Top Gear USA Review: Earnest, Moments of Amusement, Version 0.5

I tried to steer clear of the reviews ahead of Sunday's premiere of Top Gear USA so I could go in clean and unbiased. Well, as unbiased as you can be when some tries to do a slightly different version of a favorite show or movie.

The hosts of Top Gear USA will take a little time to season.

And the show is exactly like Point of No Return, the American version of the completely awesome La Femme Nikita. It was watchable, with moments of interest, but on the whole, washed out, earnest and bland compared with the gripping, dark and exotic original.

The did manage to keep the good camera work and the unusual setting, though this time a desert airport instead of something in the English hinterlands.

Some questionable decisions for the premiere didn't help things out. Love Buzz Aldrin, but a slightly doddering old man isn't exactly what you want to help get your potential audience of ... men torqued up. Also,
why do we have to go right to the most exotic vehicles? A Viper and three Lamborghinis? How about a little variety. Something that people more mortal wallets would be able to envision themselves driving.

The hosts, comedian Adam Ferrara, Nascar expert, Rutledge Wood and stunt and race driver Tanner Foust are a bit bland and earnest. I will give them some time to gel, but I think it was a mistake to pull out three relative unknowns. A stronger personality would give the show a bit more zest.

I will, of course, watch again, and look forward to seeing the hosts get better acquainted, possibly in some zany adventures.