NBC orders pilot for Top Gear -- will it be in HD?
By Darren Murph 
posted January 16th 2008 9:40AM
posted January 16th 2008 9:40AM
Just in case a remake of Knight Rider wasn't enough, NBC has now ordered up a pilot for a US edition of Top Gear. For those unfamiliar, the show has proven to be quite the success across the pond, but apparently, the network feels that it'll do quite alright here in America, too. Reportedly, casting is currently underway for hosts, and it's also noted that the pilot will be filmed around Los Angeles, California in front of an audience. One detail that isn't mentioned, however, is whether or not it'll air in high-definition. 'Course, it's easy to assume the answer to be "yes," but considering that some hits (Survivor, for instance) are still inexplicably stuck in SD, we suppose we should still cross our fingers just in case.[Via Autoblog]
There is just no way they can come up with a personality as large as Jeremy Clarkson that will have that same British je ne se quai. Without that the show will most likely be a phenomenal failure. (not that Knight Rider with a mustang..UGLY won't be a failure)
Oh Gosh-
This will only succeed if they get good hosts that are allowed to trash talk the automakers and thier cars. I fear this will never happen and it will be vanilla and boring.
You really need hosts that are like Jermemy, Hamster and Captain Slow.
Just broadcast the BBC version......
I was thinking the exact, same thing. Just give us the same version that the BBC broadcasts. For sitcoms, I can understand a different version because we're Puritanical with respect to our humor in comparison and a lot of modern, British humor just won't fly over here. (Pity, that.) For a show like this, there is absolutely no reason at all for a specially-made, "U.S. version".
I assume the reviews of UK spec cars is not always relevant to the US market. They will also have vehicles there that we would never see.
Then why not have NBC make a joint venture with the BBC to expand "Top Gear" to cover both areas in the same show? Let the Beeb show it there and NBC show it here?
Unfortunately, I'm sure that the BBC's agreement with Discovery, who owns BBC America, is the major sticking point for NBC wanting a U.S. version.
Oh god, who do I have to kill to get a chance to audition?
Please NBC, PLEASE do not screw this up.
Please NBC, *PLEASE* screw this up. We don’t want yet another British TV show remade in the US, it takes all the love out of originality.
Make your own damn show.
they won't be allowed to talk bad about the cars because of fear that they will pull advertising or fear that they won't be allowed to get the next new car., there is no way this will be anywhere near as good as the UK version. just give up NBC I can live with the BBC america replays a couple months late.
This has already been done by Discovery Channel in 2005, and the pilot has been filmed:
http://www.finalgear.com/news/2005/12/22/top-gear-usa/#more-226
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/30/top-gear-america-in-the-works-by-discovery-channel/
The pictures and info from that pilot looked dumb, but maybe this will be less dumb. Or not. There was a comedian and a couple of rednecks from what I remember, but it wasn't too promising. The Stig was flown in for it, and I wonder if they'll want to continue that trend.
Top Gear is as successful as it is because of the interaction between the hosts. The hosts are amazing. I fear that the remake will be terrible, simply because they won't be Jeremy, James, and Richard. Additionally, the filming is simply breathtaking...how much do you want to bet that'll get tossed over here in exchange for some more "in your face" Pinks-style moments?
As someone who downloads the new episodes the night they broadcast in England, please just re-broadcast the BBC version here instead. I guarantee you'll do just as well and it'll cost much less.
Oh yeaha, the cinematography is awesome on Top Gear. Fantastic shots and video. I hope they don't do the MTV style video........
or make it as boring as Motorweek.....
Unfortunately, I predict it will be not only lame, but that it will shamelessly promote cars as a giant infomercial.
People in Hollywood are too stupid to realize why Top Gear is so popular (honest opinions, not politically correct, great hosts, etc.)
Nothing will be as good as the English BBC version.
zz....zzzzzz...zzzshnshnortwhaa what...
I'm sorry. I was watching Motor Week and I dozed off again.
I'll just reiterate.. the US TG will suck because, A-Hosts (wasn't there a rumor they were going to try a US TG WITH the Brit hosts but Jeremy refused to live in the US even for a few months)
B-It will not have the funding that the BBC can give it to allow it have those ridiculously fabulous and expensive stunts and tests.
C-It will have commercials.
D-Most of the world's greatest cars are not made in the USA, requiring the manufacturers to ship new models and prototypes over for the show. How many times would we have to watch a Vette vs a Viper? As it is now TG is surrounded with countries filled with fabulous auto makers.
get Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla to host...
how can you even question if this show will be in highdef??
the only thing stupider than questioning if this show will be in highdef is using survivor, a reality show filmed out in the boondocks of the jungle as an example in this discussion.
great lets put the network that just ruined american gladiators in charge of top gear
Wow. What a stupid idea.
The Top Gear format will not work in America...I think it'll work in Australia(I trust SBS) but America? Half the fun of the UK version is Jeremy saying how shit American cars are.
There's no way that they can make that show funny and have it last more than a season. As it's been said, the strong points of the show are it's polictical incorrectness and that they tell it how it is. That wouldn't be possible in the US cause the producers would be afraid of loosing support from the US car companies.
I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in thinking that this show won't translate to US cultures with different hosts. I love the original, but when I saw some US edited shows on the cable network, somehow even that made it not as interesting as the original.
Jeremy Clarkston referring to American cars as s**t, and the Porche Boxster as the Porche **ckster just won't fly when you know that the main advertisers US networks would be looking for would be GM, Ford, or Porche.