Top Gear America Supposedly Won't Be Censored By NBC

FinalGear · June 19th, 2008, 10:50 PM

Last week, before Eric Stromer was announced as the third host, a caller called into Adam's show wanting an update on Top Gear. Discussion ensued about the third host having been picked, that they'd be reviewing supercars and such much like the British version, and so forth. However the surprising thing, to me at least, was Adam mentioning that NBC was actually going to be allowing them to praise or more importantly criticize cars as they saw fit. Many people, including me, were worried that since NBC was advertiser supported, there would be resistance to criticizing cars that could be potential advertisers. Luckily it seems that NBC is smart enough to realize that the only way Top Gear America can succeed is if the hosts are allowed to say their true feelings and aren't on a leash. This is very, very good news.

If you're interested in listening to the actual call, you can download it (14:45 in), although there's not much that happened that I didn't cover above.

Posted By: Viper007Bond
Link: http://www.finalgear.com/news/2008/0...nsored-by-nbc/

Prost264 · June 19th, 2008, 11:17 PM

Thats great news!

It seems like they'll be reviewing cars more than I expected then, which was another of my worries.

ChaoZ · June 19th, 2008, 11:17 PM

I'll believe it when I see it. This is my primary concern for the American series.

epp_b · June 20th, 2008, 5:48 AM

Whatsamawhosit?

Dsemaj · June 20th, 2008, 7:16 AM

I hope to dear lord this is true. I actually have some hope for the American series now!

stiggie · June 20th, 2008, 7:28 AM

I don't want to seem pessimistic, but wouldn't all American car shows claim that they not being censored by their networks?

Vette Boss · June 20th, 2008, 7:35 AM

Very encouraging news, this. I hope when they get a truly awful car (Chevy Aveo, for instance) that they exercise this ability to the fullest.

ricochet · June 20th, 2008, 7:51 AM

Carolla has an amazing amount of power if he can control what does and doesn't get aired by NBC. I'm fairly confident that any "critical" comments (of the Clarksonian scale) will be kept to a minimum. Especially if this makes it past pilot. Not that they really need to slam vehicles for the show to be any good. I would just classify anything Carolla says on his radio show as being the viewpoint from within his own little reality, nothing more.

Viper007Bond · June 20th, 2008, 8:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiggie

I don't want to seem pessimistic, but wouldn't all American car shows claim that they not being censored by their networks?

I'd agree if it weren't Adam saying this. It doesn't even occur to him to spin the truth.

Cobol74 · June 20th, 2008, 9:10 AM

Thats what you want in a presenter IMHO - postive outlook for the show now I think - you see an optimistic Cobol74 for a change. ...

torqueless · June 20th, 2008, 9:24 AM

i def think adam is excited about doing this project.

also if you've ever listened to any of his radio show or loveline...you know he's pretty much gonna say whatever the hell he wants.

give the man a soapbox and he'll talk for hours.

Viper007Bond · June 20th, 2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torqueless

give the man a soapbox and he'll talk for hours.

"Hours"? Comon now, we all know that's not true...

It's more like "days". images/smilies/lol.gif

Polly · June 20th, 2008, 12:59 PM

Good news? Everything else would be a effin' disgrace, I say.

YF19pilot · June 20th, 2008, 1:33 PM

This is a good weight of worry off my chest.

TopGearUSA · June 21st, 2008, 12:27 AM

A few things to Note:
• The beloved TGUK airs in the US on a commercially sponsored network BBC America.
• The show has many top tier sponsors including auto manufacturers.
• As far as I can see, other than news and cool wall, it seems to be unedited.

The myth of unfettered criticism:
• More often than not Jeremy begins a review with a few jabs, but then ends with
“you know what, I really love this (car name here) it’s brilliant.”
• The only times I can remember a really “tough” critique is on some POS like a Proton or another car from a manufacturer they don’t need to make the show.

I may be wrong, but I can’t really remember any time they actually gored a sacred cow.

Cobol74 · June 21st, 2008, 1:09 AM

^ Only recently - but, for instance the famoue Vectra review, killed that version in UK. Now UK market neither here nor there but do that in US/Canada for any model and you got a car company in trouble. That is the difference, the stakes are higher.

