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Top Gear U.K. marathon on Discovery Channel RIGHT NOW!!!

Top Gear U.K. marathon on Discovery Channel RIGHT NOW!!!

Posted Feb 10th 2006 12:26AM

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We have returned home from our trip to Chicago to find an inbox full of tips from surprised readers who are planted in front of their TVs with mouths agape at what they are watching: a marathon on the Discovery Channel featuring the U.K. version of Top Gear. Jeremy Clarkson and the boys in all their glory are on our telles right now. It started at 7PM Thursday evening and will end with the last show airing at 2AM Friday morning. Though the DSC Channel is airing eight episodes, three of them are repeated during the too-short marathon.

What’s the deal? One reader suggested the channel may be “gearing” up for the launch of the U.S. version. Quite frankly, would anyone really mind if the kebosh were put on the U.S. project and we were given back our beloved U.K. version?

[Thanks to everyone who sent a tip!]

Tags: top gear, TopGear, tvsquad

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Jeff Gardner

The GTO has been my favorite so far, but I notice that this show seems to be dedicated to the muscle of cars. I would like to see them step out of the box and look at the muscle TRUCKS. The three that come to mind is the Dodge RAM SRT-10, Ford F-150 Lightning and the Chevy SSR. I don't know if any other country has a muscle truck, just a thought.

February 13 2006 at 8:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dan

Discovery scrubbed out all the sexy bits...

There is a bunch of other stuff mixed in, but Google has several of the authentic UK episodes and dozens of clips:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=%22top+gear%22+is%3Afree&lv=1&so=1

February 11 2006 at 12:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Rocket Punch

One word: Bittorrent

February 10 2006 at 2:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

ChaoZ

The current theory goes that the Stig is not one person, but a few professional drivers. You really wouldn't need to fly anybody over - just dress a driver in a track suit and a matching helmet.

I want to see the American interpretation of Top Gear. I will reserve my judgement until then.

February 10 2006 at 2:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

SoloTwo

First off, the new thing on Thursdays on discovery channel is called "Turbo Thursdays". Whats all going to be on? No idea. We'll have to wait.

As for the "US" version, it's not made by Discovery, its made by the same guys who make the UK Top Gear. They even fly the stig over to drive the cars. I have my doubts but if its produced as well as the Top Gear we all know and love it has a fighting chance. But I will always be able to down load the real Top Gear so thats not a problem.

February 10 2006 at 1:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Don

I would love to see Jeremy's article in video interview form. It was hysterical!

February 10 2006 at 1:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dude

It ate my link!

http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2006/02/stories/01/1.html

February 10 2006 at 12:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dude

They showed a couple of episodes last week also.

I hope Discovery isn't leading us into some crappy US-made version of the show. If they are, seeing the UK version first will just make the US version that much crappier.

Keep the original!!! As I've said before, maybe BBC America will bring it over if (when) Discovery lets us down.

That said, did anyone read Clarkson's article?

http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2006/02/stories/01/1.html

I can't seem to get past the sarcasm/truth barrier here.

February 10 2006 at 12:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

DonM

I have never wanted to put my 2 cents into the conversation -- until now!!. I was so caught off guard with the TG episodes on TV last night--I could barely sleep I was so upset to miss the shows. I hope someone within the BBC/Discovery channel companies actually reads and can comprehend what they are missing - not giving the US market access to the REAL Top Gear airings. Hell get with Steve Jobs - and Ipod the stuff--he's always game for more money and market share--It would get me to download (pay for) current and past editions versus--BitTorrenting. The pay-per view or US version DVD would be a windfall for such little effort. So what if the US as a whole isn't portrayed in the best of lights all the time--hell we can take it and it just adds to what the makes the show what it is. I am glad to know that there is such a following for Top Gear enthusiasts out there willing to BitTorrent the real thing. I love all the questions I get when I wear one of my "I AM THE STIG" shirts. PLEASE BRING THE REAL THING TO THE UNITED STATES!!

February 10 2006 at 12:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ron

It's funny to read the comparison between Top Gear and C&D TV. Top Gear was very much like C&D TV - about 20 years ago when I started watching it. Putting Top Gear on Thursday night like that is just like it was in the 'old country'.

The most annoying thing about Discovery's version is the commercials. If you're used to watching it on the BBC the endless breaks (which in total seem to last longer than the actual show) are really irritating.

I do notice however that the TV show isn't anywhere near as critical as Clarkson's column in The Times. I guess they have to be more 'friendly' or else they'll never get half as many cars to thrash... In my own opinion, the reason why there's going to be a US version is that the British guys wouldn't be able to keep a straight face heaping praise on the latest Malibu.

February 10 2006 at 12:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply