[blk-majik]

When Top Gear USA rumors were first getting kicked around, everyone thought Adam Carola would be hosting it. He auditioned, reportedly was offered the gig, then apparently turned it down. Odd, right? It seems thats because he decided that there was more to be gained by hosting a non-Top Gear branded show on Speed, rather than Top Gear USA on Discovery. I can't say I blame him.

The first show airs tomorrow at 10PM EST on SPEED. It's not trying to be a Top Gear knockoff, unlike Top Gear USA, which opens up the scope a bit and leaves more room for creativity and experimentation. It lacks a hot shoe like Faust. I think these are all good things.

Anyway, the hosts:
Adam Carola of The Man Show - comic, car nut, average dude
Matt Farrah of TheSmokingTire.com - popular auto blogger and journalist
Dan Neil of The Wall Street Journal's car column - Clarksonesque credentials
John Salley, Detroit Pistons and Best Damn Sports Show Period - athlete, car nut, witty sports show host

I think if they can combine the car cred from thesmokinetire and the WSJ blog (both very good), and mix it with the humor Carola brings, and more motorsports coverage in the style of the best damned sports show, this could work out REALLY well and not just be another boring review show or another topgear knockoff.

Anyway, its on tomorrow, so check it out. What's everyone expecting?

 

[blk-majik]

well screw you guys, im excited

 

[bradze]

i like adam carola so ill watch, doesn't look half as bad as the american top gear

 

[08GSREVOX]

humm i have it ready to be recorded after work. we shall see how it goes.

 

[chetrickerman]

I'm setting it for record right now

 

[blk-majik]

T-minus 30 minutes

 

[blk-majik]

meh, kinda bland. funny commentary, but lacked content. dan and john seemed uncomfortable. reviewing cars via a cruise on public roads only is lame... and a bently? wtf?

jimmie jonhson interview and lemons are were good, even though they got the winner of the lemons race wrong

*shrug* at least theres nothing else on at 10pm on wednesdays

 

[11CaliEvoWW]

I dont understand why John Salley was even considered for this show? He may be good at putting a basketball into a hoop but in no way does he have any sort of credibility in the automotive world...

 

[stEVOrgiX]

I dont understand why John Salley was even considered for this show? He may be good at putting a basketball into a hoop but in no way does he have any sort of credibility in the automotive world...

He's a star, of one of the biggest sports in America. It's all about ratings bro. Not really worried about credibility at this point. Give it time, he may surprise you. Then again, he could just be another idiot who thinks he knows more than he lets on. Or, they wanted the avg guy thing going on. Loves cars, but doesn't know much about them. In this case he's very well qualified as he brings them more viewers since he already has a fan base. So, that's my take on him being on the show. We'll see what's up. Too early to judge.

 

[blk-majik]

he asked about MPG on a freaking bently! then complained that it has leather seats because leather comes from killing cows. i dont expect him to be a popular figure on a car show

 

[pdacton]

Man that show was lame. Switched off after 20 min. The "banter" looked so scripted, and they could have done so much more with that Lemons piece. Very disappointed.

 

[kelvar13]

honestly I think the us top gear has a better format. Much more actual driving/skits/action and 1/3 the chatter. The only thing the car show has going for it is the personal interaction seems more fluid and less scripted than top gear's

 

[crimson49er]

i thought it was pretty good for a pilot episode & i agree that john salley was a terrible choice for this show.

 

[Kooldino]

I saw one episode (I think #2) with the 458.

It was ok.

The cinematography was lacking compared to Top Gear.

The scene with teaching the girls who to drive stick was kind of creepy - the guys were all up on them after the show.

The 0-60 thing was cool.

The basketball player is a misfit.

The guy who writes for the WSJ just seems to be kind of arrogant and fake.

 

[chetrickerman]

The show is getting better. There is more comedy, the guys are getting better with their communication and the actual segments they do are better now.

The black guy is still out of place though

 

[Jblade]

I saw one episode (I think #2) with the 458.

It was ok.

The cinematography was lacking compared to Top Gear.

The scene with teaching the girls who to drive stick was kind of creepy - the guys were all up on them after the show.

The 0-60 thing was cool.

The basketball player is a misfit.

The guy who writes for the WSJ just seems to be kind of arrogant and fake.

The show is getting better. There is more comedy, the guys are getting better with their communication and the actual segments they do are better now.

The black guy is still out of place though

well they fixed that lol, john salley is gone and they cut the show down to 30 minutes starting this week. I like the show. In fact, the more car shows the better. Totally off topic, for those of you that have HD Theater ( a discover channel...channel) they are changing it to velocity and having mostly car shows (which they do now anyways). Street Customs, Wheeler Dealers, Chasing Classic Cars, Overhalulin, you get the idea...

 

[chetrickerman]

well im glad they cut the black guy, but they didnt need to go down to a half hour