Top Gear [US]

[Clanwolfer]

No thread? Guess everyone's watching the zombies.

Anyway, the US version of Top Gear is kicking off tonight. So far I'm enjoying it - it's basically a total lift-and-drop of the show into the States with different hosts. I think it's a little too early to judge it based on anything else aside from how well it imitates the UK one - I'm sure it will take a little while for the hosts to get chemistry and for the show to grow in its own direction.

I'm actually super-happy that most of the commercials aren't from car companies. My big worry was that it would be editorially constricted if it was just carmakers sponsoring it.

Test track's not bad - wish we got both of them in Gran Turismo to drive on.  No issue with taking the Stig lock, stock and barrel, though I'm hoping they mythologize him in this one like they do in the original.

And the 'adventure' segments look to be staying pretty good - I loved the Cobra attack helicopter.

So far the only 'down' part of it is that the studio audience kind of sucked the air out of the room - not enough energy! Some people, even in tight shots, obviously not really into it.

[gellar]

I am passing because I cannot watch Tanner Faust without wanting to punch him in the face.

[EngineNo9]

If I had cable I would at least check this out, but frankly none of the hosts are all that likable so I don't have high hopes. 

[Clanwolfer]

I am passing because I cannot watch Tanner Faust without wanting to punch him in the face.

Spoiler for Hiden:

He loses the first challenge to the other two. They do a GREAT job of condescending to him. I agree he's not the most likable host, but as long as he loses every so often...

[lildrgn]

I am about to watch. Jalopnik said by show 3, it hits its stride. I am not a fan of the "in the round" format the UK version does, and I'm sad to see that they're replicating it for us. Off to watch.

[Thin_J]

And the 'adventure' segments look to be staying pretty good - I loved the Cobra attack helicopter.

I found it pretty underwhelming mostly because they used an old, outdated, and slower version of the Cobra and because they used the Viper, which is actually the most oudated (and now discontinued) of all the big nutso sports car models.

Use some new stuff!

Also: Suzuki? Really? The car that like four people in America actually drive?

Yes, I know the UK Top Gear used a Suzuki for a while, but something like a crappy base model Cobalt or an equivalent model of the Focus would have been a far more suitable and recognizable car for the "Celeb in a cheap POS" segment.

[Clanwolfer]

And the 'adventure' segments look to be staying pretty good - I loved the Cobra attack helicopter.

I found it pretty underwhelming mostly because they used an old, outdated, and slower version of the Cobra and because they used the Viper, which is actually the most oudated (and now discontinued) of all the big nutso sports car models.

Use some new stuff!

Also: Suzuki? Really? The car that like four people in America actually drive?

Yes, I know the UK Top Gear used a Suzuki for a while, but something like a crappy base model Cobalt or an equivalent model of the Focus would have been a far more suitable and recognizable car for the "Celeb in a cheap POS" segment.

I think the reasoning there was they actually needed something that all of a dozen people actually drive - they can rag on it all they want and they'd only be pissing off a (small) potential sponsor. This show still needs advertising dollars (and favorable treatment from carmakers) to stay successful.

[Huw the Poo]

Heh, I'd quite like to watch this to see what they've done with it.  In the UK Top Gear is a BBC show, which means it's essentially taxpayer-funded so the hosts can say what they like without having to worry about pissing off sponsors and the like.

No issue with taking the Stig lock, stock and barrel, though I'm hoping they mythologize him in this one like they do in the original.

Sadly, the British Stig decided to unmask himself this last summer.

[EngineNo9]

No issue with taking the Stig lock, stock and barrel, though I'm hoping they mythologize him in this one like they do in the original.

Sadly, the British Stig decided to unmask himself this last summer.

Nah, that was just some twat.  The real Stig is still alive and kicking. 

[cheeba]

It was kinda painful to watch. It was shot in the style of UK Top Gear, but with totally unpolished hosts who didn't seem to have any personality or chemistry whatsoever.

