Is Jeremy next for the chop?

Posted by Jane Murphy

Since all the excitement caused by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross's bad behaviour last week, our morally upright friends at the tabloids are obviously tuned to the airwaves 24/7 on the lookout for more things to get their knickers in a twist about.

The latest? On the day Americans vote for a new president, the Daily Mirror has chosen to lead with a shock story about Jeremy Clarkson, whose capacity to offend should never be underestimated.

Personally, I opted to stick red-hot needles in my eyes rather than watch last Sunday's Top Gear - but apparently Jezza made an incredibly bad taste "quip" about lorry drivers murdering prostitutes.

That not-so-hilarious quote in full? Climbing behind the wheel of a truck, Jeremy said: "What matters to lorry drivers? Murdering prostitutes? Fuel economy? This is a hard job, and I'm not just saying this to win favour with lorry drivers.

"It's a hard job - change gear, change gear, change gear, check your mirrors, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder. That's a lot of effort in a day."

So far 200 viewers have complained - but if last week's reaction to Ross and Russ is anything to go by, I imagine that number will have risen to around 52 million by the end of the day.

I don't like Jeremy Clarkson. I don't think he's funny. And that's why I switch off the TV (and get the red-hot needles out) every time he comes on. But if the whole country flies into a moral panic every time someone does something offensive on TV or radio, there'll soon be nothing left to watch or listen to.

So should Jeremy be punished? Or should we all lighten up a little? What do you think?

Picture: PA

SEE ALSO:
Swearing doesn't make the Grade >>
Russell Brand's parting shot >>
Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross suspended >>
Kerry's TV meltdown: the fallout >>
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Comments

[jon]

Since Clarkson's got a head like a breezeblock, I don't think he should comment on anyone's physical shortcomings. Seeing him and Hammond (who makes a livng out of letting Clarkson humiliate him) pretending that the comment just slipped out, made me feel a little sorry for them both.Two middle-aged fools desperate for attention. James May's the only one with any dignity.

[Midland Smoggie]

From the majority of comments on your blog it looks like your cheap attempt to stir up a storm of loathing backfired spectacularly. Perhaps you should try writing something entertaining yourself, rather than trying to initiate another media generated talent culling?

[Humanitarian Female]

The difference between the comments-

Ross and Brand's comment was directed at one individual and mocked that one individual.

Clarkson was however making a general joke.

It was funny. I found it funny, a lot of my friends and family drive lorries- and they found it funny.

If a joke was made about farmers no one would care- as stereotypical representations of the group are often in cartoons. So what's different about lorry drivers?

I respect the lorry drivers of Britain very much but in a Britain were people can make jokes at the expense of gays, ethnic minorties and basically any other group under the sun.

A previous poster wrote "how would you feel if your daughter was one of the people killed"

the joke didn't say "I'm a lorry driver- let's go kill people" ¬_¬

It was making a point that to AVOID killing people lorry drivers have to be skilled- after all one of the group did flatten a signpost and push a car off the road due to a lack of experience- People of the UK- CALM DOWN!

Thank you =]

Lecture over.

[Amanda]

Jeremy Clarkson is one of the most witty and intelligent television presenters and columnists this country has ever had. If only half the politicians had his common sense, the country would be in a far better state than it is now.

Brand and Ross do not have between them the wit Clarkson has in little finger, and he is much cheaper.

Oh, and whilst he is somewhat near the knuckle, he does not invade people's privacy by leaving 'joke' abusive messages on their answerphones.

ROCK ON JEZZA!!!!

[BC...]

Clarkson is the most entertaining man on the BBC. Give the man a pay rise - (Some of Ross's perhaps?)

[BC...]

Clarkson is the most entertaining man on the BBC. Give the man a pay rise - (Some of Ross's perhaps?)

[the Krays]

It really makes you think, what kind of people find the time to waste other people's time and money with these kind of nonsense complaints (most probably OAP'S!!!) If the BBC has a problem with what it's commentators say or do it should lay down clear guidelines, edit programmes properly or at the very worst tell off the 'offenders' and give them a small fine. As far as I'm concerned people like Jeremy Clarkson and Johnathon Ross (paid to much, again the fault of BBC control) are internationally renouned and actually very resourceful and funny.

Unfortunately we live in a 3rd rate country full of unhygenic old racist people who lack a sense of humour and would rather watch the news, countdown or the weakest link (a thoroughly offenseive programme I might add, which encourages bullying) or stare at mold growing on their walls. Build another titanic and send them to Iceland, thats what I say...

[Haha.]

