Is The Stig headed to the States? It appears that the wildly popular automotive TV show, Top Gear, could be heading to these shores (again). The BBC and The Sun newspaper have reported that there are again plans to do a Top Gear U.S. version, but this time with current hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. Previous attempts at doing an American Top Gear lost the magic when they tried to replicate the show with different presenters. Although airing the current UK show on Discovery has made some fans happy, getting the lads to cover more American cars and feature more American celebs will probably draw an even bigger American audience. To that end it is said that the U.S. show will be just like the UK version, but will include more American cars, and U.S. stars doing their darndest to beat The Stig.
The deal hasn't been confirmed by BBC Worldwide, but there have apparently been talks. Top Gear, in case you don't know, is an international Emmy winner, which recently wrapped its most recent season with 8 million viewers tuning in for the finale. They have also been in the news for the horrific jet car crash and remarkable recovery of presenter Richard Hammond. The show's next UK season will begin airing in the fall.
A new U.S. version sounds intriguing. We say bring it on. Maybe if they're forced to drive more American cars on American roads in American driving conditions, they'll start to understand why their current negative impressions don't hold water on this side of the pond. I already have my "I'm the Stig's fat American cousin" T-shirt to welcome them to these shores. What do you think of a possible Top Gear U.S. edition?
Thanks for the tip, JayP!
[Source: BBC]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
akintz @ Apr 9th 2007 12:39PM
YAY!
Though I wonder if they'll hate America even more after driving a bunch of American cars... at least considering how many exotics they get to drive now...
zach @ Apr 9th 2007 12:39PM
yes, please!
ChrisE @ Apr 9th 2007 12:41PM
This is great news. I love this show and all I ever see of it is on Youtube. Looking forward to it!
Avinash machado @ Apr 9th 2007 12:41PM
Sounds cool but their blunt approach might not go well with the American automobile manufacturers who are used to less critical reviews. Attracting advertisers might be difficult due to this fact.
Owain Ozymandias Buck @ Apr 9th 2007 12:47PM
Who cares?
We don't need 'em in the South. They were here once, don't care to see 'em again. We've got enough work to do educating our own--don't have time to waste on a couple of superior-type English pricks. Keep your ideas of who we are, jerks--you've lost me.
Jim Sanders @ Apr 9th 2007 12:48PM
Their negative impression holds.
It stems from the cheap plasticky, under-thought out, underdesigned interiors of American cars.
Driving on American roads doesn't make a cheap car more sophisticated.
Phil @ Apr 9th 2007 12:52PM
BRILLIANT !
I cant wait.
I Love this show, its just a few of us that are a bit sensitive to their comments.
Bring on the Reliant Robin space Shuttle.
MattB @ Apr 9th 2007 12:54PM
NO NO NO...The whole point of watching TopGear in the states is seeing them test all the cars we can't get here. Who wants to see Clarkson badmouth a Caddy when he can badmouth a Mondeo or rave about a Zonda?
frondeur @ Apr 9th 2007 12:54PM
Clarkson hates America, I doubt he would sign a deal which would have him spend more time there, but stranger things have happened. The presenters spend nearly the entire year making the current 20 or so episodes we get a year, I honestly don’t see how they would manage a new American series, if it were to consist of more than an episode or two.
James May is going to America this summer to film a programme about the California wine industry however.
P.S. I think #5 is a good indication of where Clarkson's attitude towards the U.S. comes from.
James Valley @ Apr 9th 2007 1:02PM
Sometimes people seem to forget that american cars are generally quite worst, technologically less evolved and of bad quality and construction when compared with european or japanese cars...
It doesn't take just a move from the UK to the US to make them start saying that the US auto-industry is amazing...
Maineiac @ Apr 9th 2007 1:02PM
These guys are irritating and condescending.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 9th 2007 1:05PM
I think Clarkson doesn't deserve any American money after the BS they pulled in season 10.
Yes, I understand what went on. I do get the joke. I realize (unlike a lot of people even on here) that Clarkson doesn't hate America. But if you want to use all of America as the butt of a joke and take it that far, you don't deserve our money.
Steve @ Apr 9th 2007 1:05PM
I'd be interested in seeing what they would do here. It's not like they wouldn't be able to do german or japanese cars.
Also keep in mind it's entertainment not real reviews. Clarkson and the rest are cleary biased as well as when they do a 3 car comparo they always each pick one as their favorite. It's scripted folks.
Clarkson even picked a Chrysler Crossfire once and that had to be a load of crap.
Shayne @ Apr 9th 2007 1:09PM
Bah. US Cars suck (i drive one), why review and complain about what we already know? We drive uninspired junk and we know it. Though an episode comparing the Cobalt SS, Mazdaspeed 3, Calibre SRT4 would be pretty cool.
bgdc @ Apr 9th 2007 1:15PM
Boo. Keep it in the UK. Why do americans have to have everything tailored to them. The charm of the show isn't just the hosts but also the UK in general.
jamey @ Apr 9th 2007 1:15PM
Dreams do come true.
and i dont know what south #5 is from but i would welcome them to Georgia. also Owain Ozymandias Buck I'm pretty sure you just brought yourself down to at least thier level with that comment.
bgdc @ Apr 9th 2007 1:17PM
LS2/LS7 - travel around the USA. 95% of it is flyover. The people are fat, poorly educated and xenophobic.
Jason @ Apr 9th 2007 1:18PM
I prefer it as a UK show, simply because it's different then American shows. If you "US it up" then it sort of loses the point for me.
Luis Salvatierra @ Apr 9th 2007 1:22PM
It is a great idea to have an American Top Gear with the British presenters. It is like the American Idol of Cars, but the Americans are not good at singing, or are they?
John P. @ Apr 9th 2007 1:24PM
17. You sound incredibly knowledgeable about all those "flyover" people. You must read a lot huh?