I'm pretty sure we all saw this coming, but today Tanner announced he's dropping out of this year's Formula Drift series due to 'other obligations'. If that didn't make it obvious enough, Clarkson pretty much dropped the 'bombshell' in an interview today. Jalopnik got ahold of History Channel and confirmed that the show's been approved and they'll start filming the next season this spring, with the same lineup of hosts.

From Clarkson's interview:
"Top Gear is our baby so you can understand why Hammond, May and I were anxious about passing it on to the presenters of the US show. We needn't have worried because Top Gear is clearly in safe hands, even if they do insist on speaking in those stupid accents. Watching an episode from series 1 with Richard and James, we found ourselves in a genuinely heated debate about which of the presenters' cars was best. We were just three ordinary chaps watching a car show and loving it, which is exactly what Top Gear should be. Bring on series 2."

Love it or hate it, enough people who matter seemed to like it well enough

I think its success can be attributed most Americans having never seen the UK show. I didnt know chocolate icecream was bullshit till i tried rockyroad.

I'm pretty sure the only people who watched it were already TGUK fanboys ;)

I thought it was great, but was season one about 6 episodes? Seemed soooo short. Maybe I'm wrong. They need to work in some more attainable cars into the show too. I mean the track time board is insane. You have an Evo X, and then multiple Lamborghinis, an Aston Martin, Lotus, Ferrari, Viper, an SLS, Panamera Turbo, a Morgan and an M series X5. Would be nice to see Subarus, VW's, Corvettes, some muscle cars, etc.

US Top Gear is full of :fail:

US Top Gear is full of :fail:

I tend to agree. I like all the hosts, even though tanner is like watching paint dry if he isnt driving, but their interactions seem so forced and mechanical. Also dont redo, episodes from the BBC. Sure its nifty to those who dont know the brit version, but for those of us that know both, its just forces me to compare the two shows.

I tend to agree. I like all the hosts, even though tanner is like watching paint dry if he isnt driving, but their interactions seem so forced and mechanical. Also dont redo, episodes from the BBC. Sure its nifty to those who dont know the brit version, but for those of us that know both, its just forces me to compare the two shows.

There is no comparing... original is still the best.

There is no comparing... original is still the best.

Agreed, but real car shows are so rare that you've gotta hope for its success.

It was good enough to keep me entertained. The UK is best due to the hosts and video work, but I'm sure this show will get its legs soon too. Usually takes two to three seasons before shows really hit their stride.

It was good enough to keep me entertained. The UK is best due to the hosts and video work, but I'm sure this show will get its legs soon too. Usually takes two to three seasons before shows really hit their stride.

This.

I LOVE Top Gear UK. I like Top Gear USA enough to watch it.

it didnt suck as bad as I thought it would..... but still not the original....

they need to get rid of the dumb flannel wearing host....

I think most people who even give a crap about a car, be it a Honda Civic or a Prius know what TopGear is, even the UK version. It's one of the most widely watched shows in the world and the US version's first season is comparable to the UK's first season, you just need to let the hosts get comfortable in their new world and with each other.

I think with the initial host lineup, they're looking to appeal to the entire US car enthusiast demographic. For those that care about racing, and driving skill, you've got Tanner. For the truck buying contingent, there's Rutledge. Muscle car guys will associate with Adam. They hope to appeal to everybody-they've got a wise guy, a redneck, a pretty boy.

You've got to admit, while everybody loves Jeremy because he makes you laugh 100 times a show even when he isn't specifically trying to, both James and Richard aren't instantaneously lovable either. It's more about their chemistry.

While I do agree it takes a while to develop chemistry, I have to wonder if the producers think that Adam can become this series' Jeremy..I don't think so, but maybe time will prove me wrong. I do like him more than I did 9 episodes ago. And he does have some pretty big shoes to fill...

Personally I don't like the U.S version. It's hard to re-make something that is already good.

Personally I don't like the U.S version. It's hard to re-make something that is already good.

I know what you mean. The X episode with Tanner started swaying me the other way, pretty good driving you've got to admit...

This.

I LOVE Top Gear UK. I like Top Gear USA enough to watch it.


:iagree:I don't think I could have said it any better myself!

I though Tanner was the best in my opinion, the other two didnt know how to drive.

I have been enjoying the show too. But I do hope they make some new challenges different from the Brits! Was sad watching season 10,11,13 and seeing some of the same challenges.

lol I may be the only one that likes Rutledge. I feel like these guys don't know anything about cars (not Tanner). I get that feeling about the UK guys when it comes to working on cars, but they KNOW cars. These guys dont. James may can rattle off facts and specs for weeks and even Hammond obviously loves cars, and respects performance. The cars these guys like they dont like for the specs or anything like that. "Its big and comfy." Was actually a justification, which in a sofa is fantastic, in a car.....not so much.

