[Closed] Top Gear's Clarkson suspended by BBC

LOOK AT ME! I'm going round a 20metre wide corner on my bike sideways whilst nursing my distended stomach! 😀

But you might be able to understand it. Fatigue plays on people in different ways and proper fatigue, not just tiredness, really messes with both emotions and the ability to control them. Add to that a phenomenal amount of stress as alluded to above, health problems, possibly having to deal with someone who's a moron, and unfortunately you can see why he snapped.

I've no doubt he regrets it. And it needs to be dealt with appropriately. But appropriately also means sympathetically, if necessary.

and

Remove the 'Clarkson' issue from it and view the issue dispassionately, and you start seeing all sorts of things that would be questionable in a normal working environment

plus his dreadful marital situation and no doubt raging late-middle-age male hormone eruptions.

I'm actually feeling quite sorry for the bloke.

Bit of a J M Keynes moment, here...

Darcy - what's that, you want me to hide your boner? 😯

It's going to cost you at least a bottle of lambrini and a box of thorntons continental!

[b]In all seriousness though[/b] - Telegraph reporting that Chris Evans has ruled himself out of it on the radio this morning

So that's it then, New Top Gear, starring Miranda Hart...

Watching the 2009 episode last night reminded me why I get frustrated watching TG of late- JC is quite a clever and engaging bloke. Hes become more and more of a buffoon on screen almost like hes forcing a personality/not being 'him'. Yes hes always been alittle cutting but has the production team etc been looking for new ideas/scripting/pushing the direction more slapstick? On Dave....watch a few of the circa 4-7yr old shows (just use the reg plates as reference 8) ) and you'll see what I mean.

I'm not going forgive hora for calling the most gorgeous Lucy "a bloke in a wig"

You won't believe how gutted I truly am.

Sad.

Very Sad.

🙁

I thought I'd just chuck that into the thread as it's starting to repeat on itself 😆

I wonder how many hours Clarkson had worked that day? How much rest he had since the previous days work?

No doubt you have a great deal of experience in that line of work to be able to give a definitive view?

Has anyone actually asked the guy who got assaulted what he would like to happen? Somehow, i doubt it........

I believe he's quoted as "...just wanting to get on with his job and no interest in persecuting Clarkson..."

But like any employee being allegedly bullied at work, the Beeb have a duty to investigate it, and the alledged stress Clarkson was under which if he is fired, may come back to them as a lawsuit (if he can be bothered after a lucrative deal with Sky/Netflix/whomever).

Sacked....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11493270/Jeremy-Clarkson-to-be-sacked-by-the-BBC.html

No doubt you have a great deal of experience in that line of work to be able to give a definitive view?

You'd suggest if he was that knackered, hanging around in the pub keeping the helicopter waiting wasn't the best thing to do.

Chris Evans ruled himself out of it on the radio last week. Shame, he WOULD make me watch it again. 🙂

If I was knackered, I'd probably appreciate a bit of a break in a pub. Especially if the BBC was paying for the helicopter time.

You might also think that the bloke responsible for ensuring there was food sorted might warn them that he couldn't get the hotel to keep the kitchen open, and they might want to get some food at the pub, or on the way whilst they still had a big flying taxi available...

Has anyone actually asked the guy who got assaulted what he would like to happen? Somehow, i doubt it........

I expect he's been questioned, but (real question) would the "victim" normally be asked in the course of a workplace investigation what he'd like to see happen to the guy who punched him?

You might also think that the bloke responsible for ensuring there was food sorted might warn them that he couldn't get the hotel to keep the kitchen open, and they might want to get some food at the pub, or on the way whilst they still had a big flying taxi available...

Indeed. And it's perfectly reasonable to launch into a tirade culminating in punching him (if that's what actually happened) for such a transgression. Jesus wept, are workplaces just full of softies these days or what?

maxtorque - Member

Has anyone actually asked the guy who got assaulted what he would like to happen? Somehow, i doubt it........

2 things here... One is that the victim would be under a lot of pressure (whether intentionally applied or otherwise) to say "Nah it's fine", because of the damage that sacking him will inevitably cause. But the other is you don't just take action on things like this because of the last victim, you do it for the next.

would the "victim" normally be asked in the course of a workplace investigation what he'd like to see happen to the guy who punched him?

Yes.

