Top Gear coming to NBC

spacedogg · 01-16-2008, 12:25 AM

As a friend of mine commented...they woudl probably get Leno to do the show.

Ugh.

While I do have respect for the Corvette Z06 and few select American cars...I fear the show may turn into 44 minutes of fluff advertising for GM, Ford and Chrylser domestics. The unique charm will be gone...unless they are able to find three charismatic driver/presenters.

I think each presenter should have a bias...ie. a guy who only likes American cars, another guy who likes Japanese/Asian imports and another bloke that only likes European cars. That way when they do comparison tests it will be a bit more evenhanded.

Then they could do a "Best used sports car for $5,000"...the American guy would bring a Mustang, the Asian guy will bring beater Nissan, the European guy would bring a beater Porsche or BMW. That would be fun to watch.

spacedogg · 01-16-2008, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UltimateBMW

I really hope they don't mess up how the Stig is portrayed. American remakes often lack the charm and appeal of the foreign originals, especially in television with the unnecessary suspense, censorship, and dumbing down of content. I also hope the reviews remain objective and its not just a elaborate 60 minute car commercial. They need to bash cars that have things wrong, not be positive to everything on 4 wheels like Fifth Gear.

Jay Leno might make an 'ok' choice... simply because he owns so many of the cars they might test drive so they won't be confined to only positive reviews by a auto company putting restrictions on their testing of the cars. I also wonder how much of the show would actually be about American cars, because them driving around in Saturn Skyy's and Pontiac Trans Ams would be a bit dull. Alot of the charm in the original version is seeing a car normally well beyond normal reach being thrashed and abused with the presenter laughing evilly while loving every bit of it.

+1

My thoughts exactly.

vladinecko · 01-16-2008, 12:28 AM

how do you know it's going to be americanized? i would hope they'd just re-run clarkson's version of it.

vladinecko · 01-16-2008, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinger

NBC will screw it up. Why? Look at the difference between the BBC The Office and the NBC The Office shows. The brits just have a more biting whit that just won't carry over to Americanized version.

i agree with you on everything but this. i have to say i was very skeptical about US the offce after seeing the UK version of it but after the first season (which was basically copy & paste of its UK counterpart) i really think they took their own direction and made it really good.

poldim · 01-16-2008, 02:23 AM

Who cares?

If you know about the show that probably means you download it and will continue to do so. If you dont, then you wont know what you're missing.

neuzpeed · 01-16-2008, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billspreston

Do you have any clue what you are talking about? You are siding with the networks on this strike? Writers are the driving force behind all TV shows & Films and they are constantly taken advantage of and manipulated. How would you feel if you did all the work while some douchebag network exec rakes all the profits. I'm not sure if you guys have noticed, but the quality of all modern media content (music, movies, television) has been declining at an alarmingly rapid rate due to all these massive corporations.

Man I hate them not because they greedy but because I am going to be missing my favorite show because of them!! How dare they postpone Jack Bauer... he's an american hero!.. haha well he is in jail so it wouldn't have matter either way. However, that JACK Vs. TONY script sounds like it will be one hell of a ride!! They need to hurry up and get paid so I can resume being a couch potato!

JackMac · 01-16-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vladinecko

how do you know it's going to be americanized? i would hope they'd just re-run clarkson's version of it.

The press release indicates that it will not be the original BBC shows, rather it will be a remake shot here in the US.

My expectations are low right now, I don't see how they can create such an un-PC show for the US market. It will be watered down. Don't want to piss off the advertisers, now do we?

sparkyg · 01-16-2008, 12:44 PM

Remake, errrrr, it gonna smell like arse..

Another Iron Chef butcher job

vladinecko · 01-16-2008, 12:57 PM

so how does BBC manage to keep advertisers on board? they only insult car makers if you think about it. so a possible work-around would be to only advertise car-related products, not cars themselves.

Chowbow · 01-16-2008, 01:13 PM

I'd like to see it, but I'm not too sure how it will come out... What makes Top Gear good are the hosts. The cars are cool but it's the hosts and how they make it humorous and the things they do. Bad hosts will just turn into a boring show...

Avery · 01-16-2008, 01:23 PM

I will watch but will more than likely be let down. I guess if we compare the new show to a Motor Week and not to the true and original Top Gear then maybe it will be viewable. From the sounds of things BBC will be producing it so maybe that will help. The key as every one has mentioned is the host and the fact that ,unlike all American car show which has come before, they all have opinions which they voice.

335i4u2nv · 01-16-2008, 01:27 PM

sweet and the count down begins!

