N.Y. Times: BBC Suspends Jeremy Clarkson, Host of "˜Top Gear,' After String of Warnings (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/11/world/europe/bbc-suspends-jeremy-clarkson-host-of-top-gear-after-string-of-warnings.html)
QuoteLONDON – Jeremy Clarkson, the hugely popular host of the car program "Top Gear" who relishes the politically incorrect, was suspended by the BBC on Tuesday after a mysterious "fracas" with a producer.
QuoteMr. Clarkson, 54, is the Prince Philip of television hosts, given to making impolite comments about foreigners and then apologizing. Even though "Top Gear" attracts strong ratings, the BBC had put him on a "final warning" last year for his behavior after he used a racist word during filming.
QuoteAt the time, Mr. Clarkson said, somewhat jokingly, that the BBC had told him he would be fired if he made "one more offensive remark, anywhere, at any time."
Quote"Top Gear," which began in 2002 as a straightforward program that evaluated cars, has become a phenomenon, sometimes described as the world's most popular factual television program. Some 350 million viewers in 170 countries watch it each week. That makes it an important source of revenue for the BBC, and Mr. Clarkson, who is paid about $1.5 million a year to present the show, is one of the organization's most highly paid employees.
Jalopnik has been updating this story as more things about it come to light. The Mirror - admittedly not the most reliable source due to its connection to Piers Morgan, who has feuded with Clarkson over the years - reports that Clarkson punched a producer in the face and that the whole incident was over a late dinner.
http://jalopnik.com/victim-of-wild-jeremy-clarkson-attack-may-have-been-ide-1690715670
Quote from: Takumi on March 11, 2015, 11:00:47 AM
Jalopnik has been updating this story as more things about it come to light. The Mirror - admittedly not the most reliable source due to its connection to Piers Morgan, who has feuded with Clarkson over the years - reports that Clarkson punched a producer in the face and that the whole incident was over a late dinner.
http://jalopnik.com/victim-of-wild-jeremy-clarkson-attack-may-have-been-ide-1690715670
I remain a Clarkson fan, but he's not Morris the Cat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_the_Cat), and he
can wait a few minutes for dinner (if that report is accurate).
Though
if Clarkson has been feuding with a producer, then maybe it is time to change producers?
Appreciate your comment about the Mirror not being entirely reliable in this matter.
The last three paragraphs in that OP are ones that anyone remotely interested would have known about months ago. If we're going to play copy-paste journalism, at least copy-paste the actual story...
Plus it was about 20 hours too late for people not to have already heard via other sources than a reposting of an article in a dead tree media the day after.
The mysterious "fracas" was revealed this morning (UK time, probably while the NYT was being printed) to have been Jeremy punched a producer over not providing dinner. Four hours ago, the BBC had put James May commenting on it (http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31834058) online, which showed it wasn't just hearsay.
And goodness me, you missed out the most important bit - that the rest of this season of Top Gear has been binned (the article talks about Sunday's episode, which was up to date when the NYT published it on its website)
Quote from: Takumi on March 11, 2015, 11:00:47 AMThe Mirror - admittedly not the most reliable source due to its connection to Piers Morgan, who has feuded with Clarkson over the years - reports that Clarkson punched a producer in the face and that the whole incident was over a late dinner.
The Mirror is always a reliable source for celebrity gossip (though nothing else), thanks to Piers' phone-hacking legacy (shouldn't be long before the purjuring pillock goes to prison!) that ought to put them out of business like
The News of the World which was a far less prolific phone-hacking paper hounded because Murdoch is about the only media person hated more in the UK than Morgan. Except maybe Clarkson...
The Mirror has kept distance from Morgan for years, as did most of the UK population...
Nearly anyone else who might spout off as much as Clarkson would have been beaten to a fine viscosity by now. But hey, he's a TV personality, so it's all just ducky...
Like the show (I'm not an avid watcher), can't really stand him, although he has a funny quip every so often.
Quote from: english si on March 11, 2015, 12:22:51 PM
The last three paragraphs in that OP are ones that anyone remotely interested would have known about months ago. If we're going to play copy-paste journalism, at least copy-paste the actual story...
Plus it was about 20 hours too late for people not to have already heard via other sources than a reposting of an article in a dead tree media the day after.
Until I saw it in the NYT, I had heard nothing about it.
As for copy-paste, you should be to click on the URL to see the full story.
If not, I can e-mail it to you if you PM me with your e-mail address.
Recent stories I'm seeing are bringing to light the huge bill the BBC is facing from not just suspending Clarkson, but suspending Top Gear's world-wide syndication. All these channels suddenly have open slots and tons of advertising that is basically useless now.
I've heard from Final Gear (a fansite) that they might drop the audience interaction and just string together the films from the next couple episodes into one, sans-Clarkson.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 11, 2015, 11:21:53 PMAs for copy-paste, you should be to click on the URL to see the full story.
I know I can click the link. I'm simply saying that the paragraphs you copy-pasted were filler ones, rather than the actual story in the article.
The producer punched by Clarkson seems entirely bemused by the whole suspension thing and is laughing about the whole incident. (https://twitter.com/TymonOisin) Or perhaps he realises that if it isn't seen as a non incident, him and the rest of the Top Gear staff are out of jobs.
Oh, as for Piers Morgan, he at least realises that he's a slimy git who people love to hate (though he did make up with the loud mouth git that people love to hate). He suggests that if Clarkson punches him again, it will be alright again (https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/576031660312924160)
Quote from: english si on March 12, 2015, 01:31:52 PM
The producer punched by Clarkson seems entirely bemused by the whole suspension thing and is laughing about the whole incident. (https://twitter.com/TymonOisin) Or perhaps he realises that if it isn't seen as a non incident, him and the rest of the Top Gear staff are out of jobs.
The loss of jobs part is potentially bad news for the staff of Top Gear, except Clarkson and his sidekicks James May and Richard Hammond, who could easily find work (maybe for more money or much more money) with another employer.
Quote from: english si on March 12, 2015, 01:31:52 PM
Oh, as for Piers Morgan, he at least realises that he's a slimy git who people love to hate (though he did make up with the loud mouth git that people love to hate). He suggests that if Clarkson punches him again, it will be alright again (https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/576031660312924160)
I have no personal opinion either way about Piers Morgan.
Would a U.S. TV network respond in the same manner to a similar incident?
Top Gear is on BBC America today.
Quote from: 02 Park Ave on March 14, 2015, 02:19:11 PM
Top Gear is on BBC America today.
Future episodes are suspended. Reruns are not.
Quote from: jakeroot on March 14, 2015, 03:20:36 PMFuture episodes are suspended. Reruns are not.
The BBC America schedule for Monday night has finally been changed. S22/Ep8 is finally gone. They're going with one-hour episode reruns except at 9PM ET, which is a new "Top Gear: Perfect Road Trip," part 1 of 2, with Clarkson and Hammond driving through Italy.
Quote from: GCrites80s on March 14, 2015, 11:14:19 AM
Would a U.S. TV network respond in the same manner to a similar incident?
Hell, they'll suspend you if something can be misconstrued on Twitter.
BBC America is not BBC. It is a joint venture between BBC and AMC Networks. BBC has the majority control. They are more concerned with ratings than the UK channel due to the commercials they are allowed to air. In the UK commercials are not even allowed on the BBC, heck not even product placement.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 11, 2015, 11:27:08 AM
Quote from: Takumi on March 11, 2015, 11:00:47 AM
Jalopnik has been updating this story as more things about it come to light. The Mirror - admittedly not the most reliable source due to its connection to Piers Morgan, who has feuded with Clarkson over the years - reports that Clarkson punched a producer in the face and that the whole incident was over a late dinner.
http://jalopnik.com/victim-of-wild-jeremy-clarkson-attack-may-have-been-ide-1690715670
I remain a Clarkson fan, but he's not Morris the Cat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_the_Cat), and he can wait a few minutes for dinner (if that report is accurate).
I was under the impression that the dinner was delayed by several hours, not minutes, and that it was being done for no good reason other than the producer wanted to make the show more dramatic. If that's the case I would be more sympathetic.
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 15, 2015, 07:58:46 PM
I was under the impression that the dinner was delayed by several hours, not minutes, and that it was being done for no good reason other than the producer wanted to make the show more dramatic. If that's the case I would be more sympathetic.
I read on a Swedish-language site that the caterer was serving cold cut meats (and presumably something else) for dinner.
Latest developments:
--An unnamed BBC official equated the petitions to reinstate Clarkson with the cover-up of Jimmy Savile's pedophilic crimes by BBC management. Clarkson, needless to say, was livid, and his lawyer has demanded a public apology.
--BBC producers asked Hammond and May if they would re-shoot parts of the three programs that the BBC will not air with Clarkson in them, so those programs can be shown without him. Hammond and May refused to work without Clarkson.
--According to BBC officials, the investigation into the alleged attack by Clarkson of his producer is over, and the decision is now in the hands of the BBC's upper management.
Quote from: SidS1045 on March 19, 2015, 11:14:24 PM
Latest developments:
--An unnamed BBC official equated the petitions to reinstate Clarkson with the cover-up of Jimmy Savile's pedophilic crimes by BBC management. Clarkson, needless to say, was livid, and his lawyer has demanded a public apology.
--BBC producers asked Hammond and May if they would re-shoot parts of the three programs that the BBC will not air with Clarkson in them, so those programs can be shown without him. Hammond and May refused to work without Clarkson.
--According to BBC officials, the investigation into the alleged attack by Clarkson of his producer is over, and the decision is now in the hands of the BBC's upper management.
Basically, they are debating to make an example out of him or not. Due to the fact that they more or less covered up the Jimmy Saville issue (for those not in the know, after the man died it came out that he used his position to go after underage people. He did TV programs that involved children, along with the TV show Top of the Pops.) They may have to take a stronger position on this than they would have before.
Quote from: SidS1045 on March 19, 2015, 11:14:24 PM
Latest developments:
--An unnamed BBC official equated the petitions to reinstate Clarkson with the cover-up of Jimmy Savile's pedophilic crimes by BBC management. Clarkson, needless to say, was livid, and his lawyer has demanded a public apology.
So the Beeb is now saying a punch to the face is the equivalent of pedophilia!?! They need to get their heads on straight.
Quote from: Brandon on March 20, 2015, 07:00:12 AM
So the Beeb is now saying a punch to the face is the equivalent of pedophilia!?! They need to get their heads on straight.
I don't think that was their intent, but given the way it was worded the public will not make that distinction. Regardless of what anyone thinks of Clarkson, comparing him to a pedophile in any way is despicable.
Add to it that it was a BBC official comparing his organisations' covering up of several 70s DJs' sexual offences with a petition that doesn't seek to hide Clarkson's offences*, but merely seek him to not lose his job over them.
*and a good third of the signatories signed before knowing what he was alleged to have done and just assumed it was the classic saying something that one person found offence at that Clarkson gets in trouble for.
Quote from: english si on March 20, 2015, 01:27:30 PM
Add to it that it was a BBC official comparing his organisations' covering up of several 70s DJs' sexual offences with a petition that doesn't seek to hide Clarkson's offences*, but merely seek him to not lose his job over them.
*and a good third of the signatories signed before knowing what he was alleged to have done and just assumed it was the classic saying something that one person found offence at that Clarkson gets in trouble for.
Honestly, i think clarkson was just roughouseing...which as a 60ish year old man he should not be doing, but with the way he behaves...a bit like a high schooler who has never grown up...it is to some degree expected.
Seriously. Hire someone who acts like the oldest 16 year old in the world, and surprise! he acts like a 16 year old.
It's ludicrous to compare a hit with pedophilia.
Quote from: kkt on March 20, 2015, 05:26:09 PM
Seriously. Hire someone who acts like the oldest 16 year old in the world, and surprise! he acts like a 16 year old.
It's ludicrous to compare a hit with pedophilia.
I saw images of the aftermath...it was just a busted lip, i've had worse happen with a basketball hitting my face in gym class.
Quote from: SteveG1988 on March 20, 2015, 05:33:30 PM
Quote from: kkt on March 20, 2015, 05:26:09 PM
Seriously. Hire someone who acts like the oldest 16 year old in the world, and surprise! he acts like a 16 year old.
It's ludicrous to compare a hit with pedophilia.
I saw images of the aftermath...it was just a busted lip, i've had worse happen with a basketball hitting my face in gym class.
Hell, the presenters have had worse done to them on accident at the producers' request. May and Clarkson have been thrown off horses and broken ribs for pete's sake.
Quote from: Brandon on March 20, 2015, 05:37:54 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on March 20, 2015, 05:33:30 PM
Quote from: kkt on March 20, 2015, 05:26:09 PM
Seriously. Hire someone who acts like the oldest 16 year old in the world, and surprise! he acts like a 16 year old.
It's ludicrous to compare a hit with pedophilia.
I saw images of the aftermath...it was just a busted lip, i've had worse happen with a basketball hitting my face in gym class.
Hell, the presenters have had worse done to them on accident at the producers' request. May and Clarkson have been thrown off horses and broken ribs for pete's sake.
And several hits to the plums
And also hammond's jet car incident, trying to drive cars full of water around the track, where if they go too fast around a bend it could tip over and drown them, etc.
having them stay in horrible hotel rooms in Africa that were covered in fecal matter
Or having them drive the Death Road in Bolivia (including one particular close call for Clarkson where he got very dangerously close to the edge of the road/cliff).
Or having Clarkson drive a truck into a brick wall full force.
Seriously, the producers have made the trio do a whole damn lot of stupid and dangerous stuff, and even they get paid to do it, with some things I'm still surprised they went along with everything and at no point ever said "F U, you can do that yourself".
