Top Gear US getting better??

masraum · 01-18-2011, 07:59 PM

I've been DVRing the US version. I think it's getting better. Tonight I watched the Porsche Panamera episode and the BMW X6M episode. The guys are seeming more like a team, the seem to be getting funnier, and the episodes, while still not the UK version are getting a bit smoother.

So far, of the 3 stars that drove, my favs were Kid Rock, Brett Michaels, and Tim Allen. The two rock stars surprised me. Tony Hawk was OK too.

Wow, the Panamera is a helluva car!

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

I was impressed by the Panamera beating the Lambo and Ferrari, but I still hate it.

The Alaska episode was alright. It was sort of a new challenge, but a cross between the Bolivia and Botswana UK specials.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

The Alaska special was excellent.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by emcon5

The Alaska special was excellent.

Yea, I liked it too, it is getting better and they are playing off the gay guy, making him seem not as bad as he was, still think Brock Yates would be the ideal host...

M.D. Holloway · 01-18-2011, 08:13 PM

We saw the tough truck episode in Alaska - thought it was very funny.

masraum · 01-18-2011, 08:13 PM

Yeah, I think the "gay guy" (Rutledge Wood) is going to be Captain Slow, and the comedian is Hamster, but Tanner Faust is NOT Clarkson. I guess he'll mostly be the little straight guy.

audiman08 · 01-18-2011, 08:17 PM

I gave up on that show...I guess I need to start watching it again.

slodave · slodave's Garage

I liked the Alaska episode. I hope it continues like that.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

Yeah, I think the "gay guy" (Rutledge Wood) is going to be Captain Slow, and the comedian is Hamster, but Tanner Faust is NOT Clarkson. I guess he'll mostly be the little straight guy.

Nope. Faust is May, the "straight man" to the other two's jokes. When he does say something funny it is kind of dry humor.

Wood is Hammond. Adam is Clarkson, but sucks at it.

stomachmonkey · 01-18-2011, 08:25 PM

No

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

I'll give the new one a watch, but I'm still not loving the show... I rewatch the UK specials quite a bit, highly doubt this will get the same playtime....

VaSteve · 01-19-2011, 03:01 AM

The only one I have seen is the alaska one last night. I really enjoyed it. I want a truck!

DaveE · 01-19-2011, 03:44 AM

I watched a little bit of it once a few weeks ago. It seemed they were trying to mimic the UK show and doing it very poorly. I haven't watched it since. I think it was the Tim Allen lap time segment.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

I have been recording & watching the all. They are getting better. They will never be as good as the original, but the original has many years of practice.

attamz · 01-19-2011, 05:26 AM

I watched the alaska truck episode the other night and couldn't stop laughing. The three of them seem to have pretty good chemistry.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-19-2011, 07:41 AM

Getting better. They're at their best outside of the studio, all three are wooden and awkward when doing interviews and hosting the studio bits. I still think they need a host change, but we'll see.

VINMAN · 01-19-2011, 07:55 AM

I think the main problem is everyone needs too stop comparing it to Top Gear UK. It's supposed to be TG America!

Traditional American car culture is way different than the kind of snobbish Eurocentric car culture. While the European auto enthusiam mostly revolves around "sports cars", the American culture has a much wider range. Your average typical car guy is into anything with wheels and some type of propulsion. Anywhere from your home build orange crate scooter all the way up to big rigs, and everything in between.
The show is supposed to appeal to that type of audience. I really dont think the majority of viewers pay much attention the the hosts interaction. They just want to see cars, trucks , etc ,etc... go fast and make noise!

glewis80SC · glewis80SC's Garage

I've been recording and watching, they are getting better, the Panamera was pretty fast.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Alaska was the best so far.....I missed the one with the 914.

masraum · 01-19-2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

I think the main problem is everyone needs too stop comparing it to Top Gear UK. It's supposed to be TG America!

I really dont think the majority of viewers pay much attention the the hosts interaction. They just want to see cars, trucks , etc ,etc... go fast and make noise!

You're correct, but I want the show to be entertaining as well. The UK show is very entertaining because of the guys.

The UK guys have lots of experience. I enjoy reading James May's column online. I've seen some of Hamster's other tv host work. It's good. I've also read some of Clarkson's writing. It's good as well. The US guys need more practice. Hopefully, they'll improve.

I think Adam Carolla would have been great. He's got a personality, is comfortable on camera, is a car guy, and is funny.