American Top Gear vs The Car Show

[Kurt Rahn]

I can't believe nobody has posted anything about our sudden embarrassment of riches on the car-related entertainment front. Not only have we started a new season of Top Gear America, but we also have Adam Carolla's The Car Show. Having watched every episode of both this season, are my impressions:

I like the new outlook of Top Gear this season. It seems like they've stopped trying to duplicate the English version and started developing their own identity. They still have all the production values of the English version, but it just seems more American. It also seems like they hosts all feel more comfortable with each other. The banter isn't stilted anymore. All in all, much better!

The Car Show is an Adam Carolla vehicle. He was originally slated to be a host on the American Version of Top Gear, but for reasons I never heard they decided to go a different way. This show seems to be his answer to what Top Gear should be. I actually love the format and the fact that he's not constrained at all by Top Gear conventions. Carolla himself is hilarious and he's clearly the top dog. As for the co-hosts, I like Matt Farah, Dan Neil seems like a pompous gasbag and John Salley is a clown, but none of that is a bad thing when it comes to chemistry. I actually love this show, and I hope they can garner the ratings to keep it on the air.

[Sebastian Rios]

I am an Adam Carolla fan, but as much as I want to like "The Car Show", I find myself getting up and doing something else before it's over. I think they should get rid of Ferrara and put Carolla on "Top Gear USA".

[Mako Koiwai]

Yeah ... better, but my favorite is still just F1 coverage ... nice to see how the season is starting to turn on Red Bull. Also like GT-Racer plus Mobil One The Grid for international coverage.

Dumbest Stuff On Wheels ... OMG ... so many Darwin Award candidates out there?!?!

[Jayson Woodruff]

I've watch a few of The Car Shows, somehow I missed the first few episodes and trying to tevo my way back in. Adam Carolla seems perfect for the job, but at least in these early episods is very handcuffed by the writting. When he ad-libs, he's the best. Hopefully the writers realize this and adjust accordingly. I like John Sally on other stuff he's done, but he seems like an extra wheel on the show. Matt Farah and Dan Neil are 'balancing elements'. But I've got to say Dan Neil is very well spoken so keeps my attention, the only non-brit to do so.

Something that I don't see getting fixed though is it's much more "man-show"ish, I don't see my wife wanting to watch it. She'll watch american top gear if I'm watching it and she'll set the DVR for the english Top Gear herself.

Jay W

[KJ Christopher]

is very handcuffed by the writting. When he ad-libs, he's the best. Hopefully the writers realize this and adjust accordingly.

Ditto.

[Arthur Grant]

Can take or leave either. I really don't care how many cuties you can stuff in a mini. The British Top Gear seems sufficient to me.

[Kurt Rahn]

Can take or leave either. I really don't care how many cuties you can stuff in a mini. The British Top Gear seems sufficient to me.

Except I've seen them all at least once and I'm jonesing.