[01x01] November 21st, 2010

[Numbchux]

I'm definitely happy. Pretty much exactly what I was expecting. The relationship needs some work. The music budget is fairly small. And the camera work needs some help.

My only major complaint. The analogies!!! UGH! there were about 3 lines throughout the episode that made me cry a little inside. The "Pam Anderson" reference. The pavlov's dog/japanese restaurant reference. Just terrible.


BUT, I've been watching TGUK Season 1 all week in preparation. And I have to say, I consider this much better.

I'm watching the second airing right now. And will be watching again next week. I thoroughly enjoyed the preview of the season.


I have to say I was surprised at the result of the drag race/lap board. I need to go do some research on the cars involved....

 

[Rossco]

Not half bad! I think Ferrara really surprised alot of people with his laid back style. No doubt, this needs some work, but it's a good start!

 

[DLT]

Show looks promising. I think they'll get the hang of it. I liked most of the segments, however, commercials really killed it. The show was so much shorter.

Dodge viper segment was sweet but I didn't like the cameras that were already set up. The route was worked out and they just drove through it. They could've made it less obvious. Especially the car wash place.

The interview with buzz was so short and that was disappointing imo. "Oh so you flew to the moon, okay. Here's the list of cars he's driven viewers. Okay here's your lap in the car. Bye"

The lamborghini part wasn't bad but they didn't really get to do anything with the cars. Each of them drove and talked and then they had the top speed challenge. The guys making fun of tanner losing that challenge was funny.

Oh, and soundtrack could use some work. Some song choices didn't fit at all.

 

[ekempey]

Was it great? Not really. Was it on par with the episode of UK 1x01? Absolutely. I think with time the show will mature. The first episode had to be a quick "intro" to Top Gear, which is why the groove of the weekly UK version really isn't there (also, commercials). Will the show get better as they settle into a groove? Yes. I understand the need to re-hash some of the UKTG stunts at first (apache vs. lotus, etc., but let the hosts find their groove.

p.s. whoever asked if they could have used an apache, the USMC (from which the Cobra was from) does not use Apaches, but a highly modified version of the Vietnam era Cobra. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_AH-1Z_Viper

 

[Kiskaloo]

I think it was a better launch than Top Gear Australia and Top Gear Russia. Of course, the true proof is how Episode #10 is when the first season wraps as that will control whether or not we get a Season Two.

Since it's a first episode, I have to rate it against TGUK, TGA and TGR, so I gave it a 7 since I gave TGA and TGR a 6 when they launched.

 

[kyuuketsuki]

I'll be honest... I was expecting a bit... more... Perhaps it is because it didn't feel like there was any real tension between the hosts like in UK Top Gear... Or perhaps it was the dry "American" humor.... I don't know really... I mean, it wasn't bad by any degree... it had the same spirit at least... But having the same spirit is not enough in my opinion. I can only hope it will get better. I'll continue watching it... if only for the fact that this show gave me the opportunity to ride in 4 performance cars last week (specifically the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Lamborghini Gallardo Superlegerra, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and the Maserati Quattroporte, though I do regret not getting a ride in the Dodge Viper Coupe)...

I gave this episode a 7/10.... There is potential, but I fear that the lack of tension between the hosts will linger on and make it not feel like the UK version ever...

 

[DubyaStep]

why is the Cobra on the show instead of the newer version (Apache or something).

Really? ummm...Viper vs COBRA not Viper vs Indian...think about it. remember the line "this is snake number 2"? that would make no sence with an Apache. i wonder why they didnt race against a newer version like that USS Nimitz...

So far, Awful. Are they serious with that music?

Turning off, sorry. 1 out of 10.

yea, sorry its not jezza, hamster and may who have been together for years with a world class production team.

It's a good show, some polish is needed in some areas like cameras but overall a good stepping stone!

totally agree.

