Top Gear North America 1st episode
- Thread starter chiefchad
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costanZo
Enthusiast
I prefer the Original Top Gear on BBC with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. That's what I watch! 
JohnnyViper
Enthusiast
I dont really like the american show, seems to staged
cfiiman
Viper Owner
Yep, Top Gear UK my favorite show bar none, Top Gear USA, "ehhhh", guess it is still about cars and stuff lol.
costanZo
Enthusiast
Nice, I'm glad to hear that. I dunno, I've seen parts of the North American one, it's just not the same. You can't take something great and make it better, they should have just stuck with BBC Top Gear and air it on any regular cable HD Channel. It's my favorite show on TV, that's for sure.
However, I also really like Chasing Classic Cars, Mecum Auction, Overhaullin, What's my car worth, Westcoast Customs
I haven't seen the BBC ones, but my buddy from England told me they were great. I have been thinking about buying the series on DVD. I know this first American one had some "razzle dazzle" that may not appeal to some purists, but we have to remember they want to market this to a wide audience including the younger crowd who are used to the flashiness and "drama" of modern shows. And a little fun never hurt anybody.
cfiiman
Viper Owner
I watch them on streetfire.net, check them out, full episodes
Turns out my high speed internet isn't so high speed
I've got to talk to my internet provider and find out what the deal is......
Roy
Enthusiast
I like the BBC show big time and off course the American version is a rip off from the original...BUT I like it either way, even as a rip off it may be the second best show and I like the fact that they use more American cars, I always miss them in the original show, the Viper has only made 2 appearances in the BBC version that I recall, ferrari or Lambo have made 2000, so that should be better in the American version.
costanZo
Enthusiast
Turns out my high speed internet isn't so high speed
I've got to talk to my internet provider and find out what the deal is......
Depending on what cable provider you have, you can access episodes through On Demand, they get updated all the time as newer episodes air on TV.
costanZo
Enthusiast
Agreed. BBC Top Gear is Legendary
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are possibly some of the greatest hosts to any show on television. They are entertaining, funny, know their stuff about almost any car, along with being really good drivers who can relate to the common driver as well as to the extreme enthusiast. They tell it how it is, along with their personal opinions and do it in the best way possible. I love their show, and although the North American version is trying to gear itself towards the American audience, true fans of the show going way back will always stick to the REAL BBC version, which Top Gear will always be known for.
Asp Man
Enthusiast
I haven't seen the US version, but it would be hard to top the British version in that department!
Hamond, Clarkson and May have thier clever moments, but come on...Top Gear (UK) is the stagiest, campiest most "put-on" show on earth!
Ratical2
Enthusiast
I agree with you guys. I watched the 1st episode of the US version. I loved the cars but the host just don't measure up to the UK bunch. It was fun to watch Tanner play with the Viper. Tanner is the only one of the three that is acceptable but not extraordinary at his hosting role. The other 2 were just plain boring to watch and listen to. There is no chemistry between them.
The UK guys keep me laughing with the constant bantering...a hard act to follow indeed.
The UK guys keep me laughing with the constant bantering...a hard act to follow indeed.
Kevan
Enthusiast
Did I just enter a rip in the time/space continuum?
Isn't this subject about 8 months old?
REAL fans of TopGear will remember the first couple of seasons where Jer, Capt. Slow, and the Hamster had almost no chemistry.
No one's trying to copy anything. It's the same company doing both the UK and US version (and AUS version).
Think of it as a Voodoo, a 1:33 and an ACR; all Vipers, but each a little different.
Isn't this subject about 8 months old?
REAL fans of TopGear will remember the first couple of seasons where Jer, Capt. Slow, and the Hamster had almost no chemistry.
No one's trying to copy anything. It's the same company doing both the UK and US version (and AUS version).
Think of it as a Voodoo, a 1:33 and an ACR; all Vipers, but each a little different.
RobZilla
Enthusiast
The US version is a joke. The lines are scripted, the so called comedian stinks, and the challenges are *** as they come.
I DVR'd the first few episodes then couldn't take it anymore.
I DVR'd the first few episodes then couldn't take it anymore.
costanZo
Enthusiast
I understand your analogy, but this is somewhat different. Whether it's Voodoo, a 1:33 and an ACR it's still a VIPER. BBC Top Gear has specific hosts, North America has specific Hosts. That's what makes things different. Even though the show is the same show, it means nothing if the cast ***** and if what they are doing is different. Completely changes everything.
Big Al
Viper Owner
The show only came to Canadian tv this week, at least in our area.
We had to wait for the air waves to thaw out.
We had to wait for the air waves to thaw out.
Mopar Boy
Enthusiast
Kinda hokey but nice to see the good words about Viper.
LiquoRT/10
Enthusiast
Truckin through Alaska looked like fun.
Top Gear USA S01E09 (Season 1 Episode 9) - Car Videos on StreetFire
Top Gear USA S01E09 (Season 1 Episode 9) - Car Videos on StreetFire
vancouver-gts
Viper Owner
I haven't seen the US version, but it would be hard to top the British version in that department!
Top Gear (UK) is the stagiest, campiest most "put-on" show on earth!
Agree, it could only be better if MrBean was part of it.
