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View Full Version : new "top gear" on the...History channel



Mr_RPM
11-22-2010, 07:57 PM
So I know some of you watch the amazing awesome show Top Gear that is featured on BBC (Billy for one). well The History channel came out with their american version and I am very disappointed.

They copied sooooo much from the original that it hurts... Its like an american idle person singing a big song by a big artist and trying to be the big artist rather then make their own version of it.

The history channel did not even try to be original AT ALL and even copied "The Stig" in every way.
The humor they tried to accomplish that the BBC version has failed. Not to be mean but Americans cannot try to copy British humor (Maybe Im wrong) and they really should have tried to make their show funny in their own way.
The Hosts are what makes the show on BBC and trying to copy every little detail is a bad move i think. You can't re-create something with different people, try to make it your own at least.
I even feel its scripted strictly because I hear some of the hosts saying fraises said by the original hosts while test driving cars....tanner your not Jeremy Clarkson and never will be

just my rant, oh and I hate Tanner fost or whatever his name is....lol

The show was entertaining in the sense that its the same thing as the original BBC top gear just with different hosts. I wont be watching this History channel Copy crap.

chrisand4
11-22-2010, 08:31 PM
I agree, it gave me the sense of being a cheap knock-off version, I'll stick to the original, Clarkson, May and Hammond!!

SYKO
11-22-2010, 08:58 PM
its garbage

wisconsinite
11-22-2010, 09:06 PM
never watched the show, but i totally agree about british humor being different. hollywood could have made "shawn of the dead" line for line , and with american actors it just would not have been funny.

Mr_RPM
11-22-2010, 09:20 PM
never watched the show, but i totally agree about british humor being different. hollywood could have made "shawn of the dead" line for line , and with american actors it just would not have been funny.

YES! thankyou! lol

and yes, Clarkson, May, and Hammond for life for me!

bigbadktm
11-22-2010, 09:50 PM
started to watch it, but my bed was more interesting, so I went and watched my pillow instead

Rumble_b
11-22-2010, 10:19 PM
I kinda wanted to see it but I had a feeling it would suck. The real Top Gear is so good I knew this one couldn't match it. Luckly it didn't air in Canada so I guess I was saved from watching crap.

Billy Golightly
11-22-2010, 11:20 PM
I didn't even bother to watch it when it came on as I knew there was no way it could compete with the real thing, but I only made it about 15 minutes in even on the DVR :lol: It has a *little* potential. The very first season of the real Top Gear wasn't really all that great either (It didn't have Hammond, and they just did things differently). This feels like a really lame knock off and performed like it. Its as you said all very scripted, there isn't anything that seems off the cuff and actually funny. Well, there was maybe one or two things that seemed like natural banter between the guys but yeah...way too structured and trying very hard to be Jezza, Capt. Slow, and Hammond.

dcreel
11-22-2010, 11:40 PM
There is only 1 Top Gear.. It's pretty sad that a watered down copy is the best that they could do. They should have made something all together different instead of riding somebody else's coattails. They don't have the balls that Clarkson, Hammond, and May have. Did you see the show where they were driving around the south with gay slogans on their cars? Almost got a beatdown by Bubba and the boys at a gas station.

I found it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWHeF0W-l0I

bigbadktm
11-23-2010, 12:37 AM
There is only 1 Top Gear.. It's pretty sad that a watered down copy is the best that they could do. They should have made something all together different instead of riding somebody else's coattails. They don't have the balls that Clarkson, Hammond, and May have. Did you see the show where they were driving around the south with gay slogans on their cars? Almost got a beatdown by Bubba and the boys at a gas station.

I found it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWHeF0W-l0I

that was a good episode, i thought for sure that there was gonna be some trouble. man i love that show

NINJA
11-23-2010, 02:01 AM
American slapstick humor can't beat centuries of practiced and refined British dry wit. Original BBC Top Gear all the way! Yes, we have easily obtainable and cheap American muscle cars, even Hammond appreciates them, but we don't have the variety of automobiles the UK has. Don't get me wrong here, we are the rude, crude, ass kicking nation of the world and our cars are loud and fast in a straight line, but the Brits man, there's a reason we set sail from that sarcastic socialistic nation. But I digress, they are our main counterpart of the English speaking countries and I appreciate their help.

D-dub
11-23-2010, 02:10 AM
Gotta love Top gear! Ive seen every episode and special since '02

Mr_RPM
11-23-2010, 12:47 PM
I sure am glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I hope it fails after 1 season. Its like their show "top shot". It looked like it would be cool but ended up sucking.
The history channel needs to be a little more smart and use their own "history" to learn what wont work.
I know there are a few Top gear copies (the German one even being on one of Top gear's episodes for a Challenge) that are successful, because they are a little different and did not copy someone completely. Its like america's got talent and american Idle being pretty much the same concept with enough difference to keep everyone fooled.

