Jeremy Clarkson suspended by BBC

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**thenoobbomb**

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31824040

Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended by the BBC "following a fracas" with a producer.

The corporation said the 54-year-old presenter had been suspended "pending an investigation".

"No one else has been suspended. Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday," it said.

Clarkson was given what he called his "final warning" last May after claims he used a racist word while filming the popular BBC motoring show.

At the time, he said the BBC had told him he would be sacked if he made "one more offensive remark, anywhere, at any time".

The BBC gave no further details on the current incident involving Clarkson, and said it would not be making any further statements at this time.

Clarkson's representatives have yet to reply to requests for a comment.

The presenter himself has remained silent. Last month, though, he tweeted a post saying a "new presenter for Top Gear" was wanted.

"Applicant should be old, badly dressed and pedantic but capable of getting to work on time," his message went on.

Top Gear
This weekend's episode of Top Gear was set to feature Clarkson - who has fronted the show since 2002 - along with regular co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May at a classic track day.

Former footballer and pundit Gary Lineker was also to appear as the "star in a reasonably priced car".

Former Top Gear presenter Chris Goffey told BBC Radio 5 live that while discussions on the programme sometimes became heated when he worked on the show, "it must have been something fairly serious behind the scenes to warrant his immediate suspension.

"I can't think what the hell's gone on, but there you go. When you've got a very strong character who likes things his own way, if somebody stands up to him, there's going to be a row."

Clarkson has courted controversy on several occasions during his time hosting Top Gear.

The show's executive producer, Andy Wilman, described last year as "an annus horribilis" for the programme.

It followed an incident in Argentina where the presenters and crew were forced to flee the country after trouble erupted over a number plate reading H982 FLK - which some suggested referred to the Falklands conflict of 1982.

Last year the show was also censured by Ofcom for breaching broadcasting rules after Clarkson used a derogatory word for Asian people during its Burma special programme.

TV critic Toby Earle told the BBC he was not surprised a Clarkson's suspension. "This incident is the one that's really forced management to take action," he said.

"Part of the show's appeal, to many viewers, has been it's sort of edginess and the fact that it's rough around the edges - in some ways takes no prisoners.

"But of course there is a very delicate line to tread with that, and it has crossed that line I feel."

Well, there goes that. Oh, Clarkson.

**Dreadclaw69**

Did he and Piers Morgan have round two?

**Soladrin**

How many does this make now?

**thenoobbomb**

He apparently had a fight with one of the producers.

Oh, Clarkson..

**SagesStone**

He'll be back next week then.

**Darkjim**

It was meant to be his last warning last time. Plenty of room on Sky for a man of his talents.

I find it amusing the other two can't be trusted to stand around in front of the idiot convention that is the audience for 60 minutes by themselves, so the beeb have pulled it completely, Never mind

**Silent Puffin?**

Ha!

**Ensis Ferrae**

It followed an incident in Argentina where the presenters and crew were forced to flee the country after trouble erupted over a number plate reading H982 FLK - which some suggested referred to the Falklands conflict of 1982.

So they legitimately had to flee the country for that? I remember those episodes, and one of the 3 (I forget who) made, what I thought at the time was a joke about the plate... which led to Jeremy having a gape at the other 2's car plates as well.

Though I wonder if they had to flee Argentina as quickly as they did The South in their Special done in America (where they painted horrible things on each others' cars)

**LordofHats**

Wow. He must be really frugal with his language if he got that kind of ultimatum XD

**H.B.M.C.**

The trio leave and go to Sky or ITV or whatever and make a new car show - Best Gear, or something. BBC is left with nothing.

**SharkoutofWata**

Ensis Ferrae wrote:

It followed an incident in Argentina where the presenters and crew were forced to flee the country after trouble erupted over a number plate reading H982 FLK - which some suggested referred to the Falklands conflict of 1982.

So they legitimately had to flee the country for that? I remember those episodes, and one of the 3 (I forget who) made, what I thought at the time was a joke about the plate... which led to Jeremy having a gape at the other 2's car plates as well.

