Jeremy Clarkson won't have Top Gear contract renewed

So to sum up, Jeremy Clarkson went on a rant aimed at a producer for not having food ready at the end of a day of filming Top Gear. He capped off his rant by popping the producer in the mouth, causing a "swollen and bloodied lip." The producer apparently took himself to the emergency room (for a bloody lip? Seriously? Though to be fair, as it happened "at work" he may have been required to, but I can't imagine they wouldn't have required somebody else to take him if that were the case) and got himself checked out.

Fast forward a couple weeks and now BBC releases a statement saying Clarkson won't be renewed but that Top Gear will continue on.

Certainly the end of an era for Top Gear (again) but will it be the end of Top Gear entirely? Clarkson will certainly land another gig soon, but what about Hammond and May? Will they join him? Go on their own way? May is already dropping hints that the three of them are a package deal.

What say you, fellow ATS petrolheads?

Time for a change. Clarkson is just a bit repetitive and predictable anyway. Top Gear can be amusing, but it's all scripted, so Clarkson can be replaced by a new character. If the trio go, then I'm not crying. Time for a fresh start and (God forbid) stick a woman in there!

a reply to: paraphi

Why does every show need to have a woman in it? in fact I think it's gone too far. All I see is women anchors on BBC news. I think top gear is the only show that has a fully male representation.

Nothing against women, but why do BBC try to emasculate every show. Let's put a man on the panel of loose women please!

There is a petition to get Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan) to host Top Gear in the future...

Love Alan Partridge, I'd start watching Top Gear again.

Opportunity for another network to steal the 3 of them and start up their own programme. They could call it "Wheels"

originally posted by: RP2SticksOfDynamite
Opportunity for another network to steal the 3 of them and start up their own programme. They could call it "Wheels"

That's where my money is at. All three will wind up with somebody else. I saw a rumor (emphasis on rumor) that Netflix has made some noise about snaring Clarkson, in which case who knows what the limits would be.

@ Paraphi - why does it need a woman? I'm in favor of putting whomever is best suited to the job in the job. Why put a woman on for the sake of having a woman?

originally posted by: Shamrock6
@ Paraphi - why does it need a woman? I'm in favor of putting whomever is best suited to the job in the job. Why put a woman on for the sake of having a woman?

Indeed. Why not? Top Gear does not need a woman per se, but it may help the programme evolve, as trying to ape the current formulae with different people just won't work.

As the a rival for Top Gear being developed on another channel, that would be doubtful as I am sure the BBC have the rights over the format.

a reply to: Shamrock6

What say you, fellow ATS petrolheads?

I've been there from the start , as a kid I watched it in the late 70s when it was a local show about cars that I could afford to drive when I was old enough to get my licence , I loved the reboot when it started early 2000 and for the first 10 years it was one of the best shows on TV.

All good things come to an end and for Top Gear that was a few years ago , it had become repetitive and boring and so scripted it was no longer funny , I hope they let it die now and don't try to hobble on without Clarkson , I'm sure Dave will continue repeating it for the next decade so we can still get a fix of nostalgia.

A new show is needed with a new format and new presenters , perhaps less about car porn and more cars within the reach of real people.

originally posted by: CharlieSpeirs
There is a petition to get Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan) to host Top Gear in the future...

Love Alan Partridge, I'd start watching Top Gear again.

Coogan would be a good replacement,he has a passion for decent cars and is a funny guy too.
As long as they don't give the job to Stephen Fry(as rumoured) I will be happy to watch it.

The news mentioned that today the cops have asked for a report into the incident-took their sweet time didn't they?

a reply to: gortex

Doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of the show, if they do that?
Who wants to watch a program about a car that you have parked on the drive and could just drive yourself?

The program is for normal people who can't afford a Lamborghini or Ferrari and to let them dream a little.

And their antics gave us entertainment, who wants to watch a car show talking in-depth about cars? We would all just go down to the local dealership...

