Jeremy Clarkson dropped from Top Gear, BBC confirms

[underpants]

Jeremy Clarkson's contract will not be renewed after an "unprovoked physical attack" on a Top Gear producer, the BBC's director general has confirmed.

Tony Hall said he had "not taken this decision lightly" and recognised it would "divide opinion".

However, he added "a line has been crossed" and he "cannot condone what has happened on this occasion".

Clarkson was suspended on 10 March, following what was called a "fracas" with Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon.

[leveymg]

1. That's the end of Top Gear, BBC's highest rated global export.

Stupid move, Beeb.

[tridim]

3. Maybe it has just run its course.

I loved the show, but it's pretty repetitive these days.

And Jeremy, sure he was entertaining, but he was my least favorite of the three (or four including the Stig). I called him Mr. Frumpy.

[leveymg]

7. As a viewer, that's not my take. If I were a cast member, I might agree with you.

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They've been doing this for 20 odd years, and it might be time to do something else. As a viewer, it's still fun. But, I am a total gear head with a particular soft headedness for British cars. And Italian cars. And German cars. Old cars. New cars . . .

[lapislzi]

20. I've found the formula to be repetitive and puerile.

The first few times the pranks and schoolboy antics were amusing. But now it's just predictable: every time there's any kind of competition or race, Clarkson had to win it (must have been in his contract), and he would gang up with one to prank the other. So tiresome, especially as the other two are arguably more intelligent and talented. May's and Hammond's side projects are way more interesting than Top Gear, and have been for some time.

I'll take the rural simpleton and Captain Slow over the bombastic oaf every time.

[T_i_B]

16. And if you did what he did at your work....

....the chances are your contract wouldn't be renewed either.

[leveymg]

18. If I were Jeremy, I'd write into my contract the ability to replace producers w/one of my choosing

That would make this sort of thing a matter of interpretation of the term "replace."

[kysrsoze]

37. Would you write in a clause allowing extreme verbal abuse?

The full article cites how repetitively abusive he was toward the producer. Combine that with some of his other transgressions like use of the word, "ni**er," and you have the clear picture of what a complete asshole he is. He deserved to be fired and was repeatedly warned.

[FLPanhandle]

21. Yep, I doubt I'll watch it without Clarkson

I suspect they will stop the show completely.

[Kelvin Mace]

28. Financially yes,

a stupid move. Morally, no.

[ksoze]

2. In the US, we would give him a raise and a new reality show

Interesting response seemingly ignoring money for principle. What a strange concept. I wonder how we would handle that here, besides it being parlayed into more money and advertisers.

[alarimer]

14. Well, in some sense I think they were in a tough place.

They covered up several other (much worse) scandals over the years and so didn't want to be accused of that here. Plus they'd already said "one more strike and you're out" so anything less would be hypocrisy.

[Lancero]

4. Tch, about time.

He'd been given constant warnings in the past over his behavior, and still continued pushing that line.

It's nice to see that BBC has at last let their morality make the decision instead of profit, but in all honesty this guy should have been fired a long time ago.

[AngryAmish]

5. No tears for the Top Gear lads

I am sure Fox or Netflix or the ilk will give them the same show.

on edit: I have seen the American TG. bad.

[underpants]

9. Never seen the American version

But I can't imagine it being nearly as funny. My 9 year old cracks up at how stupid the BBC guys are.

[leveymg]

11. American TG is like Bud. All Monster Trucks and chrome. Bhah. Give me automotive craft brew.

Something whacky and hard core, like the original.

[alarimer]

6. Good. He deserves it.

He PUNCHED a guy.

And not renewing a contract is technically what happened.

I do think it will continue, but I don't think any of the three will be involved. If I were May or Hammond, I'd be pissed at Clarkson; it's their livelihood he's taking down with him. But I'm sure they will be okay and go one to other things. I like those two a whole lot better and pretty much THEY were why I watched.

But fuck Clarkson, he brought this on himself.

[underpants]

12. I agree. Clarkson has a bullying jerk

I saw one competition that he didn't win and he basically just picks on the other two. Still it was funny - my daughter cracked up at that show.

[alarimer]

15. It is funny. And in the context of the show, it's fine.

It's just the other stuff that's too much. When your curse out the BBC (which he did at a recent event) while you are being investigated by them, it is just too much. I have the feeling that HE might not have renewed his contract anyway, given the apparent animosity he feels towards the BBC.

[sendero]

26. Clarkson..

... finally got what he had coming for quite a while. The show is getting long in the tooth anyway IMHO.

