Jeremy Clarkson

[Benno]

I saw the One Show and was more embarrased for him than anything else, especially when he made the comments about people comitting suicide by jumping in front of trains. I think that Jeremy is overplaying the "Clarkson" character a little bit. Everyone now expects him to say something controversial and on an early evening family programme screened at 19.00 his comments were a little over the top.
I'm still looking forward to the next series of Top Gear though

 

[anthony263]

I realised a long time ago that Clarkson is a "brand".

He acts like that because it makes him stand out from other presenters and journalists, gets him publicity, and makes him a lot of money. One measure of his success is that he is recognisable by his surname alone. The word "Clarkson" has almost become an adjective; if it ever becomes a noun then he really will have succeeded!

I've lost count of the number of times that he will say something controversial on the first episode of a new series of Top Gear, then sit back and ride the wave of free publicity as people fall over themselves to be offended, and watch the ratings skyrocket.

I've never met him so I have no idea what he is like in real life when he is not acting in "brand" mode.

I agree with your comments, I wonder is there a new series of top gear due to start soon or has clarkson got a new dvd to be released in time for christmas.

I have his books which I do find funny.

The only point i didnt like was his comments on suicides, but I had a feeling he was going to say someone when I saw in on the 1 show.

A few people have said Clarkson is a nice decent man when he is not acting

 

[jon0844]

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/...-to-clarkson-reaction-reactions-201112014617/



At this time of year, the BBC will be promoting loads of BBC related shows and material (such as DVDs they produce, toys etc). I am sure they knew, and expected, Jeremy to say something controversial - although perhaps he went a bit too far for the time of day.

As with every year before it, you'll see them talking about how the latest BBC-licensed toy(s) are in huge demand and about to sell out, complete with shots of kids talking about how much they want them, so parents rush out and make the prophecy come true.

Who says the BBC doesn't do advertising? (and, I am not talking about when you view the BBC from outside the UK!).

 

[Ferret]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/uk-15977813 Predictable over-reaction from one of the Unions. Yes, the comments were silly, but any fool can figure out they were said for effect in an attempt at self-publicity. For Unison to then want to involve the Police beggars belief, and only gives people who would argue that Unions are out of touch some obvious ammunition! Now, where is that facepalm emoticon?

 

[BlythPower]

Surely the simplest solution is to shoot Clarkson..? :?

 

[Badger]

Hmm, well they did make a big point of getting three kids on to dismiss his opinions as the worst opinions... in the world.

 

[DarloRich]

I realised a long time ago that Clarkson is a "brand".

He acts like that because it makes him stand out from other presenters and journalists, gets him publicity, and makes him a lot of money. One measure of his success is that he is recognisable by his surname alone. The word "Clarkson" has almost become an adjective; if it ever becomes a noun then he really will have succeeded!

I've lost count of the number of times that he will say something controversial on the first episode of a new series of Top Gear, then sit back and ride the wave of free publicity as people fall over themselves to be offended, and watch the ratings skyrocket.

I've never met him so I have no idea what he is like in real life when he is not acting in "brand" mode.

100% correct - it is all a developed persona!

 

[Lampshade]

100% correct - it is all a developed persona!

Agreed. They should be thankful they didn't invite 'in-character' Al Murray on

 

[DarloRich]

i just dont understand how people dont understand this! The problem he has now is that people start to expect a controversial comment everytime he appears on something

 

[table38]

I thought I'd just post this here as it seemed unfair that anyone who didn't see the One Show hadn't got the chance to be offended and go out and buy his new DVD. In fact it really is so offensive please mail it to all of your friends and family so that they can see for themselves the offensive drivel - signed Jeremy Clarson's Agent

[youtube]NuuDnqSPnhA[/youtube]

Personally I'm so offended that I shall never buy a Jeremy Clarkson DVD again, and certainly not his latest one "Clarkson - Powered Up" where he tries to find his favourite car of the year amongst a pair of Ferraris... the V12, 6.3 litre FF and the 458, and McLaren’s MP4-12C, the latest gizmo-laden Nissan GTR, Porsche's GT2 RS, the 570-horsepower Lamborghini Performante and the built-for-fun BMW 1M. A bargain at £8.99 and an ideal Christmas present.

(who says satire is dead )

PS: looks like the plan worked:

Clarkson's tirade on the BBC One programme sparked instant condemnation and admiration from viewers posting messages on Twitter.

At one point, the phrase “Jeremy Clarkson” was the highest “trending” topic on the micro-blogging site and the fourth most popular issue worldwide.

Kerching!

 

[AlterEgo]

Hmm, well they did make a big point of getting three kids on to dismiss his opinions as the worst opinions... in the world.

Wasn't it in the universe?

Cringeworthy.

 

[jon0844]

Can't believe he has actually been made to apologise, or that almost 5000 people complained!

 

[GB]

Can't believe he has actually been made to apologise, or that almost 5000 people complained!

If you offended someone would you not apologize or is it because he is a celebrity common decency doesn't apply to him?

 

[Butts]

If you offended someone would you not apologize or is it because he is a celebrity common decency doesn't apply to him?

He won't give a toss as he will be laughing all the way to the bank - as will the BBC who Top Gear makes a fortune for in overseas sales

Can you imagine Michael Winner and Jeremy Clarkson together - that would make for an interesting encounter

 

[Minilad]

Can't believe he has actually been made to apologise, or that almost 5000 people complained!

