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Why do people go overboard?...

(October 2007)

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JS
Janner south west
Quote:
The BBC has come under fire after presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May flouted the smoking ban on an episode of Top Gear, causing anti-smoking campaigners to complain.

Both Clarkson and May were seen lighting up Porsche-branded pipes and smoking a herbal honey mixture on the motoring show. Fellow presenter Richard Hammond declined because he had recently given up smoking.

Campaigners asked the BBC to apologise for the programme segment, but the corporation claimed that it had not broken the law because the presenters were not smoking tobacco.

But it was left embarrassed when it was later informed that it was still illegal to light up anything for smoking purposes in a work environment

Spokesperson for anti-smoking group Ash, Amanda Sandford, said: "It was a blatant breach of the law and the BBC should offer an immediate apology that acknowledges what they have done.

"I understand it was meant to be a light-hearted part of the programme but it does not excuse the fact that they were flouting the law. It is inappropriate to have people smoking and breaking the law as blatantly as they did."

A BBC representative said: "During an item in last night's Top Gear, making fun of car merchandise, the presenters lit up branded pipes, which contained herbal tobacco. We are very upfront about the style and tone of the show, so viewers know what to expect.

"There were no complaints from members of the audience present during the filming."


Why does anybody care!!

The countries gone bloody mad!
JO
Joe
I knew thay'd get done for that. Perhaps they did it for publicity? But I'd be interested to know how many of the people who complained were in the hangar when it was filmed?
JS
Janner south west
Jugalug posted:
I knew thay'd get done for that. Perhaps they did it for publicity? But I'd be interested to know how many of the people who complained were in the hangar when it was filmed?


Previous Quote posted:
"There were no complaints from members of the audience present during the filming."


I don't understand why people have such a grudge with TV programmes and those that have got nothing better to do than complain. Like the Terry Wogan thing and another TG bit was when Richards Damper Van sank in the channel apparently it damaged the sea bed...
NW
nwtv2003
I would really doubt that any of Top Gear's potential audience would care really, I thought the part in question was very funny and it was there to show how much merchandise Porsche makes really, rather than actually about smoking in general, it's not as if they lit up a normal cigarette or cigar.
PT
Put The Telly On
I think it was a certain group of people that complained. i.e. members of the Anti-Smoking Campaign of Great Britain.
NI
Nini
Er, same reason why Simon is locked in a 1970's timewarp; your opinion may not match up with others, YMMV, no opinion is incorrect and all that.

Let 'em I feel, they're not encroaching on my viewing/rights (yet) and I can just ignore them if I think they're making a big faff over something I consider to be a small faff if a faff at all. When they get to the point it does have an effect then that'll be something to consider.
RM
Roger Mellie
Janner south west posted:

Why does anybody care!!


Possibly because they've had nothing better to do since the Berlin Wall came down Wink
JS
Janner south west
Roger Mellie posted:
Janner south west posted:

Why does anybody care!!


Possibly because they've had nothing better to do since the Berlin Wall came down Wink


Laughing He he
IS
Inspector Sands
I'm pretty sure they can get away with this under the clause in the law that allows for smoking as part of a the making of a film/TV programme or a theatre performance
ST
stevek
I found it quite funny when Jeremy burned his mouth trying to be clever and smoke the pipe the wrong way round.

Top gear is hardly serious is it, some people need to get a life Rolling Eyes

next they will be complaining because some male presenter is smoking whilst insinuating that he may have a penis
HD
Humpty Dumpty
Inspector Sands posted:
I'm pretty sure they can get away with this under the clause in the law that allows for smoking as part of a the making of a film/TV programme or a theatre performance


I think if anything they may get a small fine.. to get dispensation for smoking you've got to pre-apply to the council for permission.
If you remeber the Stones flouted the rules at the O2 Arena and Grenwich council released a statement saying if it happened again it could lead to a venue being closed.

I have to say, these people really have to get a life. Having read both ITV's and the BBC's duty logs regularly - there are LOTS of people out there who need to get a life!
NH
Nick Harvey Founding member
Inspector Sands posted:
I'm pretty sure they can get away with this under the clause in the law that allows for smoking as part of a the making of a film/TV programme or a theatre performance

That's certainly the view I took when I saw the item on broadcast.

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