Clarkson: Top Gear USA 'canned,' viewers 'just don't get it.'
Click above to watch the video after the jump
We're already aware that NBC essentially passed on producing Top Gear USA, but up until now, the reason behind the decision hasn't been clear. During an interview in Australia for Top Gear Live, Jeremy Clarkson was asked about the U.S. version of the program and said, in no uncertain terms, "That's been canned." Clarkson went on to say that when the program was focus-grouped, the viewers, "... just don't understand a single word we're on about. They just don't get it really."
The interview (video posted after the break) covers several other details about the show, the Stig and the typical Clarksonian blatherings you'd expect. But at this point, it's abundantly clear that Top Gear USA is dead, despite thousands of Stateside fans that do, in fact, "get it."
[Source: CarsGuide]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Jim 10:33AM (2/06/2009)
more proof that Clarkson is a worthless jackass.
Reply
gt-racer 10:42AM (2/06/2009)
I think he may be right because over here if this ran on network it would be i) heavily censored ii) there would be commercials galore(because we love marketing) iii) said commercials would probably be by car manufacturers - imagine watching a chevy ad then chevy getting railed right after on the show. Chevy would pull advertising and use their muscle to prevent nbc and all their affiliates from the negative publicity etc. etc.
obviously anyone on this blog gets it but the suits and majority of network tv viewers just don't
Ryan 10:44AM (2/06/2009)
Clarkson is a worthless jackass because he tells the truth? I'm American and I can see why he would say that the show wouldn't do well with focus groups here. If you need any proof you just need to go on youtube and compare original UK TV shows and the American spin-offs. For example, the original British Kitchen Nightmares with Gordon Ramsey is a great show, but the Fox spin-off of the show was obviously geared towards the American reality TV show market.
Fact is, the general American population has no interest in car shows like this. "Thousands" of stateside fans is a drop in the bucket and is simply not enough to justify investment in a network show.
Jim 11:05AM (2/06/2009)
"Clarkson is a worthless jackass because he tells the truth? "
He doesn't "tell the truth." Witness the silly pushing-the-Tesla-into-the-garage incident that went on. Or the Toyota Hilux bit where they broke everything that the truck didn't need to run, then called it bulletproof. He's an entertainer, but a little too arrogant to realize that people can "get it" yet still not appreciate it.
And I like how quickly my comment was rated down. That amuses me.
Ryan 11:25AM (2/06/2009)
Jim, Clarkson was telling the truth when he said a car show like Top Gear would not do well with American focus groups.
Try understanding what people are saying next time you comment.
Pranav 11:28AM (2/06/2009)
The only proof that you're an idiot. clearly, sarcasm and irony are lost on you.
James 11:29AM (2/06/2009)
Remind me again which cars can withstand being swept into sea and then start again? Or how many cars can be set on fire without having the electrical gremlins show up?
ronEbear 11:30AM (2/06/2009)
@Jim
You`re obviously jealous of Jeremy Clarkson`s success and ability to speak his mind freely. It makes sense though, as anyone whose ever owned a Dodge Neon must surely have an inferiority complex.
cdwrx 11:58AM (2/06/2009)
He is arrogant, yes, but not worthless. Blaming the audience is a sure sign of someone who is not communicating effectively. It reminds me of GM saying they have good cars and bad customers.
Craig 12:06PM (2/06/2009)
While I don't think he's worthless, he's increasingly irritating to me. He's kind of a self-absorbed jackass to me...
I know a lot of people who were waiting for this, and who "get it". I mean - are there not a lot of American viewers of the British show? Do they not "get it"?
Richard 12:36PM (2/06/2009)
SMART!
Top Gear's brand was definitely on the way to being as dilute as water.
Good move say I.
Like what the hell do we all expect? 3 yanks under full US censorship to have the wit and acidic banter that Jezza, Richard and Capt. Slow have?
Re-makes never equal the original.
Good move...and good for BBC America - I expect.
Brian 1:14PM (2/06/2009)
Clarkson is a jackass because:
The focus groups probably didn't like the US version because it wasn't very good.
Clarkson likely had some role in producing the US version and his massive ego would allow him to admit HIS show was rrrrrubish so he blamed it on Americans not getting it.
Any excuse to bash Americans, eh.
Clarkson does entertain so I wouldn't call him worthless.
E RASMSSEN 2:47PM (2/06/2009)
There is NO way the proud owner of a Neon would ever grasp the concept of Top Gear. Substandard Engineering = Substandard Intellect. For these people there is an abundance of NASCAR on Speedvision.
Jim 3:03PM (2/06/2009)
Insult my car. very convincing argument :)
/me continues to wonder why people like pointing out that it's a Neon, as though I'm not actually aware of it...
E RASMSSEN 6:00PM (2/06/2009)
Not an argument Jim, just an observation. And we keep pointing out your Neon because perhaps you were not aware that the car you so proudly display was a prime example of American Auto Technology at it's very worst. With and Without a turbo. So the very thought of you making any comment on a show that at It's most is intended to be entertainment is in essence.... laughable. Somewhat like your ride Jim.
the friendly grizzly 5:10PM (2/06/2009)
A noisy Brit who hates just about everything American, wonders why his show dropped a clanger here? D'uhh!
Britain can keep him. Maybe he can do a road test on his show of great British cars like the Humber Super Snipe, the Riley, the Singer, or, maybe the Hillman Minx. All great sellers, with stellar quality that the world buys 13 to the dozen.
E RASMSSEN 6:10PM (2/06/2009)
Grizzly.
Or the Vauxall Viva, or Ford Cortina.......... All duds, All British made. But you do realize that these are all cars that were produced 30 Years ago! The Dodge Neon was only taken out of production 3 years ago. Apples and oranges my friend. Maybe it's time you trade in that calender from 1967 to one that reflects 2009.
Jim 10:31PM (2/06/2009)
"So the very thought of you making any comment on a show that at It's most is intended to be entertainment is in essence.... laughable. Somewhat like your ride Jim."
ROFL, you go right on insulting my car like I care what you think. I'll go right on chuckling at you worshipping some dink just 'cos he says stuff you like to hear.
E RASMSSEN 8:53AM (2/07/2009)
Jim, you poor confused lad. I don't worship Clarkson or any entertainer for that matter. You have confused Entertainment for actual fact. Top gear is played up to offer a few laughs with snippets of information, so when poor little Jim from small town USA decides to weigh in on something he knows little or nothing about it only proves that Clarkson is in fact correct....... You just won't get it.
Now it's past your bed time Boyracer. Sweet Dreams.
Mobius_1 3:57PM (2/11/2009)
Jim = more evidence of Americans not getting it.
Ah well, to each his own, I love Top Gear and can't wait for it to return. (June?)