8/10 because i know it will get better, great start! the music needs work but i think someone said before in another thread that that will be improved with time

the race with the Apache...i mean Cobra was fun. well done.

the star segment was very badly edited and i mean bad. i work in entertainment and i would be destroyed if i crapped something that bad! as far as the guest, well, i love the space race era. im a huge fan of the Mercury Program and the Apollo Program but i would NOT have chosen Buzz for the first interview, would have loved someone like leno. im sure it has something to do with the "history" channel. cant blame them i guess.

the Lambo segment was interesting, it had its ups and down but again, better will come in time. by far my fav part was Adam driving that car in the standing mile, that was funny. he was shaking! :lol:

overall as far as the host are concerned, i like Rutledge the best. he seemed to b having the most fun. just a naturally funny guy. i got stuck watching NASCAR coverage one time at my uncles house and he was on there dressed as like captain america or something and i though wow, this guy is stupid and he thinks he is funny, well, i was wrong. he is just a fun guy. after watching this ill say id love to have a beer with Rut and just listen because i bet he tells a great story.

anyways, no, its very clear they didnt try and emulate the UK guys but i did see small hints of them now and then but you could tell they tried to force some of the bonding. it was fun and i was entertained for an hour. oh, and whats with the Mercedes sponcer?

 

[shellygrrl]

It's the first show (second airing is in the background for me now). Obviously, some kinks need to be ironed out. But I'm sure TG UK was the same way in the beginning.

I liked the stuff with the Viper, even though it was basically Lotus Exige vs. Apache Gunship, US style. But then, I like the Viper anyway. I also liked the stuff with the Lambos. BSSC did seem to be chopped to bits.

It'll probably work better viewed commercial-free.

 

[flyinhawaiian]

I thought the Cobra vs Viper segment was cool (already been done, but whatever) but WAY too long. I think if they would have kept it short and sweet, it would have worked out much better. The Big Star, Small Car segment was pretty irrelevant and I would have liked much more interviewing with Buzz - really couldn't care less about his car history. Also, the in-studio parts seemed choppy and didn't have that flow I'm used to in Top Gear. That said, the BSSC and in-studio work can be fixed as the production crew settle into a groove and the script finds its own personality. One of the things, which makes Top Gear so great is the music, and I am afraid with the US copyright laws, we're going to get sub-standard music tracks for a while until the production budget increases a little...

Now, the Lamborghini segment was exactly what I expected from a Top Gear inspired spin off. The camera shots (minus the aforementioned shaky in-car cameras) were brilliant, the production value as high as the cars themselves, and the spirit of the film was all there. The cars were gorgeous, the filmography was great, and the interaction between the presenters was damn good. Seeing them trounce Tanner was pretty damn funny, and Ferrara's cursing for his standing mile run, every time he shifted, cracked me up.

I came with an open mind, and while the first 2/3rds of the show had me wondering, I DID see a brief glimpse of what they are capable of with the Lamborghini segment...

 

[AutoAero]

Yes, I may grab it later and re-watch without the commercials and see how it all flows then.

 

[watisdis]

I liked it. Was it perfect? No, but considering all the facts (first show, trying to captivate new audience to TG, etc,) it was quite all right IMO. I mean it'll take a season or two to really polish up all the rough edges, but it does look quite promising and has plenty of potential. Some of you need to get off your high horse and be a little more open minded. Rome wasn't built in a day as the saying goes, so time can only improve on what looks to be a solid platform. I mean considering the alternatives on automotive tv programming...

On the show itself: Studio segments needed the most work, but that's to be expected. I enjoyed the filmed segments, I thought they were well produced. Hopefully once they find their groove, the show will really start to shine. Overall, not a bad first episode. My two cents.

 

[mitchell.scott]

4/10.

Of course everyone (including me) will argue that Top Gear UK had a pretty rough first few seasons. I agree. But hindsight is 20/20, and the TG US team has a very good model to follow, and I don't think they really pulled it off. Specific issues:

1) Humour wasn't great.
2) Tension between hosts, why do the other hosts seem to hate Tanner?
3) Viper bit? That car has been out of the spotlight for years. Seemed like a "this is the only car a PR company would get us" move. Lamborghini bit was just blah. Nothing special or emotional here, especially when compared to Hammond's review of the LP 670-4 SV.
4) Soundtrack didn't quite fit the level of (excellent) cinematography.
5) Felt low budget, which isn't bad within itself, but makes me wonder how successful this show will have to be to live to maturity.

