Top Gear, Final Thoughts; On Jeremy Clarkson and his Empire

One thing I would like to clear, despite what the reports say, Jeremy Clarkson was not fired or "sacked." The BBC decided to not renew his contract, which under the circumstances, was a better decision that just firing him; considering his and the co-hosts contracts would run out at the month. Again, I can understand what they did, and they made the decision with a heavy heart, but that doesn't mean we all have to agree with it. For us, he was the unapologetic, politically incorrect twit who gave us laughs and insightful information on cars. But he handled the issue with class and dignity, he knew what he did, and didn't let it show how much it bothered him, and from what I have read he's probably ready to take on the next challenge.

But is this end? No. Top Gear itself will likely continue in some fashion, it had existed for the better half of a century and probably will go on. For the three of them, there are multitude of possibilities. They could all do separate projects, or come together for another project, and considering they are still good friends, thats not out of the realm of possibility. What will they do, who knows. But I don't think we have heard the last of "Captain Slow", "The Hamster", and "Jezza". Heck, the BBC hasn't ruled out signing again sometime in the future, the future is not bleak, and there is till hope.

But, for the rest of us, it is the sad end go an era, one that lasted over decade, and became one of the biggest shows… in the world. I already liked cars before, but this show furthered that interest, and despite their age, gave me some car people that I could relate to. So thank you, good luck, and surly we'll be following you guys to what ever you do next!

(Image linked from: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/dec/29/top-gear-jeremy-clarkson-falklands-number-plate-tv-ratings)

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32083181?ocid=socialflow_facebook

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32067342

http://hypebeast.com/2015/03/jeremy-clarkson-rumored-to-create-new-car-show-with-netflix

An Ode to Top Gear

So the news is reporting it, it appears that Top Gear (UK) as we know it, is going to be no more, Jeremy Clarkson has been "sacked", his contract will not be renewed, due to an incident with one of the producers. As a fan, an American fan, I am irate and saddened at this news. This is a show that I looked forward to for the last two or three years, their antics and banter have had me nearly falling out of my chair and into the corner of the nearest piece of furniture. Plus the line of super cars and "insane" cars have been highlight of the show for me. But it was the the relationship between the three presenters that really sold the show.

Top Gear (UK), according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the longest running factual television program in the world. It is watched by 350 Million people world wide, in hundreds of different countries. They were like an unstoppable hyper car with a perpetual motion devise as it's engine… or so we thought.

As mentioned, lead host Jeremy Clarkson was involved in an incident with one of the show's producers and as a result was suspended in what was dubbed a "fracas".  According to sources, the incident took place after filming part of an episode and when Clarkson retired to the hotel, he yelled and punched the producer as there wasn't a hot meal ready for the presenter. Following the incident, Clarkson reported himself to BBC director Danny Cohen in order to avoid any further issues, and was suspended there after and an inquiry held. After the news broke, fans rallied around the presenter, including myself, to see him reinstated.

Following the initial breaking of the story, the rumors spread that he was going to be canned. A petition was created, that has since reached over a million signers, to have him reinstated to Top Gear. But the rumors came to fruition, and today is a sad day indeed.

While I understand what they did, I don't agree with their decision. For the BBC, Top Gear is probably one of their highest grossing programs, next to Doctor Who and their world wide news services. It is an amazing feat that a small local British television show has grown into such a massive global success; and the show has become a success due to the relationship between the three presenters that helped cement the shows place in the world. It is the ease and relationship that Clarkson, May, and Hammond had. They didn't care about offending anybody, they were unapologetic and knew what they're audience wanted to see. It's very rare to find a show with that as that perfect combination of elements, and subject matter that almost universal, to create something as awesome as Top Gear (UK) was. Can it now survive without Clarkson?

Probably the opinion of most fans is that the BBC has cut off it's own foot. Jeremy Clarkson has been the face of Top Gear for over a decade, he was on the old version, and help create the new version. While his co-hosts have become famous in their own right and have worked on their own projects, he was the glue that held everything together. I can't condone what he did, nor his hatred of Porsches, and he should face some sort of reprimand, which I think should be the producer getting to punch him on stage. But he should have been allowed to return to Top Gear and provide us with the politically incorrect and unapologetic humor that I and fans and enjoy.

However, Mr. Clarkson will not lose either way, in fact he will win no matter what. No doubt that the bidding for war for Clarkson's contract is probably about to begin. His name carries the weight of an experienced and talented presenter, potentially two very talented co-hosts, and throngs of fans, which equal high profits to whomever gets him.

It's is the fans, however, who will also suffer to an extent in this situation. By no means is this greater than the harassment that the producer suffered in the altercation, but the fans do deserve something in this situation. It's because of them that they show has reached such heights, and produced so much money for the BBC. The three of them should be allowed to complete the three final episodes and finish their last tour of Top Gear Live as a farewell tour, if simply just for the fans as a thank you and a goodbye.

In this world that seems to be tarring itself apart and civilization appears to be on the collapse, it's nice to have something to go to that is simple and allows you to laugh. To watch something that is so humors and unapologetic and talk about a subject that crosses races and national borders. And to watch three old British idiots drive around in ridiculous cars, review them in an uncompromising honest way, and have fun, which we get to share in. At it's heart, it's a guy show in a very true sense, something we very rarely get to see, but has managed to cross all boundaries.  I don't think it really can't ever be replaced, and  we loved the obnoxious twit who brings it to us.


