Boomhauer

What I meant was, that if Clarkson had left Top Gear just as the other 2 came on, the public's comfort level/like of May and Hammond would not be the same as having a known entity like Clarkson there to ease the 2 in.

On the matter of Hammond's Mexican jibe. It is odd because Mexicans have a reputation for being hard workers.

Meow

Comment from Steve Coogan in yesterday's Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-rad...e-steve-coogan

Spugsy

Fair play, it' snothing but middle class lazy racism. They acted like a load of knobheads.

Bahtatboy

In general I like Top Gear, and I don't care that it isn't a true "car" programme that would help me chose a car.

But the trio's knobhead-factor has reached its limit, and I think Coogan's spot-on with his observation. Like it or not they have a responsibility, they've just got too big for their boots.

weasel central

its just a lazy stereotype, like all americans are fat cheese burger eating hippos or the french are surrender monkeys or all irish are drunks.

say what you will about clarkson he is a fantastic publicist for the show, and an unrepentant non politically correct type of guy. I can take him in short doses as he does become repetitive after a while.
The show, the cars and the various foreign trips/adventures they carry out are excellent viewing though.

Ethos83

As opposed to working class racist chavs?

Racists are racists regardless of where they came from.

Meow

Trevor Phillips (chair of the Equality & Human Rights Commission) has commented on the issue now to the effect that are far more important issues about discrimination to be concerned about. I reckon he's right. Presenters on a notoriously laddish TV show making a daft jibe about Mexicans is not going to affect anyone's life. No one takes it seriously and people frothing at the mouth about comments meant as a deliberate wind-up miss the point.

Besides, I reckon Clarkson et al want to be fired by the BBC so they can go off and make their own programmes and keep more of the profits.

Boomhauer

Does Clarkson feature in any TV adverts?

Charismatic

Ironic the English having a go at Mexicans about bad food, Chip butty and bucks fizz anyone? Or about fashion TBH...unless it involves tweed, wax jackets or top hats.

I like the show, yes Clarkson is a cnut but he does seem aware of it as well.

captainflack

They've upset people before, it's probably acceptable if it is actually funny, like the bit about lorry drivers murdering prostitutes.

I just didn't find the bit about mexicans funny. It just sounded a bit pathetic, like someone trying to be controversial for the sake of it.

norsk

It did sound a little pathetic, and I thought it was a bit weird that they made such an effort. I laughed at the initial 'tortilla' joke, but then it went quickly downhill. Normally they just seem to quickly remind people of the stereotype related to specific nationalities and leave it that...Is it possible that Jeremy et al are losing the touch? Or are they simply getting bored?

I didn't like the article by Steve Coogan to be honest. I have never really found him funny in the first place (more like an annoying prat), and it was almost as if he was trying to big up himself on their behalf. Most people couldn't give a toss what the top gear boys say as long as they produce entertaining TV, however I think this season has been a bit of a disappointment so far (not having watched episode 3 yet)...