Admission of idiocy

[vilakins]

I heard that the BBC is cutting the insults to Mexicans out of the version of Top Gear they sell overseas.

Ha! So it's not just people misunderstanding the robust British sense of humour then, is it? No, I didn't think so.

Also posted on Dreamwidth, with

Comments

[snowgrouse]

Thank fuck for that. Clarkson needs a good punch in the face.

[vilakins]

As do the other two for playing along.

[snowgrouse]

It makes me very very sad when people idolise Clarkson and/or just dig Top Gear for the fun aspect. I couldn't really concentrate on "the fun aspect" with a complete and utter wanker like that heading the show. He's a racist, sexist, homophobic, greedy, environmentalist-hating Tory fuckwit and no amount of fancy cars and gadgets can change that fact. Every time I see him even being allowed on telly I despair for the human race. Fuck compassion towards your fellow human beings and the planet we walk on; let's race with some shiny penis extensions instead! Yeah!

[vilakins]

Oh, yeah. I loathe the supercar crap (rich bastards' toys), the sexism and the sneering at cars for ordinary people. I rather like James May though--he's done some great programmes other than TG--but he was just as bad as Clarkson this time.

[snowgrouse]

The fact that May and Hammy are nice doesn't really change Clarkson's odiousness or the fun of gadgets and shiny cars, that's the problem. Imagine them at a party at someone's house: "Oh, I'm sorry my friend called you a nigger, groped your wife's tits and voted in people who decided to close down the school your disabled kid goes to." "No harm done! Come and visit us again!"

[vilakins]

I heard Guardian readers defended them to the hilt--what a surprise. And of course the BBC isn't going to apologise for its biggest money-earner. [rolls eyes] I have zero respect for the BBC and its treatment of viewers, esp overseas ones whose countries have bought their programmes.

[snowgrouse]

That's actually a surprise, as I can think of many Guardian readers who hate them. And there were columns in the Guardian slamming the racist remarks (one was from Steve Coogan). Or are we talking some other kind of Guardian here and not the fairly leftie/environmentalist-ish UK one? o_O

[vilakins]

I don't know; someone just happened to say that on LJ. I think they were talking about letters to the editor?

I read the Steve Coogan article at the time: brilliant and very much what I was thinking.

[blencathra]

*holds up hand* PLEASE, please can I do it??? I've been wanting to punch that man in face for such a long time now.

[vilakins]

You'll have to wait your turn!

[kindkit]

Clarkson needs a good punch in the face

I agree on general principles, but I think it's worth noting that in this instance, it was primarily Richard Hammond spouting racist bullshit, with James May chiming in too. Clarkson was actually the least culpable.

[vilakins]

Absolutely! I was very disappointed in them to say the least.

[matildabj]

I didn't think my loathing for Clarkson could be any greater until that Mexican incident.

(NB, icon directed at Clarkson, not you, obv!)

[vilakins]

Excellent icon! I do love C J.