Jeremy Clarkson suspended by the BBC, JC suspended following a fracas with a producer Options

[Turin Machine]

What is 'proper top gear'?

That's the one where they roadtest Ford Mondeos in Swindon and the Viva around Milton Keynes.

[user23]

Great news. The tired old format needed changing, just like it did in 2002.

[On the edge]

Great news. The tired old format needed changing, just like it did in 2002.

This is getting tiring User.....I couldn't agree more!

[Strafin]

What is 'proper top gear'?

How it was when they actually tested some cars and talked about the motoring world in a manner that meant you could,actually glean some information from it. Proper might not be a fair description, but less of the pretend races and stuff.

[Andy Capp]

Great news. The tired old format needed changing, just like it did in 2002.

How it was when they actually tested some cars and talked about the motoring world in a manner that meant you could,actually glean some information from it. Proper might not be a fair description, but less of the pretend races and stuff.

By 2001 it had sunk through lack of interest. In 2015 that isn't the case.

[On the edge]

Perhaps then, it's just really good marketing - out on the crest of the wave. A bit like Fawlty Towers; no more programmes were made, so it keeps its value.

[user23]

By 2001 it had sunk through lack of interest. In 2015 that isn't the case.

In 2001, some weeks it was still the most watched programme on BBC2.

[Andy Capp]

In 2001, some weeks it was still the most watched programme on BBC2.

Yet the BBC still decided to drop the show due to disinterest.

[motormad]

How it was when they actually tested some cars and talked about the motoring world in a manner that meant you could,actually glean some information from it. Proper might not be a fair description, but less of the pretend races and stuff.

They do review cars quite often. Just not ones people would buy because no-one is interested in a Hyundai i20. We want to see Pagani's!

To a motoring enthusiast you don't care about boot capacity or how long the warranty is, you care about how a car FEELS and how it makes YOU feel, which Top Gear understood and worked on brilliantly.

If you want to learn the boring information about a car, read a magazine or watch WhatCar's youtube channel lol.

[Turin Machine]

They do review cars quite often. Just not ones people would buy because no-one is interested in a Hyundai i20. We want to see Pagani's!

To a motoring enthusiast you don't care about boot capacity or how long the warranty is, you care about how a car FEELS and how it makes YOU feel, which Top Gear understood and worked on brilliantly.

If you want to learn the boring information about a car, read a magazine or watch WhatCar's youtube channel lol.

No, no and thrice times no. If you want car reviews, Bob Flavins yer man!

http://thenextgear.com/

[Andy Capp]

Or Fifth Gear.

[user23]

Top Gear needs to change. Here's my suggestions:

All Female Presenters
I know Angela Rippon was the first presenter of Top Gear, but since then it's been male dominated. Get Rippon back, plus a couple of others, Victoria Wood and perhaps Fiona Bruce.

Drop the Supercar Reviews
No one likes to see rich posers talking about cars most of us can't afford. Replace them with reviewing family hatchbacks, plus tips on safe driving every week, to help save lives.

The Star in the Car
Keep this but make it about who can give the comfiest, smoothest ride, rather than the quickest. Also, there would be no leader board, it's the taking part that counts.

News
Keep this, but feature things that matter, such as EU motoring directives and new child car seats.

Top Gear Challenges
These should involve every day tasks so they relate to more people. Going shopping, picking the kids from school, etc.

[On the edge]

Oh yes, we could have that Judith Chalmers as well. What about a White Van challenge? To find the most innovative way to get from two city centre addresses. Or ask viewers to send in windscreen camera results to find Britains most irritating driver....yes the possibilities are endless.

[HJD]

Top Gear needs to change. Here's my suggestions:

All Female Presenters
I know Angela Rippon was the first presenter of Top Gear, but since then it's been male dominated. Get Rippon back, plus a couple of others, Victoria Wood and perhaps Fiona Bruce.

Drop the Supercar Reviews
No one likes to see rich posers talking about cars most of us can't afford. Replace them with reviewing family hatchbacks, plus tips on safe driving every week, to help save lives.

The Star in the Car
Keep this but make it about who can give the comfiest, smoothest ride, rather than the quickest. Also, there would be no leader board, it's the taking part that counts.

News
Keep this, but feature things that matter, such as EU motoring directives and new child car seats.

Top Gear Challenges
These should involve every day tasks so they relate to more people. Going shopping, picking the kids from school, etc.