TomCat · June 21st, 2008, 1:55 AM

If TopGear USA gets so huge that car companies are scared of the reviews and a few cheap shots by Adam will bankrupt a car company... then NBC will have a giant success on it's hands.

Cobol74 · June 21st, 2008, 2:02 AM

Yes but will NBC?

torqueless · June 21st, 2008, 9:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

"Hours"? Comon now, we all know that's not true...

It's more like "days". images/smilies/lol.gif

lol, i know...it's true!

i used to listen to his rants on loveline. and i was like "damn, this is a 2 hour show...and he's talking about continuing it tomorrow night" images/smilies/lol.gif

empowah · June 21st, 2008, 6:59 PM

There's a huge difference between qualified bashing and bashing to sound qualified. Hopefully it's not the latter.

June 19th, 2008, 10:50 PM	#1
FinalGear I'm A Bot!	Top Gear America Supposedly Won't Be Censored By NBC Last week, before Eric Stromer was announced as the third host, a caller called into Adam's show wanting an update on Top Gear. Discussion ensued about the third host having been picked, that they'd be reviewing supercars and such much like the British version, and so forth. However the surprising thing, to me at least, was Adam mentioning that NBC was actually going to be allowing them to praise or more importantly criticize cars as they saw fit. Many people, including me, were worried that since NBC was advertiser supported, there would be resistance to criticizing cars that could be potential advertisers. Luckily it seems that NBC is smart enough to realize that the only way Top Gear America can succeed is if the hosts are allowed to say their true feelings and aren't on a leash. This is very, very good news. If you're interested in listening to the actual call, you can download it (14:45 in), although there's not much that happened that I didn't cover above. Posted By: Viper007Bond Link: http://www.finalgear.com/news/2008/0...nsored-by-nbc/

June 20th, 2008, 7:16 AM	#5
Dsemaj Previously Known As Jamesd Joined: May 3rd, 2006 Last Online: 9:11 AM Location: Adelaide, Australia. Age: 18 Posts: 2,673 Car: '95 BMW 530i, '85 Nissan Bluebird S3 GXE Rep Power: 40	I hope to dear lord this is true. I actually have some hope for the American series now! __________________ 1995 BMW E34 530i V8 M60B30 218HP/163kW 5sp Auto 1985 Nissan 910 Bluebird I4 CA20S 105HP/78kW 3sp Auto

June 20th, 2008, 7:28 AM	#6
stiggie Joined: Feb 11th, 2007 Last Online: 9:44 AM Location: Wollongong, Australia Age: 29 Posts: 1,394 Car: Ford Focus LX Rep Power: 35	I don't want to seem pessimistic, but wouldn't all American car shows claim that they not being censored by their networks? __________________ "Cupiditus, at purgamentum."

June 20th, 2008, 7:35 AM	#7
Vette Boss Joined: Nov 14th, 2004 Last Online: 9:16 AM Location: United States, Britain, in time Age: 23 Posts: 3,641 Car: 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Rep Power: 66	Very encouraging news, this. I hope when they get a truly awful car (Chevy Aveo, for instance) that they exercise this ability to the fullest. __________________ 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T. Das Auto

June 20th, 2008, 7:51 AM	#8
ricochet Joined: Feb 22nd, 2006 Last Online: November 20th, 2009 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 68 Car: 07 LGT, 08 RX-8, 90 Miata, 90 1.6T Miata Rep Power: 18	Carolla has an amazing amount of power if he can control what does and doesn't get aired by NBC. I'm fairly confident that any "critical" comments (of the Clarksonian scale) will be kept to a minimum. Especially if this makes it past pilot. Not that they really need to slam vehicles for the show to be any good. I would just classify anything Carolla says on his radio show as being the viewpoint from within his own little reality, nothing more. __________________ Ryan Douthit Driving Sports TV

June 19th, 2008, 11:17 PM	#2
Prost264 Joined: Jun 30th, 2006 Last Online: 8:12 AM Location: Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia Age: 21 Posts: 2,617 Car: Mach 5 Rep Power: 42	Thats great news! It seems like they'll be reviewing cars more than I expected then, which was another of my worries.