Though I wonder if they had to flee Argentina as quickly as they did The South in their Special done in America (where they painted horrible things on each others' cars)

Did you not see the end of the episode? Where mobs waited on the road they were on as they approached the border crossing? Being pelted by eggs, rocks, prolly other things. Significant cosmetic damage and some bumps and bruises from where rocks crashed through car windows but yes, they really had to leave that quickly. Crossed the border to Chile illegally because the police said that the mob at the actual border had closed off Argentina's side of it and would not let them out of the country. So, crossing a river and into Chile illegally.

But, if Clarkson is gone, not sure if the show will carry on. The 'specials' without him are almost universally dull. The three have this on-camera chemistry that makes the show very enjoyable, but even I know on-camera is just a small percentage of the time and I get to turn my TV off at the end of it.

**Pete Melvin**

He makes them too much cash, theres no way theyd be stupid enough to ditch him (where, as has been said, he will simply go to Sky or somewhere else) for punching some media studies spod.

**Steve steveson**

Ensis Ferrae wrote:

It followed an incident in Argentina where the presenters and crew were forced to flee the country after trouble erupted over a number plate reading H982 FLK - which some suggested referred to the Falklands conflict of 1982.

So they legitimately had to flee the country for that? I remember those episodes, and one of the 3 (I forget who) made, what I thought at the time was a joke about the plate... which led to Jeremy having a gape at the other 2's car plates as well.

Though I wonder if they had to flee Argentina as quickly as they did The South in their Special done in America (where they painted horrible things on each others' cars)

The US one was a setup. Fortunately the US has a sense of humor and start threatening diplomatic sanctions over a joke. The Argentinian government however are not. Apparently it is 100% fine to film an Olympic promo (at night so no one would stop them) showing an Argentinian athlete training in the Falklands, including on the Falklands war memorial, with the tag line "To compete on English soil we train on Argentine soil.", but a car which may or may not refer to the Falklands war (which seems unlikely given the background) is an excuse for violence, which by all accounts was politically orchestrated.

**angelofvengeance**

Pete Melvin wrote:
He makes them too much cash, theres no way theyd be stupid enough to ditch him (where, as has been said, he will simply go to Sky or somewhere else) for punching some media studies spod.

BBC are a set of prats.

**Pete Melvin**

angelofvengeance wrote:
Pete Melvin wrote:
He makes them too much cash, theres no way theyd be stupid enough to ditch him (where, as has been said, he will simply go to Sky or somewhere else) for punching some media studies spod.

BBC are a set of prats.

Sadly, I must QFT

**SilverMK2**

My local radio station has been offering him a job and say they can provide him with a company car (a Smart car) and as he is really keen on all things green, an electric bike and he can do reports driving around central Oxford

**Dropbear Victim**

Darkjim wrote:
I find it amusing the other two can't be trusted to stand around in front of the idiot convention that is the audience for 60 minutes by themselves, so the beeb have pulled it completely, Never mind

They should have got the Stig to host the episode. The interview with the guest star would have been interesting.

**Paradigm**

According to BBC news, they are planning on scrapping the rest of the current series entirely (3 episodes). Now, the series has been a bit medicore recently anyway, but that's not the point.

If the reports he punched someone are true (and we have no confirmation or context for this either) then maybe they have a point, although they are shooting themselves in the foot, as with Clarkson, TG just won't happen, and SKy or ITV will have the three of them doing a new idiot show (I hesitate to call it a car show, the falling over/setting things on fire/breaking caravans bits are all more entertaining

) in months.

Still, at least this wasn't a case of some tiny minority of viewers complaining about something that wasn't in any way intended to offend/wasn't actually broadcast/was a complete accident like the last few times they've 'warned' him.

**Wyrmalla**

Is Top Gear still the highest rated show on the BBC? Fire the guy over policy, even though they aught to, is still going to have the higher ups booting the ones who do it. Its all about the money, and its not as if the BBC has scruples. =P

**Paradigm**

It is, according to the Guiness book of records, the most watched 'factual' (ha) program... in the world. So I'd guess it's their highest rated, and it's certainly their biggest export (they've sold it to 214 countries apparently).