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.kinja-img.com%2Fgawker-media%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fs--BWXIghPT--%2Fhcgzkt9fpddfbhsntcyz.jpg&hash=2dfd75cd2d57bb01b92098fb6517c24fbb45b3cb)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.centerforworklife.com%2Fcfwl-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F12%2FDonald-Trump-fired.jpg&hash=9bfed6d196ada22493f8ba29a50d42ed51b0adc7)
Quote from: US71 on March 25, 2015, 01:10:07 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.centerforworklife.com%2Fcfwl-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F12%2FDonald-Trump-fired.jpg&hash=9bfed6d196ada22493f8ba29a50d42ed51b0adc7)
IMO,
big mistake.
AP via WTOP Radio: BBC decides not to renew "˜Top Gear' host Clarkson's contract (http://wtop.com/world/2015/03/bbc-decides-not-to-renew-jeremy-clarksons-contract/)
QuoteThe BBC decided Wednesday not to renew the contract of "Top Gear" host Jeremy Clarkson after a fracas with his producer, ending his connection to the immensely popular program built around macho banter, off-color jokes and cars.
QuoteBBC Director-General Tony Hall concluded that Clarkson struck and launched a 30-minute verbal attack on a producer, Oisin Tymon, while they were filming on location, leaving him with a swelling and bloody lip. The producer went to a hospital for treatment.
QuoteHall acknowledged that lifting the presenter of the program "will divide opinion." But he said a line had been crossed in Clarkson's often controversial behavior – even if he is a big star.
Quote"There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations," Hall said.
How long do you think it'll take before some other British TV network starts producing the show, hiring a producer with thicker skin and/or the ability to get the stars their damn lunch on time? Or maybe Top Gear US will hire him?
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 25, 2015, 02:13:40 PMIMO, big mistake.
Big mistake financially (but the BBC never care about that - they don't particularly have to, aren't really allowed to, and are proud not to), but ethically they were right.
If they had sacked Clarkson for another political correctness violation (to appease the idiots who don't realise that it's part satire, part court jester, part seeing what he can get away with, part stupidity), then absolutely it was a stupid thing to do.
Certainly Clarkson shouldn't have been on last warning before the fracas. However, the 30 minutes of verbal abuse on its own would have put him there, with the mitigating circumstances of him trying to apologise directly to the producer, and that it was he himself who reported the incident to the BBC that would have saved him from being sacked.
If it was because of a single punch (ignoring the verbal abuse, with it then there's too much to keep him and keep a straight face) then sure, perhaps, just about (John Prescott, footballers, etc get away with it), but it was a 30 second physical attack (after a 30 minute verbal one) that needed intervention to stop. He absolutely needed to be sacked.
Quote from: US71 on March 25, 2015, 01:10:07 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.centerforworklife.com%2Fcfwl-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F12%2FDonald-Trump-fired.jpg&hash=9bfed6d196ada22493f8ba29a50d42ed51b0adc7)
Interesting to see that the BBC boycott has begun with the picture of the guy with the dead chipmunk on his head. Jezza's a Brit, and therefore it's this guy who'd say it:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthebesthampers.co.uk%2Fckfinder%2Fuserfiles%2Fimages%2Fyoure%2520fired.jpg&hash=a250217014bf6aeb42f359b0eb43a8a4061a1a57)
But his version airs on the BBC...
Quote from: kkt on March 25, 2015, 05:28:14 PM
How long do you think it'll take before some other British TV network starts producing the show, hiring a producer with thicker skin and/or the ability to get the stars their damn lunch on time? Or maybe Top Gear US will hire him?
The other networks have rejected working with him, his career is over unless he goes to the States or something. Which might be hard to do if he gets an assault conviction - difficult to get a Visa. Which is looking likely, given that the police are now stepping in.
Oh, BTW, James May has hinted that he'd be leaving the show, and possibly Richard as well.
Quote from: english si on March 25, 2015, 05:36:46 PM
The other networks have rejected working with him, his career is over unless he goes to the States or something. Which might be hard to do if he gets an assault conviction - difficult to get a Visa. Which is looking likely, given that the police are now stepping in.
Was Clarkson convicted of assault in court or just generally acknowledged to have done it? Doesn't the BBC have anything better to do than press charges against someone who's not disputing his firing for cause?
Yes, I'm thinking all three of them could go as a package to another network, possibly in another country.
Quote from: kkt on March 25, 2015, 05:28:14 PM
How long do you think it'll take before some other British TV network starts producing the show, hiring a producer with thicker skin and/or the ability to get the stars their damn lunch on time? Or maybe Top Gear US will hire him?
I don't know about Top Gear US. One thing the BBC has going for it is no advertising. Clarkson going off about how the new Chevy truck (or whatever) is shit might have a huge impact in that department.
