[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq1DZfUjvFo"]James May's Reaction To Jeremy Clarkson Being Sacked - 'Top Gear Presenters Come As Package' - YouTube[/ame]
^ just to poke the bear here, the above could construed as condoning workplace violence.
Physically assaulting a coworker should be an automatic 'do not pass Go; do not collect $200'. Like it or not; the actions of the participants really doesn't leave the BBC much wiggle room.
It's so interesting that people here can place any blame on the producer whatsoever. Clarkson thru a fit because he couldn't get a hot meal. Is he 5 years old or an adult, because 54 year old men shouldn't behave this way. Clarkson is a arrogant, self centered piece of carp. Don't get me wrong, I like this guy! He's talented, funny, sometimes charming and loved by millions. There in lies the problem. He has bought into the fact that his celebrity status has given him the right to act up, behave poorly and throw tantrums.
Clarkson, May and Hammond were a great team and made the show what it is. But it was also well produced. BBC put together an incredible team of the best producers, writers and editors, etc., to make these guys look good every week. Tymon was one these. He was a well respected BBC producers, not a lowly production assistant or Jeremy's personal whipping boy. What Clarkson did was wrong and he's suffering the consequences. Unfortunately, he may have sealed the deal for his co-hosts and the entire staff of TG. No doubt he'll land on his feet, doing what he does best, making a ton more money for some else. I'll certainly miss watching TG in its current configuration.
I spent 12 years as an agency producer and 7 years at a little company Universal Studios. I got to work with all kinds of '"celebrity types" and so called "movie stars"
on a regular basis. Most were easy to get along with, some a bit more of a challenge and others a total pain in the arse. At the end of the day, regardless of how difficult it was, we could shake hands and have a mutual respect for each other. That's what it's all about.
Yeah, it is good to see. Richard and James owe their success at least to a degree to Clarkson. So while they are collateral damage (at least for now), they wouldn't have been a part of a hugely popular show without Clarkson, who was huge in rebuilding the show.
I suspect we'll see the three again sooner rather than later. Hopefully new, improved, and without further boneheaded moves.
It wouldn't be top gear with Chris Harris. It would be more like Top Speed. What makes Top Gear so good is the chemistry between the three, all have good senses of humor in entirely different ways. I was surprised how much of a hit the show took when Hammond was off of it after the accident; part of it might have been the pall cast over the show itself from the accident itself, but still, even though I appreciate Clarkson's and May's sense of humor more than Hammond's, he really was sorely missed.
It will be extremely hard, if not impossible, to repeat that dynamic. Top Gear with different hosts I suspect will fail, just like the U.S. version did. I'd hate to see the show become a parody of itself; better to end it.
I agree the show more likely than not will be back. I disagree that this was to bring more attention and improve ratings; that might work in the middle of season, but basically to cancel three shows at the end of the season, not so much.
Clarkson also knows they need him more than he needs them. He can retire and spend his days counting his many, many bags of money. There would be no one stroking his ego, though, and I don't know how long he'd want to put up with that.
Clarkson will be fine. He's not the first celebrity to go off the deep end a bit..and come back with the vengeance. Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen and Robert Downey Jr. are just a few that come to mind.
If the BBC cancels the show and doesn't pony up and re-new his contract, there's at least a half a dozen if not more networks around the world that will give he wants, including creative control.
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