Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear contract will not be renewed

[grumbler]

They might not be paying eye-watering rates for special effects, but they do have a dialogue-writing of sorts - there has to be a team of researchers that generate and investigate the feasibility of the stunts they do. And Top Gear do also have to pay for specialist camera crews (including helicopter filming), associated vehicles (including a Eurofighter in one stunt), getting those crews and vehicles where they need to be, all sorts of insurance, filming rights, road closure permissions, The Stig, and the administrative team who have the time and contacts and languages to sort all the boring administrative arrangements for filming and doing stunts all around the world (all the meanwhile complying with the UK's stringent anti-bribery legislation). The health and safety compliance must also be an absolute nightmare.

I can see how a TV show about cars would be cheap. I can't see how Top Gear is cheap because it's more of a concept show that involves some motor vehicles.

I guess you have the response, then, if someone argues that making TG is "cheap."  I am arguing that it is less expensive than many other shows (and certainly not  in comparison to other TV shows, not cheap as in a few pounds per episode.  I am sure that an episode of Top Gear costs several hundred thousand pounds.  But it's almost certainly actually a lot cheaper than the average for TV shows, not "very expensive" as you argue.  And I think you miss the fact that a lot of the gear they use on the show is lent to them - they didn't actually have to buy (or even rent) a Eurofighter for that episode.  Here's a 2009 story about the MoD and Top Gear: http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/nov/18/army-on-bbc-top-gear-cost

Every TV show has to deal with "getting....crews and vehicles where they need to be, all sorts of insurance, filming rights, road closure permissions, [salaries], and the administrative team who have the time and contacts and languages to sort all the boring administrative arrangements for filming..."  These are going to cost more for Top Gear than the typical scripted show, but TG also saves because they don't pay for scripts, special effects, a large cast, multiple directors, hours of retakes, and the like. 

In short, I think that this show is much less (relatively) expensive than you believe it to be, and so easier for another network to pick up and imitate if they so desire than you believe.

[mongers]

A "young and attractive" woman host is "unfortunate?" 

A classic "mongers moment." 

I demand a woman at least as attractive as Jeremy Clarkson.

I thought you at least, being one of our more pro-feminist posters, would get the point that if they choose a woman presenter, unfortunately I think her age and attractiveness would be a consideration, as opposed to choosing a mature woman, perhaps of a similar age to the other presenters?

Personally I'd like to see them have Angela Rippon doing a few episodes presenting it as she's both a mature woman in her sixties, but also one of the original presenters!
Perhaps they could have different guest presenters each week to take over the Clarkson slot, it worked for another headline BBC series where the lead presenter left in disgrace.

[alfred russel]

Isn't this something like one of the top rated shows in the world? Whatever the production costs are, someone should be willing to finance them.

[Valmy]

I thought you at least, being one of our more pro-feminist posters, would get the point that if they choose a woman presenter, unfortunately I think her age and attractiveness would be a consideration, as opposed to choosing a mature woman, perhaps of a similar age to the other presenters?

I did get that point. I was pointing out age and attractiveness were not considerations for Clarkson.

[mongers]

Isn't this something like one of the top rated shows in the world? Whatever the production costs are, someone should be willing to finance them.

Which is why I don't think the BBC can afford to lose it, they have to continue making it.

[Martinus]

Disney should copyright the "hero's journey" format.

[grumbler]

Disney should copyright the "hero's journey" format.

And sue Homer's pants off !!!!




Oh, wait...

[Crazy_Ivan80]

it worked for another headline BBC series where the lead presenter left in disgrace.

that would be "Have I got news" iirc?

[Liep]

it worked for another headline BBC series where the lead presenter left in disgrace.

that would be "Have I got news" iirc?

Yes, incidentally Jerermy Clarkson was one of the funniest guest hosts that show had.

[mongers]

it worked for another headline BBC series where the lead presenter left in disgrace.

that would be "Have I got news" iirc?

Yes. Maybe the a new guest presenter each week could work for Top Gear?

[Richard Hakluyt]

it worked for another headline BBC series where the lead presenter left in disgrace.

that would be "Have I got news" iirc?

Yes. Maybe the a new guest presenter each week could work for Top Gear?

Aye, we could start with Angus Deayton snorting a line of coke whilst driving round the circuit in a Skoda 

[celedhring]

I once was an expert witness in a plagiarism trial regarding a children TV program. The plaintiff lost - on one hand it was painfully obvious they had ripped off her work, but on the other hand it's not like she created something so unmistakably unique as to merit protection by itself.

So it's really hard to get protection on these things unless it's something really blatant.

[DGuller]

I once was an expert witness in a plagiarism trial regarding a children TV program. The plaintiff lost - on one hand it was painfully obvious they had ripped off her work, but on the other hand it's not like she created something so unmistakably unique as to merit protection by itself.

Did you just plagiarize this off the Germanwings thread?

[celedhring]

I once was an expert witness in a plagiarism trial regarding a children TV program. The plaintiff lost - on one hand it was painfully obvious they had ripped off her work, but on the other hand it's not like she created something so unmistakably unique as to merit protection by itself.

Did you just plagiarize this off the Germanwings thread?

This version has one sentence that's different, so I'm scot free.

[mongers]

A "young and attractive" woman host is "unfortunate?" 

A classic "mongers moment." 

Grumbler trolling, really I should be flattered by the way he follows me from thread to thread, but I can understand how some women he's know would have found that disquieting. These posts of his are worthwhile as they revels the quality of the man.

A big plus is they waste ever more of his limited remaining life span, time he might otherwise used to post snide, rude or offensive comments targeting vulnerable members of our community; so by all means please do carry on stalking posting these comments.
All I have to do is cut and paste this reply, say 10 seconds efforts vs however long you burn up in constructing these little efforts, which are less to do with the topic at hand and more about showing your true character.