Clarkson’s Farm
Discussion
Finished the whole series now and I've really enjoyed it.
I haven't watched much of the last couple of Grand Tour series as I'd not been enjoying it quite so much. Not to slate it by any means, I'd just sort of drifted away from it.
Clarkson's Farm is brilliant, though.
Yes, there's some scripted stuff, obviously, but it's generally a lot more natural feeling, and Clarkson's humility with the rest of the farm team - when he's not being a stubborn oaf - is very refreshing. You can tell he really likes them and the whole thing of it being a farming community he's got involved with.
The other characters (and they really are characters) fit in so well that it's hard to believe they just happen to be the locals. It's the making of the show, in my opinion.
I can also see it appealing to a wider range of people than GT, although it's a bit less 'easy entertainment' in style.
Roll on series 2.
I haven't watched much of the last couple of Grand Tour series as I'd not been enjoying it quite so much. Not to slate it by any means, I'd just sort of drifted away from it.
Clarkson's Farm is brilliant, though.
Yes, there's some scripted stuff, obviously, but it's generally a lot more natural feeling, and Clarkson's humility with the rest of the farm team - when he's not being a stubborn oaf - is very refreshing. You can tell he really likes them and the whole thing of it being a farming community he's got involved with.
The other characters (and they really are characters) fit in so well that it's hard to believe they just happen to be the locals. It's the making of the show, in my opinion.
I can also see it appealing to a wider range of people than GT, although it's a bit less 'easy entertainment' in style.
Roll on series 2.
CustardOnChips said:
ChocolateFrog said:
Dr Jekyll said:
Doofus said:
I fear that, to some, it will just reinforce the idea that farmers are minted landowners who are just mucking about for most of the time, whilst receiving subsidies from the Government to not grow crops.
I don't think so. It's very clear how difficult it must be to make any money from farming. It's also instructive to see that whatever a farmer is trying to do, there is always an official somewhere trying to ban it. Must be a hell of a lot harder with loans repayments or rent to pay.
PorkInsider said:
Have a look at Harry's farm on YT. If you're not already familiar with him, he's a lifelong serious farmer (as well as founder of EVO) and talks about the finances. He's clear that his non-farming activities prop up the farm at times.
No doubt farming is difficult. There are a few farmers I know in the village other than the two minted ones.Most of them seem to do ok. But say its difficult and have to manage finances over multiple years and not get too used to one good or one bad year.
PurpleTurtle said:
Blackpuddin said:
J4CKO said:
Watched the first two last night, transfixed, even the wife who groans when she sees Jeremey Clarkson was chuckling away.
Its sort of like they have diluted him a little bit, he is still very much there but the other people, the scenery, the sheep and the enormity of the task at hand means it doesnt feel contrived and as oafish. Now I like Clarkson but can see how a lot don't but this really does show him in a better light, less of the ape and more of a him being, er, actually human.
He does seem to be putting his heart and soul into it, am fairly convinced its not all an act, obviously some stuff will be contrived but with sheep I dont think you need to, they are their own comedy.
It feels fresh where, though I still enjoyed it TG was getting a bit hackneyed and repetitive, seemed a bit weird at first but after one episode, hooked and it just seems so natural.
I bet some of those sniffy Guardian readers are secretly really enjoying it, how can you not enjoy that scenery and Jeremy getting booted by a sheep ?
Like the fact he has some ladies showing him the ropes and is listening and not being weird, the Tractor instructor lady and the shepherdess for example.
Main thing is an appreciation for farming, farmers and all the folk who work in the industry, that is a tough gig, hats off to you and well done JC for bringing that to the attention of the public, suspect this will do more for the perception of farmers and farming than anything before.
Totally agree with every part of that post. Its sort of like they have diluted him a little bit, he is still very much there but the other people, the scenery, the sheep and the enormity of the task at hand means it doesnt feel contrived and as oafish. Now I like Clarkson but can see how a lot don't but this really does show him in a better light, less of the ape and more of a him being, er, actually human.
He does seem to be putting his heart and soul into it, am fairly convinced its not all an act, obviously some stuff will be contrived but with sheep I dont think you need to, they are their own comedy.
It feels fresh where, though I still enjoyed it TG was getting a bit hackneyed and repetitive, seemed a bit weird at first but after one episode, hooked and it just seems so natural.
I bet some of those sniffy Guardian readers are secretly really enjoying it, how can you not enjoy that scenery and Jeremy getting booted by a sheep ?
Like the fact he has some ladies showing him the ropes and is listening and not being weird, the Tractor instructor lady and the shepherdess for example.
Main thing is an appreciation for farming, farmers and all the folk who work in the industry, that is a tough gig, hats off to you and well done JC for bringing that to the attention of the public, suspect this will do more for the perception of farmers and farming than anything before.
