TG america an inevitability?

madmaxatl · September 27th, 2009, 2:19 AM

Has there been any discussion about FOX or ABC picking up TG? NBC isn't exactly known for their great programming choices so its no surprise they passed on TG. At the rate that British shows are getting picked up , roughly 1 a year by my count, it seems logical that an american TG is inevitable. Or does NBC own the american rights to the show?

maxtortheone · September 27th, 2009, 7:10 AM

There were some rumors about HBO picking it up, but as I haven't followed the topic, I can't say for sure

narf · September 27th, 2009, 7:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmaxatl

it seems logical that an american TG is inevitable

Very true.

Logic has nothing to do with Americans or their TV though

Vette Boss · September 27th, 2009, 6:48 PM

I can only see Top Gear US as another boring consumer programme, due to having advertisers to keep happy. They can't really say what they think about any given car, for fear of backlash from the car car firms. Which they need support from, in order to have the show.

The good thing about Top Gear UK is that it's publicly funded, Jeremy, James and Richard, can all say what they want. If Top Gear US is to succeed, it needs to be on a premium channel like HBO.

Kiskaloo · September 29th, 2009, 1:00 AM

I am skeptical that Top Gear America would work on a subscription channel - you'd be paying upwards of $20 a month to get 8-12 episodes of content per half-year (assuming it broadcast two series per year). Yes, you could cancel HBO after the series is over and re-start it again when the next series airs, but that's going to be around $80-120 a year (assuming four to six months of service).

If you already subscribe to HBO, there would not be an additional cost, but then HBO has to decide if such a show would either appeal to their current subscriber base or draw in new subscribers (and for more than just the broadcast period).

GRtak · September 29th, 2009, 11:37 AM

YOu guys keep saying that Top Gear would need the car companies to advertise. But the car cos don't advertise during the show on BBCA. And look at the advertisers on the Speed channel, they are mostly oils and apperance improving products. Thee only reason this show has not gone forward is because the execs at NBC and other networks don't understand it.

Mike Nassour · September 29th, 2009, 8:50 PM

Ummmm.....if the car companies are unhappy, who's going to supply the cars?

That's why we have such garbage for car magazines in the U.S.....they're all in the pocket of the automakers.

BlaRo · September 29th, 2009, 9:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Nassour

That's why we have such garbage for car magazines in the U.S.....they're all in the pocket of the automakers.

What do foreign car magazines do, steal their cars?

flydiscovery · September 29th, 2009, 9:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaRo

What do foreign car magazines do, steal their cars?

Sometimes they go to a dearlership in San Fransisco and buy them only to resell them in Utah.

Mike Nassour · September 30th, 2009, 7:32 PM

And indeed, unless I remember incorrectly, didn't Vauxhall blacklist Clarkson for a while after that infamous review on, oh, what was it, the Vectra? Top Gear just got too large and important for GM to continue its "boycott".

Here in the U.S. the automotive media (car mags) have an incestuous relationship with the motor industry. No, the reporters aren't getting rich taking $$$$ under the table. However, they are flown around the world on junkets, wined and dined, and given lots of expensive metal to "test". And yes, I would be surprised if this doesn't go in on Europe as well.

And UNLIKE Europe, we have a total of three manufacturers (well, two and a half) here. A denial of cars by, say, Ford, would kill half your road tests.

I think most of the Americans here have seen Motorweek on PBS? That's perhaps the worst example of automotive "journalism" on TV at the current time. You'll never hear a negative word about any car tested there! And read, really read the individual tests in today's mags. Better yet, let's look at some of the cars from yesteryear that were proclaimed "Car of the Year" by Motor Trend:

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
2000 Lincoln LS
1997 Chevrolet Malibu
1995 Chrysler Cirrus
1993 Ford Probe GT
1990 Lincoln Town Car
1983 AMC / Renault Alliance
1980 Chevrolet Citation
1978 Chrysler, Dodge Omni / Plymouth Horizon
1976 Chrysler, Dodge Aspen / Plymouth Volare
1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2
1974 Ford Mustang II
1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
1971 Chevrolet Vega
1963 American MotorsRambler

Wow....how many of those little jewels would you like to own? I thought so.

