Discussion
I like his views too, and his style of presenting.To be fair, there's more to Clarkson that meets the eye as well, it's just that his normal public persona is that of being controversial. When he's being sensible he cna often have views worth listening to. Same goes for the other two. TG last night was a bit dull though to be honest, it's certainly not getting any funnier.
Gooby said:
I got a copy of Mays book and the more I read it the more I think he is an utter prat. I have read about 2/3 of his book and I have to stop before I hate him. He is the type of git that I get stuck behing on a glorious bit of road.
Sorry you thought that - I've read May on Motors and Notes from the Hard Shoulder and found them both enjoyable reads for the commute into work. Clarkson's books are also amusing, although I think I'd only agree with about 0.0000001% of what he says - amazes me how many people get wound up by this, he clearly plays on it and it's all the funnier for it.The series with Oz Clark is top entertainment too and if anything makes May more likeable as a good all round chap.
Clarkson is as soft and part of the establishment as most, but his cleverness is in appearing he is fighting political correctness, defending free speech etc, when clearly he is not.
His books are a good example. After one chapter you have found the style, the cliches, the hyperbole....and the subtle back offs from actually standing by a controversial opinion.
Which is, in essence, as far as the BBC will ever go in its reporting - and most shy away totally in the name of PC, so that when Clarkson takes it to the next, equally soft level, we all read that as ' a real man's man, not afraid to rock the establishment'.
Tosh. Clarkson knows he has outlasted many a BBC journalist by bending the rules ever so slightly, yet firmly staying within the wishes of the BBC board. A puppet, if you like.
To be honest, I think we would all fall into this trap. Clarkson knows he is woefully and outrageously overpaid for what he does, and that his whole exagerrated jet-set lifestyle is down to keeping the BBC board on his side. But as the BBC is tax funded, he knows ( as do May and Hammond ) that he has to keep both fresh and onside.
McEnroe ...and this is soooo disappointing, did the same. He hated everyone and some years ago was a strong opponent of women's tennnis.
He now works for the BBC and last Wimbledon had, surprise, surprise, the complete opposite view and now gave badly scripted lectures on prime time BBC about ' thhe wonderful depth of the women's game and how they deserved more money and more airtime'. The official view of the BBC.
The genius of Clarkson is that while he is 100% the same, he makes it appear to the masses he is not.
His books are a good example. After one chapter you have found the style, the cliches, the hyperbole....and the subtle back offs from actually standing by a controversial opinion.
Which is, in essence, as far as the BBC will ever go in its reporting - and most shy away totally in the name of PC, so that when Clarkson takes it to the next, equally soft level, we all read that as ' a real man's man, not afraid to rock the establishment'.
Tosh. Clarkson knows he has outlasted many a BBC journalist by bending the rules ever so slightly, yet firmly staying within the wishes of the BBC board. A puppet, if you like.
To be honest, I think we would all fall into this trap. Clarkson knows he is woefully and outrageously overpaid for what he does, and that his whole exagerrated jet-set lifestyle is down to keeping the BBC board on his side. But as the BBC is tax funded, he knows ( as do May and Hammond ) that he has to keep both fresh and onside.
McEnroe ...and this is soooo disappointing, did the same. He hated everyone and some years ago was a strong opponent of women's tennnis.
He now works for the BBC and last Wimbledon had, surprise, surprise, the complete opposite view and now gave badly scripted lectures on prime time BBC about ' thhe wonderful depth of the women's game and how they deserved more money and more airtime'. The official view of the BBC.
The genius of Clarkson is that while he is 100% the same, he makes it appear to the masses he is not.
kevin ritson said:
Gooby said:
I got a copy of Mays book and the more I read it the more I think he is an utter prat. I have read about 2/3 of his book and I have to stop before I hate him. He is the type of git that I get stuck behing on a glorious bit of road.
Sorry you thought that - I've read May on Motors and Notes from the Hard Shoulder and found them both enjoyable reads for the commute into work. Clarkson's books are also amusing, although I think I'd only agree with about 0.0000001% of what he says - amazes me how many people get wound up by this, he clearly plays on it and it's all the funnier for it.The series with Oz Clark is top entertainment too and if anything makes May more likeable as a good all round chap.
I've noticed that Hammond but especially Clarkson loses control and spins cars an awful lot when doing the track segments. Having just done a Walshy day and seeing that a good driver should be able to control drifts or avoid them altogether, I wonder if JC is just not very good at cornering or spins it deliberately because it looks dramatic? I wonder how much of TG is scripted, especially the things goind wrong on challenges, e.g. the caravan catching fire in the caravan holiday one.
As for the topic, I'm glad James May is there as he is different to the others - Hammond and Clarkson are a bit samey at times. Last Sunday's episode was a little uncomfortable when they were having a go at him, they went a bit far IMO. Still waiting for the Europa/ 211 review though...
As for the topic, I'm glad James May is there as he is different to the others - Hammond and Clarkson are a bit samey at times. Last Sunday's episode was a little uncomfortable when they were having a go at him, they went a bit far IMO. Still waiting for the Europa/ 211 review though...
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