So I just finished watching the first episode of TG:USA, and honestly I am intrigued by the possibilities. Ill break down my impressions.
Now I need to state that when I originally heard about this that is was going to be terrible. And after seeing who the hosts were I was even more sure that it was going to just outright suck.
To my surprise, I enjoyed it more than I expected.
Now is it as good as the UK version. No its not. Not even close.
Format: Very similar to the UK version. But for some reason it felt rushed, and that may be simply because they are still trying to figure out how they want the individual segments. If they can iron out some of the kinks then that will help. The cobra attack in the first episode should have been broken up with News and BSSC. The interview felt like they were only allowed to ask vanilla questions and keep it short. The second "challenge" felt tacked on like there really wasn't anything else for them to do. But because they had the other "challenge" they could only do the mile long race, and the Stig testing the cars. So everything in episode felt very rushed and incomplete.
Hosts: This is the big issue for me. They lack the edginess of their UK counterparts. And their delivery is just boring. Tanner Faust should have been the Stig. And till I see the 2 of them standing together I believe they may be one in the same. Rutledge Wood, I have never heard of him and after 1 episode he really makes NO IMPRESSION at all. Which for a host is bad. Adam Ferrara, this guy well also leaves no real impression. The 3 of them together haven't gelled yet and at least in the first episode they all looked awkward. The Stig, in the UK version he is a persona all to himself and requires a similar UK treatment. With out it he falls by the wayside and becomes no one.
Challenges: From watching the preview highlights it feels like they are taking most of the UK challenges seen over a few series. Which is fine, it may help give the show some credibility.
Overall I think that if the Hosts can form a bit of a rapport, and they can follow the UK version, and come up with some original challenges, they might have a worthwhile show. If that doesn't happen then it wont last more than a season maybe 2.
Now I need to state that when I originally heard about this that is was going to be terrible. And after seeing who the hosts were I was even more sure that it was going to just outright suck.
To my surprise, I enjoyed it more than I expected.
Now is it as good as the UK version. No its not. Not even close.
Format: Very similar to the UK version. But for some reason it felt rushed, and that may be simply because they are still trying to figure out how they want the individual segments. If they can iron out some of the kinks then that will help. The cobra attack in the first episode should have been broken up with News and BSSC. The interview felt like they were only allowed to ask vanilla questions and keep it short. The second "challenge" felt tacked on like there really wasn't anything else for them to do. But because they had the other "challenge" they could only do the mile long race, and the Stig testing the cars. So everything in episode felt very rushed and incomplete.
Hosts: This is the big issue for me. They lack the edginess of their UK counterparts. And their delivery is just boring. Tanner Faust should have been the Stig. And till I see the 2 of them standing together I believe they may be one in the same. Rutledge Wood, I have never heard of him and after 1 episode he really makes NO IMPRESSION at all. Which for a host is bad. Adam Ferrara, this guy well also leaves no real impression. The 3 of them together haven't gelled yet and at least in the first episode they all looked awkward. The Stig, in the UK version he is a persona all to himself and requires a similar UK treatment. With out it he falls by the wayside and becomes no one.
Challenges: From watching the preview highlights it feels like they are taking most of the UK challenges seen over a few series. Which is fine, it may help give the show some credibility.
Overall I think that if the Hosts can form a bit of a rapport, and they can follow the UK version, and come up with some original challenges, they might have a worthwhile show. If that doesn't happen then it wont last more than a season maybe 2.