Haha i'm WTFing right now. Personally I found it funny.
Infact.
I always laugh at Clarkson's jokes just because of the way he says them.
What the hell Is wrong with people these days?
Christ If this blog wasn't here I wouldn't have even noticed the joke's "Offensive Nature"
To those of you who sit at home and actually make these complaints.
Grow up and get a life, that doesn't involve staying at home every night watching the television and listening to the radio just incase someone says something that could be interpretated as "Distasteful".
What. A. LOL.

[Emily]

In my opinion, Jeremy Clarkson was a little overboard but isn't he always? I think people are just out for blood now considering the antics of a few weeks ago. People may not like him but any one who watches the show knows what to expect. Perhaps people are just jumping on the bandwagon again now because I watched the show when it was first aired and as did my whole family and the bunch of us cracked up laughing considering it was a joke.

[Robert]

Sack Clarkson, sack the programme controller and sack anybody else who supports this immoral drivel.

[Jason Defoe]

Why are people getting all moralistic about, Ross, Brand and now Clarkson ?
We all have the ability to turn the tv over or off, nobody forces us to watch it.
Again I have to agree with previous comments both Ross and Brand and now Clarksons show were pre recorded why was this not edited out ? Why was it deemed ok for tv ? surely the editors are the ones at fault.
I thought we were a free country with free speech, again we are becoming a nanny state.

[Maria]

How come everyone is supporting Clarkson when his 'joke' is about murdering women yet Brand and Ross simply talked about ....ing and that was enough to prompt national outrage. Clarkson is a misogynistic idiot and frankly I am sick of the sight (and especially, sound) of him.

[A.Dot]

Jeremy is the best, all he was doing was making a little joke what is good for entertainment. Lighten up he wasnt doing anything wrong

[Hels]

Get a grip - what is wrong with people these days?!! Jeremy Clarkson has always, and will always make jokes like this. Everyone knows what he is like so if you don't like it - don't watch it, simple!!

[deligirl]

This is outrageous..where has some peoples sense of humour gone? With all the doom and gloom of recent months being shown 24/7 by the news, its light hearted shows like Top Gear that make ppl forget momentarily and have a 'chuckle'!Its also a well known fact that Jeremy says what he thinks, so if ur easily offended u shouldnt be watching it anyway! Just lightn up ppl, theres much more important things to concern yourselves with!

[Michael Miller]

Were was the director? Its Clarksons job to do the talking the director or editor is the person whom should be looking out for moral content, if its before the 9pm cut off point he should chop it, I'm not a great fan of Clarkson myself but a lot of people find him funny, his job is to be himself if he cant do that he cant do his job, if he goes too far that bit should be on the cutting room floor, not his fault, the director should be chopped.

[barry taylor]

the proggrame contains satire its good old british humour its on the bbc, british broadcasting corporation it got us through two wars and tony blair our country is ruined dont take our humour its all thats remaining

[Me]

Rich of 05.11.08 - 10.10am.

You're about as funny as cancer.

Idiot boy.

[rich]

Everyone needs the settle down, it was only a joke, no-one was harmed by it, although maybe a few uptight, overly p.c, vegatarian, tree huggers choaked a little on their nettle tea.
Look at it this way, Clarkson has a point, murdering prostitues is hard, especially when your strangling arm is tired from changing gear all day.

[paul]

the only looser on this blog is u ken cook - i know a lot of people found it hilarious but personally i didnt find it funny, but i wasnt offended by it at all - it wasnt a big deal for me - to be outraged by it and type in capital letters that he should be sacked, come on man! whats wrong with you?! - and as far as your 'how would you feel if it was your daughter' outcry - wouldnt care to be honest with you - yeh that right! - personally the more prossies that are killed, the better - lorry drivers are doing us a favour by cleaning up our streets - to those who disagree, dont worry theres always amsterdam

[JC]

"cleaning up our tv shows is long overdue. lost our sense of humour says one looser...How would you feel if your daughter was one of the girls mudered, no wonder the youth of today have lost the respect for anyone and the knife culture taken hold.CLARKSON SHOULD BE SACKED"

Posted by: ken cook | 04 November 2008 at 15:32

I get the impression Ken that If you found out your daughter was a prostitute you'd kill them yourself.

[Amy]

Jeremy for Prime Minister!!
He's great!! So FUNNY! If you don't like his sense of humour don't watch him on television! Clarkson YOU ROCK!

[sara]

OMG Everybody knows what clarkson is like he calls a spade a spade and i personally wish more people were the same. When all said and done a joke is a joke. Get a sense of humour !!!!!!

[Jo]

Jeremy Clarkson is not every person's cup of tea - his humour is dry and cutting and on this occasion perhaps it was an 'ouch' moment. However there is something about this man's delivery that is very entertaining and frankly makes me laugh out loud. 'Top Gear' is a brilliant show and one I watch religiously. Jeremy Clarkson as P.M.? - yes I like the idea and John Sargeant for Deputy please.

