American Top Gear

It's not you, it's me.

Honestly folks, it's the same show.

Well, yes and no.

I've been down on the American Top Gear for a little while now, even before I saw it, which is proof of my amazing ability to prejudge. But now I have seen the first two episodes and have to conclude that all the elements are there, except the chemistry.

The banter between the above hosts, whose names I can't remember, seems awkward, forced, and most often, dull.  Also, when they directly address us, the audience, it doesn't quite resonate. It's a bit like trying to talk with a friend of a friend.

All of that, however, is probably just me.  Others may find these guys quite engaging.  And over time they may find their comfort zone and become more interesting.

Aside from that, it looks to me they replicated the BBC version of this show.  There are challenges, a Stig, a test track, celebrities driving a reasonably priced car, reviews of cars you can't afford, etc.  Surprisingly, at least to me, they even retained the standing studio audience. The graceful and artistic presentations of the cars they are reviewing is also a part of the American version. The theme song is even the same.

The American version is only an hour long, with commercials. I have not seen them do a news segment yet, so that is at least one part they did cut out.  The BBC version so far has gotten bigger celebrities to drive their small cars.  For instance, Tom Cruise holds the record with their current car on the test track. The American version has had Buzz Aldrin and Meriadoc Brandybuck. 

My favorite challenges on the BBC version are when they race from point A to point B across Europe, like from London to some ski resort is Switzerland, James and Hammond using traditional transportation, and Clarkson in a Bugatti Veyron, or some other fantasy car. So I hope that sort of thing makes into the American version, though I haven't seen it yet.

The first challenge on the American Version, however, was promising. Two of the American guys, in a Dodge Viper, had to elude a Cobra attack helicopter trying to get a missile lock on them.  However, the whole bit seemed overly produced, and the repartee lacking.  To be fair, though Clarkson and his fellows come across much more natural on the BBC version, I recognize that their bits and challenges are overly produced as well at times.

So, I wish the History Channel success with this endeavor, and I hope the show makes it. I believe they need to give it some time to gel. Perhaps some day the American hosts can quit explaining all the bits.  If you're a fan of the BBC version, you might as well watch the American version.  If you haven't watched either, it's worth looking at, just don't expect to like the hosts right off the line.

Oh, one other thing. When they are actually in the cars, driving, testing, what have you, if you watch through a mirror, it appears they are on the "correct" side of the car.