Well... they've ruined my favorite TV show. Jeremy Clarkson fired from Top Gear

[oosik]

Well - I guess there is always, at least, two sides to each situation. I watched the show once - could not stand that *****, Clarkson and have never watched the show again.

 

[ESBkevin]

The BBC is a national broadcaster paid for by a licence subscription. I recent years it has been found wanting on a number of moral issues including dodgy pay offs for execs, stars being found out to be Peodos, political in-correctness etc.
Clarkson is a manufactured character (see his real persona in the very early episodes before the relaunch), the persona was suggested by his then wife and proved to be very televisual. He has started to believe some of his own hype and become rich and successful. It should also be noted that his dear mother died within the last couple of years.
That said Clarkson has delivered a succession of PC blunders in the public gaze which have evoked cheers and scorn in similar measures. But a drunken 30 minuet vocal abuse of an underling followed by a physical assault broken up by colleagues is not acceptable and an abuse of power. The BBC could not dodge this one without calls of one rule for the rich etc. Police have asked for the BBC files on the incident and are considering whether to follow up with charges.

I shall miss Top Gear and even the poor episodes were better than most of the dross served up as entertainment these days, but workplace abuse should not be tolerated and we expect out national broadcaster to set standards not bend them.

 

[The Suburban Farmer]

Double Post

 

[The Suburban Farmer]

I can't argue with that, ESBkevin... well articulated.

My only point is that it seems when liberal actors break the law -- whether it's assault, drug possession, weapons violations, being caught high on heroin on set, spousal abuse, or whatever -- the typical response is "they have anger issues and need assistance" or "he/she has been suffering from the disease of drug dependency" or whatever -- even the ones that are clearly a-holes. It surprised me that the BBC -- which has struggled for years to be "relevant" in the face of modern programming and satellite alternatives in the UK and Europe, would put one of their shows at risk and hang the guy out to dry without any of the typical "he needs help to address his personal issues and we will support him while he is taking a brief hiatus" rhetoric. ESPECIALLY after over 1 MILLION people signed a petition to keep him on the show... that had to be a hard decision to make for a struggling network. I wonder if things would have been different if he had been towing the liberal-party line of the BBC?

Any way... I'm not defending the guy. He seems like a grade-A jerk lately... just noticing the POTENTIAL hypocrisy in entertainment that some "unlawful acts" are viewed differently than other unlawful acts, and that folks on the non-PC side of the equation seem to receive a harsher treatment.

I bet if someone showed up with a weapon at one of our places of work, or showed up high on heroin they would also be fired immediately -- AND THEY SHOULD -- just like physical assault. However, that doesn't seem to translate to the entertainment industry -- those "unlawful acts" seem to be "treatable" and worthy of third and fourth and tenth chances.

 

[Garandman]

Clarkson gonna clark..... I'd have fined the **** out of him, made him apologize, and drove on. The US Top Gear will still suck.

 

[ESBkevin]

Any way... I'm not defending the guy. He seems like a grade-A jerk lately... just noticing the POTENTIAL hypocrisy in entertainment that some "unlawful acts" are viewed differently than other unlawful acts, and that folks on the non-PC side of the equation seem to receive a harsher treatment.

I bet if someone showed up with a weapon at one of our places of work, or showed up high on heroin they would also be fired immediately -- AND THEY SHOULD -- just like physical assault. However, that doesn't seem to translate to the entertainment industry -- those "unlawful acts" seem to be "treatable" and worthy of third and fourth and tenth chances.

Our friend Mr Clarkson has used all the aforementioned excuses already. I'm sure the BBC would love to keep their best money earning program, but he shot himself in the foot this time and under the public gaze (and purse) the result was a foregone conclusion. Note the victim did not make the complaint and Jeremy submitted himself for judgement.

 

[Sigarms]

I can't argue with that, ESBkevin... well articulated.

My only point is that it seems when liberal actors break the law -- whether it's assault, drug possession, weapons violations, being caught high on heroin on set, spousal abuse, or whatever -- the typical response is "they have anger issues and need assistance" or "he/she has been suffering from the disease of drug dependency" or whatever -- even the ones that are clearly a-holes. It surprised me that the BBC -- which has struggled for years to be "relevant" in the face of modern programming and satellite alternatives in the UK and Europe, would put one of their shows at risk and hang the guy out to dry without any of the typical "he needs help to address his personal issues and we will support him while he is taking a brief hiatus" rhetoric. ESPECIALLY after over 1 MILLION people signed a petition to keep him on the show... that had to be a hard decision to make for a struggling network. I wonder if things would have been different if he had been towing the liberal-party line of the BBC?

Can you name some "liberal actors" that you speak of that physically assaulted a co-worker while on location and still kept their job?

You hit your wife at home and the police may get involved but you still stand a good chance of keeping your job. You hit a co worker on the job and chances are your butt's going to be gone.

I don't think you're comparing apples to apples per this situation.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Will miss the show. Yes, Clarkson was a big richard. I agree with the aforementioned fine, pay the bloke off a sum, apologize and get going. I've seen many a person mad enough to dot a co-worker in the mouth, but they didn't do it. Many have killed co-workers. 2 ends of a spectrum.

The guys got their comeuppance when they went through Argentina.

Isn't the BBC a state funded channel?

 

[dirt ditch]

It was my favorite show on TV but Clarkson screwed up. He did man up about it though.

Speaking outside his home on Thursday, Clarkson asked fans to show restraint.
"I wish people would leave Ois alone because none of this was his fault," the presenter told reporters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk - Top Gear producer "won't press charges" against Jeremy Clarkson

The US Top Gear will still suck.

Yes it will...