# Top Gear's Clarkson suspended **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 10, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713 "2015-03-10T18:29:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/21 "2015-03-11T15:05:05Z")
Has it seemed to anyone else that this season of Top Gear (and last season, to be honest) seem rather uninspired? The episode where Jeremy and James just drove around in Peugeots acting like they’d never driven cars before was just…well, dumb. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/22 "2015-03-11T15:12:35Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > I recall reading that he is one of the owners of the show, so it seems he could shop TG to another network or syndicate. BBC needs Clarkson and Top Gear more than they need BBC. He sold the format in 2012 apparently. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/23 "2015-03-11T15:15:54Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > If he really punched someone, I don’t think he can come back from that. That’s unfortunate, as I’ve enjoyed the show. I suspect they might be a bit of out of court settlements after this… Rumours came out that he might have punched someone. I read it as a rumour, but it was immediately denied by him. These seem to have appeared in some enthusiastic newspaper websites (is it as provable when not in print?) as him having done so. Now, later in the day some newspapers are sticking ‘alledgedly’ in front of it. He’s said that there may have been pushing and shoving. Perhaps some people take a shove as technically ‘assault’ and blow it up to a punch. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/24 "2015-03-11T15:16:25Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > The episode where Jeremy and James just drove around in Peugeots acting like they’d never driven cars before was just…well, dumb. That was basically a single, poor joke, milked out to half a show. It was worse than an SNL skit in the second half of the show. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/25 "2015-03-11T15:16:48Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > He’s said that there may have been pushing and shoving. Perhaps some people take a shove as technically ‘assault’ and blow it up to a punch. It’s not “technical.” ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/26 "2015-03-11T15:30:07Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > I don’t see how BBC can have Top Gear without him. I recall reading that he is one of the owners of the show, so it seems he could shop TG to another network or syndicate. BBC needs Clarkson and Top Gear more than they need BBC. The BBC has always owned the Top Gear TV format. Clarkson had a part share in the company used to run the live events, the TG branded DVDs etc. He sold his share of that to the BBC a couple of years ago. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/27 "2015-03-11T15:29:55Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > If he really punched someone, I don’t think he can come back from that. That’s unfortunate, as I’ve enjoyed the show. It depends on how strong his personal fan base is within the shows. He isn’t the first star to be an idiot or a loud-mouthed possibly violent fool. Even Mel Gibson can’t claim that title. But more have survived than have faded away. For what its worth to motoring enthusiasts everywhere I hope he makes it. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/28 "2015-03-11T15:36:03Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > Has it seemed to anyone else that this season of Top Gear (and last season, to be honest) seem rather uninspired? The episode where Jeremy and James just drove around in Peugeots acting like they’d never driven cars before was just…well, dumb. That was pretty bad. Along with the drawn on mustaches and striped shirts and silly french accents. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/29 "2015-03-11T15:40:31Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > The one person Clarkson takes the piss out more than any other is Jeremy Clarkson, closely followed by James May and the Hamster. Then the various UK populations, then…on occasions …some of the rest of the world. Lets be honest, Whenever they do a foreign trip what comes across clearly is how wonderful the countries and the people are. And yes that includes Argentina. > > The one thing you can’t accuse him of is a lack of self-awareness. He knows exactly what he is and how he comes across. As do all three and that is why the relationship works. > > Personally I find them all funny and inoffensive but there is a point where Top Gear will have to stop and this may be the point. We don’t actually know what happened in this incident but I’m sure it’ll all come out and I’ll predict now that if Clarkson is in the wrong he’ll take full responsibility, apologise profusely and not try to duck the rap. Yes. I remember them almost raving over how beautiful and friendly Vietnam was. The only time I think they really didn’t like a foreign country was when they came to - of course - the American South. Clarkson is a troll, that’s his schtick and his appeal; but punching a producer, that’s crossing a line he probably can’t recover. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/30 "2015-03-11T15:43:14Z")
