Top Gear thread

[Rich]

I live on a college campus.  We have shitty cable service here.  Torrents it is!

for anyone that hasn't seen it:

http://www.history.com/shows/top-gear/videos?paidlink=1&vid=HIS_SEM_Search&keywords=top%2Bgear%2Busa&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=top%20gear&utm_term=top%20gear%20usa#top-gear-cobra-attack

Edit:  I guess you were talkin' 'bout TG UK

[68_427]

Do y'all not get UK Top Gear on BBCA? I do.

Only since this most recent season did we get the same thing as they do across the pond.  Previously we got edited versions.

[Tave]

Only since this most recent season did we get the same thing as they do across the pond.  Previously we got edited versions.

Ah, I see. I just got cable in May, so I'm in the dark on this stuff.


So that makes it clear why they wanted to do a US version a few years ago, but it seems kind of superfluous now that we have ready access to the real thing.

[68_427]

Yeah we are getting the real thing but we get it a few months after they do.  Plus is an opportunity to get more Americans watching the BBC, top gear, and possibly buy merchandise.

[hotrodalex]

One thing that really disappointed me was that there was no corny power ballads or anything playing in the cockpit cam while the Stig was running his lap.  That's a direct knockoff of the British program, I know, and this show does need to differentiate, but I really got a kick out of that.

The ACR probably didn't have a radio (it's a delete option IIRC)

[The Pirate]

The ACR probably didn't have a radio (it's a delete option IIRC)

Uh, yeah, methinks you don't understand. 

[hotrodalex]

Uh, yeah, methinks you don't understand. 

?

They never have any music going when there's no radio.

[Tave]

Yeah, that's right, I remember it from the Ariel Atom episode.

[r0tor]

The test track looks too damn slow and bumpy

[giant_mtb]

The test track looks too damn slow and bumpy

That's what I was thinkin'.  Though it might've looked so bumpy because the ACR is so tight and rigid...the other cars didn't seem to bump around as much.  Definitely seems slow, though, yes.

[MX793]

The test track looks too damn slow and bumpy

The UK track isn't all that high speed.  It's also a figure-8.

[SVT666]

I don't know.  I thought the cars hit pretty good speeds going past the tires.

[ChrisV]

So that makes it clear why they wanted to do a US version a few years ago, but it seems kind of superfluous now that we have ready access to the real thing.

Superfluous? Most of the US hasn't seen TG UK, and woudn't get the referfences or give two shi'ts about some Citroen we don't even get here. For he American market, doing segments on cars we get ehre woudl be more important, say a GTO instead of a Vauxhall, things like that. A segment on a diesel Jaguar vs a diesel Polo is completely irrelevant in the US for most people.

[ChrisV]

Also, Rutledge posted on Honda-tech after the airing:

What's up guys...

Tom called me as I was raking leaves in the backyard and we talked about the thread. He thought I should drop in and at least say hello. Cool to see so many people watched...so thank you for that.

I'm not on H-T that much anymore, and I lost my old screen name because I never posted....I was one of those people that didn't enjoy it when new people asked "dumb" questions and all of the lovely H-T Elitists crapped on them. So...now I'm on because I'm working on an 83 Civic Wagon. I'll post some pics soon...VtecKidd has been a big help on it so far.

And I should definitely say thanks to Mike and Tom for vouching for me....nice dudes.

Here's a couple things I can shed some light on and maybe I can answer some questions at some point-

1. I am indeed 6'3'' 225lbs, so if the skinny bitch wants to drop the "he's making fat jokes" let me say this. I'm not fat. I can't fit in that tiny ass seat in the lambo and after 4 days, I had bruised my hips a bit. When you stand next to two guys that are 5'8'' and a buck 50, you look bigger. And if you've lived under a rock and never heard the phrase " the camera adds 10 lbs" then let me tell you that's not just a saying...Most importantly if the funniest thing you can come up with to not like me for is my weight, then congratulations..we went to Middle School together. Now say something about my mom and we'll fight after school.