[sir pball]

32. May, at least, has been essentially completely supportive of Clarkson.

Can't dig up videos sine I'm on my phone at work, but he's on record as saying things like "it was a minor issue that could have been resolved quietly", " a bit of a dust-up but not a big deal", and "we come as a package."

Odds are all three will sign somewhere else, together.

[Erose999]

8. No fucks given about Clarkson. Asshole punched his boss. What did he think was gonna happen?

[AngryOldDem]

17. He's been testing the BBC's patience/limits for awhile now.

BBC finally had enough.

Sounds like a big, spoiled brat who will probably go on to another TV network and be just fine. He's that popular. I've been following this drama on The Guardian and it's amazing to read how many defenders this man has. This will most certainly be costly to the BBC, but what choice did Clarkson give them?

[name not needed]

10. Oh cock.

[hunter]

13. Wow, a top TV promoter of our destructive automobile culture proves himself to be an asshole...

... who could have foreseen that???

[Octafish]

19. ''Fracas'' involved cold cuts vs an expected steak.

Clarkson was suspended two weeks ago for allegedly punching his producer Oisin Tymon when he was offered cold cuts of meat instead of a hot steak after a long day of filming and yesterday BBC Director-General Tony Hall said after releasing the presenter,

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/8203-Jeremy-Clarkson-charged-ABH-BBC-sacking/story-26236012-detail/story.html

Geezer.

[leveymg]

22. I'm sure they had some history with each other, and Jeremy was probably working on his

fifth Scotch of the day. Not really over the Craft Services menu. Not really an excuse, either, just the way he seems to be.

I tend to give most people a break -- and try not to provoke, test, or judge them - for their personal vulnerabilities.

If someone hit me, I'd hit them back, and leave it at that. Nobody else's business.

[Spider Jerusalem]

23. I love the way so many people are making excuses for/glossing over unacceptable behaviour...

because it was some guy on a TV show they like. Violent and abusive behaviour in the workplace is something that's definitely the business of the employer (in this case the BBC) especially when directed at a subordinate (as the producer in this case would be; Clarkson told him he'd have him fired).

[leveymg]

24. Given a choice, wouldn't you rather be punched than fired?

I don't know about the rule-bound workplace you occupy, but I would prefer to deal with this sort of thing personally, without corporate Human Resources and lawyers involved.

[Spider Jerusalem]

25. You are aware that it was Clarkson who reported the incident to the BBC, no?

Maybe he wanted to be sacked.

[lapislzi]

29. Funny coincidence, that

The contracts for all three presenters are due to expire. It's a moot point now. Follow the money. How much will Sky TV be willing to pay for the Top Gear brand?

[leveymg]

39. So, he found an expressive way to get out of a contract.

Typical Jeremy. It's all part of the act. Look how much publicity this has generated.

[Kelvin Mace]

31. I would want the person who hit me fired

[Travis_0004]

34. I would imagine both will be unemployed if top gear is cancelled.

[Kelvin Mace]

35. I am sure Sky TV

will employ Clarkson, he's their kind of guy.

I doubt that after firing Clarkson for hitting his producer, the BBC will now put the producer on the street.

[Kelvin Mace]

30. Once you hit someone

you cross a line. If the reason is not justifiable, then the full force of consequence should come down on you. When you are pulling down a 7 figure annual income, is it really unreasonable to expect that you refrain from violence?

[My Good Babushka]

27. My eleven year old son watches old episodes on Netflix

and just about every episode, I would have to step in and point out that I don't agree with his racist, bigoted, sexist, classist, crazy grandpa ramblings. Good riddance.

It seemed like every show they were ruining public or private property, or inconveniencing people on the roadways who actually have to go places and work for a living, all the while giggling about it behind their sleeves like bratty, entitled children. Even if the show paid for the damages, it's hardly the kind of example I want for my son.

[underpants]

36. Yes the hovercraft and RV shows

Last edited Thu Mar 26, 2015, 01:52 PM - Edit history (1)

I had to make points about those to my 9 year old.

They blew away a very nice riverside lunch for a lot of people. Fairly well to do clientele who are not going to put up with that. You could almost see the steam coming out of one guy's ears, he was PO'ed. That same show they knocked a guy who looked like he was on a lunch break out of a boat and they just laughed it off.


I had to point out to my daughter that you shouldn't send a car turned into a 15 foot tall RV over a cliff - another show.

[My Good Babushka]

38. Yes! Thank you.

I've had so many people tell me it's all just fun, but if my kids tried to do the stuff they do, I'd be bailing them out of prison!

[olddots]

33. I watched a few of the shows because it was refreshing

to learn that America doesn't hold the patent on being the biggest air head motor head pigs .

What a pompous fuck wad ,he will get a show on Sky News soon .