NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now - Focaljet

**blueovaldave** · 05-15-2008, 08:21 AM

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/15/n...-gear-for-now/

I am kind of happy about this because I don't think the quality would be anywhere near what it is in the BBC.

**BRZX3R** · 05-15-2008, 09:12 AM

I also happy to hear the show is canned. There is no way the suits at NBC could have or would have allowed the show to be as good as Top Gear. Also, some of the fun of Top Gear is seeing cars that I don't see here.

**sleeperlove** · 05-15-2008, 09:16 AM

Thank Goodness!

**ZedX31485** · 05-15-2008, 10:10 AM

couldn't agree with you guys more

**BUR_ZX3** · 05-15-2008, 10:19 AM

Honestly, I don't know that I trust a blog (autoblog) sourcing another blog (darkhorizons) as absolute truth.

But honestly, theres no way that Top Gear is going to be picked up in this economy. Its way too expensive.

**Phacade** · 05-15-2008, 10:21 AM

You see, half the fun of the show is watching cheeky Brits test out cars and go through hilarious antics while talking in that delicious pithy accent. Its wonderful. No way we yanks could pull that off!

**Jasonof2000** · 05-15-2008, 11:02 AM

I was kinda looking forward to it.

**spots25** · 05-15-2008, 12:54 PM

I was looking forward to it as well. I mean, it probably wouldn't have been nearly as good, but a good car show is a good car show.

**poondobber** · 05-15-2008, 01:18 PM

Thank god. They had no business messing with it. I dont see the Brits trying to remake Seinfeld.

**2focusd** · 05-15-2008, 02:28 PM

Good riddance

-Brian

**Cameroon** · 05-15-2008, 03:19 PM

The best part of Top Gear is that when a car sucks they say it sucks.

That CANNOT occur on any US corporate program.

**Jasonof2000** · 05-15-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poondobber

Thank god. They had no business messing with it. I dont see the Brits trying to remake Seinfeld.

They did mess with "Friends", a show I hate and came up with the original "Coupling" which is alright (which my wife loves).
I've noticed that US remakes are either great or they suck horribly.

**blueovaldave** · 05-15-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cameroon

The best part of Top Gear is that when a car sucks they say it sucks.

That CANNOT occur on any US corporate program.

This is 100% true.

There will never be a 100% true car review in the US. Too much corporate money getting spread around.

I think this is true in most magazine reviews also.

**UselessKnowledge** · 05-15-2008, 05:06 PM

Can't see Adam Corolla being the guy for the job either. I know they'd never pay the price for them, but Leno and Tim Allen would be a great pair.

**wilko** · 05-15-2008, 05:30 PM

What would an American top gear bring to the table? Do we really need a top gear suited for the states? Will enough people watch the show? What will they come back for? And whats with the British hand me downs?

I am having trouble convincing myself that an American version would work. BBC America should just run the English show, and ADVERTISE that they are running it. Make sure the show is aired in a solid time slot. And let the three comedians do what they do best.

**Lifeguardjoe** · 05-15-2008, 06:04 PM

Hmm, this might explain why Adam wasn't in the stuido the last couple days.

**Lifeguardjoe** · 05-15-2008, 06:15 PM

I don't think it's gone yet...possibly a mid-season replacement?

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=7647

and...

http://www.nbc.com/Primetime/Top_Gear/index.shtml

**spots25** · 05-15-2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilko

What would an American top gear bring to the table? Do we really need a top gear suited for the states? Will enough people watch the show? What will they come back for? And whats with the British hand me downs?

Seriously, we can all agree that it wouldn't be as good as the original. No argument there from anyone.

Is it possible, however, that it would still be entertaining? The slightest possibility? Do you think you might rather watch an American top gear, or say, "Dancing with the Stars" or "American Idol"?

**wilko** · 05-15-2008, 09:03 PM

^ I doubt Top Gear USA would be entertaining. Between the three I would rather watch Dancing with the Stars.

**BUR_ZX3** · 05-15-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lifeguardjoe

I don't think it's gone yet...possibly a mid-season replacement?

