Top Gear Puts the Car in Carolla

Adam Carolla named Top Gear's top host after Jay Leno publicly turned down the primetime gig

By Gina Serpe Jun 16, 2008 8:22 PMTags
Top Gear Adam Carolla, Eric StromerNBC

From unicycle to four-wheeler, just like that.

Motormouth Adam Carolla has officially been named as the nation's top gearhead, signing on to host NBC's new version of the BBC's popular car-centric series Top Gear, the Peacock announced today

Carolla accepted the gig after renowned car buff Jay Leno publicly demurred from the position back in April, writing in an op-ed piece in Britain's Sunday Times that "it would be impossible to re-create or live up to the standards of the British show."

Hosted by alpha male TV personality Jeremy Clarkson, the British incarnation has developed from a cult U.K. hit to a worldwide smash. It incorporates new-car reviews, epic, cross-continent races, antique and novelty cars assessments, crash footage and bizarre motor-centric challenges among its cast members, all of whom will turn up in the U.S. adaptation.

"This is fantastic news—but how on earth you lot are going to do it on the wrong side of the road I've no idea," said Clarkson, who will also serve as executive producer of the U.S. version.

Carolla, who first revealed he was up for the hosting gig in February on his syndicated morning radio show, will be the ringmaster, joined by champion rally and drift racer Tanner Foust and TV construction hunk Eric Stromer.

In addition to racing, Foust's four-wheel credentials include working as a stunt driver on The Bourne Ultimatum, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and The Dukes of Hazzard. Stromer, meanwhile, previously appeared as the requisite hammer-wielding housewife eye candy on TLC's Clean Sweep before hosting his own HGTV show, Over Your Head. He is also a regular contributor to Carolla's morning radio show, giving out construction advice on air.

Production on the pilot formally kicks off this week.