[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15999234

The BBC has received more than 21,000 complaints over Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson's remarks that striking public sector workers should be shot.

He was censured with his comments on The One Show and Unison called for him to be sacked. He later apologised.

Unison said it welcomed the apology and invited Clarkson to spend a day with a healthcare assistant.

BBC Audience Services said the Corporation had received 21,335 complaints as of 09:30 GMT.

I'm glad that people have complained but I hope that's an end of it now - I think even Clarkson got the point .....

[letmein]

Yesterday was a day of industrial action across much of the UK public sector. Jeremy Clarkson commented on the strikers, as is his wont, during an appearance on the One Show

Trade union Unison has called on the BBC to sack Jeremy Clarkson following his "appalling" comments about killing striking public sector workers.

The union said it was taking legal advice over comments made by the Top Gear presenter on The One Show.

Referring to striking workers, Mr Clarkson said: "I'd have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families."

Unison said it was considering reporting the comments to the police.

The BBC apologised for the comments and also for remarks about railway deaths.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, said: "Clarkson's comments on The One Show were totally outrageous, and they cannot be tolerated.

"An apology is not enough - we are calling on the BBC to sack Jeremy Clarkson immediately.

"We are seeking urgent legal advice about what further action we can take against him and the BBC, and whether or not his comments should be referred to the police."

He added: "Jeremy Clarkson clearly needs a reminder of just who he is talking about when he calls for public sector workers to be shot in front of their families.

Prime Minister David Cameron, asked about Mr Clarkson's comments during an appearance on ITV's This Morning, said it was "a silly thing to say... I'm sure he didn't mean it".

Speaking before Mr Cameron's interview, Jon Trickett, Labour's shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said earlier: "No-one wants these strikes but most of [the] strikers are mums, not militants.

"Clarkson should apologise. And the prime minister should make clear he disassociates himself from the distasteful remarks uttered by one of his friends."

Mr Clarkson's comments sparked hundreds of entries on Twitter.

Among them was author Tony Parsons, who wrote: "Jeremy Clarkson has misjudged the moment. Criticising striking public sector workers today is like sieg-heiling at Last Night of the Proms."

BBC

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Bolloxmas

Yes but it's a live show and the interview was obviously in jest. They introduced him like this:

Matt Baker: Now, at the end of a day where Britain has seen some of its biggest strikes, what we need is someone calm and level-headed.

Alex Jones: Yep, a guest with balanced, uncontroversial opinions, who makes great effort not to offend.

and then went on to ask him questions about the strike, what do people expect, its Jeremy Clarkson - no need for such fuss

Well said. Are people really still getting offended by the guy, he says stupid crap. Ignore him.

[arista]

"Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson Makes "Appalling" Comments, Demands Made For Sacking"

You are Well Out of Date.

No one wants him sacked they just want him to work a day with Health Care workers etc.

[MTVN]

He is the first public sector worker Unison have ever wanted to be sacked

[arista]

Originally Posted by Chewy

Well said. Are people really still getting offended by the guy, he says stupid crap. Ignore him.

No Chewy

This is About him being on a Family Show
there was a good debate on Ch4News last week.
Proved very young kids watching it - would not see it as a joke


The BBC make that a Family Show
and book him - Its there Own Feck Up.

[arista]

Originally Posted by arista

Is Clarkson a simplistic populist or an eager and wealthy instrument of corporate interests, even though he's a public sector employee of sorts himself, by virtue of his BBC contracts?

Great words from Michael White

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by arista

No Chewy

This is About him being on a Family Show
there was a good debate on Ch4News last week.
Proved very young kids watching it - would not see it as a joke


The BBC make that a Family Show
and book him - Its there Own Feck Up.

I agree with you there, why get Jeremy on to talk about strikes when its obvious that he will say something silly

[Jack_]

This is an absolutely pathetic, over the top reaction to what was obviously a joke. I am sick to death of people complaining about this and other minor, unimportant comments/happenings on TV shows. I'm not even that big a fan of Clarkson, in fact I'm indifferent towards him, but these people need to get a grip. It was a joke and that's the end of it.

[arista]

New Backlash against Jeremy Clarkson after he calls railway track suicides 'selfish'
Top Gear presenter's comments about commuter disruption provoke condemnation from mental health charities

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011...trains-selfish

On the News again

[Omah]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011...=ILCNETTXT3487

Jeremy Clarkson's appearance on BBC1's The One Show is on course to be one of the most complained-about TV shows of all time after the number of complaints topped 31,000.

The Top Gear presenter provoked a viewer furore with his joke that striking public sector workers should be "executed in front of their families".

The latest update on the number of complaints on Monday morning, 31,057, was more than 10,000 up on the last published figure of 21,000 on Friday morning.

No doubt the appalling Clarkson will regards this accievement as a feather in his cap .....

