TV: Top Gear (USA)

[wideawakewesley]

NBC has put in a pilot order for an American version of Top Gear.

The original UK version of the show already airs in the United States on BBC America, and an American version of the show has been rumoured for several months.

BBC Worldwide will produce the show in Los Angeles, and plans to film it at a Dunsfold-like location complete with aircraft hangar and race track. The US version will follow the cars, celebrities and wacky challenges format of the UK original but will have its own hosts; it is understood that although BBC Worldwide was keen for the presenting triumvirate of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May to hop the pond and host the US version, Clarkson wanted to focus on the British show.

NBC's Craig Plestis, who oversees reality and alternative programming at the network, said he had long been a fan of Top Gear and added it was "very compelling for us because we have a great platform and space on the network to have such a show".

Maybe this will be what the guys need to finally watch the show.

;)

Wes

[lindqvist]

Maybe this will be what the guys need to finally watch the show.

;)

Wes

Now, I'm not from the US, but I don't see the point in making an American version?!
Won't it just end up being a less good copy of the brilliant original?

[tokenuser]

Now, I'm not from the US, but I don't see the point in making an American version?!
Won't it just end up being a less good copy of the brilliant original?

Hard to say. I would take a guess that filming will probably be down at El Toro (Tustin), it makes sense for its proximity to LA.

Cars? American muscle vs European finese. I can see it working - because it will be popular. Not everyone in the US gets BBCA, or if they do they probably ignore it because it isn't American.

If a US version gets more people watching the original, its a good thing right?

[tnvwboy]

The thing that I can't help feeling is that it's not the cars that makes the show so entertaining. My wife could care less about cars but she enjoys watching the show with me because of the hosts.

I'm not saying they can't find American hosts that will be as entertaining but that will make or break the show.

[lindqvist]

The thing that I can't help feeling is that it's not the cars that makes the show so entertaining. My wife could care less about cars but she enjoys watching the show with me because of the hosts.

I'm not saying they can't find American hosts that will be as entertaining but that will make or break the show.

I agree completely, the hosts absolutely make that show what it is.

That's the main reason why I suspect the "copy" will end up not being as good.



Hard to say. I would take a guess that filming will probably be down at El Toro (Tustin), it makes sense for its proximity to LA.

Cars? American muscle vs European finese. I can see it working - because it will be popular. Not everyone in the US gets BBCA, or if they do they probably ignore it because it isn't American.

If a US version gets more people watching the original, its a good thing right?

I don't really understand the reasoning. To me it would have made much more sense for the BBC to just license the original Top Gear series to some big US TV network, if it only being on BBCA was the actual problem.

Unless of course there is something about the original version that "doesn't work" in the US. (Is it being British such a big problem?)

[tokenuser]

Unless of course there is something about the original version that "doesn't work" in the US. (Is it being British such a big problem?)Most Americans are afraid to admit it, but they are Xenophobic. If its not American its substandard.

The Office? British - remade for US.
Man About the house? British - remade for US as Threes Company
Steptoe and Son? British - remade for US as Sanford and Son
Red Dwarf? British - pilot never got off ground in US.
AbFab? Licenced to the US, but never made (Roseanne Barr had the rights).

Hugh Laurie - British comedian/actor ... using American accent.
Michelle Ryan - British actress ... using American accent, except in the episode where she fakes a British accent.

Plenty of other examples, but those spring to mind.

[kickarse]

If they do it'll suck ass. I just can't think of anyone that'd fit the bill. The only thing I can imagine is MotorTrend TV trying to be cool and comedic at the same time *shudders*.

But who knows. Let's just hope they don't get anyone from NASCAR *puke*.

[guagloves]

Jeremy Clarkson & Stig = Win

No Jeremy Clarkson or Stig = Fail.

Jeremy is half the reason I watch the show in the first place. He makes it so damn entertaining. I love Top Gear challenges when they go to the north pole.

[cabster21]

The jokes will be more for the states as well. Though I think they change one of two things they say already. I doubt the name Ken Livingstone means much to the average American, but Jeremy loves to rip into him for obvious reasons.

[mittop]

I am just not sure this will work. Besides the cool cars, the thing that I most enjoy about Top Gear are the production values and interesting hosts. The Bugatti Veron (sp?) episodes are some of the best I have seen. Can the US version capture the same magic? I just don't think so.

[nextgenxbox]

Just air the UK version on NBC. It's a great show. And NBC could use good shows right about now.

[yssman]

Without Jezza, Hamster and Captian Slow the show just wouldn't be the same... Their attitudes and opinions are what make the show great, and unless NBC has some magic cloning machine to replicated the three of them with American citizenship, I don't think a remake can be done.

