Translating ‘Top Gear’ Into American

THE studio audience’s parking lot for the taping of the American version of “Top Gear” was filled with the cars that guys who love cars love to own: Subaru WRXs with flat-black hoods, ancient Chevy Novas in primer, gymkhana-ready Mazda Miatas. There were also Mustangs, Corvettes, BMW M3s and at least one Ferrari — about 150 cars in all. It was a solid turnout for a rainy Tuesday afternoon in October at the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.
“I just want it to not suck,” said Dave Coleman, 37, a Mazda engineer who took the day off to witness this third (or fourth) attempt to produce an American version of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s wildly popular “Top Gear” television show. And considering the cringe-worthy record of virtually every automotive television series produced in the United States, that’s a real worry for anyone who was already emotionally invested in the British show.


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dlin - 11/20/2010 10:47:20 AM

+1 Boost

Foust is good, but the other 2 are not engaging. They should substitute one of them w/ another Foust.

uaw_lax - 11/20/2010 11:56:00 AM

+2 Boost

Will it be as good as the old one? Just like the Geicho commercials the British accents sale the show/product.

85bmw745i - 11/20/2010 7:04:59 PM

+1 Boost

They need to have Paul Tracey. The rivalry between him and Tanner was great on Battle of the Supercars.

veyron1001 - 11/22/2010 6:56:50 AM

+1 Boost

Are you mental?

100octane - 11/21/2010 10:25:53 AM

0 Boost

imagine TG UK with 2 Clarksons...still funny, but i think the combination between Clarkson, May, and Hammond is the key to their success. take a look at one of clarkson's solo projects, "the italian job" for example. it's nice but sth's missing.

mini22 - 11/22/2010 8:07:47 PM

+1 Boost

85bmw745i you could not be more right. Both Foust and Tracey really are a foil to each other in Battle Of The Supercars. They also know one another. But Wood and Ferrera don't seem to have a lot of spark(especially Ferrera). This of course was the 1st episode so it's too early to tell.The other probelm is the US shows format is almost identical to the British version. This, to me, is a mistake. All they are trying to do is to create an American version of the British show. Itworked with "American Idle" but I'm not sure if it will work here. There has to be some more originality to this version if it is to be a success. Get rid of the "Greg Allman" them song the British version has. How about a little "Springsteen" for example.Why does the US version have to have a "Stig". The hosts have to have more comedic tension between them. Tracey would bring that to the show.