And the Viper might be outdated, but by god that car is fun to drive.

[Razgon]

Heh, I'd quite like to watch this to see what they've done with it.  In the UK Top Gear is a BBC show, which means it's essentially taxpayer-funded so the hosts can say what they like without having to worry about pissing off sponsors and the like.

No issue with taking the Stig lock, stock and barrel, though I'm hoping they mythologize him in this one like they do in the original.

Sadly, the British Stig decided to unmask himself this last summer.

British Top Gear is awesome! I really, really love it, and I dont even care a fig abot cars - Its all about the hosts, the adventures , and the pure joy we can all see the hosts have for cars and motors whenever they talk about it - good stuff

[Huw the Poo]

Same here Raz - I don't give a toss about cars but I never miss Top Gear.  It's one of the funniest shows on TV.

[metallicorphan]

No issue with taking the Stig lock, stock and barrel, though I'm hoping they mythologize him in this one like they do in the original.

Sadly, the British Stig decided to unmask himself this last summer.

yeah but wasn't that Stig something like the third Stig after the Media uncovered the others?

i do enjoy watching Top Gear and i can't even drive,the episode when they were crossing the English Channel in their Amphibious cars was a good laugh

[Thin_J]

And the Viper might be outdated, but by god that car is fun to drive.

I dunno, it just seemed an odd thing to show the now defunct viper against a now defunct helicopter. Where's the new stuff? If they're gonna go nuts they need to go friggin nuts. Do people still care about the Viper? I dunno. Yes it's cool, but it hasn't really been relevant in years.

The UK show probably could have pulled off that bit with those vehicles simply because the hosts are actually funny and have some chemistry.

All of that stuff just feels forced and fake in the American version. Tanner Foust is a tool, the comedian guy needs to get a new day job, and I can't even remember the third guy already and I just watched it last night.

[Zekester]

And the 'adventure' segments look to be staying pretty good - I loved the Cobra attack helicopter.

I found it pretty underwhelming mostly because they used an old, outdated, and slower version of the Cobra and because they used the Viper, which is actually the most oudated (and now discontinued) of all the big nutso sports car models.

Use some new stuff!

Also: Suzuki? Really? The car that like four people in America actually drive?

Yes, I know the UK Top Gear used a Suzuki for a while, but something like a crappy base model Cobalt or an equivalent model of the Focus would have been a far more suitable and recognizable car for the "Celeb in a cheap POS" segment.

I think the reasoning there was they actually needed something that all of a dozen people actually drive - they can rag on it all they want and they'd only be pissing off a (small) potential sponsor. This show still needs advertising dollars (and favorable treatment from carmakers) to stay successful.

More like they needed a car that could take all that repeated beating.

Suzuki mechanicals are bullet-proof in their motorcycles, outboards, and cars.

[Huw the Poo]

yeah but wasn't that Stig something like the third Stig after the Media uncovered the others?

They did, yeah, but the latest one had been Stig for ages.  The media had gained certain evidence he was Stig, but it was stuff that could have been explained away easily enough, for example he runs a company who has invoiced the BBC for professional driving services.  Stuff like that.  The only reason we know for sure it was him was that he said so in his autobiography.  The BBC applied for an injunction to prevent publication as I recall, but it was denied, the book was published, and we all found out that he really was the Stig.

Bit of a shame really - for the last few years I've been saying that whoever the Stig is, he has a fantastic sense of humour.  Remember the show where they all raced him across the country, and he had to take public transport all the way?  He was hilarious!

[spigot]

I thought it was okay, then again it was the very first episode, so I'll give it some time. Ferrara seems like a tool, I have no issue with Foust and Rutledge is looking to be the personable funny one. The celebrity interview and "Big Star, Small Car" segments fell flat. I can't wait to see if they start doing Stig intros in the coming episodes. It'll be interesting to see how crazy their bits get compared to the UK version (which I love).

Still waiting for BBC to be broadcast in HD.....

