The Jeremy Clarkson saga...

[dpodiluk]

The last ever Top Gear

[JohnS]

Oh well...as James May recently said, "it couldn't last forever". No-one could have seen that it would end like it did though. I only wish the show went out with some fanfare.

[skalls]

It's unfortunate that the show is going to be basically over for me. But it's not an unexpected result. Had he just yelled at the guy BBC firing him would be exceptionally stupid. For actually assaulting (or battery) him, you should get fired when it escalates to that. JC is old enough to know his behavior was unacceptable.

As for the show, I'm done watching Top Gear. I hope the 3 find a way to make another similar show but Top Gear as we've had it for the past decade and a half is over and done with. I know the BBC puts out some good shows but I don't think their going to get a similar magic again.

[CaptainQuintero]

I'd be extremely surprised if the three of them didn't appear on Sky TV with the exact same show with just a name change in a few months time.

[Fosgate]

Knowing those three the first show on Sky will be hilarious and derogatory toward the BBC.

Sky isn't interested

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/03/26/jeremy-clarkson-sacked-sky-not-interested_n_6945748.html?

Possibly Netflix

http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/03/clarkson-to-netflix-or-sky-would-leave-the-bbc-with-a-150-million-top-gear-problem/

Death Threats at the producer are rolling in.

http://news.sky.com/story/1452622/producers-death-threats-from-top-gear-trolls

Little backpedal by the BBC maybe? http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32062579

James may is following Jeremy with an easy to read between the lines commentary.

[KGM]

Stupid Jeremy, now I'll lose one of my favorite shows.

[Lotusguy]

Knowing those three the first show on Sky will be hilarious and derogatory toward the BBC.

Sky isn't interested

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/03/26/jeremy-clarkson-sacked-sky-not-interested_n_6945748.html?

Possibly Netflix

http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/03/clarkson-to-netflix-or-sky-would-leave-the-bbc-with-a-150-million-top-gear-problem/

Death Threats at the producer are rolling in.

http://news.sky.com/story/1452622/producers-death-threats-from-top-gear-trolls

Little backpedal by the BBC maybe? http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32062579

James may is following Jeremy with an easy to read between the lines commentary.

Why do you keep defending him? Is this acceptable behavior to you?

[Fosgate]

Because I'm not judging him on details or lack there of provided by media. So he hit a guy, sure it may not be acceptable, but what did the guy say and how was it communicated before he got a love tap. Words can be just as hurtful than a punch in the face and no less acceptable behavior.

[LGC]

Under no circumstance is it okay to punch anyone over an argument. The only way his actions would be warranted if he was physically defending himself (not defending himself from hurtful words). I don't care what your celebrity status is, or how many guys mindlessly idolize you, punching someone in the workplace should be immediate grounds for dismissal. What if your wife was working with this guy and got her face busted open by his "love tap?" Would you tell her that she probably deserved it for getting in between him and his steak??? I just don't understand how people can rationalize celebrities and athletes being above the law

[TM-US]

As much as I love Top Gear, Clarkson forced the issue by physically assaulting a coworker. You can't do that, and I would not be surprised if the police prosecute him as well.

I'm also surprised to learn from the BBC report that Clarkson himself reported the incident. I think that clearly indicates that he knew he was wrong and decided to face the consequences.

I hope the trio can resurface again to do a car show, but I hope Clarkson has learned a lesson as well.

[Lotusguy]

"Love tap" - are you for real?

[Fosgate]

Under no circumstance is it okay to punch anyone over an argument. The only way his actions would be warranted if he was physically defending himself (not defending himself from hurtful words). I don't care what your celebrity status is, or how many guys mindlessly idolize you, punching someone in the workplace should be immediate grounds for dismissal. What if your wife was working with this guy and got her face busted open by his "love tap?" Would you tell her that she probably deserved it for getting in between him and his steak??? I just don't understand how people can rationalize celebrities and athletes being above the law

"No Circumstances"?? I'm glad you brought up a scenario with a wife involved. So if your telling me that someone came up to you and or your wife in your presence and started berating you one how big of a Cee U Next Tuesday and various other insults in her or your kids reference. Would you in no means find any justice of defending your wife's honor in lashing out physically and turn your back and walk away. I guess that's where some of us differ. I can think of many instances that have happened to people that totally deserve an ass kicking for their conduct and their "There is nothing you can do to me." attitude. I have only been in one altercation since my mid 20's.