Good points:
1) Great cinematography seemed pretty much on par with TG UK.
2) Most of the show does a passable job of being similar format to the UK version but without being a complete carbon copy.
3) You can tell there is a lot of potential, but it seems far away.

 

[socorob]

The hosts have to be more against each other, but in a friendly way for it to work, thats what makes top gear uk so good, and kills tgau.I think adam would be able to pull that off easier than the other 2. Overall i njoyed it, it was better than i expected it to be. Will have to wait for next weeks show, but at least now i look forward to it. I gave it a 7 because the lambo bit brought it up from the 5 i was originally thinking of giving it. I would like to see better video footage of the stig laps as in the uk version. The shaky camera thing is just equipment, so that is easy to fix, as is the music. The stiffness is what needs the most work, and the competition between them needs to improve.

 

[Polygon]

I can see the average American liking this show. I still believe it's destined for failure. So far I saw exactly what I expected, no charisma, jokes that fell flat, uninteresting segments. I was literally on the verge of being bored.

 

[93Flareside]

Less commercials, that won't happen sadly. American tv lives on ad's....

The viper vs. cobra was alright but it has this "it's been done before" feeling, so not as cool, but still well done.

Big Star Small Car was really short, but I never really liked this segment in uk TG as it was, so I just skip it normally. I want cars and action. Not another interview, we have David Lettermen and Conan for that.

It's defiently better then the first 2002 top gear, but it does need work.

Camera's need filters so that the color balancing even's out better, along with adding some shock mounts would be good.

 

[ZondaR]

Alright, first episode done. Viper segment was okay, but really could have been done better. But I won't blame them too much. The "Big Star, Small Car" segment was awkward and short. I know they're aren't interviewers at heart, but that's the segment that needs the most work. The Lamborghini segment was far and away the best and was actually quite well done I thought, especially for a first episode.

And I know there's a huge echo in here, but it needs to be said over and over: The camera vibrations are really bad. They were completely unbearable in the Lambo segment.

 

[Dizzy]

I want to see how they will handle a cheap car challenge. As of now, I'm not a huge fan of Foust. He's too bland, but maybe he'll get better as the season progresses.

As for this episode, I gave it a 5. The Stig intro was weak, and so was the interview segment.

 

[Tygur]

To be honest, its about what I expected. These hosts have to get some flow into it, and throw out some good one-liners. I think that will come in time. This one deserves a 6/10 on my scale, the hosts seemed to some together and mesh much better through the Lambo section. I think if they get some more time, well they've already filmed it and I can see it starting even here, but they will come to be a good group of presenters once they get used to it. I'm not gonna give up, it can only get better.

Breakdown:

Snake race - Seems like the management decided some copies of the original would make it better. I don't. This segment really didn't do much for me. Even the original was kinda "meh" for me. This section gets the worst score of the episode. 3/10

In-betweens - The commentary between segments seems pretty dry, and you can tell they are getting used to their place. It gets a little cleaner towards the end, a bit more enjoyable. Its like they finally realize its OK to poke fun at each other and let loose a little bit. Combined 6/10

SIARPC (Big Star, Small Car) - Armstrong seems like a good choice to break new ground, but overall it was sparse and uncouth, albeit better than the Viper section. 5/10

Lambo Duel - This is where things really got rolling. There were some small gripes, like cameras, but altogether a much more polished and familiar feeling. The hosts seem to find a relationship in picking on Tanner, they have good cars blasting away, and Adam gets his first real shot at a segment. You can tell he is not all that concerned with censorship, and loves speaking his mind. As a comedian, thats what you'd expect, and it works well. Tanner and BigNoggin are still behind in the commentary, but are slowly catching up. This felt a lot more like UK Top Gear, but I'm not concerned with that. It felt like something I enjoyed watching quite a bit, and thats what counts. 8/10

 

[kchase731]

boring

boring

i watched it live. waited to the end to comment. the american version is over done. to dramatic, and not real. they have lost all the things that make TG great. the presenters identity and the love of cars.

i dont even know the guys names...but the only one that even seems to care about cars is the guy in the pink shirt.

im sad. i wanted this to be good.

 

[DubyaStep]

The Stig intro was weak, and so was the interview segment.

the stig intro had a point, it was teaching a new audience about the role of the Stig