[cheeba]

Suzuki mechanicals are bullet-proof in their motorcycles, outboards, and cars.

No clue about their motorcycles or outboards, but for cars this is untrue. Suzuki reliability is low.

[Zekester]

Suzuki mechanicals are bullet-proof in their motorcycles, outboards, and cars.

No clue about their motorcycles or outboards, but for cars this is untrue. Suzuki reliability is low.

Not low based on the drivetrain or chassis.

body panels(rust), and maybe some electricals.... this may be true.

[cheeba]

Not low based on the drivetrain or chassis.

body panels(rust), and maybe some electricals.... this may be true.

Where are you getting this data? According to JD Power, Suzuki is at the bottom for Overall Dependability, Powertrain Dependability, Body and Interior Dependability, and Feature and Accessory Dependability. Suzuki sucks and I would bet a dollar they won't be in the American auto market in 3 years.

[SkyLander]

Everything else was kind of crummy, but when they were doing the lambos, I thought there was some stuff there. I'll see where the show goes.

[Zekester]

Not low based on the drivetrain or chassis.

body panels(rust), and maybe some electricals.... this may be true.

Where are you getting this data? According to JD Power, Suzuki is at the bottom for Overall Dependability, Powertrain Dependability, Body and Interior Dependability, and Feature and Accessory Dependability. Suzuki sucks and I would bet a dollar they won't be in the American auto market in 3 years.

I've been in this discussion before, and i'm not getting in to it again. JD Power is far from the end-all of rating vehicle reliabilty. I know what i've owned, I've talked to others that have owned them (who actually beat the shit out of them to know what true reliability is when they have over 100,000 miles already), and I know what i've heard others say about them on forums.

Not to mention, do you really think a car show would pick an unreliable vehicle for doing repeated thrashings, even if it was dirt-cheap? Suzuki cars perform well for their cheap price, and will stand the beatings.

[cheeba]

I've been in this discussion before, and i'm not getting in to it again. JD Power is far from the end-all of rating vehicle reliabilty. I know what i've owned, I've talked to others that have owned them (who actually beat the shit out of them to know what true reliability is when they have over 100,000 miles already), and I know what i've heard others say about them on forums.

Not to mention, do you really think a car show would pick an unreliable vehicle for doing repeated thrashings, even if it was dirt-cheap? Suzuki cars perform well for their cheap price, and will stand the beatings.

Never said they were the "end-all" of rating vehicle reliability. I asked for a single source about Suzuki reliability. You're saying it's anecdotal. Well ok then. And I really don't think the show gives a crap about reliability when it's very likely Suzuki is supplying them with the car.

[Lee]

Zek knows more people who drive Suzuki than JD Powers does. End of argument.

There is a term for this, something about fallacies...

[Zekester]

Ya, cause life experience means nothing on internet forums. It's all about providing the almighty link for proof. if I said a banana was yellow on here, I better make damn sure I can provide at least three links proving that the color really is considered yellow and not some odd shade of brown or green. 

Nice short spelling of my name there too, Le

Never said they were the "end-all" of rating vehicle reliability. I asked for a single source about Suzuki reliability. You're saying it's anecdotal. Well ok then. And I really don't think the show gives a crap about reliability when it's very likely Suzuki is supplying them with the car.

Maybe so.
I wonder if I emailed the show and asked if they would really say the true reason.

[Lee]

Ya, cause life experience means nothing on internet forums. It's all about providing the almighty link for proof. if I said a banana was yellow on here, I better make damn sure I can provide at least three links proving that the color really is considered yellow and not some odd shade of brown or green.

It's that you have a very limited pool of data. JD Powers has a large pool of data. You are making a statement based on a very small amount of data.

How are you an expert? Have you studied it? Why should we take your word for it? Just because you know a couple of people who have said they are great cars, how does that compare with studies of what cars break down the most?