Sacked....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11493270/Jeremy-Clarkson-to-be-sacked-by-the-BBC.html

Where does it say he is sacked by the BBC? 'to be' ❓

On another note- that electric Renault-thing. Its always parked behind the Beeb in Manchester and my son thinks its a climbing frame/for fun.

Clarksons tweeted that he still hasn't heard anything...

And of course I can't see them publically announcing his sacking prior to the outcome of any appeal process... Looks like the Telegraph may have gone off half cocked.

Indeed. And it's perfectly reasonable to launch into a tirade culminating in punching him (if that's what actually happened) for such a transgression.

I don't believe anyone here has suggested for one minute that it is.

Nah, they just haven't got the good grace to tell him before leaking it. It's the BBC way.

EDIT: And what interests me is that the Telegraph exclusive is bylined to its Crime Correspondent, Martin Evans.

you may well be right about that

I can the lawyers flocking overhead about breach of confidentiality and the fairness of any dismissal process!

Didn't the BBC get into trouble over this before, when they sacked their head of digital media by announcing it to the press before he had been sacked?

Edit: found it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28690004

Looks like the Telegraph may have gone off half cocked.

Typical UK print* journalism (*and bbc website reporting) - to try and look like you've got a scoop report the outcome, its 50:50 you'll get it wrong or right and you can use words like 'could be' or 'to be' under the banner (generic example) 'Pop Icon Malcom Peters charged with rape'.

First para:

today a Malcom Peters could be arrested and charged with rape.

Nah, there's enough detail in there to convince me it's not just a blind punt.

Often the 'is likely to be' stories are run by the Beeb because they have an embargoed press release sitting on their desk already.

maxtorque - Member

Has anyone actually asked the guy who got assaulted what he would like to happen? Somehow, i doubt it........

Northwind - Member

2 things here... One is that the victim would be under a lot of pressure (whether intentionally applied or otherwise) to say "Nah it's fine", because of the damage that sacking him will inevitably cause. But the other is you don't just take action on things like this because of the last victim, you do it for the next.

Assistant producer is basically a glorified runner/researcher/2nd assistant director. It's a general dogs body title given to long time crew members who have probably progressed from a runner but they have no power that you might associate with a producer. They often work much longer days than the "talent" and it can be a hard job. Clarkson punching him is akin to a bank manager punching the Polish woman who cleans the toilets. I'd imagine whatever he does Oisin Tymon's career is finished (or at least within Top Gear/BBC). He's probably trying to keep schtum in order to be seen to be professional in the hope that he can continue working.

I reckon he'll soon realise this is futile and write a book or do a big expose with the Sun or something.

Often the 'is likely to be' stories are run by the Beeb because they have an embargoed press release sitting on their desk already.

Thus that would put them straight inline again for a dismissal case against them?

I'd imagine whatever he does Oisin Tymon's career is finished (or at least within Top Gear/BBC).

Eh? Can't see why IMO. He may or may not have antagonised Jezza. Either way, I don't see how his career can be ended within the corridors of the Beeb or broadcasting in general.

Why? The most they would be doing is breaching an embargo and pissing off a press officer somewhere. Anyway, that's off topic, the only point I was making was that very often stories that read like blind guesswork are rooted in 100% certainty on the part of the reporter.

I'm just slightly interested in why this has come from their crime corrie.

But you might be able to understand it. Fatigue plays on people in different ways and proper fatigue, not just tiredness, really messes with both emotions and the ability to control them. Add to that a phenomenal amount of stress as alluded to above, health problems, possibly having to deal with someone who's a moron, and unfortunately you can see why he snapped.

Its great to see the understanding and sensitive side come out in Clarksons fans.However you let yourself down when you called the victim a moron.

I wonder how many hours Clarkson had worked that day? How much rest he had since the previous days work?

They were 4 hours [ or thereabouts] late as the three charming presenters got pissed in the pub. Hardly the definition of over worked or stressed.

Has anyone actually asked the guy who got assaulted what he would like to happen? Somehow, i doubt it........

I believe he's quoted as "...just wanting to get on with his job and no interest in persecuting Clarkson..."

