[01x01] November 21st, 2010

[01x01] November 21st, 2010

  • 10

    Votes: 10 1.8%
  • 9

    Votes: 14 2.5%
  • 8

    Votes: 71 12.5%
  • 7

    Votes: 145 25.4%
  • 6

    Votes: 122 21.4%
  • 5

    Votes: 71 12.5%
  • 4

    Votes: 47 8.2%
  • 3

    Votes: 33 5.8%
  • 2

    Votes: 28 4.9%
  • 1

    Votes: 29 5.1%

  • Total voters
    570
solid job for a BRAND NEW SHOW. i'm sure they'll iron out the kinks as it progresses as all good shows do. i'm using the first episode of season 1 of TGUK as my base for comparison as i don't think it's fair to compare it to a 15 season old show.

BTW, anyone know if an HD rip will be out?
 
After years of the UK version, I have to get use to American humor. The Viper chase was stupid. Failure to get out of the airport was just down right dumb. In addition to getting lost in town again DUMB. The fact that this is the first episode for the American version, there is already over a decade of experience on how to do a Top Gear episode. The lambo segment should have been a three car drag race. It wasn't like they were doing an autocross for time. TG already has an build in audience and remember the UK version is on BBC America. I like the show. The fact that they kept getting close to a great segment but just tripping over the finish line. This is starting to feel like Top Gear for NASCAR and not at the F1 level.
 
I don't know if it was the cliche ness of the show or the lack of chemistry between the hosts, but it wasn't really Top Gear. If it had a different title then yes it is that, but Top Gear it is not. It's trying too hard too soon. It needs time just like everything that needs practice. 6/10.
 
Top Gear should encapsulate a weekly show about all things manly.

Adam Ferrara's voice isn't the deep Ving Rhames voice that should be narrating things. The bearded guy has the exact same voice as the big gay man on "Modern Family".

Scared to go beyond 150 mph? Get that man off the show right now. Thought this was about pushing a car until the governor kicks in and says "NO! YOU STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!"

Stop cluttering up the screen with that track outline. I'm no expert, but I think we have the technology to make the gray part transparent and off to a corner.
Yah, it's the first episode and I assume after the NBC pilot was never picked up and they are trying to cut and paste UK, and I don't think that works.

I gave it 4 flaming tires outta 10
 
Actually not as bad as I expected. Russian TG was rubbish, Australian is sort of boring. And the US... I actually had fun watching them. The Viper segment was marvelous! a) sound of that scary snake b) the presenter really CAN drive c) combination with helicopter was not pointless and it had a drama.

The BSSC (US SIARPC) was a bit dull... not a lot of questions, guy's funny though.

Lambo segment... interesting, good cut, presenters seem to be chosen good, although I'm not sure about that beardy guy...

All round... the first TG clone, that is not trying to be the same as the original (which is virtually impossible) and it's building it's own show based on the true TG principles instead. I have to admit, I had a lot of fun watching it. Partly because I wasn't expecting anything and I got something. We'll se, how they'll perform later in the series, at least the trailer looked promising.
 
Take A Look Back At TGUK #1 Before Spouting Off

Take A Look Back At TGUK #1 Before Spouting Off

I suggest you guys and girls dust off the original 1st episode of Top Gear UK remember how lame it was before they "fixed their initial problems" and then cut the USA version some slack. You have to test the waters and make some mistakes before you can refine it. That's just common sense 101.
 
Overall it wasn't a bad first episode. I do agree with the others who suggested that Adam Corolla would have been better than Faust. Why do they need Tanner? They already have a tame racing driver, and I think the Stig is far less annoying. Faust has been on TV for a while now and he still doesn't know how to talk to the camera. I think its a serious lack of a personality.

TIM

P.S. Anybody else think the US Stig is short? Maybe it's Danica Patrick in drag.
 
I gave it an 8/10, Here's why:

I think you guys are being too hard on the hosts. Not only is this the first time they hosted a show together, it's the first time that the US TV viewing audience has seen this show. Yes, we've all seen every episode of TG:UK, but the average viewer knows nothing about Top Gear. TG:UK audience has had 7 years of the current show to know the deal and what's going on. They don't need to be explained everything, however, the American audience is not like that. This is completely new to them, so everything has to be explained. Remember, this is a country that only 6.7% of all cars and trucks are sold with a manual and diesel automobiles are pretty much non existent.

There is an automotive culture here in the states, but it's not the same. That being said, there are plenty of automotive crazed viewers, but they need to "see the light" so to speak. I think this show is the best to do that and can only get better over time.

As for the show, I think they need to tone down the camera effects and invest in better equipment to reduce camera shake. I think the Big Star, Small Car segment was rushed, but other than that, for a first go around, it was enjoyable and gives us car geeks more car porn rather than waiting for TG:UK twice a year.
 
