Top Gear US is back for season 2, and unfortunately, it still “stinks”.
Episode 1 was entirely taken up by a challenge:
Each host was to buy a “car” to replace the staple Texas pickup, and then compete in various challenges around the state.
Those that follow Top Gear UK know that the challenge episodes are some of the best. In fact, I’ve seen several of them several times like the Bolivia special, the Polar challenge, etc.
This US challenge just didn’t stack up. The chemistry between the hosts just isn’t there, and it shows even more in a challenge episode where all 3 are front and center the whole time. Tanner is probably the best, followed by Rutledge and Adam just doesn’t fit. It’s not that the antics and style Adam brings to the show are wrong, he’s just the wrong person to do it. 99% of the time he’s downright annoying, but I’ll admit the 1% of the time I do laugh, it’s hearty.
The challenge builds up through some cattle herding where somehow we’re expected to believe Tanner fixes a fuel line with some tape, a manure-hauling contest, and finally ends in a “monster-truck” race where they face off on a course full of jumps and banked dirt turns in their cars after a few modifications. The modifications look like they just sat each car atop a toyota truck chassis (90’s era?) and called it a day. Adam’s car catches fire, and Tanner cleans up on Rutledge after he loses a wheel. Whatever. . ZZZZzzzzzzzzzz
I’ll admit I’m a hardcore fan of the UK series, and their chemistry is established over MANY SEASONS, but the US show needs help to succeed.
C’mon History Channel, get it right. I REALLY want to like this show.