I do think this will be like the Russell Brand / Jonathon Ross and Andy Gray / Richard Keys situation where most people who were complaining didn't actually see or hear the original thing they were complaining about

 

[table38]

An apology of sorts...

I didn’t for a moment intend these remarks to be taken seriously – as I believe is clear if they’re seen in context. If the BBC and I have caused any offence, I’m quite happy to apologise for it alongside them.

 

[Lampshade]

I do think this will be like the Russell Brand / Jonathon Ross and Andy Gray / Richard Keys situation where most people who were complaining didn't actually see or hear the original thing they were complaining about

Made worse by the Daily Mail etc and reactionary morons on Youtube only showing half the video clip :roll:

 

[richw]

Also don't forget as well as saying strikers should be shot, in the same interview he said he agreed with it because it meant there was no traffic on the road yesterday.

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

 

[Barton Keyes]

He's a smug, obnoxious buffoon. Just because he says it's a joke doesn't make it funny. Not long ago he said on Top Gear that 'driving this car is more dangerous than going to Somalia wearing a suit made of food.' Cue sycophantic sniggering from an audience who think it's fine to laugh at people who are starving.

 

[Badger]

Whoah whoa whoah, I think there's been a misunderstanding over his quotes!

"I think they have been fantastic. Absolutely. London today has just been empty. Everybody stayed at home, you can whizz about, restaurants are empty," he said. "It's also like being back in the 70s. It makes me feel at home somehow," said the Top Gear presenter, before adding: "But we have to balance this though, because this is the BBC. Frankly, I'd have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families. I mean, how dare they go on strike when they have these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us have to work for a living?"

I mean, it doesn't excuse anything, but come on, the first bit is important context as it's the whole point of why he said the second bit. He was saying he's happy BUT has to keep it balanced so blow them up.

Context is everything.

 

[Darandio]

Not long ago he said on Top Gear that 'driving this car is more dangerous than going to Somalia wearing a suit made of food.'

Really?

Not sure I remember that one. Any links/reference?

Ah, may have been the Sudan reference.

 

[Tracky]

Whoah whoa whoah, I think there's been a misunderstanding over his quotes!

"I think they have been fantastic. Absolutely. London today has just been empty. Everybody stayed at home, you can whizz about, restaurants are empty," he said. "It's also like being back in the 70s. It makes me feel at home somehow," said the Top Gear presenter, before adding: "But we have to balance this though, because this is the BBC. Frankly, I'd have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families. I mean, how dare they go on strike when they have these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us have to work for a living?"

And the Unison woman calling it "incitement to hatred", "extremist" and "frightening" is just daft. I mean does she really believe anybody will pick up a gun on Clarksons say so!

Also, if you go on strike you have to put up with negutive press. Office workers didnt rally round our drivers when they walked out. I think they called them overpaid and completly missed the point of the argument...

 

[Barton Keyes]

Really?

Not sure I remember that one. Any links/reference?

Ah, may have been the Sudan reference.

Yes, it may have been Sudan. Leaves a bad taste either way.

 

[Oswyntail]

Clarkson is a buffoon, who makes a living out of saying things to wind people up. The union leaders who are reacting are po-faced buffoons who make a living out of being wound up. Both are caricatures, and both are behaving just as we expect them to. Clarkson is right to apologise (if you can call it that), because he went a tad too far (and certainly wasn't funny at all). But utter non-story.
[I do love the unions attempt to portray it as an official Conservative statement because Clarkson is a "close friend of Cameron, who was his guest once". That is equally overstepping the mark, and requires an apology]

 

[Badger]

The thing that gets me is he'd make a living if he didn't say things to wind people up. It will be interesting to see which performs more, the top gear or clarkson dvd, as they've split it up (clarkson has one dvd, may and hammond have another). If may and hammond do well perhaps they should rethink the importance of clarkson's jokes to the show.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I do love the unions attempt to portray it as an official Conservative statement because Clarkson is a "close friend of Cameron, who was his guest once". That is equally overstepping the mark, and requires an apology

Does this mean that I am a "close personal friend of anyone who has once invited me to an event", as happened when I once received an invitation to an event from Christine Hamilton to a book launch?..... I very much doubt it.

 

[Badger]

Hey, everyone was quick to say the same about the newspaper editors. Look! They invited them to Chequers! They must be close associates.

 

[Temple Meads]

He's a smug, obnoxious buffoon. Just because he says it's a joke doesn't make it funny. Not long ago he said on Top Gear that 'driving this car is more dangerous than going to Somalia wearing a suit made of food.' Cue sycophantic sniggering from an audience who think it's fine to laugh at people who are starving.

But then who says it's not, everyone's got different taste and humour thresholds, personally mine is quite high, and I had a small chortle at that one at the time, but I've donated to OXFAM and Sport Relief, at the end of day yes plenty of his jokes are borderline acceptable, but most of us have mates/family who make ill advised jokes, we don't lambast them, so we shouldn't to old Jezza.

I apologise if I've opened a can of worms..

 

[Greenback]

I do think that the words Clarkson and buffoon go very well together. With apologies to all the other Clarkson's who are not Jeremy!

 

[SS4]

But then who says it's not, everyone's got different taste and humour thresholds, personally mine is quite high, and I had a small chortle at that one at the time, but I've donated to OXFAM and Sport Relief, at the end of day yes plenty of his jokes are borderline acceptable, but most of us have mates/family who make ill advised jokes, we don't lambast them, so we shouldn't to old Jezza.

I apologise if I've opened a can of worms..

Saying it to your mates down the pub or at home is hardly the same as saying it on national tv though.