When you think of cars, you most likely think of a rather pompous and egocentric British person. And no, there’s nothing wrong with you at all. That’s because for the last 13 years, Top Gear has been the face of motoring shows. And Jeremy Clarkson has been the face of that show, brand and its controversies.
Often in the firing line, Clarkson still somehow managed to keep his job, whether he was comparing all lorry drivers to murderers or pissing off entire nations with various ethnic slurs. This time however, Clarkson may have finally bitten off more than he could chew, as his latest fracas with a BBC producer has resulted in him being suspended from his job as a presenter on Top Gear, with the Beeb also choosing to no longer renew his contract.
According to the Telegraph, an internal investigation found that Clarkson verbally abused producer Oisin Tymon for 20 minutes, before launching a 30-second physical assault on him after Clarkson failed to receive a hot meal after a day’s filming.
“There can’t be one rule for talent and one rule for ordinary human beings,” a source told The Guardian. The BBC later acknowledged Clarkson’s contributions to the show and the brand, but remained adamant to keep him sacked. And that’s a decision which will cost the BBC plenty of cash, to stick by their guns. Top Gear regularly pulls in $75 million a year in sales for BBC Worldwide, with Clarkson’s volatile personality being a key draw for the show.
Even if regular hosts Richard Hammond and James May stay, the show won’t be the same without Clarkson. Who’ll most likely spin his particular brand of personality into a new future venture.
Last Updated: March 26, 2015
Kromas is drunk with power!
March 26, 2015 at 12:07
Can’t say that I did not see this coming. Still the show won’t be nearly as good without him.
Admiral Chief
March 26, 2015 at 12:08
Catch 22
Admiral Chief
March 26, 2015 at 12:10
20 minute tirade followed by 30 seconds violence.
Seems a bit odd though. If I shout at someone for 20minutes and that person does NOT retaliate, surely the rage would have subsided.
Wonder if the other guy did not provoke him? And no, NOT condoning Clarkson’s violence
Greylingad
March 26, 2015 at 12:13
Nobody condones the violence, but what do you have to do to someone or not do, to provoke a 20 minute tirade, no tsunami of plain and simple uitkak?
Edit: I’m pretty sure it didn’t only involve a plate of cold food, it surely couldn’t have been…
Admiral Chief
March 26, 2015 at 12:27
I’d really not escalate to violence if I went on a 20minute uitkak of someone. If anything, I’d feel less pissed off instead of more.
Perhaps the guy was provoking him, and if it was a result of emotions boiling over, or a reaction, surely a one/two hit punch would suffice. But 30 seconds? Geez
Greylingad
March 26, 2015 at 12:37
That’s exactly it though, no one would resort to violence after that long, the average boiling point is within 3 to 4 minutes, maybe it’s because not all of the details are clear, but in Clarksons’ defence, he did try to make it up to the producer and reported the incident himself, for that, I have to take my hat off and give a good bow to the man, most people wouldn’t have half that decency…
Brady miaau
March 26, 2015 at 16:14
Nah, i am sure it did. He thinks, judging by his actions, that he is the high and mighty. I can well see this happening. For years, been reading funny stories about his sort of diva behaviour, must have this at the show, must have hotel room like that and so forth.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
March 26, 2015 at 17:45
We are talking about a man who blew up a dead seal outside his holiday home. With a stick of dynamite. He ain’t exactly right in the head. 😛
Admiral Chief
March 27, 2015 at 08:45
At least the seal was dead to start off with
Greylingad
March 26, 2015 at 12:11
You know… If any network has half a brain cell, they would pick him up, give him a limitless budget and say “Do whatever the hell it is that you want!” Naturally they’ll have to take flack for his controversial outings, but they will forever be swimming in money….
Kromas is drunk with power!
March 26, 2015 at 12:18
And that was how Howard Stern became famous.
James Francis
March 26, 2015 at 12:12
Clarkson made that show – literally. He was instrumental with its resurrection in the early 90s and 2000s. With news that May and Hammond may not renew their contracts, Top Gear could be headed for the junkyard.
Admiral Chief
March 26, 2015 at 12:13
They should create their own show perhaps, surely they have enough moolah between the three of them?
Kromas is drunk with power!
March 26, 2015 at 12:18
May had a cool show called Man Cave or something to that effect. Was awesome.
Brady miaau
March 26, 2015 at 16:14
May has several cool shows, the toy stories one is great too.
Greylingad
March 26, 2015 at 12:45
If they do, they shouldn’t pass at the opportunity to call it May-haps Clarkson Hammond cheese…
Greylingad
March 26, 2015 at 12:15
Agreed, like May himself said, the three of them made the show, lots of consideration to be done indeed…
Greylingad
March 26, 2015 at 12:22
The only person that would be able to replace the TG trio, because face it, they’ll never split, would be Rowan Atkinson, huge petrolhead, regular race car driver and probably as funny as the three of them combined…
Admiral Chief
March 26, 2015 at 12:28
Well, initial viewership WILL take a hit, but if they can manage a season with him and if he is quite popular, they might just have something magical
Brady miaau
March 26, 2015 at 16:15
He is extremely dry in humour though.
Ryanza
March 27, 2015 at 12:58
Mr. Teddy driving a Ferrari?
Ghost In The Rift
March 26, 2015 at 13:50
This is the most tastes cold platter……in the world!