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Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May Making Show For Amazon

mrspoonsi writes: Amazon has announced that former Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will be reuniting to create “an all-new car show” that will be exclusively on Amazon Prime. The first season will be made available worldwide in 2016 and will be produced executive producer Andy Wilman. The BBC reports: "The move follows their departure from the hit BBC Two show earlier this year. Clarkson's contract was not renewed following an 'unprovoked physical attack' on a Top Gear producer. His co-hosts then followed him in leaving the show. They will now make the unnamed new programme with former Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman, who also quit the BBC following the 'fracas.' In a statement from Amazon, Clarkson said: 'I feel like I've climbed out of a biplane and into a spaceship.'"

32 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. I wonder by justthinkit · · Score: 2

    I wonder how many parts of the show they are not allowed to copy.

    I think of David Letterman and how he had to change the name of his top ten list.

    --
    I come here for the love
    1. Re:I wonder by blackbearnh · · Score: 2

      They can just replace The Stig with Jeff Bezos...

    2. Re: I wonder by JWW · · Score: 2

      I'm looking forward to the Popular person in a production car and seeing their feral racing driver the Gits test supercars. ;-)

  2. First note to the PAs on the new show: by JBMcB · · Score: 5, Funny

    Mr. Clarkson prefers WARM STEAKS.

    --
    My Other Computer Is A Data General Nova III.
    1. Re:First note to the PAs on the new show: by hey! · · Score: 3, Funny

      Note to executive producers: hire PAs with mixed martial arts experience. Bonus points if they're Mexican or Argentinian. Come to think of it, keep the cameras rolling too because that's something I'd pay to watch.

      --
      Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
    2. Re:First note to the PAs on the new show: by Rei · · Score: 4, Interesting

      You know, that would be the best prank ever. Convincing Clarkson that he's getting a new TV show but having the actual point being to secretly film him when he's not acting for the fake "show", as they subject him to situations that would be increasingly uncomfortable for a speed-obsessed labour-hating hot-headed racist diva. Sort of "Top Gear" crossed with "An Idiot Abroad". ;)

      --
      Also, I can kill you with my brain.
  3. World Wide? by Barny · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I figured I would try it. I signed up for it, Amazon happily took my credit card details and, after they were potentially billing me (yeah I know first month is free), they tell me I can't watch it from my location. Now, I know they have my address on file. I know they can figure out what country my visa card was issued. You would think they would warn me that I cannot view their apparently 'world wide' service from Australia.

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    ...
    /me sighs
    1. Re:World Wide? by norite · · Score: 2

      VPN's won't help either. If you have to pay via a credit card, they know which country you're from and they they can deny the service based on this. You'd have to get a credit card in the issuing country, with a corresponding address in that country

      They have this same implementation for restricting the sale of mp3's; you can't for example buy mp3's from amazon.co.uk if you live in Canada and have a Canadian credit card.

      --
      -- Fuck Beta
  4. Isn't it called "Grand Theft Auto?" by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 5, Funny

    >> 'unprovoked physical attack' on a Top Gear producer

    Let's see...driving around in awesome cars and smacking around random people. Isn't that already called "Grand Theft Auto?"

  5. this is not the Leaked show synopsis by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    What can they call the show that's both amusing and punitive?
    B.B.C - British Blokes Cars (just use and promote the acronym, ought to be no end of merry japes)

    Synopsis - several Middle Aged and Unexpectedly Wealthy dufus's from the crumbling British Empire lark and prank about in cars, without the hindrances of a Politically Correct overseer, making enough poo poo and boom boom jokes to keep a newly minted prince Harry soiling his duds in merriment. Long live the Queen.

    Featuring segments including 'Who Can We Offend This Week' and 'you'll never afford one of these', mixed with the humor and empathy of a UFC cage grudge match between a roid raging korean ex swimmer who's 'transitioning' and Lord Myrtlefardby, Baron of Upwardly Bumly, presenting a lecture on 'why things were better under Thatcher and get orf moi lawn'

    Amazon Drones will bring you each weeks loving hand crafted edition on USB, painstakingly pin striped in a Trans Pacific Partnership sweatshop in Rarotonga. Please ensure you have a valid credit card as the drones are also authoried to apply 'credit inducements' via Taser for late payment or turning the PC off.

