Top Gear: The future?

[Cleoriff]

Unless you have been in a news free zone for 24 hrs it wont have gone unnoticed that Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended...

Allegedly he punched a producer....

Sundays episode has been shelved along with the remaining two in the Top Gear series..

Clarksons suspension has led to a massive petition for his reinstatement.

Personally, I wonder why so many want him back? Surely this massively popular show can survive without him? (Stands back ready to be panned for that comment )

Maybe this 'hero worship' of Clarkson is a 'man thing'? (apologies if that appears sexist )

I don't particularly like him. I think he arrogantly believes he is invincible....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31828184

[MI5]

Is one man bigger than the entire show?
We shall see........!

[Cleoriff]

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@MI5 wrote:
Is one man bigger than the entire show?
We shall see........!

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From the petition currently doing the rounds, I am unsure whether the people signing are Top Gear fans or Clarkson fans?

I actually like the show. I don't watch it much though because of him (Heresy?)

[MI5]

I do find him funny but replacing him wouldn't make any difference to me.......

[jonsie]

I can take him or leave him, amusing but too self important at times. The show will survive no problem and we can look forward to Clarkson concentrating on his new job as Lord Mayor of London....:smileywink:

[Anonymous]

I personally like him, and the BBC likes the personality he portrays on screen. The trouble is though he isn't just 'hamming it up' for the audience, that is actually how he is! The BBC needs to appreciate that if they want to employ him. 

That said though, IF he has actually punched another member of staff, I can't see how they can continue to employ him, as the are setting a very dangerous precedant. He may have really shot himself in the foot this time. 

I would imagine if he doesn't carry on, that Top Gear will, possibly without a replacement. Hammond and May know they are onto a good thing and I don't think they'll be revolting if he doesn't get reinstated. That's not saying they wont miss him though, as I think they genuinely get on.

Maybe he could be the Star In The Reasonably-Priced car next series???

[anticpated]

I think though Clarkson is part of the bricks and mortar for that show. Love him or hate him, it is what it is.

[Cleoriff]

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@anticpated wrote:

I think though Clarkson is part of the bricks and mortar for that show. Love him or hate him, it is what it is.

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If that's the case @anticpated  then the other question would be....would you stop watching Top Gear if he wasn't part of it?

My problem with him is ...I am sure he thinks people would stop watching.(As you say...love him or hate him)

I honestly think people who enjoy the show would watch it irrespective of whether he was part of it or not...

[jonsie]

Speaking personally, I enjoy the show for the format and content. It may seem strange without him but I'll continue watching.

[L_W_Ward]

Top Gear could continue but it would need some clever writing and hiring. Sadly, while still entertaining, Richard and James are not main presenter material. They are the sides that add to the main personality. 

Who could they get to replace him?