**Steve steveson**

SilverMK2 wrote:
My local radio station has been offering him a job and say they can provide him with a company car (a Smart car) and as he is really keen on all things green, an electric bike and he can do reports driving around central Oxford

Jack FM by any chance? They can't afford a Smart car or an electric bike, and should know full well that congestion is more of an issue in Oxford. They should see this every morning down Woodstock Road. Get him to take the bus.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Paradigm wrote:
I hesitate to call it a car show, the falling over/setting things on fire/breaking caravans bits are all more entertaining

Paradigm wrote:
It is, according to the Guiness book of records, the most watched 'factual' (ha) program....

To be fair they Top Gear make jokes about it being a car show or a factual show all they time. They know it's entertainment and there is a reason why Fifth Gear died a death. Segments on the relative practicality of the latest B sector super mini are unrelentingly dull. Most people want to watch stuff blowing up and supercars being driven sideways, not if you can get better MPG from a Focus or an Astra.

**Nostromodamus**

Shame, I like Jezza. Bit of a buffoon but he did punch Piers Morgan, which more than makes up for it. And he speaks his mind in a world where speaking your mind is being increasingly frowned upon.

**Paradigm**

Steve steveson wrote:

Paradigm wrote:
I hesitate to call it a car show, the falling over/setting things on fire/breaking caravans bits are all more entertaining

Paradigm wrote:
It is, according to the Guiness book of records, the most watched 'factual' (ha) program....

To be fair they Top Gear make jokes about it being a car show or a factual show all they time. They know it's entertainment and there is a reason why Fifth Gear died a death. Segments on the relative practicality of the latest B sector super mini are unrelentingly dull. Most people want to watch stuff blowing up and supercars being driven sideways, not if you can get better MPG from a Focus or an Astra.

Oh, I quite agree, I just find it amusing it's still classed as 'factual' when you have hovercraft races, cow-herding in supercars and home-made hearse-ambulances.

But yes, the boring car bits are by far the most dull parts.

**Steve steveson**

Thinking about it, it possibly is right to call it factual for the Guinness book of records. It's just not about cars. I learned quite a bit about Australia from that cow herding. The ambulances, less so, although I do thing they stretched that out far too much. It should have been a section on a normal show rather than a full show on it's own.

**Wyrmalla**

Paradigm wrote:
Steve steveson wrote:

Paradigm wrote:
I hesitate to call it a car show, the falling over/setting things on fire/breaking caravans bits are all more entertaining

Paradigm wrote:
It is, according to the Guiness book of records, the most watched 'factual' (ha) program....

To be fair they Top Gear make jokes about it being a car show or a factual show all they time. They know it's entertainment and there is a reason why Fifth Gear died a death. Segments on the relative practicality of the latest B sector super mini are unrelentingly dull. Most people want to watch stuff blowing up and supercars being driven sideways, not if you can get better MPG from a Focus or an Astra.

Oh, I quite agree, I just find it amusing it's still classed as 'factual' when you have hovercraft races, cow-herding in supercars and home-made hearse-ambulances. But yes, the boring car bits are by far the most dull parts.

Weren't they told by the US that upon review they couldn't get permission to film there if they called themselves factual, rather they were an entertainment program?

**Herzlos**

They could film if factual, but not for "entertainment".

**Chongara**

I don't get the point of this. His whole appeal is that he is an obstinate 13yr old boy in a grown man's body. Why suspend for being the idiot that he is? That's what's he's been making them off of all this time.

**jhe90**

He makes too much money.
Not be too punished, top gear makes millions a episode, there not gonna kill a cash cow like that.
Minus one of them, it all fails.

**angelofvengeance**

To re-iterate: This is the BBC.

**d-usa**

They can always show the US version of Top Gear to see how successful the show can be with new hosts!

*ducks*