Top Gear USA

So every other review you read about this show talks about how it is not nearly as good as the British version, and it isn't but think about it, the UK version is in its 20th season. The UK series has has a lot of time to shape and grow into the amazing show that it is. The US version has taken the raw formula of the UK version and started with that. I think people need to give it some time to find what works for the US audience and settle in. As the hosts get to know each other better like Jeremy, James and Richard do the dynamic, and in turn, the show, will only get better. It is like comparing a seasoned veteran in any sport to a rookie, obviously they're not going to have everything figured out from the beginning. As a stand alone show though it is pretty damned entertaining and fun to watch.

My friend said "you've got to watch this show called Top Gear. You'll love it even though you're not a car freak. It's awesome".

So I watched a couple and told my friend he was sadly mistaken. I didn't like the show at all. He was perplexed. What had I become?

It turns out that he was only referring to the UK show (and had never heard of the American show). I had never heard of either, and only stumbled upon the American show.

Now that I have since seen the excellent UK version, and he has since seen the wretched American version, the Universe has become stable again. My friend is no longer convinced I had become compromised by a body snatcher.

I am a huge fan of the original English Top Gear & like some of the other people who have written reviews here I was very dubious about an American version.

These concerns were valid with the first season or 2 because there was no chemistry between the 3 hosts not to mention they were pretty abysmal when it came to interviewing the guests. That said the first couple of seasons of the UK version were pretty bad compared to what they are now so I thought I'd stick with the USA show - and I'm glad I did. The guys started being more comfortable & began to fit into their unique roles & even got some good chemistry happening.

The show will never be UK top gear because Poms & Yanks come from totally different cultures. Once you sit back and accept that it's Top Gear but instead of the English team doing what the English do well, it's Team USA doing what they do best which is basically more good ol' American razzle dazzle and not as much subtlety when it comes to (well basically anything) things like the hosts winding each other up (e.g. Tanner is not afraid to *literally* flick the other guys in the balls if they get too far in his face) you can really start to enjoy it.

An example of this is at the end of one episode (I think it was season 3 ep 1). Tanner was driving towards the camera in a Corvette Z06 which had been modified into America's fastest police car. As his commentary is winding up he rips the steering wheel sending the Vette into a sweet slow motion 360 while you hear the engine roaring, it was so awesome it made my hair stand up. USA! USA!

I just rewatched the entire 6 seasons of Top Gear US and it was so much fun! These 3 were developing some fun chemistry and the format was perfect. 3 dumb guys buy 3 cheap cars and compete in challenges or show up with the most over the top vehicles. Either way it took the best of the UK Top Gear (Clarkson and crew) specials and had a US flare to it.

Why does BBC screw up everything they had done well?!?

come on people, you rip it up and down as if in the first season is going to pick up in the off season of BBC TopGear and be just as good. Did any of the people commenting here actually watch the first few seasons of BBC TopGear when it went to its new format in like 2000? it was bad... they had some fatass doing used car tips and reviews in season one who was eventually replaced by may in season 2 doing the same job. The BBC version did not become the most watched show over night it went for like 10 years and in the first few the hosts did not have the casual back and forth conversation flow that they do now, it dident have soul, and it was boring to watch. it was a car review show that was trying to appeal to a larger audience with higher production level as well as bits and comedy. It developed a format, host chemistry and a audience over 10 years.

Now after much clamoring by auto-enthusiast in the US someone has been bold enough (history) to try to produce it and i think for season one considering the measuring stick being held up to them (BBC version) they did a pretty good job. In no way did i expect it to be as polished as the BBC version and hell they may do a host change (but i think they should stick with it). the jokes may be corny but so are the brits jokes, we just don't get them.

all in all i watched every Sunday and my girlfriend dident mind watching w/ me and i think i enjoyed the alaska episode more then the BBC Christmas special.