Four years ago a 26 year old man was hanging around the skate park propositioning the young girls, Cops tried running him off but there was no evidence other than he said she said. My fiance, at the time, 15yr old daughter home crying one day and we discovered all this and the guy was not only propositioning but came on strong to her daughter (though never laid hands on her). I stuck one of my motorola two way radios I used for hunting on her and sat in the car recording with my cell phone with the guy. I quickly heard enough and walked up to him, confronted him and he just had this attitude like he was untouchable so I laid his azz out cold. Then I called the cops and forwarded them the video and audio conversation he had with her and never heard of any further incidents.

I've had to deal with bullies when I was young. When my parents divorced it was like a feeding frenzy because suddenly you drop out of a economic social class and bullies seem to really target anyone underprivileged. If you outwit the bullies verbally they would try sucker punching you in the back of the head with all of their friends around when your not looking or expect it. Try to retaliate at that point and you get interference from the friends. For some reason that was a favorite tactic of many where I grew up because they were cowards and could not take you physically one on one. So the next time they come up and confront you an elbow to the face or something to take them down quickly and violently before their friends have a chance to react or hold you down for them is what did the trick. They only thing they do then is scrape their pal off the sidewalk. So yeah, I have no love in my heart for bullies of any age and educate my kids how to deal with them. They also know they had better not ever let me find out or suspect they are bullies or they will find themselves in very hot water. That's not to say I haul off and deck everyone I identify as a bully. As I said, I have not been in a physical altercation in some time.

So my point, there are those who open their mouths that certainly do deserve to have it shut for them. General disagreement over what to eat, certainly not. But again, what was said that crossed the line? We don't know.

"Love tap" - are you for real?

Seriously, how hard do you think Jeremy can punch? He was never been in a fight until his 40's and doesn't even know how to throw a proper punch (he broke a finger last time).

[Lotusguy]

If you can't see that your examples are apples to oranges with the JC thing, I can't help you.

[iGrizz]

These three are the best of friends. Short of murder I would say I would defend any of my friends the same way James and Richard are with Jeremy.

I agree, what Jeremy did is totally unacceptable but honestly there are movie stars and athletes who have done similar if not worse things and people still throw there money at them to see them perform.

I sincerely hope that these three keep Top Gear going in some form or fashion. I know its not going to last forever but I don't want it to end the way it is. This series needs a proper send off.

[Fosgate]

If you can't see that your examples are apples to oranges with the JC thing, I can't help you.

I was addressing the claim "Under no circumstance..." stating that yes there are with those circumstances. As for your commentary on the love tap I already addressed that. I think a full on slug from him would be more of a stunned "Did he just hit me?" or maybe a split lip or black eye instead of being hit so hard you just see white temporarily as you are nearly loose consciousness. Or the actually getting knocked out, nose broke, damaged eye socket, missing teeth, cracked cheek bone that may happen from a much stronger fighter, kicks, repeated heavy hits etc. The guy is Jeremy Clarkson...not Ivan Drago.

[Ken Gargett]

I was addressing the claim "Under no circumstance..." stating that yes there are with those circumstances. As for your commentary on the love tap I already addressed that. I think a full on slug from him would be more of a stunned "Did he just hit me?" or maybe a split lip or black eye instead of being hit so hard you just see white temporarily as you are nearly loose consciousness. Or the actually getting knocked out, nose broke, damaged eye socket, missing teeth, cracked cheek bone that may happen from a much stronger fighter, kicks, repeated heavy hits etc. The guy is Jeremy Clarkson...not Ivan Drago.

and the bloke he hit is probably not ali.

i cannot understand how it can be okay to hit someone because you are not good at hitting???

don't know the laws in the states but when i went to law school, you didn't even have to make physical contact for something to be deemed an assault, in certain circumstances.

the guy has assaulted another human being who also happens to be a fellow worker. entertaining he might be but that is surely irrelevant. if bernie madoff made you laugh, give him a free pass? if jeffrey dahmer could do stand up, let him walk? might be extreme examples but the bloke committed an assault and should face the same penalties as you or i could expect.

[Fosgate]

Laws in the states for one is innocent until proven guilty. Again, the full story has not come out and I am sure there are two side to it other than this report of an alleged assault stemming from a dispute over providing a meal late at night while working. Yet everyone automatically condemns the man before the sides of the story are revealed and a report of what actually happened. Instead everyone just makes assumptions of complete guilt because of his past conflicts. I guess I would have expected a more balanced argument on this site rather than the guy is 100% at fault and unbecoming of polite society. A segment of society that not everyone is privileged enough to enjoy I guess.

