Top Gear is Dead

[Kirkendall 1st MRB]

OK, it's not officially dead yet, the BBC has just sacked Clarkson.

Article

As stated it's unclear whether Captain Slow and the Hamster will continue without him. Chris Evans ruled himself out as the replacement (thank God) but is there someone who could fill Clarkson's shoes? It ain't exactly international politics, but this is one of the most internationally renowned shows at stake.

What do you think the next steps are? Should Clarkson have been sacked or the assault overlooked?

[Jankovski]

Honestly this was destined to happen. I think it would be best to just shut down Top Gear. Nobody can fill Clarkson's shoes but also Top Gear was getting boring in every new season it became a typical show with alot of graphic make up.

[J. Anderson 1st MRB]

This is really a sad day for people who liked the series. And i do not think Hammond nor May will continue the series. No Clarkson, no Top gear. While we have no idea what happened to cause Jeremy to get fired. Some claim he punched a producer, some say something else. I personally really liked Top gear so this is pretty sad.

[Parker 1st MRB]

As stated it's unclear whether Captain Slow and the Hamster will continue without him. Chris Evans ruled himself out as the replacement (thank God) but is there someone who could fill Clarkson's shoes? It ain't exactly international politics, but this is one of the most internationally renowned shows at stake.

I doubt May and Hammond will do the show without him. May has been quoted saying "the three of us are a package" and when asked about who Clarkson's replacement will be he stated "much as I think he's a nob, I quite like working with Jeremy". It's all in the video below.

I think they'll all leave and go start another show with another network.

[Griswold]

I think they'll all leave and go start another show with another network.

And it'll have blackjack and hookers!

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

Rumor has it Netflix has contacted Clarkson about a potential Car show. You would think if he signs on he will bring May and Hammond with him.

[Barry 1st MRB]

No one would be able to replace any of them especially Clarkson.

The fact they refused to film the last couple of episodes without him proves that they are in it together.

If he gets something on Netflix or another show I bet they will gladly join him.

Also one of my favorite videos

[Parker 1st MRB]

Rumor has it Netflix has contacted Clarkson about a potential Car show. You would think if he signs on he will bring May and Hammond with him.

[Kirkendall 1st MRB]

The Chilean flag is a nice touch there. They did flee to Chile after that whole Argentina debacle. Plus those two countries don't always see eye-to-eye.

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

Netflix did release a statement saying that right now they are keeping their distance until the whole ordeal is sorted out.

[Kirkendall 1st MRB]

The story, as I understand it: Clarkson was with a film crew in northern England filming a challenge of some sort for Top Gear. Clarkson had been drinking earlier, and had not eaten anything, so he had become quite drunk. He ordered the producer in question to get him a steak from the hotel room service. The problem then became that the hotel stopped serving food after a certain time. Clarkson became upset, berating the producer verbally. He threatened his job, and hurled insults and him as well as other crew members. He punched the producer, who offered no resistance and did not return any aggression. As I understand it, the producer sought medical attention from a local clinic for minor injuries sustained. Clarkson done very bad. After the incident, Clarkson apologized to the producer repeatedly over phone, email, and text. He filed the incident report himself, admitting to the whole thing, which the investigator found no lies. As far as I can tell, the producer who was the victim of Clarkson's tirade and attack holds no bitterness about it. If it were the American legal system, he did not wish to seek charges. After the investigator filed his report, the BBC terminated Clarkson. Last I heard, the police were looking to file charges.

I don't want to sound too protective of Top Gear, because I thought that show was stellar, but I think the BBC shot themselves in the foot.

Clarkson is an ass. I don't think you'll find a person who denies that. His now two ex-wives will probably agree too. But there's a number of celebrities who are assholes, and a great number who are assholes more famous than Clarkson. Why make a statement now about Clarkson? Yes, he committed assault. In the technically correct kind of way. I'm not justifying the assault in like it didn't matter, but it sounded pretty open/close book to me. Again, not justifying the assault but he just lost a lot of stuff: mom died, wife left him, probably some significant assets as well.

Again, Clarkson done bad. Done very bad. Clearly he needs anger management. Clearly he needed some level of punishment. And yea, if it were any other job, someone punching a coworker during a drunken tirade would result in termination. All I'm saying is the BBC has tolerated him doing a lot of other stuff that could be deemed worse, why is this one the cutting point? He punched Piers Morgan when he was sober, but let's disregard that because Piers Morgan is an asshole? The BBC ignored the pedophilia charges they had leveled against them, so they're trying to make a statement with Clarkson?

I don't know, and again: I'm subjective. Top Gear was amazing. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard as watching some of those episodes. I know it was around before Clarkson, Hammond, and May, but it never got the level of entertainment it has now. I'll bet the BBC will try to continue the series with new presenters. Netflix or someone else will pick up the old Top Gear trio when this has settled out a bit. Most people I've read responses all seem to agree that this was a mistake by the BBC. As May stated, it ought to have been a small incident and turned into something big.

Until they're back on the air, I guess I'll have to watch the American Top Gear. Wait is that even on the air still? My TV shuts off when I tune it to that and I honestly don't know the difference between my TV being off and that show being on.

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

Until they're back on the air, I guess I'll have to watch the American Top Gear.

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

Looks like they have found some networks willing to give them a new show Good News! What?