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Original poster

..to think that Ofcom investigating Jeremy Clarkson's comments is a waste of money?

39 replies

80sMum · 21/12/2011 12:01

Everyone knows it was a joke, right? Granted, it was in very bad taste - but surely it doesn't warrant spending public money on an official investigation?

I can't see why there is so much fuss being made about these stupid 'jokes' that have now been taken out of context and blown up out of all proportion.

Surely no-one could possibly have taken Jeremy Clarkson's comments seriously, so why on earth is Ofcom invetsigating? It makes no sense. Don't they have more useful things to spend our money on?

OP posts:
OriginalJamie · 21/12/2011 12:03

I agree. He's a twat, he thrives on being a twat. It was clearly meant to be a joke. Taking it any further will provide more grist to his DM mill

MenopausalHaze · 21/12/2011 12:06

I suppose they're investigating because however many thousand uptight humourless drones were compelled to ring in with complaints just because they could. Most of them probably didn't even give a shit but you can't beat a good old official complaint can you?

minciepie · 21/12/2011 12:16

I don't understand what there is to investigate exactly? All the facts are pretty obvious.

crazycrackernanna · 21/12/2011 12:18

Make him pay for it. Prat.

MenopausalHaze · 21/12/2011 12:20

Make him pay? For cracking a joke? LMFAO - how much would you like him to pay?

crazycrackernanna · 21/12/2011 12:22

If he is stupid enough for "cracking a joke" that enabled a barrage of complaints that sparks an enquiry...then it stands to reason he should pay for the bloody thing. It was his fault in the first place...wasn't it?

hermionestranger · 21/12/2011 12:23

He already does pay, he brings in vast sums for Aunty and they won't ever sack him. They don't want to lose that. It is a huge waste of money though.

DeePanCrisPandEeeven · 21/12/2011 12:25

I think it's worthwhile making an issue of. Allowing 'jokes' like that ( and the comment about selfish suicides) sets a tone for what is socially acceptable in public discussion - it's a thin end of a cultural wedge, and good-on Ofcom for responding to complaints.

Original poster
80sMum · 21/12/2011 12:25

I have lodged an official counter-complaint with both Ofcom and the BBC about this. A complete storm in a teacup, if you ask me. Actually, I find it quite disturbing that we seem to be eroding the rights to free speech in this country.
Twenty years ago, no-one would have batted an eyelid at a comment like that. What's happening in this country?? Can no-one make, or take, a joke any more? Ok, it may have been in bad taste - so what?! What's the problem??

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 21/12/2011 12:32

he's attention seeking and provocative forsake if it.best ignored imo

TwelveGaysOfChristmas · 21/12/2011 12:33

Oh for Heaven's sake.

Firstly: It was a joke. And it was meant to be a joke.
Secondly: The joke has actually been taken completely out of context!

If you watch/read the transcript of the interview he says that he supports the strikers however, because of his BBC contract he isn't allowed to take sides in matters such as this, so therefore he must also say the swing side of it.

Bloody ridiculous kerfuffle instigated by the professionally offended.

DeePanCrisPandEeeven · 21/12/2011 12:33

What's happening in this country is that we are moving away from tolerating imbelicic and offensive items. We could easily say that making racist jibes 20 years ago wouldn't have caused a fuss, so why now? Well, we have evolved.

TwelveGaysOfChristmas · 21/12/2011 12:33

And I may not agree with his views but I'm not going to complain about him to all and sundry just because he doesn't think like everyone else!

Original poster
80sMum · 21/12/2011 12:34

Yes, I agree scottishmummy. I'm not a fan of Jeremy's and this is just giving him more publicity. But it's the reasoning behind this investigation that bugs me.

OP posts:
RockingBEYONDtheXmasTree · 21/12/2011 12:36

What TwelveGays said.

Original poster
80sMum · 21/12/2011 12:37

"What's happening in this country is that we are moving away from tolerating imbelicic and offensive items"

It was a joke!! Jokes sometimes do cause offence! What if all MILs complained every time a comedian did a MIL joke, would Ofcom investiaget that?!!

OP posts:
PeneloPeePitstop · 21/12/2011 12:39

It's OTT.
If you actually watch the clip he makes it clear that he's mocking the BBC policy for 'balance' and that those are not actually his views.

It's a bit silly really

DeePanCrisPandEeeven · 21/12/2011 12:41

80smum - being a 'joke' doesn't make it bomb-proof from being insulting and offensive to thousands of people. Ditto the suicide comment. Confirms his status as a total twat, but we know this already.

ShirleyKnotChristmas · 21/12/2011 12:42

I bet you thought the same about the Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross thing as well...

did you OP?

EsmeWeatherwax · 21/12/2011 12:42

He's a professional arsehole, but this really is a total storm in a teacup. Honestly when you hear the whole interview he wasn't being particularly offensive, just trying in vain, as usual, to be funny. YANBU, complete waste of everyone's money and time.

DeePanCrisPandEeeven · 21/12/2011 12:42

yes I saw the whole clip - doesn't change anything re this discussion at all tho'.

PeneloPeePitstop · 21/12/2011 12:43

He actually said he supported the strike as everywhere was quieter for him.... then did the 'balance' skit.

SpagBollyandtheIvy · 21/12/2011 12:46

Whether or not you think his comments were a joke, twatty, unacceptable or not, I still don't get what an investigation would look like. What will they actually do?

A man said some stuff that some people found offensive. Some of them complained. Is there more to it than that? What else do we want to know?

FahQuenelleItsNearlyChristmas · 21/12/2011 12:49

I understood it the same way as PeneloPeePitstop. People deliberately took his remark out of context.

In any case, the most the whole episode warranted was a collective 'Tut!' and rolling of eyes. It's ridiculous to have an 'investigation'. What's to investigate?

DeePanCrisPandEeeven · 21/12/2011 12:51

I have no idea what the powers of Ofcom are in these circs - public repudiation? Criticsm of BBC for not taking any punitive action? REcommending editorial changes? i.e. taking more care in allowing twats to go out 'live'?