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Original poster

to be bemused by the reaction to Jeremy Clarkson's strike comments

153 replies

fizzwhirl · 02/12/2011 09:30

I mean, have the people who are getting all wound up about it actually watched it?

He was being completely tongue-in-cheek. He starts off by saying how nice it's been to have empty streets. Then pretends to pull himself up with the comment that 'we have to balance it though don't we, because this is the bbc', and then he makes up the most extreme anti-striker view he can think of, which is what everyone is quoting.

Even if you took it literally (which would be a very strange thing to do!), he explicitely says that it's not his view.

IT WAS IRONY!

The generous part of me wonders whether the unions are just upset because he was being rather dismissive of the effect of the strikes - he certainly wasn't being respectful and taking them seriously. But I can't help thinking that actually they're just showing genuine inability to evaluate and understand.

Karen Jennings from Unison said it was almost like Gadafi making a comment about a demonstration! And she was being serious!!! Riighhhtt... so, a celebrity making a joke is the same thing as a dictator using foreign mercanaries to slaughter his people?! I suspect the Libyans would have preferred Jeremy Clarkson...

Personally, I think it's Karen Jennings who should be sacked - not for making a comment which is more offensive than the one Jeremy Clarkson made, but just for not having the slightest clue!

OP posts:
eurochick · 02/12/2011 11:56

The people who are getting wound up about the comment are makig themselves look pretty stupid. He was actually mocking the BBC's neutrality stance, but using an extreme example in opposition to his previously expressed view.

The frenzy into which the unions are whipping themselves up is ridiculous and just making them look like they have nothing better to do with their time.

stuffthenonsense · 02/12/2011 11:59

JC is to be taken with a pinch of salt. Having seen the now infamous part of the interview his tongue was virtually implanted in his cheek. It may not be everyones idea of humour, but it is humour nontheless.
I was more 'outraged' by the union woman's comment about members now being very frightened...really? Of what? Does she really believe the people she represents are so dumb as to take JC seriously. She came across as being as ridiculous.

And police investigation? Really?
Is it normal for people to be sacked/arrested for (offensive) jokes?

ExitPursuedBySanta · 02/12/2011 12:10

Nesbo Hully is forever saying "Shoot them" on threads. I suggested on a thread the other day that all Northerners should be shot.

Let's hope people don't think I really have a gun under my pillow.

MrsJAlfredPrufrock · 02/12/2011 12:17

I used to think Jeremy Clarkson was a bit of a tit. But I love him now. He's made the union reveal the depths of their ridiculousness. He's made Ed Miliband look like a total fool.

Beamur · 02/12/2011 12:21

Storm in a teacup sums it up really.
I think what he said was silly and stupid, but I think most of what he says is silly and stupid - which is why I turn the TV over when he is on....I am not his target audience.
Tis nonsense though to start calling his intentionally tongue in cheek comments incitement to hate.

ShowOfHands · 02/12/2011 12:23

Can I just mention that dh is a public sector worker, I supported the strikes 100% and I dislike Jeremy Jeans and a Jacket Clarkson a very large amount but I still understand how silly some of the reactions to this particular nobbery are.

I do think the Unions are justifiably upset in general and this is just a bit of projection. They are trying to make their voices heard in a coordinated effort and some people (not JC whose opinion is largely irrelevant) muttering on about damp squibs does nothing to show that the people in charge even remotely respect the electorate's right to action and opinion.

NICEyNice · 02/12/2011 12:24

Clarkson has apparently told The Times today the strikers joke was prearranged and approved by the producers. I thought when I saw the transcript yesterday it looked like a set up to the comments.

Puts a slightly different slant on the story...

Blu · 02/12/2011 12:24

God help anyone who takes their political opinion from a car presenter, child-rearing advice from a TV chef, or buys a car oin the say so of a Prime Minister. Who CARES what JC thinks about strikers? Or such a non-witty thing to say. It's just boring. As is the fuss.

sherbetpips · 02/12/2011 12:24

Last night they were really reaching - Jeremy Clarkson, close friend of David Cameron......

slug · 02/12/2011 12:25

They're not frightened of Clarkson. His tight jeans make it impossible for him to move fast enough to do any damage. However, there are many people out there who are stupid enough to think he has a point. And possibly act on it.

