Demon_Beetle said:
I agree that there are not enough American cars to warrant a US version of The Highly Acclaimed TOP GEAR. The personalities are the main course and and cars are the dessert. I do wish that more American cars were compared on TOP GEAR. It might would embarrass The Big Three into building better vehicles. I would like to also see some of the econo's from far east Asia.
If we were to have a US version, who would be candidates for hosting it?
Tim Allen, an obvious car guy and nut.
Jay Leno has the car knowledge but I think he is TOOOOO serious of a car guy. Then again a serious guy wouldn't be bad either for balance.
A ringer like Martin Lawrence. A novice nut. Comedy and an automotive everyday guy.
Just about anyone from Spike's POWER BLOCK TV. They would give it an American Country, cowboy flare.
Dave Bowman or Sam Memmolo from Two Guys Garage
Who could possibly support a show like this.
The is enough trash on the various satellite/cable networks, an American version of Top Gear would be by default better than half the other programming. Even if it sucked in comparison to the BBC version of Top Gear, it would be way better than anything on the Bravo Channel.
That said, I have some recommendations for hosts:
I like Jay Leno, and he would add some real star power. They could do an entire season just on what he has in his own garage.
Tim Allen and Martin Lawrence would both work, as would anyone whose career is flagging a bit (ie. needs a job), and is a bit of a car nut/can handle him or herself behind the wheel. I've read other forums that suggest Jerry Seinfeld, who has a fine Porsche collection, might be a candidate, but I have real doubts that he would even want to do it.
I'm sure it would be easy to find a retired NASCAR guy to be the Stig.
The role of reasonably priced car could be played by a Ford Focus.