The bottom line is this...Top Gear, an honest Top Gear could never survive on American commercial television unless road tests were completely de-emphasized and the stunts were brought to the forefront. Americans don't want to hear that the Mustang handles like shit and neither does Ford. But it does. Americans don't want to hear that the new Camaro is a barge that's hundreds of pounds overweight and neither does GM. But it is. An honest Top Gear would have to tell America that the emperor has no clothes. Clarkson and Wilman would have it no other way(I hope). And that's why it won't happen...can't happen...shouldn't happen.

argatoga · September 30th, 2009, 7:39 PM

Top Gear on HBO or another premium channel would work. 13 episodes a year wouldn't be an issue, and iTunes and Amazon could provide additional revenue.

Mike Nassour · September 30th, 2009, 7:44 PM

I don't much care for HBO, but even I'd sign up for that! Now, whether HBO would go for a "underwritten by" deal with iTunes and Amazon is another question altogether. Me, I'm betting there's some kind of licensing deal that prevents BBC programming on HBO or it would be there already.

argatoga · September 30th, 2009, 7:51 PM

HBO already sells shows on iTunes and I belive Amazon.

neworderrr · November 15th, 2009, 6:11 PM

This is my opinion, but for a new Top Gear in America, it needs more than just the place to watch it.

Where to watch it? Four places I think...

-BBC America, obvious tie-in with BBC proper. Sell shows later on iTunes or stream from the web with commercials.

-Premium cable channel like HBO or Showtime to get past having to advertise. Offer episodes on iTunes or Netflix at a later date.

-Discovery HD Theater to compliment their recent shows like Wheeler Dealers repeats, Chasing Classic Cars, WRC, Isle of Man TT, Race Of Champions, Street Customs, etc. Normal commercials like oil, car wax, whatever will bring in money for Discovery, and clips and SD shows with short ads can go to Discovery's website for streaming, or on iTunes for paid HD download.

-Bypass TV entirely and use a companion website (like Final Gear maybe?) and offer HD shows via paid streaming or download, and free SD shows at a later date with ads inserted. Involve the web community and add bonus clips to the paid content where the SD ads would normally go.

-A network channel would get too much flak from the die hard fans as to being in the pocket of the nasty corporations to be given a shot.

The big question for me is, who is going to be the driving force behind the show? Jay Leno said no before, he has his hands full with his NBC show and his Jay Leno's Garage webisodes is his auto-show fix. Adam Carolla might do something similar, what with his recent CarCast podcast and the videos he posts on his site. He's got the chit-chat parts set right, but who will produce the driving tests and set up and produce the challenges?

TGA needs some passionate guys to get it rolling, or it won't matter what channel decides to air it.

Mark355 · November 15th, 2009, 8:30 PM

Americans have no passion for cars. I live here and I'm in the minority. 99% of people on the road are just driving their "appliances" to work. TG U.S. would be irrelevant. Keep it in Europe where it belongs.

Vette Boss · November 15th, 2009, 9:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobias

Americans have no passion for cars. I live here and I'm in the minority. 99% of people on the road are just driving their "appliances" to work. TG U.S. would be irrelevant. Keep it in Europe where it belongs.

x2.

Whenever I talk about my car, everyone just says "it has a what and it does what". Then, if I continue explaining, they just think it's childish and silly. They have no idea. I know maybe two or three other people who are into cars and even they don't really get it.

Prost264 · November 16th, 2009, 12:15 AM

Agreed.

No one in this country gives a shit about cars, I guess mainly because all Americans are so smart they've figured out that only Hondas and Toyotas are the greatest cars ever made and are the only cars that will last more than 5 years.

richo · November 16th, 2009, 1:16 AM

It'll be a damn shame if TG America never eventuates.... even with more of a theatrical slant than anything else. You have some great driving roads!