[Jack_]

Wish these people would get a grip, grow up and **** off. Pathetic.

[Mystic Mock]

I cant believe that 31,000 people at least cant take a joke.

[Omah]

I hope the number of complaints reaches 50,000 .....

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Omah

I hope the number of complaints reaches 50,000 .....

Why?


Do you honestly think the BBC will sack him if they do? If they sack him they will also have to sack the producers of the One Show as they have admitted his interview had been rehearsed and okayed by them prior to going live. I mean come on think about it, who is at fault here? A buffoon known for outrageous outbursts against all and sundry or the producers who decided to invite him on and ask those questions?

I wonder how many of the "outraged viewers" actually saw the show live, I also wonder how many are members of certain unions following certain union leaders suggestions about complaining in a "routine" post strike circular.

[Vicky.]

Reminds me of everyone jumping on the bandwagon about the jonathon ross/russell brand thing.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Reminds me of everyone jumping on the bandwagon about the jonathon ross/russell brand thing.

This is a BBC Producers Fault
for booking him on the Self Made BBC Family Show 7PM.


That starts 2mins early every day ( which is a cheat)

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Why?.

Because it will maintain media attention on the distasteful Clarkson - for too long he has ridden on his "laddish" notoriety - it's time he grew up and faced the disgust he arouses in adult viewers and readers .....

Originally Posted by Shasown

Do you honestly think the BBC will sack him if they do? .

No, because he has a core audience of several hundred thousand "oafs" (his description) who hang on the bellend's every word .....

Originally Posted by Shasown

I also wonder how many are members of certain unions following certain union leaders suggestions about complaining in a "routine" post strike circular.

I wonder how many "fans" posting support for Clarkson on various media platforms are members of his production team .....

[King Gizzard]

I can't believe people have enough time to complain about a throw away comment like that which was obviously a joke

[King Gizzard]

and I repeat, I'm not even a fan of Clarkson, this is just ridiculous

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Omah

Because it will maintain media attention on the distasteful Clarkson - for too long he has ridden on his "laddish" notoriety - it's time he grew up and faced the disgust he arouses in adult viewers and readers .....

And in some producers eyes any publicity is good publicity, the viewing figures do go up for Top Gear after these bouts of bad publicity. After all they knew what he was like well before they hired him for Top Gear, they, dare I say it, knew what he was like before the One Show engagement.

Maybe you are blaming the wrong person or people.

Originally Posted by Omah

No, because he has a core audience of several hundred thousand "oafs" (his description) who hang on the bellend's every word .....

Yeah been a complete raft of ritual executions of public sector workers since his outburst, must be all those oafs eh?

Originally Posted by Omah

I wonder how many "fans" posting support for Clarkson on various media platforms are members of his production team .....

Well I am not actually supporting him, but then again I am not a member of his production team, honest guv Could I ask are you an outraged public sector worker who went out on strike?

I was merely questioning you as to why you wanted to see the numbers of complaints rise.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Maybe you are blaming the wrong person or people.

Nope, I'm pointing the finger at the repellent Clarkson .....

Yeah been a complete raft of ritual executions of public sector workers since his outburst, must be all those oafs eh?

"Hanging on to every word" does not mean compliance to every command or suggestion thereby constructed .....

Well I am not actually supporting him, but then again I am not a member of his production team, honest guv

Did I say you were .....

Could I ask are you an outraged public sector worker who went out on strike?

No

I was merely questioning you as to why you wanted to see the numbers of complaints rise.

Not "merely" - you also asked :

Do you honestly think the BBC will sack him if they do?

If they sack him they will also have to sack the producers of the One Show as they have admitted his interview had been rehearsed and okayed by them prior to going live. I mean come on think about it, who is at fault here?

A buffoon known for outrageous outbursts against all and sundry or the producers who decided to invite him on and ask those questions?

[arista]

Originally Posted by Jingle Bellend

I can't believe people have enough time to complain about a throw away comment like that which was obviously a joke

On a Family Show,
debated well on a Ch4News Debate last week.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Bethlehem

I cant believe that 31,000 people at least cant take a joke.

I can understand some joking jf but I don't like Clarkson at all anyway and in fact I don't believe his nasty comments 'are' really jokes, I believe he really thinks that way and that is why I cannot stand him.

If I ran the BBC,I would cancel all his appointments and never have him work for them again.He is the one and only reason I will not watch Top Gear at all, I would not in any way support his career whatsoever.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

I can understand some joking jf but I don't like Clarkson at all anyway and in fact I don't believe his nasty comments 'are' really jokes, I believe he really thinks that way and that is why I cannot stand him.

If I ran the BBC,I would cancel all his appointments and never have him work for them again.He is the one and only reason I will not watch Top Gear at all, I would not in any way support his career whatsoever.