^ There's always PBS!
Maybe Putin could give him a job driving that road in Siberia he wants to build... forever.
Quote from: english si on March 25, 2015, 05:36:46 PM
Interesting to see that the BBC boycott has begun with the picture of the guy with the dead chipmunk on his head.
Dead? (http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/040430)
The only real recourse that Brits have is to not renew their TV license.
On the BBC News app, it is stated: "Top Gear, which is one of BBC Two's most popular programmes, will continue without Clarkson, who will now become the subject of a bidding war by other broadcasters."
Additionally, BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans has said that he will not be joining the show
Quote from: kkt on March 25, 2015, 05:53:57 PMWas Clarkson convicted of assault in court or just generally acknowledged to have done it?
The incident is worthy of investigation as to whether a crime (Actual Bodily Harm being the most likely, says a top cop) had been committed. It's generally acknowledged, including by Clarkson, that the incident took place. I gather that the police want to investigate it, but waited until the disciplinary hearing had occurred as then their investigative work is made easier as already done.
QuoteDoesn't the BBC have anything better to do than press charges against someone who's not disputing his firing for cause?
The BBC isn't not pushing charges nor asking for the police investigation to take place, merely assisting in the investigation. I don't believe in the UK, even Auntie Beeb has the power to demand the police investigate something, or the Crown Prosecution Service take something to court.
North Yorkshire Police have chosen to investigate the incident and it would be the CPS (ie the State), if anyone, who will be the ones pressing charges (as it's a criminal case).
Quote from: 02 Park Ave on March 25, 2015, 11:08:24 PM
On the BBC News app, it is stated: "Top Gear, which is one of BBC Two's most popular programmes, will continue without Clarkson, who will now become the subject of a bidding war by other broadcasters."
Although the other UK broadcasters had rejected the idea almost as soon as the news was made official yesterday.
The BBC has made an article about who might replace him: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32064440, though they haven't ruled out a return: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32062579. I want Alan Partridge to do it.
I should point out that Clarkson wasn't actually sacked (which should have happened), but merely that his contract won't be renewed. And he'll be paid in full for the little time remaining on it.
Thus, even if he wanted to (and he doesn't), he couldn't sue for unfair dismissal, as he wasn't dismissed - merely they won't rehire him.
Quote from: kkt on March 25, 2015, 05:28:14 PM
Or maybe Top Gear US will hire him?
Clarkson has been repeatedly and widely quoted as saying he'd rather drop dead than live in America or work for an American company.
Quote from: english si on March 26, 2015, 08:23:52 AM
The incident is worthy of investigation as to whether a crime (Actual Bodily Harm being the most likely, says a top cop) had been committed. It's generally acknowledged, including by Clarkson, that the incident took place. I gather that the police want to investigate it, but waited until the disciplinary hearing had occurred as then their investigative work is made easier as already done.
I hope the North Yorkshire Police will conduct their own and independent investigation.
Without help from the BBC.
Does the CPS have the same broad discretion as its counterparts in the U.S., state and federal prosecutors to
not charge someone?
Quote from: english si on March 26, 2015, 10:03:20 AM
I should point out that Clarkson wasn't actually sacked (which should have happened), but merely that his contract won't be renewed. And he'll be paid in full for the little time remaining on it.
Thus, even if he wanted to (and he doesn't), he couldn't sue for unfair dismissal, as he wasn't dismissed - merely they won't rehire him.
That is fair enough.
Though (as you said upthread) even though the BBC is not nearly as revenue-driven as most U.S. television is, I still presume that airing the BBC's Top Gear in the U.S. (
with commercials) brings in a decent amount of revenue, some of which finds its way back to London.
Quote from: SidS1045 on March 26, 2015, 11:51:42 AM
Quote from: kkt on March 25, 2015, 05:28:14 PM
Or maybe Top Gear US will hire him?
Clarkson has been repeatedly and widely quoted as saying he'd rather drop dead than live in America or work for an American company.
No need for Clarkson (and May and Hammond) to move to the U.S. At least on Top Gear, they visited pretty frequently anyway.
But I could certainly see one or several of the U.S. TV operators getting interested, including (unfortunately) Murdoch's FoX (or Sky in the UK); Disney (a Clarkson show could presumably air on ESPN
or on ABC) or maybe even NBC or CBS (I think all of them are well-known enough that a show hosted by them would do well in the U.S.).
And there's Canada's CBC, which could greatly boost its profile outside of the Dominion by hiring those guys.
Finally, consider Russia's RT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RT_%28TV_network%29) (though I doubt Clarkson would want to work for an ex-KGB agent) and Al Jazeera (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Jazeera) - both of these have pockets deep enough to hire all three.