Ohwell

topgear1224 · November 16th, 2009, 1:40 AM

It saddens me to say but I agree in the USA cars are appliances. There is no such thing as drama in a American car unless you mean the drama of a shitty interior. (obviously stereotyping here but still)

argatoga · November 16th, 2009, 1:51 AM

Americans just fucking hate cars. I mean we have such shity tastes. As someone who lives in the largest car market for BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Porsche, Ferrari, Mazda, Audi, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, and while they existed Triumph and MG I wholly agree we here have no sense of cars. Hell we even demanded BMW add a stick shift to the current M5, talk about boring.

And look at the crap thats come out of this country, affordable high performance cars for average people (Mustang, Corvette et al), world class race cars (AC Cobra, Saleen S7) and shity race tracks like Laguna Seca.

We all know that real car enthusiast buy Renault Twingos and Vauxhalls Astras.

September 27th, 2009, 2:19 AM	#1
madmaxatl Banned Joined: Jul 28th, 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	TG america an inevitability? Has there been any discussion about FOX or ABC picking up TG? NBC isn't exactly known for their great programming choices so its no surprise they passed on TG. At the rate that British shows are getting picked up , roughly 1 a year by my count, it seems logical that an american TG is inevitable. Or does NBC own the american rights to the show?

September 27th, 2009, 7:10 AM	#2
maxtortheone Joined: Oct 16th, 2007 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 1,193 Car: Solar Yellow Driving School Citroen Elise C1 Rep Power: 60	There were some rumors about HBO picking it up, but as I haven't followed the topic, I can't say for sure __________________ Speed kills? Maybe, but it doesn’t half thrill as well. - Jeremy Clarkson

September 27th, 2009, 6:48 PM	#4
Vette Boss Joined: Nov 14th, 2004 Location: United States, Britain, in time Age: 23 Posts: 3,644 Car: 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Rep Power: 66	I can only see Top Gear US as another boring consumer programme, due to having advertisers to keep happy. They can't really say what they think about any given car, for fear of backlash from the car car firms. Which they need support from, in order to have the show. The good thing about Top Gear UK is that it's publicly funded, Jeremy, James and Richard, can all say what they want. If Top Gear US is to succeed, it needs to be on a premium channel like HBO. __________________ 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T. Das Auto

September 29th, 2009, 11:37 AM	#6
GRtak Joined: Sep 6th, 2008 Location: Michigan USA Age: 40 Posts: 758 Rep Power: 13	YOu guys keep saying that Top Gear would need the car companies to advertise. But the car cos don't advertise during the show on BBCA. And look at the advertisers on the Speed channel, they are mostly oils and apperance improving products. Thee only reason this show has not gone forward is because the execs at NBC and other networks don't understand it. __________________ "Obviously, every mountain has already been climbed, which is why, nowadays, you need to reach the top of Everest in the nude to make waves."- Jeremy Clarkson "Scientists are saying the future is going to be far more futuristic than originally predicted."- Krysta Now- Southland Tales

