Sad news for Top Gear fans, Jeremy Clarkson is considering leaving the BBC behind. Some sources claim his Sun Times column confirms this. Either way, this isn’t good for those who love watching Top Gear. I became a fan roughly five years ago and interesting cars wasn’t the reason. Clarkson, May and Hammond transformed Top Gear from a small motoring show to a media giant. Two hundred and fifty million to three hundred million people worldwide watch this program every week. It’s BBC2’s most popular show which has spawned at least half a dozen spin-off in other countries. Thus, the current Clarkson scandal carries weight.
Jeremy is no stranger to controversy and probably is a literal headache for some BBC executives. While I admire Jeremy’s dismissal of political correctness and the absurd culture it creates, some statements should remain unspoken. Racial slurs are almost always offensive regardless of context. Even harmless racial jokes border on inappropriate. Side note: any kind of speech only has as much power as the recipient(s) gives it. Part of Clarkson’s charm and charisma stem from his blunt personality. His willingness to satirize anything or anyone make him entertaining, regardless of his actual belief on an issue. Unfortunately, his political incorrectness has incurred criticism and wrath from BBC management in the past. It seems this particular incident rallied Clarkson haters, demanding his sacking from Top Gear. At the other end, a petition with 870,000 signatures calls for Jeremy’s reinstatement. A complex decision must loom over BBC leadership.
Shows have survived major cast changes, but I don’t see a future for Top Gear without its current presenters. People, myself included, watch for their crazy antics, ludicrous challenges and hilarious reactions. We want to be entertained while occasionally hearing factual information about cars. I can’t imagine another trio who could fill the hole left by even one current presenter leaving. Jeremy is funny, but Hammond and May complete the formula. The three together offer a unique experience that hasn’t been replicated by another television show or other Top Gears. BBC executives can puff their chests out about firing Jeremy and potentially rebranding the show, but easier said than done. May’s and Hammond’s contracts are up for renegotiation next month. I imagine they are good enough friends with Jeremy to possibly not present without him. Even if they did, ratings would drop like a two hundred ton bowling ball thrown off the Empire State building. Suddenly watching British Top Gear becomes almost as boring as American Top Gear. The BBC is strangling their golden goose, which they will regret. My advice to them: shallow a bitter pill, bring Clarkson back on, renew all three contracts and end after a few years.
Understand that I’m not defending Jeremy as a person. From the literature I’ve read, he sounds like a jerk who can’t keep penis out of women who aren’t married to him. Consequently, it’s not surprising all his marriages have failed. He’s probably a fun friend to have and mostly a decent person, but I can’t endorse some of his life decisions. However, that is unrelated to being entertaining. His job is making people laugh, drive cars and giving good talk show interviews, nothing more. Oisin Tymon (the Irish producer) has received online abuse from fans for “ruining” Top Gear. They should stop harassing Oisin. Don’t pour hate on a man who probably doesn’t deserve it. Top Gear ending or changing presenters will be sad; yet, we have twenty one seasons of glorious hilarity already. Therefore, I’m not worried. Despite Jeremy’s personal flaws, I hope he’s allowed to return.
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