Billy Golightly
11-23-2010, 01:02 PM
HAve any of you guys seen the show "Fifth Gear"? Its another english car show that is sort of a knock off of Top Gear, but is actually pretty good from what I've been told. I've never watched any episodes of it yet.

D-dub
11-23-2010, 01:13 PM
Ya 5th gear is a good show also. trailproThe host Tiff Needle used to race in F1 and LeMans. So there is alot more technical info and less humor

Kintore
11-23-2010, 01:25 PM
I didn't even bother to watch it when it came on as I knew there was no way it could compete with the real thing, but I only made it about 15 minutes in even on the DVR :lol: It has a *little* potential. The very first season of the real Top Gear wasn't really all that great either (It didn't have Hammond, and they just did things differently). This feels like a really lame knock off and performed like it. Its as you said all very scripted, there isn't anything that seems off the cuff and actually funny. Well, there was maybe one or two things that seemed like natural banter between the guys but yeah...way too structured and trying very hard to be Jezza, Capt. Slow, and Hammond.

110 percent, the original is the ONLY way to go.

Lord Letto 20
11-23-2010, 01:51 PM
for anyone who missed the first episode of top gear USA, Here is the Link: http://www.history.com/shows/top-gear/videos/playlists/full-episodes#top-gear-cobra-attack watched it last night and it was...interesting to say the least, i agree with people calling it a copy (Same title music and the stig is the same(Maybe not the same person but Whatever))
their track is interesting though, anyone know where that track is? also, maybe we can see think about getting them to do a challenge, something to do with 3 wheelers maybe, like see if they can import a Reliant Robin or get one of those wildfire 3 wheeled car things and have a race against a ATC 250R or 350X or something along those lines? IIRC There is more US Members on here then Members from the UK so if we band together then it might work out to have 3 wheelers and 3WW on Top Gear!

WilliamJ
11-23-2010, 05:46 PM
It good to hear you guys in America appreciate the odd sense of humour from the UK. A lot of Brits hate Jeremy Clarkson with a passion. They don't see that it is just entertainment - they take it too seriously. There are a lot of stuffy people here and he sets out to upset as many as possible.

We often wonder how much of the show is a complete spoof - the Hilary Clinton and Man Love slogans in Alabama were funny but was it real or a setup? But does anyone really care?

ChrisD
11-23-2010, 10:22 PM
Top Gear is the best! I do have to admit that the US version sucks. However, we should give it time to develop its own personality. Let's see what happens. Everyone is right, it's stolen directly from the UK version too much and does not need the token gay guy.

Tiff Needell at Fifth Gear on the other hand has developed a show with it's own personality and was the deciding factor in me buying a BMW M5. I watched this episode at least 50 times before heading to the dealer....I made my wife watch it with me....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zYWOqm_Zkc

Jeremy's version is meant to be funnier, but comes to the same conclusion:

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRwR1WH0rR8

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnZVkdzXzFQ

Dirtcrasher
11-24-2010, 05:35 PM
I watched the US version last night and it was terrible. I understand that they want to keep the same theme but the 3 hosts just aren't funny, impressive, witty - nothing. They could make some changes and make it allot more tolerable.

It's funny because the BCC "The Office" version, I think is garbage versus the US version, yet "Top Gear" at BCC is phenominal!

Billy Golightly
12-20-2010, 11:36 PM
Has anyone else been watching still? Its actually gotten tolerable I think. The first season of the UK Top Gear wasn't anything exciting (Trust me I watched it) so with some time maybe this still has some potential to develop into something. Will never match the original but maybe it'll get where its exciting to watch atleast.

D-dub
12-20-2010, 11:44 PM
I think the new season starts on boxing day.

Mr_RPM
12-21-2010, 02:16 AM
I have watched most of them since the show started

I can see where your coming from billy, it could possibly turn into something.

My main motive to watch is I have a hard time finding a BBC Top Gear thats not a re-run. so ill watch the History version till the next season shows up on BBC. haha
I did love the episode with the testing of the next production car for GM where they brought out the cutlass, fierro, and woody road master.

the History version does have the advantage of being In america where they will play with more common cars for people In the US. Like the raptor f-150 and other cars I actually see in person. Unlike BBC version, I havent seen to many Austin martins around

Jon Boy
12-21-2010, 03:35 AM
agreed, i do think it's getting better too sofar. i wasn't sure about it at first, i knew it wouldn't be as good as the original though. people just need to give it time to settle in and things will work out or not. i am disapointed with the big star small car name. should've just called it "lap with a reasonably star" ok, maybe i only find that funny :crazy:
there is alot of repeating of the UK stuff, but they have to start somewhere why not use what they know works. you also have to remember most of the US never heard of Top Gear. just about everyone i know never heard of it (UK ver.) till i told them and almost everyone i told didn't really like it or never bothered to check it out even. some of them do kind of like the US ver. but they think it needs some work and time too.

