Television: Top Gear (USA) News and Discussion Thread
#123
Originally Posted by stangg172004
Leno, Carolla, and Patrick Dempsey would be the best line up. They all have parallel personalities to Clarkson, May and Hammond.
#126
I have no idea why you guys think Leno would be a great host. I am positive he knows a lot about cars- probably more than 99.5% of the population. But he is as boring as snot. Did you ever see Jay Leno's shows on Discovery- Decent stories, un freaking believable garage, and the ability to turn a wrench.... and I couldn't have been more bored
I think it would end up being like the rest of the crap car shows on TV .. I am picturing Dennis Gage without the handlebar. Uck. Oh and focused on GM cars ....
But of course I will watch .. mostly beacuse the rest of the car shows on TV are complete crap( now that I think of it, are they still even on- Autoweek, Car and Driver, My Classic Car)
I think it would end up being like the rest of the crap car shows on TV .. I am picturing Dennis Gage without the handlebar. Uck. Oh and focused on GM cars ....
But of course I will watch .. mostly beacuse the rest of the car shows on TV are complete crap( now that I think of it, are they still even on- Autoweek, Car and Driver, My Classic Car)
#127
Originally Posted by The Dougler
Corolla's a douche.
He sucks
His radio show sucks!
Does he even know anything about cars?
Leno is a true enthusiast!
F-Corolla! hahahah
#128
I shoot people
Originally Posted by I Go To Costco
Who's Patrick Dempsey?
#130
teh Senior Instigator
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Originally Posted by shrykhar
They're on season 10 right now ...
yes, but they went off the air and the NEW format they have right now is about 5-6 years old
#131
I can't believe nobody has mentioned this yet or noticed the fact that there is a resemblance. I'm not even in marketing at all but I know that one of the top rules is product recognition. Be it an item, a sound, or a look. . . . .
If you can't duplicate what you're trying to achieve, then at least come close.
If you can't duplicate what you're trying to achieve, then at least come close.
#132
Punk Rocker
Fact is nobody will ever be as good as Jeremy Clarkson. In fact, I just can't see the AMerican show being any where near as good as the original simply because Clarkson, Hammond, and May won't be there. Its not really about the cars when you think about it, its about the hillarity of the hosts.....
#134
The sizzle in the Steak
Originally Posted by majin ssj eric
Jesse James would be an interesting host.....
#136
Living the Dream
I think I've said this before:
A few things NEED to happen.
1. NBC and/or hosts cannot be "afraid" to bash cars. This is what is great about UK Top Gear
2. Bring celebrities in to drive POS cars around the track. I like that about UK Top Gear.
3. What about Foose as a host/co-host?
Maybe they could use thedream21479 as "The Stig"
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...3&postcount=81
A few things NEED to happen.
1. NBC and/or hosts cannot be "afraid" to bash cars. This is what is great about UK Top Gear
2. Bring celebrities in to drive POS cars around the track. I like that about UK Top Gear.
3. What about Foose as a host/co-host?
Maybe they could use thedream21479 as "The Stig"
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...3&postcount=81
#137
I shoot people
the problem with Chip Foose is he seems to be too nice... and would probably hold back his opinionated comments... I feel the same about Jay Leno... He'd have a celeb on his show that's promoting a movie... but the movie's gotten nothing but shit reviews and he knows it's shit... but you can tell he holding back
#140
Originally Posted by majin ssj eric
Like I said, with no Jeremy Clarkson it just won't be the same.....
#143
Senior Moderator
Why Jay Leno won't do Top Gear...
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol...cle3638037.ece
I can totally respect that.
Like everyone in Britain I have long been a huge fan of the television show Top Gear, although we get it only sporadically here in America. You can find it on BBC America and occasionally it pops up at odd times on other cable channels. There have been rumours circulating that the show would eventually come to America. I hoped it would come with Jeremy Clarkson and the gang, but NBC seems to have bought the show and I got a call one day asking if I would be interested in being a part of it.