...or The Celebrity Apprentice :P. (yes I know its on hiatus, but it'll likely be back).
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 26, 2015, 12:31:43 PMI hope the North Yorkshire Police will conduct their own and independent investigation. Without help from the BBC.
Why shouldn't they have help from the BBC, who have obtained interview testimony, etc. Sure they will reinterview and so on, but the BBC has evidence that would be useful.
QuoteDoes the CPS have the same broad discretion as its counterparts in the U.S., state and federal prosecutors to not charge someone?
Of course.
QuoteThough (as you said upthread) even though the BBC is not nearly as revenue-driven as most U.S. television is, I still presume that airing the BBC's Top Gear in the U.S. (with commercials) brings in a decent amount of revenue, some of which finds its way back to London.
I believe, after a fight (not of the Clarkson sort), the execs mostly work in Salford rather than London now*.
The BBC gets over £100 million a year (from a billion pound turnover) from BBC Worldwide, which is their commercial subsidiary (merchandising, selling rights abroad, etc).
In the UK, BBC Worldwide owns 50% of UKTV, which has several genre-specific channels (
Watch for populist tat of a variety of kinds,
G.O.L.D. for Comedy,
Dave for 'Men and Motors' (it's original name),
Really for 'Womens Lifestyle',
Drama for Drama,
Alibi for crime drama,
Yesterday for history documentaries/antiques shows,
Eden for nature programmes,
Home for home and garden programmes, and
Good Food for cooking shows) that mostly air reruns of BBC shows, though other stuff - some original programming, some imported, mostly Channel 4 (Commercial network 49% owned by the BBC) reruns (and the odd ITV crime drama) - gets in. While Dave has reruns of TopGear (weekday daytimes), not having new episodes won't harm their revenue much as its not like people haven't seen them all before several times (they burn through about 2 season's worth of episodes a week, airing them twice, so the whole series airs twice each quarter. and it used to be more episodes per day!).
The loss of Top Gear and the loss of the license fees of a few people (who'd have to give up television or face a civil lawsuit from the BBC. Plus the threatening letters about detector vans...) will cost the BBC quite a bit, but not a huge amount given the size of the business they operate. There's quite a bit of fat being cut already, though, so it's not like they can just pull a making BBC3 (the youth orientated channel that spends more than half of its air time repeating programming from other times in the week) online-only out of the hat to make up the shortfall. Local Radio having more shared programming? More repeats on BBC2 and BBC4?
*If you remember, Top Gear did some race at the empty 'Concrete Doughnut' that used to be the main studios and offices of the BBC in London.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 26, 2015, 12:31:43 PM
But I could certainly see one or several of the U.S. TV operators getting interested, including (unfortunately) Murdoch's FoX (or Sky in the UK); Disney (a Clarkson show could presumably air on ESPN or on ABC) or maybe even NBC or CBS (I think all of them are well-known enough that a show hosted by them would do well in the U.S.).
Not a snowball's chance in Hades.
Given Clarkson's open hatred of most things American, including American cars, an American network would likely place such burdensome restrictions on what he could say that he wouldn't bother even signing the contract. The appeal of Top Gear UK in the US stems, IMO, from the fact that it's so much the opposite of the PC pap propagated by the American networks and cable stations. When they didn't like something, they said so and never, that I can recall, held back. I don't see Clarkson (or Hammond or May, for that matter) agreeing to put themselves in such a restrictive situation on a US-based network or cable station.
Quote from: english si on March 26, 2015, 02:42:23 PM
The loss of Top Gear and the loss of the license fees of a few people (who'd have to give up television or face a civil lawsuit from the BBC. Plus the threatening letters about detector vans...) will cost the BBC quite a bit,
Hang on, the BBC actually actively pursues legal action against people without TV licences? I always figured the cases would be too numerous, and the difficulty of obtaining proof too great, for that to happen. Does the BBC have the legal authority to enter homes in cases of suspected non-compliance?
Do you have to have a licence to own a physical television, or can you cancel the licence and just use it to watch Netflix instead (like many Americans have done with cable TV)? For instance, we recently purchased a new TV, but the only channels it's displayed so far are HDMI inputs from our PlayStation (which we use for Netflix as well as games) and our Wii U. I would be kind of upset if I still had to pay BBC for such an arrangement when I don't even have any way of receiving their programming.
Clarkson has positive things to say about some American cars. He liked this:
(https://img.4plebs.org/boards/o/image/1400/61/1400614157025.jpg)
and he also bought a Ford GT if I remember right.
