Just watched American Top Gear

immiketoo · 11-22-2010, 06:34 PM

The best chemistry for this show is strong acid or toxic waste.

Chest Rockwell · 11-22-2010, 08:23 PM

I agree that the first season of the original was pretty weak also, but they have perfected it now. It's like taking a recepie for for a great cake from someone and saying, "fuck it, I'll substitute a couple of these ingredients and then add in this other shit that no one wants and feed it to the American public."

I may just DVR them from now on and fast fwd through the shit just to see the cars. I don't think they are going to show us anything that the other guys haven't though so it may not even be worth the trouble.

BTM · 11-22-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buegie

They ripped off every aspect of TG, including the name, which should have been TG USA or something.

Not surprised by this - it's a franchise really. Check out Top Gear in Australia - same thing

scottwww · 11-22-2010, 08:30 PM

Just watched episode 1 on my DVR. It seemed like a cheap copy of the real Top Gear. But I will watch it. There aren't that many TV shows I actually like to regularly watch.

At times, the dialog was obviously scripted, sounding like they were reading the words. At other times, the dialog was so bad that it couldn't have been scripted. They should have selected other clips or overdubbed something else.

It may be that in too many ways they are copying Top Gear as if the formula will produce the same result. I tend to think it would be better if the producers made something unique, rather than copy-cat. Yet I still recognize that if it were wholly different, the show would be criticized for not having this segment, or that.

Yeah, it feels like a rip-off, but it is better than most of the trash that I can't bring myself to watch. I will give it a chance. If the producers evolve it quickly into something uniquely interesting, rather than staying on formula, then it could stand on it's own.

Right now, the best thing is that people who don't have BBC America may have the History channel and get to see an entertaining car show.

It is probably best that they have a driver as the other two dufaces would probably wreck some great cars. At least Tanner Foust can drive, even though I don't really like his personna.

Buegie · 11-22-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTM

Not surprised by this - it's a franchise really. Check out Top Gear in Australia - same thing

I know, I still don't like it

They had a big enough budget though, I think they could have come up with some of their own segments rather than following the TG formula. Now all we're doing is comparing it to the original, and it obviously won't live up to that.

BTM · 11-22-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buegie

I know, I still don't like it

They had a big enough budget though, I think they could have come up with some of their own segments rather than following the TG formula. Now all we're doing is comparing it to the original, and it obviously won't live up to that.

I mean I get what your saying but at the same time, most every time I'm watching celebrity in a reasonably priced car, I'm going "who the fuck is this again?"

It would be cool to get some "real" celebrities but obviously for a while that won't happen - not unless the show gains some traction. The challenge portion is really where the host chemistry on the UK show shines through - we'll have to wait and see if the hosting gets better for the US or stays pretty dismal.

It's one episode - FWIW I thought the first episode of Arrested Development sucked ass and it became one of my favorite sitcoms. For the time being I'll stay tuned

Schm · 11-22-2010, 09:12 PM

It sucked hard in many aspects, but I will keep watching in hope that it continues to improve throughout the rest of the season.

TommyK · 11-23-2010, 02:58 AM

i dont know what they were thinking. you cant remake a already great show. it took Top Gear decades to become what it is today and even still it is one of the most popular shows in the world. BBC america never shows current episodes and that is a bummer as well. If ABC,NBC or someone was willing to pay the BBC money to air the really Top Gear instead of paying royalties for the name im sure they would pull more viewers than the money they wasted making american Top gear.

It was great back when discovery channel used to play top gear back in 2004 and thats how i found out about it and have watch religiously since.

Brey335i · 11-23-2010, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModProjeKt.com

i dont know what they were thinking. you cant remake a already great show. it took Top Gear decades to become what it is today and even still it is one of the most popular shows in the world. BBC america never shows current episodes and that is a bummer as well. If ABC,NBC or someone was willing to pay the BBC money to air the really Top Gear instead of paying royalties for the name im sure they would pull more viewers than the money they wasted making american Top gear.

It was great back when discovery channel used to play top gear back in 2004 and thats how i found out about it and have watch religiously since.

