Bad Idea? Top Gear Heads To America

 

Risking the ire of fans like myself, BBC America is teaming with the History Channel to launch an American version of Top Gear. But without the charmingly awkward friendship and comedy of the original – not to mention the Stig – doesn’t it just become a show about cars?

The American version will run for at least ten episodes, and be hosted by comedian Adam Ferrara, stunt driver Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood. According to BBC America’s executive VP of programming, Jane Tranter, the new version could be even bigger than the original:

There’s a different relationship with cars in the U.S. and a fascination with customization that’s much greater than in the U.K. There’s the potential for the U.S. ‘Top Gear’ to have even greater traction with an audience.

Which is true, but… the original Top Gear isn’t really about the cars. I mean, it is, but it’s more about the hosts, and their senses of humor and ridiculousness – Episodes like this week’s trip through the Amazon rain forest work spectacularly (Seriously, if you haven’t seen it, check for rerun details) because of the relationship between, and attitude of, Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson. The cars are almost secondary. If Ferrara, Foust and Wood don’t have the right kind of chemistry (A mix of camaraderie, rivalry and comedy), then the show might be of interest to car enthusiasts, but it won’t be Top Gear.

Of course, things could be worse. At least this isn’t the mooted NBC version from a few years ago, headed up by Adam Carolla.