Top Gear USA

I do tend to agree with most of the reviews on here, but I would say that they only hold true for the first couple of seasons. I think I probably watched season one and two and remember the cringe worthy lack of chemistry between the presenters and the complete copy and paste job from the UK Top Gear, but what can you expect so early on? Now watching season five and I have to say it is a much better show, yes each episode is now just one long special/expedition, but I really like it. Yes it may be incredibly scripted and impossible to believe at points, but so is the UK show and it doesn't take away from the fantastic places they drive their high performance vehicles through! One problem with removing celebrity guests, fast lap time etc is that if you don't really enjoy the subject matter (for example drag racing, which I have zero interest in) there is nothing to give you a small break from it. Although it is many times better in its current iteration I hope they bring back something from the UK series.

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.

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.

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?!?

Despite this show being wildly unpopular, I must confess myself a fan. I've been watching Top Gear for years, even in the old Jeremy Clarkson days and I love it to bits. Watched quite a few of the spin-off shows but never really enjoyed any of them.

US version makes its entrance and I'll obviously give it the benefit of the doubt. Season 1 wasn't very enjoyable, because the hosts don't have that instantly-loved chemistry of the UK guys plus they can't pull off the UK concept of reviews and the whole interview thing.

They quickly realized they needed to build the game solely on challenges, my favourite segments of the UK show. So every single show features fun and crazy challenges. The initial lack of great chemistry is made up by the content which admittedly is often taken from the UK show, however it's such a vague idea that is wildly different once you have different people, cars, circumstances etc.

As you work your way through the episodes, you come to love these guys. Rutledge Wood being that smiling, papa-bear type. Adam Ferrara being the loud New Yorker type that is slightly cocky but is prone to screw it up and Tanner Foust the professional race driver that is a more timid type that is just waiting to show off his abilities. It seems to work on some level!

Maybe I'm just crazy but the show being nothing but challenges and featuring some nice guys works for me, I really enjoy it and I'd rather watch an episode of this with challenges than one with nothing but interviews and boring car tests of the UK show.