Autoblog

Sun retrains staff over Jeremy Clarkson suicide jabs

Jeff Sabatini — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:01:00 EST

Of course you all know who that man in the picture is, don't you? He's Jeremy Clarkson, one of the stars of Top Gear, the BBC's hilarious automotive variety show. Its 18th series just premiered on BBC America this past Monday, with more new episodes airing Mondays at 8:30 p.m. EDT/PDT.

We include this preamble because the powers that be at the BBC have kindly suggested that if we want to use this photo of their Mr. Clarkson, we do so "for show promotion only."

Now that we've taken care of that, we'll get on with the news, which of course, pertains to the aforementioned celebrity rankling yet another group in Britain. This time it's a result of Clarkson's commentary in The Sun newspaper, calling people who commit suicide by jumping under trains "selfish," suggesting that trains should be put back on schedule after these incidents as soon as possible. According to a report by Press Gazette, five groups who assist suicide victims and their families have complained to the Press Complaints Commission, stating their belief that Clarkson and his newspaper employer violated a clause pertaining to "intrusion into grief."

The Sun apologized, according to the report, removed Clarkson's column from its website and agreeing to train its staff in reporting suicide sensitively, among other concessions.

Given Clarkson's long history of seemingly attempting to offend everyone in Britain, from its clergy to public sector unions, if not the world (particularly Indians), we wonder if he'll actually be forced to complete the training. And if he does, we can only imagine what an amazing BBC special that might make.

Sun retrains staff over Jeremy Clarkson suicide jabs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BBC tells complaining vicar Jeremy Clarkson's blasphemy is "everyday language"

Zach Bowman — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., UK, Celebrities

The BBC has come out in defense of Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson after the Reverend Graeme Anderson, vicar of St. Mary's Church in Radcliffe-on-Trent, complained that the entertainer "trivialized, belittled and cheapened" Jesus Christ. Clarkson has a long history of rousing the ire of different groups, and Anderson specifically took issue with a segment in which Clarkson took the wheel of the KTM X-Bow. After hearing Clarkson's exclamations of "God almighty" and "Jesus wept," Anderson says he was both surprised and upset. The vicar has since vowed to never watch Top Gear again.

After petitioning both Clarkson and the BBC for an apology, the network responded by saying the speech is part of everyday language, and that while its program strives to portray society as it really is, it respects the "fundamental human right to exercise freedom of thought, conscience and religion."

Clarkson has remained uncharacteristically mute on the dustup.

BBC tells complaining vicar Jeremy Clarkson's blasphemy is "everyday language" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK TV authority lets Jeremy Clarkson off hook for "should be shot" comment

Zach Bowman — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., UK, Celebrities, Humor

British television watchdog Ofcom has ruled Jeremy Clarkson didn't violate any broadcasting rules when the Top Gear presenter suggested he would deal with striking public workers by taking the time to "execute them in front of their families." While Clarkson later went on to apologize for the remarks after labor unions began making noise about potential legal action, Ofcom said that the comments were meant as satire in their context. BBC has notoriously strict impartiality laws. The report went on to say that given Clarkson's history of controversial comments, viewers are aware of his likelihood to offend.

Ofcom also said the presenter's comments weren't a reflection of his actual beliefs. Clarkson has seemingly made a second career out of garnering the ire of various groups. The equal-opportunity offender has managed to rile Indians, Mexicans, women, Christians, the Welsh, cancer survivors and most of the Arab world at one time or another. That's quite the run.

UK TV authority lets Jeremy Clarkson off hook for "should be shot" comment originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeremy Clarkson in hot water again after racist remark in column

Zach Bowman — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrities

Jeremy Clarkson has drawn the ire of critics once again, this time for comments made in his column. While discussing the eco feature on his LG flat screen TV, the Top Gear presenter said that using the feature "dims the screen so much, every programme looks like it's being presented by Lenny Henry in a cave."

Henry is a black comedian.

The two have a history of butting heads after they cohosted a celebrity telethon, but the racially tinged jab is just the latest in a series of cringe-worthy jokes from the UK personality.

Previously, Clarkson and his compatriots on Top Gear managed to rile the Mexican government over disparaging comments made toward a supercar company based in the country, and last year's Christmas special garnered the ire of Muslims when Top Gear hosts Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond dressed in the traditional garments of the religion's women. Those episodes garnered apologies from Top Gear, the BBC and Clarkson himself, but there's no indication as to whether the latest comments will require similar atonement.

Jeremy Clarkson in hot water again after racist remark in column originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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