Top Gear HD, NBC editions stuck in park
by Richard Lawler 
posted May 15th 2008 at 9:51PM
Remember how excited we were to hear that the next season of Top Gear might be delivered from across the pond in HD glory, and that NBC was considering producing an American edition? How we danced in the streets, partook of libations, and slaughtered the fatted calf? Scratch all that, as it appears neither is coming to fruition, at least anytime soon. Autoblog has word that NBC couldn't find a cast for Top Gear (although they've had no problem scratching together a group for that abomination of a Knight Rider remake), while the BBC edition is without a debut date for a new (& shortened) season, and has only word of "specific production challenges" when questioned about HD. While we've been blessed with a bevy of horsepower in HD this year, it's just not the same without Jeremy, Richard and The Stig.Read - We've been lied to: New episodes of Top Gear actually not coming June 15
Read - NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brian Garrett @ May 16th 2008 7:14PM
This is what absolutely drives me insane sometimes. Why on EARTH do the folks that produce TV shows for us here in the States insist upon "Amercian-izing" really quality TV shows from overseas? I mean seriously - what exactly is wrong with broadcasting the British version? The take American shows over there without "British-izing" them.... I just don't understand....
btrotta @ May 15th 2008 10:51PM
THANK GOD! The only thing NBC would have done to Top Gear is ruined it.
The only possible host was Jay Leno and he was smart enough to realize that Top Gear would have been ruined if it had been brought to the US because it could never operate with the editorial freedom of the British version. On the BBC, the gang arefree to call a car a piece of crap when it's a piece of crap. With the automakers among the biggest advertisers on television a US version of the show would be forced to call a piece of crap car the best thing since sliced bread.
CharlieX @ May 15th 2008 11:19PM
I'm just happy BBCA has been playing "new" episodes regularly now. even if it's SD. It's truly one of the funniest guy oriented shows evah!
Brian @ May 16th 2008 11:49PM
I 2nd that, us americans would ruin Top Gear which is exactly why Leno turned down hosting the show...smart man! Just keep it coming on BBC and I'm happy!
ryan10ad @ May 16th 2008 2:56AM
Firstly lets let the BBC start producing basic stuff in HD, like National News (New Studio, New Set, No HD), then we can move onto reccuring programmes that run thoughout the year (like soaps) and then we might get to Top Gear. Or they might just suprise us, the new season of Top Gear is on June 10th, 8PM BBC TWO (Or BBC HD?)
DrXym @ May 16th 2008 3:54AM
Top Gear used to be about reviewing cars. These days its more about how fast some random celeb can drive around a track, which of three clapped out cars can get from A to B the fastest, or stupid stunts like building rocket powered caravans or similar. It's still amusing at times but a good 70% of the show is irrelevant mush.
Jazper @ May 16th 2008 4:15AM
...but FUNNY irrelevant mush. Which is why it could never be produced in the US.
John Drinkwater @ May 16th 2008 5:38AM
... and James?
You bastards.
bloodythespians @ May 16th 2008 5:51AM
Yep, i agree, it wouldn't be the same without Captain Slow!!
Ben @ May 16th 2008 5:50AM
A friend of mine who worked in scheduling for BBC HD once told me that the Beeb had asked for the show to be produced in HD but due to lack of decent quality tiny HD cameras to mount inside the cars they were unable to do it.
However that was over a year ago...
Andrew @ May 16th 2008 3:52PM
Yeah, certainly can't be the case any more. They are tossing HD cameras inside IRL cars even now. Certainly they can get something that fits in everything else now.
Let's get a move on! I want Top Gear HD!!
JeffDM @ May 19th 2008 12:44AM
Maybe they're being too demanding on their quality if that's really why. I certainly know not to expect an in-car camera to be as high quality, I certainly don't expect CineAlta footage from within a car.
Joe @ May 16th 2008 2:30PM
Doesn't Discovery Channel have a deal with the BBC? If they could air Planet Earth, then they should be able to air Top Gear, right?
There's probably some tiny clause somewhere in some contract that doesn't allow it, but it would still be the best thing Discovery ever did. Who here doesn't think it would be a hit?
Too bad American TV executives are a bunch of idiotic, Knight Rider-greenlighting, pandering, commercialized ponces. Long live the BBC!
Avi @ May 23rd 2008 1:28AM
I agree with Brian.
Top Gear is probably my favorite show ever, in its current format.
No need to mess with a winning formula imo.