new "top gear" on the...History channel

[Kintore]

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 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]

for anyone who missed the first episode of top gear USA, Here is the Link: http://www.history.com/shows/top-gea...r-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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

I think the new season starts on boxing day.

[Mr_RPM]

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]

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
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.

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.

[xsrock]

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]

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]

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]

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]

it's not you, they could've done better, but who then?

[Mr_RPM]

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