This. Top Gear has already been made. And they speak English. All you have to do is simply air it on American Television.

I think I could have rescued Top Gear USA... but only if the History channel gave me the freedom to do and say exactly what I wanted on the show...

Here in the States, you simply can't call a car "quintisentially gay" or proclaim that the car comes with "ein fanbelt that will last a 1000 years and a navigation system that will only take you to Poland"...

kind of a shame in a country with the most highly regarded freedom of speech, really....

BTM · 11-23-2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModProjeKt.com

i dont know what they were thinking. you cant remake a already great show.

Tell that to American Idol, The Office, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, etc

SpacE82 · 11-23-2010, 09:32 AM

I watched it last night. I didnt think it was THAT bad. I mean compared to the other automotive shows (or lack of) in the US, its the best one out there. Its definitely not as good as the original top gear, but thats to be expected. Tanner can be annoying, but its still cool to have a professional driver on the show who can actually drive the cars. I love cars and this is a car show, so I'll watch it.

The viper and cobra story was pretty sick though. The way the pilots flew that helicopter was awesome. It was like a video game.

GT3 Tim · 11-23-2010, 10:53 AM

Yeah, it was a total rip-off. Warehouse setting, 3 wankers, celebrity in a mid-priced car, etc, etc, etc.

It all looked very scripted though....I was not impressed BUT will be recording it to support american car tv shows. We need more....they can only get better. lol

I know who Tanner is, but who are the other two wankers? Do they have any track or racing experience? How the f$ck is a comparision test between three cars even close when two of the guys are fricken retards?

Well, whatever, at least we finally got a car show on american TV. I will continue to watch the BBC for the real deal though.

GT3 Tim · 11-23-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpacE82

The viper and cobra story was pretty sick though. The way the pilots flew that helicopter was awesome. It was like a video game.

Agreed. The best part of that whole bit was watching the helicopter.

You could see rubber on the ground all over the place from the 50 takes they did, which kinda kills the whole "chase" thing.

Also, where the hell did they get that cheap-ass light set-up for the "missle dectection system". lol. Seriously....that's the best we can do?

Trijicon · 11-23-2010, 11:43 AM

Part of me watches the original TG for the cinematography and photography of the videos packages they show. Very stylized and modern. The USA guys need to work on this as well.

BTM · 11-23-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT3 Tim

I will continue to watch the BBC for the real deal though.

You do realize the BBC version is notoriously scripted as well, right? I agree that it's a better show, but it certainly isn't "real"

And while I agree that the heli chase probably had multiple takes, remember that he was driving the viper around that airport before the challenge initiated...

Blake · 11-23-2010, 02:48 PM

i honestly thought it wasn't the worst thing i've ever seen...being said, it wasn't great either. i think adam ferrara is out of place at best, tanner foust is a whiny teenage boy, and whoever the hell the other guy is that i've never heard of is just that. i agree with the person that said top gear UK was crap at first, too, and took time to become what it is. i've watched a lot of the early top gear's myself, and it definitely isn't something that i cared too much for. i'm not not writing off TGA completely just yet, i'll see how it turns out before i completely throw them under the bus. if it turns into the weekly american car expose, then i'll quit watching it. i'm not expecting to see fiat's or renault's etc., but if it becomes the mustang/camaro show, i really will lost interest.

SpacE82 · 11-23-2010, 03:09 PM

^I agree 100%. I hope every episode isnt about american cars as the center piece. It wasnt great, but it wasnt terrible either. It really isnt fair to compare it to the original top gear now because its been on forever and has had time to perfect itself. If anything, compare this episode to the first episode of top gear uk. It being an obvious copy was done on purpose. Didnt the people top gear uk have input or help w the us top gear? I may be wrong, but I thought i heard that. I mean how else could they have copied everything lol.

I agree, Adam Ferrara is annoying as hell and out of place. It's still a show about cool cars, so I'll be watching it each week.

