Top Gear in US? OH YES!

Shift518 Automotive
1

It’s been officially announced: an American version of Top Gear will be coming to the History Channel this fall, will be titled “Gear”, and has received a 10 episode commitment.
We reported that the show was coming to the History Channel back in February, but it wasn’t until yesterday that it was officially confirmed and the hosts announced. As expected, racing driver and professional drifter Tanner Foust will be one of the hosts while Adam Carolla, busy with an NBC pilot, will not.
The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that the other two hosts will be comedian and “Rescue Me” co-star Adam Ferrara and racing analyst Rutledge Wood.

source - finalgear.com

2

WTF? a Nascar analyst? and our own “tamed” lame ass stunt driver co-host foust? I don’t even think I want to watch it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8634791.stm

3

:rofl:rofl

There is a reason why it is not called “Top Gear America”. It is just a show about cars, lets just take it at that so people don’t get disappointed; It is no Top Gear and it never will be.

There is only one Top Gear.

4

It gonna suck so bad even Adam Corolla wanted nothing to do with it

5

Tanner Foust is a weiner.

James May would beat his ass.

6

They picked Needles from rescue me WTF???

7

Sounds really lame. :frowning:

8

Not excited.

Then again I’ve just started watching 14 of Top Gear and it looks like in watching a sitcom performance with actors and obviously staged events.

Not exciting. I’m disapointed really.

9

shoulda hired me to host

10

they would of cancelled after 5 minutes of the first show. record amount of tv show related suicides would of occured.

11

My only hope that it’s better than “Trucks” or the like.

12

VOT: Pics? :lol

13

i know right? imagine my fb page after that shit? hahahaha

14

the real question is can it be worse.

15

I am pretty sure it will never be worst than “Fast track to fame”…:rofl

16

In an exclusive interview with John Hesling, executive producer of the recently-announced-as-heading-to-the-History-Channel motoring show Top Gear USA, we learned this new American show plans on meeting or exceeding the bar set by the UK original. Wait, there’s more.

This is the third attempt to copy the British version of Top Gear for an American audience. The first was for the Discovery Channel and the most recent try was the Adam Carolla-helmed pilot, a show NBC axed before it could air. The History Channel (now just “History”), is the third to try. The network formerly known for World War II documentaries has committed to ten episodes starring racer Tanner Foust, comedian Adam Ferrera, and NASCAR “analyst” Rutledge Wood.

Despite the past two failures, Executive Producer John Hesling thinks the U.S. version will match the high standard set by the original and provided these as-of-yet unreleased details before getting on a plane for more shooting of the show.
10.) They’re Keeping Star In A Reasonably Priced Car

Top Gear USA: What To ExpectNo word yet on what the car will be, but the team isn’t discouraged by the crappy Jay Leno version so they plan to put stars to the test around a track. It won’t be a truly awful car like a Chrysler Sebring, but “something dull like a Kia Rio.”
9.) The Show Will Be A Full Hour

History will give Top Gear USA a full hour by cable standards, so 44 minutes with commercials.
8.) It’ll Look Just Like The British Show

“There’s no sense in doing it if the production value isn’t there.” Hesling says. This means overexposed cinematography, splashy camerawork and quick cuts.

Does this mean a comparable budget to the expensive UK Top Gear? Hesling says “Yes,” then qualifying that with “We wanted to get enough money to absolutely match the cinematic caliber of the UK version.”
7.) Rutledge Wood Owns A Diesel Rabbit Pickup

Top Gear USA: What To ExpectThe biggest concern about the cast is Wood, who is mostly unknown to anyone who hasn’t watched him interview Dale Jr. about jeans. We’ve learned he’s owned 44 cars and has a lawn strewn with donors. He’s also in love with his diesel VW Rabbit Pickup, which is a rare diesel-powered El Camino. Of course, he also just purchased a Honda Odyssey because of his new kid and “thought it was the best car he’s ever driven.”
6.) They Won’t Pretend To Like Cars

It’s hard to make fun of automakers when you rely on their money, something a show on BBC doesn’t have to worry about. Top Gear USA is going to have advertisers, but they’re promising it won’t be brought to you by a car company.

“Not to disrespect other car shows, but they’re fundamentally comprised,” says Hesling. “They have to say the Prius ‘handles like a NASCAR,’ but Top Gear couldn’t be like that… we will be absolutely and brutally honest. That’s what Top Gear is.”
5.) No One Can Fill Jeremy Clarkson’s Shoes

Top Gear USA: What To ExpectTop Gear is helmed by one of the biggest personalities in Europe and the Exec Producer made sure we understood ain’t none of these guys is Jeremy Clarkson. Hesling described Clarkson as “A force of nature” and reminded us “he’s one of the most famous people in England.”

