The Rumour Is That NBC Wants Its Own Top Gear | FerrariChat

The Rumour Is That NBC Wants Its Own Top Gear

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by b-mak, Jan 15, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

    http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/nbc-working-on-top-gear-remake-for-the-states/

    For those too lazy to click:

     
  2. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Oct 22, 2007
    22,232
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Gregg
    I look forward to such a show I just hope they dont just concentrate on american made crap all the time.
     
  3. DennisForza

    DennisForza Formula 3

    May 23, 2006
    1,814
    Arlington, VA
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    Hey "The Office" and "American Idol" were UK shows adapted pretty well to our American tastes. I wish them luck!
     
  4. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

    May 17, 2006
    12,755
    Dallas, Tx.
    Full Name:
    James K. Woods
    The "Weakest Link"?

    Well, they are America-phobic enough, from what I can see over the past few months...
     
  5. switchcars

    switchcars Formula 3

    Jul 28, 2005
    2,223
    Full Name:
    Doug
    wouldn't they have to pay a seriously pretty penny to the BBC to carbon-copy their show like that?
     
  6. DennisForza

    DennisForza Formula 3

    May 23, 2006
    1,814
    Arlington, VA
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    I wonder what it cost to do "The Office"? I would figure they would bring the same production team, so it would not cost that much for the rights, likely have to share the profits though.
     
  7. tundraphile

    tundraphile F1 Veteran

    May 16, 2007
    5,083
    Missouri
    Part of the appeal of Top Gear to me is the "Britishness" of the show. Clarkson, May, and Hammond have great chemistry together. My primary worry about a US version would be the loss of the hosts and unique character of the show overall.

    I couldn't see the US version referring to a Crossfire as looking like a dog dropping his breakfast, although it is appropriate. I really can't think of a single American moto-journalist that would be able to fill their roles, much less three. The hosts would probably be a trio like Darrell Waltrip, Peter Egan, and Dennis Miller. Ugh.
     
  8. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    There's a long list of shows that were adapted to the US market. Done the right way I'm sure it will get a following.
     
  9. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

    May 17, 2006
    12,755
    Dallas, Tx.
    Full Name:
    James K. Woods
    Well, now that you mention it, --- maybe I do see a cash opportunity here
     
  10. DennisForza

    DennisForza Formula 3

    May 23, 2006
    1,814
    Arlington, VA
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    I think you might have hit the nail, or a nail, on the head here. American car journalists are just too PC in their critiques, as they are worried that a bad review means they won't be supplied with the next new car to review. The last time I remember true honesty about a cars styling was the reviews of the Pontiac Aztec, and that was only after Bob Lutz expressed his displeasure.
     
  11. climb

    climb F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2006
    4,866
    Atlantic Beach Fl
    Full Name:
    Stuart K. Hicks
    Ewwwww..interviews with NASCAR drivers.
     
  12. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

    May 17, 2006
    12,755
    Dallas, Tx.
    Full Name:
    James K. Woods
    Yup - turns out my car was just all eat up with motor on Sunday.

    PS - we could maybe get even by sending over the Orange County Choppers crew to London? Don't matter what side the steering wheel is on with a Harley...
     
  13. The Ape

    The Ape Formula 3

    Feb 28, 2007
    1,793
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Ape
    I'll tune in.
     
  14. willrace

    willrace Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 21, 2006
    34,919
    North Tay-has
    Full Name:
    Kurt
    < places envelope to forehead > . . . . . . . "Great Karnak" bit from Johnny Carson
    "Updated Hee Haw characters, descibing their attempts to reenact Dukes Of Hazard heroics...."
    < Ed McMahon guffaws >
     
  15. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    If they got guys like Mythbusters has (Jamie and Adam, et. al.) to host, it could be a good show.

    Ken
     
  16. Aaya

    Aaya F1 Veteran

    Jul 12, 2007
    8,239
    Full Name:
    Wu Tsai
    I think Jay Leno would work out well.

    If I were producing the show I'd have them focus on cars and cool projects like twin turbo f430s and not carbon copying Jeremy, Hamster, and May.
     
  17. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,594
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    Agreed. The real problem, however, is NBC. You will never find NBC allowing its shows to be as bareknuckled as the BBC can. Quite simply, you can't piss off sponsors like GM, Ford and Chrysler (although Chrysler is fading away daily...)

    Believe it or not, I think public television would be the place for a Top Gear-like show.
     
  18. pastmaster

    pastmaster Formula Junior

    Feb 5, 2006
    890
    Alma, Michigan USA
    I will watch. I am willing to be the big fat-ass, who is above the 95%, of common design goals, so the rest of us big guys don't waste our time and emotions, on vehicles, that there is no way in the world, we would ever fit comfortably without a chainsaw! Also size 13's will have to work on the gas-brakes-clutch, without fancy shoes or going barefoot. When visiting my relatives in Greece, my Uncle Spiro, had a dandy little 1969 FIAT 850 Coupe, that was the best small car, to this day, for ergonomics, for a big gythouri, like me! Jay Leno, NBC right? Would make a good host. :)-

    Ciao...Paolo
     
  19. Kevins4

    Kevins4 Rookie

    Jan 14, 2008
    9
    Miami, Fl.
    It would be nice to have a shoe like Top Gear in the US however I dont think it would last to long if they dont get the right people to host it.
     
  20. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Oct 22, 2007
    22,232
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Gregg
    I totally agree with that 100%!!!
     
  21. Mark(study)

    Mark(study) F1 Veteran

    Oct 13, 2001
    6,082
    Clearwater, FL
    Full Name:
    Mark
    I'll watch.....but turning off, the 1st time I catch them kissing ass instead of kicking ass!
    Top Gear is all about the praise and punishment when they test a car....

    I hope I'm wrong.....but I don't think "PC" jokes will be funny.
    Quote " the AC in the older Ferrairi is like an asthmatic blowing air at you through a plastic straw"

    I just saw the "White Van challenge" last night.... they had to move a number of items including a illegal alien LOL
     
  22. RussianM3_dude

    RussianM3_dude F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Mar 15, 2004
    4,097
    Switzerland/Montreal
    Full Name:
    Nikolai Petroff
    The presenters and writers will make or brake the series. Maybe if it were Leno, Seinfeld and Dave Chapelle... it could work. But it will be some wholesome crew-cut presenters from Arkansas talking about trucks and Mopar.
     
  23. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 2, 2004
    72,427
    Cloud-9
    Full Name:
    Jason
    One of the funniest episodes ever.
     
  24. Prancing 12

    Prancing 12 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    May 11, 2004
    2,757
    The long way home
    If given some freedom, Jay Leno would be a fantastic host!

    I'll give it a shot, but without the proper presenters, the show loses a lot of it's charm.

    Also, would they be able to replicate some of the long distance "races"... Atlanta to Cleveland doesn't quite have the same ring as London to Monaco...
     
  25. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,594
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    And it would never have been aired on NBC...
     

Share This Page