Clarkson

[bunn]

I have to admit, I'd assumed that Jeremy Clarkson had long ago jumped his own personal shark, and had been playing an Ali G -style character based on himself on Top Gear for many years.   I'm rather saddened that recent events suggest that he was actually taking himself seriously.

Although I've not signed it myself*, I am amused by the fact that the petition to bring back Clarkson was set up on change.org.  Judging by the emails I get from change.org, they take themselves rather seriously, and their userbase profile has probably just changed in ways they were really not expecting...

Also, The Stig delivering the petition to the BBC  in a tank (or is it a self-propelled gun as I saw some gun nerd complaining somewhere?) was an inspired piece of theatre that I can only appreciate.

* because, amusing though Clarkson and petition both are, when it comes down to it, if he really thumped someone vastly poorer and less influential than himself, or even threatened to do so, that's pretty abysmal behaviour and I'm not sure an online petition to allow him 'freedom to fracas' is in any way an appropriate response. 

Comments

[bunn.livejournal.com]

That was a different incident, and much less serious - the Argentinian thing was much more recent and rather more alarming, in that the angry mobs were coordinated and working together in different places to intercept the whole production team, and even stormed the hotel where the presenters were staying. They had to abandon the cars they were using and fly out.

The Argentinians thought that his car numberplate H982 FKL was a reference to the Falklands war. Have to admit, it's quite a coincidence if unintentional.

[purplecat]

it's quite a coincidence if unintentional.

It's always possible that someone involved in acquiring the car thought it was funny and arranged it even if Clarkson was in blissful ignorance.