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Jeremy Clarkson suspended over "fracas" with producer

The Stig moves to BBC One in new show 'The Getaway Car' (March 2015)

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DJ
DJGM
Markymark posted:

JAS84 posted:

Apparently the show was only suspended because May and Hammond refused to do it without Clarkson. If this is true, Top Gear is probably going to have a completely new presenting lineup next series if Clarkson leaves.


Then it needs to be re-invented again, and the format changed. The contrived sketches and mucking around should go. I can

sort of imagine a supercar and rally style show. Chris Evans name has been mentioned recently, he'd be quite good I think?
They could include F1 stuff, but I suspect using any footage from Uncle Bernie would be a no-no. Plenty of other non F1
stuff though, Le Mans is something that all the UK broadcasters totally ignore at present for instance.


So basically it would be turned into a serious motoring show, which in turn would haemorrage viewers and get axed after 1 or 2 series.
The "contrived sketches and mucking around" is what most Top Gear viewers tune in for.
DO
dosxuk
If all three go, that's the end of this incarnation of Top Gear. Bringing it back with new presenters, even with an altered format would make the BBC appear desperate, and anyway, it wouldn't be the show that sells so well, so they would say goodbye to all the international income. They'd be better off putting the whole thing to bed for good, and waiting a couple of years before bringing out a new motoring format.
MA
Markymark
DJGM posted:
Markymark posted:

JAS84 posted:

Apparently the show was only suspended because May and Hammond refused to do it without Clarkson. If this is true, Top Gear is probably going to have a completely new presenting lineup next series if Clarkson leaves.


Then it needs to be re-invented again, and the format changed. The contrived sketches and mucking around should go. I can

sort of imagine a supercar and rally style show. Chris Evans name has been mentioned recently, he'd be quite good I think?
They could include F1 stuff, but I suspect using any footage from Uncle Bernie would be a no-no. Plenty of other non F1
stuff though, Le Mans is something that all the UK broadcasters totally ignore at present for instance.


So basically it would be turned into a serious motoring show, which in turn would haemorrage viewers and get axed after 1 or 2 series.
The "contrived sketches and mucking around" is what most Top Gear viewers tune in for.


I never suggested it would have same size audience, or the same people watching. I'm no petrol head, and I've enjoyed TG over the last ten years, primarily because of the sketches.

There is a gap in the market for motorsport related content (some of which present TG touches on anyway) it would get an audience, nowhere near TG's present levels, but that's not what the BBC are about, is it ?

And it needn't even be called Top Gear, in fact on reflection, better it wasn't
DO
dosxuk
Markymark posted:
There is a gap in the market for motorsport related content (some of which present TG touches on anyway) it would get an audience, nowhere near TG's present levels, but that's not what the BBC are about, is it ?


Well they do have a responsibility to get the best value possible from the licence fee, and until last week, Top Gear was *very* good value.
MA
Markymark
dosxuk posted:
Markymark posted:
There is a gap in the market for motorsport related content (some of which present TG touches on anyway) it would get an audience, nowhere near TG's present levels, but that's not what the BBC are about, is it ?


Well they do have a responsibility to get the best value possible from the licence fee, and until last week, Top Gear was *very* good value.


I agree it was, but if the Beeb can't be allowed to cater for 'large minorities' then what's the point of them as a licence fee funded broadcaster ?
DO
dosxuk
Markymark posted:
dosxuk posted:
Markymark posted:
There is a gap in the market for motorsport related content (some of which present TG touches on anyway) it would get an audience, nowhere near TG's present levels, but that's not what the BBC are about, is it ?


Well they do have a responsibility to get the best value possible from the licence fee, and until last week, Top Gear was *very* good value.


I agree it was, but if the Beeb can't be allowed to cater for 'large minorities' then what's the point of them as a licence fee funded broadcaster ?


They can, but there's no reason why they couldn't broadcast a programme as you suggest and Top Gear - they don't need to stop making Top Gear in order to make a motoring programme which is only likely to be watched by a minority. In fact, the proceeds of Top Gear should be used to make more programmes like that.
MA
Markymark
dosxuk posted:
Markymark posted:
dosxuk posted:
Markymark posted:
There is a gap in the market for motorsport related content (some of which present TG touches on anyway) it would get an audience, nowhere near TG's present levels, but that's not what the BBC are about, is it ?


Well they do have a responsibility to get the best value possible from the licence fee, and until last week, Top Gear was *very* good value.


I agree it was, but if the Beeb can't be allowed to cater for 'large minorities' then what's the point of them as a licence fee funded broadcaster ?


They can, but there's no reason why they couldn't broadcast a programme as you suggest and Top Gear - they don't need to stop making Top Gear in order to make a motoring programme which is only likely to be watched by a minority. In fact, the proceeds of Top Gear should be used to make more programmes like that.


Yes, fair point......
RO
robertclark125
Do you know, there used to be a serious motoring show on BBC2, hosted by William Woolard, Noel Edmonds, Angela Rippon, and others. It took a serious look at motoring, dealt with consumer issues, and touched on motorsport as well. What was its name? Top Gear.
MK
Mr Kite
A totally different show. Fifth Gear was pretty much its successor.
VM
VMPhil
There was also Channel 4's Driven, which introduced features similar to that of what would later appear in the rebooted Top Gear (and had James May as a presenter).
SC
Si-Co
......
Last edited by Si-Co on 19 April 2015 5:16am
MA
Markymark
robertclark125 posted:
Do you know, there used to be a serious motoring show on BBC2, hosted by William Woolard, Noel Edmonds, Angela Rippon, and others. It took a serious look at motoring, dealt with consumer issues, and touched on motorsport as well. What was its name? Top Gear.


It actually started as a Midlands only regional programme, in the then 'general features programming' 30 min weekly slot that English regions had. (What now has become 'Inside Out')

Perhaps BCTV should show the early programmes Laughing
Last edited by Markymark on 21 March 2015 7:18pm

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