Rutledge sucks , he made some stupid jokes. He didnt know how to drive, i think he should get fire.

I like Tanner, and Adam is a funny comic, but does he know cars? Not sure...? The flannel guy sux and should go the way of the Dino...get Tanner tow guys like the UK show and it's on! Right now it is watchable, but if the UK version is on at the same time (and it seems to be flip flop of each per season) I will take the original....I will still watch, but it ain't the same never is....

brit def the better of both
what they need start is a modded version
any car show is a win ...good or bad
its better to be critizied then 4gotten
society tends to idolize evil
only the bad are remembered
for the people that are complaining
are only feeding the fire :evillaugh:

brit def the better of both
what they need start is a modded version
any car show is a win ...good or bad
its better to be critizied then 4gotten
society tends to idolize evil
only the bad are remembered
for the people that are complaining
are only feeding the fire :evillaugh:

Someone swapped your "." key and your "enter" key! Vandals! I would love to see some modified cars on top gear. I would love to see what Clarkson would say about my car. Good and bad.

Someone swapped your "." key and your "enter" key! Vandals! I would love to see some modified cars on top gear. I would love to see what Clarkson would say about my car. Good and bad.

Heheh.

Clarkson liked the X a lot, I'm sure he'd like one with more power and better handling just as much. He loved the GT-R, too, until it damn near broke his neck. Hell, the 2010s would be so much better for him since they have a better stock tune...

I wonder if he'd prefer the SST or the manual.

Heheh.

Clarkson liked the X a lot, I'm sure he'd like one with more power and better handling just as much. He loved the GT-R, too, until it damn near broke his neck. Hell, the 2010s would be so much better for him since they have a better stock tune...

I wonder if he'd prefer the SST or the manual.

Clarkson is a realist, he will prefer actually being involved in the driving experience. He has said it many times on the show as well as "Love the Beast".

Clarkson owns an X. I believe it was his wife's DD for a while

But he's also called cars such as the Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Edition, which has flappy paddles, his favorite car. He also loves the GTR. He drove the SLS AMG in the American X-Mas special and that too has a twin clutch gearbox. He's not, and never has been, a professional driver and it seems to me that he picks the cars he likes by "fun factor" rather than any purist or realist idea.

I really wish they'd compare the SST and the Manual gearboxes in the X, or any other car with both options, and make a pick. It might be interesting, since the SST gives the driver more time to focus on turning the wheel and having fun than stressing over heel-toe shifts and rev-matching and all of that other stuff we GSR drivers have to deal with.

It might be interesting, since the SST gives the driver more time to focus on turning the wheel and having fun than stressing over heel-toe shifts and rev-matching and all of that other stuff we GSR drivers have to deal with.

Have to deal with?! *GASP* I love that stuff. Even at the track its fun, and
almost automatic. Driving a automatic at the track would seem a boring affair. Ive never driven a MR on the track, so I dunno, but learning to heel-toe on a road course was a blast.

Have to deal with?! *GASP* I love that stuff. Even at the track its fun, and
almost automatic. Driving a automatic at the track would seem a boring affair. Ive never driven a MR on the track, so I dunno, but learning to heel-toe on a road course was a blast.

Oh, I wouldn't trade my GSR for anything, but you have to admit, if the SST was 100% able to take the same stresses the five speed can handle it would be the faster machine. The driver is more concentrated on steering and the shifts are faster and more accurate than a human's. That's a tempting mixture for a time attack car.

Oh, I wouldn't trade my GSR for anything, but you have to admit, if the SST was 100% able to take the same stresses the five speed can handle it would be the faster machine. The driver is more concentrated on steering and the shifts are faster and more accurate than a human's. That's a tempting mixture for a time attack car.

Oh it would be faster without doubt. But I only own a fast car for the fun of it. If you make it less fun to make it faster....I dunno. Its like diving by zero or something, I think it makes wormholes.

Someone swapped your "." key and your "enter" key! Vandals! I would love to see some modified cars on top gear. I would love to see what Clarkson would say about my car. Good and bad.

Nop..! just high as hell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuOGAxyFRw4&sns=em

It would appear that I agree with almost all of the comments here about TGUS and UK. It should almost go without saying that I LOVE TGUK and that US is watchable. DID feel stiff and forced, though it was the first season. Rutledge was boring, and completely unfunny, however in that he was much like Capt Slow. I still would rather watch May. On that note, I fail to see how Hammond is an "acquired taste"...I think he's hilarious and his chemistry with Clarkson is epic.

Give us TGUS with different hosts or less stiffness. Adam is hilarious, Tanner knows how to drive, and Rutledge needs to go.