F1technical.net

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32052736

Thats a game ender.

Sad.

I really thought that show was funny, scripted or otherwise.

Indeed. R.I.P. Topgear.

I still think that Clarkson, Hammond and May should continue making those interesting challenge roadtrips with 3 cars from Top Gear, but under a different name. Perhaps Discovery could snatch them up for this.

without their BBC scriptwriters? It'd just be 3 middle aged tossers aving a larf.

I was actually thinking this too. Technically from what I understand, Clarkson is the driving force behind Top Gear and the format it has grown into. If May and Hammond both resign, they could probably continue the 'show' at some other broadcaster. Though to what extend or budget would be left to be seen. I thought May's interview was quite something, though what either member does from this point on is left to be seen.

Phil wrote:I was actually thinking this too. Technically from what I understand, Clarkson is the driving force behind Top Gear and the format it has grown into. If May and Hammond both resign, they could probably continue the 'show' at some other broadcaster. Though to what extend or budget would be left to be seen. I thought May's interview was quite something, though what either member does from this point on is left to be seen.

If they made a copy of the show I'm sure the BBC would sue them pretty fast.

I think it's a great shame it's ending but sadly it's his own fault, they really couldn't let this go as he's had several warnings before.

There are only a limited number of ways in which you can be funny while still vaguely talking about cars. After 20 seasons in this format, I think it's time for a change. Regarding budgets, they were making the BBC about 50 million pounds/year so, even with the crazy and very expensive stuff they were doing, the corporation was still taking a large profit from the show. As such, I don't think they'll have a tough time finding another network willing to match or even better the financials they had.

Nobody will let Top Gear die, it's not in anyone's interest. They still have a huge following, they still want to do it, there's still a lot of money to be made by doing it. It's just a matter of time.

alexx_88 wrote:Nobody will let Top Gear die, it's not in anyone's interest. They still have a huge following, they still want to do it, there's still a lot of money to be made by doing it. It's just a matter of time.

Without the people that made Top Gear what it is, I don't see that happening. If Clarkson isn't there anymore, the incentive for me to watch anything the BBC come up with it is small, and probably only due to curiousity. Without the two others, it's practically zero. Without the team, they'll have to change the format, hence it won't be the TopGear we know it. That might be a good thing, or it might not. One way or the other, TopGear as we know it seems to be finished.

CevertF1 wrote:

Phil wrote:I was actually thinking this too. Technically from what I understand, Clarkson is the driving force behind Top Gear and the format it has grown into. If May and Hammond both resign, they could probably continue the 'show' at some other broadcaster. Though to what extend or budget would be left to be seen. I thought May's interview was quite something, though what either member does from this point on is left to be seen.

If they made a copy of the show I'm sure the BBC would sue them pretty fast.

I think it's a great shame it's ending but sadly it's his own fault, they really couldn't let this go as he's had several warnings before.

Sue them? like how? It's just a regular car show. Then what about Fifth Gear? Needell and Butler have been Top Gear presenters before. So why is BBC not suing Fifth Gear?

I was referring more to the three guys making another show with another network. I am not aware of the BBC owning more than the name and maybe some of the names used ("Cool Wall", Stig, etc).

On the other hand, I remember reading in one of Clarkson's books that he writes parts of the show himself and, even if he didn't, I don't see why the current team wouldn't accept following the three to another network. Format-wise, I'm pretty sure they can come up with something.

Andy Wilman will go with Clarkson, they were the architects of the new style. Richard Porter (script editor) will likely follow as well so they'll have the core of the team.

I'm sure Sky 1 will have a new Sunday night motoring show soon and Clarkson Et Als bank accounts will be a lot bigger.

To be honest, if one is to blame it is Jeremy Clarkson. BBC already gave him much more credit then any normal employee would get. Ethic-wise BBC completely did the right thing. They could have choosen to safe guard their chicken laying golden eggs for them, but that would send a very terrible message to the public saying that if you are important you can just tirranize your workplace. BBC is a public broadcaster, so by its function needs to give the correct example. I'd doubt if for instance Sky would ever even dared to lay one stray in the way of Clarkson.

It's a shame that the shows has to go down with him. I partly blame a big chunk of the people too; just because he was popular he was put on a pedestal while remaining blind for each and every spat out he made. If the public ever condemned his action this actually might never have happened. Instead, he gained even more popularity the more controversial things he did. Looks like positive reinforcement to a misbehaving child.

A big pity for the show. Unfortunaly doing the right thing often has massive consequences.

Well nothing is better than this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nORCM9rMvBo

I for one will be sad if Top Gear does go. It was getting a bit stale but, when it was good, it was still VERY good.

It should be noted that 5th gear was essentially the old top gear who all, except Jeremy Clarkson, went to channel 5. Clarkson changed the format of the show and it continued to evolve and outperform the "old top gear format that channel 5 grabbed".

So I wouldn't be surprised if Dave or a similar UK broadcaster would take a punt on Clarkson & Co. They would need to make some changes but they could do it.

remember the BBC sacked Jonathan Ross and Russel Brand and neither of those have looked back since. Jonathan Ross probably earns more at ITV presenting a show that is not dissimilar to the show he had on the BBC!

I'm very sad to hear that Top Gear came to end, the best show in the world with the best 3 presenters ever. What I loved the most was their chemistry and how they completed each other on the stage, a true great performance. I really hope that Jeremy, James & Richard will find another venue were they will unite once again to continue with their adventure ..... [-o<