Australian version of Top Gear

rezakage · November 18th, 2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

World first for SBS with local version of Top Gear

Following a major deal with BBC Worldwide, SBS will build on its association with Top Gear – a program that has aired on the network since 2005.

In a world first, SBS has secured the rights to make a local version of the show. It has also extended its commitment to the UK version for the life of the series.

Freehand Productions, BBC Worldwide’s Australasian partner, will produce the local version, which will transmit on SBS in 2008.

“This is fantastic news for SBS, for Top Gear fans and for Australian audiences,” SBS Director of Content, Matt Campbell said.

“Top Gear is a unique show and one of BBC Worldwide’s biggest global properties.
In making it, we won’t simply replicate the UK series with an Australian version of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond or James May. SBS plans to make a program that is uniquely and quintessentially Australian.”

“It is very exciting for us to have done this deal with SBS,” added Julie Dowding, BBC Worldwide Australasia’s Head of Sales. “We are very proud that the first global deal for a local version of Top Gear has been done here in Australia.”

Top Gear is the BBC’s top-rating, high-octane mix of performance cars, adrenalin, comedy and celebrities. It test drives and brutally appraises the world’s most popular cars with startling honesty – along with celebrity laps, irreverent wraps and breathtaking stunts and driving.

Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson said: “I'm delighted that Top Gear is going to Australia. Maybe the first guest could be Jonny Wilkinson.”

source: http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/t...ia-191107.html

is there any australian here, please post your opinion

BlitzR · November 19th, 2007, 12:01 AM

Hmmm
If it's like past Aussie automotive shows, then it won't even hold a candle to Top Gear.
I hope they continue airing British Top Gear.

watto · November 19th, 2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rezakage

is there any australian here, please post your opinion

Mate, there's oodles of us!!

This had better be good, and I think it will. SBS is a commercial station but no-where near to the extent of 7, 9 or 10 which means it won't have all that advertising bullshit that "The Car Show" had/has (is that thing still on??)

Goodie, can't wait!

Dsemaj · November 19th, 2007, 12:13 AM

Hmmm.

It'll be interesting, to say the least.

Lurch0001 · November 19th, 2007, 12:24 AM

It really depends on who they use as the hosts of the show. The one that Channel 10 did recently (called "the Car Show" IIRC) was utter crap - the host (Michael Stahl) is actually a really good motoring journalist but he just came across as bland on the show. And does anyone else remember the "Speed Steerer"? FFS, that just made me want to puke.

So, yes, I'm looking forward to it but won't set my expectations too high.

Ruddeger · November 19th, 2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurch0001

It really depends on who they use as the hosts of the show. The one that Channel 10 did recently (called "the Car Show" IIRC) was utter crap - the host (Michael Stahl) is actually a really good motoring journalist but he just came across as bland on the show. And does anyone else remember the "Speed Steerer"? FFS, that just made me want to puke.

So, yes, I'm looking forward to it but won't set my expectations too high.

Isn't the Car Show on Channel 9 and it also features Glenn Ridge as a presenter ?
I think that god awful Steven Jacobs might've been on it.

Channel 10 had an awful one last year called Drive.It had some actress now on All Saints as a presenter.

dj.TAKA · November 19th, 2007, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsemaj

Hmmm.

It'll be interesting, to say the least.

Thats all I can say, the most important part will be who to use as the presenters.

And hopefully its wouldn't just be fill of HSV vs FPV shootouts

Hidden_Hunter · November 19th, 2007, 01:08 AM

Oh dear is about all I can say,

We appologize in advance.

Lurch0001 · November 19th, 2007, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruddeger

Channel 10 had an awful one last year called Drive.It had some actress now on All Saints as a presenter.

Yeah, that was the one. God, I'd almost purged that from my memory...

Austere · November 19th, 2007, 01:13 AM

I can't get behind that.

hangthedj · November 19th, 2007, 01:51 AM

It will probably be crap, although because the SBS is doing it there might be a glimmer of hope.

2Monaros · November 19th, 2007, 02:06 AM

Who can forget the Gem of a show hosted by James Morrison the Trumpeter. what were they thinking with that?

Maybe they can bring Peter Wherrett out of retirement for those old enough to remember Torque on ABC in the seventies. He certainly called a spade a spade!!

I reckon David Morley from the Car Show is not to bad as a presenter and would be good fit for Top Gear.

Cheers
Glenn

BlitzR · November 19th, 2007, 02:23 AM

I hope it doesn't get wrapped around too much by advertising, that was the major flaw for most shows. The Car Show was pretty much all Yokohama, what ever oil they were advertising and Shannons.

