The Observer - 7/9/08

[lymaze]

www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/sep/07/bbc.television

Some interesting extra facts.

[lew]

I read this earlier, I don't care how the beeb spend, raise their money, as long as the license fee stays reasonable and if it means marketing the best programmes ie TG to earn the corporation more money, well even better ......very interesting article though.

[nobody]

I am shocked to lean that May was reluctant to be on TG so glad he changed his mind.

[chasingtime]

Thanks for posting this, and yes, some interesting facts indeed. I'm hoping that this can work well for all involved, and that James and Richard also get to share in this financial 'pie' of spinoffs, as I think they are incredibly important to its worldwide appeal, too.

And while I love that maybe a more mainstream audience in the States will finally see TG (not everybody gets BBC-A and I don't think it's a 'basic' cable TV channel either on most cable systems here, so it costs more to subscribe to), I'm also one of the Yanks here who cringe already with what's been announced regarding our version. The casting for the American version is nauseating imho, and combining that with our apparent skill of cocking up even great Brit shows over here (The Office is a rare exception that comes to mind), I really hope that Andy, Jezza, BBC Worldwide, et al don't regret launching ours. Honestly, compared to what's been pitched, I just don't see me ever watching the ATG...and I love cars.

I mean, (Lord help us) our 'Jezza' will be Adam Corolla, best known for non-funny roasts on Comedy Central and stuff such as this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPoPdga62xs (Corolla is in the grey shirt on the left, and yes, they always called the girls on their show "The Juggies"...this is a tame snippet actually of some of their shows. Corolla isn't political or controversial imho, instead a sexist, and irritatingly unfunny, buffoon.) Our 'Hammond' is Tanner Frost, a stuntman no one seems to know anything about, and that's probably a good thing. And, our 'James' is Eric Stromer, an overall harmless lad with blond hair good and a variety of tools...and is best known for helping people reorganize their closets and cupboards (tips I've actually used on my own, in truth) as he's a TV carpenter. home.aol.com/diy/experts/eric-stromer .

This combo is so far removed from what makes the TG those here all know, watch faithfully, and love. Worse yet, none of them actually write about cars, either. Sorry in advance, folks.

[lew]

Actually nobody nor me, I thought he reapplied though I could see why he wouldn't have wanted to go back, seeing as TG only lasted ......erm (can't remember ) not long after Jeremy left.

Well chas maybe they'll surprise you .....though you would have thought they'd at least know a bit or write for the motor industry.......right to look at your youtubes

[clementine]

I've held forth on American Top Gear someplace else on this board, and had much the same thing to say as chasingtime. I can't imagine they'll get the female viewership with A. Carolla (uck, ptewy). I can't say enough bad things about The Man Show.

[stigalicious]

Fully agree with andy here- TG does exactly that, it adds another hour to your weekend
It doesnt shock me really that James was reluctant to return to the show. We all know how reluctant he is to be exposed celebrity-wise. I honestly think he only does the other shows he does because of his passion in sharing the information he discovers in the process, not to mention the cash.

[blackopal]

Sept 7, 2008 16:42:22 GMT @clementine said:

I've held forth on American Top Gear someplace else on this board, and had much the same thing to say as chasingtime. I can't imagine they'll get the female viewership with A. Carolla (uck, ptewy). I can't say enough bad things about The Man Show.

Good to hear I'm not the only one who was offended by that vile, misogynist show. They once did a "humorous" on-the-street segment rallying people to sign a petition to revoke women's right to vote. Since then, I don't watch anything that pug-ugly Carolla and/or Jimmy Kimmel is involved in.

[adco]

Sept 8, 2008 14:51:59 GMT blackopal said:

Sept 7, 2008 16:42:22 GMT @clementine said:

I've held forth on American Top Gear someplace else on this board, and had much the same thing to say as chasingtime. I can't imagine they'll get the female viewership with A. Carolla (uck, ptewy). I can't say enough bad things about The Man Show.

Good to hear I'm not the only one who was offended by that vile, misogynist show. They once did a "humorous" on-the-street segment rallying people to sign a petition to revoke women's right to vote. Since then, I don't watch anything that pug-ugly Carolla and/or Jimmy Kimmel is involved in.

I remember seeing that. I've been vocal, or whatever you call lots of typing, on here about my opinion of Adam Carolla. The only hope for American Top Gear , in my opinion, would have been the support of Jay Leno. Once he backed away from it, my interest dissapeared. He knows cars better than the vast majority of folks and has been an open admirer of Top Gear. I wonder if Adam Carolla was even aware of the show prior to being selected host?

[blackopal]

I don't know. I've heard Carolla knows a lot about cars, but he's still a crawler in my book.