Could Seinfeld or Leno Host American Top Gear?

BruceinCary January 31st, 2008 10:04 AM Link

Honestly unless either one of these guys get the job as lead, the show is hosed.
Tom Kendall is funny and all but we need one of these two to take the lead. Another guy who’s comments I respect is NC own Dan Neil, he tells it like it is! David Hobbs is a funny guy too but getting on a bit - ha ha, he’d love that comment.

So how about:
Leno/Kendall/Neil
or
Seinfeld/Kendall/Hobbs
something like that?

PS if I see Danny Sullivan any where near this program I’m turning off!

MJK January 31st, 2008 10:06 AM Link

I think Jay is a good all around car freak, Seinfeld is a little to specific in the Porsche side of life. Jay also has a fantastic knowledge of all things and types of cars and I think could put the right perspective in reviewing a car for the show. Either way it will be great to have an American Top Gear.

MJK January 31st, 2008 10:08 AM Link

Another important question is who would be THE STIG!?

MRX19 January 31st, 2008 10:16 AM Link

Either would probably be good. However Top Gear UK is almost more “Monty Python” on wheels as it is a car program. What makes is so entertaining is Clarkson an company’s wit and use of language. For the American version to suceed, the host would have to have these qualtities to capture the not “car guy” audience.

Ben January 31st, 2008 10:30 AM Link

We’re not supposed to know who the Stig is!

I think Leno would be better suited than Seinfeld to lead the show.

Russ Bellinis January 31st, 2008 10:33 AM Link

I’ve seen a couple of recent episodes of Top Gear where the hosts were actually required to USE TOOLS. I’ve never seen anything as funny as those 3 bufoons trying to figure out how to use a wrench to actually put something together. Jay Leno would be great unless he was expected to build a Catherham or similar kit car. At that point the show would get boring because Jay is just to competent with a wrench to be entertaining!

Bruce January 31st, 2008 10:40 AM Link

I personally don’t think an American version would be near as good. The trio accross the pond could never be duplicated. I might whatch an american version, I would still whatch the U.K version on youtube. I think Jay would be the best choice for a host, however, they still need two more people. I don’t think Jerry would be a verry good car show host.

Eric January 31st, 2008 10:59 AM Link

I really dislike Jay Leno, no matter how big a car fan he is. Jerry might be a really interesting choice.

I would actually like to see Hugh Laurie as the host. We might get some of that British quirkiness in the show then…

Eric

VMMVMMM January 31st, 2008 11:10 AM Link

My vote would be for Jay.

araknd January 31st, 2008 11:50 AM Link

I agree with many that Jay is the better choice, but also agree that no matter which of the two was host, it would never be the same as the UK show. The chemistry that the three Brits have is what makes their show. Plus they really express their opinions on the cars, no matter who makes it. I can’t see that NBC would let any of their hosts “dis” a GM product or carry on about how NASCAR is so lame.

Max Peck January 31st, 2008 11:50 AM Link

…oh hell no.

While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this would be an abomination. It is the chemistry of the presenters and their wit that makes Top Gear the phenomenon it is worldwide. You really want to see this with a laugh track? Like a Tonight show piece? Or see Jerry saying, incredulously, “I know…!”

Here’s a thought, with Valentines Day coming up, try giving your significant other an imitation diamond…what sort of reaction do you suppose you’ll get? NBC, just buy the BBC version intact and we’ll all thank you for it…

Aaron January 31st, 2008 11:52 AM Link

I’d enjoy Jay Leno co-hosting a high-budget american car show, but I still think it’s a stupid idea to make it a direct rip-off of TG. The host(s) shouldn’t have to be big TV personalities.

In fact, forget Leno and Jerry. I wonder if Ezra Dyer is as funny and vlever in person as he is in his Automobile and NY Times columns. Get him together with the wonderfully eccentric Jamie Kitman (also from Automobile mag and occasional TG contributor) and as long as they aren’t bumbling fools in front of a camera, I think we would have a terrific show.

Mena January 31st, 2008 12:02 PM Link

Definitely NOT Seinfeld. And most definitely Leno.

RG January 31st, 2008 12:22 PM Link

I do not necessarily believe that the hosts have to be well know people. As long as the interaction between the hosts is entertaining, yet not a total comedy show, the show can succeed without a big name.

