What was it ? 350 million people throughout the world watch “Top Gear”. That’s that show about motor cars , helmed by a group of super-annuated schoolboys, enthralled by car-pornography. The world-wide love of metal machinery and its fanatical adherents . 350 million of the beggars!! I really must be missing something.Somehow , I really don’t think I am, though.
Throughout the world ,ancient monuments are being torn asunder by philistines, wars are raging. In Norneverland there is yet another crises of government…Crisis …? What crisis? ….and for two days the main news story has focused on Jeremy Clarkson, apparently the indispensable leader of this television trio.Mr Clarkson has by all accounts been in a fracas with his producer ,over lunch or possibly about his lunch, so himself and his television show have been suspended from active duty. No one likes to come out and actually say that someone has been fighting ,or actually exchanging blood and bone blows in a tussle of fisticuffs and bad -temper ,with producer Oisin Tymon., but it certainly seems that way.
If you or I were caught at same while at work …we’d simply be gone …..no question. It seems that Mr. Clarkson used some racist expletives before smacking his Irish producer in the face , rendering said producer, hospital -bound with a split lip and blood freely flowing.Strong drink had previously been taken, by all accounts and the end result was that Clarkson’s case of the “munchies” and subsequent exhortations for hot food were not met with enough compliant obsequiousness from all concerned . Clarkson has some past form with his errant behaviour, but that is supposedly part of his “charm” in an overtly politically- correct world and a great part of his popularity. It all appears to have gone to his head and made him feel licensed to do anything he so desired.
Then , again there’s a lot of money at stake, too. This programme obviously makes a lot of hay for the BBC so they are probably in a financial bind as to how to proceed. If they sack Carkson outright, they’ll lose a prize cash -cow to some other Channel like SKY, but if they don’t do something radical with him, they could find themselves inside another scandal of Jimmy Savile proportions. Clarkson has some previous form with bad behaviour .
Some 500.000 people have already signed a petition to save Clarkson’s job. Well that’s well and good if he is an innocent party , but what if he’s just a bad-tempered boor who thinks that his popularity allows him free rein to do whatever he likes? Is that what these 500,000 people really want?
This is all of such national and international importance that even the Prime Minister of the UK , Mr Cameron, has weighed in with his view …”Because he is such a huge talent and he amuses and entertains so many people, including my children, who’d be heartbroken if Top Gear was taken off air, I hope this can be sorted out, because it’s a great programme and he’s a great talent.”
Really?….It’s a programme about cars, for Chrissakes!! Mr. Cameron is only one of many who need to get a little perspective.
Strange that the ones who fulminate about ‘law and order’ are often the ones who rush to the defence of ‘their own’ when they ‘allegedly’ transgress.
Yes , Brian .That’s exactly what occurred to me …there’s a lot of that about at the moment….
As someone with a life long interest in vehicles,I can tell you that ordinary motoring and vintage and classic enthusiasts have no time for Clarkson or “.top gear ” at all.It involves public schoolboys swanning around in high end cars which the vast majority of “petrol heads” would have no affinity with at all. Genuine enthusiasts spend their time restoring and repairing their own vehicles which are in a much more modest price bracket.Clarkson and co inhabit a totally different planet and I would guess that the 350 million who watch them worldwide really know very little about things mechanical at all.
Jeremy may give the impression of being a right wing, rich kid, private schooled, spoilt brat, buffoon who relishes behaving like a lad on a stag do but just maybe he is not that shallow! Then again……..!
Apparently ‘the lads’ had been on a bender for 2 hours or so – meanwhile the BBC helicopter had been waiting around that time to collect them. I’d imagine that’d cost more than a steak prepared to Jeremy’s liking. Many witnesses in the pub (from the area or thereabouts), have attested to J.C.’s ‘boorish’ behaviour. A dearth of signatories for his re-instatement didn’t.
As for ‘Camerloon’ – well, they are neighbours, move in the same social circles (including a former NoW Executive) – so i couldn’t give a rat’s arse what he and his family say.
As for Clarkson – i disliked him enough as it was – but that’s gone well beyond the pale, with his “You Irish C**t”, and the punch that followed.
