[01x01] November 21st, 2010

[GullWing]

Agree with the in-car camera issues. They could use some UK advice on that.

The Buzz Aldrin interview could have been better, but I am keeping an open mind still. I know it's the very first one. Can't help but think James &Co. would've liked to have Buzz on SIARPC. He is a real hero.

Generally, I think it has a good "look" to it. (The track seems to have a lot of crapola on it, but....) The lambo thing looked good.

The opening montage really looked promising. Personally I was heartened to see a shit car being filled up with water. That warms my heart.

My concern is that the hosts don't yet have much chemistry. They need to sort of develop characterization between them. Still seem a bit stiff together. I know - you can't rush that sort of thing, but I can't help but think the show suffered from losing Adam Carolla. They need an outrageously bombastic host (imagine that) and I think he'd have served that role well.

 

[sweetsandman]

To everyone complaining about the BSSC segment; It wasn't great but keep in mind, that was probably Adam's first interview in his entire life, and Buzz isn't exactly the most enthusiastic or talkative individual. I'm sure the BSSC segment will get better with practice. And the Cobra segment wasn't terrible...it was just that It had already been done, so anyone that had seen it before on TGUK probably wasn't too thrilled as it wasn't the greatest skit ...but someone that hadn't seen the original was probably entertained. I still maintain that they need a bigger name on the show with a good presence. Tim Allen would be ideal...but possibly out of The History Channel's budget...

 

[narf]

...and on that note...the best Lambo ever...is the one that can accelerate the fastest in a straight line?

This is America you're talking about, so yes.

We all know only The Stig is the relevant judicator, and the *deep breath* Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera *deep breath* did beat the others on track.

 

[janstett]

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....

American humor isn't dry. American humor is IN YOUR FACE and simple. There simply wasn't very much humor.

(re: best Lambo is the one that can accelerate fastest in a straight line) This is America you're talking about, so yes.

Is nobody else surprised the Viper posted the fastest lap time, over three Lambos?

 

[Someguy]

- 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.

This was discussed earlier in the thread, but basically they used two different types of cameras that captures at different frames per second. That produces an effect that is pretty damn annoying.

 

[DubyaStep]

Is nobody else surprised the Viper posted the fastest lap time, over three Lambos?

Purpose built. not at all surprised.

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

totally agree, i noticed this the first time i watched. very funny looking. just seems less personal.

 

[narf]

It wasn't great but keep in mind, that was probably Adam's first interview in his entire life, and Buzz isn't exactly the most enthusiastic or talkative individual. I'm sure the BSSC segment will get better with practice.

TG's first SIARPC was much more well chosen.

 

[LittleBit793]

Soooo...
2/10. Sorry. It just wasn't funny, even trying to take an unbiased perspective. The Viper thing was cool but they didn't talk much about the Viper. The in-car cameras shook like they were mounted on the glass of the side window. The Lambo segment was okay but the problem, for them, is that we haven't had time to get to know the hosts well enough to understand their preferences.

I like the name "Big Star, Small Car" but the interview sounded scripted and was what, 4, 5 minutes? Best part of the interview was Mr. Aldrin's in-car play-by-play.

I heard an interview with them about how they weren't trying to emulate the BBC hosts. It seemed to me like that's exactly what they were doing. Faust is trying to be James, the old-fashioned guy (Real manual, rear-wheel drive, a "proper" race-car) and he was the weakest link of the show. I think they need a couple episodes to relax before I can write them off for good, but for now it just seems like all the hosts aren't comfortable and relaxed with each other or with the show. The first Top Gear had 2 season before they got rid of that fat dude and brought in James May. I'll see how long it takes before the US version takes the same route.

 

[Clockwerk]

I feel as if I have wondered onto the youtube comment section... Some people are much to harsh in their evaluation of the first episode in a new TV series. Some points:

>I agree with some of the posters who said that the episode felt stilted and staccato because of the commercial breaks, that is something that will not change and I will have get used to the different pace.

>Tanner Foust could stand to be a little more natural in his delivery, he needs to allow his charisma to come through on camera. I know he has the charm to be an effective host because when I met his at the 2009 Rally America event in Missouri he was really personable and overall very likable, this doesn`t appear to translate onto the screen.

>Rutledge cracks me up, something about his delivery and attIitude just makes me laugh. I get the same vibe from Rutledge that I do from James May in the sense that I feel they represent me and how I would act if given the chance to host ``Top Gear`` myself.

>I wish the interview with Buzz was a bit longer. Adam will probably develop better interviewing skills over the course of the series.

>Episode overall came off a bit cold and sterile, should warm up as the hosts develop some interpersonal chemistry.

>Overall; 7/10.

 

[narf]

The second Top Gear had 1 season before they got rid of that fat dude and brought in James May.

FTFY.

 

[janstett]

"I hated it" -- John Davis

 

[moijk]

I've watched about every Top Gear episode that I could download here or on other sites, and the russian, australian and now the american.