  6. Yes, unprovoked by Calibax · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You do realize that the only reason Clarkson was not fed is because he went drinking at a local pub after shooting was completed for the day. He arrived at his hotel after the restaurant was closed (but some people were still there chatting) and then blew up because there was no hot food for him.

    Clarkson went on a 40 minute rant blaming a producer named Oisin Tymon. Clarkson called the producer lazy, told him he would make certain he lost his job, and used a racial slur describing him as a "lazy Irish cunt". All this in public in front of many people. Eventually he punched the producer, who was taken to the local hospital for treatment of facial injuries.

    Clarkson's show also claimed a Tesla ran out of electric power after 55 miles when the claimed range was 200 miles. Tesla sued for libel but the lawsuit was dismissed because "rectification of inaccuracies is not a function of the courts"! However, the BBC admitted in court that the scene where the car ran out of power was faked. I hope Clarkson and friends don't have the same leeway with the truth under Amazon.

    1. Re:Yes, unprovoked by vux984 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I've seen that episode several times. I like the Tesla, but I think Top Gear made a good point.

      Clarkson's show also claimed a Tesla ran out of electric power after 55 miles when the claimed range was 200 miles.

      The actual quote:

      âoeAlthough Tesla say it will do 200 miles we worked out that on our track it would run out after just 55 miles.â

      55 miles on their TRACK.

      55 miles on a track isn't really even that bad... but it would be a terrible track day car. I had to fill my 911 twice last time I took it to a track, and then again to get it home. But a complete fill on my car takes less than 5 minutes at the gas station next to the track. A tesla owner would not have that luxury.

      the BBC admitted in court that the scene where the car ran out of power was faked.

      Not "faked", but yes it was was done purely for dramatic effect.

      And, again, in context, it was simply illustrating the point that after a day on the track the car would be dead; and wouldn't make the trip home. (without another lengthy recharge.)

      Only a Tesla fangirl would get all twisted up in knots over the episode. It was a legitimate criticism delivered with typical Topgear dramatic sensibilities. (Ie 'over the top') But Clarkson and the gang routinely slag excellent cars and its all in pretty good humor. Clarkson has called the 911 Turbo a car that plots to kill its driver, and compared the Carrera 4S to a boob job... meanwhile he fell over himself in adulation of the Ford GT which he pre-ordered for himself and which had proven to be something of a lemon to actually own... "leeway" is what the audience wants from that show.

      There are plenty of other places to get 'boring'. Few magazines ever say anything remotely critical of anything. Its pretty refreshing and entertaining to see these supercars and hypercars both shown in their best lights but also to see them taken down a peg now and again. To see a ferrari stuck in an alley it's too wide for, to watch them try and park a lambo, to see them collectively decide a cheap VW hatchback is more fun to drive than a BMW... that's what made TopGear.

    2. Re:Yes, unprovoked by vux984 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      it's that they faked it breaking down.

      Cite?

      All the coverage I can find of a "fake breakdown" is simply an alternate phrasing for their "dramatization" of it running out of juice, and then being pushed into the garage.

      http://www.liveleak.com/view?i...

      That said, the drivetrain did overheat on one, and the brakes did fail on the other one. (Yes they abused them... but that's what they do. And plenty of other super and hyper cars have broken down on them too and they've taken the piss out of them too.)

      Even then, Clarkson was too thick to work out how to use the charger so didn't get maximum benefit from it.

      And he wasn't able to run a Reliant Robin more than a 100 yards without rolling it over either. He's Clarkson... his persona for like 15+ years is to be a bit of hooligan gorilla. Taking his on-screen and off-screen antics seriously... says more about the viewer than it does about Clarkson. Its not fair and balanced journalism. Sit back and enjoy the spectacle.

    3. Re:Yes, unprovoked by houghi · · Score: 2

      Only a Tesla fangirl would get all twisted up in knots over the episode.

      Only a Top Gear fangirl would think that Top Gear is a car show that reviews cars.

      It si not about the cars. They could just as easily insult celebrities or trees all the time.

      It is basically Grumpy Old Man.

      --
      Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
    4. Re:Yes, unprovoked by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I see people criticize Top Gear the way you just did over and over and I can think is that you don't get the show, or you've never seen it.

