Best all round, I think. I'd rather watch an episode of HIGNFY than Let's Needle Clarkson, which, let's be honest, is probably what it would turn into at this moment in time.
I'm guessing he remembered the time he appeared after the super-injunction, or the episode after Angus' (initial) scandal broke. It's safe to assume it wouldn't have been a comfortable episode for him. There's probably easier programmes for him to appear on in the short term. (Piers Morgan's Life Stories not being one of them.)
Looks like that leaked email may have been an unofficial goodbye. Andy Wilman has now quit the show http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32437814. With James May looking unlikely to return and presumably the same for Hammond the show appears to be in chaos.
Going slightly off-topic I see the show's coincidentally getting quite a few mentions in tonight's W1A.
Surely it's only a matter of time now before we get the announcement that Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond and Andy Wilson are employees of itv?
Surely it's only a matter of time now before we get the announcement that Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond and Andy Wilson are employees of itv?
According to the Guardian article about James May the other day, at least one of the 3 had a 'non-compete clause' in their contract, so it might well be that a move to another broadcaster for a similar programme may well have to wait a bit
I'm not a lawyer but I'd be amazed if any such clause could be enforced, especially as they're all out of contract. Such clauses can only be used when there is a real danger of a former employee taking company secrets to a new employer, not to stifle competition http://www.out-law.com/page-7086
However they're freelancers and as such the contract is with likely to be with a company - let's call it "Captain Slow Ltd" - who then employ James May to do the work required.
It's the equivalent of Coca Cola hiring a cleaning firm on a 12 month contract, which states that the company can't work for Pepsi for 6 months after the contract ends. That would be ludicrous, and I suspect that the same applies here.
In fairness, I suspect the BBC would probably want to wash their hands of this and move on, and wouldn't bother to try to enforce it.
I'm not saying that this won't happen, but there's nothing to suggest it will. If anything, they'll head to the US.
I think Netflix is the most likeliest destination, due to the worldwide popularity of Top Gear, and the fact they're not bound to as many rules and commercials.
I'm finding it very hard to imagine Clarkson/May/Hammond hosting a show on ITV. Possibly Channel 4, but I can't imagine how much that would cost.
I am surprized BBC Worldwide have not been cheeky and offer them the contract and put new episodes on Dave and sell worldwide and to keep the profit. BBC keeps the name but the rest of it just updates. Let top gear have a break and start a new show on Dave using on top gear set. I suppose this would have been easy if BBC Studios was set up.
Surely it's only a matter of time now before we get the announcement that Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond and Andy Wilson are employees of itv?
It's Jonathan Ross all over again.
Surely Netflix is a more likely home given the global popularity of Top Gear.