Clarkson Suspended by BBC

[csv8]

"Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended by the BBC "following a fracas" with a producer.

The corporation said the 54-year-old presenter had been suspended "pending an investigation".

"No one else has been suspended. Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday," it said.

Clarkson was given what he called his "final warning" last May after claims he used a racist word while filming the popular BBC motoring show.

At the time, he said the BBC had told him he would be sacked if he made "one more offensive remark, anywhere, at any time".

The BBC gave no further details on the current incident involving Clarkson, and said it would not be making any further statements at this time.

Clarkson's representatives have yet to reply to requests for a comment.

The presenter himself has remained silent, however last month he tweeted a post saying a "new presenter for Top Gear" was wanted.

"Applicant should be old, badly dressed and pedantic but capable of getting to work on time," he said.
Top Gear

This weekend's episode of Top Gear was set to feature Clarkson - who has fronted the show since 2002 - along with regular co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May at a classic track day.

Former footballer and pundit Gary Lineker was also to appear as the "star in a reasonably priced car".

Former Top Gear presenter Chris Goffey told BBC Radio 5 live while discussions on the programme sometimes became heated when he worked on the show, "it must have been something fairly serious behind the scenes to warrant his immediate suspension.

"I can't think what the hell's gone on, but there you go. When you've got a very strong character who likes things his own way, if somebody stands up to him, there's going to be a row."

Clarkson has courted controversy on several occasions during his time hosting Top Gear.
Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond in the Top Gear Burma special Top Gear was censured by Ofcom for using a "racial" term in its Burma special programme

The show's executive producer, Andy Wilman, described last year as "an annus horribilis" for the programme.

It followed an incident in Argentina where the presenters and crew were forced to flee the country after trouble erupted over a number plate reading H982 FLK - which some suggested referred to the Falklands conflict of 1982.

Last year the show was also censured by Ofcom for breaching broadcasting rules after Clarkson used a derogatory word for Asian people during its Burma special programme.
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TV critic Toby Earle told the BBC he was not surprised at Clarkson's suspension. "This incident is the one that's really forced management to take action," he said.

"Part of the show's appeal, to many viewers, has been it's sort of edginess and the fact that it's rough around the edges - in some ways takes no prisoners.

"But of course there is a very delicate line to tread with that, and it has crossed that line I feel."

But the TV Times' Mary Evans said she did not think it was the end of the road for the presenter: "He is what he is, like him or loathe him.

"He knows who he is and he knows what he wants to say. Top Gear obviously existed before him, and it wasn't the phenomenon that it is now. So obviously it has something to do with his personal charisma and his fanbase.

"I can't see this will be it for Clarkson, I really can't. But I think he's probably slightly overdue a slap on the wrist," she told the BBC."
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31824040

[Vesper Martini]

This comment:
He is what he is, like him or loathe him.

How many of you have one of these Characters in your workplace?
the company will never sack them as they are critical to the business

[Ibanezteve]

I heard it was because he punched a producer on set.

[UKXR8]

Sounds like he took a swing at one of his BBC "zampolits".

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-producer.html

[Craig@AUDI]

Ooooops!

Oh well plenty of re runs on Foxtel if he does sadly get the flick, which I doubt.

[ZedTee]

His humour along with Hammond and May make the show what it is. Without him the show would be stuffed. Just like two and a half men, Charlie Sheen played up flat out, He wasn't the only funny man on there but without him the others don't seem so funny now, the humour changed. The show was really good until they sacked him, I reckon it went downhill fast, Its not even on tele much anymore. I feel Top Gear will go the same way without Clarkson.

[Franco Cozzo]

Without him the show is gone, I won't be watching.

[cheap]

I get the impression that the BBC (much like our ABC) is infested with nancy-girlie-boys types, the self righteous trendy left wingers, who cower behind political correctness.

If I were Clarkson, May and Hammond I'd walk away from the BBC and let the BBC fill the void with re-runs of Eurovision

[cs123]

Originally Posted by cheap

I get the impression that the BBC (much like our ABC) is infested with nancy-girlie-boys types, the self righteous trendy left wingers, who cower behind political correctness.

If I were Clarkson, May and Hammond I'd walk away from the BBC and let the BBC fill the void with re-runs of Eurovision

He hit the assistant producer. Nothing to do with political correctness.

[brismike]

I'm sure the three of them could walk and go to another network. Change the name to something slightly different like "I am God and I drive a car"?

Cheers Mike

[Vesper Martini]

To go away from The BBC would be a pay cut.

[galaxy xr8]

Who hasn’t though at some point in their career wanted to sock their boss ?, lol......

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by brismike

I'm sure the three of them could walk and go to another network. Change the name to something slightly different like "I am God and I drive a car"?

Cheers Mike

"First Gear" or "Sixth Gear"

[FPV GTHO]

I usually don't care about some of the nonsense that involves Clarkson not being politically correct, but I can see the big issue here. On top of that yes not just a host, he's a producer himself so really should have set a better example.

