I don't think it was meant to downgrade the Mini or anyone. It was just something that was supposed to be funny but the script writers just got it wrong.

I have been watching every week and I gotta say that the show is starting to get a lot better.

This week with the Ford Rapture and the paint ball war it was pretty good. Short stuff was pretty well on with the AMG as far as trying to reach the stupid ugly doors to close them as well as the un-finished back end of the car. They needed to have a nicer looking rear because that is what most competition will see most of the time.

The stig took the Rapture around the test track. (Yes he did)

I think the guys are getting into ad-libing a little and not sticking to a script like the first two shows and it shows. They are much better.

There may be hope for Top Gear America after all.

 

It's like Americans trying to do Monty Python, it'll never work. Anyone old enough to remember the "American Beatles"? 'Nuff said.

 

I heard that Leno was approached about doing this show and turned them down saying it could never be as good as the Brit version. He's right.

 

Americans have been drinking some serious kool-aid for the last 50 years when it comes to fast cars. Both Top Gears would do well to not dismiss vehicles designed (and designed well) along other parameters other than 0-60 times.

 

Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6Lq771TVm4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zey8567bcg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5Dfs7jqFI&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhJQp-q1Y1s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piWCBOsJr-w

Classic stuff and yes, the 'Merkins don't have a clue...

 

All NO votes, that's strange, that there wasn't anybody who had a favorable comment.

 

It's not the original, but I found it entertaining. Of course they're not as witty, clever, or self-effacing as the Brits. They're Americans.
That's why a self-effacing comedian like Adam Corolla or even Tim Allen would make it better.

 

I think that the powers that be missed the mark a little bit. They needed to use a similar format, but change the name. Everyone I know, including myself, had expectations of the original Top Gear. We aren't getting the original in the USA version, I get BBC Top Gear on BBCAmerica lol.

I am going to give it a few more episodes before I give them another chance, time to refine and streamline the show. New show, with new hosts who have probably never worked together, that is a recipe for bad episodes but not necessarily a bad show. Maybe after the first of the year I'll give them another shot.

Time will tell I guess.

 

Repeat of Post 13 (When and what network?) "Thank You" Speed channel, ABC, NBC, CBS, ESPN, Weather channel, etc.....Sci Fy ????????

 

History Channel. I honestly don't know the day or time, but it is on the History Channel.

 

MINIs have always been somewhat misunderstood here. That this would translate to the American Top Gear is as foreseeable as it is dissappointing. Actually, the entire Top Gear franchise is a bit disappointing when it comes to anything but exotics, which frankly have come to bore me.

 

Yep... That really is some "seasoned and sophisticated" rioting going on across the big pond. But I guess everything is more sophisticated when you do it with a British accent.

That's what I'm afraid of.

 

What, that we'll become like them or that we won't last that long..?

And, recent occasions of rioting are indicative of the character of a whole culture??

 

I'm sure that one would follow the other.

Yes. Yes it does.

 

--Well Tanner's stats are very impressive when you look at them on paper. But I guess most people in the states don't have a point of reference as to what Japanese racers do in Japan. You see drifting came about as a technique to maintain stability on hairpin turns down mountain road races. In japan drifting is used when necessary in racing. In D1 they use it like the whole purpose of drifting is to slide the car and critique it as if it were water ballet.

so have a gander at this video...

http://www.strimoo.com/video/1433986...aceVideos.html

Now go watch one of those D1 "races". Do you see how wide the codes are spaced in D1? Do you see how narrow the two lane roads are in actual Japanese drift racing? Do you see how fast the japanese racers go around the corner while drifting? Do you see how slow the D1 drfiting is around the corner?

Put the two videos side by side and you'll see why we got nothing on the japanese drift racers, and why a lot of people who have been watching drift racing in Tokyo for the past 2 decades snicker when someone like Tanner brags that they are a "drift" racer.

As far as Japanese drift racers coming to compete in D1. Well I'd like you to watch a fun little movie called Mr. Baseball that stars Tom Selek. Where a major league baseball player is considered washed up and gets traded to the AA Japanese league. Well the same can be said about drift racers that come from japan. If they can't compete in Japan they come to the U.S. where 40 foot wide lanes are a challenge to drift around and lap times like 3 minutes are impressive, and smoking your tires gets you more points.

I've seen demonstrations of the really talented drift kings from Japan, and it does not look like D1. Far far from it.

~p

 

^^ + 1 ^^


Here is a few British Top Gear reviews and in both they show much love to the MINI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L3o5...73B73&index=10

And (spanish): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yiiB8Cpo64

Adam Corolla reviews MINI Electric, I know he had an R53 MCS during his TV show as well. And he loves the Dorkmobile (M Coupe): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKV8CVM58VM

 

American Top Gear, horrible, simply horrible. History Channel, please kill it ASAP.......

 

It is amazing how much better the BBC version is than the History Channel version, even...though like I said...I can appreciate ANY attention automotive and motorcycle testing-attention I can get on our TV.

The BBC show is wildly entertaining and at times hilarious. The funniest thing I remember is after testing a pair of Mustangs, and when realizing that the Roush version was in M3-pricing territory, he said that the "Mustang is still the car to have...if you're the type of man who looks at your sister and thinks: Hmmmm."

 

It seems it was a generalization of people who buy MINIs. We all no its not true that isn't even a good stereotype. Midlife crisis would have been better.

 

Those hosts have no chemistry, yet. I, too, was taken aback by the Mini comment. Who, exactly, do they think is watching this show if not Mini drivers? It was funny at the time because I looked over at my husband, who is 46, and said, "Yeah, and go get me a beer, ya Mini-loving loser!"

 

man did anyone watch Top Gear Australia?

 

+1

 

No why did someone get naked?

 

Another thing that really bothers me about the USA version is Rutledge & Adam seem to have no driving experience at all when compared to the UK hosts:

Richard Hammond @ 300 mph:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ogE7j6bfqc

James May @ 260 mph:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiVgI00W8qk

Jeremy Clarkson attacks a wall & flaps his cheeks at speed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaWoo...eature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqO9-AAFrCk

 

I think Top Gear USA has potential. Yes, it will never be as good as Top Gear UK but I could see it evolving and getting better if it's not axed. The production cost must be very high. Hope a more viewed network will buy the show and give it more publicity. Without viewers no advertisers and without advertisers no show.

Yes, Tim Allen as a host would have been good. Reminds me of 'Who's line is it anyway'. That would have not been successful if not for Drew Carey.