[Come on, it’s just a joke like on ‘Top Gear’!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7CnMQ4L9Pc) ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/31 "2015-03-11T15:57:24Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > Well, yes, actually. I’ve seen him make fun of the English, Scottish, Irish, Germans, Spaniards, French, Americans, Japanese, Mexicans, etc. Of course, poking fun at nationalities is a bit different than races, due to political correctness and modern sensibilities, but Clarkson spreads the insults around. Including at himself. > > I don’t know what your second sentence means. Perhaps I’m just not seeing enough of him to see his insults for everyone! My second sentence wasn’t very clear, you’re right. I mean that his making fun isn’t the same across the board for everyone - rather than he follows along with whichever cultural stereotypes and racist imaginings are usually used against whichever group he’s talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/32 "2015-03-11T16:01:24Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > Has it seemed to anyone else that this season of Top Gear (and last season, to be honest) seem rather uninspired? The episode where Jeremy and James just drove around in Peugeots acting like they’d never driven cars before was just…well, dumb. I don’t know, I thought the one with the ambulances was pretty good. Richard’s system of delivering the patient into the hospital had me rolling on the floor. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/33 "2015-03-11T16:23:25Z")
> [@Revenant\_Threshold](#): > > Well, no, actually. Nor are those jibes general to all races, creeds, national origin etc. Do you watch the show at all? He makes generally stereotypical remarks about the UK, other European nations, Americans, Australians, Russians, Chinese, Japanese, and many others, but more as a friendly gibe than as pejorative. If you’re bound and determined to be offended by any mention of race or nationality, no matter the context, then yes, you won’t like him. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/34 "2015-03-11T16:34:51Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Do you watch the show at all? He makes generally stereotypical remarks about the UK, other European nations, Americans, Australians, Russians, Chinese, Japanese, and many others, but more as a friendly gibe than as pejorative. If you’re bound and determined to be offended by any mention of race or nationality, no matter the context, then yes, you won’t like him. I don’t like him for the same reason I can’t stand Piers Morgan. They’re both “British oaf who just has to force his opinion about everyone and everything into your ears, whether or not you asked for it.” ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/35 "2015-03-11T17:47:52Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I don’t like him for the same reason I can’t stand Piers Morgan. They’re both “British oaf who just has to force his opinion about everyone and everything into your ears, whether or not you asked for it.” The only thing that Piers and Jeremy have, from your post, is that they are British. Otherwise your statement describes pretty much the rest of media and entertainment. _ **"British oaf who just has to force his opinion about everyone and everything into your ears, whether or not you asked for it** _ can easily become - **"American oaf who just has to force his opinion about everyone and everything into your ears, whether or not you asked for it** \* and you’ve just described pretty much every American who has appeared on any television show. or - **"Conservative oaf who just has to force his opinion about everyone and everything into your ears, whether or not you asked for it** \* and you’ve just described pretty much every Republican who has ever ran for office, or appeared any news show. or, to be fair: - **"Liberal oaf who just has to force his opinion about everyone and everything into your ears, whether or not you asked for it** \* and you’ve just described pretty much every Democrat who has ever ran for office, or appeared any news show. I guess what I’m saying is that oafish, domineering, loud-mouth behavior on television is certainly not limited to Clarkson in particular, or the British in general. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/36 "2015-03-11T17:49:56Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I don’t like him for the same reason I can’t stand Piers Morgan. They’re both “British oaf who just has to force his opinion about everyone and everything into your ears, whether or not you asked for it.” Are they following you around or something? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/37 "2015-03-11T18:32:45Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > . Richard’s system of delivering the patient into the hospital had me rolling on the floor. That was literally the best laugh I’ve had so far this year. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/38 "2015-03-11T18:38:28Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I don’t know, I thought the one with the ambulances was pretty good. Richard’s system of delivering the patient into the hospital had me rolling on the floor. That whole episode had me in stitches. Richard’s pneumatic patient catapult, James’ hearse-bulance, and Jeremy’s Ram-bulance all had me laughing. I laughed the hardest though, at James’ tailgate falling open and shattering. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/39 "2015-03-11T19:31:33Z")
Jeremy in the back of the 944 with the dummy’s penis in his face and covered blood. I was going to burst an aneurism. James’s stretcher going away on its own and Ricciardo beating Lewis. Top Gear at its best. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713/40 "2015-03-11T19:33:21Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Jeremy in the back of the 944 with the dummy’s penis in his face and covered blood. The expression on Jeremy’s face during that scene… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-gears-clarkson-suspended/714713.md?page=3)