Clarkson’s departure gives Top Gear the chance to reinvent itself

“And on that bombshell, Jeremy Clarkson has gone. Top Gear’s main man has caused one controversy too far, gone out in a blaze of producer-punching in-glory and been jettisoned from the BBC’s mega-successful motoring franchise. The Star in a Reasonably Priced Fracas has roared off into the sunset, no doubt raising a defiant two-fingered salute in mesh-backed, leather-palmed driving gloves as he does so. ”

“What often gets forgotten in the pro-Clarkson, petrol-heads-waving-pitchforks furore is that Top Gear existed pre-Jezza, as a relatively sober motoring review programme. It was pretty successful on it own modest terms, too. It began in 1977 as a monthly magazine show, with Angela Rippon behind the wheels of Ford Cortinas and Austin Allegros (oh, the glamour), introducing features on new-fangled speed traps, strange new road signs and interviews with the Transport Minister. ”

“Three years later, Noel Edmonds took over and as the show evolved through the Eighties…”

“…new presenters came on-board—including former Formula One driver Tiff Needell and, in 1988, some reporter from Performance Car magazine called Jeremy Clarkson. Tall bloke, curly hair, couldn’t miss him. The modern era itself was a reinvention, masterminded in 2002 by Clarkson and executive producer Andy Wilman, the power behind the driving seat and unseen fourth member of the TG team. They turned it into the glossy, growling entertainment behemoth we know today. It’s been a global hit, sure, but has changed little in the last 13 years. The world has moved on around it and now Top Gear can catch up.”

“So how to repeat the trick with Top Gear? With no baggage and a blank sheet of paper. Bring in clever, funny, talented people and let them have their head. They might be younger than the current line-up. One of them might even be—look away now, unreconstructed car bores—a woman.”

“OK, guys, I’ve got some great ideas for your next show. Jeremy, why not have James describe some kosher food as looking like ‘sick with cheese on it’? No? Thought not. Even better, why not describe some Islamic fundamentalists as lazy and feckless? Feel the silence. They’re all pretty well organised these days, aren’t they, those groups? Better stick to those that are least problematic. Old people? Special needs? I know—Mexicans! There aren’t enough of them to be troublesome, no celebrities to be upset. And most of them are miles and miles away.”

“Clarkson, 54, assaulted Oisin Tymon for around 30 seconds, while shouting ‘derogatory and abusive language’ so loudly it could be heard in a hotel bedroom, a BBC report has found. The attack at the Simonstone Hall Hotel, in North Yorkshire, was only stopped when a witness intervened, BBC Director General Tony Hall said.”

“Jimmy Mulville, managing director of Hat Trick Productions which makes the show, said: ‘On reflection, Jeremy Clarkson has decided not to host Have I Got News For You. We fully expect him to resume his hosting duties later in the year.’”

“A BBC spokesperson has told The Mirror: ‘Jeremy’s contract has not been renewed on Top Gear but he isn’t banned from appearing on the BBC.’ The news-related panel show often sees celebrity guest presenters poke fun at themselves, as well as the personalities taking part in the quiz, and fans will have to wait and see whether Jeremy makes light of his recent drama.”

“It comes after the producer involved, Oisin Tymon, decided not to press charges last month, saying in a statement that he hoped ‘all parties should now be allowed to move on, so far as possible.’”

“Well, it’s entirely a matter for the BBC, it’s never right not to treat your staff and people properly. So it’s their decision and I don’t think I should say any more about it.”

“Writer and former Conservative MP Louise Mensch who weighed in on Jeremy’s dismissal, labelling it the product of a ‘wimpy’ and ‘effeminate’ culture. Many of those on Twitter were incredulous of her remarks, with a fellow journalist, Laura Marcus, challenging Louise on her views on violence in the workplace…”

“Louise condoned the act as long as the culprit and victim were evenly matched and not much harm was done.”

“The Mirror reports that Clarkson called Oisin Tymon a ‘lazy Irish c***’ moments before he hit him and split his lip. The punch was so forceful Tymon was allegedly left covered in blood and required a trip to hospital for treatment. He is said to have suffered dizziness following the event. … [Clarkson] and the other Top Gear producers arrived two hours late to the hotel after they held up the helicopter that was due to fly them there. Oisin had apparently waited up for the presenters rather than going on to bed, and Clarkson was said to be ‘agitated’ when he arrived.”