Top Gear America

I had no idea that the USTG had ended. I'll check the new one out when I can find it online.

stuart in mn wrote: I missed that a new series had started, and that they had changed the crew. Anyone want to give a review of the first show, before I look for a rerun episode? Something beyond "it was good" or "it sucked".

Let's see if I can give my synopsis. (Obviously spoilers, so don't read it if you want to be "surprised")
To start, I'd give it a 2 out of 5. I'm willing to watch more of them to see if the crew starts to gel and have some banter. The first show seemed very scripted and wooden. Plus, I'm hoping that watching it encourages more shows like this as opposed to scripted "restoration" shows. Time will tell.

It stars William Fichtner as the main/Clarkson type of guy. He's and actor and one of who's work I generally enjoy. However, I felt like he was playing a character as opposed to being himself. That may be how he is in real life, but his attitude an mannerism's seemed too scripted.
Host two is Antron Brown. I'm not an NHRA guy, so I have no idea who he was. Obviously a car guy and it'll be interesting to see if he has the chops to be the "driver" of the group. He acted like the kid who was just excited to be there and tried to be overly so. Not bad and will probably chill a bit with time, but just seemed a little over the top.
Host three is Tom Ford. Again, someone I wasn't familiar with (not good or bad). He seems to be playing the "annoying" Brit role. While I know the original guys love to poke fun at American's, this also seemed too forced. Hoping as they get off the script and more like themselves, it'll show he's not like that. My wife asked, "Why's there a British guy on the American Top Gear" and I responded with, "Well, there's an American leading the British one and that seems to be working out OK."

The segments were meh. They started with a forced drive (complete with scripted drama) across the Baja in old Baja Bugs. I felt like they were trying too hard to enjoy themselves and make up for the fact that they weren't. From the start, it seemed obvious that Fichtner is supposed to be the leader, but he seemed to work too hard at it. They tested a new NSX and a new Raptor. Both seemed to be extended commercials as opposed to real reviews. Especially the Raptor one when he started spouting specs like he was reading a brochure. I hope they're just being careful on these first few not to upset potential advertisers.

The celebrity segment was, again, meh. I like that it's on a real track and didn't think the choice of a Honda was a bad one as it's something everyone in the U.S. will know. Just felt like the interaction with the hosts was more like "What's my next line?" than dynamic.

They do have a Stig. The Stig said nothing and just drove. Only one car on the lap times board for now. Just a carbon copy of what the old TopGear did.

Overall, I'll keep watching just to see how it develops. After typing the above, I really think the first few shows will be heavily scripted to make sure it flows and has content. Hoping that, over time, it'll be less scripted and we'll see what the three hosts are like in real life.

-Rob

I wouldn't count on it getting less scripted, but I can imagine the actors will get more comfortable executing those scripts. You would think that by now the producers would realize it's the interplay between the hosts that makes this show work (regardless of where it's being made). It's almost as if they should make a series of shows and just toss the first three of them in the bin before actually airing anything.

It should be interesting to see that being a BBC(A) produced show, maybe they'll have more of a production budget to work with because apparently the USTG crew had very little.

rob_lewis wrote: Host two is Antron Brown. I'm not an NHRA guy, so I have no idea who he was. Obviously a car guy and it'll be interesting to see if he has the chops to be the "driver" of the group. He acted like the kid who was just excited to be there and tried to be overly so. Not bad and will probably chill a bit with time, but just seemed a little over the top.

Antron started out racing pro stock motorcycles, and eventually moved up to top fuel dragsters. I'm sort of a casual watcher of drag racing on TV but he's always kind of been like he was just excited to be wherever he was when interviewed. Seems like a nice guy.

I'm not familiar with the other two, my question will be whether they know anything about cars or driving, or if they're just acting like they do.

In reply to stuart in mn: I've met Antron at the Gatornationals a couple of times, he's naturally animated and generally a very upbeat kind of guy. I haven't seen the show yet, but his attitude isn't an act for the camera. That's all him. He is a very nice guy BTW, and a 3 time NHRA Top Fuel world champion so I think he's got enough driving chops to handle TG, in a straight line anyway, and sideways..

All the cars featured seemed to have the same engine