I don't think I’m the only person in the UK who is in utter amazement at the coverage given to Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson over his recent outburst.
His venom was aimed at a TV producer who failed to secure a hot meal for Jezza after a hard days filming.
It resulted in Clarkson being sacked by the BBC and the poor unsuspecting producer ending up with a split lip.
Being known for his sarcastic sense of humour and the fact that he hosts the BBC’s most successful programme ever, which is exported to something like 59 countries, nearly everyone seems to have their own opinion on the situation.
An online petition to keep Clarkson hosting Top Gear got just over 1 million signatures; no mean feat considering online petitions for much weightier and important issues struggle to get even half that amount of national interest.
Being from a house of males, Top Gear rather stereotypically has been a TV highlight of the week. I think I’ve probably watched almost every episode and if I’m honest, actually found some of them quite funny.
It would be hard to criticise Clarkson and his merry band of men in their presenting. One of the most watched TV shows – they are clearly good at what they do.
Clarkson’s humour is often what might be described as un-PC. The king of sweeping generalisations, describing entire nations using jaded stereotypes and notorious for his use of bad language.
His attitude has always been a proverbial two fingers up to the great and good.
I’m in no way trying to defend him; his actions are stupid, often thoughtless and just not a decent way to treat people.
If I was to punch one of my colleagues, it’d be safe to say I’d probably find myself in a whole heap of trouble.
To be totally honest, I’m really not that bothered what happens to Clarkson.
Most people realise that he probably now end up presenting something very similar on a different channel.
Nobody is indispensable and the world will survive without Top Gear.
It’s the hypocrisy I’m struggling with.
I’ve read countless articles portraying Clarkson as the devil incarnate; rascist, sexist, misogasnistic and an all round nasty piece of work.
I don’t know the man personally, but given that he is presenting a one hour motoring show and not standing as a religious leader, is it possible the reaction to him is rather extreme?
How many pop stars are there who have let their ego run away with them, smashing up hotel rooms and treating those under them with disrespect?
It seems to be par for the course in the music industry.
When we watch Top Gear as a family, I don’t expect to gain some moral insight into life.
I’m not relying on a middle aged TV presenter to teach my kids what’s right and wrong in the world.
It’s a light entertainment show not a sermon. I will teach them it’s wrong to treat anyone with disrespect let alone punch them.
I’m really not trying to justify Clarkson, but sometimes the world feels like it really has gone a little bit mad.
Maybe a sign that we’ve lost sight of the bigger issues.
I won’t be signing any ‘bring back Clarkson’ petitions but I don’t see the need to criticize him either.
If I don’t want to watch him, no-one is making me.
The day we start to rely on a car show for morality is a very sad one.
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