Different because the boss of Heinz wouldn't bring an audience with him.
Ok, the boss of BP appears on Top Gear (arguably a more on-topic guest than a film star and he would definitely generate an audience) but only on condition that they show a 30 second BP commercial. It just wouldn't happen, and rightly so. Yet they get away with it when it comes to films.
The point is a boss of an organisation, BP/Heinz or other, isn't a celebrity, ultimately that's why they get away with it. Celebrity brings viewers, I know Top Gear would get viewers anyway, but having big name American stars gets viewers in US (and the rest of the world) tuning in so to sacrifice a moment or two for a trailer and a plug is seen as worthwhile.
There are limits though, Planet Hollywood and Michael Aspel springs to mind.
Observe closely, and you'll notice that Alistair glances in the direction of the base of the Lap Times board. In the next shot, a female audience member can be seen looking inquisitively towards the floor, as if she's watching somebody pick something up. Alistair then lurches to the side because his line of sight has been obscured. A shadow briefly passes over Alistair, accompanied by a simultaneous grunting noise, as if a short person has jumped up to replace the label...
WOW!! Good eyes! I just had to watch it again 6 times to get everything you mentioned! Had to keep pausing it too. After the lady loks on the floor someone in Alistair's shot seems a little shocked as if she's seen something happen too.
Major kudos for that, awesome attention to detail.
Seeing as this thread has been bumped (unnecessarily, but there we go), what does everyone think of this Who Is The Stig thing?
Personally, I think a lot of mischief making by the Daily Mail (who have reported this "story" three times this week), allied to the Times' reporting of a so-called "open secret" that Ben Collins is the driver in question, has produced a classic silly season story. To be honest, I don't think many people CARE who the Stig is. And for those who wish to unmask him, I suggest their folly is idiotic and impractical. Firstly, it would be daft to think there is just one Stig. Secondly, what will be gained by knowing his name? Thirdly, and most importantly, while there is some bizarre one-upmanship to be gained against the BBC by the papers by outing him, will it be beneficial in the long run for them to be spoilers of what is and has been a fairly well-received, popular secret? It's schoolyard behaviour, pure and simple. The Sunday Times motoring section would be nothing without Clarkson. Similarly the Mail will not be an attractive career move for anyone associated with the programme who wants to write a column. Why feed the hand that bit you?
Seeing as this thread has been bumped (unnecessarily, but there we go), what does everyone think of this Who Is The Stig thing?
The whole thing is almost certainly a publicity stunt, perpetrated by TG's production team. End of story.
I wouldn't call a court case, litigation and strenuous denials in the tabs a "stunt."
Incidentally, the Mail's basis for the argument is some ambiguous financial document from 2003. Hardly the strongest of hooks to hang a story on, but hey, let's not let that get in the way of some serious Beeb bashing eh?
I don't consider anything written in a newspaper, and certainly not that appalling rag The Mail, to be evidence of anything.
Quote:
Top Gear Stig legal wrangle goes to court
Publisher HarperCollins and the BBC have begun a court battle over a book that reveals the identity of Top Gear's The Stig.
Both sides appeared in London's High Court on Monday after the BBC confirmed it was trying to halt its publication.
It's been out in the open for a while, ever since he was named in Richard Hammond's accident report. Although I'm still pretty sure that the Stig you see driving fast cars around the track is sometimes a representative from the car manufacturers. Having the costume disguises this
Incidently, the person who plays the Stig appeared the outfit in the last episode of the last series and was introduced by Richard Hammond
Another day, another Mail article, this time accusing the BBC of snobbery and of "picking on" the Stig.
Sorry, but if a contract has an anonymity clause, with a valid (if overtly showbusiness) reason, then it must be honoured and rightly chased up if any attempts are made to break it.