Clarkson "I'd shoot strikers"

[Sea King]

You really think Clarkson needs to resort to this level of idiocy to 'plug' something?

[AlexC]

You always know the sort of thing that Clarkson is going to say, and the comment he made about the strikers was very predictable. If you are likely to be offended don't watch him. When I heard that he was going to be on The One Show I watched Heir Hunters instead as I think he's a bit of a twit, not necessarily because he's offensive. Simples!

[Dragon Rapide]

You really think Clarkson needs to resort to this level of idiocy to 'plug' something?

There is a degree of truth in the adage "any publicity is good publicity". I am certainly not much exercised by it all and those who are will be able to tune out when next he appears.

[st24]

Just another example of Clarkson proving he is the most irrelevant, pointless dinosaur......."in the world".

[Dragon Rapide]

So, you don't like him then.....................

[TomTwin]

Just another example of Clarkson proving he is the most irrelevant, pointless dinosaur......."in the world".

Good one!

Personally I think Clarkson should say sorry, they were meant as a joke, it's his nature. And if you don't like him, don't listen or watch him. Very simple.

The Unions are going to far by taking legal advice. Just wanting more publicity after the strikes leave the news. A simple request for an apology is sufficent.

[Wes_Howes]

As has been said previously. Clarkson says such things to provoke a reaction. I have had a chat with him on a couple of occasions and he seemed a relatively down to earth sort of bloke. Ok I'll admit the conversations didn't stray too far from cars but even then, his willingness to chat to a couple highly excitable teenagers (at the time) was a nice thing to do. He could have easily just walked off.

[Dragon Rapide]

The reaction of the union leaders says more about them than it does about Clarkson. No doubt a number of their members watches his programmes....

[ILoveLightnings]

Sorry but it appears 7 and a half thousand people may have had a humour/irony by pass op. Who says the NHS is broke? Unbelievable
Can we all get a grip please Britain.

[pbeardmore]

Following the Andew Sachs affair, I would not be too surprised if the whole thing was not discussed with the producer in advance including the apology afterwards, its all so carefully controlled.
If he said these comments on live TV without giving the staff a heads up, he could be vulnarable to the chop.
It is an interesting subject, the idea that you should ignore someones comments as its only a joke and I understand that phillosophy. The down side is that this argument gives open permission for any comedian or minor celeb to make the most rediculous comments in the glare of the media and then just say "its only a joke", it is a difficult one as he is clearly gainining masses of free publicity. In the long term, it does not look good for his carreer as he seems to be spending more time making contraversial remarks (lets face it, anyone can do that, no tallent required) rather than creating excellent tv programmes which, after all, is what most of us pay him for.
Panto awaits - perfect for the evil baddy - Captain Hook perhaps? - I would pay decent money to see him eaten by a croc, once a media career is in decline, its a long way down and a fast ride.
(PS I saw Tiff Needell on a shopping channel last week selling some super duper hi tech car shine for some stupid price, very sad as a tallented driver and a good presenter imho, self respect goes out the window when you get the call from your manager with an advetising job you cant refuse)

[strangelookingalien]

Disgusting, he should be shot!

I mean... uh...

Come on... sticks and stones...

[Russ]

A stupid thing for Clarkson to say, but then again knowing his track record it's hardly surprising. That said, it's also a stupid overreaction by the Unions.

All a bit of a storm in a tea cup. Should he be sacked in a word - no.

[aceyone]

The unfortunate thing about this is that as a " celebrity " many people ,those with no ideas or views of there own ( Sun/Mail readers etc ) are influenced by the opinions of such celebs who are allowed to voice their bigoted and one-sided views on a public platform,if a Union leader or minor politician airs their views on these things most people watching will not take too much notice but when a well known public figure does the same it's like " oh if JC thinks that, we should "and will allow their minds to be controlled by a person who,as in JCs case has no idea of the issues involved and should really mind his own business ,as he will obviously never have to worry about a pension and should instead try living in the real world on the kind of remuneration that some of these public sector workers are being paid !