Also I'm sure there are car programs out there like that already, but nobody watches them.

originally posted by: paraphi

originally posted by: Shamrock6
@ Paraphi - why does it need a woman? I'm in favor of putting whomever is best suited to the job in the job. Why put a woman on for the sake of having a woman?

Indeed. Why not? Top Gear does not need a woman per se, but it may help the programme evolve, as trying to ape the current formulae with different people just won't work.

As the a rival for Top Gear being developed on another channel, that would be doubtful as I am sure the BBC have the rights over the format.

It could help, yes. Could hurt, too. I'm not saying the show should/shouldn't have a woman. If she brings something to the table and makes the show work, by all means. Your first comment sounded as if they should stick a woman on there "because."

BBC owns the rights to the show yea, but that would cover segments like "star in a reasonably priced car" and the like. BBC would have a hard time convincing a court that they owned the rights to "driving cars and being snarky on TV."

originally posted by: Silcone Synapse

originally posted by: CharlieSpeirs
There is a petition to get Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan) to host Top Gear in the future...

Love Alan Partridge, I'd start watching Top Gear again.

Coogan would be a good replacement,he has a passion for decent cars and is a funny guy too.
As long as they don't give the job to Stephen Fry(as rumoured) I will be happy to watch it.

The news mentioned that today the cops have asked for a report into the incident-took their sweet time didn't they?

I saw that. Pretty interesting that they've waited till now, especially as the "victim" didn't go to them at any point im aware of.

a reply to: Shamrock6

Clarkson is such a dick, I dunno how he's remain on the BBC for this long.

You don't go around being a complete douche bag and get away with it for that long, without some repercussions.

If he's that wonderful, Netflix will sign him to create an original show and spank the BBC.

~Tenth

a reply to: gortex

I can see your point, but I wouldn't be terribly interested in watching a show about how easy a ford taurus is to drive and park. Rather just go test drive one for myself to be honest.

Here's a thought and it might be stupid,but maybe they wanted rid of Jeremy and set the whole thing up since he is a bit of a hot head. No food at the end of the show and no snickers bar to stave off hunger. You are not yourself when you are hungry lol. Maybe his salary was getting too big, his contract up and he pissed off the wrong people, so they can get rid of him and get someone else in so they can pay them a lower amount. It all about squeezing every last ounce of money out a show. So the producer getting a fat lip saves them some money and creates hype for the next host.... Just a thought

a reply to: Shamrock6

I just read the news. R.I.P Top gear.

It doesn't matter what you think of the man, he made a ton of money for the BBC. Sure he was insufferable at times (if not all the time) but ten of millions of people tuned in to see him and his cohorts and I dare say that May and Hammond will walk away as well.

He got what he deserves... thankfully.
Great news

I have never seen this show so I come in as a completely neutral outside observer, but what doesn't make any sense to me is this: A million people signed a petition for a company to reinstate a seemingly foul tempered spoiled brat to his comfy well paid (and fun) job even though he was removed for actually punching someone in the face because the hotel they were at had no hot food?

A million people have no problem with that sort of behavior? Hey, there's no hot food, sucker punch the closest guy to you and people will cheer!

I'm sure he's very entertaining based on what I've read here and elsewhere. That's nice. Just rather disappointing to see people's reactions. And then they whine about the Kardashians and other wastes of airspace. Sorry, but you million (and similar ones in the US) created these self entitled idiots.

Although he definitely deserved punishment of some sort the BBC is "biting the hand that feeds the mouth" so to say...
Clarkson is just going to find another station to do a show on and likely the other two will follow. Top Gear wouldn't be the same without those three and the ratings would likely sink. IMHO the guy that got punched should have just pressed charges, filed a lawsuit, or heaven forbid, punched him back.

Although he definitely deserved punishment of some sort the BBC is "biting the hand that feeds the mouth" so to say...
Clarkson is just going to find another station to do a show on and likely the other two will follow. Top Gear wouldn't be the same without those three and the ratings would likely sink. IMHO the guy that got punched should have just pressed charges, filed a lawsuit, or heaven forbid, punched him back.