2. I'm a car guy on tv, not the other way around, so I don't know much about cameras and mounts. The reason the camera was so shaky on Tanner's Lambo run was because he killed a set of $1300 tires that morning drifting that thing around the airport. As he was doing the standing mile chunks of rubber were flying off. Not something I would have done, but then again, racecar drivers are stupid

3. Brace yourself for this statement: A LARGE MAJORITY OF THIS COUNTRY HAS NEVER HEARD OF TOP GEAR. Whew. Sorry. All caps needed. We had to do certain things to explain the format to people who've never seen any worldwide version of Top Gear ever.

I think the shows get better and better...and I hope everyone will watch and tell their friends about it. If you'd rather go back to watching "Pimp my Ride" I think that's your loss.

BBC Worldwide Productions (who makes TG UK) made this show hand in hand with History. The goal was never to attempt to fill the roles of the three unique hosts of the UK show, or it would have been a failure from the start. SO what you have instead is 3 very different car guys with very different backgrounds. As the season goes on, our roles and backgrounds and what most people would call "characters" will be more defined and much richer. But that takes time. We have 44 minutes to have fun with cars and try to entertain you.

This is a sister show to the UK one. We had many of the same producers and writers that the UK show has. It is not meant to be a replacement show, but a companion. I certainly understand why everyone is comparing to the UK show, but I didn't have time to call all the fanboys like me across the US to explain what we were doing.

A tiny bit about me: I love cars. I always have. I have too many of them. I love my Hondas that I've had, and I wish terribly I was short enough to fit in an S2000 without killing my legs as is the current situation.

The highlights for me in making this show have been all the cool people I've met. Two of my favorites : Brian Gillispie from HASport and MerritITR from this here website.

Brian is one of the most down to earth people I've ever met in the auto industry and a guy who's followed his heart without excuses and has made some rad cars.

Merritt is a brilliant woman who, if you don't know, was really one of the first females in the Honda game that took stuff to the next level. Not only is she cute, and sweet, she's smarter than me and almost anyone on this board. She now works for GM and I believe in my heart she might make a Chevy Volt cool and fast.

I also have a little perspective. I'm on tons of forums because I love and have owned so many different cars. I'm a husband and a father, and that's the most important thing in the world to me...not wether or not strangers like it when I wear plaid, which I did in almost every show. I like to have fun. Whenever and in whatever I'm doing.

I also am the only host who can't wait how to incorporate a 96 Midori green EK hatch with a HASport mounted K-swap...so I've got that going for me...which is nice.

I've also had a $110,000 Maserati Cabio Corsa loaned to me for a weekend many years ago, and I got my ass stomped in it by Tom's ITR powered EG which I believe he has less than either 13K or 11K in it. Now how many other Top Gear hosts can say that?

Lastly, I hope you watch. I hope you tell your friends to watch. There's no reason we can't or shouldn't have our own version of Top Gear here in the US, and it's happening. I'm damn glad to be a part of it and I hope you watch. If you liked it, watch. If you didn't like it, watch and then get online and tell someone why.

BUT if you think this country should have bad ass automotive programming that's still part of the mainstream, then sit back, make some popcorn and watch a fun show with 3 idiots doing things in cars that you talk about with your friends.

Peace,
Rut

[Tave]

Superfluous? Most of the US hasn't seen TG UK, and woudn't get the referfences or give two shi'ts about some Citroen we don't even get here. For he American market, doing segments on cars we get ehre woudl be more important, say a GTO instead of a Vauxhall, things like that. A segment on a diesel Jaguar vs a diesel Polo is completely irrelevant in the US for most people.

I'm not buying it. My guess is the vast majority of TG US viewers are (die-hard) fans of the original.

[Madman]

I'm not buying it. My guess is the vast majority of TG US viewers are (die-hard) fans of the original.

I agree.  If they wanted to reach out to a "mainstream" audience, they sure have hell wouldn't have stuck USTG on the History Channel!  By the way, what's going on with History Channel lately?  Have they finally run out of World War Two documentaries?

I would be more inclined to believe the claims of wanting to attract a mainstream audience had the show been on NBC.  (or even on Discovery Channel, as had been originally planned a few years ago).

[Laconian]

I agree.  If they wanted to reach out to a "mainstream" audience, they sure have hell wouldn't have stuck USTG on the History Channel!  By the way, what's going on with History Channel lately?  Have they finally run out of World War Two documentaries?

I would be more inclined to believe the claims of wanting to attract a mainstream audience had the show been on NBC.  (or even on Discovery Channel, as had been originally planned a few years ago).

