If its true that TopGear is only suspended, then it is excellent news.
It wouldn't be the same if the Hamster wasn't there to gnaw cool wall pictures!
When it returns, I predict it to be the highest rating edition if the show ever. (That's a no brainer!!)
However, if TopGear was to be axed, it would only underline how out of touch the BBC has become. As the UKs largest provided of subscription TV (we ALL pay the licence fee!!), it seems more and more intent on becoming a minority interest broadcaster.
TopGear has mass appeal (regularly over 4m viewers - excellent for a BBC2 show), and is far fresher than any of the competition (5th Gear is just a re-hash of old TopGear with presenters who are "has beens" and "wanna be's"; and Vroom Vroom isn't worth squat).
Sure, Jezza is over opinionated and winds people up, but that's why the trio of Clarkson, Hammond and May works so well - they each provide a balance to the others (how's the new Panda, James? I have some old stair carpet in the garage if you want to collect it!!).
TopGear should be left to learn its own lessons from the "Hamster Incident", without any meddling from the BBC management or the HSE; that way we will continue to get the motoring show we all love.
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Colin-E
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TG has my support in whatever format its production team and presenters want to deliver (not forced to deliver).
It was an accident! Everyone knows what they are taking on in these stunts and no one is being exploited in the making of the programme.
PS: "........ he deliberately crashed a Volvo into a brick wall that he had bought for £1" Cheap wall!
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IanS
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Hasn´t the show just won an Emmy, or something?
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I know I've moaned about all three and the programme, but TV would be the poorer for losing it.
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I hope that if the BBC axe the show, another more forward thinking channel - Channel Four maybe? - takes it up as they would be mad not to.
If the show is axed, it is proof if any that the BBC has no interest in what the people want.
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Stu,
I think it would be deeper than that, this is a remarkable moneyspinner for the Beeb. Don't think they'd chop it lightly.
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I see no massive news coverage of this crash: news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/5376892.stm
But have you seen the video of the crash!... might work...
news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_5370000/newsid_5379000/bb_rm_5379022.stm
{Link made non clickable as it's a video clip. Add http:// to the start of the link and copy / paste into your usual browser to view - D}
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That crash was all over our local news yesterday as she's from Guildford. A bruised knee isn't exactly national news though.
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"A bruised knee isn't exactly national news though."
Agree but the crash was quite spectacular to have walked away effectively unhurt. That was my point and proves how strong/safe racing cars have become.
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If forced to change the format drastically, then there would be no point in it returning to the BBC - making it ultra safe etc.. If this was the only option I would hope Clarkson, May and the Hamster take it somewhere else. It would not have to be called Top Gear and I'm sure there would be plenty that watch it.
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I am not a keen watcher of TG but if last night's Fith Gear was typical of th enew series , then TG gets my vote between the two: for content, presentation, professionalism, humour , interest and presenters.
Apart from that I don't really care:-)
madf
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If you like Clarkson's humour, then anyone read his book "The World According to Clarkson". I read it while recovering from my accident in Italy and found it very very funny. Some of the stuff you have to think "can he say that" but still funny. Some in the book also written by him in the Times.
Sometimes I'd laugh so much my head really hurt - but that was because of the accident too... coughing did the same.
One of my favourite Clarkson quotes though is "the only person who looked good in the back of a convertible was Hitler". I know I probably shouldn't but I do.
Bring back TG.... one of the best bits of Sundays.
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Spotted on the interweb at www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/sh...r
ticle_id=407022&in_page_id=1773
the hamster says:-
With Top Gear facing the axe, injured presenter Richard Hammond has begged the BBC to show the 280mph car crash that almost killed him.
In a bid to save the motoring show, the 36-year-old is also prepared to appear on television live from his hospital bed as BBC bosses have said they will only screen the new series if Hammond is well enough to appear on it.
Hammond, who suffered a serious brain injury after his jet-powered dragster crashed, is desperate to get in front of a camera as he is worried the programme will be cancelled before he has had a chance to recover from his injuries.
.......
"He's fuming they've postponed the next series because he fears that's the first step towards the BBC pulling the plug permanently. He's terrified they're going to axe it while he's stuck in hospital.
