Top Gear US

[St. Bear]

The first episode was bad. 2nd was watchable. I've heard the third is where they hit their stride.

I don't think I started watching Top Gear UK until its brief stint on Discovery about 5 years ago. So the 8th season or so. I'd give the show a better chance of success if they just changed the name, keeping the same format. A big part of their problem is going to be the comparisons to the UK show. If it's just good, not great, it will be a failure in a lot of people's minds.

There's a learning curve that goes along with every show. Go back and watch the pilot for any of your favorite shows. It's garbage compared to what you like to think of the show as. As they explain less and less of the show's format, as the chemistry improves, as the writers learn how to write for the hosts better, it should improve. A lot of the parts I've found bland so far are the fully scripted parts. Once they get in car it improves.

I stayed away from this thread until I was finally able to catch up last night.

I pretty much agree with what mondeo says here. The hosts were far and away the worst part of the show, but that's to be expected. I'm hoping they can develop some kind of chemistry, and then the show will become very watchable. I definitely think Adam Ferrera is the weak link. Tanner Faust is good, but you can tell he's not fully comfortable in front of the camera.

 

[mondeo]

I definitely think Adam Ferrera is the weak link.

I'm expecting this is going to be the biggest change as the series goes on. Wood is already a car show presenter, Foust just needs to get more comfortable, but the entire bit is new for Ferrara, coming from being a pure stand-up comedian. I have high hopes for him, as he's one of my favorite stand-ups.

 

[midd]

NBC shot a pilot with Adam Carolla as one of the hosts. too bad it wasn't picked up, because he could pull off the bombastic clarkson role. has the gearhead chops too.

 

[bvibert]

NBC shot a pilot with Adam Carolla as one of the hosts. too bad it wasn't picked up, because he could pull off the bombastic clarkson role. has the gearhead chops too.

That sounds like it would have been good!

 

[mondeo]

NBC shot a pilot with Adam Carolla as one of the hosts. too bad it wasn't picked up, because he could pull off the bombastic clarkson role. has the gearhead chops too.

Trying to copy the personalities of the UK would just increase the comparison problem they automatically have. You don't need a bombastic leader. I like the mix of talent they have as is, just need to give them a chance to gel and have the writers learn who they're writing for.

Plus Carolla isn't funny.

 

[midd]

Trying to copy the personalities of the UK would just increase the comparison problem they automatically have. You don't need a bombastic leader. I like the mix of talent they have as is, just need to give them a chance to gel and have the writers learn who they're writing for.

Plus Carolla isn't funny.

Disagree on Carolla.

No need to copy the personalities exactly, but they need hosts with more passion. Faoust shouldn't count as a professional driver but neither of the other seem to have the passion for cars that the UK trio does.

 

[wa-loaf]

Thinking about watching this tonight. Episodes 1 and 2 are available, should I just skip to 2 or is one worth it just to get to know the guys?

 

[RootDKJ]

Thinking about watching this tonight. Episodes 1 and 2 are available, should I just skip to 2 or is one worth it just to get to know the guys?

I saw go with #2 first, and if you laugh at least twice, then go back for #1.

 

[wa-loaf]

So watched episode 2. The skiing thing was lame and totally staged, but driving the mitsubishi in the snow sure looked like fun. The drifting part was what I liked best and where the hosts seemed most natural. The reviews were weak.

 

[mondeo]

Ok, I officially enjoyed episode 3, and I'm guessing it'll keep getting better.

 

[smitty77]

The polar episode was on today.....

Finally got a chance to watch this one - another excellent hour of television delivered by these three chaps. I was really rooting for Hammond (I'm a huge fan of sled-dogs if you couldn't tell by the pooch in my avatar) but was equally awestruck by the accomplishment of getting that 'Yota (actually 3 of them) to the North Pole. Gutsy stuff, I don't care who you are.

 

[Glenn]

Saw the moonshine episode last night. Much better. The hosts are starting to work together a bit better. It was actually a really funny episode.

 

[o3jeff]

I'm not too impressed with it. I thought I read somewhere that originally Jay Leno was suppose to host it which probably would of it a lot more interesting.

 

[ctenidae]

There were some funny parts in the moonshine episode (especially bending the de Ville).
Transitions are still very stilted and obviously scripted.

 

[wa-loaf]

There were some funny parts in the moonshine episode (especially bending the de Ville).
Transitions are still very stilted and obviously scripted.

Keep them out on the road, doing stuff and it will be ok. The studio sessions are still painful. Getting better though.

 

[RootDKJ]

I concur...ep3 was the best.

 

[Hawkshot99]

I concur...ep3 was the best.

I will have to watch #3 then. Was going to watch the reair last night but it was on to late.