Last week I wrote about how dreadful I thought episode one (Cobra Attack) of the new Top Gear USA was. As of today I have manged to catch up with the show and watch both episode two (Blind Drift) and episode three (Flying Coupe DeVille). The verdict? The show is improving, slowly.
The hosts are still painfully wooden when talking directly to the camera or interviewing guests. These guys need some serious help to learn how to loosen up. When they aren’t talking at the camera things improve dramatically and the show begins to flow more naturally.
When it comes to reviewing a car the only one of the three with decent credentials is Tanner Foust. Rutledge Wood’s review of the Aston Martin Vantage in episode two (Blind Drift) was lame even if it was beautifully shot (almost Top Gear UK quality cinematography). Contrast that with Tanner’s almost exciting race against skiers in the Mitsubishi Evo… yes it was a bit on the lame side but Tanner flogs the Evo down the mountainside and loves every minute of it. Tanner is no Clarkson but he has promise and the driving skills to back up his automotive opinions.
That said I loved Wood’s comment about the V12 Vantage being like, “Angelina Jolie in knee high boots with a riding crop.”
Challenge wise episode two (Blind Drift) and episode three (Flying Coupe DeVille) beat episode one (Cobra Attack) handily with the blind drifting competition currently at the top of my list. Tanner’s expression when the brought out the blind comedian he had to teach to drift was priceless and easily the best single moment of the first three episodes.
And… what is the deal with The Stig? “Our silent race car driver?” Can’t the writers come up with something better than that?
So yes, Top Gear USA is improving, slowly, but it still has a long way to go. Let’s hope they keep getting better.
P.S. The Brett Michaels Hit and Roll song sucks.