[EngineNo9]

For those interested, you can now download the first episode for free on the PSN Store (as well as the "episode 101" which is just a 4 minute preview).

EDIT: after watching that first episode I can't say I'm fully sold on these hosts, but I think they could do a decent job after they get into the groove.  Not nearly as likable as the British hosts, though.

[disarm]

tonight's episode was a huge improvement over last week...reviews of the Evo and V12 Vantage were both fun, and Dominic Monaghan did an entertaining interview and lap, but the driving challenge blew everything else about the episode away.  i won't spoil anything for those who haven't seen it yet, but the twist put on Tanner Foust when they challenged him to a drifiting competition was awesome.  they still need to work on their chemistry, and everyone still sounds too much like they're reading from a script during the reviews, but tonight has at least shown that they're going to be having plenty of fun with the show.

[Zekester]

I'm still wondering why a US version was even wanted or needed 

[cheeba]

Well it's kinda nice not having hosts who think the only good thing America has contributed to the world is right turning on red lights .

[gellar]

I'm still wondering why a US version was even wanted or needed 

Yeah I have to agree with this.  Why have a 'US' version that is utterly inferior in every single way?  I'd rather more of the Brit version. 

[Chaz]

Well it's kinda nice not having hosts who think the only good thing America has contributed to the world is right turning on red lights .

One of my favorite parts of the British version is watching the hosts stereotype the US like we stereotype everyone else. 

[gellar]

Well it's kinda nice not having hosts who think the only good thing America has contributed to the world is right turning on red lights .

One of my favorite parts of the British version is watching the hosts stereotype the US like we stereotype everyone else. 

Stig's American Cousin was one of the most brilliant things I've seen on TV.

[Clanwolfer]

I'm still wondering why a US version was even wanted or needed 

Yeah I have to agree with this.  Why have a 'US' version that is utterly inferior in every single way?  I'd rather more of the Brit version. 

Well, it's not like they're stopping the original, right? And they're not going to make more of it than they already were.

In my mind, more Top Gear > less Top Gear - I like the effort they're making, I like that it has a US focus, and I don't think it in any way tarnishes the original, even if it isn't as good. I certainly seem to feel like it has more potential than a lot of folks are giving it credit for.

[Soulchilde]

I like the US version.  Its new and I am sure they will work out the kinks

[cheeba]

Saw the latest episode last night. The comedian dude has no business being on that show. He couldn't do a single donut - not even close, and much, much worse: he couldn't even peel out in a goddamn Nissan 350z! What the hell?

[SkyLander]

Saw the latest episode last night. The comedian dude has no business being on that show. He couldn't do a single donut - not even close, and much, much worse: he couldn't even peel out in a goddamn Nissan 350z! What the hell?

The only real car guy on Top Gear UK is James May....

[Huw the Poo]

The only real car guy on Top Gear UK is James May....

Not sure where that came from.  I can't speak for Hammond although he clearly cares about cars, but Clarkson makes semi-regular appearances on shows like QI and when he talks about cars he clearly knows what he's talking about.

[Nonnahob]

The only real car guy on Top Gear UK is James May....

Not sure where that came from.  I can't speak for Hammond although he clearly cares about cars, but Clarkson makes semi-regular appearances on shows like QI and when he talks about cars he clearly knows what he's talking about.

This +1

I've watched the first episode of the US version. It just doesn't entice me like the Brits version does. They're cheeky about American customs and stuff, but they don't do it in a malicious way. It's good fun.

[gellar]

The only real car guy on Top Gear UK is James May....

Not sure where that came from.  I can't speak for Hammond although he clearly cares about cars, but Clarkson makes semi-regular appearances on shows like QI and when he talks about cars he clearly knows what he's talking about.

Clarkson has been writing about cars in various print/online forms since 1984.

Hammond has been hosting car-like shows since the mid 90s, I believe.

I'm not sure what the qualification of a 'car guy' is.  I think I'm a car guy, but my profession is a software development dweeb.