"He'll do anything to keep Top Gear going, even if it means broadcasting from his hospital bed. It would be an emotional broadcast for everyone involved and a ratings winner."
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All terribly emotional but.....
HJ said..
"The next series was rumoured to be the last anyway."
So if that was the case, then I presume its cancellation has nothing to do with this tragic incident. Indeed, it is more likely that this incident will prove to be the show's salvation - one or two series at least.
{ 8< SNIP Provocative comment removed - DD}
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Well I've avoided this group of threads and the politics of posting about the crash so far but... I can't avoid saying I agree with No FM2R (Hello BTW).
I am a great supporter of Top Gear as entertainment. As Brill said (I think) we too sit down with the kids and enjoy most of the show. So what if it doesn't relate to every day on the M25. I think the show has risen above motoring actually and the interplay between the three characters is a serious draw.
The Nanny State thing is being massively hyped in connection with this... seemingly so that those who have a thing against "it" can then climb their soapboxes. Of course you might say "well JC says that too". Of course he does... it is in his character and job description to do so... we'd expect no less.
If I'd been running the event that hurt Richard I'd be more than pleased to have the expert assistance of both the Police and HSE helping investigate the possible causes. Had a bit to do with both in accident investigation (not cars) and never found either any less than fair.
And as you hint it is quite likely there are cool heads making cool decisions involving many other factors... and no doubt looking down the pro/anti scrum below with despair.
David
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Comment removed as not within the spririt of this thread. DD
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All I'm interested in is that Richard Hammond should make a full recovery. Whether TG continues or not is certainly not of prime importance to me. As I've already stated, the show is now tired and has elements in it that annoy.
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Two things seem certain.
Clarkson, May and Hammond will continue to front motoring related TV entertainment programmes.
The BBC will contunue to produce motoring related TV entertainment programmes.
Whether the Top Gear name continues or whether one, two ot all of the guys are still on the BBC is perhaps in question.
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Comment removed as not within the spririt of this thread. DD
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I'm not too fussed to be honest. If it gets axed, I'm pretty sure another channel would pay good money for Clarkson (and Hammond when he gets better) and then you'll have your Top Gear. Admittedly probably not called Top Gear but it will be there all the same.
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why don't we have a little survey for a new name, just in case it's needed
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Fourth Gear: Gently crusing along at 57mph
You've got to admit - it's pretty snappy.
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I've not been a huge fan of the programme in recent years, it has become too much of an entertainment show with a motoring theme. The older versions with Woolard were more my thing. But I wouldn't want to see it go, they still do things I like watching from time to time.
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"The older versions with Woolard were more my thing."
Yes - I'd agree with that. Fast / exotic cars are not my cup of tea - although as someone else said - I'm more than happy to acknowledge that this would appeal to others.
What I do long for is a prog that looks at 'ordinary' cars in much more detail. What astounds me is the fact that programs catering for those who want to do their own servicing and repairs are pretty much non existent. You'd think there would be a strong interest in something with a DIY slant. After all, home DIY progs have gone down a bomb in recent years.
And what about a prog restricted to classic cars? I could wallow in that.........!
Graeme
(pulling up the anorak hood and making for the door.)
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I'm pretty sure another channel would pay good money for Clarkson (and Hammond when he gets better)
Someone like Channel 5 maybe? I hope not, as the old TG team went there and look what a disater that turned out to be.
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"Someone like Channel 5 maybe? I hope not, as the old TG team went there and look what a disaster that turned out to be."
I can't recall VBH being a regular on the old TG.. If her performance on Fifth Gear is anything to go by, her leaving TG (if she was on it) was no loss.. a most annoying presenter who makes me want to switch channels at once.
But all imo...
madf
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I can't recall VBH being a regular on the old TG..
She may not have been a regular presenter, but she was a presenter nevertheless
"In 1997 VBH joined the BBC's flagship motoring show Top Gear."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicki_Butler-Henderson
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How about some sort of "electronic" petition of support for the show?
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I think for the Beeb to kill off TG would be a PR disaster.
It is one of the highest (if not the actually the highest) viewing figures for BBC2. If it were to be moved to BBC1 like "Have I got News For You" did, then the figures would be even higher.