The commercial breaks are a killer...in so much as they have to do the 20-sec recap to remind people of what they were watching 3-min earlier. One of the endearing qualities of the BBC show.

Actually, I found the recaps fairly short. Compare it to what they do on Mythbusters, half their show is re-narrating what happened earlier or what is going to happen later.
 
I hope some desert racing challenges in the future and better camera work. But all in all was as good as Top Gear Australia but still needs alot of work to come close to Top Gear UK.
 
The three presenters (I am definitely biased towards the UK version) need to spend more time individually with the cars being tested.

Sure, the Viper's quick, loud, and looks cool, but what's really the result of a partnership between Lambo and Chrysler? What did Lambo bring to the party and why did the two divorce after this car? What is the Viper like to LIVE with? Not many of us have the opportunity to own one, so these are the questions we are left asking ourselves. Nothing but drag races and burnouts?? Come on. Why sit through an hour-long program when you can just find that stuff on YouTube shot with some cheap $200 flip camera?

Seriously, let the guys drive the cars for a few days to and from work, etc. Let each of them make their own analysis and conclusion. It's just like test driving a vehicle at a dealer. A 5 minute test drive isn't enough for me to get to know a car, because usually the salesman sees me (a guy) and thinks "speed, power, handling". I can only get to know a car if I rent one for a few days and have to live with it. It takes some time for the subtleties, quirks, and curiosities of engineering to reveal themselves, and a keen, observant driver to pick up on them and report on them. That's what will vastly improve this show.
 
Is TG US, like TG Aus & Fifth Gear only going to be available in SD? I mean I know the Yanks will never supersede the Brits with this thing & there's a recession going on, but honestly, it's America, shouldn't our show at least be digitally on par with the Red Coats?
 
Is TG US, like TG Aus & Fifth Gear only going to be available in SD? I mean I know the Yanks will never supersede the Brits with this thing & there's a recession going on, but honestly, it's America, shouldn't our show at least be digitally on par with the Red Coats?

I'm not sure of your question, but it was broadcast in HD.
 
Was it just me or did there seem to be a lot more SFX-y wipes, fades & transitions and other assorted extraneous 'my first video editor' playset overlay crap added to the lambo segment than we'd normally see in a three supercar race on the UK show?...and on that note...the best Lambo ever...is the one that can accelerate the fastest in a straight line?

I'll give Foust, Wood and Ferrara a chance to get their act together, but I've said before, this'll just be a cover band, nothing more.
 
Last edited:
I know it's in HD when you actually watch it live, but if you downloaded the torrent from this site (at least from torrage); it's a standard def rip.
 
..the names of the cars on the power board are PRINTED, not handwritten. I don't know why but it just seems so...harsh and unnecessary, un-artistic and American. It is a little thing, but of course I'm looking for things that I don't like...

You have a good eye and sharp perception. ;) It may be a little thing, but it does feel more commercialized and unpersonal.

(Thanks, Aston Martin, the word I was looking for is: Soulless.)
 
Last edited:
The missile lock's been done.
All the 'wrong turns' had camera crews ahead of them.
Taking a gunship into a graveyard, isn't the nicest thing to do.
Love video Stig in the studio.

"Some thing we like to call big star..." pause because I forgot... "small car."
Buzz Aldrin great and unusual guest.
Loved the Lambo film.


It's not terrible, but like Heather Mills left leg, it has no sole.
 
All the 'wrong turns' had camera crews ahead of them.

really? for the 500th time, those shots were most likely filmed AFTER the race. its called Post-Production. go back and get shots needed to compliment the shots from the race or places that they didnt get before.
 
Overall I'm glad to see this on the cable waves.

I want to resist the urge to nitpick as the show deserves time to find its groove. But some things that jumped out:

- Film seemed sped up to make the cars look faster. Specifically in the Cobra vs Viper segment, but I noticed it elsewhere too. I suppose it's possible if the UK crew are doing some post-production it could be an NTSC->PAL thing (sped up by 1/25th) and my eyes are just sensitive to it. But please, crew, don't speed up the film to make the cars look faster.

- I miss the humor. Everything was too matter-of-fact. They didn't even really bother setting up the schtick with the Stig. SOME SAY, people. It's like they're afraid to color outside the lines. This episode was largely humorless.

- Voice Overs sound like a 3rd grader reading their book report in front of class. Passion, humor, improvisation, please.

- No proper, solo, car reviews -- and that includes what you don't like. The problem with only reviewing super cars is that you're so enamored with them, at least in the beginning, that you just sound like a gushing fanboy.

- Buzz's interview was such a wasted opportunity. Such an interesting person and the interview was ham-fisted.
 
Last edited:
Top