NBC Bringing Top Gear Remake To US Market

NBC has ordered a pilot for "Gear," which will be announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 19-27). Casting is under way for hosts. As with the BBC version, it will offer a mix of cars, humor and celebrities.

The pilot will be filmed at a secret location around Los Angeles equipped with a race track and hangar where the show will be filmed in front of a audience.

NBC reality chief Craig Plestis said the network already is getting numerous inquiries from car companies that had heard rumblings about a U.S. remake.

"This is a favorite of all automobile companies as it shows their cars in such a great light," he said.

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Agent009 - 1/15/2008 11:55:10 AM

+4 Boost

I can think of a dozen clones of British TV series out there, and a little over half are done well.

theoptimisticpessimist - 1/15/2008 12:25:06 PM

+6 Boost

I concur, but have zero faith in U.S. TV.

1000rrRider - 1/15/2008 11:25:22 AM

+8 Boost

Hopefully they won’t get one of the big three as a sponsor and promote their junk through the show.

1000rrRider - 1/15/2008 11:27:43 AM

-4 Boost

This show is nothing without cars which are not available stateside.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 1/15/2008 11:33:14 AM

+13 Boost

this show is nothing without Jeremy clarkson...

im starting to think i watch the show for the humor, and the cars are just a bonus

TauronB2G - 1/15/2008 11:38:36 AM

+8 Boost

Bad idea Top Gear works because of Jeremy.
T

AgentOrange - 1/15/2008 4:56:10 PM

+3 Boost

Agreed.....................

jmrA480 - 1/15/2008 10:41:15 PM

+3 Boost

it works because people are interested in cars, its better because of jeremy!

Htay7500 - 1/15/2008 11:50:30 AM

+2 Boost

keep us posted!

mini22 - 1/15/2008 11:53:18 AM

+4 Boost

I think the Hampster and James also make it work but Clarkson is the star. Part of his appeal is his eccentricity and his snobbery. That could be hard to duplicate. Who in the automotive world is really that
"out there". Most if not all car shows are boring compared to "Top Gear".

cdoke - 1/15/2008 1:26:37 PM

+1 Boost

...did you say his eccentricity and snobbery?

hmm.... ;)

cdoke - 1/15/2008 1:34:12 PM

+1 Boost

...add that to my Disney villan laugh

Mwhah ha ha ha ha ....and maybe I shoudl host the show...

But wait...I am not that interesting...

DROOPYSAKK - 1/15/2008 11:58:47 AM

+5 Boost

i get top gear on BBC with direct tv. im not going to bother with the american version.

gsh23 - 1/15/2008 2:02:39 PM

+2 Boost

i can bet you a couple bucks that jay leno is being considered for the main host. as funny as he may be, he is boring compared to clarkson.

lewishamiltonpimp - 1/15/2008 5:35:59 PM

0 Boost

I hope not. They need someone who is funny.

Neverfollow - 1/18/2008 11:33:54 AM

+1 Boost

They need someone who can drive!

Neverfollow - 1/18/2008 11:36:15 AM

+1 Boost

Simon Cowel would be an interesting pick for the snob factor but I doubt he would be funny enough.

Whelan - 1/15/2008 2:48:41 PM

-5 Boost

Maybe now we can get someone other than that Pompous *** Clarkson. Maybe someone who can give a fair review of some American cars and said others.

DrFill2001 - 1/15/2008 3:00:13 PM

-2 Boost

That show will rock. Just lose Jeremy Tool. They must make Simon Cowell clones like we make hamburgers over thur. I need that like I need Flowbee.
DrFill

sold2early - 1/15/2008 3:16:26 PM

-1 Boost

As long as they continue to dump on American cars I'll be happy.

DROOPYSAKK - 1/15/2008 4:16:58 PM

+1 Boost

technically American car dump on themselves

MercBasher - 1/17/2008 8:16:33 PM

+1 Boost

LOL

Carboy - 1/15/2008 4:20:14 PM

+3 Boost

I want Original Top Gear, not Fake Crap!

Htay7500 - 1/15/2008 6:35:31 PM

+1 Boost

too bad I need a new comp to do that otherwise my dell would crash.


as for those Nuts for Brains Crackheads, I definetly refuse to watch the american stig, or the americanized top gear. (anyone remember their trip to the South?)

AgentOrange - 1/15/2008 4:55:44 PM

+1 Boost

Who's gonna write it????????

lewishamiltonpimp - 1/15/2008 5:33:31 PM

+2 Boost

What a laugh. The show WILL NOT WORK without Jeremy, Hampster and Captain Slow. There is no American celeb who could 'be' Clarkson. They will slap stupid sponsorship all over it..."All we know is, we call him The Maxwell House Decaf Stig" and the Budweiser Star in a Mid Sized Car.

It will be another bad interpretation of a classic Brit show that won't work here (All in The Family and Three's Company excepted).

Don't do it NBC. Just run the British shows for chrissakes.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 1/15/2008 6:59:31 PM

+1 Boost

Amen to that.

Neverfollow - 1/18/2008 11:54:48 AM

+1 Boost

That would be money better spent. Just buy the rights to the original BBC version and air it in tact with subtitles if necessary.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/15/2008 6:39:12 PM

+2 Boost

Well, we can hope that someone like Jeremy will turn up to host the show, can't we? I'm keeping my fingers crossed. You never know.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 1/15/2008 6:55:27 PM

+3 Boost

Therein lies your problem.

You assume the world revolves around money just because your world does.

Jeremy Clarkson has been offered the US job 4 times in 4 years and each time he has refused it.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 1/15/2008 6:57:34 PM

+1 Boost

Sorry S4:

That comment was directed at Ripperlike2gofast's comments about more money in america

S4cabriofoxone - 1/15/2008 10:09:24 PM

+1 Boost

LOL, okay, I was wondering...

EvoAudi - 1/15/2008 6:45:20 PM

+1 Boost

They should use the Garage419 host and Derek D from fastlanedaily.

but otherwise, please shoot my left testicle off before making me watch this.

Anthony - 1/15/2008 7:48:34 PM

+1 Boost

They should get some writers from that God awful website "thetruthaboutcars" to write the material, and then get Jay Leno and Ryan Seacrest to host the show.

That is pretty much what the Euro version is...

acuramike - 1/15/2008 9:13:07 PM

+1 Boost

I think Jay Leno and Adam Corolla should be the hosts..
I think they would do a good job.

MercBasher - 1/17/2008 8:18:56 PM

+1 Boost

Adam is a great suggestion, but I think someone like Rosie O'Donnell would be more eccentric and funny than Jay Leno. Plus she could review the motorbikes.

lewishamiltonpimp - 1/15/2008 10:35:49 PM

+1 Boost

Is Corolla an enthusiast? I know Leno is.

Whelan - 1/16/2008 11:23:20 AM

+1 Boost

Heck pick me, I'm really into cars as well just don't have the budget to afford the ones they test. LOL

MercBasher - 1/17/2008 9:13:02 PM

+1 Boost

Or pick me . . . I have a British accent, I'm a snob, and I have some very strong opinions - some of which might occasionally be based on facts. Also I am middle-aged and very average looking, which appears to be a Top-Gear trait!

FerrarisR4me - 1/18/2008 12:28:34 PM

+1 Boost

IT'S ABOUT TIME