The BBC has fired Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson after he reportedly assaulted a producer on the BBC’s most-watched television show.
As a refresher as to what resulted in this outcome, Jeremy Clarkson reportedly assaulted a producer of the show that he hosts for the BBC called Top Gear. It’s a show where he and the two other hosts, Richard Hammond and James May, test incredibly pricey cars. It’s one of, if not the most, popular shows in the U.K., and is viewed by literally hundreds of millions of viewers around the world.
Top Gear started in the late ’70s, but it was revamped entirely by Clarkson in 2002, and it grew into a broadcasting monster. It’s available in 200 countries, and is seen by over 350 million viewers around the world. Some sources report that the show brings the BBC anything from $85 million to over $200 million annually. It’s, for a lack of a better word, huge.
Even if you haven’t heard of it, you should know just how important it has become. It’s like that mobile app company that you’d never heard of, that just happens to be worth a couple billion. So, now that we’re up to speed on what this show is, now we can talk about how big of a deal it is that its main host, Jeremy Clarkson, has been fired.
On March 10, Jeremy Clarkson reportedly assaulted a producer of the show. It’s now come to light that he verbally abused the producer, and even admitted to punching him, with the 30-second fight being called a “fracas.” The producer, Oisin Tymon, was reportedly struck during the assault, which resulted in the swelling and bleeding of his lip.
Now, you’re probably thinking… no wonder this guy got fired, but you have to know Jeremy Clarkson to understand why this is surprising. The host is known for being kind of an ass, but one that everyone loves – think Simon Cowell, but funnier.
Of course, being funny (and powerful) doesn’t excuse you from reportedly punching someone because there wasn’t any hot food provided following a day of filming on the show. It won’t come as a surprise that this isn’t the first time that Clarkson has gotten himself into some hot water, but physically assaulting his own production team isn’t something he’s known for.
Although, he did reportedly punch British TV host Piers Morgan, who actually came to Clarkson’s aide during the time between when the attack reportedly took place and his firing today. Morgan slammed Clarkson for his inexcusable behavior, but said, “I understand, perhaps better than most, the rather particular stresses and strains that come with being a cocky, opinionated, mischievous, polarizing TV personality who seeks occasional relief in alcoholic libation.”
But, Jeremy Clarkson has mostly made mistakes like saying racist remarks, and making jokes about the entire country of Mexico. He’s crossed the line before, but reportedly hitting a producer of his own show is apparently too much for even the BBC to look the other way with their golden goose.
So, this all culminated today when BBC director general Tony Hall fired Clarkson, and said, “For me a line has been crossed. There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations. This decision should in no way detract from the extraordinary contribution that Jeremy Clarkson has made to the BBC. I have always personally been a great fan of his work and Top Gear.”
In a statement, Mr. Tymon, who was the man reportedly assaulted by Clarkson said, “I’ve worked on Top Gear for almost a decade, a programme I love. Over that time Jeremy and I had a positive and successful working relationship, making some landmark projects together. He is a unique talent and I am well aware that many will be sorry his involvement in the show should end in this way.”
Mr. Tymon did not even file a formal complaint against Jeremy Clarkson after the attack, and it has been noted that Clarkson reported himself to his BBC bosses after the incident. It seems that prior to the reported assault, the two had a normal working relationship, which makes it even stranger that this has ended with the sacking of one of the world’s most popular TV hosts.
What Top Gear fans want to know is, what will happen to the beloved show, which is watched by a reported 350 million viewers worldwide? The other two hosts, Richard Hammond and James May, are rumored to be walking from the show, as they don’t believe it can work without Clarkson. He was the show, to fans, to viewers, to the hosts and the crew. Despite his faults, he created the show as it was known for the last 13 years and without him, Top Gear will most likely be taken off the BBC.
The last two episodes haven’t aired since the incident, and it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting any new episodes as of now. We’ll be getting the hundreds of reruns that often air on BBC and BBC America, unless they decide down the line that they’re willing to allow Clarkson back on the show.
It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve fired someone and brought them back, as it was seen with TV personality Jonathan Ross, who had a similar incident, at least where he was sacked for his actions, despite not being physical assault.
BBC director general Tony Hall said that this was not a decision that he’d taken lightly. He continued, “I have done so only after a very careful consideration of the facts and after personally meeting both Jeremy and Oisin Tymon.”
Since there’s been so much public interest, Hall has decided to publish the findings of the report, and said that, “I take no pleasure in doing so. I know how popular the programme is and I also know that this decision will divide opinion. The main facts are not disputed by those involved.”
We look forward to finding out what happens with Top Gear in the future, whether the BBC will try to replace Clarkson, or whether Hamster and Captain Slow (the other hosts) will end up leaving like it’s currently rumored. We don’t condone Clarkson’s actions in any way, as physical abuse is about as serious as it comes, but the show has a massive fanbase, and it’s important to be aware of the facts.
In the end, it’s the fans that lose out the most, as it was truly a great show, and one that will certainly be missed if it does get canceled due to Jeremy Clarkson’s actions, which resulted in the popular, yet controversial host’s firing.
Source: BBC, Yahoo!
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