I was a long-time fan of JC on Top Gear until his penultimate series, when it all got a bit too 'faux ladz bantz' and went away from the cars and more about stupid 'adventures' that were impossible for the average car enthusiast to relate to. Even though I have had Amazon Prime from the outset, I didn't watch any of The Grand Tour because I was annoyed at his petulant behaviour in the build up to his BBC departure. The ego had just got too big IMHO.
However everyone deserves a second chance, so I gave this a spin last night and really enjoyed it. As a caravanner (and also a sportscar owner) the Caravan Club advert he did really made me laugh, a return to form of the old JC.
I already love watching Harry - I'd watch him doing anything - but despite enjoying Harry's Farm, I thought I'd really hate Clarkson's Farm.
I was wrong. It's brilliant, and apart from the obvious story-creation activities, he clearly wants to make something. His love of the process shows through. And I'm learning. I live in the countryside but I'm not part of the countryside industry. It all happens around me. I marvel at the massive tractors as they pass me when I'm cycling but most farmers (all those I've encountered) are far more polite than many motorists.
Harry and Clarkson have shown me more about what happens around me than I've managed to absorb by living here for the last 50-odd years.
The other characters are brilliant too. They are all as distinct as they are different from one another. Gerald is my fav to listen to. I have no idea what he's talking about so I'd love to hear what Americans think.
Lisa is properly lovely. It must be his money, right?
I was wrong. It's brilliant, and apart from the obvious story-creation activities, he clearly wants to make something. His love of the process shows through. And I'm learning. I live in the countryside but I'm not part of the countryside industry. It all happens around me. I marvel at the massive tractors as they pass me when I'm cycling but most farmers (all those I've encountered) are far more polite than many motorists.
Harry and Clarkson have shown me more about what happens around me than I've managed to absorb by living here for the last 50-odd years.
The other characters are brilliant too. They are all as distinct as they are different from one another. Gerald is my fav to listen to. I have no idea what he's talking about so I'd love to hear what Americans think.
Lisa is properly lovely. It must be his money, right?
CustardOnChips said:
There has to be some money in Farming. I don't know many serious minted people. But of those I do know, two are farmers. But they have huge farms that have been in the family for generations.
It depends how many generations the farm has been in the family and where the money came from initially. Farmers who own their own place are hugely asset rich and cash poor, but the bank will lend very readily against the land, so day to day it's not a massive problem. On the other hand there are loads of tenant farmers with no assets and who earn considerably less than minimum wage, for them cash flow and borrowing are much more of a problem. At a guess the people you know who are "seriously minted" didn't earn all that farming. Just about everyone I've worked for, or know, who own a farm and are "seriously minted" didn't make their money in agriculture, but made it in business, be that shipping, shopping malls, vacuum cleaners, whatever. There are some who have hereditary money, and titles dating back hundreds of years, but they are in the minority.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld said:
That's not his. It is however eye scorchingly ugly. JC's house is still under construction, adjacent to where the office in the film is.
Oh I thought it might be. Must have been 2 or 3 years since Hammond and May helped destroy his old one. Wonder where he has been living since then. CustardOnChips said:
PorkInsider said:
Have a look at Harry's farm on YT. If you're not already familiar with him, he's a lifelong serious farmer (as well as founder of EVO) and talks about the finances. He's clear that his non-farming activities prop up the farm at times.
No doubt farming is difficult. There are a few farmers I know in the village other than the two minted ones.Most of them seem to do ok. But say its difficult and have to manage finances over multiple years and not get too used to one good or one bad year.
They didn't make the money from crops.
They made it from fresh produce sales (and that's rough as f
k as well, requiring huge capital investments to even get in the door, and constant downwards price pressure), playing the grants game, etc. In one case, a very successful polo horse stud/stables/what have you. 
Just finished the series.
That, and the report on 'ultra processed foods' has just had my other half completely shift her position on food.
Thanks to me, we've always used our local farm shop - but for 'treat' type meals. Last year, we started 'growing our own', and this year that has morphed into an allotment (a quarter standard plot).
I have a feeling we've just hit a tipping point (despite years of me pointing out the ste quality and added water in supermarket meat, etc.) - she now wants to support British farmers, and eat whole foods.
Clarkson, if you're reading this - thank you. You've done what (I think) you set out to do... At least in this household.
That, and the report on 'ultra processed foods' has just had my other half completely shift her position on food.
Thanks to me, we've always used our local farm shop - but for 'treat' type meals. Last year, we started 'growing our own', and this year that has morphed into an allotment (a quarter standard plot).