History redefined their scope with that logo design and the new slogan, "History made every day." No channel sticks to its niche anymore, cable programming is just a reality show desert nowadays.

[the Teuton]

Fact: My mom is not a Top Gear diehard. She got me my "I am the Stig" t-shirt, but she doesn't know much about the UK show.

That said, she watched all 44 minutes of the US Top Gear, and she's planning on watching again next week.

That makes me happy because it's just another thing I can talk about with my parents. After a few days of reflection about the quality of the show and the fact that it made a viewer out of my mom, I'd call that a success.

All they really need to do now is fix the music situation and do better interviews.

[ChrisV]

I'm not buying it. My guess is the vast majority of TG US viewers are (die-hard) fans of the original.

Factually not true. A lot of American TG viewers don't get/watch BBC America OR torrent the original show.

I agree.  If they wanted to reach out to a "mainstream" audience, they sure have hell wouldn't have stuck USTG on the History Channel! 

I would be more inclined to believe the claims of wanting to attract a mainstream audience had the show been on NBC. 

Actually they went to NBC first, and even started getting a pilot ready. But with the total and utter failure of that POS remake of "Knight Rider", NBC decided that "Americans don't like car shows." 

So A&E decided it would be a good fit for History's current reinvention "History is made every day" campaign to counter Discovery's HD Theater. Which does open them up to doing more historical automotive bits, and American automotive history is quite rich.

[the Teuton]

I don't think it helps this show's case that it goes head-to-head with Brewmasters.

[Mustangfan2003]

I saw Brewmasters too, great show. 

[SVT666]

I don't think it helps this show's case that it goes head-to-head with Brewmasters.

What does that say about Merry Cans?

[TBR]

Factually not true. A lot of American TG viewers don't get/watch BBC America OR torrent the original show.

Factually?

[giant_mtb]

I agree.  If they wanted to reach out to a "mainstream" audience, they sure have hell wouldn't have stuck USTG on the History Channel!  By the way, what's going on with History Channel lately?  Have they finally run out of World War Two documentaries?

I would be more inclined to believe the claims of wanting to attract a mainstream audience had the show been on NBC.  (or even on Discovery Channel, as had been originally planned a few years ago).

"WWII in HD" was amazing.

The only channels I watch regularly are History, Science, and NatGeo.  I'm a huuuuuge History Channel buff.  Yes, they've gone more towards reality shows (Pawn Stars, American Pickers, etc.) but they aren't "reality" shows that totally suck.  There's still some intrinsic value to them because you're actually learning stuff and watching something engaging and interesting.  Also, Ancient Aliens seems to have gained some ground lately, too, and I fuckin' love that show.  It's gone from a Saturday afternoon re-run show to a premier-slot show.  Love it.

[Tave]

Fact: My mom is not a Top Gear diehard. She got me my "I am the Stig" t-shirt, but she doesn't know much about the UK show.

That said, she watched all 44 minutes of the US Top Gear, and she's planning on watching again next week.

That makes me happy because it's just another thing I can talk about with my parents. After a few days of reflection about the quality of the show and the fact that it made a viewer out of my mom, I'd call that a success.

All they really need to do now is fix the music situation and do better interviews.

She only watched it because her son, a TG fanatic, told her to watch it.

Factually not true. A lot of American TG viewers don't get/watch BBC America OR torrent the original show.

Oh, you have the facts handy, do you? Mind sharing with the rest of us?

[giant_mtb]

I'm sure a lot of American TG viewers don't get BBCA, but I'm pretty sure those that don't torrent it.

Otherwise...how would they be a viewer if they aren't viewing it?

[SVT666]

I'm sure a lot of American TG viewers don't get BBCA, but I'm pretty sure those that don't torrent it.

Otherwise...how would they be a viewer if they aren't viewing it?

Most people I know, watch it on YouTube.

[the Teuton]

She only watched it because her son, a TG fanatic, told her to watch it.

Believe it or not, her son did no such thing.

[Mustangfan2003]

The episode tonight is pretty good.  The Ruthledge guy or whatever his name is does a decent job interviewing. 

[Onslaught]

Better than the first. It will never replace the original for me. But so far it's ok. Better than nothing at all.