As James May said, "He's a knob, but I quite like him."


Official Report:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/entertainment/news/a25379/bbcs-full-report-on-assault-that-got-clarkson-fired/

BBC Headline

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32052736

James May's Reaction:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/entertainment/news/a25378/video-james-may-reacts-to-bbc-firing-jeremy-clarkson/


Various Other Links:

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31839677

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31828184

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/entertainment/news/a25250/jeremy-clarkson-may-quit-bbc-top-gear/

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/entertainment/news/a25241/clarkson-punch-out-over-catering-may-threaten-top-gear/

http://time.com/3740047/jeremy-clarkson-top-gear-suspended-richard-hammond-james-may-ferrari-porsche-mclaren/

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/11/bbc-jeremy-clarkson-suspension-top-gear

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11465022/James-May-Jeremy-Clarkson-is-a-knob-but-I-quite-like-him.html

http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/jeremy-clarkson-suspension-top-gear-presenter-has-called-bbc-bosses-to-apologise-10108919.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31908080

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/richard-hammond-james-held-jeremy-5347488

A Slight Delay...... sorry.........

Sorry for another delay, but the article isn't quite finished and I think it would be best to wait on the results of the Top Gear inquiry. That way all the information will be there, and I can do a proper piece on it.

Also, it is Tolkien reading day, so I am going to be reading The Children of Hurin. Go grab a Tolkien book, or watch The Lord of the Rings in another language with subtitles!

Quick Update & Quick Thought

I know that I said Monday would be update day from now on, however I am chaining that to Tuesday. Due Mondays being the day that, yes, "Dungeons and Dragons" with a group of friends in the evening, it probably isn't the best day to be posting articles. Plus last night, even though the session was cancelled, I played the "Vault of Glass" raid in Destiny with with a friend early in the week. By far, one of the longest and challenging missions I have ever played in a video game, unfortunately, however, we were unable to complete it due to it being late and trying to beta the the final part of it over five times. But the good news is, I now have enough information to finish my Destiny review. That will be followed by some thoughts on Apple, Inc. and some of their recent hardware choices, but first an article on the recent issue with "Top Gear" (UK).

A quick thought on "Top Gear".  Very few things have caught my attention as much as Top Gear (UK) has. The specials, challenges, races, endless line of super cars, and of course, "The Stig." But it's the interaction and antics between the three main hosts that makes this show what it is. Three old British twits who tease and mock each other for the laughs of the audience. They have a synergy that they have built over the course of more than a decade, and it is that cooperation and friendship that has brought laughs to over three hundred million people across the world.

The recent scuff between Jeremy Clarkson, the lead host, and a producer has brought worry to many fans that this insane, ridiculous, and fun ride will soon come a tragic end. But, there yet may still be hope, the most recent news sources has reported that the other two hosts, James May, and Richard Hammond have refused to do any more shows with him. And with the support with so many loyal fans and supporters, the show has a good chance of returning.

That has been a quick thought, more to come!

A Few Points

Just a few points to make here, nothing big or dramatic here. Off the heels of retiring from PAX East this weekend, I am currently working on a piece about that and conventions in general, since I have been to both Anime Boston and PAX now. Also in relation to PAX, some lessons learned from one of the panels, I will now try to have a consistent “posting day”, and I am going to try to make that mondays. That way I can set a goal for myself and you don’t have to wait three weeks for me to post something. However, the topics, 90% of the time, will still be random and I may post one, or as many as I feel depending on what I accomplish over the week. Plus I may still post stuff in the middle of the week, but keep looking on Mondays.

The Printed Rambler: What’s in a name?

Another article from the Gateway Printing newsletter; my column, The Printed Rambler.

When you open up a new storefront, what do you want prominently displayed? A complex list of what you do? A long history of your business? A lot of people tend to overload spaces, such as business cards and ads; with way more information than is needed. Too much information could overwhelm a potential customer, as the phrase goes, “Keep It Simple Stupid.”

When designing a business card, or any small advertisement for your business, you should look at the space you have, which isn’t much, and allocate to it what is the most important. But what is the most important? Again, simplify; your name and contact information are probably two of the most important items that you can put on a business card. Your Contact information is obvious, how else is your contact supposed to get a hold of you? The name of your business can say a lot about your business and give the customer an idea of what you do. Our name “Gateway Printing” for example, just by looking at the name, you can tell what we do.

Simplicity is a good start, but then comes how you position it on your card or ad. When we read a book, we start at the top of the page and read down and across from left to right. That should be how a business card is set, your most information on the top and everything else below. But you also want to format it in such a way that customers read the most important information first. Your name should be large and bold, again your name can say a lot about what you do. However you don’t want it so big that it overpowers everything else on the page, your contact information should be large enough to see, but not so much that customers know how to contact you and don’t know who you are. Our eyes are always attracted to the largest object on a page.

Business cards, signs, ads, and storefronts all tell who you are and what you do. There is a balance to what you display on these items, as humans, we lose our attention when there is to little to hold it, or too much that it overwhelms us. Simplicity is always the best policy, remember “Keep It Simple Stupid” and customers will be more apt to come see what you have to offer.

The Gateway Printing Co.

174 Main Street, Wareham, MA

http://www.gatewayprinting.org/