[Carpenter69]

Growing up in the UK in the 80's and reciting the infamous eeny, meeny....poem, I find the massive PC/racism shift over the past 30 years as intriguing. I used to work with an extremely old-school chemist that used to refer to the solution to a difficult problem as the 'n' in the wood pile! I'm actually a bit bemused that I have to write it as such not to offend. I miss frank and blunt expression.

I still use this expression. Its just a word. Everyone is so sensitive. I don't care if black people call me cracker or honkey. I personally think both those terms are funny as hell.

[Lotusguy]

He was fired - do you think they would have done that if they didn't have a rock-solid watertight case against him?

PS: I don't know why but I cannot quote on my PC

[riazp]

He was fired - do you think they would have done that if they didn't have a rock-solid watertight case against him?

PS: I don't know why but I cannot quote on my PC

Technically i dont think he was fired..I think his contract was not renewed...Their contracts were up at the end of this series.

[Pixa]

Technically i dont think he was fired..I think his contract was not renewed...Their contracts were up at the end of this series.

Yeah his contract is not going to be renewed when it does expire still a member of the bbc just now. BBC are a bunch of cowards who did not even have the courage to terminate his contract. Basically they done nothing.

[riazp]

Yeah his contract is not going to be renewed when it does expire still a member of the bbc just now. BBC are a bunch of cowards who did not even have the courage to terminate his contract. Basically they done nothing.

If they carry on with top gear, I hope that hammond and may will not be a part of it, and I hope it flops. The show wont be the same without clarkson. I for one will no longer watch it.

[Orion21]

Love the show, but JC was not a great person. His personal demons are well documented and finally caught up with him.

[MIKA27]

'Au Revoir': Top Gear Head Producer Emails Goodbye Note To Team After Jeremy Clarkson Sacking

Hope is fading daily that Top Gear as we know it will return. Jeremy Clarkson has been sacked, James and Richard won’t do it without him, and now the show’s head producer has sent an email to his team thanking them for their good work under the subject line: “Au revoir”. Uh oh.

Andy Wilman, long time producer of Top Gear emailed his colleagues at the BBC who worked on the iconic car show and told them to be proud of what they’d created, despite how it ended.

Jalopnik snagged the full email, which reads:

Well, at least we left ‘em wanting more. And that alone, when you think about it, is quite an achievement for a show that started 13 years ago. I know none of us wanted it to end this way, but for a moment I’d like us to look back and think about just what an incredible thing you all had a hand in creating. When Jane Root gave us the green light in 2002, the brief was to reinvigorate a car show and get an audience of three million. What you all ended up making was one of the most iconic programmes in TV history, a show about cars that went global, won countless awards, was devoured by non car fans and ended up in the Guinness Book of Records.

We had a lot of laughs, we had a lot of tiffs. We went to amazing places and we went to some shitholes. We nearly killed a presenter, we had to run for the border. We started off with whoever we could get in the Reasonably Priced Car, and ended up with Tom Cruise. Throughout all this we made television that was beautiful to look at and beautiful to listen to. The work ethic never slipped, the desire for everyone in this dysfunctional family to do right by the show never faltered. Jeremy, Richard and James, as the visible tip of the iceberg, got most of the attention and praise, but you all in your own fields had such an immense hand in weaving this unforgettable tapestry. I would love to single out everybody by name to thank them for what they did, but it’s impossible and I’d forget someone I shouldn’t have and that would be crap, so I’ll just say Jim, I’m sorry we never got a bear to drive an automatic.

For those of you who still rely on it for work, don’t worry, because the BBC will make sure the show continues. Our stint as guardians of Top Gear was a good one, but we were only part of the show’s history, not the whole of it. Those two words are bigger than us.

Anyway, when you’re feeling low in your working day at any point, look around at some of the crap on TV, then have a think about Top Gear, 2002- 2015, and say to yourself: “I made that.”

A big, big, big thank you, which will never be enough.

Andy.

So this tells us that Top Gear will likely continue, but it won’t look anything like it does today.

[Ken Gargett]

In this case, yes Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are much bigger than the entire BBC.

interesting article by the bloke who first hired clarkson and the others for top gear. as he pointed out, the show was highly regarded/rated before clarkson ever set foot on it. acknowledges clarkson's talent but also says he was serious trouble from day one. i gave up watching ages ago, as much as i enjoyed clarkson, i could not stand james may.

different to the one immediately above, in case of confusion.