The russian top gear was a bit fun, had potential but failed because they never got anything to review. Had some fun internal competitions, but that was all.
The australian top gear wasn't all that in the beginning, but this season is great (if it is not over, then it was). They have made it somehow their own.
So I have high hopes for the american version. They have the budget the russians didn't have, and they have some great hosts. It might not match the UK series because we all love the hosts there. But it'll probably be great fun while we wait for the UK to get back on

 

[janstett]

I have to disagree I thought Rutledge was the worst host on the show, and it was the fact that he tried to be funny and wasn't. In fact I thought he tried too hard to be funny and it had the opposite effect, while he may be having the most fun I don't think he has good chemistry. Ferrara was the best host that seemed more laid back and seemed more natural, the other two seemed like they were reading lines off a script...

That's pretty much Tanner's personality, I don't think there's anything more to it. He had his own show "Super Cars Unleashed" and he was terribly wooden in that, he's actually better here. But that's why tame racing drivers don't speak. He's probably very close to Tiff in his on-camera persona and ability to keep an audience awake.

 

[Ventura6]

Here's the thing... The UK show is not really about cars; it's about 3 middle aged men, all of whom seem to be in a mid-life crisis of some sort. Their friendship is in the foreground and the cars are in the background. No one seems to understand that, least of all anyone interested in making a Top Gear clone, whether it be in Russia, Australia, or now the US. Top Gear is about men; 5th Gear is about cars. Are you starting to understand?

These hosts have (at least for now) no chemistry. The Viper chase played out like a bad spy movie about 2 incompatible gay men on a blind date. The relationships of all three men are so forced, any conversation is started with a scripted line similar to this... "So... as we all know... I have the best Lamborghini... (wink, wink) [whisper] ... that's your cue..." Heaven forbid they talk to each other in a way human beings actually talk to one another. I had low hopes for this show, but canned dialogue, single question interview (of a man who walked on the moon, no less), and utter lack of understanding of what makes the original show so watchable had me clinching the remote, eager to end the torture.

 

[BentAxel]

My thoughts: Its too much like 4x4 TV/or any of those Garage shows on Speed or TNT on Saturday.
It seems they let Americans come up with the show idea and then ran it though BBC's editing department.
Because of Music Rights and other bullshit, the soundtrack - a large part of the show was stifled.
Way too Redneck.
BAD writing.

I have it on DVR I am going to try it again. It's the first episode, hopefully as the boys get acquainted with each other there will be more humor and bonding.

 

[janstett]

That, and Leno is a fan of TG UK and believed/believes it is something that can't be duplicated or replicated. So he sticks with his Garage videos.

"Green Car Challenge" says a big fat NO to that theory. Shameless theft at its worst.

 

[Chambers]

The studio bit was terribly awkward. Even the "big star small car" deal! Come on, at least be able to get along with the guest gaahh! This show just goes to show how Americans truly aren't capable on handling more than one talent.

 

[janstett]

Other than that I think that the show exhibits the same shortcomings the BBCA and old Discovery mash-up attempts did: it seemed neutered. Of course obligatory "Coming Up", "Welcome Back" and "Here's what you missed" not to mention History Channel's love affair with crawlers, overlays, pop-ups and other kinds of distracting nonsense.

Did anyone notice the "shoving buddies" promo overlay for next week's episode? Damn you Family Guy.

 

[LittleBit793]

The studio bit was terribly awkward. Even the "big star small car" deal! Come on, at least be able to get along with the guest gaahh! This show just goes to show how Americans truly aren't capable on handling more than one talent.

Everything was awkward. It was like even the studio audience needing prompting to remember to applaud for the upcoming segment. However, Season 1 of BBC Top Gear had a studio audience of what looked like 30 people, so we have a better start there, at least. I think a couple more episodes will give us a better idea, and I also think we need some "News" segments where the three of them just sit around and shoot the breeze. Maybe then they'll relax.

By the way, how does this show that Americans "aren't capable on [sic] handling more than one talent."?

 

[campank]

I thought it was great for a first episode. Especially considering the awkwardness of the first British Top Gear episode. I thought the segments were pretty good overall. My thoughts:

Way too much voice over and poor quality voice overs. Two complaints here: I've noticed a lot of British shows that were remade for the US audience carry a lot more over-simplified voice overs. I'm not sure if it's a byproduct of having to take commercial breaks or what but I feel that they over explain what is going on to the point where they think the viewer is an idiot. Likewise my other thought on this is that none of the presenters had a good, smooth voice over presence like all of the UK presenters (to where it is often hard to tell where the on camera voice stops and the post-production voice-over begins). In the US version it is painfully obvious.

The giant in-studio projected image of the Stig looks like something you would see on a billboard outside a Nevada truck stop casino.

I thought that the presenters came off well actually. Although my wife (who is an avid UK TG fan) thought that Tanner Faust came off as a total douche. IMHO, of all the presenters I think Ferrara seems the most at home on camera so far. There were many moments where the presenters dialog and interactions felt forced or over-dramatized, "posed" if you will.

They need new in-car camera mounts. My god those things vibrated like hell.

Lastly, they need a leader. One of them really needs to be the Clarkson. They don't have to act anything like Jeremy but there needs to be a guy who is the leader/spokesman/face of the show. The interactions between the guys during the studio segments remind me of Fifth Gear, which is death.

Overall a good first episode as first episodes go. It drew me in and made me want to watch next week. 8.0/10


-K