June 19th, 2008, 11:17 PM	#3
ChaoZ Joined: Oct 25th, 2004 Last Online: November 15th, 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 367 Car: Mazda Miata Rep Power: 22	I'll believe it when I see it. This is my primary concern for the American series.

June 20th, 2008, 5:48 AM	#4
epp_b Unexperienced lover. Joined: Jun 23rd, 2006 Last Online: 6:43 AM Location: Canadaland :) Posts: 7,426 Car: 1995 Nissan 240SX Rep Power: 144	Whatsamawhosit?

June 20th, 2008, 9:10 AM	#10
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: 3:20 AM Location: Southampton Posts: 8,597 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 126	Thats what you want in a presenter IMHO - postive outlook for the show now I think - you see an optimistic Cobol74 for a change. ... __________________ Lotus 7 Registration Mark = KAR120C : Engine Number = 461034 TZ Ross Brawn genius or what?

June 20th, 2008, 9:24 AM	#11
torqueless Joined: Feb 5th, 2007 Last Online: November 19th, 2009 Location: road atlanta Age: 25 Posts: 574 Car: rsx type s Rep Power: 14	i def think adam is excited about doing this project. also if you've ever listened to any of his radio show or loveline...you know he's pretty much gonna say whatever the hell he wants. give the man a soapbox and he'll talk for hours. __________________ 2001 evo...goodnight sweet prince. we will never forget.

June 20th, 2008, 12:59 PM	#13
Polly wants a cracker Joined: Dec 9th, 2006 Last Online: 11:01 AM Location: Your Mom. Posts: 2,348 Car: Yes. Because of Parkinsons. Rep Power: 159	Good news? Everything else would be a effin' disgrace, I say. __________________ More is Better. We are here to get accidentally unearthed from a shallow grave by construction workers.

June 20th, 2008, 1:33 PM	#14
YF19pilot Joined: Apr 15th, 2005 Last Online: 4:36 AM Location: Fargo, ND Age: 25 Posts: 2,114 Car: 1990 Volvo 740 GL LFS Status: Rep Power: 30	This is a good weight of worry off my chest. __________________ I can finally say that, yes, I have driven a car with a front mounted V10.

June 21st, 2008, 12:27 AM	#15
TopGearUSA Joined: Feb 17th, 2007 Last Online: October 25th, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 5 Car: '65 Comet Rep Power: 0	A few things to Note: • The beloved TGUK airs in the US on a commercially sponsored network BBC America. • The show has many top tier sponsors including auto manufacturers. • As far as I can see, other than news and cool wall, it seems to be unedited. The myth of unfettered criticism: • More often than not Jeremy begins a review with a few jabs, but then ends with “you know what, I really love this (car name here) it’s brilliant.” • The only times I can remember a really “tough” critique is on some POS like a Proton or another car from a manufacturer they don’t need to make the show. I may be wrong, but I can’t really remember any time they actually gored a sacred cow.

June 21st, 2008, 1:09 AM	#16
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: 3:20 AM Location: Southampton Posts: 8,597 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 126	^ Only recently - but, for instance the famoue Vectra review, killed that version in UK. Now UK market neither here nor there but do that in US/Canada for any model and you got a car company in trouble. That is the difference, the stakes are higher. __________________ Lotus 7 Registration Mark = KAR120C : Engine Number = 461034 TZ Ross Brawn genius or what?

June 21st, 2008, 1:55 AM	#17
TomCat Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 7:02 AM Location: Arizona Age: 25 Posts: 4,177 Rep Power: 70	If TopGear USA gets so huge that car companies are scared of the reviews and a few cheap shots by Adam will bankrupt a car company... then NBC will have a giant success on it's hands. __________________

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June 21st, 2008, 2:02 AM	#18
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: 3:20 AM Location: Southampton Posts: 8,597 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 126	Yes but will NBC? __________________ Lotus 7 Registration Mark = KAR120C : Engine Number = 461034 TZ Ross Brawn genius or what?

June 21st, 2008, 6:59 PM	#20
empowah Joined: Jul 13th, 2004 Last Online: January 30th, 2009 Posts: 65 Rep Power: 0	There's a huge difference between qualified bashing and bashing to sound qualified. Hopefully it's not the latter. __________________ 2002 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T

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