TopGear Poll

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mr.Grandorifto
  • 34 comments
  • 1,682 views

Should Top Gear be produced in North America?

  • Total voters
    62
Mr.Grandorifto

Mr.Grandorifto

Messages
387
Canada
St. Catharines, ON. Canad
Messages
GTP_GODZlLLA (w/ 3 L's)
To all my Top Gear friends, after reading the last few pages from the Unofficial GTPlanet Top Gear Thread, it's come to my attention by another thread about Top Gear coming to North America. I'm not exactly thrilled about a Hollywood Top Gear, mostly because of the age old expression: If it isn't broken, don't fix it. And Hollywood always screws it up. What caliber of drivers would you have to drive these cars if they host? The only comparison to Top Gear is Best MOTORing, but who (other than the Japanese) understands Japanese enough to keep up every week? Any way this is really a poll and not my time to rant, so....

Should Top Gear really come to North America?
 
I voted yes.

Despite being an absolute proponent for the BBC version, I think a US run could be pulled off if the proper production and monetary backings can be made. Furthermore, proper heads on the show to make it seem at least partially similar to that of the origional.

No, it won't be anything close to how good the real show is, but the thing is, I get the real show already on BBC America. So between an Americanized version and the British version, I get the best of both worlds. Why not?

The thing I'm most worried about is the hosts, and as Jay pointed out, the advertisers getting in the way of proper reviews. But, I think it can be fixed with proper production values...
 
I voted yes, if only to teach NBC a lesson about how "Americanizing" things usually makes it worse than the original show. Or I could be totally wrong, and it could be a smash hit. Adam Carolla is a funny guy.
 
I voted NO.

I love Top Gear, and I have followed the series since 2002.

However....

The problem with producing it in this country is just that we do things differently here, in that regard. Jay Leno wrote a fantastic article detailing why he refused to host the American Top Gear. The BBC isn't as censored as our networks are, so JC and the gang can say whatever they like (to a point). This simply won't fly in America. Not to mention, most American shows are paid for by sponsors. What happens if Ford sponsors the show that week, and the Ford they're testing is terrible to drive. Chances are they would be forced to "sugar coat" the review as to not piss off, and thus lose their sponsor.

It's possible for the show to be acceptable, and maybe even entertaining, but I imagine it will be quite watered down regardless. It will never match the original, in my opinion.




;)
 
The BBC doesn't have any adverts or sponsors over here, it's all money from the public that runs it. as a result, no sponsors have any influence on what is said on the BBC, they can't pull their deal because Jeremy and co ripped thier car to bits in a review because no deal has existed or does exist.
 
Dave A
The BBC doesn't have any adverts or sponsors over here, it's all money from the public that runs it. as a result, no sponsors have any influence on what is said on the BBC, they can't pull their deal because Jeremy and co ripped thier car to bits in a review because no has or does exist.
Click to expand...

Exactly. 👍



;)
 
We'll see what happens. One could argue that most of the reviews in car magazines are somewhat "fair" and certainly can be very critical when the need be, but certainly, I don't think any of them come remotely close to the rather "scathing" reviews I've both seen and read in Top Gear.

What would be exceedingly interesting would be getting Corolla to host, and maybe some of the more "vocal" editors from the big American magazines to follow after. C/D has some pretty outspoken younglings, and I'm sure M/T would happily kick someone over if need be.

Oh well. We'll see what happens...
 
Dave A
The BBC doesn't have any adverts or sponsors over here, it's all money from the public that runs it. as a result, no sponsors have any influence on what is said on the BBC, they can't pull their deal because Jeremy and co ripped thier car to bits in a review because no has or does exist.
Click to expand...

Spot on 👍

I don't like the idea of an American Top Gear, just give me the original show please.
 
No worries, we still have it... On BBC America of course.

I was saddened when they cut out the bits and pieces of the Africa trip. Its still, by far, my favorite episode of the show. But, thats because of the commercials.

*sigh*

I'm wondering if the debut of season 11 will be "in line" with that of the UK? Or are we going to be a few weeks off? Our premiere of season 10 was about a month or two behind the finish of it in the UK...
 
I just don't understand why on BBC America they just don't make them hour and a half episodes and leave everything in save for the news, which would be out dated at the time of airing of the episode.
 
Not sure. Only 20 minutes really have to be cut from every episode, which altogether, isn't that much I suppose.
 
I don't think it could be produced in North America.

It would be cool if they could do the format, but we have too many lawyers and insurance guys getting in the way of any real fun they could bring. And I'm trying to think of who I'd like to see in the hosting seats, and I can't think of anyone. If they'd done it 20 years ago, Brock Yates might have worked as one. But then, 20 years ago, nobody knew what Top Gear was. . . .
For it to work, it would have to be known car journalists, in my opinion.
 
I'm all for more gear. How could you not be? The issue is getting them to do it right, and that could be difficult.
 
I would prefer to watch British Top Gear in America, which I can do on my BBC channel. No thanks.
 
