Anyone else watching top gear on the history channel ?

May and hammond chose not to sign a new contract when jeremys wasnt extended. The stig is still there, but the trio is gone. The us top gear tried to copy the uk version but due to horrid writing, (even tho it was scripted, the uk one felt natural and off the cuff) no chemestry between the presenters, (the uk boys actualy are friends, the us guys are just actors) and limited options for excurtions (the uk boys could hop to dozens of countrys to try hundreds of cars) the us one just felt like well it makes money for them, why not us? We will see what happens. I think if they get the right people and the original guys support the choice it may have a chance. But it should probably wait a year or 2 to let it all settle. Thats just me....

 

I watched this unfold, and was disgusted how it was handled by the BBC, convinced that BBC screwed all of us, I stopped watching all their shows because of this.

They seem to think we viewers are dumb, why have the most watched show in the world (that is the UK version of Top Gear) and then decide because the guy who made the show work did some nasty thing to one of the producers because he was mad he didn't get a steak (for God's sake I would have even bought a steak for him and had it flown in to please him) then in a brilliant move they decide not to renew Clarkson's contract causing the entire show to collapse. The thing that they forget is that their revenue outside of the UK is driven by the production of shows they sell to other networks and the advertisement but more importantly the merchandise of these shows that generate additional income. Already there is a backlash with 12 or so networks outside of the BBC that carried Top Gear UK with them losing viewers, plus the BBC going from an average of 5.6m viewers of that time slot down to 1.4m viewers - the show itself had something like 250 to 300 million viewers world wide, better than 10 times all the spin offs combined.

The really sad thing is that unless they return, it won't be as attractive as the original show was, and I think people would be hard pressed to return to see something that is like the spin offs with poor writing and copycat gags.

 

US version SUX! Probably won't be a BBC version, now that the original presenters have gone.

 

I wouldn't discount that the rival networks ITV could offer the guys at Top Gear make the switch from Auntie Beeb. It won't be the first time it's happened.
I bet they're seriously considering it. If they do, it would be a major coup.
if it wasn't for the generosity of the British public the BBC wouldn't be able to operate. They really are an arrogant bunch at times.
In the meantime rumor has it that the 3 presenters are taking Top Gear on a Live Tour. Whether it makes it to TV remains to be seen.
Jeremy Clarkson and co wil be sadly missed.

 

The most watched show in the world and I've never heard of it. I guess I'll have to take the remote from the kids. If there's anything you guys want to know about the Family and Disney channels, I'm your guy.

 

That is not right.
Top Gear has had a lot off presenters and the format has changed with time.
Clarkson actually left the show at one point and later returned.

Time will tell what happens.

 

I don't know what the ratings are for the US market but the number claimed by many sources between 250 and 350 million people - the reason why the BBC did allow the broadcast of the show at or near the actual broadcast time. We here only get a small slice of programming from the rest of the world, so it makes sense that you didn't hear much about it here.

 

Top Gear BBC was so good even my wife who isn't into cars loved it. Jeremy, Hammond & James knew how to make reviewing cars fun. BBC will bring them back in a year. The show is just too profitable.

 

It certainly was IMO by the best auto show I'd ever seen. Try YouTube and check out the best moments. 5th Gear wasn't bad either (Tiff could have his moments too).

the difference between the BBC version and the US version is like the difference between the original Three Stooges and that modern version.

I hate most US car shows. They have to say good things about the biggest POS. THE Brits will call a POS car a POS car.