American Top Gear To Go "Celebrity Direction"

Date posted: 01-30-2008

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — We've known for quite some time that the hit BBC show Top Gear is coming to America. Producers of the show originally wanted to use the British hosts for the U.S. version, but decided the trans-Atlantic shooting schedule would be too demanding.

In mid-January, NBC announced the U.S. version of Top Gear would air on its network rather than a cable outlet like Speed or ESPN. At the same time, BBC producers were feverishly screening American automotive writers as potential hosts, hoping to give the new show "journalistic credibility."

NBC has since decided to tweak its original plan. Several on-camera automotive journalist candidates received phone calls this week from the BBC stating the network now wanted to take the new Top Gear in more of a "celebrity direction."

An existing NBC relationship with known automotive enthusiast Jay Leno, and the fact that his current Tonight Show contract expires in 2009 could make Leno a front-runner. Actor and Porsche collector Jerry Seinfeld also has a lasting NBC relationship as evidenced by his guest stint on NBC's 30 Rock and heavy rotation of Bee Movie promos that also aired on the network. We wouldn't "bee" surprised to see him in the running as well.

What this means to you: Expect American Top Gear to air without the old-school car magazine editor in a threadbare tweed jacket. — Carol Moody, Correspondent
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124569


I say the line up should be Jay Leno, Tim Allen, & Adam Carolla. All are comedians and the biggest car guys around!

Car Guys are the COOLEST....CLASSIC. GEAR sounds like a great show. With celebrities and their toys, it is a sure hit.

I did have an observation about Jay Leno that I would like to share and maybe use as an item on your show.

I was watching the Barrett-Jackson car auction in January. Jay was there, showing off the cars. The auctioneers name was
Bud "Spanky" Assister. Spanky was an excellent auctioneer. Mr. Assister banged the gavel.

Please verify that this is true....but I swear I saw it. It would make a great story for Jay to have Spanky Assiter as a guest.

pollysd

The punchline to this is:

Spanky, how's your brother Slappy?

I'm a pretty big top gear fan. I have herd a lot of rumors being passed around about NBC creating an American version of top gear. I've read that they have already chosen 3 people to host the show, 3 people I've never even herd of. One of them is a stunt driver, 2 of them are carpentars. CARPENTARS; That host a house building show. Jeremy Clarckson from the BBC show has commented that we as americans "just don't get it." If there going to pick carpentars, then I totally agree.
It is my belief that there is only one man that would get it. One man that could portray an accurate and awesome american version of top gear. After all he has actually appeared on the british show. That man is obviously Jay Leno. We don't want a typical american reality show. One thing that has always impressed me about the BBC Top Gear is that it is funny but proper as well. It has that british sophistication. That is what we need. We don't want the american show to turn into some sort of Jackass, car edition. I believe Jay would do that. He's american, funny and crude; but with dignity.
Jay, if you read these I have to say this. You have become the icon for the american car collector. Top Gear has now become the greatest car show (and authority) ever. If you don't seize every opportunity to be on the American version of top gear, you will be turning your back on every one that has looked up to you as a car collector.