This is an update on my previous post.

It turns out that it wasn’t really the show that is getting canceled, it’s the whole radio station in Los Angeles that’s getting canceled. The station, which is currently an FM talk station, is being reformatted as a Top 40’s music station. Cheaper I guess.

Here’s some segments from his show explaining the cancellation.

Adam announces why he is leaving:

Explanation of why the show didn’t work in Los Angeles:

This is kinda-sorta off-topic, but Adam Carolla’s morning radio show has been canceled. As you may know, Adam hosted the pilot of Top Gear America (which may or may not be canceled). I don’t know the full details on his radio show cancellation, but I guess the economy as well as ratings contributed to the demise of the show. Word is Adam will start up a daily podcast soon though.

Yes this news is from last week, but I haven’t been reading my e-mail too well lately so it slipped between the cracks. Whoops.

During a press conference for Top Gear Live in Australia, Jeremy was asked about the American version of Top Gear and if he thought it was going to be shown in Australia at all. He replied that the show had been “canned” and that us Americans “just don’t get it”. Now he may have just been referring to NBC passing on the show, but it may also be really dead. I’m not sure as Clarkson isn’t usually the most reliable when it comes to these kinds of things.

Anyway, you can see for yourself at 6:30 in:

[Source: carsguide.com.au, thanks to everyone who sent in tips]

Back on Tuesday, a caller called into Adam Carolla’s morning radio show and asked about the news that Top Gear wouldn’t be coming to NBC. Adam and his sidekicks discussed possible reasons for the change and things like that. Worth a listen.

You can also download the MP3 if you’d like. Thanks to TopGearSVT for cutting the relevant bit out of the podcast.

So it looks like Top Gear US won’t be coming to NBC. The US version of TopGear.com reports that the BBC has decided to take the show to cable.

We have a scoop on the much-anticipated U.S. version of “Top Gear”: BBC has decided to take the show to cable, where presenters’ funny mouths, from which often spill foul words, will be more at home. There are no hard feelings and NBC will be sharing custody of “Top Gear” dog. A number of cable networks were delighted with the news…

Personally I think this is great news because I had been worried that if the show didn’t get incredible ratings within it’s first few weeks, NBC would just cancel it. The pressure for high ratings is probably much less on cable networks and that will allow time for the show to grow into it’s own.

We’ll keep you updated.

This isn’t news really, more it’s a lack of news. A caller on Adam Carolla’s show asked him if he had any news about Top Gear and sadly no, still no word whatsoever from NBC about the show. If you want to listen just for the hell of it, here’s the podcast — the call starts at 12:30 about in:

You can also download it if you’d like as the above player seems to be a bit buggy when it comes to MP3s.

However with Knight Rider being canceled some room is opening up in NBC’s schedule. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they replaced it with Top Gear.

Thanks to jpp44345 for the tip!

Motor Trend has an interview with the American Top Gear host Eric Stromer. If you’re having doubts about him, it probably won’t address all of them but it does give you some insight into the guy and is worth a read.

Thanks to topgearfan1 for the tip.

Motor Trend has a decently interesting interview with Adam Carolla. In it, he talks a lot about the cars that he owns, what he dislikes about American cars, and some other stuff. Nothing ground breaking, but still worth a read.

Thanks to topgearfan1 for the tip.

Adam spent the first 15 minutes of his show this morning talking about the filming of the American version of Top Gear. He covers some things we already knew such as who the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car was, but he also talked about some behind the scenes stuff. Pretty interesting and worth a listen.

The reports are coming in and while most are purposely vague (most attendees felt they shouldn’t spoil it for everyone), they did say that the chemistry is there and it should turn out to be a good show.

Here’s some select quotes from the forums:

I’ll tell you one thing though, Andy Wilman, during his introduction, kind of surprised me by stating “Who from the Final Gear mafia is here?”

I shouted out when he asked if anyone from the Final Gear mafia was here. He then jokingly said “Great, the doors are closed, you can’t get out, and the police are on their way!”

I think the show’s going to be great. I think Adam, Tanner, and Eric have a great chemistry. So far Eric’s my least favorite – in person he seemed a little dumb but on the films he was very good.

And there were films, very much in the vein of the original. They were witty, funny, and full of charm.

Adam is an excellent substitute for Jeremy. Not as clever, but still funny in his own (more American) way.

Andy Wilman thinks Adam is funnier than Jeremy. =D

One interesting thing that Andy said was before the tapping he didn’t think that this show was going to be broadcastable, just because the guys needed more time to get in a grove, but after the show he was really excited and said that he would probably use the show, but just not as the series premier but as a later episode. He also said that Jeremy is fun and funny but only because her writes out everything that he is going to say first and Adam is just plan funnier because its all on the fly. During the taping about 90% of all the dialogue is improve. I also asked when would this premier but he didn’t have an answer. What he did say is that he would want some time like next January.

Besides the hosts, everything is the exact same. The setting, the stig, the challenges, the news, SIARPC, etc…

I have 3 conclusions:
1. This show will be good as long as the hosts have more time to work together and learn to be a team.
2. Adam will keep this show alive until #1 is accomplished.
3. Chunky needs to die.

StreetFire has a quick review too:

I have to admit I was skeptical they could pull it off, but after attending the taping of the Top Gear pilot I have to say I’m a believer. First, the set was perfect, walking into the Top Gear hanger created a wave of familiarity, but most importantly was the welcome atmosphere from the producers and talent.

There’s even a full review / contents of the pilot episode in that thread on our forums, but be warned it’s full of spoilers! I’d advise probably not reading it and waiting for the pilot to air — you’ll thank yourself later.