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Top Gear and America

While I would have eagerly watched the "American" Top Gear series. I was quite relieved to find out it was stillborn. "American-izing" Top Gear is completely contrary and would probably have done nothing but to dilute the brand.

Top Gear has a great following in the USA, it's true. But its popularity stems largely, I believe, from the un-accessible nature of the show itself. I know that I relish seeing Pagani's, Weismann's, and Koenigsegg's in the hands of the Stig on the TG test track because of the pure fantasy of it all. I mean, a private track, ridiculously fast and expensive cars, and Oscar-worthy cinematography? All on one show? Then they top it off with smart, witty commentary by three intelligent chaps (all three of whom can actually write as well). And for good measure, the comedic challenges have me in tears, laughing harder than I would at any comedian. I downloaded a program for my Mac specifically so I could download episodes of TG from Final Gear. And I'm not the only one.

So why try to make an American version of a British show when a large portion of its appeal is in the inherent Britishness? Someone trying to capitalize on a successful franchise, I imagine. Either that, or someone felt that the frequent fat American cracks by Mr. Clarkson wouldn't go over well on mainstream American TV? There was also some concern over advertisers getting miffed if one of the hosts did not care for their product. I wouldn't think that's too much of a concern anymore, given that most of the auto manufacturers can't afford to advertise anyway. But whatever the case, I'm glad it didn't make it. It keeps the integrity of the original intact.

So what of the original in the US, then? Final Gear downloads? BBC America's edited re-runs? Available on iTunes! (but only last season)?

I'm happy to keep on watching TG the way I always have, on my laptop. But if they do want to broaden the appeal in America, why not bring on an American correspondent? A commentator-at-large, if you will. Someone to keep Jezza, Hamster, and Capt. Slow out of trouble when they come to the states to taunt mullet-bearing rednecks in the Deep South! Someone to bounce back a bad teeth joke for each fat American joke. Someone with a witty and under-appreciated blog and a deep, deep appreciation of early BMW M-Cars!

Where oh where could someone like that be found?







(If any of my loyal readers has Clarkson's e-mail, please feel free to send him a link to this. Thanks.)

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