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For anyone who may not already be familiar with the current situation surrounding Jeremy Clarkson and the world-famous BBC motoring show, "Top Gear", it's time you got filled in on everything that's been going on. Much has happened since news about the "Fracas" between TG presenter Jeremy Clarskon and producer Oisin Tymon made the headlines, in which JC threw a punch at Oisin because dinner was not ready at the Hawes Hotel in North Yorkshire following a day of filming, leading to his suspension from the show, and the subsequent cancelling of the rest of the season.
If you aren't familiar with Jeremy's way with words, in short, he's a very outspoken individual, and as such, this isn't the first time he's been in hot water with the BBC over his outspoken nature. Prior to this, he'd been given a "final warning" by the BBC over a controversial racial slur he'd used during filming - footage that had been obtained by the BBC from two years prior - which was not aired, in which Jeremy used the "N" word in his comparison of two cars he'd been testing. In fact, he was the subject of the mayor of Liverpool's criticisms shortly prior to the news of the fracas making the headlines.
On February 24, the Telegraph reported that Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson took to the media to criticize an article Clarkson had written on his stay in the city, labeling him an "Oaf and a Baffoon" for his remarks. But given Clarkson's feedback in the article, it could be interpreted as brutal honesty or blatant criticism, or just another case of Clarkson being Clarkson.
He criticized his stay, noting that the food hadn't met his expectations. He then went on to say "...the people earn less, die quickly, have fewer jobs, and live in houses worth sod all,"
Then, on March 11, the automotive world changed forever when we read that JC had been suspended by the BBC following a "fracas" at the hotel where they were staying. At first, the rumors were limited in information, with scant details mentioning that Clarkson and a then unnamed producer (who we later found out was Tymon Oisin, 36) had gotten into a scuffle, and that he'd thrown a punch at the producer. As if that hadn't put TG fans the world over on the edges of their seat, we would find out shortly after that Clarkson was indeed suspended indefinitely by the BBC. To add salt to the wound, we would also learn that the remainder of the season had been cancelled, and that the final three episodes would not air. BUT if you live in America, at least, we were treated to an episode of Top Gear ( The ultimate Road Trip 2) on March 16th, though the absence of the whimsical trio was felt, as there were no studio cut scenes, no stars in a reasonably priced car, and rather than a sarcastic Clarkson commentating the intro and exit, a generic voice over took the place of the presenter's voice.
Shortly after news broke, the BBC announced with little comment that they would be launching an internal investigation into the matter, of which BBC executive Ken McQuarrie was charged with leading. On social media, Jeremy Clarkson updated his Twitter description to read "I am probably a presenter on the BBC 2 motoring show, Top Gear". Others with ties to Clarkson took to Twitter as well.
Em Clarkson tweeted humorously, following Jeremy's suspension: "Oh God, BBC please take him back, he's started cooking." Pierce Morgan - a subject of Clarkson's criticisms stirred rumors of Clarkson's replacement by tweeting "I can't comment on wide-spread rumors that I'm replacing @JeremyClarkson on Top Gear". In fact, another subject frequently mentioned on the show, David Cameron, announced his opinion on the immediate future of the show:
"I see that he regrets some of what happened. All that I would say, because he is a talent and he does amuse and entertain so many people, including my children, who will be broken if Top Gear is taken off air, I hope this can be sorted out because it's a great program and he's a great talent."
And Clarkson was regretful of his actions. In a string of emails from Jeremy to Oisin, which was shown to MaQuarrie as part of the investigation, Jeremy expressed his utmost regret in punching Oisin, though when Clarkson tried to speak to him directly, Oisin was not ready to face him despite his efforts to make amends and begging for forgiveness in an effort to let the situation blow over.
Image: Mashable
Of course, it's not like Top Gear fans had been sitting idly by as events unfold. Political Blog Guido Fawkes began circulating a petition to reinstate the embattled presenter to the famed show. The target was 500,000 signatrues. At last report, that petition was over 1 million. In an even more ambitious stunt, the petition was then delivered to the BBC - via tank - with a mock Stig at the helm; an event that only added to the viral wildfire on social media surrounding the allegations. This may be seen as a key move in the efforts to get Clarkson and the show back on the airwaves, becasue even if the BBC gets their way, they won't enjoy the outcome, as Top Gear is one of, if not the biggest earner for the media cooperation.
To emphasize just how big a part of the BBC Top Gear is, just look at the record - setting numbers surrounding the show: TG is broadcast in 214 countries, catering to the television screens of more than 350 million viewers, making the show one of the most viewed in history. Advertising alone brings in excess of 150 million pounds, and their social media channels have strong followings, with their Facebook page catering to more than 15 million fans, their YouTube with a following of more than 3 million subscribers, and their Twitter page with more than 1.74 million followers. It's fairly evident then, that Clarkson should have the support of every viewer world wide, and that the BBC would lose a critical support, which could greatly cripple the cooperation if the investigation does in fact result in the termination of the show. However, long time colleague and JC fan Nigel Farage's signature was not found on the petition.
He expressed his favor for the process and stated that those that signed didn't understand the full gravity of the situation, and that even if Clarkson was sacked, that other broadcasters would be glad to have him. Even motoring blog Jalopnik expressed interest in having Clarkson on staff should the BBC give him the axe.
Soon after, many began speculating at the odds of some favorable candidates for Clarkson's replacement if things came to that, citing popular names such as Chris Evans, Steeve Coogan, Dermot O'leary, Johnny Vaugn, Clair Balding and author Michael Gambon. However, the likelyhood of the BBC actually being able to fire Jeremy pending the results of the investigation are slim to none, as it was later revealed that his three-year contract, along with co presenters Richard Hammond and
"I didn't foresee my sacking but I would like to do one last lap...So I'll go down to Surrey and I'll do one last lap of that track before the f*****g b******s sack me....I'll be a bit tearful when I do it, but f**k it let's do it...I'm sacked so it'll probably be an Austin Maestro, so who knows? But anyway it will be my last ever lap of the Top Gear Test Track...There was an 18-year waiting list to be in the audience of Top Gear, but the BBC has f****d themselves...It was a great show and they've f****d up."
The gala raised an estimated $150,000.
Will Top Gear be no more? Will Jeremy be fired? Will we ever see the last three episodes as they were meant? Has the reasonably priced car seen its last lap? But most importantly, WILL WE EVER SEE THE MUCH ANTICIPATED RACE BETWEEN THE PORSCHE 918, FERARRI LaFERARRI, and the MCCLAREN P1?? We will only know when the investigations conclude shortly. All we as Top Gear fans can do at this point is sit back and cross our fingers.
In the meantime, let's look back on Jeremy's history with the BBC - particualrly when he had a full head of hair:
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