Looks like some U.S. producer’s need to mess with near perfection has entered into the picture again with the release of the “official” promo trailer for the American version of the mega-worldwide hit, Top Gear. I know it’s only 2:00+ minutes, but it’s pretty easy to see this will not last. For starters, no Jeremy Clarkson, no Richard Hammond and no James May. Need I go on?

Secondly, they start the premiere episode off with a stereotypical “get a cheap Cadillac and race it around a farm Dukes of Hazzard-style”. Looking at the clip, you’d think two of the hosts had just seen the funniest thing on the planet watching the other one poorly negotiating the dirt track. Unfortunately, you can just see where it’s written in the script, “insert laugh here”, because there’s definitely no geniune laughing going on.

And, if that’s not enough, the U.S. version will follow in the footsteps of the British institution by having no part in the outrageous stunts that not only created Britain’s monster hit but, proudly gave it the distinction of the most illegally downloaded show on the internet. No Bugatti Veyron vs. a European strike fighter on tap for the U.S. version, unfortunately.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzBcQ93e6Ns

It’s interesting to note that this will be the third attempt to create a US version of the series with both NBC and CBS shelving the idea before it ever saw the light of day. This time, for some unknown reason, History Channel thinks they’ve got it right. If the trailer is any indication, you better see it quick or just download the British version illegally.