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 26, 2015, 08:52:19 PM
Quote from: english si on March 26, 2015, 02:42:23 PM
The loss of Top Gear and the loss of the license fees of a few people (who'd have to give up television or face a civil lawsuit from the BBC. Plus the threatening letters about detector vans...) will cost the BBC quite a bit,
Hang on, the BBC actually actively pursues legal action against people without TV licences? I always figured the cases would be too numerous, and the difficulty of obtaining proof too great, for that to happen. Does the BBC have the legal authority to enter homes in cases of suspected non-compliance?
Do you have to have a licence to own a physical television, or can you cancel the licence and just use it to watch Netflix instead (like many Americans have done with cable TV)? For instance, we recently purchased a new TV, but the only channels it's displayed so far are HDMI inputs from our PlayStation (which we use for Netflix as well as games) and our Wii U. I would be kind of upset if I still had to pay BBC for such an arrangement when I don't even have any way of receiving their programming.
No no, they sneak 'round your house with a frequency sniffer to make sure you're not pulling in BBC frequencies with your rabbit ears.
Quote from: GCrites80s on March 26, 2015, 10:14:48 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 26, 2015, 08:52:19 PM
Quote from: english si on March 26, 2015, 02:42:23 PM
The loss of Top Gear and the loss of the license fees of a few people (who'd have to give up television or face a civil lawsuit from the BBC. Plus the threatening letters about detector vans...) will cost the BBC quite a bit,
Hang on, the BBC actually actively pursues legal action against people without TV licences? I always figured the cases would be too numerous, and the difficulty of obtaining proof too great, for that to happen. Does the BBC have the legal authority to enter homes in cases of suspected non-compliance?
Do you have to have a licence to own a physical television, or can you cancel the licence and just use it to watch Netflix instead (like many Americans have done with cable TV)? For instance, we recently purchased a new TV, but the only channels it's displayed so far are HDMI inputs from our PlayStation (which we use for Netflix as well as games) and our Wii U. I would be kind of upset if I still had to pay BBC for such an arrangement when I don't even have any way of receiving their programming.
No no, they sneak 'round your house with a frequency sniffer to make sure you're not pulling in BBC frequencies with your rabbit ears.
All seriousness, the BBC will look to see addresses that have not purchased the TV License and badger them until you pay up.
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 26, 2015, 08:52:19 PMDoes the BBC have the legal authority to enter homes in cases of suspected non-compliance?
No they don't. But if you let them in, show them that you don't need to pay it, or pay it, then the matter is settled and the threatening letters stop.
QuoteDo you have to have a licence to own a physical television, or can you cancel the licence and just use it to watch Netflix instead (like many Americans have done with cable TV)? For instance, we recently purchased a new TV, but the only channels it's displayed so far are HDMI inputs from our PlayStation (which we use for Netflix as well as games) and our Wii U. I would be kind of upset if I still had to pay BBC for such an arrangement when I don't even have any way of receiving their programming.
TVs that can't receive broadcast television (eg not connected to an aerial, cable or dish) are exempt. You can even watch catchup TV on BBC iPlayer without a licence (but not live TV). If, however, you have the
Quote from: GCrites80s on March 26, 2015, 10:14:48 PMNo no, they sneak 'round your house with a frequency sniffer to make sure you're not pulling in BBC frequencies with your rabbit ears.
I used to think that was a joke, but they actually do have vans that drive around and detect that kind of things. I remember the student house I lived in where the renewal of the license slipped through the cracks when half the house changed, had the driver of one of these vans came round. He made up a nonsense reason to let us off the fine, having heard our story of forgetfulness (something about being able to park in the driveway), and taken our hundred pounds for the year.
Quote from: SteveG1988 on March 27, 2015, 08:21:57 AMAll seriousness, the BBC will look to see addresses that have not purchased the TV License and badger them until you pay up.
Indeed. Oddly, when the detector van driver came around, we hadn't had a threatening letter.
When I lived in dorms, we almost all got a piece of post (while we were all in one building, every room had its own address and needed a separate license if it met the requirements) as most of us didn't have TVs, and only one or two people didn't have licenses. Actually, worse, we had them put under our doors, rather than in the office (where post went normally). Even the (the university out everyone living in its accommodation on the electoral roll) voting cards we all got were in the office, rather than under doors.
Quote from: english si on March 26, 2015, 02:42:23 PM
I believe, after a fight (not of the Clarkson sort), the execs mostly work in Salford rather than London now*.
I saw that someplace. Might indeed have been the reference on Top Gear when they drove around the old BBC building.
Quote from: english si on March 26, 2015, 02:42:23 PM
The BBC gets over £100 million a year (from a billion pound turnover) from BBC Worldwide, which is their commercial subsidiary (merchandising, selling rights abroad, etc).