I have a feeling we've just hit a tipping point (despite years of me pointing out the s
te quality and added water in supermarket meat, etc.) - she now wants to support British farmers, and eat whole foods.Clarkson, if you're reading this - thank you. You've done what (I think) you set out to do... At least in this household.
Sway said:
Just finished the series.
That, and the report on 'ultra processed foods' has just had my other half completely shift her position on food.
Thanks to me, we've always used our local farm shop - but for 'treat' type meals. Last year, we started 'growing our own', and this year that has morphed into an allotment (a quarter standard plot).
I have a feeling we've just hit a tipping point (despite years of me pointing out the ste quality and added water in supermarket meat, etc.) - she now wants to support British farmers, and eat whole foods.
Clarkson, if you're reading this - thank you. You've done what (I think) you set out to do... At least in this household.
Ill be finding a way to support British farmers more. What’s the best way? That, and the report on 'ultra processed foods' has just had my other half completely shift her position on food.
Thanks to me, we've always used our local farm shop - but for 'treat' type meals. Last year, we started 'growing our own', and this year that has morphed into an allotment (a quarter standard plot).
I have a feeling we've just hit a tipping point (despite years of me pointing out the s
te quality and added water in supermarket meat, etc.) - she now wants to support British farmers, and eat whole foods.Clarkson, if you're reading this - thank you. You've done what (I think) you set out to do... At least in this household.
I’ve loved the show. I live in the country and my girlfriends Aunt and Uncle own a farm but I just never knew how hard it was and for how little money!
SCEtoAUX said:
Great series, but it's all down to Clarkson. He has a quality that no other TV presenter has ever had.
Insert <anyone else's> farm and they don't even make the series.
I tend to agree. Some of the stuff on YouTube is terrible, Jonny Smith being a notable exception, and I include Harry in that sadly. Insert <anyone else's> farm and they don't even make the series.
LosingGrip said:
Ill be finding a way to support British farmers more. What’s the best way?
I’ve loved the show. I live in the country and my girlfriends Aunt and Uncle own a farm but I just never knew how hard it was and for how little money!
Farm shops. Butchers, grocers - although look for the UK labelling. From October, it becomes easier - if you buy fresh meat, or any chicken, it's British. I’ve loved the show. I live in the country and my girlfriends Aunt and Uncle own a farm but I just never knew how hard it was and for how little money!
Especially if they advertise as 'local produce' (as you've seen on the show, there's really strict rules about that!).
Just don't do it from supermarkets - as they're utter, utter
s.Difficult, if you're in a city...
And more expensive /seasonal in what's available.
Let's not forget. £144 profit on the arable - however, that's the worst year in arable for 50 years, and he's had to buy a tonne of kit. What was it, about £60k? Plus the subsidies.
So, a 'normal' year, he could perhaps expect an additional £100k or more (£90k down on prior year, plus no mmore 'required' equipment spends).
That's still not great money for the level of effort, risk - and capital outlay for the land itself.
Fantastic series, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I'd love to do that (if I owned 1000 acres of the cotswolds and had the backing of Amazon!). Glad to see I'm not the only one who developed a tractor fetish after watching as well!
The shepherdess was incredible. Puts a job that you might otherwise dismiss as an anachronism into sharp relief and no doubt hugely under valued. Proper hard graft and the show certainly gave it the respect that it and she deserved.
The camaraderie made the show. I just hope that any new found success doesn't change the dynamic and people start to ham it up for the camera as is usually the case in these shows.
I'd love to do that (if I owned 1000 acres of the cotswolds and had the backing of Amazon!). Glad to see I'm not the only one who developed a tractor fetish after watching as well!
The shepherdess was incredible. Puts a job that you might otherwise dismiss as an anachronism into sharp relief and no doubt hugely under valued. Proper hard graft and the show certainly gave it the respect that it and she deserved.
The camaraderie made the show. I just hope that any new found success doesn't change the dynamic and people start to ham it up for the camera as is usually the case in these shows.
Sway said:
Let's not forget. £144 profit on the arable - however, that's the worst year in arable for 50 years, and he's had to buy a tonne of kit. What was it, about £60k? Plus the subsidies.
So, a 'normal' year, he could perhaps expect an additional £100k or more (£90k down on prior year, plus no mmore 'required' equipment spends).
That's still not great money for the level of effort, risk - and capital outlay for the land itself.
That equipment wouldn't have been expensed. Only a portion of it would have been included in the costs for the year, if any.So, a 'normal' year, he could perhaps expect an additional £100k or more (£90k down on prior year, plus no mmore 'required' equipment spends).
That's still not great money for the level of effort, risk - and capital outlay for the land itself.
We don't know that the farm business is ringfenced from the tv show business or from his personal wealth.
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