So what can we expect from the hosts?

Ferrara: Works on cars with his dad, skeptical but not cynical, likes cars from the 1970s.
Foust: Doesn’t care if a car looks like “an egg cart” as long as it handles well.
Wood: Enamored with shiny objects, boyish enthusiasm, massive head.
4.) The American Stig Won’t Be The Stig’s Fat American Cousin

Hesling wouldn’t confirm or deny the existence of an American Stig, but then went on to assure us the American Stig won’t be the big fat American Stig.
3.) Something Big Is Happening In The Mountains

Top Gear USA: What To ExpectShooting started on Monday and continues today, with the first major feature happening in the mountains around Monmouth, Oregon. No details but anyone in the area with a cameraphone should keep vigilant for one of these three men.
2.) Expect It As Late As This December

The press release said “Fall” but Hesling let slip it could debut as late as November or December.
1.) It’ll Carry Over The Exact Same Format

Top Gear USA: What To Expect"We’ll be doing star in a car, we’ll be doing the power tests, car reviews, action films, and the studio element. It’s a format that’s the jewel in the crown of the BBC so we’ll be doing it exactly like the British version. It’s exactly the same format."

From jalopnik

17

History Channel Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HISTORY™ STARTS ENGINE ON U.S. VERSION OF TOP GEAR HOSTED BY ADAM FERRARA, TANNER FOUST AND RUTLEDGE WOOD

Hit international format produced by BBC Worldwide Productions begins production today and drives straight to series in U.S.

April 21, 2010, New York, NY – HISTORY™ today announced that a U.S. version of Top Gear, the award-winning BBC series will begin production today. The 10-episode series is being made by BBC Worldwide Productions and showcases an offbeat celebration of automobiles and driving. Premiering fall 2010 on HISTORY, the show will be hosted by comedian Adam Ferrara, champion rally and drift racer Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood. The announcement was made today by Nancy Dubuc, President and General Manager, HISTORY.

Featuring super-cars, extreme stunts and challenges, car reviews and celebrity interviews, Top Gear is the home for anyone with a love of cars. The U.S. version will be chock-full of high-adrenaline action entertainment as it tracks the colorful history of the automobile as well as the eccentric adventures of its hosts with Top Gear’s customary wit and humor. The series harkens back to HISTORY’s very first day, and the network’s very first program ever to air, Automobiles: Corvette. Scott Messick serves as Executive Producer. Top Gear is a co-production between HISTORY and BBC Worldwide.

“History of the automobile and the history of America are intimately intertwined - to celebrate one is to celebrate the other,” said Ms. Dubuc. “I am thrilled to bring the U.S. version of this massively popular series to our viewers, working with the incredibly talented team at BBC Worldwide Productions. Top Gear is an intelligent, entertaining show – unique and groundbreaking in its format – a perfect match for us.”

"Top Gear has been one of the BBC’s most successful formats globally and we are delighted to be partnering with HISTORY on a version for the U.S.,” said Jane Tranter, EVP, Programming and Production, BBC Worldwide Productions. “Together we have worked to tailor the format for the American audience, while staying true to the original dynamic that fans across the world have come to love.”

About the cast:

Adam Ferrara:

Adam Ferrara is an acclaimed comedian, currently starring on the

Emmy-nominated hit FX show, Rescue Me, and recently appeared opposite Kevin James in the theatrical feature, Paul Blart: Mall Cop. A regular comedian on various hit talk shows including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Show with David Letterman, The View and Rachel Ray, Ferrara has been dubbed ‘hilarious’ by Entertainment Weekly and is a two-time nominee for best male stand-up by the American Comedy Awards. Ferrara’s father introduced him to cars when he was seven years old and quickly recognized his son’s mechanical ability. From that moment on Adam’s job was to hold the light. Adam’s favorite car is a Pagani Zonda F Roadster.

Tanner Foust:

Tanner Foust is in high-demand as a stunt driver, with film credits including The Bourne Ultimatum, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and The Dukes of Hazard. Foust is a winning competitor in rally and drift with multiple champion podium placements in the past few years including the 2007 X Games Rally Gold Medalist and 2007 and 2008 Formula Drift Pro Champion. His varied race experience includes open wheel competition, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb (2002 - 2004), five Ice Racing championships and the 2005 PGT Rally Championship. He also holds class lap records at numerous U.S. road courses in Time Attack. In addition, Foust also hosted “Supercars Exposed” for the SPEED channel. Tanner’s automotive career started early behind the wheel of a ski resort bus, a career which ended abruptly two weeks later when he was fired for drifting the empty 40-foot bus across a snow-covered car park.