One such person could be Zach Selwyn. He was on ESPN’s Dream Job, the one with the hair, beard and suit from the 70’s. I think he has a personality that would work great on the show. He is intelligent and obviously has a comedic nature

Paul In Jersey January 31st, 2008 12:29 PM Link

Neither Seinfeld or Leno. The point of “reality” TV is that you don’t have “stars”…you make them. Star power is expensive. So don’t get your hopes up about Leno or Seinfeld. Or “The Stig” for that matter.

EZ1 January 31st, 2008 12:39 PM Link

as everyone else has stated, i think what makes TG so great is the way the three brits play off each other…NBC could find the best host in the world, but without the proper supporting personalities it will flop with the american public.

oh and a note to “Bruce” - you can also catch Top Gear on BBC America on monday nights

VII January 31st, 2008 12:41 PM Link

Gotta have Leno hosting or the show’ll be crap…Jerry’s much too specific in his car choices. Now that I think of it though, Jay tends to enjoy much much older cars than the average guy…but still, he’s the obvious choice, well informed, big and popular name…I just don’t think people are going to watch yet another sub-par car show unless it’s backed by a big name. Seeing as how it’s NBC whose behind all of this, I already feel like it’s going to be endorsed by GM somehow and be destined to SUCK HARD because of it. Other than the Corvette (and only slightly, because the Vette, even the ZR1, doesn’t hold a candle to a true European supercar (in areas of polish, sophistication, and exclusivity), and I guess that ‘trying-too-hard’ blasphemous Camaro, GM seriously has nothing to offer to a serious car show of “Top Gear” proportions. Actually, if they are truly going the lame route and center it around American cars, I don’t think anything can make me watch the show…The last American cars to have souls were all off the assembly line 30 years and more ago…I might watch Jay work on some old cars though, that’d be pretty interesting.

hwyhobo January 31st, 2008 1:28 PM Link

Seinfeld? SEINFELD? Why not just Gilbert Gottfried while you’re at it.

Mind boggles.

Bumblebee January 31st, 2008 1:28 PM Link

Almost as important as the cars on Top Gear are the humor and, more specifically, the personalities.

Leno doesn’t have a whole lot of personality in my mind, but Seinfeld does. However, the production quality on the show would have to be so high to get Seinfeld that it would actually sour the Top Gear formula.

I don’t care if 3 nobodys host this show. Just make sure they can speak their minds. And make sure that no automakers are allowed to advertise during that hour.

alan January 31st, 2008 1:58 PM Link

I second the “Definitely NOT Seinfeld. And most definitely Leno.”

But it needs to have a great cast… that is most important. Witty, somewhat tools-incompetent, and one needs to have a loss of sense of direction and common sense. And it better not be as dry as Fifth Gear. For some reason, the hosts on that show scare me sometimes.

HotCarNut January 31st, 2008 2:11 PM Link

Ummm….how about Chip Foose or another builder who doesn’t have an affiliation to any car company but actually knows what the hell they’re talking about? I don’t think you can ever completely duplicate the Top Gear program from the UK, but that doesn’t mean that the US can’t have a great show about real cars in primetime. After all, Overhaulin’, American Chopper, Monster Garage, Pinks, Unique Whips, etc all did well on minimal budgets on TLC/Discovery and Speed. Imagine what would happen if you get a real primetime budget and access to pretty much anything you wanted since you have NBC (and ultimately GE) behind you?

Ideas for Special Guests/Featured Manufacturers:
Bob Lutz
Bill Ford
Anybody from Holden HSV
Panoz
Saleen
Carroll Shelby
Shelby Supercars (the new one, not Carroll’s group)

Ideas for Guest Drivers:
Jeff Gordon
Danica Patrick
Helio Castroneves
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Jimmy Johnson

Ducati Minor January 31st, 2008 2:57 PM Link

Leno, yes. Seinfeld, no. If I remember correctly, he couldn’t even figure out what was wrong in his old 911 in Hollywood.