Wonder how much of that comes from BBC Americas?
Top Gear being the primary reason I watch that channel.
Quote from: english si on March 26, 2015, 02:42:23 PM
In the UK, BBC Worldwide owns 50% of UKTV, which has several genre-specific channels (Watch for populist tat of a variety of kinds, G.O.L.D. for Comedy, Dave for 'Men and Motors' (it's original name), Really for 'Womens Lifestyle', Drama for Drama, Alibi for crime drama, Yesterday for history documentaries/antiques shows, Eden for nature programmes, Home for home and garden programmes, and Good Food for cooking shows) that mostly air reruns of BBC shows, though other stuff - some original programming, some imported, mostly Channel 4 (Commercial network 49% owned by the BBC) reruns (and the odd ITV crime drama) - gets in. While Dave has reruns of TopGear (weekday daytimes), not having new episodes won't harm their revenue much as its not like people haven't seen them all before several times (they burn through about 2 season's worth of episodes a week, airing them twice, so the whole series airs twice each quarter. and it used to be more episodes per day!).
The loss of Top Gear and the loss of the license fees of a few people (who'd have to give up television or face a civil lawsuit from the BBC. Plus the threatening letters about detector vans...) will cost the BBC quite a bit, but not a huge amount given the size of the business they operate. There's quite a bit of fat being cut already, though, so it's not like they can just pull a making BBC3 (the youth orientated channel that spends more than half of its air time repeating programming from other times in the week) online-only out of the hat to make up the shortfall. Local Radio having more shared programming? More repeats on BBC2 and BBC4?
You are obviously much better-informed than I am (it's been quite a few years since I set foot on British territory).
Quote from: english si on March 26, 2015, 02:42:23 PM
*If you remember, Top Gear did some race at the empty 'Concrete Doughnut' that used to be the main studios and offices of the BBC in London.
Indeed.
You also point out something about Top Gear that made it so good - there is something memorable in very nearly every episode of that series (at least those that aired on BBC Americas). That is impressive in and of itself. I do not know if Clarkson, May and Hammond or the detested "producers" deserve credit for that.
Quote from: english si on March 27, 2015, 09:12:23 AMI used to think that was a joke, but they actually do have vans that drive around and detect that kind of things. I remember the student house I lived in where the renewal of the license slipped through the cracks when half the house changed, had the driver of one of these vans came round. He made up a nonsense reason to let us off the fine, having heard our story of forgetfulness (something about being able to park in the driveway), and taken our hundred pounds for the year.Quote from: SteveG1988 on March 27, 2015, 08:21:57 AMAll seriousness, the BBC will look to see addresses that have not purchased the TV License and badger them until you pay up.
Indeed. Oddly, when the detector van driver came around, we hadn't had a threatening letter.
The BBC TV License Van was parodied in Monty Python's "cat detector van" bit from the "Fish License" sketch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmyHup4TpkU at 2:54
According to the Telegraph of London, Richard Hammond and James May have both so far refused to renew their contracts with the BBC.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11506618/Top-Gear-Richard-Hammond-and-James-May-no-longer-work-for-the-BBC.html
Clarkson, Hammond, and May will be making a series of personal appearances later this year around the nation and internationally without any indication of BBC affinity.
James has started a YouTube channel called "JM's unemployment tube".
So the reboot of the franchise (the Top Gear franchise, not the Clarkson, Hammond and May franchise) happened tonight.
Matt le Blanc did well and hopefully he'll be a bigger part than he was tonight. Sabine Schmidt showed why she should be more heavily involved.
Chris Evans (the ginger tosser who married Rose from Dr Who when she was 17 and him 33, not Captain America) was terrible in the studio, despite that being his supposed forte: hopefully his charisma and talent comes out, his stress reduces and then the show improves. I'm not sure why he was so obviously stressed, or rather, I don't know why his talent overrode it - he took over from a legendary broadcaster who'd been doing the UK's most popular radio show for years and pulled it off, despite being a very controversial choice at the time.
It seemed to ape the Clarkson years somewhat (especially the dialogue), though with little tweaks - I'd imagine the change to something more 'them' will be fairly gradual over the course of the 6 episodes and probably take another season to get right (as did the old Top Gear transition from the old old Top Gear). The problem with that is that the mimicry didn't go down well.
As for the Clarkson/Hammond/May group, they are going to be producing a new program on Amazon Prime, executive-produced by their executive producer from Top Gear, Andy Wilman. Starts sometime this coming Fall.
(https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/02/digital/video/AIV/clarkson/GT_LandingPage_Header._V272879589_.jpg)
(https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--VXqDSF-X--/mwihvktaxbe9ntcqs2zi.png)