have seen a few 5th gears years ago, the one i remember most had Tiff and whoever the girl was riding race/sportbikes on some track. Tiff was all giddy on knee dragging the corners by the end of the day. :lol:

BTW: i love it when people say "it sucks!" but then say they'll give it a chance. well if it sucks then sounds like you've made up your mind IMO. very true it's not as good as the UK version, but to say it sucks? i think it's the most entertaining US auto show we have these days. :beer

xsrock
12-22-2010, 05:43 PM
The UK Top Gear is one of the best shows on television IMO. I especially love when they have the challenges. I haven't seen the US version, but they would be hard pressed to compete. I don't see the US guys ever being able to destroy as much equipment as Jeremy has in past episodes. I will just keep watching old episodes on Netflix. My kids like the episode where they made the limos.

bpwinter250R
12-22-2010, 08:53 PM
Yeah it isn't the greatest, but something about a Buick Roadmaster half full of water truckin it around a track (episode 5) cracks me up. Actually almost everything involving a roadmaster makes me laugh.

TurboTacoma
12-23-2010, 07:59 PM
I agree, it gave me the sense of being a cheap knock-off version, I'll stick to the original, Clarkson, May and Hammond!!

I have to agree! Even the Aussie version is better then ours.... The Brits got it down... the Aussies try... and currently the U.S. version feels lacking! Oh and try www. streetfire.net to watch full episodes of top gear from BBC. Youtube at best you get to watch it in ten minute bits and then the copy write from youtube comes in and cleans it out. I am all up to date and waiting on Season 16 to start!

chrisand4
12-23-2010, 08:07 PM
I have been watching it some more, it is certainly better than some of the other crud on TV these days, in essence, the "show" is actually okay, but am I the only one that thinks they could have found better hosts..for some reason these three just annoy me.

Jon Boy
12-23-2010, 10:08 PM
it's not you, they could've done better, but who then?

Mr_RPM
12-23-2010, 11:42 PM
it's not you, they could've done better, but who then?

anyone but Tanner Foust.

maybe an old nascar racer that could handle a bit of script? like a well known one?
or someone actually funny?
Or some known car guys, I wanna say Jay Lenno...but NOOO i could only imagine. haha

Billy Golightly
12-24-2010, 12:28 AM
Jay Leno would have been epic for the part but the History channel doesn't have near the budget for him. It could have possibly been better than the UK version if had hosted it.

Jon Boy
12-24-2010, 02:23 AM
ok then, how about Jay Leno, Michael Waltrip or Kyle Petty maybe? then who? :lol:

TurboTacoma
12-24-2010, 06:11 PM
Jay Leno.... Tim Allen.... and Titus! As the hosts for the U.S. Top Gear! All 3 are cars nuts and are extremely funny! They would also take the show more personally like the 3 English blokes in Great Britain!

Dirtcrasher
12-24-2010, 09:42 PM
^ ABSOLUTELY!! The current guys are dull and boring.....

93cr250
01-16-2011, 08:37 PM
tanner foust is the only one who doesnt annoy me, that guy with the beard does a little and i cant stand that one guy with the giant mole. The show isnt all that horrible, but its not even close to as good as the uk version though. It pisses me off that i get history channel but not bbc.

Mr_RPM
01-16-2011, 11:40 PM
ok, so the episode currently on where they go to Alaska with there trucks...im enjoying it...

atctim
01-16-2011, 11:53 PM
The Toyota will prevail - Tim predicts!

Mr_RPM
01-17-2011, 12:21 AM
that yota was the best truck there.

93cr250
01-17-2011, 02:50 AM
that episode was pretty good...the toyota was the best though, they dont even try and compare it to the crappy american trucks

Mr_RPM
01-17-2011, 01:51 PM
for 3 grand they could have all had worthy enough trucks.
They didnt even try.

they didn't even go out and pick them up themselves.

oh well, they needed trucks to die so they could have a winner. The ford and dodge were probably staged lol

93cr250
01-17-2011, 08:48 PM
thats what i thought....there is no way they would let the toyota win, then at the end say to all the redneck american truck lovers that the toyota is better, that would really hurt their viewers. But honestly i think all 4 trucks could have made it, and i cant believe that when the dodge wouldnt start, they just go "its broken" without even opening the hood.

D-dub
01-17-2011, 09:13 PM
New episode should air on the 23rd!! (anyone watching the new series?)

fabiodriven
08-24-2011, 08:51 PM
I gotta say, I've become a fan of this show. It seems really fricken entertaining to me.

Chazz of Blades
08-24-2011, 10:30 PM
I like it, the new season has been pretty good so far! And come on, the Trucking in Alaska episode was awesome!

chrisand4
08-24-2011, 10:56 PM
Nope...still can't stand the hosts for some reason.