Top Gear Coming to NBC?
Reuters reported today that an American remake of the popular BBC car show Top Gear is in the works at NBC.
NBC has ordered a pilot of the show – which they are set to announce sometime at the NAIAS. They are currently casting for a host. The pilot will, reportedly, be filmed at a secret location near Los Angeles featuring a hangar and race track. The show will be filmed in front of a live audience.
NBC reality chief Craig Plestis told Reuters that automakers are already inquiring to be included. He said, “This is a favorite of all automobile companies as it shows their cars in such a good light.
Comments
CUBSFAN9922
Jay Leno, only because he is a huge car nut
Erik
This doesn't stand a snowball's chance underground of succeeding. It is the pure car loving silliness of the hosts and an enormous budget that makes the show what it is - not being filmed live in a hanger beside a private track. No original thinking here...
EmmEff
Jay Leno is nowhere near as entertaining as Jeremy, Richard, or James... in fact, I cannot think of a single personality, let alone three, that could make a US version of Top Gear actually be watchable.
One of the lures of Top Gear (UK) is the fact that they do not have a US slant on the car industry. Their proximity to Europe makes exotics seemingly easily available to the show. I would absolutely hate to see the track driven cars to be something like a Chevy Cobalt or a Dodge Nitro.
The US version of the show will be a flop from the get-go...
pjstevens
I can see how many would see this as yet another disater at the networks attempt to reporoduce a great show, I too have my doubts.
I have my hopes too though, I LOVE Top Gear and I certainly hope thay can make it work...
Greg
Given the writers' strike, the only possible host is The Stig.
Jeb
OK...I'm going to be very creative. Hosts would need to be high energy, authentically funny, and at least one has to have name recognition. So, here goes. We're assuming they'll have three hosts.
1. Matthew McConaughey. Say what? No, seriously...this is a guy that's not full of himself, that lived in his own Airstream and toted it around the country for months, that I think has been into older cars, and who had this priceless bit of dialogue as Wooderson in Dazed and Confused: "Let me tell you what Melba Toast is packin' right here, all right. We got 4:11 Positrac outback, 750 double pumper, Edelbrock intake, bored over 30, 11 to 1 pop-up pistons, turbo-jet 390 horsepower. We're talkin' some fuckin' muscle." I genuinely think he could pull off a show-hosting gig like this.
2. Dave Grohl, for many of the same reasons as MConaughey, but also because I know he's a genuine car guy. A neighbor of mine bought a beautiful old 1960s Thunderbird from Grohl, said he knew his stuff.
3. Brock Yates. Enough said.
Oh yeah, and don't forget Stig's American Cousin.
Jeb
DAMMIT. I had a great treatise on who I thought should host (not that it's EVER likely to happen), and I lost it. Oh well...short version.
1. Matthew McCounaghey. "Let me tell you what Melba Toast is packin' right here, all right. We got 4:11 Positrac outback, 750 double pumper, Edelbrock intake, bored over 30, 11 to 1 pop-up pistons, turbo-jet 390 horsepower. We're talkin' some fuckin' muscle."
2. Dave Grohl. Sold a neighbor of mine a beautiful old Thunderbird, he's supposed to be a car guy.
3. Brock Yates.
And of course, the Stig's American Cousin.
OddJob
The only way this show will fly is if the hosts are as candid and honest as they are on the UK version.
However, NBC will be too scared to air a show where the hosts will call a sponsor's car "rubbish". I just don't see it happening.
Sorry, I'd have to agree with EmmEff's comment, but here's hoping.
Chris
Just started watching the show on BBCA, and its really enjoyable. No question the personalities make it work.
The challenge of being able to find hosts half as good as those over here is the big hurdle.
Other than that, don't let the manufacturers or the greenies foul it up. (I don't want to see an infomercial every week, or be chided about my SUV.)
Or just rebroadcast the Brit versions. Probably won't be able to top them.
Richard H
Tommy Kendall would make a great host. He does a great job on SPEED Test Drive (Next to F1 the only credible program on SPEED). Just as long as they don't bring along that dizzy b$%#@ from Setup.
