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What we’ll miss (or not) about Jeremy Clarkson What we’ll miss (or not) about Jeremy Clarkson
(35 minutes later)
Now that we know Jeremy Clarkson’s fate, a look back at what we’ll miss from the Top Gear presenter, and what many might be glad to see driving off into the sunset. Now that we know Jeremy Clarkson’s fate, here’s a look back at what we’ll miss from the Top Gear presenter, and what many might be glad to see driving off into the sunset.
Related: BBC will not renew Jeremy Clarkson contract – live updatesRelated: BBC will not renew Jeremy Clarkson contract – live updates
Will miss: humourWill miss: humour
Whether you cannot stand Top Gear, or have your own “cool wall” and dream of cornering Gambon, there’s no denying that to millions of fans he was a talented, superstar presenter. Much of his appeal came from the blokeish sense of humour he brought to motoring. The Lotus Elise was “more fun than the entire French air force crashing into a fireworks factory”. For Clarkson, braking in the Mercedes CLS55 was “so brutal, it would be less painful to actually hit the tree you were trying to miss.” Nobody else could say, while introducing a car, “This is a Renault Espace, probably the best of the people carriers. Not that that’s much to shout about. That’s like saying ‘Oh good, I’ve got syphilis, the best of the sexually transmitted diseases!’’’ Whether you can’t stand Top Gear, or have your own “cool wall” and dream of cornering Gambon, there’s no denying that to millions of fans Clarkson was a talented, superstar presenter. Much of his appeal came from the blokeish sense of humour he brought to motoring. The Lotus Elise was “more fun than the entire French air force crashing into a fireworks factory”. For Clarkson, braking in the Mercedes CLS55 was “so brutal, it would be less painful to actually hit the tree you were trying to miss”. Nobody else could say, while introducing a car, “This is a Renault Espace, probably the best of the people carriers. Not that that’s much to shout about. That’s like saying ‘Oh good, I’ve got syphilis, the best of the sexually transmitted diseases!’”
Won’t miss: fashionWon’t miss: fashion
The Levi’s, the blazers, and the floral shirts gave the air of rural estate agent on his second stag party. The paunch and popped collar look is one to be rapidly confined to the dark recesses of BBC history. It’s a style of dressing that screams a man who’d binge on the G&Ts before drunkenly having a go at anyone who disagreed with his choice of vehicle. The Levi’s, the blazers, and the floral shirts gave the air of rural estate agent on his second stag party. The paunch and popped collar look is one to be rapidly confined to the dark recesses of BBC history. It’s a style of dressing that screams of a man who’d binge on the G&Ts before drunkenly having a go at anyone who disagreed with his choice of vehicle.
Will miss: inventionWill miss: invention
Together, Jeremy Clarkson and executive producer Andy Wilman deserve credit for the most successful show on BBC2, a global brand worth hundreds of millions, and format ideas which have endured in an age of rapid change. From the amusing mystery of The Stig to the lap times of celebrity guests, Top Gear has that rare quality of stickiness which keeps drawing back a huge international audience. Clarkson isn’t just a funny guy who knows about cars, he’s been integral to a team that has produced one of the slickest and most successful exports of the UK’s television industry. Together, Jeremy Clarkson and executive producer Andy Wilman deserve credit for the most successful show on BBC2, a global brand worth hundreds of millions, and format ideas that have endured in an age of rapid change. From the amusing mystery of The Stig to the lap times of celebrity guests, Top Gear has that rare quality of stickiness which keeps drawing back a huge international audience. Clarkson isn’t just a funny guy who knows about cars, he’s been integral to a team that has produced one of the slickest and most successful exports of the UK’s television industry.
Won’t miss: borderline racismWon’t miss: borderline racism
As was bleedingly obvious, Ofcom ruled that Jeremy Clarkson deliberately used offensive language when he described an Asian man as a “slope” during a Top Gear special in Burma. This sort of cynical casual racism has no place in any media organisation, and to the extent that Clarkson’s presence on the show endorsed an outmoded view of acceptable language, he will not be missed. As was bleedingly obvious, Ofcom ruled that Clarkson deliberately used offensive language when he described an Asian man as a “slope” during a Top Gear special in Burma. This sort of cynical casual racism has no place in any media organisation, and to the extent that Clarkson’s presence on the show endorsed an outmoded view of acceptable language, he will not be missed.
