NBC’S ‘TOP GEAR’ BUCKLES UP ITS HOSTS FOR HIGH-OCTANE PILOT FROM BBC WORLDWIDE AMERICA BASED ON INTERNATIONAL HIT FRANCHISE

BURBANK - June 16, 2008 - Television and radio comedian Adam Carolla, champion rally and drift racer Tanner Foust, and TV construction guru Eric Stromer, will lead NBC’s pilot of the international smash hit series “Top Gear.” The production will begin later this week.

Produced by BBC Worldwide America, the U.S. version of the hit franchise will mirror the UK show’s irreverent humor and camaraderie between the three presenters, epic races, outrageous stunts and challenges, unique celebrity guest participation and eccentric methods of testing cars...

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Word is, they asked Leno to do it first. But he turned it down because he didn't think he could ever do as funny/good a job as Jezzer, Hamster, and Captain Slow.

But I think it should be good, in it's own way. Carolla used to do a local radio morning show here in LA before he made it big on Comedy Central, and he's actually a real car guy. Not just a talking head/generic show host. He has a 996 turbo I believe for his daily driver.

They've been filming some of the episodes out at the now decommisioned El Toro Marine Base out here in the OC.

I heard they hired Tristan Bayless as the Stig. :-)

I hope this is as good as the UK version, I can never get enough Top Gear... although it will probably be a little weird until it gets its own identity.

Yeah lol, not saying anything bad to the new version, but who ever tries to do it, there will never, never, be another top gear.

Clarkson is just way too legendary, and the 3 of those muppets put together is unparalleled.

Still, like Scott sais, once it is known for itself and not for top gear, im sure it will take off allot better :)

And i cant wait till top gear comes back this year, my Sunday nights have been very dull :P

"I heard they hired Tristan Bayless as the Stig. :-)"

That would not surprise me at all. LoL.

I'm a little mythed with having this Eric Strommer guy. Not to say he doesn't know anything about cars, but a Carpenter? Strange. He's not even funny on the home shows he's done in the past. Oh well. Just gotta watch the first few episodes and see where it goes from there.

Adam still has his morning radio show. I listen to it every morning on the way to work. Funny stuff.

Garth: That's his new show, he started out locally as "Mr Bertrum" on Kevin and Bean show (KROQ-LA), and he would give Carpentry advice to people who called in. Hilarious.

They're trying to get a local version here going in Oz too.

But it's three totally unique personalities that makes the UK show - something which I can't believe will ever be topped and always used for comparison.

Plus the political incorrectness helps, I doubt our wimpish producers will allow them to indicate excessive speeding and popping pills to keep awake trying to beat to train to China. Will US allow that sort of stuff?

Anyway, can't wait for the US revenge trip to the UK.

I'm definately looking forward to seeing a US version, but fear, as does Jonty, that the overly conservative US television execs won't allow it to be all of what it should be. I am sure they will dumb it down, and make it PC, :( After all, we can't take any chance, no matter how slight the chance, that that might offend anybody, in any way whatsoever. If they do they might get sued, and lose said suit, for a bazillion dollars.