Chest Rockwell · 12-05-2010, 11:43 AM

I just watched the fat guy drive on of my dream cars, an Aston, and talk bad about it. I'm sure the Honda he drove to work is nice, but surely an Aston is one of the nicest cars he's ever been in and he has the balls to bad mouth it? I don't know why I'm watching this show. The dialouge is making me ill.

MediaArtist · 12-05-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chest Rockwell

I just watched the fat guy drive on of my dream cars, an Aston, and talk bad about it.

Rutledge is useless. He kills the show for me.

Mahmood07 · 12-05-2010, 01:30 PM

Did any of you watch the episode where the fat guy tries to be funny by calling the british "liars"? That part was very cheesy...many things ONLY work with clarkson and shouldn't be used in TG USA.

Chest Rockwell · 12-05-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahmood07

Did any of you watch the episode where the fat guy tries to be funny by calling the british "liars"? That part was very cheesy...many things ONLY work with clarkson and shouldn't be used in TG USA.

yep, that's the one I was talking about. that guy is a douche. I'm going to write the TG guys and beg them to take their name off the show.

11-22-2010, 08:23 PM	#24
Chest Rockwell Private First Class 17 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Sedan Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I agree that the first season of the original was pretty weak also, but they have perfected it now. It's like taking a recepie for for a great cake from someone and saying, "fuck it, I'll substitute a couple of these ingredients and then add in this other shit that no one wants and feed it to the American public." I may just DVR them from now on and fast fwd through the shit just to see the cars. I don't think they are going to show us anything that the other guys haven't though so it may not even be worth the trouble.
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11-22-2010, 08:30 PM	#26
scottwww Brigadier General 550 Rep 4,760 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 335i, 15 Infiniti Q60S Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Just watched episode 1 on my DVR. It seemed like a cheap copy of the real Top Gear. But I will watch it. There aren't that many TV shows I actually like to regularly watch. At times, the dialog was obviously scripted, sounding like they were reading the words. At other times, the dialog was so bad that it couldn't have been scripted. They should have selected other clips or overdubbed something else. It may be that in too many ways they are copying Top Gear as if the formula will produce the same result. I tend to think it would be better if the producers made something unique, rather than copy-cat. Yet I still recognize that if it were wholly different, the show would be criticized for not having this segment, or that. Yeah, it feels like a rip-off, but it is better than most of the trash that I can't bring myself to watch. I will give it a chance. If the producers evolve it quickly into something uniquely interesting, rather than staying on formula, then it could stand on it's own. Right now, the best thing is that people who don't have BBC America may have the History channel and get to see an entertaining car show. It is probably best that they have a driver as the other two dufaces would probably wreck some great cars. At least Tanner Foust can drive, even though I don't really like his personna. __________________ 2007 BMW 335i E92, Montego Blue on Cream Beige, MT, ZSP, ZPP, CA, PDC, CWP and Style 188 for winter
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11-22-2010, 09:12 PM	#29
Schm Colonel 165 Rep 2,731 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Missouri iTrader: (3)	It sucked hard in many aspects, but I will keep watching in hope that it continues to improve throughout the rest of the season. __________________ 2006 E90 330i.
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11-23-2010, 02:58 AM	#30
TommyK Brigadier General 120 Rep 3,325 Posts Drives: E90 335i LCI Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (9) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i LCI [0.00] 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	i dont know what they were thinking. you cant remake a already great show. it took Top Gear decades to become what it is today and even still it is one of the most popular shows in the world. BBC america never shows current episodes and that is a bummer as well. If ABC,NBC or someone was willing to pay the BBC money to air the really Top Gear instead of paying royalties for the name im sure they would pull more viewers than the money they wasted making american Top gear. It was great back when discovery channel used to play top gear back in 2004 and thats how i found out about it and have watch religiously since.
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11-23-2010, 09:32 AM	#33