[Cymrucaveman]

Clarkson already left Top Gear once in 2001 and the show died a quick and horrible death, leaving us with a "Fifth Gear" nasty reminder.

I can see both ITV and SKY bidding large sums to get the program/ all three of the presenters and from alot of accounts the BBC was stifling some of the things Clarkson and Co wanted to do. Only a matter of time he either gets reinstated or the program goes elsewhere.

[cram_it_frog]

I really do not know how he still does all the stuff he does in cars at his age his body is not as flexible and nimble as a younger person

doing all those burn outs and road trips as a example the one where they drove trucks into brick wall , water bottle and a shed must have hurt

yes he is possibly one of the most annoying on people on TV and they do work good but time to move on with new people and may be a new direction ,

they have had a fantastic run but how much longer can it go

[Franco Cozzo]

The only good other Top Gear show has been the US variant, they're pretty good they do some sort of challenge every episode.

[rancidpunx]

Didn't Clarkson off load his shares in the Top Gear brand last year? Maybe he is planning on retiring already as the writing been on the wall for a few years. The BBC are making life very difficult for the show to film what it wants and there is constant backlash for the little they do get away with. The show has always been controversial and embraced that early on with the "Dear So Called Top Gear" letters they would read out. Maybe he is just looking to go out in the spot light. There is also the Live show tour coming up which will be getting big publicity out of this or has he got something else up his sleeve.

[paulb351]

Other media reports suggest that after a day of filming Clarkson lost it on finding out that there was no catering on offer for him and went postal on a producer...

[paulb351]

Originally Posted by rancidpunx

Didn't Clarkson off load his shares in the Top Gear brand last year? Maybe he is planning on retiring already as the writing been on the wall for a few years. The BBC are making life very difficult for the show to film what it wants and there is constant backlash for the little they do get away with. The show has always been controversial and embraced that early on with the "Dear So Called Top Gear" letters they would read out. Maybe he is just looking to go out in the spot light. There is also the Live show tour coming up which will be getting big publicity out of this or has he got something else up his sleeve.

I heard on the radio on the drive into work this morning the Add for the Top Gear Festival with Clarkson doing the voice over "for the first time all three of us will be there..." about 5 minutes after the news article reporting his suspension. Irony writ large...

I understood that BBC owns the rights to the format and is paid a licensing fees for the non-TV stuff done in addition to the show so unravelling that mess would be a challenge...

[CoupeKing]

The other two have their own show's. If they all walk-out together, sure they'd cop a pay cut, but so will the producers. Maybe the show was coming towards an end?

If Clarkson does leave I hope he takes over from 'Louis Theroux' and hosts his show! Ohhh that would make some great entertainment.

[The Yeti]

I used to watch the show religiously but I've been over the show for a while

Is it still the ratings success it was 5 years ago? or just a cult market now?

[cs123]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

I used to watch the show religiously but I've been over the show for a while

Is it still the ratings success it was 5 years ago? or just a cult market now?

I'm the same and Clarkson is one of the reasons I don't really watch it any more.

I can't believe people defending him or marking excuses for his behaviour. If what is reported is true how can BBC keep him on.

[Polyal]

Im sure people are not putting a TV show before decency are they?

[xxx000]

Originally Posted by cs123

I'm the same and Clarkson is one of the reasons I don't really watch it any more.

I can't believe people defending him or marking excuses for his behaviour. If what is reported is true how can BBC keep him on.

Spot on
he was funny for a while
now he's arrogant and predictable
nobody is too good to lose

[Wretched]

I enjoy watching the three of them on the show, and if it were to be the show without one of them then I don't know if I could watch it. It is just pure entertainment, better than some of the rubbish around right now.
In saying that no one is above the law or should carry on like an idiot just because of their celebrity status. If he's done what he has been accused of then he'll have to deal with the consequences.

[aussiblue]

He always comes across as an egotistical bully; this is just confirmation. I wonder what will happen if the assault victim presses charges.

[ebv8]

i think the producer will go before he does.
as much as people hate him he is "mr top gear"

have to say the current season is rubbish to the point i'm not fussed it i watch it or not
just like all my other fav "online" car shows seem to be going commercial and crap

[aussiblue]

Hmmm http://www.topgear.com/uk/jeremy-cla...umn-2012-07-17

Clarkson on violence:

So, there we are. Violence. I loathe it. I'm frightened of it. I wish the human knuckle was made from kapok. But sometimes? Hmmm.

[snowcone]

He is what he is and he has made the show.
Most of the world is populated by limp noodled, politically correct, mummies boys.
I have been involved in fisticuffs at work and seen plenty of others too, but you never took it to management. You took it and handled it like a man and at the end of the day you either hated the other guy or had a beer with him, but you got on with work and live no matter what.
Anyone gets a slight shove at work now goes straight to the boss, gets a pass to see a doctor and a shrink, spends 6 months on stress leave and the other guy gets sacked. What a crock these days.
Harden up for Christs sake.
That producer should have done his job right and that fact that he didn't so he got a clip around the ears or what, big wimp that he is.