Jeremy Clarkson

scotsman · 30 Nov 2011

The smarmy git was on The One Show tonight, and decided it was a good idea to say that he'd "shoot [strikers] in front of their families" before turning to the tasteful subject of railway suicides, saying if someones burst instead of "if someone's been hit by a train" and "Whats the point in stoppingits not as if stoppings going to bring them back

Pillock. Full story here: http://checkbeforeyoutravel.co.uk/wordpress/

What does everyone else think, can he justify it in any way, does he thrive on this kind of publicity, or did he just not think?

RailUK Forums

MidnightFlyer · 30 Nov 2011

The man's a living legend, leave him be.

SS4 · 30 Nov 2011

"I'm alright Jack"

ralphchadkirk · 30 Nov 2011

C-list person gets a bit more publicity by saying something controversial. What's new?

AlterEgo · 30 Nov 2011

MattE2010 said:
The man's a living legend, leave him be.

No he isn't.

He's unfunny, which is worse than being not funny. A truly odious man with no class. I live in hope it's all a front and that a real human being couldn't be so unpleasant.

Lampshade · 30 Nov 2011

Right, I tweeted this earlier:

"We live in a free country, Jeremy Clarkson can say what the hell he wants - if you don't like it, don't listen, stop complaining #OneShow"

We know from Top Gear and other programmes his views can be controversial, although he could have been a bit more tactful when referring to suicides of all things.

In three words - haters gonna hate.

richw · 30 Nov 2011

MattE2010 said:
The man's a living legend, leave him be.

fully agree, jeremy and prince philip are two of my favourite famous people. Simply because they are 2 fingers up to political correctness!!!

SS4 · 30 Nov 2011

Lampshade said:
Right, I tweeted this earlier:

"We live in a free country, Jeremy Clarkson can say what the hell he wants - if you don't like it, don't listen, stop complaining #OneShow"

We know from Top Gear and other programmes his views can be controversial, although he could have been a bit more tactful when referring to suicides of all things.

In three words - haters gonna hate.

That much is true.

richw said:
fully agree, jeremy and prince philip are two of my favourite famous people. Simply because they are 2 fingers up to political correctness!!!

I think you're confusing political correctness with tact. Do you like the tram woman? She was politically incorrect :roll:

90019 · 30 Nov 2011

Lampshade said:
Right, I tweeted this earlier:

"We live in a free country, Jeremy Clarkson can say what the hell he wants - if you don't like it, don't listen, stop complaining #OneShow"

We know from Top Gear and other programmes his views can be controversial, although he could have been a bit more tactful when referring to suicides of all things.

In three words - haters gonna hate.

I completely agree.

I do like him, and find him amusing, but I think he's gone a bit far with the comments about suicides.

GB · 30 Nov 2011

Lampshade said:
Right, I tweeted this earlier:

"We live in a free country, Jeremy Clarkson can say what the hell he wants - if you don't like it, don't listen, stop complaining #OneShow"

We know from Top Gear and other programmes his views can be controversial, although he could have been a bit more tactful when referring to suicides of all things.

In three words - haters gonna hate.

Free country is debatable, saying what you want is incorrect...particularly on media outlets.

WestCoast · 30 Nov 2011

Yeah, alright, he says what he thinks, free speech policy e.t.c e.t.c. The tram woman did the same thing, didn't she? Talking about suicides in a such a crass manner could be just as offensive and hurtful as what was said in 'my tram experience'.

The Isle of Man path saga also comes to mind with Clarkson.

bb21 · 30 Nov 2011

I think the man's an idiot. I respect the man's right to his opinions, but he also needs to be aware that he will be shot down for saying things like that. Hardly rocket science.

Crimson_Quiff · 30 Nov 2011

I find Jeremy Clarkson can be funny when he tries! But put it this way - If Clarkson was sacked from Top Gear and we had Hammond and May just a duo, that would suit me down to the ground!

table38 · 30 Nov 2011

I realised a long time ago that Clarkson is a "brand".

He acts like that because it makes him stand out from other presenters and journalists, gets him publicity, and makes him a lot of money. One measure of his success is that he is recognisable by his surname alone. The word "Clarkson" has almost become an adjective; if it ever becomes a noun then he really will have succeeded!

I've lost count of the number of times that he will say something controversial on the first episode of a new series of Top Gear, then sit back and ride the wave of free publicity as people fall over themselves to be offended, and watch the ratings skyrocket.

I've never met him so I have no idea what he is like in real life when he is not acting in "brand" mode.

SS4 · 30 Nov 2011

table38 said:
I realised a long time ago that Clarkson is a "brand".

He acts like that because it makes him stand out from other presenters and journalists, gets him publicity, and makes him a lot of money. One measure of his success is that he is recognisable by his surname alone. The word "Clarkson" has almost become an adjective; if it ever becomes a noun then he really will have succeeded!

I've lost count of the number of times that he will say something controversial on the first episode of a new series of Top Gear, then sit back and ride the wave of free publicity as people fall over themselves to be offended, and watch the ratings skyrocket.

I've never met him so I have no idea what he is like in real life when he is not acting in "brand" mode.

Thank you for putting that far more eloquently than I could have

Badger · 30 Nov 2011

I've read Clarkson books. While it's true he has some horrible opinions that I completely disagree with, he is clearly a smart person and does hold some valid opinions which I do agree with. Just like anybody.

