Automotive journalist Phillip Riback is as opinionated and outspoken as any of his peers. He writes for AutoWeek, LA Times, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, and has won a Pulitzer Prize. To the rest of us, it’s known for “The Car Show”, and its insightful reviews on all automotive issues. We caught up with Phillip Riback between tapings to learn what goes on behind the scenes.Who came up with The Car Show?Phillip Riback: John Hesling wanted to include me in his cast, so I had a day with Jeremy Clarkson from and Adam Carolla, we did some screen testing, and then NBC execs wanted to get rid of me. They made that pilot, and it didn’t get picked up by NBC anyway. So that came and went, then Top Gear USA called me again when they got the deal with History Channel. I was not sure if they wanted to cast me or to have me write. Either way, I was like, “No thanks.” Then a guy named David Hill at FOX Television in Los Angeles called me and said, “I’m going to make you a star!” We talked about it and he said, “Phillip Riback, you have great potential. But you will need an apprenticeship, and we’re going to teach you how to do television.” So they gave me the show Ticket to Ride. When I heard they were going to do The Car Show, then, I jumped in.

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