[Paul]

Political correctness gone mad - sure Clarkson is controversial, but its funny ! It was a general comment, no individual was singled out, or ridiculed. My wife & I laughed alot, as did millions of others I should think !

[richard]

LIGHTEN UP ITS JUST WORDS

[deborah davies]

what the hell is our country coming 2??..we dnt have freedom of speech anymore everything has 2 be politically correct with the the t crossed this man is such a gd laugh anything he says should be and is said in jest,,,the world is a cruel place if u cnt laugh anymore,,im behind u 100% jeremy give them hell and dnt 4get 2 send the free tickets haha.xx deb xx

[Chris Davis]

The only people to gain from vilifying or censoring Clarkson will be the regular targets of his own particular brand of vitriol; the political correct and our hidden unelected left wing/liberal power holders etc. I can’t stand him or his colleagues but he and they are the closest thing you have to a popular political opposition in this country. You cannot equate his crack about lorry drivers and prostitutes (which is mildly amusing) with the sheer nastiness of Brand and Ross: glad they’ve gone, glad he is staying.

[karen]

Jeremy Clarkson`s comments are often tongue in cheek and can be offensive to some.However more often or not he only says what we are thinking.His programmes are funny and irreverent.If you do not like it-Dont watch it!
your choice.There are many programmes on tv I do not like,I pay my tv licence like everyone else.Stop being so PC and muzzling free speech.
Entertainment is meant to be funny and Jeremy always delivers a funny show.Keep it up Jeremy please-there are people out here in tv land who have a sense of humour.Keep Jeremy Clarkson on the air!!! and grow up all you miseries out there

[PeeJay]

Top Gear is one of the best programmes on the TV. The person who wrote the above article clearly does not enjoy it and they should be punished for writing such nonsense. There will come a time when a young child will be prosecuted in court for telling a joke in the playground if we do not stop these 'do-gooders' now!!

[anne spence]

Who has he actually offended,lorry drivers or prostitutes?Even poor old Mary Whitehouse would laugh at this. Why not fill up the Top-gear studio with lorry drivers and prostitutes,let Clarkson provide the entertainment and let those who are supposed to be offended decide by using the clap-(no pun intended)o-meter.
As for Brand and Russel,their wages is their crime!!

[sam b]

wish thw attnetion was paid more to the un british-white english who live here reaping all our benefits of this our country, thats why it is so ****** up any one else agree, i know jezza would xxx

[Chris]

I think whoever wrote this article should be forced to 'stick red-hot needles in my eyes' seeing as they so called opted to do that, shouldn't say something unless your prepared to do it. People like whoever wrote that article really get on my nerves. They make it their job to make people look bad for their own gain, I think its appalling.

Yea Clarkson is arrogant and yes he can definatly be a jerk but jumping on him like that for a stupid joke? Its pathetic and so was this article.

[sam b]

brill idea CLARKSON FOR PREISIDENT, what a wounderfull, britsh place would would have then ....

[carole]

Why dont we just ban everything then the miserable namby pamby oversensitive morons who have turned this once great island into a politically correct hell hole might be happy. The youth of today have no respect because of this. ClARKSON FOR PRESIDENT

[sam b]

theres some very sad people around today,i have top gear all my young life with my dad and its quite a knowledgeable programme, fun and interestring (by the way i am female) clarkson is so real and down to earth, there is no such thing as a freedom of speach anymore, and how cool but daft was the lorry tests loved it....
keep up the good work ans the rest of you points of view viewers get back to your readers digest ! ooooo

[ken cook]

cleaning up our tv shows is long overdue. lost our sense of humour says one looser...How would you feel if your daughter was one of the girls mudered, no wonder the youth of today have lost the respect for anyone and the knife culture taken hold.CLARKSON SHOULD BE SACKED

[Gillian]

Top Gear is one of the only decent things left to watch on telly these days! I dont know why i pay for a t.v licence

[jenny]

Just lighten up, do journalists have nothing else to report? Global warming, plight of the polar bear, world starvation, or are they too boring

[Chris]

Clarkson and the team present a factual programme with a great deal of humour. It is one of the best programmes on tele and anyone with any sense knows that his style of humour is cutting but none directional. No individuals were targetted and the viewing public should regard his comments for what they were. They were a JOKE - remember them everybody!!! Keep up the good work Jezza

[michelle]

would someone please tell me what has happened to todays society,as to why there is no fun anymore,i think people need to take a little humour and enjoy it.i really enjoy watching top gear and will carry on for many years hopefully.

[Maureen]

If people are easily offended they shouldn't tune in to Top Gear. Great to have it back as its the best thing on the box. Get a life and start complaining about what really matters.

