Someone tell me, please: is Jeremy Clarkson going to continue with the next series of `Top Gear'? (For those of you who haven't seen the programme, it is a motoring show with the difference - and it is BBC Two's flagship, with about eight million viewers.)
A couple of days ago, I read on Times Online that Clarkson would probably be leaving. The exact quote from the report was: ``Jeremy Clarkson’s future with Top Gear was shrouded in confusion as the presenter dropped hints that he might leave the motoring programme. The blunt-speaking frontman said the BBC show would not return for a new series in the summer. Writing in a national newspaper on Saturday, Clarkson said: After last week’s Top Gear, the continuity announcer said the show would be back in the summer. Can I just say, here and now, it won’t be.''Then things got a bit confusing. The BBC itself declared the show would return with its original trio of presenters - Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. This was further confirmed on CarNet.co.uk, with the sentence, ``The BBC confirmed that a special will be broadcast in the summer, with a new series of Top Gear scheduled for the autumn.''
10 comments:
Well the general consensus on this appears to be that
a. it is all to do with pay disputes. You may recall there was speculation a few months ago in one of the tabloids that James May wanted a huge payrise to bring him level with the other 2; or
b. Jeremy being pedantic Jeremy, and saying that the show is not returning in the summer because it is actually only a special in the summer with the series re-starting in the autumn.
Hi amj,
Many thanks for that swift response. I didn't know it was about pay disputes.
Do I detect a Kiwi accent there?!!
The interesting thing is that the show is on SBS here, and has a very loyal following although it's not as big as it is in the UK.
Thanks for dropping by
David
Hiya,
I've been wondering about this for a while now, but the show just has to return, It's too fantastic for it not to.
I remember there being pay disputes with James, I can't remember the exact figures now but Hammond and Clarkson were getting paid well over %50 more than May - which in a program where the three are supposed to be equal, isn't fair in the least.
But maybe there's this controversy because the BBC have been saying stuff like 'We want you back, but we're going to mess with your format and make sure you don't say stuff that will keep getting complaints. We can't keep protecting you' - But in BBC jargon of course.
Whatever it's about I hope the series with all three of the guys - and The Stig and TGD, will be back soon.
& I'm glad it's got a fanbase overseas - Because the show's just awesome, way better than Fifth Gear on Five which is more of a real car anorak show, whereas Top Gear has managed to turn motoring into a form mainstream entertainment.
Steph
I've got a Top Gear double CD that I picked up when I was in England. It's a great long distance driving selection.
Hi David
Crikey, do I type like a Kiwi, or was it just the time difference that gave it away?
Top Gear is shown on Prime TV here and is, I believe, their highest rating programme. One thing that does get up my nose is that they play an edited version of the programme. Once you delete the ads the programme runs for about 45 minutes. It is a full hour in the UK. When I queried with the station as to why they were cutting the programme I got a semi ridiculous answer in reply - apparently that is how the BBC supply the international versions (ok I accept that). However often the "Star in a reasonably priced car" has been edited out, along with many other things obviously, and Prime's response was that celebrity's have to give their permission for their likeness to be shown outside of the UK. I would have thought that being a celebrity would mean they were keen for all the publicity they could handle! You probably get the same version on SBS.
Luckily, through a Top Gear message board, I now have a contact in London who has taped the latest series in entirety for me, and has posted the discs over for my viewing pleasure!
A friend who is now living in Brisbane advises that the broadcasting of TG on SBS is pretty random, and you just have to hunt and catch it when you can!
Hi Steph,
Nice to get your perspective. All that sort of sounds very familiar. I have a colleague who watches the show with his kids - and they're all hooked.
Yes, I'm sure there's a bit of jargon involved, but you can give us the scoop when you have the whole story!
Looking forward to it.
Thanks for dropping by
David
Hi Bart,
Great to hear that. Yes, I sort of figured that you would have an interest in the series.
Next up, I have to get you into sitting by the TV, watching the World Cup cricket
Does Top Gear get a run on US TV?
Cheers
David
Hi AMJ,
Yep, just the time difference and the interest in the series!
You can call me Lieutenant Columbo!
Very interested in your information.
I follow your argument about celebrities. Hey, I'm on your side, but I guess it's all about the original licensing agreement wth the BBC.
The latest series! Sounds like you're going to be watching a lot of the TV screen.
I guess you're spending a bit of tim watching the World Cup as well. Your boys should go very well.
Take care.
David
I like the idea that it's Jeremy being pedantic . . . it sounds just like him.
I really can't see the BBC changing the format of the show in any way (including letting any of the presenters go) as it's so hugely popular and has something like 350 million viewers worldwide.
Having said that, I wonder how the three of them really feel after Hammond’s accident. For the past 5 years, they have had a blast ‘cocking about’. Maybe it’s all got a bit too real for them?
Hi FLT,
You've hit the nail on the head. I think the pedantry theory is accurate.
I don't think tweaking the format would improve anything.
And yes, the accident would surely have played a large part in any ``new'' approach to the show.
Thanks for dropping by.
David
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