SpacE82 Major 120 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: 2009 M-Sport 135i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [8.50]	I watched it last night. I didnt think it was THAT bad. I mean compared to the other automotive shows (or lack of) in the US, its the best one out there. Its definitely not as good as the original top gear, but thats to be expected. Tanner can be annoying, but its still cool to have a professional driver on the show who can actually drive the cars. I love cars and this is a car show, so I'll watch it. The viper and cobra story was pretty sick though. The way the pilots flew that helicopter was awesome. It was like a video game.
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11-23-2010, 10:53 AM	#34
GT3 Tim Moderator 100 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: 2014 MB E63S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (0)	Yeah, it was a total rip-off. Warehouse setting, 3 wankers, celebrity in a mid-priced car, etc, etc, etc. It all looked very scripted though....I was not impressed BUT will be recording it to support american car tv shows. We need more....they can only get better. lol I know who Tanner is, but who are the other two wankers? Do they have any track or racing experience? How the f$ck is a comparision test between three cars even close when two of the guys are fricken retards? Well, whatever, at least we finally got a car show on american TV. I will continue to watch the BBC for the real deal though. __________________ Tim <--- apparently likes "3" cars 2014 E63S -- The Rocket 2014 F30 328i -- Kids car 2008 E90 M3 -- Sold 2004 GT3 -- Sold 1997 M3/4 -- Sold 1995 M3 -- Sold
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11-23-2010, 11:43 AM	#36
Trijicon Second Lieutenant 51 Rep 280 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Part of me watches the original TG for the cinematography and photography of the videos packages they show. Very stylized and modern. The USA guys need to work on this as well.
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11-23-2010, 02:48 PM	#38
Blake Banned 795 Rep 4,643 Posts Drives: Chevy Aveo Join Date: May 2008 Location: Parent's Basement iTrader: (7)	i honestly thought it wasn't the worst thing i've ever seen...being said, it wasn't great either. i think adam ferrara is out of place at best, tanner foust is a whiny teenage boy, and whoever the hell the other guy is that i've never heard of is just that. i agree with the person that said top gear UK was crap at first, too, and took time to become what it is. i've watched a lot of the early top gear's myself, and it definitely isn't something that i cared too much for. i'm not not writing off TGA completely just yet, i'll see how it turns out before i completely throw them under the bus. if it turns into the weekly american car expose, then i'll quit watching it. i'm not expecting to see fiat's or renault's etc., but if it becomes the mustang/camaro show, i really will lost interest.
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11-23-2010, 03:09 PM	#39
SpacE82 Major 120 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: 2009 M-Sport 135i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [8.50]	^I agree 100%. I hope every episode isnt about american cars as the center piece. It wasnt great, but it wasnt terrible either. It really isnt fair to compare it to the original top gear now because its been on forever and has had time to perfect itself. If anything, compare this episode to the first episode of top gear uk. It being an obvious copy was done on purpose. Didnt the people top gear uk have input or help w the us top gear? I may be wrong, but I thought i heard that. I mean how else could they have copied everything lol. I agree, Adam Ferrara is annoying as hell and out of place. It's still a show about cool cars, so I'll be watching it each week.
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12-05-2010, 11:43 AM	#40
Chest Rockwell Private First Class 17 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Sedan Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I just watched the fat guy drive on of my dream cars, an Aston, and talk bad about it. I'm sure the Honda he drove to work is nice, but surely an Aston is one of the nicest cars he's ever been in and he has the balls to bad mouth it? I don't know why I'm watching this show. The dialouge is making me ill.
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12-05-2010, 01:30 PM	#42
Mahmood07 Captain 92 Rep 856 Posts Drives: E92 M3 + F85 X5M Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Boston->San Diego->Bahrain iTrader: (0)	Did any of you watch the episode where the fat guy tries to be funny by calling the british "liars"? That part was very cheesy...many things ONLY work with clarkson and shouldn't be used in TG USA. __________________ ///M3 Mods: \| Eisenmann Race Exhaust \| Primary Cats Delete (TTP) \| ESS Tune \| 19" Advan RS \| Eibach Springs \| MS Air Filter \| BMW Perf. Spoiler \| BMW Perf. Splitters \| Euro LCI Tail lights \| Angel iBright v.3.0 \| 20% Tint \| Matte black Kidney Grills \| CF Side Gills \| Painted Reflectors \| Black M3 emblem
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