Rutledge Wood:

Rutledge Wood is a truly car-obsessed and learned from his father, at an early age, the business of buying, restoring and selling new and old vehicles. His love of cars led him to NASCAR, and to starring in NASCAR Smarts on the SPEED Channel, a NASCAR trivia game show with Kyle Petty and John Roberts. He’s also a roving reporter for NASCAR RaceDay Built by the Home Depot, Trackside Live and NASCAR Live. To this day, Wood has owned over 40 cars and trucks ranging from a Volkswagen Rabbit pickup truck to Honda’s, Chevy’s, and even as weird as a 1975 Bricklin SV-1. His favorite is a 1953 Plymouth Suburban that was given to him by the King himself, Richard Petty.

Top Gear, which premiered in the UK in 1977, is consistently BBC TWO’s most-watched program in the UK. Top Gear also reaches over 150 million households globally and made its stateside debut on BBC America in 2007. One of the BBC’s premiere brands, Top Gear, the magazine, is the leading car publication in the UK, and the global road tour, Top Gear Live, proved to be a great success in 2009.

Top Gear has also been the recipient of various awards including National Television Awards, BAFTAs, Broadcast Awards, Royal Television Society Awards and an International Emmy. Celebrity guests have included Helen Mirren, Hugh Grant, Simon Cowell, Ewan McGregor and Gordon Ramsay.

Top Gear is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions for HISTORY and BBC Worldwide. Executive producer for BBC Worldwide is John Hesling (SVP, Programming, BBC Worldwide Productions). Executive producer for HISTORY is Dirk Hoogstra (VP, Programming, HISTORY).

About History:

HISTORY™ and HISTORY HD™ are the leading destinations for revealing, award-winning original non-fiction series and event-driven specials that connect history with viewers in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. Programming covers a diverse variety of historical genres ranging from military history to contemporary history, technology to natural history, as well as science, archaeology and pop culture. Among the network’s program offerings are hit series such as Ax Men, Battle 360, How The Earth Was Made, Ice Road Truckers, Pawn Stars and The Universe, as well as acclaimed specials including 102 Minutes That Changed America, 1968 with Tom Brokaw, King, Life After People, Nostradamus: 2012, Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed and WWII in HD. HISTORY has earned four Peabody Awards, seven Primetime Emmy® Awards, 12 News & Documentary Emmy® Awards and received the prestigious Governor’s Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network’s Save Our History® campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. Take a Veteran to School Day is the network’s latest initiative connecting America’s schools and communities with veterans from all wars. The HISTORY web site, located at www.history.com, is the definitive historical online source that delivers entertaining and informative content featuring broadband video, interactive timelines, maps, games, podcasts and more.

About BBC Worldwide Productions:

BBC Worldwide is the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). In the U.S., BBC Worldwide Productions, one of BBC Worldwide’s seven core businesses, is based in Los Angeles. It is responsible for the smash hit Dancing with the Stars and develops scripted and non-scripted projects for U.S. cable and broadcast networks. BBC Worldwide Productions recently premiered the 10th season of Dancing with the Stars on ABC.

Press contacts:
Vicky Kahn, HISTORY
Vicky.Kahn@aetn.com, 212-210-9743

Christine Shaw Davis, BBC Worldwide
Christine.davis@bbc.com, 310-405-8223

Hm

18

So we have got a comedian, a drifter and a guy who likes oddball and old cars that goes against the grain.

We got “promises” that the reviews will be unbiased.

We’ve got the production value.

Only thing that’s left is the commentary by the guys to be enjoyable and their characters to be natural not “acting”.

If done right, this COULD be more entertaining at the moment than the original, just because it would be fresh characters, but the odds are against it.

Character development between Clarkson, Hammond and James in the earlier series (around 4-7) was fascinating and they really just seemed like a bunch of blockes having fun with cars and teasing each other, especially Hammand and Clarkson teaming up on James but I find it difficult to enjoy the last season as I’m watching it.

The cars will be another big issue. While a lot of cars on Top Gear are interesting to us because we don’t have them here, they will have to go after odd ball manufacturers, tuners and high end cars to make the show entertaining, or come up with interesting challenges for Camaro V Mustang V Challenger.

My prediction - Expect to see a Red Line car somewhere in the first two years or production if the series survives.

I am however quite looking forward to a star in the reasonably priced car because it should be actually the people we’ve at least heard of or familiar with their characters they’ve played or their works for which they are famous for. I tend to find myself skipping over most of the reasonably priced car testing done on TG.