Top Gear (American TV series)

Segments

During its first two seasons, the American version of Top Gear included a segment called Power Laps. In this part of the show, The Stig would drive a reviewed car around the test track, and the time was used to compare it against earlier vehicles. Every lap was recorded with the car’s factory-adjustable settings pushed to their limits: suspension set for peak efficiency, gearshift mapping at its most aggressive, and driving aids like traction control turned off. Some of the faster times posted include the Ariel Atom at 1 minute 18.6 seconds, Tanner Foust’s Ford Fiesta Rallycross at 1:19.5, the Dodge Viper SRT 10 ACR at 1:22.0, and the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 at 1:22.4. Other recorded laps range from the Lexus LFA at 1:22.6 up to the Lamborghini R 485 at 5:22.0.

Another regular feature in those first two seasons was Big Star, Small Car, which took its inspiration from the “Star in a reasonably priced car” bit on the original British show. In each episode, one of the three hosts interviewed a celebrity. The conversation was usually lighthearted and centered on car-related topics, such as the guest’s own history with automobiles. After the interview, the host and studio audience watched a video of the celebrity’s fastest lap around the test track. The vehicle used for this segment was a Suzuki SX4 Sportback. Each guest got practice laps with The Stig before making several timed attempts, but they were not told their final time until the interview. The broadcast also showed practice runs, any crashes, and the drivers’ facial expressions. Notable celebrity times include Stephen Moyer at 1:39.3, Patrick Warburton at 1:41.8, and Arlene Tur at 1:42.4. Other times range from Tony Hawk at 1:43.2 to Bridget Marquardt at 2:06.9.

History

The first attempt to bring Top Gear to the United States came in 2005, when Discovery Channel produced a pilot with hosts Bruno Massel, John Jenkinson, and John Littlefield. That pilot included a segment with Jon Favreau, the director of Iron Man, as the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, a race between Littlefield's 2005 Ford Mustang and Jenkinson's 2005 Dodge Charger R/T, and a review of the Lexus RX 400h. Discovery Channel did not pick up the pilot. After that failure, the network instead aired a modified version of the British show, featuring the original hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. This version used clips from the first five series of the BBC program, with new introductions filmed at Dunsfold Aerodrome specifically for American viewers. It did not include regular features like "The News" or "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car."

In April 2007, the BBC was still searching for a way to launch a locally produced American version. NBC announced in January 2008 that it had ordered a pilot, renamed Gear, with BBC Worldwide producing. NBC reality chief Craig Plestis noted that many automakers were interested in an American version. On June 16, 2008, NBC and the BBC officially announced the show, with hosts Adam Carolla, Tanner Foust, and Eric Stromer. The studio segments were taped on July 26, 2008, and received generally favorable reviews for closely following the UK format. NBC planned to premiere Top Gear as a midseason replacement in 2009.

Jay Leno, who had earlier turned down an offer to host the show, expressed doubts in 2008 about its potential success in America. In a column for The Sunday Times that year, Leno worried that an American version might lack the critical edge of the British original. He pointed out that the British show is funded by public money through the BBC, while an American version would air on commercial television. Leno believed the show might have to avoid offending sponsors by giving their products poor reviews, which could compromise the journalistic integrity and freedom that made the British version distinctive.

Broadcast

The American version of Top Gear first aired on History on November 21, 2010. History ordered a second season on February 10, 2011, which premiered later that year in November. A 16-episode third season was greenlit on May 11, 2012, debuting on August 14, 2012, with its second half starting on January 29, 2013. A fourth season began filming on April 30, 2013, and premiered on September 3, 2013. The fifth season launched on June 3, 2014, and the sixth and most recent season started airing on April 26, 2016. On June 28, 2016, the BBC announced the series had finished its contractual run on History. In the UK, BBC Three aired the first two seasons under the title Top Gear USA, with season one starting October 14, 2011, and season two on January 13, 2012. The second season paused on January 27 but resumed on June 29, 2012. In Australia, season one premiered on GO! on November 26, 2011, while later seasons aired on BBC Knowledge via Foxtel. Canadian broadcasts are on BBC Canada, and in Mexico and Latin America, the show airs on History Channel Latino.

Reception

Before its premiere, the American adaptation of Top Gear on the History Channel faced a divided reception. Stuart Heritage of The Guardian highlighted the harsh online backlash to the first trailer, where YouTube commenters called it an "insult to the actual Top Gear" and worse. Heritage agreed, noting that U.S. television lacks the original trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Captain Slow, and The Hamster, but he also pointed out that the BBC show isn't strictly "British" and could potentially work if adapted correctly. The debut episode drew 1.9 million viewers, but that number fell to 1.3 million for the next episode. The second season premiere rebounded to 2 million viewers. On Metacritic, the first season earned a score of 72. Critical opinion was split. Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter called it "a promising beginning for a show most thought would end up in a ditch." He acknowledged the troubled history of bringing Top Gear to the U.S., including Jay Leno's failed attempt at the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment, and the online hostility, responding simply, "Everyone gets it." Mike Hale of the New York Times had mixed feelings, noting that the History version closely follows the BBC formula—where any topic can appeal widely if it balances competition, destruction, humor, and sentiment—but also pointing out gaps between the two versions. Hale worried the show wasn't translating well, as the American version lacks the original's willingness to push boundaries, and its hosts come across as younger and less seasoned than their BBC counterparts.