Top Gear USA

[Earl Merz]

I think the toyota pick-up truck show was the best ever...

The one where they try to kill a Hi Lux or the one where they drive one to the North Pole? The former is funny and pretty amazing. The latter was cool too.

killing the hilux was Series 3 ep 5 and 6(6 had the building demo). the toyota at the north pole was the Polar Special. my favorite so far was the vietnam special.
There is a gent in UK that streems every TGUK ep on Justintv. usually see it live then they replay it once more.
I love Top Gear UK. Have all 15 Series on my mythtv box. I'm willing to give TG USA a chance, heck, TG UK searies 1 was just as horrid before James May came aboard. My biggest complaint with Adam Ferrera was his interview of Buzz. It was bad. I actually felt sorry for Buzz. I'd have rather heard about the lunar landing/space flight than about any of his cars. Yes it's a car show, but keep it interesting. The footage thru Red Rock Canyon was cool. Inyokern airport was cool. Their benchmark lap in the SX4 was lame. But I will watch either thru torrent or online.

[Ken Motonishi]

Funny, Stacey and I were discussing over dinner my guess that Paul Tracy was the stig... And that really, they ought to reverse it and make Tanner the Stig and Paul Tracy the host.

Paul Tracy is a very good guess....

You really think that?

[Pete Loney]

Funny, Stacey and I were discussing over dinner my guess that Paul Tracy was the stig... And that really, they ought to reverse it and make Tanner the Stig and Paul Tracy the host.

Paul Tracy is a very good guess....

You really think that?

I still think it's George D. Stature wise.
Also, possibly Paul Tracy.

[Kristoffer Gjevre]

I saw a show with Paul Tray driving a Ferrari and it seemed like he filled up the available space much more then the Stig did in the Lambo on the first episode of Top Gear.
According to his web site (that does not look like it has been updated for about 5 years):
Height/Weight: 5'10", 190 lbs.

[Kristoffer Gjevre]

Although apparently he is used to wearing a disguise...

[Robert Puertas]

Robby Gordon lives in Orange...
Just sayin.

There are a couple of guys named Millen who are also local.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Paul Tracy has lost 35 pounds in the past 18 months or so. He has a trainer and has taken up biking.

Robby Gordon and the Millen's.... Hmmmm....

George D.....

KMo....

Hmmmm....

[John Coffey]

The second show was better although the Evo at the end of the race down the ski slope was remarkably free of snow when Tanner slid it into the finish.

[Greg Peng]

If you couldn't tell from the Viper vs. Cobra race, it's all staged. This last show was also not very entertaining.

[Rick Brown]

Paul Tracy has lost 35 pounds in the past 18 months or so. He has a trainer and has taken up biking.

Robby Gordon and the Millen's.... Hmmmm....

George D.....

KMo....

Hmmmm....

Hmmmm, the "track" is at El Toro, Ken is at El Toro........... coincidence? Time for some of Ken's "friends" to take him out for a night of hard drinking to circumvent that non-disclosure contract?

[Jeff Shyu]

If you couldn't tell from the Viper vs. Cobra race, it's all staged. This last show was also not very entertaining.

i don't think anyone (at least i hope no one's fooled?) thinks the entertainment clips are full on contests. Skiers jumping over the Evo X at just the opportune time with a camera poised there?..

however, I do think that the way the video is cut/edited leaves something to be desired. Even though the UK version is equally scripted, the narrative, and the back and forth creates interest.

Last night, i watched a rerun of the Veyron vs. Cessna. Obviously staged with all of capt. slow's shinanigance and stuff, but nevertheless, entertaining.

the US version just feels less.. epic?..

[Jeff Shyu]

i watched the moon shine episode last night, and have to say, I was disappointed.

it exemplified the criticism that TG-USA is not as good as TG-UK.