      As a fan of the show, what do I think it is? I think it's about a few adolescent boys that exist in 50 year old bodies and the hi jinx they get up to. And they frame this in the form of "a motoring show" in the sense that all the hi jinx are based around cars. And I also think that anyone who thinks it's a car review show and criticizes it for the quality of it's review is really, really out of touch with reality to what the show actually is. Just because a show doesn't fit what you think it should be doesn't mean it's bad because of it and shouldn't exist. You'd be an idiot to take their "reviews" as serious.

      Case and point, when they couldn't get a Bentley for their Albania mafia review, so they simply replaced it with a Yugo, and then proceeded to review it as if it were a Bentley. Yup, there's a show that is doing its all to scream "we are a serious car show, and we do serious reviews".

    5. Re:Yes, unprovoked by vux984 · · Score: 2

      . Any experienced sports car driver, like Clarkson claiks to be, could roll a Reliant Robin over inside of 50 yards

      And if I'd originally written 50 you'd have claimed it should only need 25. No real point even engaging. The point remains that he set out to make the robin look like all it does is roll over, when lots of people have managed to drive one without constantly going over.

      As for 'antics', punching somebody in the face isn't 'off-screen antics', it's assult with intent.

      I am not defending the assault, per se; nor was i even referring to it; By off screen antics I meant his persona in general. His columns, his books, his political views, his public appearances... etc.

  7. Re:BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctness by damn_registrars · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The whole thing boils down to Political Correctness

    No. Not at all.

    Seriously, read what happened. Yeah, BBC has done plenty of bone-headed things in the name of PC. This, however, is not one of those things. Clarkson punched a staff member. He admitted to doing it. Physical assault is very clearly a violation of workplace terms there. Hell, if you punched a coworker at your place of employment could you reasonably expect to keep your job? I'm quite sure I could not and I am not nearly as highly regarded (or highly paid) as Clarkson.

    This ended up being about the fact that the same rules need to be applied all through the pay scale. Just because he is a celebrity, and a host of the most watched television program in the world does not mean that rules do not apply to him. Hell, if that had happened here in the US, he'd be facing a multi-quintillion-dollar lawsuit already.

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    Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
  8. Re:BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctness by MrKaos · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The whole thing boils down to Political Correctness

    No. Not at all. Seriously, read what happened. Yeah, BBC has done plenty of bone-headed things in the name of PC. This, however, is not one of those things. Clarkson punched a staff member. He admitted to doing it.

    If we call a spade a spade, Clarkson is basically a dick. The only bad thing about this is that he didn't get a solid smack in the face himself.

    --
    My ism, it's full of beliefs.
  9. Re:BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctness by quenda · · Score: 5, Funny

    If we call a spade a spade, Clarkson is basically a dick.

    You say dick, May called him a knob, Clarkson would refer to himself as a "bell-end". Thats what he gets paid for - a professional arsehole would be a better metaphor IMHO. And we love him for it.

  10. Re: BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctnes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Only if you want to get anything done.

  11. Re:BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctness by mjwx · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Seriously, read what happened. Yeah, BBC has done plenty of bone-headed things in the name of PC. This, however, is not one of those things.

    This may not be about PC, in fact I highly doubt it but to say that this isn't politically motivated is bone headed.

    Clarkson has been at odds with the BBC's director of TV, Danny Cohen since he became Director of TV. Cohen has been gunning for Clarkson for years but hasn't been able to do anything as Clarkson and Wilman owned a significant part of Top Gear as TG was originally a joint venture between the BBC and Clarksons/Wilmans production company. Months before the "fraccas", BBC acquired Wilmans and Clarksons stake in Top Gear.

    However with the loss in revenue the BBC will feel over this and the inevitable failure of the Chris Harris led Top Gear, I suspect that Cohen will be out of a job within a year.

    This ended up being about the fact that the same rules need to be applied all through the pay scale.

    That's a cop out.

    The BBC is not above applying double standards and if this happened at a lower rank, you can bet your arse the person involved would be sent off for "anger management" and that would be the end of it... But as I said, the BBC is not above applying double standards.

    if that had happened here in the US, he'd be facing a multi-quintillion-dollar lawsuit already.