September 30th, 2009, 7:32 PM	#10
Mike Nassour Joined: Jul 10th, 2006 Location: Austin, the Republic of Texas Posts: 130 Rep Power: 19	And indeed, unless I remember incorrectly, didn't Vauxhall blacklist Clarkson for a while after that infamous review on, oh, what was it, the Vectra? Top Gear just got too large and important for GM to continue its "boycott". Here in the U.S. the automotive media (car mags) have an incestuous relationship with the motor industry. No, the reporters aren't getting rich taking $$$$ under the table. However, they are flown around the world on junkets, wined and dined, and given lots of expensive metal to "test". And yes, I would be surprised if this doesn't go in on Europe as well. And UNLIKE Europe, we have a total of three manufacturers (well, two and a half) here. A denial of cars by, say, Ford, would kill half your road tests. I think most of the Americans here have seen Motorweek on PBS? That's perhaps the worst example of automotive "journalism" on TV at the current time. You'll never hear a negative word about any car tested there! And read, really read the individual tests in today's mags. Better yet, let's look at some of the cars from yesteryear that were proclaimed "Car of the Year" by Motor Trend: 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2000 Lincoln LS 1997 Chevrolet Malibu 1995 Chrysler Cirrus 1993 Ford Probe GT 1990 Lincoln Town Car 1983 AMC / Renault Alliance 1980 Chevrolet Citation 1978 Chrysler, Dodge Omni / Plymouth Horizon 1976 Chrysler, Dodge Aspen / Plymouth Volare 1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2 1974 Ford Mustang II 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1971 Chevrolet Vega 1963 American MotorsRambler Wow....how many of those little jewels would you like to own? I thought so. The bottom line is this...Top Gear, an honest Top Gear could never survive on American commercial television unless road tests were completely de-emphasized and the stunts were brought to the forefront. Americans don't want to hear that the Mustang handles like shit and neither does Ford. But it does. Americans don't want to hear that the new Camaro is a barge that's hundreds of pounds overweight and neither does GM. But it is. An honest Top Gear would have to tell America that the emperor has no clothes. Clarkson and Wilman would have it no other way(I hope). And that's why it won't happen...can't happen...shouldn't happen. Last edited by Mike Nassour; September 30th, 2009 at 7:43 PM.

September 29th, 2009, 1:00 AM	#5
Kiskaloo Joined: Jan 10th, 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 340 Rep Power: 15	I am skeptical that Top Gear America would work on a subscription channel - you'd be paying upwards of $20 a month to get 8-12 episodes of content per half-year (assuming it broadcast two series per year). Yes, you could cancel HBO after the series is over and re-start it again when the next series airs, but that's going to be around $80-120 a year (assuming four to six months of service). If you already subscribe to HBO, there would not be an additional cost, but then HBO has to decide if such a show would either appeal to their current subscriber base or draw in new subscribers (and for more than just the broadcast period).

September 29th, 2009, 8:50 PM	#7
Mike Nassour Joined: Jul 10th, 2006 Location: Austin, the Republic of Texas Posts: 130 Rep Power: 19	Ummmm.....if the car companies are unhappy, who's going to supply the cars? That's why we have such garbage for car magazines in the U.S.....they're all in the pocket of the automakers.

September 30th, 2009, 7:39 PM	#11
argatoga Can't Start His Wank Joined: Oct 4th, 2005 Location: Washington State, USA Age: 26 Posts: 4,894 Car: '78 MG Midget, '78 Honda CB400t Rep Power: 172	Top Gear on HBO or another premium channel would work. 13 episodes a year wouldn't be an issue, and iTunes and Amazon could provide additional revenue. __________________ "If you think about it breast implants aren't much different than braces. Their main purpose is to improve one's appearance, at least that's how it was in my case." - KaJun "Anyway, I'm off to eat my dick" - Austere

September 30th, 2009, 7:44 PM	#12
Mike Nassour Joined: Jul 10th, 2006 Location: Austin, the Republic of Texas Posts: 130 Rep Power: 19	I don't much care for HBO, but even I'd sign up for that! Now, whether HBO would go for a "underwritten by" deal with iTunes and Amazon is another question altogether. Me, I'm betting there's some kind of licensing deal that prevents BBC programming on HBO or it would be there already. Last edited by Mike Nassour; September 30th, 2009 at 7:47 PM.

September 30th, 2009, 7:51 PM	#13
argatoga Can't Start His Wank Joined: Oct 4th, 2005 Location: Washington State, USA Age: 26 Posts: 4,894 Car: '78 MG Midget, '78 Honda CB400t Rep Power: 172	HBO already sells shows on iTunes and I belive Amazon. __________________ "If you think about it breast implants aren't much different than braces. Their main purpose is to improve one's appearance, at least that's how it was in my case." - KaJun "Anyway, I'm off to eat my dick" - Austere