I hope the show works!
BruceinCary
Unless the presenter/presenters are prepared and allowed to trash a cars name, there is no chance. Plus I think this show works better with the British sense of humour.
Why not just give us the British version?
Bruce
RG
Would it not be more cost effective to broadcast the original? By re-airing there would be no insurance costs for the vehicles being tested or the hosts. Nothing for rent or crew. The writer's strike is a non-issue.
On which roadways are you going to be able to run a Veyron, F430, or new ZR1 full out?
I am sure that personalities can be found to make this work but, I feel that this could turn into a commercial for the big 3.
jeff
Love Top Gear, been getting it online for a couple of years.
To echo what others have said, I really hope this doesn't become a half-witted copy...if so I'll stick to the original.
To the commenter up top, the only thing Leno has going for him is his collection. His current job is to just be funny, and he can't even do that.
Ducati Minor
The British show is too full of crap...I hate to see how an NBC version comes out.
teflon
I agree with several of the other posters. We should just receive the original BBC version of Top Gear.
William Patrick
Can't we please just get the British series rebroadcast here in a timely manner; if not on network at least on basic cable?!!!
I love this series and an American made copy will never compare. In fact if it even comes close I’ll quite my job at ABC and FOX!!!
Gianni
It won't work. They won't be able to call a crap car rubbish on the NBC version since it would be advertiser supported, and who do you think will make up the bulk of the advertising. It will end up like the US car magazines... tepid.
Josh
This is an awful idea. Jeremy Clarkson is great. So are the other hosts on the show. Also Top Gear on BBC hates most American cars. What are they going to do only show American made cars and make fun of Euro cars. No Thanks. I will continue to watch BBC Top Gear.
Robert
I have to agree with most of the comments here. A US version wouldn't have the Hamster saying the rear end of the Chrysler Crossfire looks like a "dog taking a crap".
“This is a favorite of all automobile companies as it shows their cars in such a good light.
southern
Oh Goody.
I can only hope that it is as Anti British as Jeremy Clarkson is Anti American.
What a complete and utter ass he is.
we do a pretty good job of bringing top shows over from Europe.
But somehow I think this will be a Motorweek on steroids and we don't need a big budget puff piece.
AlfaElan
Jay Leno and Tommy Kendall would be a great pair to do a US version of TopGear except for one thing. They both know how to drive a car fast around a track. They would have too hard a time going slow by sliding the car through every corner like they do on the BBC version.
I find it hard to take TopGears lap times seriously when they drive like they want to be drifting. I expecially had a problem with the Z06 being 2 seconds slower than their fastest car when they sat for 2 seconds going nowwhere while spinning the tires. They would have had a better lap time by leaving the traction control on (and yes I have autocross a Corvette with and without traction contol on).
TopGear is amusing and it is nice to see some of the European cars, but it is too tabloid for me to stand it more the once in a while.
Rob
Texas_Dude
Cool, only car show I get to watch is Motor Week.
Aaron
terrible idea. Nobody cocks about the way Clarkson, May, and Hamster cock about! It's the brit take on things that I just adore and are what makes it so entertaining.
That said, it would be great if NBC came out with a high-budget, high-profile car show. Just don't try and mimic TG. It should have it's own identity, less it end up like Fifth Gear, which just comes across as such an imitator that comparisons are unavoidable, and compared with TG, it sucks.
A.J.
IS THERE A GOOD REASON WHY TG'S JEREMY, RICHARD, AND JAMES CANNOT PRESENT THE SHOW IN THE U.S.? LAST TIME I KNEW, THEY DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF IT IN THE U.K., AND THEY DO SPEAK ENGLISH....WHAT'S THE PROBLEM NBC? NO SHOWS OF YOUR OWN TO SCREW UP, GOTTA FIND A U.K. SHOW TO MESS WITH???
Chris
A US version wouldn't be as good as the original British show. They should just show the British show, and see if the Brit's would test a US car every so often. Would be funny to see like a (US)Ford Fusion vs Ford Mondeo, Renault Laguna, Opel Vectra, Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Skoda Superb.. shoot out! Throw in a Saturn Aura too! lol
Jay Leno has to be the host if NBC wants any chance of the show working out!! He's funny and know alot about cars and people like him!