I do my show full time, and these programmes take a great amount of time to make, so right away I had my concerns about fitting it in. The general rule of television is that it takes an hour for every minute that you see on screen. My other fear is that the show will not be made by car people.
So someone calls me from the network and is clearly not a car person. He says: “You like cars, right?” I say yes. “Like, all kinds of cars?” Well, yes. I like all kinds of cars. Why? “Well, the network has bought the TV show . . . um . . . High Gear? Top Gear? Top Gear! Top Gear, yes. We know you like to build cars.”
I ask: what’s the plan for the show? “Well, like, one week you build a car that flies and the next week you make a car that goes under water.” So I said: you know you can’t build these things in a week.
In my mind I can just see Jeremy lambasting Americans for what they did to his show. So I think: I’ve got to run away from this as quickly as I can. So I tell him that, as much as I like the show, I try not to make my hobby my job.
I like the show just the way it is. Jeremy and the guys are extremely talented, so maybe it would be an idea to do an American show similar to Top Gear but not with the same name, because I think it would be impossible to recreate or live up to the standards of the British show.
Another problem for Top Gear in America is the biting humour and criticisms of the cars. My great fear in America is that, for instance, if Kia was our sponsor this week, we’d have to say the car was fantastic.
I said on The Tonight Show recently that the new Kia was available with a heated rear window, so if people needed to push it in winter they could keep their hands warm. Boy, the phones did not stop ringing. So imagine what Jeremy would have to put up with.
I don’t think you could be quite as freewheeling with your opinions as you can on the BBC, because sponsors pay for the programmes. Sponsors would be unlikely to embrace any criticism.
Americans don’t really see personalities like Jeremy on commercial television. They know that they have to be somewhat watered down. When Jeremy rips into some sponsor such as Ford or Chrysler, well, that’s the last time they sponsor that show. Then what you have is “the meeting” after the show, where they tell him to tone it down. That’s just not what they do at Top Gear.
Some British shows translate quite well here - The Office, for example. But with Top Gear I have such respect for the original show, I feel if they asked me to do it I would be a pale imitation of Jeremy.
It would have to be something completely different, coming from a different angle. But when you see something that’s sort of perfect as it is, it’s difficult. Are you outright stealing, trying to imitate? What are you doing? I would prefer to do a different show rather than try to copy something that works so well already.
Cars are my hobby. Television is my job. When you make your hobby your job it becomes a whole different thing. For me, my great release from any sort of pressure is to go to my garage.
I have a friend who was an attorney but always wanted to open a hot-dog stand. So he opened a hot-dog stand and it was doing okay. Then he opened one on the other side of town and that was doing okay but never really did well. Then he ran between the hot-dog stands and the law practice and he lost all three of them.
So I go to my garage and I shoot my web pieces (see www.jaylenosgarage.com) and we talk about the cars. I do it for free - there’s no money in it. We just passed 27m hits, so it’s quite popular, and that’s what I like to do. It’s great fun because it’s like sitting with a bunch of car friends. I don’t want it to be my job.
I do my show full time, and these programmes take a great amount of time to make, so right away I had my concerns about fitting it in. The general rule of television is that it takes an hour for every minute that you see on screen. My other fear is that the show will not be made by car people.
So someone calls me from the network and is clearly not a car person. He says: “You like cars, right?” I say yes. “Like, all kinds of cars?” Well, yes. I like all kinds of cars. Why? “Well, the network has bought the TV show . . . um . . . High Gear? Top Gear? Top Gear! Top Gear, yes. We know you like to build cars.”
I ask: what’s the plan for the show? “Well, like, one week you build a car that flies and the next week you make a car that goes under water.” So I said: you know you can’t build these things in a week.
In my mind I can just see Jeremy lambasting Americans for what they did to his show. So I think: I’ve got to run away from this as quickly as I can. So I tell him that, as much as I like the show, I try not to make my hobby my job.