You might also think that the bloke responsible for ensuring there was food sorted might warn them that he couldn't get the hotel to keep the kitchen open, and they might want to get some food at the pub, or on the way whilst they still had a big flying taxi available

Aye you might if you wanted to blame the victim. I have to be honest I never realised that kitchens in hotels actually close and I really would need this pointing out to me. I would further need someone to tell me what to do if I was hungry and needed sustenance. I know you want to "debate" but its not the victims fault the place shut and the pissed bloke abused him then hit him.
I am not sure why you are going to such efforts to "not" say that

I don't see why his career will finish. He'll just have to switch to amateur baking on BBC or gardening/makeover programmes that the Beeb seems to love doing nowadays.

ninfan

Yep, given the fact that senior BBC executives hava aparrently that he was suffering from 'increasingly erratic' behaviour due to issues in his private life, was in 'self destruct mode' and 'needed to go to rehab' then you could very easily argue that the BBC had failed in their duty of care to both him and the rest of the crew

JC isnt employed by the BBC he is a freelancer with a contract to work for the BBC, he isnt their employee. As a result then the BBC has no duty of care, the company that employs him does, which he probably runs

I don't see why his career will finish. He'll just have to switch to amateur baking on BBC or gardening/makeover programmes that the Beeb seems to love doing nowadays.

clarkson or the producer?

Then they can't dismiss or sack him...just chose not to renew his contract.

However it depends if he is classed as an employee for other program-output for the Beeb?

They were 4 hours [ or thereabouts] late as the three charming presenters got pissed in the pub. Hardly the definition of over worked or stressed.

Even if Clarkson had got pissed (and there appear to be witnesses who say otherwise) then it's clearly established that excessive drinking is one of the key recognised signs of employee stress...

employed by the BBC he is a freelancer with a contract to work for the BBC, he isnt their employee. As a result then the BBC has no duty of care, the company that employs him does, which he probably runs

Of course an employer can owe a duty of care to contractors employees, especially regards health and safety

pacemonkey

Eh? Can't see why IMO. He may or may not have antagonised Jezza. Either way, I don't see how his career can be ended within the corridors of the Beeb or broadcasting in general.

People won't look at it rationally (just read this thread) and see that a 6'4 drunken ego maniac lost the rag, racially abused, then assaulted him because he decided to get pissed after work and was three hours late. They'll see him as the guy who didn't think to order food in for Clarkson and cost the BBC it's cash cow. He'll be negatively stigmatised accordingly.

Furthermore since the bulk of his work for the last seven years appear to be Top Gear I think it's fair to say he works for Andy Wilman and Jeremy Clarkson as opposed to the BBC.

From what I read/heard. JC sat in the pub at 8 after filming. Didn't get back to his hotel/restaurant/pub that he was staying at till 10.

So unless he lined them up and went at the booze with a thirst I question how 'pissed' you can be in less than 2hours (not taking off travelling time in that).

I question how 'pissed' you can be in less than 2hours (not taking off travelling time in that).

JC isnt employed by the BBC he is a freelancer with a contract to work for the BBC, he isnt their employee. As a result then the BBC has no duty of care, the company that employs him does, which he probably runs

My understanding was that he was put on a standard BBC Talent contract by BBC Worldwide when the Beeb bought out the production company which owns the rights to Top Gear a few years back. So he's directly sackable.

Skill, practice and careful shot selection.

A lifetime of being a journo/on expenses at a bar will build up a prestigious alcohol tolerance.

Seemed like at least one of them had enough time

Asked what he knows about what happened, James [May] said: "Not very much, I was blind drunk. No further comment."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/jeremy-clarkson-suspended-james-admits-5314360

on video NSFW due to swearing iirc

EDIT: Apologies for bringing some facts to your debate 😉

A lifetime of being a journo/on expenses at a bar will build up a prestigious alcohol tolerance.

Reckon you should be on every inquiry Hora, a man will all the facts 😉

prestigious alcohol tolerance

Indeed, But he's only tolerant to Premier Cru champagne. Give him a half of Tetleys and he's pissed as a fart.

My understanding was that he was put on a standard BBC Talent contract by BBC Worldwide when the Beeb bought out the production company which owns the rights to Top Gear a few years back. So he's directly sackable

BBC talent contracts assume the use of personal service companies so the holders can work for other broadcasters and are not only allowed to work the for the BBC which a standard employment contract would.

Reckon you should be on every inquiry Hora, a man will all the facts

Why are you sat typing this in Ted Baker boxers?

Jesus wept, are workplaces just full of softies these days or what?

I have a friend who works in a corporate entity. And he tells me yes, anything approaching "emotive" is actively discouraged in face to face employee relations unless you are clapping the CEO's latest speech in the appropriate manner.

because they are comfy on my head.

