Top Gear USA - Page 2

thumper_svx · #16 07-22-2011, 10:07 AM

I think the problem with the early episodes of Top Gear USA was the simple fact that they WERE trying to copy the formula of Top Gear UK. They even found presenters who bore a resemblance to the presenters of UK.

However, what they lacked was the ascerbic wit that the three UK presenters have. There's also the fact that the very kind of humour that the UK show relies on is quite often at odds with what American audiences expect. There is definitely a subtlety to British humour that even the most "euro-savvy" Americans tend not to get. I know there are often times I am laughing at something that my girlfriend fails to get, but she is in no way slow or stupid; just raised with different expectations of what's funny.

As they got into the later episodes it DID get better, mostly because they weren't trying to be Top Gear UK with American accents. It was also because the presenters started to get more comfortable with one another. That makes a big difference.

If you've ever seen Top Gear Australia, it's quite different to both... though I'm sure US will find it's "groove". The Australian show took the format early on but really took it in a different direction from day 1.

LastSVXintheChi · #17 07-22-2011, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumper_svx

I think the problem with the early episodes of Top Gear USA was the simple fact that they WERE trying to copy the formula of Top Gear UK. They even found presenters who bore a resemblance to the presenters of UK.

However, what they lacked was the ascerbic wit that the three UK presenters have. There's also the fact that the very kind of humour that the UK show relies on is quite often at odds with what American audiences expect. There is definitely a subtlety to British humour that even the most "euro-savvy" Americans tend not to get. I know there are often times I am laughing at something that my girlfriend fails to get, but she is in no way slow or stupid; just raised with different expectations of what's funny.

As they got into the later episodes it DID get better, mostly because they weren't trying to be Top Gear UK with American accents. It was also because the presenters started to get more comfortable with one another. That makes a big difference.

If you've ever seen Top Gear Australia, it's quite different to both... though I'm sure US will find it's "groove". The Australian show took the format early on but really took it in a different direction from day 1.

i agree they deff got better as the season went on...when they stopped trying to be "Top Gear UK with American accents

" either way im looking forward to the season premiere

jcimos · #18 07-22-2011, 11:24 AM

Ah....to late darn!!!

3.3H6 · #19 07-22-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthworm

Shh, you'll spoil the surprise!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_YBy...&feature=feedu

LastSVXintheChi · #20 07-26-2011, 09:55 AM

So did anyone watch the first episode??

I thought it was pretty good myself...they are deff trying to steer away from UK though thats for sure...they were a lot funnier too which is always good

Hocrest · #21 07-26-2011, 11:07 AM

It was good, except for the "you have 12 hours to turn your car into a monster truck". If they're gonna lie, then at least make it funny and claim that they did the work in 30 minutes.

LastSVXintheChi · #22 07-26-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

It was good, except for the "you have 12 hours to turn your car into a monster truck". If they're gonna lie, then at least make it funny and claim that they did the work in 30 minutes.

yeah lol i caught that one too...i was just expecting some big a$$ tires and maybe a lift not an actual Miata monster truck

Earthworm · #23 07-26-2011, 12:05 PM

Just be thankful they didn't use an SVX for those tests!

Landshark · #24 07-26-2011, 02:07 PM

i had to LOL when Tanner kept wrecking into the fat guy throughout the show.

"really?!?!?"

LastSVXintheChi · #25 07-26-2011, 02:48 PM

Earthworm: I doubt that it even crossed their minds lol...i cant believe rutledge freaking used a miata what man does that?!?

Landshark: yeah gotta love the perfectly timed fender bender lol

Hocrest · #26 07-26-2011, 04:19 PM

Was I the only one thinking that an old Subaru hatch or 2 door coupe would have kicked ass in that staged competition?

- It could have gone where the other didn't in the cattle drive.
- Remove the hatch and cut away a little bit of roof and it could have hauled as much **** as the Maverick.
- Throw on a lift kit and some Pugs with mud slingers and it could have competed in the "monster truck" part without being a body shell on a truck frame.

benebob · #27 07-26-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Was I the only one thinking that an old Subaru hatch or 2 door coupe would have kicked ass in that staged competition?

- It could have gone where the other didn't in the cattle drive.
- Remove the hatch and cut away a little bit of roof and it could have hauled as much **** as the Maverick.
- Throw on a lift kit and some Pugs with mud slingers and it could have competed in the "monster truck" part without being a body shell on a truck frame.

A Brat wouldn've been my choice and overnight it might have been able to give it a couple inch lift. That was the second worst episode, just a little bit better than the chopper one. They show absolutely no imagination with their vehicle choices and I still want to know how long the shoe string worked for.

subeman90 · #28 07-26-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benebob

A Brat wouldn've been my choice and overnight it might have been able to give it a couple inch lift. That was the second worst episode, just a little bit better than the chopper one. They show absolutely no imagination with their vehicle choices and I still want to know how long the shoe string worked for.

you have cable?

actually I thought you only had the first 13 channels. Look who is becoming worldly all the sudden.

next your going to tell me you upgraded your internet so you can download more Jaguar shop manuals.

on topic here: I was watching an TG show on the airplane last weekend and I wanted to punch the seat cause those guys are annoying as heck.

NikFu S. · #29 07-26-2011, 08:08 PM

I remember watching the first episode when it premiered and thinking it was terrible, but I caught a marathon or something last weekend and thought it had improved tremendously.
Definitely a lot of forced formula going on, and blatant stupidity (big star in a small car, what's that all about), but there was just enough lulz delivery and wacky contests to keep me both docile and entertained.

benebob · #30 07-26-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subeman90

you have cable?

actually I thought you only had the first 13 channels. Look who is becoming worldly all the sudden.

next your going to tell me you upgraded your internet so you can download more Jaguar shop manuals.

on topic here: I was watching an TG show on the airplane last weekend and I wanted to punch the seat cause those guys are annoying as heck.

Comcrap wanted to raise us to 25 for the basic channels about a year ago. Figured you'd have noiced the giant hideous dish on the front of the hose by now. We pay 30 for something like 100 channels of crappy waste of time #%^( now. Sorry but watching TV is as worldly as going to an Amy Wino concert.

Upgraded the internet? I bought a Jaguar so I didn't need shop manuals.

Although, unlike Subaru, Jaguar makes all of their service manuals available online to anyone. If this reliability crap keeps up I might have to drop our towing from the insurance policy. Already dropped it from the TVR and saved the $1.50 a year.

Just remember these 3 words grace, pace and space not just the one butch, butch and butch.