I like the show just the way it is. Jeremy and the guys are extremely talented, so maybe it would be an idea to do an American show similar to Top Gear but not with the same name, because I think it would be impossible to recreate or live up to the standards of the British show.
Another problem for Top Gear in America is the biting humour and criticisms of the cars. My great fear in America is that, for instance, if Kia was our sponsor this week, we’d have to say the car was fantastic.
I said on The Tonight Show recently that the new Kia was available with a heated rear window, so if people needed to push it in winter they could keep their hands warm. Boy, the phones did not stop ringing. So imagine what Jeremy would have to put up with.
I don’t think you could be quite as freewheeling with your opinions as you can on the BBC, because sponsors pay for the programmes. Sponsors would be unlikely to embrace any criticism.
Americans don’t really see personalities like Jeremy on commercial television. They know that they have to be somewhat watered down. When Jeremy rips into some sponsor such as Ford or Chrysler, well, that’s the last time they sponsor that show. Then what you have is “the meeting” after the show, where they tell him to tone it down. That’s just not what they do at Top Gear.
Some British shows translate quite well here - The Office, for example. But with Top Gear I have such respect for the original show, I feel if they asked me to do it I would be a pale imitation of Jeremy.
It would have to be something completely different, coming from a different angle. But when you see something that’s sort of perfect as it is, it’s difficult. Are you outright stealing, trying to imitate? What are you doing? I would prefer to do a different show rather than try to copy something that works so well already.
Cars are my hobby. Television is my job. When you make your hobby your job it becomes a whole different thing. For me, my great release from any sort of pressure is to go to my garage.
I have a friend who was an attorney but always wanted to open a hot-dog stand. So he opened a hot-dog stand and it was doing okay. Then he opened one on the other side of town and that was doing okay but never really did well. Then he ran between the hot-dog stands and the law practice and he lost all three of them.
So I go to my garage and I shoot my web pieces (see www.jaylenosgarage.com) and we talk about the cars. I do it for free - there’s no money in it. We just passed 27m hits, so it’s quite popular, and that’s what I like to do. It’s great fun because it’s like sitting with a bunch of car friends. I don’t want it to be my job.
#145
I shoot people
"...Another problem for Top Gear in America is the biting humour and criticisms of the cars. My great fear in America is that, for instance, if Kia was our sponsor this week, we’d have to say the car was fantastic...."
kinda what I was trying to say in the other thread about Top Gear coming to America, he'd have to hold back comments and not be totally honest about his opinions...
kinda what I was trying to say in the other thread about Top Gear coming to America, he'd have to hold back comments and not be totally honest about his opinions...
#146
Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
Terry
#147
So I go to my garage and I shoot my web pieces (see www.jaylenosgarage.com) and we talk about the cars. I do it for free - there’s no money in it. We just passed 27m hits, so it’s quite popular, and that’s what I like to do. It’s great fun because it’s like sitting with a bunch of car friends. I don’t want it to be my job.
#149
I shoot people
the more I think about it... the more I think the show's NOT going to make it... He makes a great point about making criticism on car companies that might be sponsoring the show or have some ties with NBC...
#152
Senior Moderator
I respect Jay Leno a lot more for his honest commentary.
I don't want Top Gear to come to America at ALL except for the British show, on BBC America. I prefer the British show and wouldn't watch an American copy. They'd have to name it something totally different, for starters. Then they'd have to totally eschew car ads to keep the commentary honest. Does anyone else see that happening?
This is yet another example of American TV's total lack of creativity. Another reason I don't bother to watch much.
I don't want Top Gear to come to America at ALL except for the British show, on BBC America. I prefer the British show and wouldn't watch an American copy. They'd have to name it something totally different, for starters. Then they'd have to totally eschew car ads to keep the commentary honest. Does anyone else see that happening?
This is yet another example of American TV's total lack of creativity. Another reason I don't bother to watch much.
