He's no Jay Leno...... but funnyman Adam Carolla has just signed on as the host of NBC's version of the popular BBC show 'Top Gear,' the network announced today.
Carolla agreed to the gig after Jay Leno, a noted car enthusiast, declined the job in April. Leno wrote an op-ed to Britain's Sunday Times that said, "it would be impossible to re-create or live up to the standards of the British show."
The BBC version, hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, has expanded from a cult hit to a worldwide sensation. It covers new cars, car races, assessments of antique and novelty cars, crash footage and auto-centric challenges by its cast members.
"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," Clarkson said. He will be an executive producer of the U.S. version., and the cast members of the British version will also make appearances on the NBC show.
Carolla will be joined by champion rally and drift racer Tanner Foust and Eric Stromer, a TV personality and carpenter on TLC's 'Clean Sweep.' Carolla currently hosts the syndicated radio show, 'The Adam Carolla Show.'
Production for the pilot will begin this week.
