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BBC’s Top Gear originally begun in 1977, but 2002 brought new things for the popular motoring show. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe were the presenters, with the latter being replaced in 2003 by James May to bring us the trio we still have today (Four not forgetting The Stig of course).
In 2003 the (original) black-suited Stig was around, as was the first reasonably priced car – the Suzuki Liana – but with James May reviewing cars such as the beloved Fiat Panda and Hammond checking out the Nissan Micra – vehicles that everyday people can afford and would drive, the show at least had a hint of a normal motoring programme.
Over the years, this has very much evolved. The presenters injected increasing amounts of humour and the challenges ‘given to them by the producers’ became more ludicrous and more tenuously linked to motoring. Inevitably with elements of TV humour, inappropriate and offensive references became commonplace and now many things that are said or shown during filming are increasingly borderline – and many would say they have passed over that line.
You may recall in April 2014, footage circled online of Jeremy Clarkson using the ‘n-word’ during filming for Top Gear, to which he at first denied, and then apologised for. The balding broadcaster has also been involved in a plethora of other controversial comments and rants, both on and off Top Gear. And somehow in July 2013 it was revealed he was the BBC’s highest paid presenter.
Co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May seem to have a far less blemished record than Clarkson (Although to do worse, would be quite something) but the former was criticised in May 2012 over the use of a controversial term in a magazine column and Mexican ambassador complained to the BBC about him for insulting comments about a Mexican sports car – relating them back to the people of Mexico and their culture.
Just yesterday, the show is at the centre of yet another controversy with protests cutting short filming in South America over a number plate which appears to make reference to the 1982 Falklands War.
What we’re seeing here is a large picture building up. The presenters on and off Top Gear, individually and collectively, have completely blown all the moral boundaries yet somehow are able to carry on creating and filming – probably due to the enormous £149m revenue that Top Gear makes the Beeb.
What Top Gear is, is not a motoring show. It’s 3 middle aged men partaking in a comical farce, where the only way people can be made to laugh is by being insulting/inappropriate – and that’s not comedy at all. Top Gear’s clutch has worn out; it’s time the BBC scrapped the presenters, and scrapped the show.
joellepoidevin 