SAAB95JD January 31st, 2008 5:00 PM Link

Actually, I think Seinfeld would be a fun choice… at least he is a gear head and a comedian. I also LOVE the idea of getting Jamie Kitman on the show. He is witty, and quite quirky. I also love Leno, but I doubt that he would leave his current show to do Top Gear America. Can I also nominate Jean Jennings? That gal has motor oil in the veins and certainly can write a clever column…

Steve’s Auto Blog » Seinfeld or Leno to host American Top Gear? January 31st, 2008 7:17 PM Link

[…] story here and […]

QuickSilver January 31st, 2008 7:44 PM Link

Titus!

naif January 31st, 2008 9:31 PM Link

i thought the show was about cars, you know automobiles, not a comedy show. the ratings should be about the cars not the stars.

Jonathan Fung January 31st, 2008 10:05 PM Link

I think that these two are pretty good choices. But honestly, it just won’t be the same as the real British Top Gear with those three guys messing around, and mostly uncensored by the BBC.

Jaylee January 31st, 2008 10:36 PM Link

I don’t think the humor would translate intact, no matter who they use. Any American host trying to duplicate Jeremy Clarkston would come off as arrogant over here. And to keep the chemistry, you’d need sidekicks with enough presence not to fold under Jay Leno. It all works as a British show. Part comic banter/Part genuine enthusiast show; the category doesn’t even exist here. Having said that, it’s far fetched, but I vote for Patrick Dempsey for the Richard Hammond role– a good-looking guy with a goofy streak, who’s a driver, too.

However they do it, I’m thinking it’ll come off like the American version of The Office: Not better or worse, just completely different.

Michael January 31st, 2008 10:58 PM Link

I have liked the ideas of Ezra Dyer, Jamie Kitman, and Jean Jennings. That would be a fantastic show that I would watch. But I’d still watch the British version on YouTube.

But Leno long before Seinfeld. No question about that one. Maybe Seinfeld as well, but Leno needs to be the big name.

tetzy February 1st, 2008 4:54 AM Link

This ‘Murrican version of Top Gear is going to be crap.

You just know the producers are itching to cast one or more ex-nascar driver as a host.

Just what we need. High school dropouts with southern accents driving around some stinking oval.

Big whoop.

Joe February 1st, 2008 9:46 AM Link

Oh for the love of god NOT Seinfeld. And Leno, very Meh.

Winding Road » Archive » Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson a UK Sex Idol? February 1st, 2008 2:34 PM Link

[…] Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson placed third in the survey. That’s right, the 47-year old impertinent host gets UK women all hot-and-bothered, whether they openly admit or not. Others in the top ten were celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, the English National Football (soccer) team’s manager Fabio Capello, and former football (soccer) star Gary Lineker. […]

JimBro February 3rd, 2008 4:43 AM Link

Jean Jennings, Michael Waltrip, and Tim Allen are the 3 I’d try. They are all 3 witty and sometimes hilarious. I like Leno too, but I have my doubts about how well he would do as part of an ensemble cast.

It’s the writers, however, that make or break this type of show. And writers are hired by producers. Oh-Oh… Now I see the problem.

Goose February 3rd, 2008 3:59 PM Link

TGA will never work: The point of Americans watching is that you’ve never heard of many of those cars, you don’t have the wherewithal to get them, and the hosts badmouth America and it’s cars at every opportunity. What will TGA do: Go across the pond, and wish they could get “one of these” back home?

This will be a train wreck . . .

Winding Road » Archive » Seinfeld Has the First Porsche 911: Or Does He? February 5th, 2008 1:01 PM Link

[…] and noted Porsche enthusiast Jerry Seinfeld has two great icons of automotive history, the first and last air-cooled Porsche 911s. At least, he […]

Winding Road » Archive » The Stig Makes an Unexpected Appearance in the Sunday Funnies February 25th, 2008 4:00 PM Link

[…] super-sized strip, Conley makes visual reference to the on-going question of the identity behind Top Gear’s The Stig. We’ve seen this “I am The Stig.” tee’s elsewhere to be sure, but it’s nice to […]

Winding Road » Archive » Seinfeld Escapes Crash in Vintage Fiat April 3rd, 2008 10:03 AM Link

[…] Seinfeld was alone at the wheel of his 1967 Fiat BTM in East Hampton, New York last Saturday, when the car’s brakes suddenly failed. The comic attempted to use the emergency brake to stop, without success, and was forced to swerve to keep from driving into an intersection. The swerve caused the car to roll over and come to stop just yards from the highway. East Hampton Town Police Chief Todd Sarris said that Seinfeld’s quick thinking, “probably avoided a very serious accident.” […]