by LechoZX » Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:44 am
Tommy, pretty good assessment based on the episodes I have seen.
The part I love so much about the real Top Gear is the fact that it is more than just a car show. It's thoughtful, intelligent, insightful, and very funny. Clarkson, Hammond, and May have excellent chemistry. I realize it takes time to develop some of this, but the US show is too scripted and can't get past that barrier of just being a car show. I would have more hope if the hosts had some presence. It seems like they made the mistake of sticking talking heads together without any real thought of if they would be entertaining. There have to be some car people with personality. Faust is the only one to me who seems to really be a gearhead, but as you said he is too deadpan. Hell, Jay Leno might even be an upgrade.
The concept has great potential for the US, but it has to be adapted properly. Most Americans are probably scared off by thoughts like "What the hell is a Citroen? How are they able to trade cars for squid? Why is the steering wheel over there?"
There have been some excellent challenges which is by far the strength of the show. There is a chance that somebody thought the formula for converting it for the US would be as simple as performing some ridiculous stunt while hip but still fairly hetero dudes stand around high-fiving and shouting "THAT WAS SO AWESOME!!!!". They should have just gone the smoking hot girl that can talk about cars route.
Blah person