CLARKSON AND STEAK-GATE
Jeremy Clarckson is one of those people, that you love to hate. His political-incorrectnes, his borderline insulting remarks and all-round man-child demeanour is something you either love or hate.I can understand why he appeals to the no-nonsense people who are frustrated with this whole poltical correct world.
The guys in the pub talk like this and even though they know it lacks every form of nuance and socially accepted standards it's a way to vent their frustration of a world that changes into something they never wanted it to become.
Personally I see a lot of myself in Jeremy, I love to provoke people with political-incorrectness and harsh comments; because it seems that this is the only that way you can get into a viable firy discussion and be able to actually point out where the problem is. People are emotional animals even though we think we act on reason, it's that sudden rush of emotion (anger, bewilderment, offence) that really triggers us and then starts the cognitive processes. A character like Jeremy Clarkson who say's civil servants should be shot in front of their families, never actually intends to do so. But really wants to shock people and think about the uselessness of most civil servants; and let's be honest he has a point there.
Physical attacks are inexcusable
However punching someone, let alone a colleague! Is inexcusable! You can call someone a fucking-useless-Irish bastard for all I care, because Jeremy is a Right-Wing-Stiff-Upperlip-Tommy-Bully but you keep your 'mittens' of of that person.And somehow I think Jeremy agrees with that too, but why did he let go of his self control over something as trivial as a steak dinner at 9:30pm?
Speculation about poor BBC Management
Well this is where I get into the realm of speculation. We seem to forget that being an A-Lister carries an extremely heavy burden. You need to be always on your toes wherever you go. You always need to be aware what you say. Even the slightest vanilla-insult is measured out in depth. Add a divorce to that and the fact that people wait on your every move and you create a recipe for disaster.These people need very good managing. They should have a P.A. who has direct access to the brand managers to keep them in the clear and present and grounded.
I think the BBC overlooked this aspect, these people became stars pretty much overnight and then it's even harder to cope with this pressure than when you slowly grow in to it.
And some people are more loose lipped (like Jeremy) compared to others (James May and Hammond) so even more prone to getting the world shocked by their uncensored yet often not as ill meant remarks.
Having a brand manager and P.A. who makes sure that there are no paparazzi available in a restaurant, keeping fans guessing where the person is and at bay. And guiding them during public events is a must. Political people have such "brand managers" why not celebrities.
Also I think that the BBC didn't show any of their cards concerning the ending of the contract of the 3 presenters. This uncertainty for performer and especially people like Jeremy who created this product "Top Gear" is something we easily underestimate. It comes with doubt and frustration and this producer happened to be in the way. And a person like Jeremy with a "Tank mentality" just happened to waltz over him, but if it was someone else he'd ran over them.
As a company you need to be very timely by saying whether you extend the contract or terminate the contract and not wait till the last 2 weeks or so.
As a freelancer myself, I can say that if I don't know whether they contract will be extended that I get very doubtful of my performance; especially as with Top Gear's last two seasons when you know you didn't perform the best you could.
So I think BBC would need to have a look at their management processes and probably restructure them with Brand Managers and strong minded P.A's.
What would the BBC need to do?
If BBC would be as daft as to fire Clarkson and think they can go at it without him, they will be seriously mistaken. Clarkson with all it's faults is Top Gear. Especially when you'll try to keep Hammond and May on. A new program created by Clarkson under whatever name it would have would be an instant success with millions of fans around the world.So what would be the way to keep Clarkson and Top Gear on? Because going around slugging a producer (no matter how incompetent) is not the way forward.
Well I think the answer is simple if Clarkson would want to continue Top Gear, he would need to apologize on air to the producer in question, shake his hand and admit that punching someone, no matter what has occurred is inexcusable and wrong. I think this is a message that needs to be send to the younger Top Gear viewers. And I think that Clarkson would need to sign up for mandatory anger management classes.
The BBC would do smart as to assign a Brand Manager for the 3 presenters and good reliable P.As.
And at the same time let the presenters be the politically incorrect blokes in the pub. Top Gear isn't P.C. and it doesn't need to be! This constant weighing of your words is for a presenter very frustrating and inhibiting. So what if they offend certain people?! Then those people won't watch the show, that is their choice! If the presenters alienated the majority of their public than they have no show, as simple as that.
And whatever they say on Top Gear doesn't reflect to the BBC. This is an idiotic mindset and idea! People should know that the BBC makes programs for all of the British people. So the BBC may not share the opinion of the Presenter(s) of Top Gear and they don't need to. So whatever is said on Top Gear should only reflect on Top Gear and not the BBC. But for some weird reason the BBC keeps reprimanding Clarkson for things he said. If the BBC had their management in order they would've forwarded complains to the Brand Manager or Executive Producer who could explain that the person has the right to feel offended but this is the opinion of the presenter and whether you like it or not, it will remain his opinion. But instead the BBC loves to censor their talent and this frustration will grow in the talent.
If you don't like the talent and their views, don't sign the talent or don't renew the talent but the BBC wants the money the talent brings in and keep all the viewers happy so therefore they want to censor their talent. And that is as we've all seen a recipe for disaster and in this case some innocent Producer who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time boar the full grunt of a frustrated, troubled middle aged presenter's man's right hand.
A frustrated troubled middle aged presenter who is loved by millions and I hope comes to his senses and publicly admits he was wrong for doing this and hopefully gets on and makes some more great documentaries and the best darn car show..... IN THE WORLD.