The seminal auto show from the UK has finally made it's way to the United States after making stops pretty much everywhere else (Germany, Australia, Russia) when it premiered yesterday on the History Channel. Most of America was probably watching the AMA's (God help us) or The Walking Dead (Can't blame you) or The SNF game (Which I had my eye on and seemed to be a pretty good game until Eli choked), but with the British version of the program being quite possibly the best reality/documentary style show currently airing I had to see if Top Gear USA was worth the time of day.
The pre-release buzz surrounding this new iteration has been pretty dismissive, especially from fans of the British series. It's understandable when fans of a certain series (such as The Office) have concerns about an Americanized version, but the life of Top Gear doesn't hinge on the presenters, as much as fans of the original trio of James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond would like to disagree. Top Gear will always be about the cars and treating them with dignity and respect; Closer to a work of art then as a preferably alternative to walking or riding the bus. To this end the premier was quite successful and has me excited for future episodes.
The three on-air hosts, Tanner Foust (Drift and Rally Car Driver), Adam Ferrara (Actor/Comedian), and Ruthledge Wood (Some sort of analyst that has been on Speed TV a lot) struggle to find their footing, but this is to be expected. So much of what people love about the British show is how self referential and pandering it is, and the interactions between the three make it seem as if there is a good possibility of creating a similar feel.
The high production values that have come to be expected by fans of the original are thankfully intact. Camera angles and shots are dynamicand echo the stylistic approach that has become the standard for automotive shows.
From the outset of the show which featured an homage to the Dodge Viper (A model thats current iteration is being phased out and replaced in the 2012 model year) it's clear that this isn't going to be a second fiddle that echos the opinions of the UK presenters. While the Brit's wouldn't touch the Viper with a 10 foot pole, the Americans gave it a proper send off as opposed to a string of jokes about it being like an American (big, loud and stupid looking). An interview with Buzz Aldrin was short and a bit weak with the role probably being Ferrara's biggest challenge as he seems by far the most comfortable on camera.
The big test segment came in the form of each picking a Lamborghini and putting it through it's paces with standing miles. The trash talk was good, if a bit forced (although once again, it's a tad difficult to build an onscreen report immediately). While it might become apparent to the contrary latter in the series, at least for the moment it seems as if the presenters have license to criticize to their hearts content, especially with Ferrara calling the $650 cup holder option in his chosen Lambo 'Bull Shit.'
Although I was apprehensive about History Channel picking up the series, the thought and planning for a successful series are in place. While it will still probably be a companion to the British version (Which History Channel should right out license from BBC America) the pieces are falling into place far better then I thought that they would.
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