BBC fires Jeremy Clarkson

[sharkkiller]

Top Gear is one of my favorite shows. I love the specials that they do, they are always entertaining. 

 

I agree that some of the things he said were over the line and could be considered offensive, but as was said, they were part of a character he spent years perfecting. I hope that May and Hammond do not try to do Top gear without him. If they want to reinvent Top Gear, it should be with three new hosts, and just redo the whole thing. It would most likely never be able to hold a candle to the original, but it would be better than trying to hang on to a lost cause. 

 

Top Gear on Netflix would be spectacular (although it would have to be under a new name sincethe BBC owns that name).

[Crixtala]

Top Gear is one of my favorite shows. I love the specials that they do, they are always entertaining. 

 

I agree that some of the things he said were over the line and could be considered offensive, but as was said, they were part of a character he spent years perfecting. I hope that May and Hammond do not try to do Top gear without him. If they want to reinvent Top Gear, it should be with three new hosts, and just redo the whole thing. It would most likely never be able to hold a candle to the original, but it would be better than trying to hang on to a lost cause. 

 

Top Gear on Netflix would be spectacular (although it would have to be under a new name sincethe BBC owns that name).

 

to be fair... they were not the originals.  there was top gear before there was Clarkson, May and Hammond.  but they made top gear what it is

 

to this point, May and Hammond have said "no Clarkson, no us," so hopefully they'll follow him where ever he goes... my only concern is that no matter what they end up doing (can't see them doing anything other than a motoring show) - they won't have the same production value that they had with the BBC.  that's part of what made that show so great as well... they were able to go places, use vehicles and produce dramatic programming that another network may not be able to provide.  that's going to be a big loss

[TheRed]

It will probably just end up on another network. Obviously the audience will follow.

 

But if they want to bring back the quality of the show, stick with what worked. Tell Clarkson to sit down somewhere so they can focus on the show, you can get quality ratings without him showing his ass everywhere and making everything about himself all the time.

[TNPanther]

Also, you have to remember that the BBC is publicly funded, and Clarkson et al could get away with offensive comments. Since American networks are privately owned with sponsors this might not be the case.

[Ounce]

Ethical or not this is hugely stupid by the BBC. Jeremy is irreplaceable and this incident should have been dealt with in a different manner by BBC, instead of creating this grade school showdown and expulsion. Let's not pretend like other TV/movie stars haven't said or done ridiculous things in the course of their work. Like it or not, greatly talented people get a longer rope than average simply because their value can't be replaced easily

[Captroop]

Also, you have to remember that the BBC is publicly funded, and Clarkson et al could get away with offensive comments. Since American networks are privately owned with sponsors this might not be the case.

 

Which is why an opt-in streaming service like Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon makes sense. it's the consumer who vote with their dollar, not the advertisers who are worried about their image, who dictate where the money gets spent. TopGear has been hugely successful on both Hulu and Netflix. I imagine either of those organizations would shell out big bucks to have it be an exclusive property for them. Don't expect there would be a large drop-off in productions quality with the money Netflix throws around.

[CelibatePimp]

I can't believe some of you are supporting him. If my son or father came home from work with a busted lip because he didn't have hot food for someone, I know I'm getting that person locked up.

Also what message would bbc be sending if they retained him? That you can beat people up as long as you're the star of the show? Over hot food? I mean some NCAA athletes go to bed without food but they don't go beating people up.

[CelibatePimp]

I think this in addition to his other offenses pushes it over the top for me. I was honestly not impressed with him on top gear, I found him a bit annoying.

[sharkkiller]

I can't believe some of you are supporting him. If my son or father came home from work with a busted lip because he didn't have hot food for someone, I know I'm getting that person locked up.

Also what message would bbc be sending if they retained him? That you can beat people up as long as you're the star of the show? Over hot food? I mean some NCAA athletes go to bed without food but they don't go beating people up.

 

I understand your point, but we only realy know one side. None of us were there for the altercation. I am not trying to excuse punching someone, but how do you know it was unprovoked? What started as a stupid argument could have easily escalated, as happens all the time, everywhere.

 

But on another note, why would it be up to you to get that person locked up if your adult son or Father came home with a busted lip? Wouldn't it be up to that individual?

[Captroop]

I think this in addition to his other offenses pushes it over the top for me. I was honestly not impressed with him on top gear, I found him a bit annoying.

 

So you weren't in the market the show was after. If you want a dull, inoffensive version of Top Gear, just watch Top Gear US.

 

Just because you personally don't like his brand of humor doesn't mean he doesn't belong on TV. I, and over a million petition signers (https://www.change.org/p/bbc-reinstate-jeremy-clarkson) and I'm sure millions more enjoyed his no-holds-barred, equal opportunity offender character. For I, and many others, it's what made the show entertaining.

 

Believe me, lots of stars get away with a lot worse. Christian Bale and Sean Penn are on the short list of guys who frequently get in unprovoked fist-fights and verbally abuse production assistants. Last I checked they're still getting roles.

 

If you don't like them, vote with your dollar and don't watch the show. But if he can still command an audience of people willing to forgive him, then let the show go on.

[CelibatePimp]

I understand your point, but we only realy know one side. None of us were there for the altercation. I am not trying to excuse punching someone, but how do you know it was unprovoked? What started as a stupid argument could have easily escalated, as happens all the time, everywhere.

But on another note, why would it be up to you to get that person locked up if your adult son or Father came home with a busted lip? Wouldn't it be up to that individual?

Most victims of abuse are not in the right emotional state to take some of these actions.

[CelibatePimp]

So you weren't in the market the show was after. If you want a dull, inoffensive version of Top Gear, just watch Top Gear US.

Just because you personally don't like his brand of humor doesn't mean he doesn't belong on TV. I, and over a million petition signers (https://www.change.org/p/bbc-reinstate-jeremy-clarkson) and I'm sure millions more enjoyed his no-holds-barred, equal opportunity offender character. For I, and many others, it's what made the show entertaining.

Believe me, lots of stars get away with a lot worse. Christian Bale and Sean Penn are on the short list of guys who frequently get in unprovoked fist-fights and verbally abuse production assistants. Last I checked they're still getting roles.

If you don't like them, vote with your dollar and don't watch the show. But if he can still command an audience of people willing to forgive him, then let the show go on.

I never said he didn't deserve to be on tv because I don't like him. And sorry for those millions, obviously bbc was not interested in their petition and rightfully so. It's not all about the money, there are audiences for almost everything, doesn't mean it should be on tv.

And no, famous person A got away with abuse does not mean famous person B should get away with it.

[sharkkiller]

Most victims of abuse are not in the right emotional state to take some of these actions.

 

Abuse? Was this a child or an adult producer of a television show? 

 

Is every person who loses a fistfight, or gets punched, a victim of abuse? Come on, really?

[Captroop]

I never said he didn't deserve to be on tv because I don't like him. And sorry for those millions, obviously bbc was not interested in their petition and rightfully so. It's not all about the money, there are audiences for almost everything, doesn't mean it should be on tv.

And no, famous person A got away with abuse does not mean famous person B should get away with it.

 

And I don't think a fist fight between two men should be a fire-able offense. It's not as though he was free-basing coke or abusing children. It's a friggin fight. Man up, people.