    Which would be settled for a fraction of a million instead of being the circus that it was in the UK.

    --
    Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  12. Re:BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctness by Trongy · · Score: 2

    Do you think the BBC should have disregarded his transgressions as they did with Jimmy Savile?

  13. Re:BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctness by delt0r · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Punching someone in the face because you spent too long at the pub to get a hot steak has nothing to do with political correctness. Clarkson even said weeks later that he regrets his actions. Probably noticed a missing paycheck.

    --
    If information wants to be free, why does my internet connection cost so much?
  14. Re:BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctness by Maritz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This may not be about PC, in fact I highly doubt it but to say that this isn't politically motivated is bone headed.

    He punched a producer over some steaks being cold, and it was widely circulated. Your conspiracy theory is beyond bone-headed.

    --
    I do not want your cheap brainburning drugs. They are useless for work. And I am a working man today.
  15. Re:BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctness by Stuarticus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    People enjoy the fact he acts an arse, him actually being an arse is a bit different. People often love "characters" on television they would despise in real life, sadly Clarkson let his idiot persona take over his real one.

    --
    If you think someone isn't free to have a different definition of "freedom" you may be a tyrant.
  16. Re:Hats off, Amazon by eWarz · · Score: 2

    They tend to throttle their flash player even if you have a 100 mbit connection. There is a flag you put in the URL to bypass the throttle and it works flawlessly. I believe the flag is forceBR=5.

  17. Re:BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctness by Feral+Nerd · · Score: 4, Informative

    Seriously, read what happened. Yeah, BBC has done plenty of bone-headed things in the name of PC. This, however, is not one of those things.

    Clarkson has been at odds with the BBC's director of TV, Danny Cohen since he became Director of TV.

    There is somebody that Clarkson has met that he didn't end up being at odds with?

    This ended up being about the fact that the same rules need to be applied all through the pay scale.

    That's a cop out. The BBC is not above applying double standards and if this happened at a lower rank, you can bet your arse the person involved would be sent off for "anger management" and that would be the end of it... But as I said, the BBC is not above applying double standards.

    I don't think that this hullabaloo about the firing of Jeremy Clarkson (aka. the unjustified politically motivated attack PC attack on Clarkson) is entirely about him punching that producer. It is also about other incidents of him punching people and just generally being a pain-in-the-ass arrogant diva who has gone out of his way to make enemies. He had it made, all he had to do was think before he talked and not punch people over food deliveries or because they published photos of him snogging a woman who isn't his wife but Clarkson being Clarkson had to screw it up by being a dick. It's nobody's fault but his own.

  18. Re:BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctness by thegarbz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If it wasn't that BBC insisted that all its employees must accept their Political Correctness doctrine, Mr. Jeremy Clarkson would still be hosting the Top Gear program at BBC

    I suggest you go to work tomorrow and when something doesn't run 100% smoothly shout at another employee and then punch them in the face. See how long you get to keep your job, and see if using the word "political correctness" helps you at all.

  19. But cyclists are the enemy!! by EzInKy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Seems nearly everyone of them feels they can peddle anywhere despite local laws. My city has sacrificed car lanes to make bike lines and bikers still ride the wrong way on one way streets, let alone to mention sidewalks. What is needed is a biker's license equal to a driver's license and equivalent penalties for violating the rules of the road. Breeze by a stop sign? Be subject to strip search just as everyone else is.

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    Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
  20. Re: BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctnes by drinkypoo · · Score: 2, Funny

    (Technically pure
    cable channels aren't either, but they tend to pretend they are, which is why BBC America censors BBC shows. For example, when Clarkson called TTs "titties" that got bleeped.)

    Ah yes, the BBC, where you can show titties but you can't say titties. And then talk about how superior you are because your media is more sane.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  21. Re: BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctnes by unapersson · · Score: 2

    Of course you can, I bet it only got censored in the US.

  22. Re: BBC - hammered by its own Political Correctnes by mOzone · · Score: 2

    if i hire steve-o from jackass for a cooking show i know its gonna have ball sac's in it
    if i hire clarkson for a tv show hes gonna be a brash asshole and talk out his arse

    these are facts BBC knew the man and how he acted before they issued him 10 contacts