“This Chevy Aveo is the best small car I have ever driven!”
Ugh.
You know at some point Top Gear’s response to this new show has to be: “That’s not gone well!”
You don’t cover Led Zep or Pink Floyd music and you don’t try to duplicate the cameraderie of Jeremy, James and Richard.(period)
I found some more.
It was one of those concepts in development, but now the Hollywood Reporter is confirming it. A US version of the wildly popular UK Top Gear TV series is coming to the History Channel as that network continues to revamp itself.
Click here to read the entire story. Here are some of the details:
History is teaming with BBC Worldwide Prods. to launch a U.S. version of the series this fall. The network has made a 10-episode commitment to “Gear,” which showcases all-things automotive — customization, stunts, reviews and auto-centric celebrity interviews.
History’s “Gear” will be hosted by comedian and “Rescue Me” co-star Adam Ferrara, stunt driver Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood.
“Top Gear” premiered in the U.K. in 1977, then relaunched in 2002 as a studio-based format. “Gear” is BBC Two’s most-watched program, and the brand has spun-off a magazine and road tour. NBC came close to doing a Stateside version in 2008.
Producers put considerable effort into casting the U.S. version, trying to find the right mix of hosts who would each bring a unique perspective yet mesh well together.
SPEED viewers are familiar with Tanner Foust as the host of the Supercars Exposed series. Click here for Foust’s Facebook page that contains bio information and photos.
Adam Ferrara is a veteran comedian currently seen on TV in the Rescue Me series on FX. Click here to visit his official website.
The big surprise for many in this announcement may be Rutledge Wood. A veteran of five years at SPEED, Wood has been the clown and the fall guy for many network stunts. The irony is that when asked to handle NASCAR news reporting or serious hosting duties, he has come through with flying colors. Unfortunately, that is not his role on SPEED.
“Rutledge Wood is to entertainment as the root canal is to dentistry” says a poster in the SPEEDtv.com forums. There is little doubt that SPEED’s use of Wood has put him in the “love him or hate him” category for viewers.
Here is a little overview of Wood’s background that he offered on the old SPEED website for fans:
I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2002 with a degree in Marketing. First job out of school was working for Country Music Television (CMT) driving a huge truck around the country with their “Most Wanted” tour. Loved the crowds, loved making people smile. Then I spent a year with Clear Channel Communications producing and co-hosting a daily talk show in Mid-West GA. I got up before daylight every day and interviewed interesting people. I sharpened my DJ and mic skills hosting a weekly Karaoke/Comedy show in Newnan,GA at a club called the Alamo. Loved the crowds and making people smile. I started working for SPEED in Feb. of 2005 on the Need for SPEED Road Tour. still love the crowds and making people smile!
There is little doubt that this may be the opportunity of a lifetime for Wood. He has shown his willingness on both SPEED and TNT to play the fool, to be the clown and to work in almost any kind of TV setting.
Those familiar with the UK version of Top Gear know that the banter between the hosts and the willingness of the on-air team to take risks and have fun is the centerpiece of the show. Wood may have just found his niche.
There will be more updated information on this series as it moves forward into production. TDP will follow this project and keep an eye on what NASCAR connections the US-based version of this series may have in store for viewers. Expect Wood to continue his role on SPEED for the time being.
I too will give this a chance, and will watch all of the episodes. But, when Adam Ferrara’s most notable role was Sgt. Howard in Paul Blart, Mall Cop - I don’t have much hope :bush:
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
No 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
The 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 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
Shooting 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 This December
The press release said “Fall” but Hesling let slip it’s more likely to debut in December.1.) It’ll Carry Over The Exact Same Format
“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.”
That makes me feel somewhat better. And I literally lol’d when I read that Rutledge Wood’s party piece is his massive dome 
“it’s exactly the same format”
yet they cut it from a 1:30 program to 44min. yeah almost the same.
The original is 1 hour, Alex :tup:
Updates:
Sentence fragments that relate to the images in the above gallery: Porsche 911, Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with a weird camera rig in the trunk. Mulholland Highway, part of which was controlled by cops. A producer-type person who glared at me when we stuck a camera out the window. Tanner Foust, looking kind of tired. Nifty Top Gear license plates. And a bunch of members of the California Highway Patrol.
I really, really hope this is good and not a debauchery…
Instead of Exige vs. Apache, they’re pitting Viper vs. Cobra. There’s an ACR on hand too.
Will they add extra cyan?
it’s going to suck.
It looks like they are trying too hard to make it funny but also interesting and enjoyable.
Ugh, I can’t fap to this!
Boooo watched the trailer…:bigtdown:
meh
Bwuaha, looks worse than I could have imagined.
I’m a big Adam Carolla fan, listen to his daily podcast. He mentioned a few times that he did the pilot for the show and it didn’t work out.
I think he would have been great on the show, he also does a Carcast podcast, and he is very knowledgeable on cars.
What the shit is this fuck Charles.
I am holding high hopes for this, seeing as last week the final episode of the OG Top Gear aired. I just hope it doesn’t get riddled with sponsor biased bull shit. Nobody knew the hosts of the original were going to be any good when it started, and in fact it took them, imo, a couple of seasons to get that chemistry we all have come to adore.
As far as trying too hard, what would you call the original? The over processed cinematography, the childish banter, the ridiculous challenges; that is what makes it great. I enjoyed the original for these aspects and it seems that the US series is going to do its best to live up to that.
I think we are also holding it to a higher pedigree since it carries the Top Gear name, if it was named something else we would all be peeing our pants in anticipation for it to air, then we would talk about how much it blows after it starts.
/rant