NBC passes on Top Gear USA, show going to cable
by Damon Lavrinc on Dec 11th 2008 at 7:30PM 
According to the Colonial arm of Top Gear's website, the U.S. version of everyone's favorite motoring show has been passed up by NBC. The report doesn't go into any detail about why the Peacock people said, "Thanks. But no thanks" to the show, but the BBC is supposedly actively pursuing a cable network to air the series. We're tapping our sources inside Top Gear, NBC and the assorted media to get the full story, so stay tuned.
UPDATE: According to an entertainment industry source, NBC didn't "pass" on the program so much as it decided to sit on Top Gear as it hashed out the network's future. The BBC was able to get the program "back" so it could bring it to another channel. We'll see...
[Source: Top Gear]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Snutz 7:35PM (12/11/2008)
Not sure how I feel about this. NBC would have given the show a bigger budget which would lead to more ridiculousness, but being on cable will allow them to say more without being censored. As long as it ends up on TV at all I'll be happy.
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JaysonAych 8:46PM (12/11/2008)
I feel better about this, actually. The major networks are very strange about what shows they'll give a chance, and which ones they'll dump despite strong fan support. I have a feeling that a smaller cable network will order more trial episodes, give the show a chance to get traction, and not care as much about what the hosts say on the program compared to a big network. As far as budget goes, if the show becomes a hit, they'll find the money....I think of how Comedy Central wasn't a very popular network until South Park came along, and they then built their network around it. Top Gear USA might be the thing a low-key network needs to pull in viewers and sponsorship money.
VP 11:53PM (12/11/2008)
Since Spike is marketed as a "mens" network, i think Top Gear would be a wise investment for them. They sort of have an identity crisis right now with a lot of CSI repeats so this could give them some decent ratings.
catgirlshyla 4:01AM (12/12/2008)
Spike will just shove Top Gear USA into their POWER BLOCK segment somewhere. And maybe have Courtney Hansen host as well.
Mez Jr 11:38AM (12/12/2008)
Well, what would make sense is NBC try to make it lower budget and perhaps air it on USA network or something. NBC owns USA so if its a hit there they can bring it up to the big leagues or bring it up to replace a tanking show. They have a similar arrangement with Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
Cellien 1:38PM (12/12/2008)
One more reason for me to never tune into NBC now. Unfortunately this means I won't see it unless I download it or something as I don't subscribe to 150+ useless channels to get 5-6 good ones. I'm rockin' the OTA HD channels these days.
Erik 11:16AM (12/29/2008)
Well, this drives the final nail into my NBC-watching habits.
Seminole 7:35PM (12/11/2008)
And NBC wonders why people think they blow...
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Beastage 8:30PM (12/11/2008)
People don't think NBC blows, they know NBC blows.
Jake B 8:48PM (12/11/2008)
Even my filthy lib friends know that NBC is a crock.
A 11:09PM (12/12/2008)
And politics has what to do with Top Gear or cars?
Man, you're stuck in it. Let it go.
JDR 7:38PM (12/11/2008)
Figured this would happen. None of the big broadcast networks could ever allow the amount of freedom a show like Top Gear needs.
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chad.dawkins 7:39PM (12/11/2008)
I was wondering what happened to this show.
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fizzandpop 7:42PM (12/11/2008)
NBC would have picked up Top Gear if it was about three single, mid-thirties career women who like to drink martinis, gossip about sex, and shop for shoes.
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SPF 7:57PM (12/11/2008)
There's gotta be cars involved, hello~~
They love having sex in cars, there.
esteva03 7:42PM (12/11/2008)
good. i think NBC would have had too many problems being politically correct all the time and that would have killed the point of the show.
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Samurai Jack 7:43PM (12/11/2008)
NBC is inept. They passed because they'd rather continue Knight Rider or do a remake of another old show. My money is on CHiPS. ;-)
Or maybe they're afraid Top Gear would encourage hooliganism that they would then be sued over...
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montoym 9:29PM (12/11/2008)
You're not far off.
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,400118,00.html
Granted, that was from 2002(note the dated "Starsky & Hutch" movie line) but it might still be in he works.
There is also word of a new movie version with Wilmer Valderrama(Fez on "That 70's Show and man who bones many a hot Hollywood actress) playing Ponch.
masarak 7:46PM (12/11/2008)
Maybe they saw an episode of Top Gear Australia.
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SeattleJeremy 7:55PM (12/11/2008)
That's what I was thinking.