BBC talent contracts assume the use of personal service companies so the holders can work for other broadcasters and are not only allowed to work the for the BBC which a standard employment contract would.

True, but in this case, there is no subsidiary company employing Clarkson to make Top Gear. The BBC owns the company, the rights, and employs Clarkson directly.

Sky have just called it. Via @skymarkwhite

Sacked by the Beeb.

Does it or does it contract with a PSC that Clarkson works through

Where?

http://news.sky.com/entertainment

'on the verge'?

BBC bought out Clarkson's stake in the company and signed a new separate contract with Clarkson. Well, that's my understanding anyhow, but the tax arrangements it was running in cahoots with its 'talent' were mindboggling in their complexity.

Sounds like they're going to take the sensible option and just let the contract run out at the end of the month.

I'm struggling to recall a swear word that begins with "k"- what is it that May has called him?

Come on, I think we're all skirting round the main issue here...
Bikebouys attraction to the man-thing Lucy, what the hell!

knob

k***

As a result then the BBC has no duty of care, the company that employs him does, which he probably runs

Nope they both do, if he indeed is contracted to them. Not that as it matters as he is employed by them.

knipples?

BBC bought out Clarkson's stake in the company and signed a new separate contract with Clarkson. Well, that's my understanding anyhow, but the tax arrangements it was running in cahoots with its 'talent' were mindboggling in their complexity.

Sounds like they're going to take the sensible option and just let the contract run out at the end of the month.

Doesn't that open them up to breach of contract over (what is reported to be) his Seperate contract with BBC Worldwide for the 'top gear live' shows etc. that are supposed to run till September?

(Cue noise of Lawyers eyes spinning around going kerching)

I think the BBC should use this opportunity to refresh Top Gear, it was getting stale anyway. get rid of Hammond and May as well ( or don't renew their contracts) and get in three new presenters - with the main man being J KAY

with the main man being J KAY

Oh. And you were doing so well!

he knows his cars, can drive, and is opinionated - i think it would work

Also he's a ****, so it's ideal.

This Jay Kay?

[img] [/img]

Yep, thats the one. I'd much rather watch him than the Chris Goffey and Tony Mason type

He's a charmer!

Not sure Top Gear would want someone so quick to the punch.

How about someone like that Moby chap from the Gadget Show?

Will "the other two" carry on with a Clarkson replacement or does the whole presentation team need replacing ? Perhaps they'll all just head off to a rival channel and just carry on.

Will "the other two" carry on with a Clarkson replacement or does the whole presentation team need replacing ?

The whole format will need to be changed. Can you imagine Matt Baker or some other safe option sitting down with the other two? It would be Jedward turning up to replace Mick Jagger at a Stones concert.

The other two have always said they wouldn't do the show without Jez.

Not a fan but maybe Patrick Kielty or Richard Bacon?

I'm just trying to think what I will get for my licence fee now that Top Gear is going. I can't think of anything else I watch on the BBC since Ripper Street is now on Amazon.

I'm just trying to think what I will get for my licence fee now that Top Gear is going. I can't think of anything else I watch on the BBC since Ripper Street is now on Amazon.

You'll get even less considering it makes them £50m a year.

I presume the remaining 3 shows of the current series won't be shown, unless the beeb do a massive u-turn?

"Not a fan but maybe Patrick Kielty or Richard Bacon?"

I've surprised myself by not being totally against the idea of Chris Evans... I don't think it's at all the worst idea in the world.

So I'm just off to drown myself in the river, I don't know what I've become...

Thinking about it, it's the only thing we watch live on the BBC now. It may well be time to cancel the license.

My main worry is if Evans does it they will give the brekkie show to that **** kielty.

Jeremy Clarkson != Mick Jagger

Chris Evans! FFS, they may as well just cancel it now instead of dragging it out.

Come on it's past it's sell by date. Let it go the way of the other dinosaurs.

Thinking about it, it's the only thing we watch live on the BBC now. It may well be time to cancel the license.

has to be live on any channel, not just the BBC

Come on it's past it's sell by date. Let it go the way of the other dinosaurs.

Well plenty of people around the world do not think its past it.

What will the BBC do when it looses all the revenue from TG?

They wont lose it all as the majority [ Radio 4 report not checked] of the money is for syndication - that is they take the format and do it themselves rather than just watching our version

Clearly, much as I hate it, is popular here and abroad so its not past it for many people