Sarnya · November 19th, 2007, 03:21 AM

I hope it's not shit... But at least we should give SBS a chance... and it says in a ninemsn article that

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninemsn

SBS, which has screened the program since 2005, has also extended its commitment to the UK version for the life of the series.

source

So even if it is crap... we will still get the original.

Blink · November 19th, 2007, 03:43 AM

Should be interesting, The Car Show is a shocker.

I think it will be much more focused around the 'Average Persons' car. Small Toyota's, Suzuki's, as obviously, the budget wont be as big as the UK Version.

And yes, the hosts will play a massive part.

Should be interesting to see how this turns out

georgestr · November 19th, 2007, 03:50 AM

If the hosts try to make it exactly like Top Gear, it will fail. If they make it their own brand of Top Gear, it has a chance.

Nobody could replicate the chemistry that Jeremy, Richard and James have on Top Gear, but i'm not ruling out another decent show with the same concept, different style.

Ez · November 19th, 2007, 03:54 AM

i cant see this working for 2 major reasons

1) The quality of the presenters just wont be as good no matter who they choose
2) They just wont have the same budget or access to cars and equiptment that bbc2 does

TomCat · November 19th, 2007, 03:58 AM

Being into cars, I'm looking forward to it. They are going to have to "go big" with the show if they want to use the TopGear name. Otherwise why not name it something else with less impossible expectations?

And they should really look towards more comedian-like-personalities for the hosts. I think that's why TopGear is so good, the boys aren't major gearheads, so they can discuss cars in a more real-world-feel kind of way.

SV · November 19th, 2007, 04:07 AM

I'm not sure what to feel about this, i sort of want this to happen but i also don't want it to happen. Im just trying to think who they could use as presenters and i havent been able to come up with any that stand out.

Its also going to be weird because of the car situation here in australia, we get cars later than europe (sometimes) and usually when we do they arent as common as they are in europe and i really dont want to see ford vs holden vs ford vs holden.. im sick of that -.-

I also agree with TomCats idea of a name change, that could help it out a bit and people wont expect as much.

thompo · November 19th, 2007, 04:09 AM

Here in NZ we had this utter s**t show called "The AA Torque Show" hosted by this local comedian (and with puns that makes you cringe), this other random journalist nobody has ever heard of and they even copied the Power Lap, but with some random dude trying far too hard to be the Stig.

Australia do the best sport shows ("The Footy Show", the Channel 9 cricket coverage etc.) in the world so I hope with all the money in oz that they can make a decent version (?) of our beloved "Top Gear".

Do it right please, because it would be great to have a down under view on things.

"Go hard or go home"

November 19th, 2007, 12:01 AM	#2
BlitzR Joined: May 1st, 2006 Last Online: 03:53 PM Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 20 Posts: 1,478 Rep Power: 14	Hmmm If it's like past Aussie automotive shows, then it won't even hold a candle to Top Gear. I hope they continue airing British Top Gear. __________________

November 19th, 2007, 12:13 AM	#4
Dsemaj Previously Known As Jamesd Joined: May 2nd, 2006 Last Online: 05:12 PM Location: Adelaide, Australia. Posts: 1,846 Car: '95 BMW 5er E34 M60B30, '85 Nissan Bluebird (Hack) Rep Power: 21	Hmmm. It'll be interesting, to say the least. __________________ "Like no other, Before you know it you'll be on your knees. She's an easy lover" Phil Collins - God

November 19th, 2007, 12:24 AM	#5
Lurch0001 Joined: Aug 12th, 2005 Last Online: 02:41 AM Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 489 Rep Power: 14	It really depends on who they use as the hosts of the show. The one that Channel 10 did recently (called "the Car Show" IIRC) was utter crap - the host (Michael Stahl) is actually a really good motoring journalist but he just came across as bland on the show. And does anyone else remember the "Speed Steerer"? FFS, that just made me want to puke. So, yes, I'm looking forward to it but won't set my expectations too high. __________________ "Pain is weakness leaving the body" - US Marine Corp

November 19th, 2007, 01:08 AM	#8
Hidden_Hunter D: Joined: Oct 7th, 2006 Last Online: 03:42 PM Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 20 Posts: 3,775 Car: '08 Honda Accord Euro Rep Power: 36	Oh dear is about all I can say, We appologize in advance. __________________ My car is dark grey not black!

November 19th, 2007, 01:51 AM	#11
hangthedj Not A Dude Joined: May 20th, 2007 Last Online: August 6th, 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 24 Posts: 33 Car: '07 Mini Cooper S Rep Power: 6	It will probably be crap, although because the SBS is doing it there might be a glimmer of hope. __________________ "You utter pirate!!" deviantART // Last.FM

November 19th, 2007, 01:13 AM	#10
Austere Joined: Nov 26th, 2006 Last Online: March 13th, 2008 Location: Australia Age: 24 Posts: 1,400 Car: '71 Mercedes-Benz 280S Rep Power: 20	I can't get behind that.

