Top Gear (U.S. TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Top Gear


caption = The "Top Gear" logo.
genre = News/Documentary, Talk show
creator =
writer =
director = Ben Silverman
creat_director =
developer =
presenter = Adam Carolla
Tanner Foust
Eric Stromer
theme_music_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme =
composer =
country = United States
language = English
num_seasons =
num_episodes =
list_episodes =
executive_producer =
co_exec =
producer = BBC Worldwide Americas
Reveille Productions
sup_producer =
asst_producer =
cons_producer =
co-producer =
editor =
story_editor =
location =
cinematography =
camera_setup =
runtime =
network = NBC
picture_format =
audio_format =
first_aired = mid-season 2009
last_aired =
related = "Top Gear (current format)"
"Top Gear Australia"
website = http://www.nbc.com/Primetime/Top_Gear/index.shtml
prod_website =
imdb_id = 1248967
tv_com_id = 75331

" Top Gear " is an upcoming motoring television series on NBC.cite web |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/16/top-gear-usa-hosts-announced/ |title=Top Gear USA hosts announced! |accessdate=2008-06-16 |last=Neff |first=John |date=2008-06-16 |work=Autoblog |publisher=Weblogs, Inc.] cite web |url=http://jalopnik.com/5016771/top-gear-officially-coming-to-nbc |title=Top Gear Officially Coming To NBC! |accessdate=2008-06-16 |last=Wert |first=Ray |date=2008-06-16 |work=Jalopnik |publisher=Gawker Media] It is based on the BBC series with the same name. NBC is expected to have "Top Gear" premiere as a mid-season 2009 replacement. [cite web |url=http://www.futoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=7647 |title=NBC details new beers series, midseason options |publisher=Futon Critic |date=2008-05-14 |accessdate=2008-09-20]

History

As early as April 2007, the BBC was looking to export "Top Gear" to the to the United States. [cite news |title=BBC hopes for an export hit as 'Top Gear' takes on America |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-hopes-for-an-export-hit-as-top-gear-takes-on-america-444054.html |date=2007-04-10 |accessdate=2008-09-28 |last=Akbar |first=Arifa |publisher=The Independent] NBC announced, in January 2008, that it had ordered a pilot for a United States version of the popular UK television show "Top Gear", called "Gear".cite news |title=US version of 'Top Gear' planned |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television/news/article.cfm?c_id=339&objectid=10487119 |work=Reuters |publisher=The New Zealand Herald |date=2008-01-16 |accessdate=2008-09-28] BBC Worldwide has been contracted to produce the pilot for NBC.cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/15/bbc.television?gusrc=rss&feed=media |title=NBC gives Top Gear US test drive |accessdate=2008-06-18 |last=Esposito |first=Maria |date=2008-01-15 |work= |publisher=The Guardian] According to NBC reality chief Craig Plestis, many automakers have already shown interest in America's version of "Top Gear".cite news |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN1545067120080115?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 |title=NBC has pedal to the metal with "Top Gear" remake |accessdate=2008-06-18 |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2008-01-15 |work= |publisher=Reuters]

Jay Leno, who originally turned down offers to host the show, expressed concern over whether or not a show like "Top Gear" could be successful in America.cite web |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/leno-fears-top-gear-usa-may-suck/ |title=Leno fears Top Gear USA may suck |accessdate=2008-06-16 |last=Neff |first=John |date=2008-03-31 |work=Autoblog |publisher=Weblogs, Inc.] cite web |url=http://jalopnik.com/374535/jay-leno-on-top-gear-america-i-hope-we-dont-ruin-it |title=Jay Leno On Top Gear America: I Hope We Don't Ruin It |accessdate=2008-06-16 |last=Hardigree |first=Matt |date=2008-04-01 |work=Jalopnik |publisher=Gawker Media] In a column published by "The Sunday Times", Leno expresses concern that an American version could lack the critical reviews the British version is known for.cite news |url=http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/features/article3638037.ece |title=I hope we don’t ruin Top Gear |accessdate=2008-06-16 |last=Leno |first=Jay |date=2008-03-30 |work= |publisher=The Sunday Times] The British show is produced for the BBC with public funds while the American show will air on commercial television. Leno believes that the show may have to worry about offending current and potential sponsors by giving their products poor reviews, leading to a compromise in the journalistic integrity and freedom of the original show.

On 16 June, 2008, NBC and BBC officially announced "Top Gear". On June 19, 2008, Adam Carolla mentioned on his radio talk show that NBC would be allowing the hosts of "Top Gear" to praise and criticize cars as they saw fit.cite web |url=http://www.finalgear.com/news/2008/06/19/top-gear-america-supposedly-wont-be-censored-by-nbc/ |title=Top Gear America Supposedly Won’t Be Censored By NBC |accessdate=2008-06-24 |date=2008-06-19 |work= |publisher=finalgear.com]

The studio segments for the pilot were taped on 26 July 2008 to generally favorable reviews citing close following of the UK version's format.cite web |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/27/top-gear-pilot-thats-a-wrap/ |title=Top Gear pilot: That's a wrap! |accessdate=2008-07-27 |date=2008-07-27 |work= |publisher=AutoBlog]

Hosts

Along with the official announcement of "Top Gear" was the announcement of the hosts of the show; Adam Carolla, Tanner Foust, and Eric Stromer.cite web |url=http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/2956/ |title=Team America |accessdate=2008-06-18 |date=2008-06-16 |work=Top Gear News |publisher=Top Gear]

Format

The show will follow a similar format of the U.K. show. Three main hosts will present, a secret race driver will test vehicles, and celebrities will be invited for interviews and to drive vehicles around a test track. In addition, challenges similar in nature to the ones presented in the U.K. show will be replicated in "Top Gear". The "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment features a Kia Rio as the reasonably priced car.

References

External links

* [http://www.nbc.com/Primetime/Top_Gear/index.shtml Official site on NBC.com]
*imdb title|id=1248967|title=Top Gear