US Top Gear may be on the way, sounds like it will suck

goof2 · 04-22-2010, 12:23 PM

http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.co...-history-.html

Official: 'Top Gear' coming to History this fall
It's official: “Top Gear” is crossing the pond.

History is teaming with BBC Worldwide Prods. to launch a U.S. version of the series this fall. The network has made a 10-episode commitment to “Gear,” which showcases all-things automotive — customization, stunts, reviews and auto-centric celebrity interviews.

History’s “Gear” will be hosted by comedian and “Rescue Me” co-star Adam Ferrara, stunt driver Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood. Scott Messick will executive produce.

“The history of the automobile and the history of America are intimately intertwined — to celebrate one is to celebrate the other,” History president and GM Nancy Dubuc said. “We’ll stay true to the original format and add a sense of the American car culture.”

“Top Gear” fits the History brand even better than one might expect. The network’s very first program to air on what was then called the History Channel was called “Automobiles: Corvette.” Car-related content has performed well on the channel, and History had several auto-related pilots in the works when it landed “Gear.”

“We have a ready-made audience for this programming,” Dubuc said. “We can stay true to form on this show and explore the history of cars and driving.”

“Top Gear” premiered in the U.K. in 1977, then relaunched in 2002 as a studio-based format. “Gear” is BBC Two’s most-watched program, and the brand has spun-off a magazine and road tour. NBC came close to doing a Stateside version in 2008.

BBC Worldwide exec vp programming and production Jane Tranter said the U.S. version has the potential to be an even bigger hit than the original.

“It will have a completely different landscape,” she said. “There’s a different relationship with cars in the U.S. and a fascination with customization that’s much greater than in the U.K. There’s the potential for the U.S. ‘Top Gear’ to have even greater traction with an audience.”

The potential business upside for the show is significant as the auto industry is the largest advertiser in the world. Yet Tranter assures that fans need not to worry about heavy-handed product placement and that the show will remain editorially independent.

Producers put considerable effort into casting the U.S. version, trying to find the right mix of hosts who would each bring a unique perspective yet mesh well together.

“We tackled it like a drama series,” Tranter said. “We need to get that balance of chemistry right from the get-go.

pauldun170 · 04-22-2010, 12:29 PM

MTV Rides + Nascar + sponsor supplied talking points = History Channel Top Gear.

The best part (for me) about Top Gear are the assesments of the cars. Not the stupid "stunts".

Dave · 04-22-2010, 12:31 PM

foxy proxy + tor let you gain access to the bbc iplayer which lets you watch top gear when it comes out (on bbc2 i think) and just about any of the new tvs have vga inputs for your proxied laptop. Shitty american versions need not apply

Avatard · 04-22-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauldun170

MTV Rides + Nascar + sponsor supplied talking points = History Channel Top Gear.

The best part (for me) about Top Gear are the assesments of the cars. Not the stupid "stunts".

The humor on the show only works because it's dry, minimalistic Brit humor.

The American version will probably have a laugh track

Sean · 04-22-2010, 12:32 PM

Leno should have let Conan have his show and done Top Gear instead.

goof2 · 04-22-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean

Leno should have let Conan have his show and done Top Gear instead.

Ultimately the problem isn't with the hosts. They could throw anyone in there from the very good to the very bad. It comes down to (as paul mentioned) advertising dollars. If they have to pimp sponsor's shit and aren't allowed to criticize anything the show will be very boring. UK Top Gear doesn't have to deal with this as the BBC is funded by TV licensing fees, not advertising. They can piss off whoever they want because there are no advertisers paying for the show. They can also test whatever they want since they don't have a large sponsor always pushing for a positive test of the new Ford Shitbox LX, Toyota Recall Hybrid, or Chevy No-Resale GT. US Top Gear will not have these luxuries.

Avatard · 04-22-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean

Leno should have let Conan have his show and done Top Gear instead.

Sean, that's exactly what I was thinking.

NBC could have had a fucking coup, but they didn't just jump the shark, they skull fucked it, and left it for dead.

Leno would have been perfect for Top Gear. He's a great fucking car guy who's kinda funny. He's not a funny guy, but he's a good car guy, who's kinda funny.

Perfect.

Conan is funny as shit, and they screwed the pooch sending him (and Triumph) packing. Even Kevin Eubanks fucking bailed. NBC is on the road to being a cable channel on fucking Comcast.

FAIL.

Kaneman · 04-22-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avatard

Sean, that's exactly what I was thinking.

NBC could have had a fucking coup, but they didn't just jump the shark, they skull fucked it, and left it for dead.