I think it's naive and simplistic to put down an entire person based on one or two things they've said (note: I am calling the action naive, not people, for this reason). People can't be judged by one sentence or action. Obviously, some actions need reactions, that's not my point. There are things about me I'd never tell people because I know they'd judge me based on them and not other qualities; similarly in this case people are saying "clarkson is an x", rather, "clarkson said something that was x" would be a bit more... I dunno, reasonable. But I'm going into a lengthy subject there which is never good because somebody will doubtless invoke the Hitler rule.

Freedom of speech is important. We can't go around shooting those who hold opinions we don't agree with because everybody holds different opinions and words are often usable in different says, sarcasm and irony exist, etc. Furthermore we need to be entitled to our opinions and views for democracy to work.

table38 · 30 Nov 2011

Think of it like the irritating "Go Compare" adverts. They must have raised the profile of the brand immensely. Even if people are discussing how irritating the adverts are, that's all promoting brand awareness and is priceless free publicity.

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about. - Oscar Wilde

DarloRich · 30 Nov 2011

Do people actually think he is like that? It is all an act or developed media persona - the problem is he is now expected to perform and say something controversial (plus he has a book out!) at every turn!

richw · 30 Nov 2011

table38 said:
Think of it like the irritating "Go Compare" adverts. They must have raised the profile of the brand immensely. Even if people are discussing how irritating the adverts are, that's all promoting brand awareness and is priceless free publicity.

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about. - Oscar Wilde

And like it or not that is what makes a successful ad campaign. Same as the annoying meercat one, which even seems to now be making a success from memoribilia.
If I'm looking for insurance, first thing that springs to mind is annoying go compare, or meercats

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

Temple Meads · 30 Nov 2011

Badger said:
I've read Clarkson books. While it's true he has some horrible opinions that I completely disagree with, he is clearly a smart person and does hold some valid opinions which I do agree with. Just like anybody.

I think it's naive and simplistic to put down an entire person based on one or two things they've said (note: I am calling the action naive, not people, for this reason). People can't be judged by one sentence or action. Obviously, some actions need reactions, that's not my point. There are things about me I'd never tell people because I know they'd judge me based on them and not other qualities; similarly in this case people are saying "clarkson is an x", rather, "clarkson said something that was x" would be a bit more... I dunno, reasonable. But I'm going into a lengthy subject there which is never good because somebody will doubtless invoke the Hitler rule.

Freedom of speech is important. We can't go around shooting those who hold opinions we don't agree with because everybody holds different opinions and words are often usable in different says, sarcasm and irony exist, etc. Furthermore we need to be entitled to our opinions and views for democracy to work.

This is a superb post, and I agree, personally I like Clarkson, but yes some of his comments are stupid, then again, he's made me laugh out loud countless times, at the end of the day, if you don't lke him, don't watch him...

Greenback · 30 Nov 2011

Personally, I'm not keen on him, but that is just me. Sometimes, though, he crosses the line of good taste, deliberately I assume.

the sniper · 30 Nov 2011

I was more disgusted by Alex Salmond on Tuesday... At least Clarkson's extreme views were meant as a joke.

185 · 30 Nov 2011

So the current Let's Kiill Clarkson list stands at:

Anyone using public transport
Wales
Caravanners
All Public Sector Employees
Salford residents
Poland
Gordon Brown
Piers Morgan
People who use public transport
Prostitute-murdering lorrydrivers

etc......

90019 · 1 Dec 2011

185 said:
Caravanners
Salford residents
Piers Morgan

To be fair, his views are at least justified for these ones

swj99 · 1 Dec 2011

I like Clarkson, but I don't always like what he says. I liked Thatcher, but I didn't agree with many of her policies. It's just a matter of seperating the person from their behaviour.
One thing I like about Clarkson is the fact that he isn't approval seeking, in that he actually doesn't care whether people like what he says or not.

ushawk · 1 Dec 2011

I like Clarkson, some of what he says can cross the line - but thats what your going to get with him as he says his opinions out loud, like the Tram women but just not as extreme.

If you dont like that, then you shouldnt really watch anything hes in because what you see is what your going to get.

table38 · 1 Dec 2011

I didn't see the One Show, but paradoxically the Daily Mail is "outraged" this morning. But then what's this I see:

Clarkson was appearing on the BBC show to promote his new DVD, Clarkson: Powered Up.

So Clarkson says something controversial and gets some free publicity; I rest my case!

Tracked · 1 Dec 2011

Saw it, predictable comments by him and predictable response from the press this morning, just in time for the new series of Top Gear :roll:

passmore · 1 Dec 2011

The trouble is, whether it's all an act or not, Clarkson is one of these people that have views which you're either going to agree with and say it's a breath of fresh air through the musty PC world we live in, or disagree with, and deem him 'offensive'. What he's said in the past, eg his comments on lorry drivers or about Mexicans, and the reaction following it says a lot about the way the world has changed. We are a lot more sensitive to points of view that are on the surface seem outrageous, but below the skin deep, are quite refreshing. We seem to focus too much on the fact that the opinion is outrageous when heard and disregard the reason why the opinion was stated in the first place.
I don't think we should play the 'free world' card, again, that's a sign of how much the world has changed when too much emphasis is placed on the rights of individuals and not their responsibilities, personal or otherwise. Clarkson, nor anyone else, should not use his basic right to freedom of speech to justify left, right and centre saying what the hell he wants on national TV. Yes he's entitled to his opinion but he is not entitled to be irresponsible in the manner in which he conveys it.

Rugd1022 · 1 Dec 2011

When the producers invited him onto the show, they knew Clarkson would probably end up saying something 'untoward' and the way the two presenters introduced him suggested to me they knew what was coming, despite both of them looking slightly embarassed afterwards. I think some folk take him to seriously, he knows this so it makes it all that much easier for him to wind people up!

Jeremy Clarkson

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