I personally think part of the appeal of the show is the British sense of humor it has, and I don't think any Americanization attempt would work. It would leave just a show about cars, which are actually pretty boring without slick editing and overdone camera effects.
Keep in mind that I don't fully object to the idea entirely, just that I don't think it can be done properly in the current television state of affairs; and especially not if the American public are dumb enough to watch some of the crap that is already on television.
 
No......Because honesty and criticisms are not allowed in the us when money is at play.

I live in the U.S. and i fear that the show will be completely ruined and nothing like the BBC show.

A character like Jeremy Clarkson isn't allowed in the us. Jay Leno is 100% right.

You cant diss a car even though it's awful crap. Kia will be praised and it's only cause they are that weeks sponsor.

DON'T RUIN TOP GEAR YOU MONEY HUNGRY BASTARDS AT NBC.
 
I think it will probably turn out like Pimp My Ride UK :lol: but having said that I voted yes because I would love to see some else attempt Top Gear... if it means we get more car stuff to watch on TV I haven't got a problem with it... Just keep UK Top Gear the same...
 
Sounds like this is coming closer to fruitation. Could be Good, Could be bad. I'm interested to see what they'll do with it. We did a good job of adapting "The Office". It sucked when they tried to copy "Coupling".
 
different hosts, different country, different show. It will just be a yank motoring program under the same name. What's the problem?
 
I have a good feeling Top Gear America will be awful. With having to appease the sponsors and networks they won't be able to get away with the same things the BBC version does and it's those things which make it awesome.
 
All I will say is this: Think about the pilot for the American Coupling. Then add the issue of corporate advertising support.

Not a chance in hell I will watch a minute of an American Top Gear, even assuming the manage to get one made.
 
Dave A
The BBC doesn't have any adverts or sponsors over here, it's all money from the public that runs it. as a result, no sponsors have any influence on what is said on the BBC, they can't pull their deal because Jeremy and co ripped thier car to bits in a review because no deal has existed or does exist.
Click to expand...

PBS better jump on TopGear then.
 
Duke
Sorry, PBS's sense of humour is permanently broken.
Click to expand...
HBO? Showtime? They would be more than ideal. No sponsors, paid for by the people... but it seems that NBC tends to be the one that spins off BBC shows more than anyone else.
 
YSSMAN
Not sure. Only 20 minutes really have to be cut from every episode, which altogether, isn't that much I suppose.
Click to expand...
Which is only a third of the show :rolleyes:
Dave A
The BBC doesn't have any adverts or sponsors over here, it's all money from the public that runs it. as a result, no sponsors have any influence on what is said on the BBC, they can't pull their deal because Jeremy and co ripped thier car to bits in a review because no deal has existed or does exist.
Click to expand...
But against that is the fact that everyone who pays a licence fee thinks they're opinion is valid. Sure, we don't quite get so many complaints nowadays, but I think people have finally realised that the TopGear brand is probably making alot more money for the BBC than it costs.

I think the TV company are stuck in a rut.

If they don't use the TopGear name they lose the obvious advantage that it already has, and if they use it they have a huge reputation to stand up to.

But at the end of the day they know that a light-entertainment Auto show can survive and be a success, they just have to get it right.
 
I subscribed to PBS for $50. Once. About 10 years ago. I never made that mistake again. Within a month, they canceled all of my favorite programs, and brought in a bunch of tedious crap or unfunny 'Britcoms'. And yes, the British make bad comedy just like everybody else.
 
I can see it now. "Top Gear is brought to you this week by Buick"

Noooooo

I also fear, I mean really FEAR a connection with NASCRAP.
"Some say he he ran moonshine in his Radio Flyer.... Here he is; Junior"

ExigeEvan
I think the TV company are stuck in a rut.

If they don't use the TopGear name they lose the obvious advantage that it already has, and if they use it they have a huge reputation to stand up to.

But at the end of the day they know that a light-entertainment Auto show can survive and be a success, they just have to get it right.
Click to expand...

Top Gear really doesn't have a reputation in the States except a small cult hardcore following.

Adam Carolla can be pretty good, and he is something of a car nut. I read somewhere that he owns a pretty slick Datsun 510. Tanner Faust spent some time with SCCA ProRally and was a Drifting Champ, but I know nothing of his personna. The other guy I haven't heard of.
 
KAMKA-Z
Top Gear really doesn't have a reputation in the States except a small cult hardcore following.
Click to expand...

Quite right... We're certainly in the minority, and although they'll be gunning for our support, they're going to need to find a middle ground for everyone else. My guess is that the general public will like it, but for the hardcore fans, they're quite in the right to realize that we have other ways to watch it...
 
YSSMAN
My guess is that the general public will like it, but for the hardcore fans, they're quite in the right to realize that we have other ways to watch it...
Click to expand...

👍 Youtube, anyone?

Don't knock it before you try it, but I can't really see an American Top Gear doing well, for all of the reasons mentioned above. Adam Carolla is somewhat funny, but he has no background in testing cars like the BBC Top Gear presenters do.

With NBC's current trend of not producing extremely well-received shows (ahem, Celebrity Circus) and the danger of offending sponsors, I don't have my hopes up. I would much rather watch a low-res episode on Youtube of UK Top Gear.
 

Latest Posts

Back