Aussie top gear

[Rushby Hinds]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/19/2094852.htm
SBS to produce Aussie Top Gear


SBS will produce a local version of Top Gear in 2008.

Australia is the first country in the world to secure the rights to make a local version the top-rating BBC program.

"This is fantastic news for SBS, for Top Gear fans and for Australian audiences," SBS director of content Matt Campbell said in a statement.

"Top Gear is a unique show and one of BBC Worldwide's biggest global properties."

Each week hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May test drive and brutally appraise the world's most popular cars.

But Mr Campbell says SBS will not simply replicate the UK series.

"SBS plans to make a program that is uniquely and quintessentially Australian," he said.

Clarkson added: "I'm delighted that Top Gear is going to Australia. Maybe the first guest could be Jonny Wilkinson."

SBS, which has screened Top Gear since 2005, says it will also continue to broadcast the UK version of the show.

[devilsadvocate]

Can't see it being anywhere near as good as the UK version unfortunately. It's hard to top perfection.

One of the best shows on TV IMO.

[magpie in the 80's]

Can't see it being anywhere near as good as the UK version unfortunately. It's hard to top perfection.

One of the best shows on TV IMO.

2ND that great show and im no car buff

[Cambridge Clarrie]

Any suggestions for an Aussie hosting line up?

[smac]

Any suggestions for an Aussie hosting line up?

3 unknowns, hopefully.

Also hope that they don't try and 100% emulate the style of the presenters - some fresh faces and fresh ideas is the only way for the show to be a success. The format should remain intact though (the wall, celebrity test laps, road tests, challenges all are transferable).

Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

[devilsadvocate]

Agree smac. Gotta be relative unknowns. I doubt any middle aged Aussie with shoulder length grey hair who calls everyone a pillock will be as amusing as May.

I'd love to see the Aussie version attempt a crossing of the Tasman a.k.a. the Channel crossing earlier this year by the UK lads. Maybe Tony Bullimore could be a guest for that ep?

[smac]

Yes, piss-taking of poms is the key!

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Aussie Top Gear eh?
Sounds like the kinda stuff Ben Cousins is always after!