BBC Top Gear [It's back!]

[T1M]

RIP Top Gear :(

 

It's a sad day. Best thing they can do now is drop the show, because it will be destroyed if they try and replace him.

[Eudemon]

RIP Top Gear :(

They only dropped Clarkson, not the show. In fact they want to renew it. Unless you mean of course Clarkson was all Top Gear was and is, then ok yeah, I see why you would think that.

[CarMadMike]

They only dropped Clarkson, not the show. In fact they want to renew it. Unless you mean of course Clarkson was all Top Gear was and is, then ok yeah, I see why you would think that.

 

I'd say that he makes made up a hell of a lot of what made TopGear TopGear, though Hammond and May brought things to the table too, they worked well as a trio. I'm sad he's sacked but I also think it's the right decision, I hope the producer's life can go back to relative normalness now on another TV show.

 

I do believe this might be the end of TG as the often great show we'll remember it to be, I have absolutely no trust in the BBC finding a decent replacement. I'm not Chris Evan's biggest fan but he's a huge car nut and already has a large career in broadcasting so I wouldn't see it as him trying to get himself more ££ or limelight if he took the position, however I can't say the same about all the other names being thrown around.

[Eudemon]

Full BBC Report of the incident.

On 9 March 2015, Jeremy Clarkson reported to BBC management that he had been involved in a physical and verbal incident with Oisin Tymon, the producer of Top Gear, at the Simonstone Hall Hotel, North Yorkshire, whilst working on location. The incident had occurred on 4 March 2015 and Jeremy Clarkson was suspended on 10 March, pending investigation.

 

I was asked to undertake an investigation to establish the facts of what occurred. In conducting my investigation, in line with the BBC’s usual practice, I interviewed a number of witnesses and others connected with the incident. Accounts were agreed, based on my interviews, with each participant.

 

Having conducted these interviews and considered the evidence presented, I conclude the following: on 4 March 2015 Oisin Tymon was subject to an unprovoked physical and verbal attack by Jeremy Clarkson. During the physical attack Oisin Tymon was struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip. The verbal abuse was sustained over a longer period, both at the time of the physical attack and subsequently.

 

Specific facts I have found as part of my investigation are as follows:

• earlier on 4 March, studio recording of Top Gear had taken place in Surrey and the presenters had travelled that same evening to the location shoot in North Yorkshire;
  
• the incident occurred on a patio area of the Simonstone Hall Hotel, where Oisin Tymon was working on location for Top Gear;
  
• the physical attack lasted around 30 seconds and was halted by the intervention of a witness;
  
• it is the case that Oisin Tymon offered no retaliation;
  
• the verbal abuse was directed at Oisin Tymon on more than one occasion – both during the attack and subsequently inside the hotel – and contained the strongest expletives and threats to sack him. The abuse was at such volume as to be heard in the dining room, and the shouting was audible in a hotel bedroom;
  
• derogatory and abusive language, relating to Oisin Tymon and other members of the Top Gear team, continued to be used by Jeremy Clarkson inside the hotel, in the presence of others, for a sustained period of time;
  
• it is clear that Oisin Tymon was shocked and distressed by the incident, and believed that he had lost his job;
  
• following the attack, I understand that Oisin Tymon drove to a nearby A&E department for examination;
  
• over the subsequent days, Jeremy Clarkson made a number of attempts to apologise to Oisin Tymon by way of text, email and in person; and
  
• it is the case that Jeremy Clarkson reported the incident to BBC management.
  

It was not disputed by Jeremy Clarkson or any witness that Oisin Tymon was the victim of an unprovoked physical and verbal attack. It is also clear to me that Oisin Tymon is an important creative member of the Top Gear team who is well-valued and respected. He has suffered significant personal distress as a result of this incident, through no fault of his own.

Sauce: Full text of BBC's statement into Jeremy Clarkson 'fracas' | Media | The Guardian

[CarMadMike]

It sounds like Jeremy needs help to be honest, after his divorce, the amount of alcohol he drinks, this attack and being sacked by what essentially is his vocation, he'll need strong support to come out the other side of this in one piece, he's still in his 50s afterall. I'm by no means trying to find an excuse for what happened with the producer, but such a quick and extreme snap in character makes me think he had a breakdown.