Will miss: moneyWill miss: money
The many millions that Top Gear generates for the BBC helps to fund much more obscure programming. Without Clarkson, there’s less prospect that BBC Worldwide will continue to be quite as profitable. Those excellent niche shows like W1A or The History Of Colour need Clarkson’s cash, so even if you hate the presenter and the show, you probably benefit from what he earns the corporation. The many millions that Top Gear generates for the BBC helps to fund much more obscure programming. Without Clarkson, there’s less prospect that BBC Worldwide will continue to be quite as profitable. Those excellent niche shows such as W1A or The History of Colour need Clarkson’s cash, so even if you hate the presenter and the show, you probably benefit from what he earns the corporation.
Won’t miss: way of delivering linesWon’t miss: way of delivering lines
That realllllly slow way of delivering sentences… is something… we’re unlikely to miss. A smoker, Clarkson always claimed that he stumbled upon his presenting style in order to deliver the script without becoming breathless. Much-parodied, it will be down to Robert Peston to keep up the quotient of bizarre script delivery on the BBC. That realllllly slow way of delivering sentences … is something … we’re unlikely to miss. A smoker, Clarkson always claimed that he stumbled upon his presenting style in order to deliver the script without becoming breathless. Much-parodied, it will be down to Robert Peston to keep up the quotient of bizarre script delivery on the BBC.
Will miss: scandalWill miss: scandal
For the fans, the minor international controversies surrounding Top Gear specials were a source of delicious entertainment. The recent trip to Argentina was a masterpiece of both spin and broadcasting. Clarkson’s nose for a mini-scandal kept the show thrilling, injecting the sort of jeopardy that duller, weaker shows avoid. Sometimes this scandal went too far, but generally it helped to keep the format of the show fresh and edgy. It takes brilliance to stay on that line between triumph and disaster, and Clarkson pulled it off for many years to the entertainment of many. For the fans, the minor international controversies surrounding Top Gear specials were a source of delicious entertainment. The recent trip to Argentina was a masterpiece of both spin and broadcasting. Clarkson’s nose for a mini-scandal kept the show thrilling, injecting the sort of jeopardy that duller, weaker shows avoid. Sometimes this scandal went too far, but generally it helped to keep the format fresh and edgy. It takes brilliance to stay on that line between triumph and disaster, and Clarkson pulled it off for many years to the entertainment of many.
Won’t miss: awkward chemistry with Richard HammondWon’t miss: awkward chemistry with Richard Hammond
Clarkson’s departure will finally end the pantomime bonhomie and ersatz matey banter of Top Gear, at least so far as the relationship between him and Richard Hammond is concerned. Rather than James May’s amusing baffled dismay, Hammond has long been Muttley to Clarkson’s Dick Dastardly, a fawning Robin to Clarkson’s mid-life-crisis Batman.Clarkson’s departure will finally end the pantomime bonhomie and ersatz matey banter of Top Gear, at least so far as the relationship between him and Richard Hammond is concerned. Rather than James May’s amusing baffled dismay, Hammond has long been Muttley to Clarkson’s Dick Dastardly, a fawning Robin to Clarkson’s mid-life-crisis Batman.
Will miss: braveryWill miss: bravery
Say what you like about Jeremy Clarkson, he was unafraid of a challenge. The Top Gear Specials took the team around the world, from Botswana, Patagonia and Argentina to the magnetic pole. The stunts were contrived, but Richard Hammond’s crash reminded audiences that these presenters were truly putting their lives on the line for the sake of entertainment. It was thrilling, compelling television. Say what you like about Clarkson, he was unafraid of a challenge. The Top Gear Specials took the team around the world, from Botswana, Patagonia and Argentina to the magnetic pole. The stunts were contrived, but Richard Hammond’s crash reminded audiences that these presenters were truly putting their lives on the line for the sake of entertainment. It was thrilling, compelling television.
Won’t miss: treatment of staffWon’t miss: treatment of staff
No history of Jeremy Clarkson’s career could omit this most recent incident. The drunken fracas in a hotel over a platter of cold meat resulted in conduct towards producer Oisin Tymon which would, in most jobs, be considered completely inexcusable. Clarkson’s supporters will never have suffered violence at the hands of a workplace superior. There is perhaps no greater indication of a person’s character than how they treat people who work for them. Talent is no excuse for violence. No history of Jeremy Clarkson’s career could omit this most recent incident. The drunken fracas in a hotel over a platter of cold meat resulted in conduct towards producer Oisin Tymon which would, in most jobs, be considered completely inexcusable. Clarkson’s supporters will never have suffered violence at the hands of a workplace superior. There is perhaps no greater indication of a person’s character than how they treat those who work for them. Talent is no excuse for violence.