Top Gear : USA Premieres Tonight

[Ferrer]

Except that IIRC the rear spoiler was already available as an option.

James May is a good automotive journalist, in my opinion.

[ScionDriver]

The US TG is getting better. Episode three was the best yet. Had me laughing. I think as it develops the traits are going to be that the bearded one (totally blanking on his name) is going to be made fun of for being from the south and kind of having hillbilly tendencies and Tanner is going to be made fun of for being a ricer/racer guy and Adam because he's from Jersey and Italian.

The next episode should be good, they make their own battle cars, complete with paintball guns.

I'm with most of you: TG is about fun, entertainment based around cars, rather than being a car show. I try to describe it as an entertainment show with cars.

[Rockefella]

The US TG is getting better. Episode three was the best yet. Had me laughing. I think as it develops the traits are going to be that the bearded one (totally blanking on his name) is going to be made fun of for being from the south and kind of having hillbilly tendencies and Tanner is going to be made fun of for being a ricer/racer guy and Adam because he's from Jersey and Italian.

The next episode should be good, they make their own battle cars, complete with paintball guns.

I'm with most of you: TG is about fun, entertainment based around cars, rather than being a car show. I try to describe it as an entertainment show with cars.

Bearded one - Rutledge. Never thought of the scenario that way (how they'll be made fun of) but I think you nailed it. I feel that these guys are still mimicking some of TGUK's character tendencies but that's acceptable as they haven't carved their own way yet.

The way I think they were cast: Ferrara's character is the most unsettling at this point, he tends to force Clarkson'isms in the show. He was probably cast to be Clarkson while Foust and Rutledge would shape their own molds and it comes off as so. If Ferrara finds his character niche these guys can really get something going by season 2. The show seems to be quite successful even with Top Gear's success in Europe being relatively unknown to the American public. My father was watching the show on Sunday and I never told him about this Top Gear or the Top Gear:UK in my life. He stumbled onto it and watched the entire show without coercion from me, I guess that's a good sign.

If and when these guys get a budget and really iron out their characters and chemistry, this show will be a hit. Doubt it reaches the success and brilliance of TGUK but I think it will do very well as a US-centric show. America has never had a great motoring/entertainment show for the masses so the market is there, as are the vehicles. I'm sure those in the US who caught Top Gear on BBC or Discovery here and there were a bit turned off by the lack of things American: European cars they've never heard of, SIARPC featuring unknown entertainers, anti-american jokes, lack of GM/Ford/Chrysler/Classic muscle, so on...

I think I've made a post like this every week or so but it's like watching a child grow up in front of your eyes. I want it to be good and I'd like to see the show mature into something great. Being able to catch it on my tv instead of through a torrent after the fact is a plus as well.

[RacingManiac]

Saw ep4, the race between the Raptor and the HALO jumper was pretty epic, mainly because the HALO jump dude is badass and so is the truck....

I want one of them Raptor, but I can't afford the gas....lol

[Rockefella]

Raptor bit with the HALO jumper was excellent. Review of the SLS was alright. Seemed Clarksonesque but pretty well done - Ferrara is starting to shape into his mold pretty well. Would be nice if someone could teach him how to drive though. He only goes straight in his reviews and has little to say regarding handling. Kid Rock in the small car was really good. Interaction between him and Rutledge was natural and you can tell Kid Rock knows his stuff when it comes to cars. The one thing that has annoyed me A LOT is the "and this is the teardrop, the slowest/most difficult part of the track". It's been said at least twice an episode. Also the introduction to the show (this isn't your average cooking show/dating show) as well as the Stig's intro is lame. Maybe they'll phase that out or fix it sooner or later. Also x2, get a new studio and some catchphrases (ie: and on that bombshell), the studio bits have terrible acoustics and the play amongst the hosts/crowd is staged and awkward. The last bit with the army and paintballs was entertaining. Just your typical tomfoolery.

Overall, this show is getting exponentially better. With 3x the budget and some time to develop chemistry and rapport, they could have a real hit by next season (if the show makes it)

[RacingManiac]

The 2 episode last 2 weeks are ok, I think they are still going through the recycle bin with old TG UK gag. But I like the used car salesman bit....

[Rockefella]

I'm only 15 minutes into it and I've noticed the production value being far better than the first few episodes.

I'm thinking they made a 6 episode pilot with this 7th episode filmed recently after History greenlighted the series