BarmyBiscuit · 02/12/2011 12:30

Completely agree about people overreacting and clearly they haven't seen it all. In fact, I wouldn't even apologise if I were him. Too many people jumping on the bandwagon yet again

purits · 02/12/2011 12:54

"However, there are many people out there who are stupid enough to think he has a point. And possibly act on it."

Seriously? you think that hit squads will be roaming the streets cos JC told them to??

Original poster
fizzwhirl · 02/12/2011 12:57

slug, do you really think someone might be influenced by what Jeremy Clarkson said, and actually go and shoot someone? really?!?

I think you have too low an opinion of people.

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 02/12/2011 12:58

It is indeed media being the great 'puppeteer'... examples of this are Gordon Brown talking about Jade Goody... the Queen being 'pushed' into going to look at the flowers for Diana. Everything is now about public outrage, regardless of whether it's justified... people have to be heard and VALIDATED or they are going to COMPLAIN! Bonkers! Grin

OriginalPoster · 02/12/2011 13:01

He is a professional arse, some people make a life out of being offended. Others get on with what they're doing. Each to their own. The courts would be overwhelmed if they rounded up everyone who was an arse.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 02/12/2011 13:04

Is that true about the comments being approved by producers? Shock. It kind of makes sense as JC is a journalist and wouldn't say something like that without clearing it first.

So, it was all a big publicity stunt?

all4u · 02/12/2011 13:10

This bears all the hallmarks of a media generated news item! It also gives JC free publicity for his books etc. Best to ignore it as it was silly and potentially hurtful to those who have been given asylum here whose families have been treated like that in Bosnia etc. Sad

marzipananimal · 02/12/2011 13:11

I am not a great fan of JC but I think the reaction has been ridiculous and that union woman has made herself look like a right idiot.

I think the whole context needs to be shown - not just the bit where he said the strike was great due to reduced traffic etc, but the way the presenters introduced him appeared to lead up to the joke, so I can well believe that it was planned and run past the producers.

I thought it was quite funny and in no way offensive, even though I think JC is sometimes offensive.

ExitPursuedBySanta · 02/12/2011 13:13

Slug - seriously?

wannaBe · 02/12/2011 13:14

"I didn't find Clarkson's comment funny. But then I don't find rape jokes funny either. Call me humourless, I don't care." again... what the actual fuck.

to compare this with rape jokes goes beyond the realms of tasteless.

And to suggest that the unions are rightly frightened because someone might take it seriously and go out and act on it is hillarious. Grin

I've never had any time for any of these union spokespersons... Bob Crow/that one who speaks for the British airways lot/and now this Karen woman - clearly they're all professional twats. In fact I think if you released a dvd of professionally offended twattish comments you could make a fortune!

Vickymumof2 · 02/12/2011 13:17

It was tongue in cheek, and ppl love a witchhunt - esp if its to do with the BBC :-o! Licence fee payer's money etc etc. I fear there are bigger worries in the world than a bit of a rant by Jeremy Clarson, who let's face it - is just like a really cringey uncle who always says the wrong thing and thinks he's funny!

DontPetTheSweatyThings · 02/12/2011 13:22

I caused a big row on my brothers facebook page yesterday over this. He posted the BBC article, calling JC a 'total rightwing knob wank' and all his public sector friends joined in saying how outrageous it was and he shouldn't be allowed to say this working for the BBC...we pay his salary blah blah blah.....bad taste yada yada yada

And I posted 'Jeremy Clarkson for PM'

Oh the outrage !

Can't people see they are just giving him the attention he wants, the attention he said it for? Lighten up people ! He always says things like this...old news. :)

cocoachanneloffestivecheer · 02/12/2011 13:24

I refuse to believe people are so stupid.

Further investigations will show that 11,500 of the complaints were made from phones registered to one J.Clarkson, who by the way has a DVD out now, buy it for Chrimbo yadda yadda yadda...

The other 11,500 came from phones registered to hamsters, intent on making their esteemed leader king of the world, starting with Top Gear.

nethunsreject · 02/12/2011 13:25

Yanbu.

I hate the man and most of what he spouts is disgusting, but this wasn't. He was taking the piss out of extreme views imo.

Aye, sack the fuckwit, but not for this!

Lotkinsgonecurly · 02/12/2011 13:26

Maybe we should just ban the one show rather than anything else. Its like a visual Daily Mail. Yuck.