Couple that with Hamsters comeback when he's fit enough again, and showing the accident (as he has expressed), then the viewing figures would go through the roof.
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With the support for Hammond, the Beeb would be insane to drop Top Gear wouldn't they. For the last week we have all been following this closely and wanting him to get 100% better quickly. Today was a good day with regards that goal.
WHEN Hammond is on TV again then millions will watch him just to see him presenting again. And he will present again. So dropping TG would be mad.
So of course the Beeb will drop TG.... sent them an email asking some questions. Got responses before believe it or not.... an apology from BBC Sport Editor in fact. Waiting with bated breath this time.
Rob
P.S. I was a bit negative on the Hamster before because of the Beeb News 24 coverage. Shows me up. Deep down always rooting for the bloke. He's so... likeable :-)
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>>Looks to me that as far as The Backroom is concerned Top Gear has died a death.
The Backroom, or you ?
>>"The next series was rumoured to be the last anyway."
According to you the accident won't have any effect because it was going anyway?
>>Beeb's most popular worldwide, biggest moneyspinning programmes ever
And where did you find that information ? Because it seems to be that neither the viewing figures nor the external sales would confirm what you're saying. I'd be interested to be pointed towards your source/figures.
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"The Backroom, or you?" Read the thread and the dates of the postings. You will see I was trying to drum up support for Top Gear but Backroomers were not responding.
I think you've got this muddled somwhat. I don't particularly want TG to fail or succeed as it is not, for me anyway, a programme that I rave about. I would agree that it would be a shame if it were axed but the fact remains that its format is somewhat tired and boring (to a lot of us) and find the contents annoying and childish.
I watch it avidly, nevertheless, because there is a dearth of 'motoring' programmes on the TV.
My main concern during the last 10 days or so has been for Richard Hammond's health only, and nothing whatsoever to do with his return to TG although, of course, it would be a great day for everyone when he is fit enough again, to return to his TV career.
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I see TG as fantastic entertainment with a motoring theme. If I want details of what family hatchback to buy, I'd probably get more relevant information watching Tom and Jerry, but I think most people realised a long time ago that useful motoring information is not a priority of the new format.
I absolutely love the show. I can honestly say that Top Gear is the only TV programme that I will make a point of staying in to watch or bother to record if I have to go out. It's pure escapism. A two fingered salute to the Brakes and Transport 2000s of this world, and goes out of its way to provoke comments of moral outrage from the too-vocal minority who seem to want cars banned or restricted beyond practical use.
Above all though, it's three blokes with fantastic on-screen chemistry, mucking about, taking the mickey - DD out of everything from the cars they test to each other, and each bringing their own distinct personalities and idiosyncrasies to the mix. If you take any of them away, it wouldn't work as well.
It's also a big moneyspinner for the BBC, which is why I suspect they won't be keen to tamper with it. As mentioned above, it pulls in 350 million viewers worldwide. Speaking from personal experience, I can vouch for its popularity across Europe - whenever I travel with work to one of our European offices, I get embroiled in at least one TG related conversation.
Of course, the only important thing in the days after the accident was that Hammond pulled through and that his injuries were not as bad as first feared. Now this seems to be the case, I reckon Clarkson hit the nail on the head when he said that his primary concern now was to make sure Hammond has a show to go back to.
I would willingly sign any petition supporting the show.
Cheers
DP
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Petition to save top gear. I signed yesterday when they already had a serious number of signatures:
www.petitiononline.com/tg100/
I've made the link non-clickable for the moment - copy and paste into your browser. Mods, if you think this is okay, could you change it to clickable? {Done - DD}
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Did I misquote you or or did you change my post to make it appear that I had ? How will we ever know given your track record ?
Nonethless, if we take it as "one of...." then what would be your source for that. What would be your criteria ? That it is in the top 10, top 100, top 1000 ? To me it seems like an unfounded statement. And whilst it may or may not be correct, I doubt that you have any idea. When statements are represented as facts, we really did ought to try to ensure that we have resonable grounds for that representation.
However, you may like to have a go at this in case it helps in the future......
tinyurl.com/gjnky {Link to www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice shortened - DD}
Where you will also find previous years reports.
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