Top Gear - US vs UK Versions

[tony20009]

I see that quite a few folks here are familiar with the UK version of Top Gear. I like it quite a good bit. I've watched a few of the US version episodes and quite frankly, I'd be embarrassed, were I the original show's producers/executives, that the US variant shares the name.

Just wondering if any of you share my feelings, or if any one likes the US version. For my part, I think the US hosts are the main problem. They have no character, no flair, no personality. It's like watching MBA students make presentations about cars. They cannot deliver smug humor very well at all. Most likely because they don't really know how to use the English language, they just speak English. Indeed, unless I just want to see some video of a car that appeals to me, I don't even bother.

And that's another thing...have any of you noticed how crappy the video is on the US show. I cannot tell you how often I've seen blurred imagery on that show, yet I cannot recall ever seeing blurred, jiggly video on the UK show.

[Rotary Rasp]

I agree completely! Although, I think Tanner Foust is decent. The other two guys are retarded.

[ryan970]

ive watched 1 episode of the us verison and i says its ok but isnt nearly as good as uk

[ERIC212NYC]

Totally 100% agreement on this for sure. It almost hurts to watch the US version. I hate the fact they copied a lot of the stories and stunts from the UK version. Worst is a second Stig. Come on they could of created a new character.

[Mutter18]

I have watched a few of the US shows and I must say I cannot stand to watch it. The US show is just flat out BAD! Just give me the UK show and don't kill the name with this sorry knock off.

[JL 325i]

I HATE the us a**holes on that show. they copy a good show, put a fat guy that trys to be funny and there just not good. they have 1 guy that can drive..its watching the same tv show, repeated, worse people, and generally worse plot ideas....

[Jon335iFL]

Originally Posted by JL 325i

I HATE the us a**holes on that show. they copy a good show, put a fat guy that trys to be funny and there just not good. they have 1 guy that can drive..its watching the same tv show, repeated, worse people, and generally worse plot ideas....

I agree totally. To be honest the only thing that makes me watch it for the 5mins that i do is Tanner Faust. The fat guy,well.....I feel the need to hit him in the face dunno why.

the bad part is before i used to surf through the channels and whenever i spotted the words "top gear" i was glued to the tv.

Now iall just fly right through the history channel......Vote locked in.

[ctuna]

Why do we always have to rip off the British for a script or situation comedy idea remember three's company and numerous other movies . We may have invented Computers, the Internet and the Airplane but it doesn't seem like we have an writers with and original ideas lately

Its not that I find anything wrong with the Hosts I just don't like copycat ideas.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Why do we always have to rip off the British for a script or situation comedy idea remember three's company and numerous other movies . We may have invented Computers, the Internet and the Airplane but it doesn't seem like we have an writers with and original ideas lately

Its not that I find anything wrong with the Hosts I just don't like copycat ideas.

If it makes you feel any better, that police show went from the US to the UK...I forget the name of it but it had several US flavors like Special Victims Unit and Criminal Intent.

[CromeBMW]

Originally Posted by Mutter18

I have watched a few of the US shows and I must say I cannot stand to watch it. The US show is just flat out BAD! Just give me the UK show and don't kill the name with this sorry knock off.

[dghdgh]

Sorry can not comment on the us version I will watch out for it on our next trip. However the uk version used to be very informative now its 3 middle aged men living their personal dreams. The majority of time is spent looking at cars that 0.0005% of the population could ever consider. It was once over a good motoring tv magazine.
This is just my view.

[B3AST]

Ok so here's the deal, I'm an avid follower of Top Gear UK and have watched every single episode to date. Top Gear US is an absolute catastrophe. The only thing decent about that show is Tanner and that's ONLY because he is a good driver. Rutledge is a complete idiot and Adam is a comedian for crying out loud, and he's not even funny. I watched the first episode and was completely dumbfounded. I then went on to watch half of the second episode and that was it.

So far here's what I've seen:
-Dodge Viper - Fast car, yes. Worthy of any type of acclaim, no. = FAIL
Testing the Dodge Viper around a track, mehhh.
-Testing 3 Lambo's, WIN. Fantastic automobiles.
Driving those 3 Lambo's in a straight line, monumental FAIL.
-Cool challenge with Tanner driving the EVO down the ski mountain.
-Rutledge driving an Aston Martin and saying it's a boring, slow car. Basically calling it a P.O.S. The final straw.

If you're going to drive a Dodge Viper and get the biggest boner in the world and then drive a completely hand built, hand stitched british supercar and say it's a piece of sh*t then you're obviously a complete moron in every sense of the word. You are awarded no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Sorry for the venting, just had to let that out.

Thanks for starting this thread OP, it was therapeutic.

[dghdgh]

Sorry Ctuna are you english:
http://www.enotes.com/history-fact-f...ented-computer

[galahad05]

Meh. I like it overall. It's not nearly as good as the original Top Gear, but that's to be expected. First season = everyone on the production team, the writers, the hosts, etc. all getting a feel for the show.

That's any show's first season.
Try going back to watch the very first season of Futurama, or The Simpsons, or hell, the first season of UK Top Gear.

[Coolieman1220]

I loved the Alaska episode....

[GregTheStig]

I think they really had a good first season, but I think they need to branch off a bit and do their own thing and not try and copy the UK version as much. I think if they weren't called Top Gear less people would bash it. I think it's a pretty decent show, and I'll watch season 2.


But get rid of the name "big star small car".

[michaelthepsycho]

After one of the dudes said 160 mph is fast on the commercial. I stabbed myself in the eye with a spoon.

[Year's_End]

It'd be fine if they did two things:
1) Ditch the wooden-ass hosts. Get rid of Fat Hipster (as one user calls him from another thread) specifically. Throw in people that know and love cars, and can actually talk with some wit.

2) The filters and effects used are pretty meh. Half the reason I love Top Gear UK is due to the amazing editing and film effects.

[E90SLAM]

Definitely not as good as what Top Gear UK is right now, but not bad for their first season (except for the last episode, WTF they have to do a season review???!!!)

There's some segments they need to get rid such as "big star, small car" and "news" segments, first, the interview went bone dry, Rutledge just kept agreeing with the guests, and only went for a few mins of Q&A session instead of a nice conversation. News was just horrible, flat out reading from script and jokes are not funny at all.

Given the shortened showtime (42-43 mins) and commercials. They should've just cut those out and go straight to car reviews and specials and races.

[NewYearsBoy]

HAHAHA... Was I supposed to be surprised???

[M3_WC]

Nothing, period.

People who voted the US hosts are better, show your face.

[M0J0]

It takes time to get used to the hosts, but I could do without the fat redneck. I like the other two. I mean who would not love any actor from Rescue Me.