[Eudemon]

It also looks like the producer didn't report it maybe for fear of who Clarkson was, I mean I know Clarkson was the one who brought it up and tried to apologise to the producer via text and such but it looks like Oisin was of the opinion he had already lost or would lose his job.

[calster17]

I'd not panic too quickly, people have wanted to have Clarkson & the TG boys on there channel for years.

 

I'd say expect to see them on a new show on another channel (My guess is Sky) and it having a very similar style show format.

[T1M]

God don't go to Sky, they're evil and steal everything! I'd rather they went to somewhere like Dave, I mean they already show plenty of TG so why not add new episodes to the list?

 

And since Clarkson's not going to be there, May and Hammond won't be, so they'd have to find 3 new presenters, which would kill TG stone dead. As sad as it is, they should just leave it... all good things have to end I suppose.

[Eudemon]

Sky will snap him (them) up, Murdoch will be rubbing his hands in glee at this whole situation. I'd like to see a BTCC driver replace Clarkson personally. Then again to truly replace Jeremy you can't have someone who knows how to drive a car properly.

[T1M]

Isn't that what the Stig is for anyway...

[Eudemon]

Yes, that's my point. Jeremy was a presenter first and foremost so getting a proper replacement requires some thinking out of the box.

 

'We need someone who is good in front of the camera and loves cars, but can't drive them'

[CarMadMike]

Isn't Clarkson quite "in" with Rebekah Brooks (and therefore Rupert Murdoch?) anyway? It makes Sky snapping him up seem more plausible.

 

As for BTCC, That's usually for proper car fans, which aren't necessarily top gears main audience anymore.

[T1M]

Noel Edmonds back? :lol:

 

If BBC lose the TG branding then with it comes all the merchandising, TG live, the TG DVDs etc. Damn they'll be poor :lol:

[CarMadMike]

BBC own the TG branding don't they? JC sold his share a few years back for a fair bit of money.

 

I can't see a show called topgear continuing on another channel.

[Paladin Skylark]

They could always call it "Top-er Gear"

[Eudemon]

Watching people somehow relate Savile and others to this is killing my brain. :fp:

[T1M]

Would be nice to somehow see the last few episode segments though. Maybe a Best of TG incl. New stuff? :hmmm:

 

If it wasn't for F1 I wouldn't need a TV license any more

[Eudemon]

Hey if Bargain Hunt is on the BBC I will pay my licence fee. :lol:

[Tob-Racer]

Really sad news... :( I still got some tiny hope to see Top Gear on another channel or the BBC regrets it's decision but more the days pass, more it's becoming utopia. I can't realize what's going on and I still think we will see Top Gear in the next few months. Hard to believe.

 

I was also hoping for the battle between the Trio Hybrid Hypercars but now it's going to be impossible to see all three fighting...

[Camel]

From the sounds of it, it doesn't look like May will be staying either. Weren't all three of their contracts due to expire around the same time?

 

James May: 'Dropping Jeremy Clarkson is a tragedy' - BBC News

 

Wonder what will happen with the Top Gear Live tickets I have. They had better offer a refund. :(

[TimBud]

I wish the full report would hurry up and come out so crap like this wouldn't be aimed at the guy without anyone knowing what actually happened.

Well if his nibs had some hot food then he wouldn't have had such a paddy.

I do think the producer dropped the ball (albeit a very tiny ball), but it just seems it was poorly timed after a long tiring day for everyone.

;)

[hassan1995]

The producer is a whiny little cow, apparently may is leaving too and I don't see hammond sticking around.

[superhyper]

The producer is a whiny little cow, apparently may is leaving too and I don't see hammond sticking around.

 

I don't approve hitting people, what JC did was definitely wrong but I still don't dislike him. I know I can be pretty damn bad myself when I'm hungry so I can definitely relate. It's just sad that it had to end like this :( One thing that gives me hope though is that May and Hammond seem to be quitting as well which could mean a new show for the three of them on a different channel :nods:

[CarMadMike]

The producer is a whiny little cow.

 

Except it wasn't him that 'whined' like a cow to the BBC, it was JC that reported it. :rolleyes: I really hope that this isn't your actual stance on the whole thing and that you weren't being serious by that.

[Eudemon]

The producer is a whiny little cow...

Another one who knows the facts. :fp: