From: http://www.finalgear.com/news/2005/12/22/top-gear-usa/#more-226

Quote :

"The Top Gear telly programme has quietly become a global phenomenon. Recent figures suggested an extraordinary viewership, something in the region of one billon people across the globe. This explains why Jeremy gets mobbed on the streets of Dubai, why Richard Hammond is swooned over by housewives in Auckland and why James May will shortly appear on a series of commemorative stamps in Luxembourg. Probably. Only one country has been strangely resistant to the charms of three blokes cocking about in an old aircraft hangar - the United States of America. Untill now. Earlier this year, Discovery decided they wanted in on the Top Gear action, starting with 18 repackaged programmes using existing items from TG UK. Accordingly, our pluckly lads spent five days at the Top Gear base recording new studio linkds in a more American-friendly way. Basically, getting Jeremy not to call them fat and stupid. This, however, was a mere entree for Discovery’s main plan: to make thier own version of Top Gear on US soil. Thier own studio, thier own test track, even - since our boys were too busy and anyway James May doesn’y like places that don’t server a decent cup of tea - thier own presenters. That’s why earlier this eyar a brand new TG USA production team assembleddeep in the Mojave desert to create a pilot show for thier version of Britain’s favourite almost-BAFTA-winning car programmer. And, liker thier idea of what constitues a decent cup of coffee, the American take on Top Gear wasn’t entirely the same as ours. Instead of a shabby hangar and a track built around arifield taxiways, they got a pit garage and a proper circuit. Instead of filling the studio with 200 grunting Subaru drivers, they did without an audience. And instead of The Tall One, The Short One and The Other Oen, they hired three rather different American presenters. Bruno, a professional drag racer with casual tales of crashing at 230mph. John, the super keen jock, blessed with quaint ’sir and m’am’ good manners that only Americans can do. And, Johnny, a former reality show winner with a nice line in wierd humor. Fortunatly some reference points remained, including Star In A Reasonably Priced Car. But, to set the power laps, there could be no substitue - the Stig was flown to the US and stunned everyone with his blistering pace as he hammered the CLS55, Charger, and Mustang round the circuit. After two days’ shooting, the show that popped out of the other end was something familiar and yet rather different. For one thing, filming in sunshine gives the show a glossy feel a million miles from another drizzle sodden canter down a runway in Surrey. And shouting “Bring on the Stig” just sounds cooler in an American accent. If Discovery likes the pilot show, a series will follow in 2006. Then Americans can enjoy a weekly shot of Top Gear, just like the rest of the world."

I hope it flops and they just bring us the real one....

12/27/2005 5:43:50 PM

it sounds like they gayed it up
i hope its not too bad

12/27/2005 5:46:42 PM

The personalities of the UK guys that currently host the show help make it interesting in my opinion. I doubt the US version will be as good as the UK version.

12/27/2005 6:28:44 PM

umm most of america is fat and stupid.

i know i'm getting a little heavy.

12/27/2005 6:36:49 PM

damn i really liked the brit version

12/27/2005 8:07:59 PM

I don't really think I would enjoy an Americanized version all that much. That limey tongue-in-cheek kind of humor really adds to the show.

12/27/2005 8:11:24 PM

i loved the brit version, my favorite episode was when they had to buy a porsche for under 3 grand

12/27/2005 8:38:11 PM

Quote :

"damn i really liked the brit version "

12/27/2005 9:57:16 PM

don't judge it until you see it

Top Gear is a great show, but it's a bit snotty

12/27/2005 11:58:57 PM

That's half the appeal...

it's not a bunch of 'neck shit.

12/28/2005 12:09:46 AM

True. I wouldn't want Top Gear to become something like the Auto section in the N&O... basically ads for cars.

12/28/2005 12:24:19 AM

They are going to gay it up just like they do for every BBC show they bring over.

Trading Space,
While you were out,
Whatever the makeover show is with the gay dude and the girl,
etc.

it's going to be okay, but I think everyone is still just going to get rips of the Brit version.

12/28/2005 1:08:24 AM

in a flat out race from a stop a bugatti veyron could let a mclaren f1 get to 140 before it left the line and still beat it to 200

watching the lastest episode and thought that statistic was hot

at full throttle a veyron will exhaust its 100L gas tank in 12 minutes

12/28/2005 1:26:09 AM

At least it wont have any Jeremy Clarkson

12/28/2005 1:34:22 AM

i would sell my left testicle to be on top gear

12/28/2005 1:51:20 AM

Jeremy Clarkson was the best thing the show had goin for it.

12/28/2005 3:09:57 PM