I like the UK version but come on, give the US version a chance
costanZo
Enthusiast
But, I don't want too..I like the UK version but come on, give the US version a chance
vancouver-gts
Viper Owner
musclenutz
Enthusiast
I never cared for the bbc version myself..a bit goofy and didn't feel they are true car guys. I enjoy the us version but sometimes the guys do seem a little to staged. Good to watch how the viper basicly dominated in season 1 too. I may have missed a episode or two but don't think any car bested the viper?
Vic
VCA Venom Member
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TG UK is absolutely scripted, just like the US version. They have learned to be free and easy with the lines, so it seems spontaneous. The US crew is still finding its theatrical "feet".
Another difference between the two shows is, mostly just your perception of it. Having watched the UK version first, the US version will seem like the musical equivelent of a "cover tune", and never make the same impression on your mind. You can't help but compare it to the original, so it never seems adequate, always clumsy.
The biggest difference to me, is that the UK version has that satirical British humor, that I grew to love from Monty Python. You can't recreate that, without it looking like a lame copy. The proverbial "die" can only be struck once. The US version needs to be different, or it will fail.
Jezza is always putting us down. I'd like to see something from Britain, that can do 7:22 or 7:26 on the Ring, has a rain worthy roof, wipers, etc, (not a Radical go-kart) for the same money. They always put some Italian, million dollar hyperexotic up on a pedestal for worship, but have nothing of their own. Instant karma *******.
Another difference between the two shows is, mostly just your perception of it. Having watched the UK version first, the US version will seem like the musical equivelent of a "cover tune", and never make the same impression on your mind. You can't help but compare it to the original, so it never seems adequate, always clumsy.
The biggest difference to me, is that the UK version has that satirical British humor, that I grew to love from Monty Python. You can't recreate that, without it looking like a lame copy. The proverbial "die" can only be struck once. The US version needs to be different, or it will fail.
Jezza is always putting us down. I'd like to see something from Britain, that can do 7:22 or 7:26 on the Ring, has a rain worthy roof, wipers, etc, (not a Radical go-kart) for the same money. They always put some Italian, million dollar hyperexotic up on a pedestal for worship, but have nothing of their own. Instant karma *******.
Fatboy 18
Enthusiast
Well said Vic, Have to say its probably the best motoring show we have on our TV in the UK but to be honest I'm pretty board with it now, you just know week after week they are going to bump each other in some old car, Slate American cars and the people, the last series we had in the UK, I actually started surfing other channels while Top Gear was on
And on that bombshell I'm outta here
And on that bombshell I'm outta here
cfiiman
Viper Owner
I know he turned it down, but I think the show would have been on another level if Leno would have been one of the hosts. He is a true car guy's guy and is very funny. I really enjoy watching "Jay's" garage. I agree when you copy something in your mind it is hard to even give it a chance but I really feel like the choice of hosts has a lot to do with that and Leno could have made it much better in my humble opinion
costanZo
Enthusiast
I know he turned it down, but I think the show would have been on another level if Leno would have been one of the hosts. He is a true car guy's guy and is very funny. I really enjoy watching "Jay's" garage. I agree when you copy something in your mind it is hard to even give it a chance but I really feel like the choice of hosts has a lot to do with that and Leno could have made it much better in my humble opinion
Or get Wayne Carini from Chasing Classic Cars... I love that guy!
Bill Stephens and Keith Martin from the show What's My Car Worth? are also great hosts.
I went to a taping of the US show. Most boring experience of my life! We stood in a warehouse for 4 hours to watch 20 minutes of material being filmed.
I did learn that the show is written and produced by the same people. So the only thing different are the hosts.
In my opinion, the chemistry between the guys on the UK show is as good as it gets. Even when Clarkson is slamming America and American cars, he still makes me laugh.
The US guys need to time to grow.
Tanner is a real driver. None of the UK hosts could pull off the things he does, like that 360 in the Viper, and coaching a blind guy into an e-brake parallel parking spot.
Rutlage Wood is hilarious. And a huge car guy. He knows cars, but is more interested in the import scene.
I don't care for the other guy. I forgot his name. He doesn't do much for the show.
Bottom line, Top Gear UK is the best car show in the world, it's also my favorite show on TV. Top Gear USA is with a doubt the second best car show I have seen.
I have room in my TV world for both.
Leno would have been great on that show, But I don't think they could afford to pay the 8 figures that he gets from the Tonight Show
~Jay
I did learn that the show is written and produced by the same people. So the only thing different are the hosts.
In my opinion, the chemistry between the guys on the UK show is as good as it gets. Even when Clarkson is slamming America and American cars, he still makes me laugh.
The US guys need to time to grow.
Tanner is a real driver. None of the UK hosts could pull off the things he does, like that 360 in the Viper, and coaching a blind guy into an e-brake parallel parking spot.
Rutlage Wood is hilarious. And a huge car guy. He knows cars, but is more interested in the import scene.
I don't care for the other guy. I forgot his name. He doesn't do much for the show.
Bottom line, Top Gear UK is the best car show in the world, it's also my favorite show on TV. Top Gear USA is with a doubt the second best car show I have seen.
I have room in my TV world for both.
Leno would have been great on that show, But I don't think they could afford to pay the 8 figures that he gets from the Tonight Show
~Jay
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