Top Gear USA Tonight!

[Triumph]

Finally caught a few episodes of this show, after watching the british version for the last 5-6 years. What the hell is this garbage? Does this show have any redeeming qualities over the British version, considering it is an exact duplicate? "Big star, small car"? are you serious? So couple a show with a complete lack of originality with hosts who are completely devoid of charisma, style, or interest, leaves me with little to no reason to spend any time whatsoever watching this.

I'd say nice try, History Channel, but you really didn't try at all. Thank god I can still watch the originals on BBC America.

 

[GasX]

I thought the $1000 car challenge had some good moments.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Finally caught a few episodes of this show, after watching the british version for the last 5-6 years. What the hell is this garbage? Does this show have any redeeming qualities over the British version, considering it is an exact duplicate? "Big star, small car"? are you serious? So couple a show with a complete lack of originality with hosts who are completely devoid of charisma, style, or interest, leaves me with little to no reason to spend any time whatsoever watching this.

I'd say nice try, History Channel, but you really didn't try at all. Thank god I can still watch the originals on BBC America.

brand new hosts vs. guys with 14+ seasons experience. gee, i wonder who is going to do better?

 

[Triumph]

brand new hosts vs. guys with 14+ seasons experience. gee, i wonder who is going to do better?

you missed the other complaint...the formula.

 

[PricklyPete]

you missed the other complaint...the formula.

It is top gear...what formula were you expecting? Do you want them reviewing tampons and baking pies? C'mon...they weren't trying to re-invent Top Gear...they are just porting it to the USA market. Nonsense complaint in my opinion.

 

[exdeath]

Saw it for the first time tonight, I thought it was funny. Certainly more entertaining than a bunch of snobby Brits driving $150,000 Ferraris and BMWs around a perfect paved track all day and smack talking how they walk all over $15,000 cars (duh!).

 

[Triumph]

It is top gear...what formula were you expecting? Do you want them reviewing tampons and baking pies? C'mon...they weren't trying to re-invent Top Gear...they are just porting it to the USA market. Nonsense complaint in my opinion.

Tampons and baking pies, what are you on about? My complaint is that the show is a carbon copy of the British version. Same stage, same segment length and content, same camera style, same Stig character, same timed laps, same guest portion... It's not even Top Gear with an American spin, which would be somewhat interesting. They put absolutely no effort into it whatsoever to make it different from the British show. So really, what's the point of it? They probably could've saved a few dollars, simply took old British top gears and dubbed American voices over top of Richard, James, and Jeremy. Seems that this would be enough to satisfy most people, because they've only really done a slight bit more than that with this show.

 

[Monster_Munch]

It will probably become more uniquely American over time. A bit like the US version of the Office, it was basically a copy of the Brit version for the first 2 seasons then it got more interesting when they started to deviate from the original and do their own thing.

 

[PricklyPete]

Tampons and baking pies, what are you on about? My complaint is that the show is a carbon copy of the British version. Same stage, same segment length and content, same camera style, same Stig character, same timed laps, same guest portion... It's not even Top Gear with an American spin, which would be somewhat interesting. They put absolutely no effort into it whatsoever to make it different from the British show. So really, what's the point of it? They probably could've saved a few dollars, simply took old British top gears and dubbed American voices over top of Richard, James, and Jeremy. Seems that this would be enough to satisfy most people, because they've only really done a slight bit more than that with this show.

If they came up with a completely different formula, it wouldn't be top gear. They have put an "American spin" on it by testing cars that we have here in the states, by making regular references to nascar, and hiring people from New York, the South, and I assume California (Tanner). They will slowly find their own rhythm, but if they came up with a completely different format, none of the millions of US Top Gear fans would have any way of identifying with the show.

A lot of british shows have been moved to the US with this successful method of copying the British version. The Office, American Idol, etc. BBC is just trying to do the same with Top Gear. I feel your complaint that the show should be completely fresh doesn't make sense...because then it wouldn't be Top Gear. The challenges, car reviews, star in a reasonably priced car, news, etc. is what the show is about.

 

[Pocatello]

My favorite part so far is the flying Caddy, that was awesome and looked very painful.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Ok, Fat guy with a beard. It's like a gay guy trying not to be gay, but having a perfectly manicured beard is gay.

 

[PricklyPete]

Ok, Fat guy with a beard. It's like a gay guy trying not to be gay, but having a perfectly manicured beard is gay.

I agree...it just looks like you're trying to hide your double chin...which is what you're doing with a beard like that.

 

[busydude]

Did anyone watch today's episode? How was it?

 

[Pocatello]

Did anyone watch today's episode? How was it?

I didn't like it compare to last week episode. The Ford F-150 Raptor review was boring. The Mercedes SLS AMG review was also kinda boring also. The paint ball shooting competition between a del Sol and an el Camino at the end was lame, no excitement, not very funny.

 

[slag]

Finally caught a few episodes of this show, after watching the british version for the last 5-6 years. What the hell is this garbage? Does this show have any redeeming qualities over the British version, considering it is an exact duplicate? "Big star, small car"? are you serious? So couple a show with a complete lack of originality with hosts who are completely devoid of charisma, style, or interest, leaves me with little to no reason to spend any time whatsoever watching this.

I'd say nice try, History Channel, but you really didn't try at all. Thank god I can still watch the originals on BBC America.

Ditto.. Steaming pile of doo.. The British version is done so much better.

 

[PricklyPete]

Did anyone watch today's episode? How was it?

It was not as good as last weeks, but I still found it enjoyable enough. I thought Foust did pretty well in the Raptor bit, although it seemed to go a little longer than needed. Awesome truck.

Adam still is the weak point in the show. Seems like a likeable enough guy...but doesn't fit the show correctly. I honestly don't believe he is a real car guy...I think he just got the job because he is a comedian. I would rather have someone who genuinely has a love for cars.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i enjoyed it. i thought the raptor section was great. the SLS segment was just ok - not horrible, but nothing spectacular either. the paintball competition was kinda funny, given their choice of cars. and kid rock posted a fairly impressive time on the celebrity hot lap board (they need to put the stig up as a reference)

 

[punjabiplaya]

everything was good except the paintball part - seemed forced and was way too short

 

[Zap]

Alright, finally posted on the official site so now I can watch it.

Last month's Car & Driver had an article about the Raptor bit.

 

[PricklyPete]

everything was good except the paintball part - seemed forced and was way too short

Yep...paintball bit was a misfire. It had potential when they came out with the modified cars...but the producers didn't think that one through enough. I did like him having to shoot himself in the foot though.

 

[ultimatebob]

I liked the $1,000 car competition... that one was classic Top Gear.

 

[coxmaster]

I liked the $1,000 car competition... that one was classic Top Gear.

I definitely enjoyed tonight's episode a lot too.

Not exactly original, but honestly I dont care. It was very entertaining. God damn Roadmaster. I love that thing

 

[Kaervak]

I have to say, I came into TGUS expecting to hate the show. I was completely wrong. There have been a few moments of meh, but for the most part TGUS is really damn good. Yeah they're copying TGUK on a few things, but there's only so much you can you can do with a car show.

 

[punjabiplaya]

It's getting better with every episode. Roadmaster, lol.

 

[vshah]

cold, cold, cold on the balls...LOL