Leno would have been perfect for Top Gear. He's a great fucking car guy who's kinda funny. He's not a funny guy, but he's a good car guy, who's kinda funny.

Perfect.

Conan is funny as shit, and they screwed the pooch sending him (and Triumph) packing. Even Kevin Eubanks fucking bailed. NBC is on the road to being a cable channel on fucking Comcast.

FAIL.

I've watched the Tonight Show a couple of times since it came back on and it seems to me like Leno is trying to get fired. The show is so godawfully bad now that it seems to be intentional. I mean, it wasn't hilarious before...don't get me wrong, but this is a new level of suckdom.

Back on topic, US Top Gear is of course going to suck. Everything has to be dumbed down and dramatized so much for the American Market. Kinda like Kitchen Nightmares was.

z06boy · 04-22-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean

Leno should have let Conan have his show and done Top Gear instead.

Probably would have not been a bad idea at all.

Phenix_Rider · 04-22-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean

Leno should have let Conan have his show and done Top Gear instead.

Leno or Stacey David on a US Top Gear would be good stuff. I don't care what Conan does- can't stand him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoomm

And, the disappointment is, they will probably turn it into a build review rather than just a show about vehicles. The mention of customization sticks out. We have enough "make it better" stuff out there.

How soon will Jessie James and the OCC chopper clowns show up? Shall we make a wager?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauldun170

One thing I don't care about is "car culture".
I could give two shits about drifters\lowrider\dragracers\street racer\fart can pimpers\cruisers\.
In otherwords I don't watch car shows to learn about people and all the crap they do with their cars
I watch them to learn about cars.

Exactly- isn't there enough of this crap on Speed (NASCAR network)? I mean, just look at their lineup:Pinks, Low Life, HD bolt ons, Jacked-up, un-Unique Whips, etc., etc.

About the only good shows are Gearz, My Classic Car and Extreme 4x4.

04-22-2010, 12:23 PM	#1
goof2 AMA Supersport Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4,756	US Top Gear may be on the way, sounds like it will suck http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.co...-history-.html Official: 'Top Gear' coming to History this fall It's official: “Top Gear” is crossing the pond. History is teaming with BBC Worldwide Prods. to launch a U.S. version of the series this fall. The network has made a 10-episode commitment to “Gear,” which showcases all-things automotive — customization, stunts, reviews and auto-centric celebrity interviews. History’s “Gear” will be hosted by comedian and “Rescue Me” co-star Adam Ferrara, stunt driver Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood. Scott Messick will executive produce. “The history of the automobile and the history of America are intimately intertwined — to celebrate one is to celebrate the other,” History president and GM Nancy Dubuc said. “We’ll stay true to the original format and add a sense of the American car culture.” “Top Gear” fits the History brand even better than one might expect. The network’s very first program to air on what was then called the History Channel was called “Automobiles: Corvette.” Car-related content has performed well on the channel, and History had several auto-related pilots in the works when it landed “Gear.” “We have a ready-made audience for this programming,” Dubuc said. “We can stay true to form on this show and explore the history of cars and driving.” “Top Gear” premiered in the U.K. in 1977, then relaunched in 2002 as a studio-based format. “Gear” is BBC Two’s most-watched program, and the brand has spun-off a magazine and road tour. NBC came close to doing a Stateside version in 2008. BBC Worldwide exec vp programming and production Jane Tranter said the U.S. version has the potential to be an even bigger hit than the original. “It will have a completely different landscape,” she said. “There’s a different relationship with cars in the U.S. and a fascination with customization that’s much greater than in the U.K. There’s the potential for the U.S. ‘Top Gear’ to have even greater traction with an audience.” The potential business upside for the show is significant as the auto industry is the largest advertiser in the world. Yet Tranter assures that fans need not to worry about heavy-handed product placement and that the show will remain editorially independent. Producers put considerable effort into casting the U.S. version, trying to find the right mix of hosts who would each bring a unique perspective yet mesh well together. “We tackled it like a drama series,” Tranter said. “We need to get that balance of chemistry right from the get-go. Last edited by goof2; 04-22-2010 at 12:28 PM.. Reason: Forgot link to story

04-22-2010, 12:31 PM	#3
Dave Chaotic Neutral Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Moto: GV1200 Madura, Hawk gt Posts: 13,992	foxy proxy + tor let you gain access to the bbc iplayer which lets you watch top gear when it comes out (on bbc2 i think) and just about any of the new tvs have vga inputs for your proxied laptop. Shitty american versions need not apply

04-22-2010, 12:32 PM	#5
Sean giggity Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: socal Moto: street, sumo & dirty Posts: 1,071	Leno should have let Conan have his show and done Top Gear instead.