[barbara]

That's the problem with Britain today. Few people sem to have a sense of wit and humour and we all live in fear of "saying the wrong thing". We end up with people not speaking up about important matters and no debate. We live in a FREE democracy (or at least I thought so?!) so surely we should be able to lighten up and enjoy a little dark (can I use that word?) humour. It's seems to be OK to see death, destruction, rape, torture and all the rest but heaven forbid we should have some good old fashioned banter.... Top Gear rocks and the threesome provide some of the best laughs of the TV week.

[Avril]

Oh my god this country has gone mad and I really don't think there's any going back now. You cant have an accident and its someone elses fault, you can't speak your mind but someones trying to get you sacked or arrested!! There are 3 kinds of people who complain about these things, the people who moan about anything, the people who jump on the band wagon and the people who don't like the individuals in question and cant wait to get the boot in!!! GET A LIFE!!

[H Wilson]

I love Clarkson. He calls a spade a spade.

[sean]

whats going to happen next eh!! are we going to sack tv entertainers for sneezing out of turn? top gear is essential viewing for all. its witty, funny and downright brilliant entertainment. i dont think for one minute that Clarkson meant that quote in a serious sense. get a life !!

[granty]

If these people who like to complain dont like it then dont watch it simple as, its getting ridiculous now, i bet half of the people that complained had not even watched the programme!,there are too many do gooders around these days get a life !

[Asil]

I personally nearly wet myself with laughter at Top Gear. Anyone of a "politically correct" disposition shouldn't watch this programme anyway! Again this programme was pre-recorded and programme producers aired it! Please can we go back to our old maybe not so permanantly p c world?? DON'T SACK CLARKSON - CLARKSON FOR PM!

[Viv]

Seriously why don't we just lighten up for a change. I absolutely love Jeremy and think he really should be prime minister he would sort this whole country out !!!!!

[Perdita]

People know that Jeremy Clarkson can be offensive - the things he says about me and my fellow Brummies for a start - but for goodness sake - if you don't want to be offended then DON'T WATCH !!!!! Clarkson is spot on on most things in his newspaper column - CLARKSON FOR PRIME MINISTER - YAY

[Ann]

I thought it was a brilliant television, they (the presenters) took so many risks for our tv viewing that most of Jeremys comments go over my head. I shall certainly watch the programme again.

[paul]

personally i cant stand the man - i find him annoying, irritating, not funny, egotistical, arogant, ugly, he thinks he's always right about cars when its a matter of opinion and if it wasnt for the cars nobody would follow anything he did cos he isnt talented - there were only 200 complaints so the complaints might have come from friends and families of murdered prostitues - if thats the case then fair enough, but if anyone else complained then please can you get a life? i dont think it was funny though, but still not ofensive

[Natalie]

Oh God (If i'm allowed to say that?) Are we not allowed to have a sense of humour any more. Jeremy Clarkson is a funny man I am sure he did not mean it literally. It is what you call a joke. No wonder there's not many comedy programmes or stand up comedy on TV no more, they'd all be sacked. In this day and age we need a laugh or shall we keep talking about the murders, muggings, war etc, and being told what we can or cant say, or whether we can celebrate our festivites each year. As that also offends certain people too. DONT LIKE IT DONT BLOODY LISTEN OR WATCH IT. CHILL OUT

[deborah Leadeham]

This is getting out of hand.. If people have got nothing better to do than to complain over something trivial as a flippant comment they should get a life.. Jeremy Clarkson brings great entertainment to TV. There are far worse things been shown on TV every day that no one appears to care about... Get off your soap boxes and GROW UP!!!

[Jess]

Its stupid!! i like top Gear and instead of being insulted people should just laugh about it!! its a joke for gods sake!!!!! Why are people taking everything the wrong way!! do they not know what Jokes are???

[Moi]

Hear hear Bob. I couldn't agree more. Clarkson has always been like this and always will be and what's more he probably won't apologise but hey, I think he's funny! If you don't like it don't watch it and get a grip on reality. Why are people hellbent on bringing people down to their knees at the moment?? Surely there are more important things in life. Ooh sorry have I just upset someone by saying that? Better sack me from my job .. that'll solve the worlds problems won't it!

[bob]

Oh for goodness sake - are we suddenly becoming a communist state whereby every little thing that anyone says is vetted and analysed - whatever happened to freedom of speech.... If people dont like it, dont listen, switch off and allow the people who do like it to enjoy their own time. The whole world has become entirely too PC, everyone is too afraid to hurt anyones feelings - take the council who aren't putting up Christmas lights for fear of upsetting some religious group - we are british, we live in britain, and everyone should just lighten up for goodness sake