#153
intelligentsia
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I just love british tv, I watch BBC America all the time. I would never watch the American version of top gear.
#154
That was uncalled for...
The only thing we can do is wait and see how this show turns out. I respect Jay's views of mixing work with hobbies.
I hope to high hell that the show is not "Well, like, one week you build a car that flies and the next week you make a car that goes under water"
That would be such a let down.
I hope to high hell that the show is not "Well, like, one week you build a car that flies and the next week you make a car that goes under water"
That would be such a let down.
#155
I shoot people
Originally Posted by S A CHO
I hope to high hell that the show is not "Well, like, one week you build a car that flies and the next week you make a car that goes under water"
That would be such a let down.
"build something in a week"
gee that's so original, I like to shake the hand of the brilliant guy that thought of that
I can just see it now... all the NBC executives sittin' around going... "HEY! I got it! The show can be like 'Extreme Makeovers-Home Edition' and we can run on that same time slot!!"
#156
Time to Climb
Originally Posted by neuronbob
I respect Jay Leno a lot more for his honest commentary.
I don't want Top Gear to come to America at ALL except for the British show, on BBC America. I prefer the British show and wouldn't watch an American copy. They'd have to name it something totally different, for starters. Then they'd have to totally eschew car ads to keep the commentary honest. Does anyone else see that happening?
This is yet another example of American TV's total lack of creativity. Another reason I don't bother to watch much.
I don't want Top Gear to come to America at ALL except for the British show, on BBC America. I prefer the British show and wouldn't watch an American copy. They'd have to name it something totally different, for starters. Then they'd have to totally eschew car ads to keep the commentary honest. Does anyone else see that happening?
This is yet another example of American TV's total lack of creativity. Another reason I don't bother to watch much.
#158
dɐɹɔ ǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʍ
Completely agree, knowledgeable enthusiasts are a truly rare find, most Americans are so blindly brand loyal a honest show about cars simply won't fly. Not to mention Americans inability to take criticism, every review would have to be a good review or it people would go ape shit, the owners of those cars and the manufacturer. I think he's spot on, there would have to be a unique angle for another show like that to fly and I can't think of a single one. There are plenty of automotive review programs right now and most are terrible, I'm shocked Top Gear and Fifth Gear have managed to remain independent and entertaining as long as they have, great writing, great personalities and a lot of automotive knowledge make it possible. Leno made the right choice, the best way to ruin your hobby is to make it your profession.
#159
luvs redheads!
I caught BBC top gear today...and my dad hates it when i watch car shows but i couldn't miss this...and you know what...he was laughing at it and thought it was pretty good. They were driving 3 shit cars through the desert..
Anyways while watching the show I realize I would love an american version on our turf, our tracks, our people...however....it would just look like "Knight Rider-movie" at the end.
What we do need is a show just like TOP GEAR...raw,mean and fun. You want the toughest truck...we hook em up to stump pulling. You want to see how realiable they are...we run them on a mix of water and gas with no coolant. Want to see what the average ricer can actually drive at a real track...
Thats what we need. And Top Gear delivers that already. If it came here...it would have to be the same great tests and humor. So who could possibly pull that off??
no one.
Anyways while watching the show I realize I would love an american version on our turf, our tracks, our people...however....it would just look like "Knight Rider-movie" at the end.
What we do need is a show just like TOP GEAR...raw,mean and fun. You want the toughest truck...we hook em up to stump pulling. You want to see how realiable they are...we run them on a mix of water and gas with no coolant. Want to see what the average ricer can actually drive at a real track...
Thats what we need. And Top Gear delivers that already. If it came here...it would have to be the same great tests and humor. So who could possibly pull that off??
no one.
#160
Unofficial Goat
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by S A CHO
I hope to high hell that the show is not "Well, like, one week you build a car that flies and the next week you make a car that goes under water"
Props to Jay for that response.