Ideas like this is why the original format was so popular !!
'The Big Allotment Challenge' would be more exciting .

[On the edge]

Ideas like this is why the original format was so popular !!
'The Big Allotment Challenge' would be more exciting .

Actually, yes it would - The Big Allotment Challenge could be an ideal outlet for Clarkson, particularly if he was given a tank and directions to the Town Hall....even I'd watch that

[Turin Machine]

Meanwhile back with our valiant boys in blue.

" North Yorkshire police said they would take Tymon’s statement into account but they are investigating the incident.

There remains the possibility of legal action by Clarkson over the circumstances of his departure and, potentially,regarding future earnings from the Top Gear brandwith which the presenter is inextricably linked and did so much to build. Clarkson’s lawyer declined to comment on Friday."

So, they won't take action over countless children being sexually abused be Asian gangs in Bradford and similar offenses in Oxford (probably not in their remit) but they can magically find the resources to prosecute Jeremy Clarkson. Oh, and descend like the wrath of God (only with helicopters and presumably a S.W.A.T team) on the empty house of Cliff Richards (and find the time to invite the BBC along for the show). Couldn't make it up? Well, yes you could. Just wouldn't ever find a publisher though.

[On the edge]

Meanwhile back with our valiant boys in blue.

" North Yorkshire police said they would take Tymon’s statement into account but they are investigating the incident.

There remains the possibility of legal action by Clarkson over the circumstances of his departure and, potentially,regarding future earnings from the Top Gear brandwith which the presenter is inextricably linked and did so much to build. Clarkson’s lawyer declined to comment on Friday."

So, they won't take action over countless children being sexually abused be Asian gangs in Bradford and similar offenses in Oxford (probably not in their remit) but they can magically find the resources to prosecute Jeremy Clarkson. Oh, and descend like the wrath of God (only with helicopters and presumably a S.W.A.T team) on the empty house of Cliff Richards (and find the time to invite the BBC along for the show). Couldn't make it up? Well, yes you could. Just wouldn't ever find a publisher though.

Yes, wholly agree, total waste of Police time and effort. Also, and just as bad in my book, it simply keeps the non story running.

[user23]

Actually, yes it would - The Big Allotment Challenge could be an ideal outlet for Clarkson, particularly if he was given a tank and directions to the Town Hall....even I'd watch that

From what I read, Clarkson getting tanked up was the cause of the problem.

[Biker1]

Top Gear needs to change. Here's my suggestions:

All Female Presenters
I know Angela Rippon was the first presenter of Top Gear, but since then it's been male dominated. Get Rippon back, plus a couple of others, Victoria Wood and perhaps Fiona Bruce.

Drop the Supercar Reviews
No one likes to see rich posers talking about cars most of us can't afford. Replace them with reviewing family hatchbacks, plus tips on safe driving every week, to help save lives.

The Star in the Car
Keep this but make it about who can give the comfiest, smoothest ride, rather than the quickest. Also, there would be no leader board, it's the taking part that counts.

News
Keep this, but feature things that matter, such as EU motoring directives and new child car seats.

Top Gear Challenges

These should involve every day tasks so they relate to more people. Going shopping, picking the kids from school, etc.

This format is very good for a motoring programme and I agree it would be valuable and watchable to many.
However this is not what Top Gear evolved into.
Top gear is/was an entertainment show with comedy and escapism at it's core.
Yes it is/was a motoring show but based purely on entertainment and not on education or information.
As for tips on safe driving, the message given by Top Gear could not be further from this if they tried, with the emphasis being on fast dangerous driving style and the type of car only available to rich men who lack something in other departments!!
Top Gear is/was great fun and entertainment and I am sorry to see it go, but the sort of programme you describe User would need to be in addition to and not replace it.

[Turin Machine]

This format is very good for a motoring programme and I agree it would be valuable and watchable to many.
However this is not what Top Gear evolved into.
Top gear is/was an entertainment show with comedy and escapism at it's core.
Yes it is/was a motoring show but based purely on entertainment and not on education or information.
As for tips on safe driving, the message given by Top Gear could not be further from this if they tried, with the emphasis being on fast dangerous driving style and the type of car only available to rich men who lack something in other departments!!
Top Gear is/was great fun and entertainment and I am sorry to see it go, but the sort of programme you describe User would need to be in addition to and not replace it.

"Irony is wasted on the stupid"

Oscar Wilde.