Top Gear and Full Speed Ahead!

aka Highspeedhijinks

In the hopes of recreating perfection, Top Gear USA has chosen its three hosts. To former Man Show co-host Adam Carolla, drift master Tanner Foust, and HGTV handyman Eric Stromer—welcome to the firing squad that is American television. Each of these guys bears some similarity to his British counterpart: Carolla seems to be the Clarkson of this bunch, being tall, loud, can tell a good joke and is probably a great wheelman. Tanner Foust I guess would be the "Hamster" of the group, with his younger and more performance-focused perspective. The man drives a modded M3—you don’t get much more driver-oriented than that. Eric Stromer is a bit of an underground sucess with the "do it yourselfers" and the ladies as host of Do It Yourself with Eric Stromer. Unlike James May, he’s got a face for television, but his inner James May caused him to buy a Toyota Camry hybrid. Like your momma said, it’s whats on the inside that counts. So all in all I think they did a good job on paper with the casting of these hosts. They cover all the quirky personality differences of the original show, and encompass a good range of distinct automotive perspectives as well. Now we just have to see how well these three mesh on the tele.

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Posted at 10:07 pm in Guest Blogger, Television, Top Gear

Comments

Anonymous
Jun 20, 2008 at 8:36 am

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Kirk P. M.
Jun 19, 2008 at 3:19 am

I though Tanner Foust is already a host for ‘SUPERCARS EXPOSED’???

GTwildfire
Jun 18, 2008 at 6:22 pm

the American version, at least as it’s shaping up… is utterly pointless. Hey, the guys on the original Top Gear speak English. There’s obviously gonna be overlap in the cars they drive so WHAT IS THE POINT?
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Y’know, I don’t even agree with half the stuff Clarkson says, but he’s a funny guy. Appreciating the show isn’t about agreeing with their opinions.
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My favorite was the Peele being driven through their office building, and Clarkson’s boss commandeering it ans taking it for a spin.
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Yeah, coming up with an American version is dumb. Why bother, just have Clarkson cross the pond a little more often, even if he hates the ‘States. That added tension makes it all more interesting.

Oafman
Jun 18, 2008 at 2:34 pm

I have finally been able to see some of the Top Gear episodes on BBC America. (just got satellite on Sat. WOOHOO!!) After watching some of these I can see why some of you are so loyal to the show. They have a great mix of real automotive knowledge and driving skill added to the Pythonish British humor. These 3 picked for the American version just makes it look like they settled for whoever was available. I might watch 1 or 2 but I have doubts that it will be anything even close to the original.

Stewart
Jun 18, 2008 at 2:11 pm

I hope it’s successful.
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I don’t have a very high opinion of Adam Corolla…
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Maybe the show will be good, and that opinion will change.
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I thought the Man Show was a waste…
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I enjoy funny stuff, but that show was not funny, it was stupid…
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We shall see…

Highspeedhijinks
Jun 18, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Neil, there is no projected launch. These guys were apporved for a pilot so the fate of the show is up in the air.

GTwildfire
Jun 18, 2008 at 1:24 am

Foust seems to be the only one that’s somewhat qualified, and I mean somewhat, to host this show. Is this a joke?
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I think the American version is doomed to fail unless maybe an American “Stig” can somehow pull it from the inevitable flames. Doubtful, as I see it.

NeilG
Jun 18, 2008 at 12:37 am

When is this supposed to launch?