November 19th, 2007, 02:06 AM	#12
2Monaros Joined: Jan 5th, 2006 Last Online: June 18th, 2008 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1 Car: 2002 V2 Monaro CV8 & 1976 HJ Monaro GTS Coupe Rep Power: 0	Who can forget the Gem of a show hosted by James Morrison the Trumpeter. what were they thinking with that? Maybe they can bring Peter Wherrett out of retirement for those old enough to remember Torque on ABC in the seventies. He certainly called a spade a spade!! I reckon David Morley from the Car Show is not to bad as a presenter and would be good fit for Top Gear. Cheers Glenn __________________ Cheers Glenn 2002 Monaro CV8 & 1976 Monaro GTS Coupe

November 19th, 2007, 02:23 AM	#13
BlitzR Joined: May 1st, 2006 Last Online: 03:53 PM Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 20 Posts: 1,478 Rep Power: 14	I hope it doesn't get wrapped around too much by advertising, that was the major flaw for most shows. The Car Show was pretty much all Yokohama, what ever oil they were advertising and Shannons. __________________

November 19th, 2007, 03:43 AM	#15
Blink Joined: Sep 17th, 2006 Last Online: November 23rd, 2007 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Should be interesting, The Car Show is a shocker. I think it will be much more focused around the 'Average Persons' car. Small Toyota's, Suzuki's, as obviously, the budget wont be as big as the UK Version. And yes, the hosts will play a massive part. Should be interesting to see how this turns out

November 19th, 2007, 03:50 AM	#16
georgestr Joined: Apr 4th, 2007 Last Online: June 10th, 2008 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 95 Rep Power: 0	If the hosts try to make it exactly like Top Gear, it will fail. If they make it their own brand of Top Gear, it has a chance. Nobody could replicate the chemistry that Jeremy, Richard and James have on Top Gear, but i'm not ruling out another decent show with the same concept, different style. __________________ Kimi Raikkonen: 2007 WDC Scuderia Ferrari: 2007 WCC FORZA FERRARI!

November 19th, 2007, 03:54 AM	#17
Ez Joined: Jun 22nd, 2006 Last Online: August 27th, 2008 Location: Adelaide / Australia Posts: 33 Rep Power: 0	i cant see this working for 2 major reasons 1) The quality of the presenters just wont be as good no matter who they choose 2) They just wont have the same budget or access to cars and equiptment that bbc2 does __________________

November 19th, 2007, 03:58 AM	#18
TomCat Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 06:12 AM Location: Chandler, Arizona Age: 24 Posts: 3,155 Car: 2004 Chrysler PT Turbo; 1985 Toyota 4Runner Rep Power: 37	Being into cars, I'm looking forward to it. They are going to have to "go big" with the show if they want to use the TopGear name. Otherwise why not name it something else with less impossible expectations? And they should really look towards more comedian-like-personalities for the hosts. I think that's why TopGear is so good, the boys aren't major gearheads, so they can discuss cars in a more real-world-feel kind of way. __________________ When in doubt, throttle out.

November 19th, 2007, 04:07 AM	#19
SV Previously Known As SLR 722 Joined: Feb 3rd, 2006 Last Online: 09:40 AM Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 705 Car: '85 ZL Ford Fairlane Rep Power: 12	I'm not sure what to feel about this, i sort of want this to happen but i also don't want it to happen. Im just trying to think who they could use as presenters and i havent been able to come up with any that stand out. Its also going to be weird because of the car situation here in australia, we get cars later than europe (sometimes) and usually when we do they arent as common as they are in europe and i really dont want to see ford vs holden vs ford vs holden.. im sick of that -.- I also agree with TomCats idea of a name change, that could help it out a bit and people wont expect as much. __________________

November 19th, 2007, 04:09 AM	#20
thompo Joined: Oct 10th, 2007 Last Online: August 3rd, 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Here in NZ we had this utter s**t show called "The AA Torque Show" hosted by this local comedian (and with puns that makes you cringe), this other random journalist nobody has ever heard of and they even copied the Power Lap, but with some random dude trying far too hard to be the Stig. Australia do the best sport shows ("The Footy Show", the Channel 9 cricket coverage etc.) in the world so I hope with all the money in oz that they can make a decent version (?) of our beloved "Top Gear". Do it right please, because it would be great to have a down under view on things. "Go hard or go home"

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