...Furthermore, would NBC even be able to throw enough money at the show to make it worthwhile?

====

They already show mostly un-edited shows on BBC America (we're now one season behind the UK), so I don't see why NBC couldn't do much the same. Sure, we don't get exactly the same cars in North America and Europe, but people who care will know what they're talking about, and it won't make a lick of difference.

Give us the real Top Gear guys. It would be that much easier... Or, work on a partnership with the BBC where we can get both the "real" show and do some "American segments" as well. Without Clarkson, there isn't any point...

[bcool]

Without Jezza, Hamster and Captian Slow the show just wouldn't be the same... Their attitudes and opinions are what make the show great, and unless NBC has some magic cloning machine to replicated the three of them with American citizenship, I don't think a remake can be done.


agreed. They even tried it in the UK (with fifth gear) and, in my opinion, failed. The great thing about the Top Gear hosts is that they are real car geeks. I can't imagine NBC doing anything other than hiring botoxed talking heads to fake a clarkson car-gasm.

[tokenuser]

NBC already have one of the biggest gear heads in Los Angeles on its payroll.

Jay Leno would be an awesome "anchor" host like Clarkson. If you only know Leno from late then you miss his columns in Popular Mechanics, and the fact he has one of the most extensive private collections of cars in the US - from steam powered right through to high performance sportscars.

With Leno at the helm the other two hosts need not be big names, but I suspect that to satisfy "diversity on TV" type constraints they will need to have a woman, and a latino/black host as well. Three white boys wont cut it. Unfortunately I think that will be a detriment, because there is a "guys talking crap at the pub" aspect to the show that you only get from clique groups like that.

As for "The Stig" ... it could be any leading driver since anonymity is maintained.

[tnvwboy]

Jay Leno would be an awesome "anchor" host like Clarkson. If you only know Leno from late then you miss his columns in Popular Mechanics, and the fact he has one of the most extensive private collections of cars in the US - from steam powered right through to high performance sportscars.

Wow, I never thought about Leno. You're right though. He could possibly pull it off. But would Leno do that? Would he work two jobs like that?

[bcool]

NBC already have one of the biggest gear heads in Los Angeles on its payroll.

Jay Leno would be an awesome "anchor" host like Clarkson. If you only know Leno from late then you miss his columns in Popular Mechanics, and the fact he has one of the most extensive private collections of cars in the US - from steam powered right through to high performance sportscars.

With Leno at the helm the other two hosts need not be big names, but I suspect that to satisfy "diversity on TV" type constraints they will need to have a woman, and a latino/black host as well. Three white boys wont cut it. Unfortunately I think that will be a detriment, because there is a "guys talking crap at the pub" aspect to the show that you only get from clique groups like that.

As for "The Stig" ... it could be any leading driver since anonymity is maintained.

good point. He'd have to want to do it for fun though, because a show like that wouldn't bring tonight show money.

[tokenuser]

Jay is set for retirement in 2009, with Conan (boooooo*) taking the reins at The Late Show. Top Gear is a weekly show, but its not topical, and it could readily be filmed in batches, especially if it is in the LA area at somewhere like the El Toro facility.




*Sorry - not a fan of Conan.

[thisisdn]

First impression? A huge "ugh..." I'm not keen on this idea at all. Maybe I've been too spoiled by the UK version of Top Gear, but I can't see a US version even being as entertaining as its predecessor. But who knows, I could be wrong. Some US versions are on par with their British counterparts (i.e. The Office and Kitchen Nightmares).

[tnvwboy]

Thinking more about this, why is an American version even needed? Why not just import these shows (I don't mean BBCA)? Rather than NBC creating their own version, just air the UK version and be done with it. It's a great show and if it doesn't take off with the US audience, there is little lost.

[gobias]

I frankly don't want it to happen. Top Gear is easily one of the best shows on television right now but the cars are only a small part of it. What really makes the show is the hosts and British humor.

Let's be honest here, Americans have a terrible sense of humor. All they want are fart jokes.

[tokenuser]

All they want are fart jokes.I saw the "Caravan Holiday" episode of Top Gear ... all Britain want is fart jokes too.

[yssman]

We've been having a bit of an interesting discussion about this over on GTP as well, and then a thought crossed my mind...

What about Tim Allen? Hes a pretty hardcore car guy, and I could see him doing well on the show. Same with Patrick Dempsey (Doctor McDreamy), who is a pretty hardcore racing fan... He even participated in the Baja 1000 this past year. And then there is Jerry Seinfeld, who's love of all things Porsche knows no bounds, and same with Adam Corolla who loves Nissan to death.

Hmmm... There have to be decent hosts out there somewhere...

If they're stuck, I'll be happy to do it!