Tag: Top Gear

BY PETER TENGERDY

Once again, Jeremy Clarkson, presenter and top motormouth of BBC’s Top Gear, has—allegedly—gone over the line. This time, however, he’s been black-flagged indefinitely, pending an investigation. With it, the program that draws some 350 million viewers in 170 countries has been shelved; at least for this weekend and, with only one other episode remaining, likely the season. Whether or not it’s true that he punched a producer over a disagreement about his supper is beside the point. Just as it is beside the point whether he mumbled a racial slur in an outtake or riled Argentines with an offensive number plate on purpose, etc., etc. Top Gear’s success is due in no small part because it goes over the line. The antics and often sophomoric behavior are precisely what set it apart from a typical petrolhead show. Much of that is what Mr. Clarkson brings to the mix. One needn’t look any further than the knock-offs and geographic franchises to see that the Clarkson-Hammond-May symbiosis is the one that works. Remove any one and it suffers, but—no disrespect to Mr. Hammond and Mr. May—remove Mr. Clarkson and it becomes another imitation of itself. It is the purity of his journalism combined with his buffoonery that the BBC shells out over £1 million for every year in order for audiences to tune in and grow. The Save Clarkson petition that began circulating immediately after news of the “fracas” broke is evidence that he has built a messiah-like following. It is without question a case of getting what they asked for. Having said that, we’ve all too often seen where that sense of entitlement becomes an abuse of power and the BBC is well within their imminent rights and ethical tenets to reign that in or cut it loose.

The obvious question then is what happens next. Pending the outcome of this latest investigation, if Mr. Clarkson is found not to be at fault, it’s business as usual and the corporate suits return to the edge of their seats to see what he may do next. In the case of at-fault, a simple reprimand would be virtually the same, essentially condoning questionable behavior in exchange for ratings. The supposed tension that has been afoot for the past few years proceeds as the price of success. If however, the BBC carries through with their “one more slip…” threat from the last incident, Top Gear’s future is precarious at best. There simply isn’t anyone who could fill the void of that missing cog. Tiff Needell (@tiff_tv) could return, but in all honesty he has built a better imitation with Fifth Gear than the imitation of “another” Top Gear. Chris Harris (@harrismonkey) may be the best presenter on the Internet and has the boy-loves-car character that is shared with Mr. Clarkson, but it would be more engaging to watch him smoke the tires off a McLaren P1 than ride through Viet Nam with a colander on his head. Maybe. The point is, it too would be an imitation of itself or worse, just another car show.

The simple reality is that television shows come to an end, no matter how good or successful: Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Seinfeld, and anything by Aaron Sorkin. In this case, the end came abruptly and loyal viewers will be denied the last part of the current season. At least for now. The BBC will be just fine. Mr. Hammond, Mr. May and yes, Mr. Clarkson will be as well. Perhaps he’ll find a lucrative home on the Internet or satellite radio. Or there’s always a judge spot on Britain’s Got Talent.