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=7647

and...

http://www.nbc.com/Primetime/Top_Gear/index.shtml

Yup.... like I suspected.... first blog completely misrepresented the scenario. If NBC is listing it on the site, they've obviously ordered some shows to be ready, either when a show bombs, or on the new "year round schedule" to be ready in the spring for Sunday Nights when Football is over.

**Jasonof2000** · 05-16-2008, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spots25

Seriously, we can all agree that it wouldn't be as good as the original. No argument there from anyone.

Is it possible, however, that it would still be entertaining? The slightest possibility? Do you think you might rather watch an American top gear, or say, "Dancing with the Stars" or "American Idol"?

You know, I'll say it can be as good. Top Gear gets its facts wrong every once in awhile (like when that idiot Hammond put the GT500 on a dyno then acted all surprised that the horsepower number was less than advertised because it was at the wheels and didn't account for drivetrain losses, that kind of stupidity really puts a damper on my enjoyment of the show when they can't even get the basics right) and I'm getting sick of the endless test drives of Aston Martins, they are not that good! Even some of their comparisons are retarded, like when Clarkson pitted an Exige S against a Mustang GT (never mind the fact that the Lotus is a lot lighter, a lot more expensive and has better suspension) then lorded over the fact that the little Brit car beat the Yank Tank.
Will it be different? Yeah, will people compare it (probably unfairly) to the original? Yeah.
Should it at least be given a chance before declaring it retarded and not worth watching? Yeah.

Their is an Australian version of Top Gear coming as well, and I'll download that as soon as they become available.

**Jasonof2000** · 05-16-2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UselessKnowledge

Can't see Adam Corolla being the guy for the job either. I know they'd never pay the price for them, but Leno and Tim Allen would be a great pair.

Adam Corolla does know about cars, one of his old cars was once featured in GRM, he hates muscle cars, he rips on NASCAR and likes F1 and WRC.

http://podcast.971freefm.com/klsx1/974614.mp3

About 7 minutes in someone calls and asks Carolla if he likes muscle cars and hot rods and his answer is perfect.

**freekwonder** · 05-16-2008, 01:38 AM

Adam Carolla owns a beautiful 510, he is cool in my book.

**blueovaldave** · 05-16-2008, 02:41 PM

It just keeps getting worse the longer they keep it alive.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/m...-top-gear-usa/

Quote:

The show is described as three friends performing outrageous challenges and stunts through the "crazy transformations" they make to their cars.

What is this Jackass for cars? Monster Garage for NBC?

**Lifeguardjoe** · 05-16-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonof2000

Adam Corolla does know about cars, one of his old cars was once featured in GRM, he hates muscle cars, he rips on NASCAR and likes F1 and WRC.

http://podcast.971freefm.com/klsx1/974614.mp3

About 7 minutes in someone calls and asks Carolla if he likes muscle cars and hot rods and his answer is perfect.

Theif

Thanks for linking to that again, btw

05-15-2008, 08:21 AM	#1
blueovaldave Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Fredrick, Md Posts: 2,676	NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/15/n...-gear-for-now/ I am kind of happy about this because I don't think the quality would be anywhere near what it is in the BBC. __________________ 2001 S2 Liquid Grey, PWSC 243 hp, 190 lb/tq Strikeforce Racing Patrick Carpantier (sp) learned a valuable lesson this weekend at Talladega. Don't argue with your crew chief as a rookie. You will be unemployed come Monday afternoon.

05-15-2008, 09:12 AM	#2
BRZX3R Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan, USA Posts: 2,699	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now I also happy to hear the show is canned. There is no way the suits at NBC could have or would have allowed the show to be as good as Top Gear. Also, some of the fun of Top Gear is seeing cars that I don't see here. __________________ 2003 Pitch Black SVTF 3-door EAP #1339 of 3985 Tuned by FocusSport K & N filter, 17" Axis Touring Cup wheels, FS UDP, VF Transmission mount, and Steeda STS Torque: Helping little people get things done with a lot of D, much less F.

