Way OT: Jeremy Clarkson Fired From Top Gear
I apologize for the super OT content, but as this is the single most popular program on Earth, I figured it was worth a post. Jeremy Clarkson will be fired by the BBC tomorrow morning, brining Top Gear's 21.5 season run to a sad end. Rumors are that Netflix is courting him for a reboot though, which could be awesome for all parties. Less censorship for Clarkson and it basically ensures a massive viewership boost for Netflix.
Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11493270/Jeremy-Clarkson-to-be-sacked-by-the-BBC.html
March 24th, 2015 at 10:51 PM ^
Prior to the actual firing, Mays and Hammond both said they would not do the show without him. I hope they stick to that and all do the exact same show for Netflix. They'll probably have to call it something else (Best Speed?) and rename/redesign The Stig, but I don't want to watch a show without the three of them. I am 100% certain Clarkson is a total asshole, who likely did deserve to be fired, but that doesn't make him any less entertaining.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:53 PM ^
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Assholes are generally the most entertaining types of people.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:03 PM ^
Pretty much my thoughts exactly. He deserves to be fired, but that doesn't make it suck any less. I'll miss the current incarnation of the show. Hopefully whatever comes next will retain some of its dynamism. I think the Netflix option is definitely the best route.
maybe the guy deserved a smack?
Fuck the BBC. Love Clarkson.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:08 PM ^
If that happened, might BBC pull, or threaten to pull, the past seasons and their other content (Dr. Who, Sherlock, etc.)? All involded parties could lose, but my money is on "Best Speed" not happening.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:17 PM ^
Total asshole or just British?
March 24th, 2015 at 11:29 PM ^
March 24th, 2015 at 11:32 PM ^
I am not a huge fan of the show, but when I do come across it on the BBC I usually watch about 3 episodes in a row. He is highly entertaining and makes the show very enjoyable(hence 3 episodes in a row) I don't even really like cars. Netflix will most likely pick him up for a similar show, which should probably be unrated. That being said he also seems like a world class turd as well. How do you continue to employ someone that disregards all your warnings? When someone has a Top 10 list of being an asshole, they usually are.
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/01/top-gear-jeremy-clarkson-t…
March 24th, 2015 at 11:47 PM ^
Just 1 of those things would probably get someone suspended at least for half a year/season in the US.
Holy shit...
Yeah I stand corrected. He is more than just British.
You need the entire quote:
"This is a hard job [driving a lorry] and I'm not just saying this to win favour with lorry drivers: change gear; change gear; change gear; check your mirrors; murder a prostitute … "
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Perhaps he is an asshole, but he never ceases to entertain. In this way, he reminds me of some superstar athletes: self-absorbed, entitled, almost sociopathic. The please us (the consumer) in unique and extrordinary ways, but the press (and some of us) expect them to be unaffected by the adulation. If I had his combination of success and (apparent) fun at my job, I'd probably be a dick, too.
March 25th, 2015 at 12:21 PM ^
That accent really does mask the jerk behind it.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:53 PM ^
March 24th, 2015 at 10:53 PM ^
March 24th, 2015 at 11:25 PM ^
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March 25th, 2015 at 12:04 AM ^
March 25th, 2015 at 12:27 AM ^
Some say he eats gravel for breakfast, because Grape Nuts are too soft. All we know is, he's called the Harbaugh.
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in a world without the British press.
Isn't he getting fired for attacking another BBC employee?
March 25th, 2015 at 10:15 AM ^
Ummm... he PHYSICALLY assaulted a co-worker.
They aren't firing him because of his risque humor.
Agreed. It's truly amazing how quickly people will lose common sense and morals to defend someone solely based on the fact their favorite TV program is in jeopardy.
Jeremy Clarkson hasn't said anything people like Lisa Lampanelli or Chris Rock haven't already said.
Settle down SJW and read @turtleboy's post slowly and carefully!
So two wrongs make a right? Or only when it fits your narrative? Comparing Clarkson to those two is like apples to oranges. Clarkson wasn't showing up in hole in the wall dives playing to niche audiences. He was on one of the most popular TV shows on a major network with a bigger and more diverse audience. Big difference there. Their network, their rules.
Absolutely not; two wrongs don't make a right and nobody here has said that. What was your verbal SAT score again?
If the two of you READ @turtleboy's post CAREFULLY before jumping to conclusions, you'd see that he was simply juxtaposing saying something in the movies or a comedy venue with saying the same thing on the BBC.
Furthermore, you're not practicing what you preach... you write, "Clarkson wasn't showing up in hole in the wall dives playing to niche audiences"... I find this extremely interesting that someone who suggests two wrongs don't make a right would imply that audience size matters. Offensive behavior is offensive whether or not in front of 1 or 1 million.
Ahhh... the old resorting to personal attacks when one is made to feel butthurt just because someone doesn't agree with you. Classy and predictable. One finger pointing at me and three pointing right back at you in terms of reading comprehension. What was your score? I wasn't replying to turtle boy specifically...I was replying to YOUR comment. Go back and re-read what you said. The theme of your post was "it should be okay for Clarkson because this person and that person does it."
You missed the point entirely which I'm not a bit surprised. Fitting your narrative...remember? Oh yeah. I forgot.. Reading score, right? ;)
Movies and comedian specials are NOT the same as TG. They don't pay Clarkson to act like an asshole, to be rude/crude while they do actors and comedians. Top Gear is popular for it's authentic feel of being cool, funny, laid back guys with cool cars and the situations they end up in. They are viewed as an extension of their show, mainly because of the show's format. It also appeals to a wider audience, which is apparent you have no concept. Wider or larger audience means a bigger demographic. Coupled with those two things it's quite clear why BBC did what it did---and they gave him several passes. For the job he was doing and hired for, his behavior was viewed overall as unacceptable. You can't compare him to movies and comedians because that wasn't what he was hired for.
We also seem to be forgetting the final straw was the assault. That was the icing on the cake and what got him fired. Again, apples to oranges and your logic if faulty at best.
"Jeremy Clarkson is to be sacked as Top Gear presenter after a BBC investigation found he did assault a producer in a row over steak and chips."
At least he is going down over something worth fighting for...
...love that term.
March 25th, 2015 at 10:00 AM ^
Shame.
March 25th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
I got into Top Gear about two months ago and he was definitely a highlight.
March 25th, 2015 at 11:15 AM ^
BBC, like any TV network, is governed by the advertisers who are paying the bills. Clarkson is perfectly within his rights as a free citizen to say just about whatever he wants.
However, BBC are equally free to decide that he's got to go. Their business depends on those advertisers who, I am certain, want no part in a controversy that impacts their ability to sell products to the members of the public who may be offended by his comments.
The other network that would be perfect for someone like him is HBO. If they can have Bill Maher as a flamethrower, they can make room for Clarkson, too.
Small point of fact for future reference...no advertisements on the Beeb. Mandatory TV License from each household pays for it.
March 25th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^
It's a total no-win. Everybody loses out because of Jezza's behavior.
That said, Clarkson actually owns lots of the rights to Top Gear - it's i believe leased to the BBC. The BBC doesn't own the airfield, test track, etc. I think there might be very little to stop Clarkson (and May and Hammond) from continuing on if they so choose. The rumors are that Netflix will pony up the cash. I think HBO would be another suitor. It'll be interesting to see what comes of this, but yeah, talk about a hostile work environment. He had to be "sacked"
March 25th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^
Incredibly entertaining.....asshole.
Ahh Jezzer....