Top Gear US: Season One

Not as good as the UK version. Still good.
Top Gear UK is one of my favorite shows on TV. I was very excitied when the US version launched on the History Channel. Just like the Austrailian version, its not as good as the UK version. You really just can't replace James, Jeremy and Richard. They are some of funniest people on TV. However Adam, Tanner and Rutledge are still solid hosts. Tanner of course being a professional Rally Car driver and stunt car driver could have been The American Stig and has experience on auto shows as he appeared in a few shows on The Speed Channel. Rutledge is very funny as he is on Speed Channel's NASCAR coverage. Adam completes the trio and just like his co-hosts is funny. But the US version's biggest flaws are the lack of originality and the lack of humour as seen in the UK version. As for the lack of originality the 5th episode of this series resembles quite obviously the British Leyland Challenge. And of course this US version has to worry about offending certain people and is perhaps more...

Better than the first season of UK Top Gear.
For the majority of hardcore Top Gear fans this show was doomed from the day it was announced. It could never be as good as their beloved UK Top Gear. I too was fearful but instead of watching it ready to nit pick it to death because I was offended by the very idea of it, I awaited it with hopeful enthusiasm. I was rewarded with a pleasant surprise. This show gets a 5 out of 5 in my book because it tremendously exceeded my expectations. Go back to the first season of the UK Top Gear (current format) and you will find a dreadfully tedious show. It took at least four more seasons for that show to develop into what it has become today as the presenters developed their personalities and interaction. The American version is already outpacing the UK version. From the first episode until the final challenge in Alaska you get to watch a significant improvement as the presenters find their footing and develop their on screen chemistry. This is a show that couldn't be perfect in its...

It gets better.
At first, I hated the US top gear. However, it gets much better as you get later in season one, and especially in seasons two and three. I think they just needed to figure out their own identity. Now, going back and watching the first season again, it is not as bad as I remember it being the first time through. If you like the UK version, give the US version a try.

Click to Editorial Reviews