Would A U.S. Version of Top Gear Be Doomed To Failure?

nothing beats the attitudes of captain slow, the hamster and clark-san!!!!

I think Jay is totally correct.Top Gear will NOT work here in the US.It should not be produced. If I were Adam Corolla I would change my mind and not do it.

Could be a success if the US crew does not try to emulate or copy the UK gang. I have a bad feeling that the US version will have people that will try to hard to be funny or try to be Clarkson.

If they make their own identity then it could work.

Nothing beats the original. i bet the UK team will talk about this during the news section. photoshopped their bodies with the american faces.

Do you honestly believe that was Jay Leno? Give me a break. He might have the same viewpoint as this article but this is no way that was Leno speaking or writing or blogging or whatever way this London rag says it contacted him. Leno, no matter who the sponsor, would rip a car if it was a piece of crap. Mainly because he is a car guy and secondly he is a comedian. Nice try English people.

WE SAY NO TO AMERICAN TOP GEAR!!!! WE DEMAND REAL TOP GEAR WITH CLARKSON, HAMSTER, CAPTAIN SLOW, and the STIG!!!!!!!!

I agree, I only want constant updates of the real Top Gear. I mean updated so that we are current with their seasons, not two seasons behind like we are now. I can see the American version being OK but I doubt it'll be as good because the relationship between the three presenters is key. Another concern I have is with the caliber of the cars. Will the US gears show showcase as many exotic and rare vehicles that Top Gear does??

does anybody know if the downloads from finalgear.com will let me send then to my ipod?

Get 001 to host it.......

;)

NBC doing an American version of "Top Gear" equals EPIC FAIL!!!
And I don't even watch the show (no disrespect, but it's true). I just know in my gut that the true fans will be so disappointed. Agent 009 hit it right on the head: make one wisecrack on a manufacturer or sponsor and it's hissy fit city folks!

If NBC was smart (and we already know they aren't), they would just broadcast the new episodes of the original UK version on USA-HD on a regular schedule. If it's on the main NBC network, it would be just summertime schedule filler at best because nobody at Rockefeller Center will know how to make it work.

And to make matters worse, the American version will only focus on vehicles sold here. To me, there is such a great diversity in vehicles outside the U.S. that are far more interesting and worthy to be discussed.

I just hope that no American network wants to create an American version of Five TV's (UK) "Fifth Gear"!!!

I agree, Top Gear is a classic, and any attempt to copy it would more than likely be a complete failure. You can copy the format but you cannot copy the personalities. Clarkson and his crew have great chemistry and you cannot copy that and my kids even recognize The Stig when they see him. Just give us more recent episodes, although there are ways to get them already.


Stone

I love top gear! My fear is if America did there version of Top Gear it would be another pimp my ride with a bunch of morons that know nothing about cars that install large stereos and low profile tires with spinners! Oh I forgot to add the dramma and bitch sesions. That is fine if you live in the getto and want to look like a dumb gangsta. I say give it to Jay and see what happens? It would be tough to get someone as truthful as Clarkson! He is the only one with credibility! The rest of the journalists are mere puppets unfortunatly.

learn to spell idiot. reality tv exists for mouth breathers like YOU.

I will go on TV to dis the crappy trucks! Maybe other advertisers will pay more than the auto sponsors? If they fire me I will just go back to my old job!Dreaming again! LOL

I don't think there should be an American Top Gear. I do think that Autospies should have their own unique show, however.

Top Gear needs to remain British with Clarkson,May,and Hammond. Their chemistry is what makes the show.NBC is simply stupid to think it would translate over. If you are hampered with the ability to rip a car to shreds for fear of sponser withdrawel then that defeats the whole purpose of having a show like this.It's too bad. If I were going to have a show I would use the template from either "American Idol" or "Dancing with the Stars". I would have 3 judges and each week they would review 1 or 2 new models from car makers on a scale of 1-10. It would never fly because US car makers would be too chicken to subject their models to
critism.

I would like to add a key phrase the the very surprising agreement of all of the parties on this forum; Americans (read NBC) will bastardize the car guys "cult" following that the show has here. Anyone see American Gladiator? Real bang-up job. That was a re-make of one of our shows! So please NBC don't kill Top Gear by throwin' sum 'murrican dust on it and call it a show.

Lets hope its not Ryan Seacrest showing the performance of the new Chrysler Sebring convertible. And of course since the show would be filmed here I predict numerous roundy-roundy tracks will be shown *ahem sponsored* what? If not the Left Turn derby then what, Willow Springs? What show on broadcast or cable doesn't use that track. Its not a good look.

The lure of the UK show is to see Clarkson's face flapping in the wind as he flogs the Ariel, or Hammster almost dying, and James "Slow" May taking the Veyron to Vmax with Star Wars music. NBC cannot hope to even recreate a twinge of the nuance that the original offers. Nor even cast someone similar to replicate them. Remember the Stigs American cousin? He would look so fit to lap the new Toyota Camry around a parking lot of...I don't know...Wal-Mart.

*Ugh!*

Just hope fellow enthusiasts that no one blurbs Fifth Gear to any network execs. over here. No one can be replace Tiff. No one.

'Nuff said.

for those who want to see top gear and fifth gear they ARE available online. no, not officially. also for those who arent euro nazis, best motoring is also available. bittorent is your friend. there used to be several tv 'car mags' on a few years ago. car and driver, autoweek, motor trend all had shows. they all sucked because the hosts and producers seem to think that attitude trumps talent. sort of like most of the posters here. its a shame that you cant actually see great cars driven and hear the engines and get an idea about them. oh wait thats right, you can by watching top gear and fifth gear and best motoring. from what I know the american version is going to be called 'gear'. without question it will focus on american muscle junk and 'feature' 'celeb' skanks and morons. yeah its going to suck but it wont be on long.