05-15-2008, 10:10 AM	#4
ZedX31485 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,375	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now couldn't agree with you guys more __________________ Gone: 2001 Pitch Black ZX3 New: 2008 Reflex Silver GTI with DSG

05-15-2008, 10:19 AM	#5
BUR_ZX3 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: On the Set of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Posts: 35,275	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now Honestly, I don't know that I trust a blog (autoblog) sourcing another blog (darkhorizons) as absolute truth. But honestly, theres no way that Top Gear is going to be picked up in this economy. Its way too expensive. __________________ Formerly known as "The Spicy Sausage Bandit"

05-15-2008, 10:21 AM	#6
Phacade Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,455	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now You see, half the fun of the show is watching cheeky Brits test out cars and go through hilarious antics while talking in that delicious pithy accent. Its wonderful. No way we yanks could pull that off! __________________ 2003 EAP SVT "Attila" - ST170 Headlights, Hofele grill, SAP defuser, Clear corners, Taylor 8mm wires, Saleen/Eibach suspension kit, (really) short shift, Ford Racing 5-spokes, Nissan Quest rear wiper, powdercoated valve cover, shorty antenna, billet aluminum fuel door, debadged, Euro HVAC; and then of course me (being a narcissist, I consider this to be the most important mod). ------------------------------------------------------------ I mock your cheese danish and all it stands for! ------------------------------------------------------------

05-15-2008, 11:02 AM	#7
Jasonof2000 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. Posts: 1,245	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now I was kinda looking forward to it. __________________ 2004 SVT 5 door, Pipercross Viper, 65mm tb, sceamin deamon coil, front strut bar, Steeda STS, rear engine mont, Torsen LSD and ECU reflash.

05-15-2008, 12:54 PM	#8
spots25 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,994	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now I was looking forward to it as well. I mean, it probably wouldn't have been nearly as good, but a good car show is a good car show. __________________ '00 Focus Kona edt. SVT suspension, poly bushings, 15" split 5 spokes with Cooper CS4, ebay CAI with K&N filter, an 'aaaoooogah' horn

05-15-2008, 01:18 PM	#9
poondobber Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: In your girlfriends pants Posts: 1,022	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now Thank god. They had no business messing with it. I dont see the Brits trying to remake Seinfeld.

05-15-2008, 02:28 PM	#10
2focusd [FJ] Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Uniontown, PA Posts: 13,209	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now Good riddance -Brian __________________ Godspeed, Colin McRae, may you live on forever as the reason countless people fell in love with the Ford Focus (myself included). 1968-2007 http://www.f2focus.com

05-15-2008, 03:19 PM	#11
Cameroon [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wherever peculiar people congregate Posts: 5,258	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now The best part of Top Gear is that when a car sucks they say it sucks. That CANNOT occur on any US corporate program. __________________ Any day above ground is a good one. '04 ZX5 D23E 5spd, FocusSport/SCT/ITG/VF Eng./H&R/KW/Moog/MBRP/SVT 149whp/150wtq '02 ZTS Zetec 5spd, FocusSport/ITG/SVT 115whp/120wtq "Money trumps peace" - Pres. George W. Bush Feb 14,2007 Gas was $1.47, oil $35 a barrel and the Euro was $0.85 when Bush took office.

05-15-2008, 05:06 PM	#14
UselessKnowledge TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 719	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now Can't see Adam Corolla being the guy for the job either. I know they'd never pay the price for them, but Leno and Tim Allen would be a great pair. __________________ *Pay no mind to what the other voices say ...*

05-15-2008, 05:30 PM	#15
wilko Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: WNY Posts: 1,344	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now What would an American top gear bring to the table? Do we really need a top gear suited for the states? Will enough people watch the show? What will they come back for? And whats with the British hand me downs? I am having trouble convincing myself that an American version would work. BBC America should just run the English show, and ADVERTISE that they are running it. Make sure the show is aired in a solid time slot. And let the three comedians do what they do best.

05-15-2008, 09:03 PM	#19
wilko Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: WNY Posts: 1,344	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now ^ I doubt Top Gear USA would be entertaining. Between the three I would rather watch Dancing with the Stars.

05-16-2008, 01:38 AM	#23
freekwonder Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Belton, MO Posts: 1,231	Re: NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now Adam Carolla owns a beautiful 510, he is cool in my book. __________________ 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 1971 Datsun 510 SR20DET is childs play