Top Gear , sorta

Frank Catena · **Joined:** Wed Aug 27, 2003 1:08 pm **Posts:** 418

Anyone watch the "US" Top Gear last evening?

I couldn't shake this vision I had of Jeremy Clarkson laughing his butt off at the whole thing ...

Frank

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:13 pm

That is past my bedtime. I DVR'd it and will watch it today after after work.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:15 pm

I watched it last night. Obviously there are high expectations based on the original. I'm not fond of the hosts, but maybe they will develop better chemistry after a few shows. I didn't think the 1st episode was great, but I'll give it a few more tries. What else am I gonna watch anyways? Sisterwives with my wife?

Stacy King · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:19 pm

I'm going to finish watching it tonight... but I watched until the fist commercial and I actually enjoyed what I saw.

My expectations were very low, so I was pleasantly surprised that they did not deviate from the formula. Watching the montage of things to come, it looks about as well done as it can be.

The Chemistry will come... IIRC, the chemistry between Clarkson, Hammond, and Capt Slow was pretty awful to start too.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:21 pm

Hopefully when something is crap they will just say it's crap. That's a lot of the appeal of the BBC Top Gear and I'm not sure if it can be exactly replicated in the US do to how advertisements work here.

I didn't have a chance to see last night's show. Work decided to implode on itself instead.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:29 pm

JamesMilko wrote:

Hopefully when something is crap they will just say it's crap. That's a lot of the appeal of the BBC Top Gear and I'm not sure if it can be exactly replicated in the US do to how advertisements work here.

I agree, but their (BBC TG) opinions are still subjective...like everyone elses.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:30 pm

JamesMilko wrote:

Hopefully when something is crap they will just say it's crap. That's a lot of the appeal of the BBC Top Gear and I'm not sure if it can be exactly replicated in the US do to how advertisements work here.

I didn't have a chance to see last night's show. Work decided to implode on itself instead.

The long "sponsored by Mercedes" ad mid-show has kept my expectations low.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:50 pm

I fell asleep midway through but it is on DVD so I can watch the rest. I am not too impressed. So far it seems a little dumbed down and contrived compared to the original. Too much adoring slurpiness over the Viper.

I was concerned when I saw that Rutledge Wood was a host. He was dorky on the NASCRAP stuff he did (of course they are all dorky on that) and he continued to not be funny or clever.

I'll have to see how the rest of the show went.

Stacy King · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:57 pm

I think we as TG fans need to give the show, and the hosts, a chance.

We KNOW it won't be just like the original. Can't be. So quit comparing the two.

But as long as they start with the "feel" of it (which I think they have based on what little I've seen so far)... they'll find their own footing. But it's completely unrealistic to think the show should be immediately comparable to the UK version.

Seriously... if the hosts were three people who were unknown to us with British accents, I don't think you guys would be complaining all that much.

clinehall · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 2:04 pm

I'm giving it a 5, I agree with Mr. Westerfield, what else I'm I going to watch. I was surprised at what a franchise it looked like. Nothing original,couch is from a different car and the audience has better teeth and the Stig looks a litte skinner, but that's it.

I was dissappointed in the Suzuki Swift. I am sure suzuki paid for it but I was expecting a Fiesta or Focus. Buzz Aldrin, while I respect all he has done, appeared to be an old man driving for his wifes groceries. Should have gotten somebody to go balls to the walls.

I as offended during the "segments to come" about a comment they made about an electric blue mini.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 2:38 pm

yes, watched and was mildly entertained, but following in the footsteps of the BBC show is daunting. The start of the show was a little weak but ended up good w/ the Lambo compare. I'll give this a 1/2 year to gel and let the hosts evolve. I'd say there's potential here. Faust stated they have 10 shows to air right now.

Bottom line, it is a show about cars and that can't be all that bad. As long as they don't over hype it, I'll watch it.

Stacy King · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:14 pm

I went home and finished watching it at lunch... and I gotta say... I don't really see much to complain about at all.

I'm looking forward to next week's show!

I think once they get the requisite "explanation" bits over with for the people who aren't familiar with Top Gear, the show will have better flow.

I especially enjoyed Adam's expletives as he's doing the standing mile in the Lambo LOL. That didn't seem forced to me.

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

Honestly, it was better than I expected. They certainly spared no expense and the car segments I thought were all pretty darn good. I don't see much chemistry between the cast members nor much humor and Tanner Faust was kind of annoying. Maybe the chemistry will get better with time, but if they keep making the solid automotive pieces I'll keep watching regardless. I feel there is a snow balls chance that this show will still be on in 5 years though.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 5:12 pm

Stacy King wrote:

I think we as TG fans need to give the show, and the hosts, a chance.

We KNOW it won't be just like the original. Can't be. So quit comparing the two.

But as long as they start with the "feel" of it (which I think they have based on what little I've seen so far)... they'll find their own footing. But it's completely unrealistic to think the show should be immediately comparable to the UK version.

Seriously... if the hosts were three people who were unknown to us with British accents, I don't think you guys would be complaining all that much.

It has the same name, the same format the "same" Stig - and we are not supposed to compare the two?

I saw no chemistry and the hosts were not funny or cute or sarcastic or even mean. I'll see if it improves. Otherwise I'll go back to watching football or doing something.

I agree they should have used a Ford or Chevy econobox. Maybe a Pinto or Vega

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

I agree with other's here. It's got potential but the verdict is still out.

I am not sure if any of the hosts have the "spark" or "humor" I think the show needs to make it a hit. There was a bit of a feel of Saturday morning car show to the whole thing without the edge of the English show. So far it looks like an ok car show but without something to make non-car folks watch it it probably won't survive. We'll see?

I'm wishing them well because like you said, what else you going to watch?

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