November 15th, 2009, 6:11 PM	#14
neworderrr Joined: Nov 4th, 2008 Location: USA, NJ Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	This is my opinion, but for a new Top Gear in America, it needs more than just the place to watch it. Where to watch it? Four places I think... -BBC America, obvious tie-in with BBC proper. Sell shows later on iTunes or stream from the web with commercials. -Premium cable channel like HBO or Showtime to get past having to advertise. Offer episodes on iTunes or Netflix at a later date. -Discovery HD Theater to compliment their recent shows like Wheeler Dealers repeats, Chasing Classic Cars, WRC, Isle of Man TT, Race Of Champions, Street Customs, etc. Normal commercials like oil, car wax, whatever will bring in money for Discovery, and clips and SD shows with short ads can go to Discovery's website for streaming, or on iTunes for paid HD download. -Bypass TV entirely and use a companion website (like Final Gear maybe?) and offer HD shows via paid streaming or download, and free SD shows at a later date with ads inserted. Involve the web community and add bonus clips to the paid content where the SD ads would normally go. -A network channel would get too much flak from the die hard fans as to being in the pocket of the nasty corporations to be given a shot. The big question for me is, who is going to be the driving force behind the show? Jay Leno said no before, he has his hands full with his NBC show and his Jay Leno's Garage webisodes is his auto-show fix. Adam Carolla might do something similar, what with his recent CarCast podcast and the videos he posts on his site. He's got the chit-chat parts set right, but who will produce the driving tests and set up and produce the challenges? TGA needs some passionate guys to get it rolling, or it won't matter what channel decides to air it.

November 15th, 2009, 8:30 PM	#15
Mark355 Previously known as Tobias Joined: Mar 26th, 2005 Location: New York Age: 24 Posts: 1,088 Car: 2006 Honda S2000 Rep Power: 42	Americans have no passion for cars. I live here and I'm in the minority. 99% of people on the road are just driving their "appliances" to work. TG U.S. would be irrelevant. Keep it in Europe where it belongs. __________________ "Acceleration, not nationalization. Of the banks. Although obviously it's easy to make a credible case for state ownership of other industries, such as utilities." - James

November 16th, 2009, 12:15 AM	#17
Prost264 Joined: Jun 30th, 2006 Location: Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia Age: 21 Posts: 2,617 Car: Mach 5 Rep Power: 42	Agreed. No one in this country gives a shit about cars, I guess mainly because all Americans are so smart they've figured out that only Hondas and Toyotas are the greatest cars ever made and are the only cars that will last more than 5 years. __________________

November 16th, 2009, 1:16 AM	#18
richo Joined: Jan 2nd, 2005 Location: Queensland, Oz Age: 23 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	It'll be a damn shame if TG America never eventuates.... even with more of a theatrical slant than anything else. You have some great driving roads! Ohwell

November 16th, 2009, 1:40 AM	#19
topgear1224 Joined: Oct 9th, 2008 Location: Tempe,AZ,USA Posts: 51 Car: soon hopefully Rep Power: 0	It saddens me to say but I agree in the USA cars are appliances. There is no such thing as drama in a American car unless you mean the drama of a shitty interior. (obviously stereotyping here but still)

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November 16th, 2009, 1:51 AM	#20
argatoga Can't Start His Wank Joined: Oct 4th, 2005 Location: Washington State, USA Age: 26 Posts: 4,894 Car: '78 MG Midget, '78 Honda CB400t Rep Power: 172	Americans just fucking hate cars. I mean we have such shity tastes. As someone who lives in the largest car market for BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Porsche, Ferrari, Mazda, Audi, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, and while they existed Triumph and MG I wholly agree we here have no sense of cars. Hell we even demanded BMW add a stick shift to the current M5, talk about boring. And look at the crap thats come out of this country, affordable high performance cars for average people (Mustang, Corvette et al), world class race cars (AC Cobra, Saleen S7) and shity race tracks like Laguna Seca. We all know that real car enthusiast buy Renault Twingos and Vauxhalls Astras. __________________ "If you think about it breast implants aren't much different than braces. Their main purpose is to improve one's appearance, at least that's how it was in my case." - KaJun "Anyway, I'm off to eat my dick" - Austere

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