E90SLAM · 01-16-2008, 01:39 PM

If its the NBC re-make ones...I'm not gonna hold my breath and expect it to be as good as the BBC2 ones....

nmulax · 01-16-2008, 02:59 PM

Why can't they just buy the broadcasting rights for the real Top Gear? If American's can't take a snide comment or two, that's just pathetic. Hell, we do the same to the rest of the world.
Anything they try to come up with is just going to fall short of the true show.

E90SLAM · 01-16-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmulax

Why can't they just buy the broadcasting rights for the real Top Gear? If American's can't take a snide comment or two, that's just pathetic. Hell, we do the same to the rest of the world.
Anything they try to come up with is just going to fall short of the true show.

+1

Plus, I wonder which three person they're gonna pick to host? Its difficult to find three ordinery blokes "cocking about something"!

Especially three person with that kind of character and chemistry together!

lyndon_h · 01-16-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billspreston

Sweet, hopefully we Americans don't fuck it up!

I agree. We already screwed "The office" by remaking the British version.

Seth_Horwitz · 01-16-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmulax

Why can't they just buy the broadcasting rights for the real Top Gear? If American's can't take a snide comment or two, that's just pathetic. Hell, we do the same to the rest of the world.
Anything they try to come up with is just going to fall short of the true show.

+2.

As the original poster, and not coming back until today, I just assumed that we would get simulcasts of the British version. Now you guys have me all bummed. I agree 100% that all of the value in that show is in the hosts. These guys have been working together for years, and are journalists, so I doubt they can be replaced by 3 guys from Motor Trend who think they're funny. The BBC America version is still years behind the episodes they show in the UK, so I just assumed that NBC would have new(er) episodes. Serves me right for reading a press release on the Bloomberg ticker and not doing more research. (Sorry, it's been busy at work.)

E90SLAM · 01-17-2008, 12:07 AM

Will the US version have the "Top Gear cock-o-meter"???

Year's_End · 01-17-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacedogg

As a friend of mine commented...they woudl probably get Leno to do the show.

Ugh.

While I do have respect for the Corvette Z06 and few select American cars...I fear the show may turn into 44 minutes of fluff advertising for GM, Ford and Chrylser domestics. The unique charm will be gone...unless they are able to find three charismatic driver/presenters.

I think each presenter should have a bias...ie. a guy who only likes American cars, another guy who likes Japanese/Asian imports and another bloke that only likes European cars. That way when they do comparison tests it will be a bit more evenhanded.

Then they could do a "Best used sports car for $5,000"...the American guy would bring a Mustang, the Asian guy will bring beater Nissan, the European guy would bring a beater Porsche or BMW. That would be fun to watch.

tbh, if there has to be a celebrity, Jay Leno would probably be my first pick. I know, ugh.

UltimateBMW · 01-17-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vladinecko

so how does BBC manage to keep advertisers on board? they only insult car makers if you think about it. so a possible work-around would be to only advertise car-related products, not cars themselves.

They don't. BBC television doesn't have commercials. Instead, everyone that has cable or satellite there pays an annual fee in addition to the cable bill.

Another reason the American version won't be up to par.

voltron1011 · 01-17-2008, 06:32 PM

Does anyone remember the Americanized versions of Top Gear that they had on the Discovery Channel a few years ago? They were dreadful!!

Dammmittt · 01-17-2008, 06:40 PM

Hmmm...I guess we can only hope for the best and that it is close to as good as the original....I wonder if they're gonna have a new stig...