[Kenny]

Clarkson is after publicity, now the union leaders are after it too

[Dragon Rapide]

The unfortunate thing about this is that as a " celebrity " many people ,those with no ideas or views of there own ( Sun/Mail readers etc ) are influenced by the opinions of such celebs who are allowed to voice their bigoted and one-sided views on a public platform,if a Union leader or minor politician airs their views on these things most people watching will not take too much notice but when a well known public figure does the same it's like " oh if JC thinks that, we should "and will allow their minds to be controlled by a person who,as in JCs case has no idea of the issues involved and should really mind his own business ,as he will obviously never have to worry about a pension and should instead try living in the real world on the kind of remuneration that some of these public sector workers are being paid !

Well at least they have a job AND a pension unlike nearly 3 million who do not have a job and the millions in the private sector who have no pension at all. That's the real world..........

And as to your first point I think that theSun/Mail/Mirror et al pander to their readers' prejudices and so reinforce rather than influence them.

[JackyRIATWilson]

Personally, I think people are looking for something to complain. They take everything SO seriously.

Look at the Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross fiasco a few years ago. 2 people complained in the 24 hours since it was aired. After that, 3,000 people "complained." They didn't, they just wanted someone to talk to after a hard day being miserable b******s at work with a dead end job. It really annoyed me that some people were actually looking for something to complain about; it wouldn't surprise me one bit if they actually looked at all the programmes on the BBC and looked for something to whinge at.

The thing I find with Clarkson is, he doesn't actually mean what he says. People should stop taking him seriously, if he actually did want to cause offence, he would. He loves the publicity, and with his new DVD to plug, he's got it. Simple as.

To those that complained: grow up and ignore him. If you don't like him, don't watch his programmes or listen to him on the radio.

[aceyone]

e millions in the private sector who have no pension at all. That's the real world..........

Then THEY have the right to moan ,NOT an overpaid privileged TV presenter who at the last estimate earned over £500,000 per annum,bless him
also what's to stop private sector workers taking out private pension schemes ?

[Abingdonman]

Whats all this about Sun & Mail readers ehh?
I,ve had most dailys over the years and their ALL mickey mouse!
We are Mail readers in this house as it happens,but the Mail has no influence on our opinions of anything,blimey we had the Sun for some years and we are still sane

[Dragon Rapide]

They have the right but they don't. That's the difference. And on top of it their taxes contribute to the public sector worker's pension. And of course we are not discussing those at the top of their profession like senior civil servants and union leaders, who are very comfortably looked after.

[King Cobra]

Just another example of Clarkson proving he is the most irrelevant, pointless dinosaur......."in the world".

This "irrelevant, pointless dinosaur" as you call him does good work in raising money for charitable causes, particularly so for Help For Heroes.
If that's being irrelevant and pointless then what does that make you?

[st24]

Just another example of Clarkson proving he is the most irrelevant, pointless dinosaur......."in the world".

This "irrelevant, pointless dinosaur" as you call him does good work in raising money for charitable causes, particularly so for Help For Heroes.
If that's being irrelevant and pointless then what does that make you?

If I was on his salary I'd probably put twice as much to charities as that oaf! I too do plenty of good work for charidee made
I also wouldn't buy a Lightning for my huge front garden just for a TV show and then get it taken away a few weeks later.....

[capercaillie]

Just another example of Clarkson proving he is the most irrelevant, pointless dinosaur......."in the world".

This "irrelevant, pointless dinosaur" as you call him does good work in raising money for charitable causes, particularly so for Help For Heroes.
If that's being irrelevant and pointless then what does that make you?

As does Jim Davidson, so his racism is OK as well then!

[Dragon Rapide]

Well at least a Clarkson/Top Gear thread can be guaranteed to let some members vent their spleen...if nothing else!

[King Cobra]

Just another example of Clarkson proving he is the most irrelevant, pointless dinosaur......."in the world".

This "irrelevant, pointless dinosaur" as you call him does good work in raising money for charitable causes, particularly so for Help For Heroes.
If that's being irrelevant and pointless then what does that make you?

If I was on his salary I'd probably put twice as much to charities as that oaf! I too do plenty of good work for charidee made
I also wouldn't buy a Lightning for my huge front garden just for a TV show and then get it taken away a few weeks later.....

Since you have no idea how much he gives to charity, the boast about what you'd do given his salary is a bit pointless.

[DerekF]

Giving to charity doesn't mean he isn't an offensive, self-centred oaf.

Funnily enough, last night when the One Show started and Matt Baker announced that the guest was Jeremy Clarkson we switched it off. It was almost inevitable he would say something stupid.