Australian Top Gear

[Cap'n Jack]

Yes, it's true, SBS will produce a completely Aussie version of the top-rating motoring program Top Gear, to air in 2008.

Australia is the first country in the world to secure the rights to make a local version of the much loved show. "This is fantastic news for SBS, for Top Gear fans and for Australian audiences," SBS director of content Matt Campbell said of the show that has become one of the BBC's biggest worldwide hits.

Top Gear's manic and breathtaking test driving and brutal appraisals of the world's most popular cars have made the show's presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond and The Stig TV legends.

The Australian version will feature local hosts, and won't simply replicate the UK series. SBS plans to make a program that is uniquely and quintessentially Australian," Matt Campbell said.

SBS has screened Top Gear since 2005 and will broadcast the series as long as the BBC keep making it.

Top Gear' Jeremy Clarkson said he is delighted that Top Gear is going to Australia. "Maybe the first guest could by Jonny Wilkinson," Clarkson said, in a cheeky reference to England's World Cup hero.

The series will be produced by Freehand Productions, BBC Worldwide's Australasian partner.

I'm not confident this could reach the popularity of the British version, but it should be interesting to see. I'm also interested in who the hosts might be, could they live up to the appeal of the original Top Gear hosts? But most of all, I hope it turns out nothing like Channel 9's The Car Show.

 

[Wolfe]

Hey, more unique content means more Top Gear for americans like myself to watch on the internet -- assuming this version and its presenters are worth watching.

 

[Gen.]

Oh yay, Holden vs Ford EVERY episode.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Cant wait But...will it replace the normal TG on SBS every saturday for good?

 

[Sting]

"G'day mates, an todaay we'll be racing a Commodore and a Falcon, because we're sure its never been done before."

 

[Gashlycrumb]

I fear that is going to both suck and blow at the same time. Who are they going to get to host it? Darrell Eastlake?

 

[Jay]

I think it will be pathetic, I actually shudder when I think about it.

I hope it turns out nothing like Channel 9's The Car Show.

.......... My first though when I you gave me this link.

 

[Wolfe]

As long as it maintains vaguely the same style of presentation as the original, it should still be watchable.

The worst they could do is make you feel like you're watching Fifth Gear -- that's still better than the american-style car review show, which is usually just slow-paced driving clips with a narrator reading what might as well be the conclusion box of a magazine roadtest and a few performance numbers. Bland. Dry. Depressingly boring.