Where the UK show is polished, the US version came across as .. well.. amateur.

when the UK show does something with old beaters, there's a greater cohesion to what the theme is. It's as if the show knew what the challenges are going to be ( ) and restricted the purchases sufficiently to be.. edutainment.

the US version does a good copy of the pure mechanics of the UK show, but without any of the finesse. the dialog reflects a (unfair?) stereotype of americans' lack of .. pedigree?

it's like 2 shiny red F40's parked side by side at a car show. from 50 feet away, both look impressive.. from 10 feet away, you start noticing the differences.. from 1 foot away, you notice one's a F40, and the other is a Fiero.

[Mako Koiwai]

We loved the blind man's dog's comment on Top Gear USA! ... what a way to close episode 2 (I think it was 2?)

[Jeff Shyu]

We loved the blind man's dog's comment on Top Gear USA! ... what a way to close episode 2 (I think it was 2?)

haha.. yeah.. and i was actually really impressed by Taner + the blind comedian's ability to slide that car into the parking spot.

[Mako Koiwai]

Yeah ... it was suspiciously well done

[Will Kalman]

New flash - Top Gear USA is completely planned and scripted for entertainment. And so is Top Gear UK.

That said, I think TGUSA Episode 3 was pretty cool and you can see the characters developing more natural banter which I think is the key and it's what TGUK has in spades. The Cadillac jump was epic and stands on it's own merits in all of the Top Gear world!

[Jeff Shyu]

sarcasm.. i think that's a HUGE aspect of the UK vs. US version that I haven't been able to overlook.

I much prefer the dry, sarcastic humor of the UK version, than the on-your-sleeve, rather childish jokes from the US version.

[Max Hayter]

sarcasm.. i think that's a HUGE aspect of the UK vs. US version that I haven't been able to overlook.

I much prefer the dry, sarcastic humor of the UK version, than the on-your-sleeve, rather childish jokes from the US version.

I don't think that should be a criticism of Top Gear USA in particular, but rather the general approach to US humor.

UK humor tends to be dry and not always obvious, and can require some thinking about before you get it. US humor, not so much

[Aaron Goldsmith]

sarcasm.. i think that's a HUGE aspect of the UK vs. US version that I haven't been able to overlook.

I much prefer the dry, sarcastic humor of the UK version, than the on-your-sleeve, rather childish jokes from the US version.

I don't think that should be a criticism of Top Gear USA in particular, but rather the general approach to US humor.

UK humor tends to be dry and not always obvious, and can require some thinking about before you get it. US humor, not so much

WE DON'T CALL THEM BOUNCY CASTLES HERE MAX!

[Jeff Shyu]

i seriously would not have been surprised if the US version busted out with a "yo moma" joke somewhere. would probably fit in.. >_<

[Max Hayter]

WE DON'T CALL THEM BOUNCY CASTLES HERE MAX!

Still the greatest joke ever, right?

Aaron spent a year codriving with me, and the only thing he remembers is that joke

[Aaron Goldsmith]

WE DON'T CALL THEM BOUNCY CASTLES HERE MAX!

Still the greatest joke ever, right?

Aaron spent a year codriving with me, and the only thing he remembers is that joke

It's called PTSD Max, haha

[KJ Christopher]

WE DON'T CALL THEM BOUNCY CASTLES HERE MAX!

Still the greatest joke ever, right?

Aaron spent a year codriving with me, and the only thing he remembers is that joke

I want to hear it!

So, a bear and a rabbit are taking a poo in the woods. The bear turns to the rabbit and asks, "do you have any trouble with the crap sticking to your fur?" The rabbit responds, "Why no, I do not."

So the bear picks him up and wipes his butt.

Sorry, but that joke cracks me up.... I use it to illustrate why I want to know "why" I'm answering a particular question.

[Max Hayter]

Beyonce announces that she is in fact the daughter of the late UK entertainer, Roy Castle. When asked for her thoughts, she says, "Obviously, I'm thrilled, but I will not be taking his last name".

[Michael Palero]

Beyonce announces that she is in fact the daughter of the late UK entertainer, Roy Castle. When asked for her thoughts, she says, "Obviously, I'm thrilled, but I will not be taking his last name".

You're lucky tomatoes aren't in season.