Top Gear USA cancelled by History Channel as the BBC franchise's woes continue

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Dr. Zoidberg
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Top Gear USA cancelled by History Channel as the BBC franchise's woes continue

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Top Gear USA cancelled by History Channel as the BBC franchise's woes continue

With all the brouhaha surrounding BBC's Top Gear, was anyone bothering to pay attention to the United States' version?

After a six season run, BBC and Top Gear USA co-host Rutledge Wood announced on Wednesday the show had been cancelled by the History Channel.

In a lengthy Facebook post, Wood confirmed this week's episode was the last but said he remained hopeful Top Gear USA would find a new home.

"It's been an amazing ride for sure, and although I don't think the show is done, it appears that it's done with our friends at History."

The news is yet another blow to the struggling franchise which has seen United Kingdom audiences plummet with the introduction of new hosts Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc.

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Evans and LeBlanc have failed to build the same rapport as previous hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, who will shortly launch their Amazon motoring show, The Grand Tour.

Top Gear USA struggled to find an audience when it first went to air in 2011, with critics giving it mixed reviews. BBC shopped around the American export for more than six years before History finally picked it up.

A.V. Club's Phil Dyess-Nugent accused hosts comedian Adam Ferrera, racing analyst Rutledge Wood and professional racing driver Tanner Foust of lacking the same enthusiasm as Clarkson, Hammond and May.

"The graphics, music, and editing all scream Top Gear, but much of the feel of the show has been imported from a 1980s beer commercial," he wrote.

"It must be frustrating for the people who work on a show like this to know that people are comparing them to the original, but the US version has yet to establish enough of an identity of its own to make the comparison irrelevant."

Many aspects of the show were borrowed from the UK version, including a Stig character and fast laps. The New York Times' Mike Hale accused it of slavishly following the original.

Distraught fans have still lamented Top Gear USA's cancellation, flooding Wood's post with comments spurring the hosts to continue.

One fan described the news as "terrible". "I certainly hope that another network picks up the show, it's truly entertaining and educational, and I love the brotherly love and banter that the three of you have."

While the BBC said it had already begun "exploring new opportunities", the network would also be concerned about getting its house in order back home.

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Ratings for the relaunched Top Gear dropped to an all-time low by the third episode, while a report in the UK Telegraph alleges Matt LeBlanc has threatened to quit unless the BBC drops Chris Evans.

Evans, 50, has been given a less prominent presenting role but critics have already called for him to go, saying they were fed-up with his "seemingly out of control" ego.

Stuff's Noel Burland said he'd given the new format a chance but described Evans as "the last straw".

"Remove Chris Evans and I think we'll see a show that might still be watchable although it will clearly play second fiddle to The Grand Tour when that is released."

Source: The Age

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Prophet][
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Re: Top Gear USA cancelled by History Channel as the BBC franchise's woes continue

Post by Prophet][ »

I didn't mind watching US top gear when I was in the US. It was much better then the australian version. Atleast they made it their own without trying to exactly copy the UK version.

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ian
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Re: Top Gear USA cancelled by History Channel as the BBC franchise's woes continue

Post by ian »

U.S. Top Gear was just like Australian top gear or new top gear.. Worthless and devoid of any sense of entertainment, charm or character... Although to be fair I watched U.S. top gear for twice the amount of time as I watched the Aussie one (A whole 2 episodes!!!)
As for Evans acting like a cock, If you're going to act like a self entitled asshat, you'd better be damn well fucking sure people are on your side.

Like Clarkson.. He may be an asshat, but Clarkson is entertaining, and when he was gone, his 2 co stars refused to do the show, and so did the main producer..
If people want facts, Read up on manufacturers spec sheets, take test drives and listen to salesmen. If they want entertainment: Watch whatever Clarkson, Hammond and May are making!

I can't wait for the Grand Tour, and may even subscribe to amazon just to watch it... And I don't subscribe to anything!!
And Top Gear still having the Stig is bullshit... Wilman and Clarkson created the stig.
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Skynet
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Re: Top Gear USA cancelled by History Channel as the BBC franchise's woes continue

Post by Skynet »

ian wrote:And Top Gear still having the Stig is bullshit... Wilman and Clarkson created the stig.
So? It's a character for a show they don't own.

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Calavera
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Re: Top Gear USA cancelled by History Channel as the BBC franchise's woes continue

Post by Calavera »

I watched the American Top Gear, not every show was great but it was good enough that I watched it almost every week. Of course the BBC with Clarkson is better, but for what it was it was a decent show.
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Re: Top Gear USA cancelled by History Channel as the BBC franchise's woes continue

Post by OrangeRibbon »

I thought it was canceled years ago.

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