By the way Jude – You did the best you could on Prime Time. It’s obvious the savages have been unleashed. Upon entering my IT e-mail a couple or so days ago – there was Collins’ byline. Exited the e-mail straight away. There’s a part of me by the way, that thinks this ‘new revelation’ has been held back – just as seemingly upward growth (for who, by the way) – and the Water Bills just about to start dropping through many a letterbox are about to start. Call me suspicious, but…
Apologies to your good self, paddykool and your excellent new blogger (many, many apologies, her name escapes me at this moment), for my less than usual input. Often during blogs that i’ve very much wanted to add a voice. – The health is just not improving, and from the turn of the New Year, it’s been one hell of a battle with physical pain etc.
May i wish all of yourselves – and those who contribute to this wonderful blog – dea-shlainte (neill – good health).
Many thanks for your input John.We can only hope that we are keeping yourself and the other readers entertained in some small way.Take care.
Ohh indeed you all do pk (hope you don’t mind the abbreviation!) – I can honestly say that i haven’t come across a better, informative – and with the addition of the esteemed Perkin, a funnier blog (the way he has with words astounds me!). I just wish i’d been able to contribute a bit more this year – but as i mentioned, the health has got in the way.
I was going to make this reply a little longer – the topic of music passed my way by way of a regular music e-mail i get from The Guardian the other day – and i thought of you – and a piece i’d written (mainly about Punk, and a band called Crass, last year) – though my music tastes were spread from the age of 15 – buying Reggae, Roxy, Blues – managing in the intervening years to amass 2,000+ vinyls (including every Bowie album – first pressings (with the RCA Victor label, rather than the multiple RCA International re-pressings) – bought in 2nd hand shops for usually £2, trying not to sweat or hand the money over with shaky hands, lest i give the game away. All in mint condition and some U.S. / Greek / German one’s too. Also some 2,500 CD’s. – That through trial and tribulations, moves, a split-up that saw me couch surfing and all the worst that can prevail after that – Thankfully 2 very close friends came over from Lancashire and stored them for 5 years. One week after St.Patrick’s Day six years ago, they returned, along with some other items and memorabilia etc. (Re: You not liking St.P’s Day – I’m the same. I’ll be thinking throughout the day of my Mother)
On a much more good luck tale of someone who ‘beat the C’ – and a band you previously mentioned – and of around a thousand gigs i’ve been to see since a teenager, and including a fair previous stint as a Stagebuilder, lighting & sound tech over here – one band i so, so wish i’d seen – as you did – was Dr.Feelgood.
So the time just seemed right for a Feelgood story (see what i did there) – regarding the inimitable Wilko Johnson…..
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/12/julien-temple-wilko-johnson-sxsw-medieval-saint?CMP=ema_861
That’s a lovely piece about Wilko , John and it was truly beautiful that he leapt from the jaws of imminent death .That was a heartsome moment . The “Oil City ” doc was really well done so I hope this new film equals it . Wilko is surely a one -off and i hope to see him and his band one more time.. I see Clive James, the writer, is also going through a prolonged goodbye too..much to his elation and equal embarrassment. Having told all his mates, a couple of years ago,that he’d be gone soon, having also been afflicted with cancer ..he’s still clinging on to the wreckage of life. I suppose it’s all that any of us can do . keep clinging , John..
There’s so much i want to put in a reply to your good self. I’ll just say that i’m glad i sent the link – what you said is very true about ‘Oil City’ – I’m sure the follow up will be to an equally high standard. I’d heard about Clive (such enjoyment my parents & i had from his documentaries & exploits) – We can only wish and hope he leaves (when fate decides), with minimal pain – and no doubt, being the man he is – some words that will leave us smiling, and thinking.
Thank You so very, very much for your kind words. Very Much Appreciated Indeed. You’re a true Gentleman of the highest degree.
Aw shucks, John …you’re making me blush!!!!
Aw Shucks!! That wasn’t the intention – It was just an honest opinion.
To complete the trio of subjects we’ve been discussing – The numpty on your blog heading, the wonderful Wilko Johnson – and then, amazingly, within these few days – this interview on Channel 4 News last night, (which i didn’t see till very late in the night, and wasn’t able to sort the links to you). Sadly a short interview – but both wonderful and beautiful nonetheless.
Let’s Hope he see’s the colours of the Maple tree this Autumn!
http://www.channel4.com/news/clive-james-worrying-about-death-is-an-indulgence