A.J.
WHERE DO THEY PLAN TO FIND A STIG IN THE U.S.? NASCAR? HA!
Gianni
A.J. - Maybe they will use Big Stig from the Miami to New Orleans episode.
Kal
I'm not sure why they think a US version will do any better here than the British version did. Top Gear used to be on the Discovery Channel. Needless to say it didn't last long, which is too bad. I agree that they will be hard pressed to find anyone an clever or snarky as the current British hosts, they present a formidable dynamic that makes the show truly interesting. That, and as stated before they love tearing manufacturer's a new one on a regular basis which makes it hard to sell advertising slots (at least to car companies).
BruceinCary
A note to A.J. above, JC did spend some time in the US on a previous attempt to create a US TG. But, and here is the surprising bit, he hated being in the US!
Funny 'cos he is at least as large as the fat Americans he rips off!
Bruce
Aaron
While i'm a huge fan of TG, i can see why network execs don't want to air it here, mainstream. On average, there are 2-3 jokes or references that I just don't get or understand because they involve people or news that is local only to the UK. Heck, I have no idea who half the stars are that they put in a reasonably price car. Fortunately, i'm not bothered by this and it doesn't reduce the enjoyment of the show for me. However, I've learned not everyone is like me, and a lot of people get angry and upset when something on tv confuses their little brain. Tv execs think everyone has a little brain, and therefore, think TG would be too upsetting, particularly when they take a stab or too at us yanks. I find it humorous, but even in this very thread there are people who find it offensive.
Ducati Minor
"WHERE DO THEY PLAN TO FIND A STIG IN THE U.S.?"
Uh, me.
Rex
I don't think TopGear will work in the America. Americans get a sanitize version of shows. No nudity; won't have a problem with that on TG. No violence; again no problem with that on TG. No bad language; Ding-Ding there's our problem and the fact they rip on any faults a car might have. They'll be honest and I doubt that will work with NBC (they do love their advertisers; especially GM) no matter who is the host.
David
I don't want this at all. The American version is going to be terrible; I can tell already. I'd probably rather keep illegally downloading the original than watch the American version.
mbslrm
Just re air the British shows.
The Stig
Oh no don't 'Americanize' it for crying out loud. Either rebroadcast the originals so we're not years behind over here, or do what Fox did with Kitchen Nightmares and Ramsey - get the real people who make the show what it is. If they try to reinvent it I predict it will be a watered down politically correct version with 1/10th the entertainment value of the original. I may not always agree with the British version or understand every reference, but I've never said it's not entertaining. And that's the whole point isn't it?
saru-kun
My vote for host is Garage 419's Matt Farah.
Jonathan Fung
This will NOT be Top Gear, the same way that "So You Think You Can Dance" is not "Dancing with the Stars." Okay, bad analogy, but really, this will be too watered down to be real Top Gear with the real British trio.
Austin
Vicki Butler-Henderson.
Bert
It'll either be up there with the original BBC Top Gear or go straight up and 'hit the fan' - if you know what I mean ;)
As long as they can get hosts that are as good as the originial 3 (and are not posers) and can get an American version of the Stig (I dunno where they're gonna do that!!!) then it should be fine :P
Just better hope it doesn't turn out like Top Gear Philippines - man it really sucks in the Philippines!!!
Christian
The US version will be a failed abomination of the original BBC version. The beauty of the BBC TopGear is not only quality of the hosts; but their honest, non-politically-swayed opinions. The NBC network will never allow the hosts to give an honest "negative" opinion of a sponsor's car.
It will end up just like that horrible Speed program Tommy Kendall hosts, "Test Drive". Tommy Kendall is PAID to say he likes those cars!!! Why else would he love EVERYTHING about EVERY car he tests?! Hello people, "Test Drive" is a half hour carmaker adverstisement.
Christian
I agree, just broadcast the original BBC version!
Schad
Danny Bonaduce = Richard Hammond w/some edge
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And he's not American.
Heh.
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