01-16-2008, 12:25 AM	#23
spacedogg Colonel 195 Rep 2,816 Posts Drives: Debadged Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	As a friend of mine commented...they woudl probably get Leno to do the show. Ugh. While I do have respect for the Corvette Z06 and few select American cars...I fear the show may turn into 44 minutes of fluff advertising for GM, Ford and Chrylser domestics. The unique charm will be gone...unless they are able to find three charismatic driver/presenters. I think each presenter should have a bias...ie. a guy who only likes American cars, another guy who likes Japanese/Asian imports and another bloke that only likes European cars. That way when they do comparison tests it will be a bit more evenhanded. Then they could do a "Best used sports car for $5,000"...the American guy would bring a Mustang, the Asian guy will bring beater Nissan, the European guy would bring a beater Porsche or BMW. That would be fun to watch.
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01-16-2008, 12:28 AM	#25
vladinecko Brigadier General 277 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [9.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	how do you know it's going to be americanized? i would hope they'd just re-run clarkson's version of it. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - IB/Beige/Sycamore Wood/6MT/EDC/ZPP2/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/iPod-USB/Enh. Audio 2008 E92 335i - Montego Blue/Black/Gray Poplar/6MT/ZPP/ZSP/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/HDRadio/iPod-USB - *Sold* 2006 E90 330i - Mystic Blue/Black/Aluminum/6MT/ZPP/iDrive/PDC/Heated Seats/Sat. Prep - *Sold* 1994 E36 325i - Boston Green/Beige/Automatic/ZPP/Heated Seats/Premium Sound - *Sold*
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01-16-2008, 02:23 AM	#27
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	Who cares? If you know about the show that probably means you download it and will continue to do so. If you dont, then you wont know what you're missing. __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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01-16-2008, 12:44 PM	#30
sparkyg Brigadier General 142 Rep 3,523 Posts Drives: A6 Allroad Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oil Country iTrader: (5)	Remake, errrrr, it gonna smell like arse.. Another Iron Chef butcher job
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01-16-2008, 12:57 PM	#31
vladinecko Brigadier General 277 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [9.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	so how does BBC manage to keep advertisers on board? they only insult car makers if you think about it. so a possible work-around would be to only advertise car-related products, not cars themselves. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - IB/Beige/Sycamore Wood/6MT/EDC/ZPP2/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/iPod-USB/Enh. Audio 2008 E92 335i - Montego Blue/Black/Gray Poplar/6MT/ZPP/ZSP/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/HDRadio/iPod-USB - *Sold* 2006 E90 330i - Mystic Blue/Black/Aluminum/6MT/ZPP/iDrive/PDC/Heated Seats/Sat. Prep - *Sold* 1994 E36 325i - Boston Green/Beige/Automatic/ZPP/Heated Seats/Premium Sound - *Sold*
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01-16-2008, 01:13 PM	#32
Chowbow pew pew 166 Rep 6,781 Posts Drives: 三三五i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2015 BMW 328i wagon [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i sedan [10.00] 1997 BMW 328i track ... [10.00]	I'd like to see it, but I'm not too sure how it will come out... What makes Top Gear good are the hosts. The cars are cool but it's the hosts and how they make it humorous and the things they do. Bad hosts will just turn into a boring show... __________________ CSL replicas are now CSL counterfeits. Jesus saves, like Valentine1.
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01-16-2008, 01:23 PM	#33
Avery Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 271 Posts Drives: 2010 335i, 2010 X5 Join Date: May 2007 Location: US iTrader: (5)	I will watch but will more than likely be let down. I guess if we compare the new show to a Motor Week and not to the true and original Top Gear then maybe it will be viewable. From the sounds of things BBC will be producing it so maybe that will help. The key as every one has mentioned is the host and the fact that ,unlike all American car show which has come before, they all have opinions which they voice. __________________
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01-16-2008, 01:27 PM	#34
335i4u2nv Colonel 66 Rep 2,765 Posts Drives: 335i e9O sL0w Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: im right behind u iTrader: (0)	sweet and the count down begins!
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01-16-2008, 01:39 PM	#35
E90SLAM Supreme Allied Commander 1963 Rep 61,781 Posts Drives: A BBS WHORE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: . iTrader: (6) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 sDrive30i [0.00]	If its the NBC re-make ones...I'm not gonna hold my breath and expect it to be as good as the BBC2 ones.... __________________
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01-16-2008, 02:59 PM	#36
nmulax Brigadier General 378 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	Why can't they just buy the broadcasting rights for the real Top Gear? If American's can't take a snide comment or two, that's just pathetic. Hell, we do the same to the rest of the world. Anything they try to come up with is just going to fall short of the true show. __________________
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01-17-2008, 12:07 AM	#40
E90SLAM Supreme Allied Commander 1963 Rep 61,781 Posts Drives: A BBS WHORE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: . iTrader: (6) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 sDrive30i [0.00]	Will the US version have the "Top Gear cock-o-meter"??? __________________
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01-17-2008, 06:32 PM	#43
voltron1011 Colonel 119 Rep 2,909 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, FJR-1300 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wiesbaden iTrader: (2)	Does anyone remember the Americanized versions of Top Gear that they had on the Discovery Channel a few years ago? They were dreadful!!
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01-17-2008, 06:40 PM	#44
Dammmittt My favorite sign. 169 Rep 4,333 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Der Autobahnen iTrader: (0)	Hmmm...I guess we can only hope for the best and that it is close to as good as the original....I wonder if they're gonna have a new stig... __________________ 07 ///M Coupe (Premium Package) Black Saphire Ext. Imola Red Int. Best Website EVER!
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