso

Ford GT...

I know what you meant, but it bothered me.

lmao!

[Murphyg]

Originally Posted by concorso

Ford GT...

I know what you meant, but it bothered me.

After posting had a feeling I messed that up. But had shut down and was on my way out of the house.
Thanx

[Thomas Carey]

I love Top Gear (I watch the actually UK version not the shows that are edited for the North American market. Those hot laps with those brit stars are quite entertaining!)! I never heard of this other program. I have to say I am not shocked. Many times American versions of great British shows pale in comparison or just down right flop.

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

[concorso]

Originally Posted by Thomas Carey

I love Top Gear (I watch the actually UK version not the shows that are edited for the North American market. Those hot laps with those brit stars are quite entertaining!)! I never heard of this other program. I have to say I am not shocked. Many times American versions of great British shows pale in comparison or just down right flop.

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

The most recent example of this is The Office. While I dont find the US version as bad as some people make it out to be, its still a poor version compared to the Original with Ricky Gervais.

[AMGoff]

Who bad mouths The Office? I personally think it's one of the funniest shows on television right now (that and 30 Rock). Plus I think it's unfair to compare it to the original version these days... they've both developed into mature shows in their own right, in that all of the characters have developed great chemistry with one another. Either way, I think the American Office can more than stand on its own merit, regardless of the fact that the premise may have originally came from across the pond.

[Jesda]

The Office rocks! Of course, the original was an original TV series that has now ended. The US version has so far filled three years of content.