Cycling UK Forum

Well, the scandal of the police leaking the search of Cliff's residence to the BBC, so they could film it when he was out of the country... That's a pretty shocking inditement of both institutions, publicly amplifying and broadcasting an ongoing investigation.

RogerThat wrote:And then it's goodbye aunty beeb forever ...

It would be decades before that can happen. Despite the whining on here too many people like the beeb. Give it another 20 years when most of the old fogeys are dead and perhaps but until then.

RogerThat wrote:Well, the scandal of the police leaking the search of Cliff's residence to the BBC, so they could film it when he was out of the country... That's a pretty shocking inditement of both institutions, publicly amplifying and broadcasting an ongoing investigation.

Why? Probably deliberate to see if it drums up any other lines of inquiry. I was under the impression the investigation has grown somewhat since then...

kwackers wrote:

RogerThat wrote:And then it's goodbye aunty beeb forever ...

.......... Give it another 20 years when most of the old fogeys are dead.............

Aye up Kwackers - that'll be me then...........if I'm still alive then, I'll need a new bike!

I have no intention of popping my clogs in only 20years.
I'm nearly 10years older than Clarkson, but I'm fitter and healthier ................. and I don't wear jeans.
With luck, I'll see him out.

I'll still be moaning about television even after I'm entitled to a free TVL.

Mick F wrote:I have no intention of popping my clogs in only 20years.
I'm nearly 10years older than Clarkson, but I'm fitter and healthier ................. and I don't wear jeans.
With luck, I'll see him out.

I'll still be moaning about television even after I'm entitled to a free TVL.

Ditto - and I'm almost exactly 10 years older than JC.

As it happens, we still watch a bit of TV, but far less than we used to. I quite enjoy watching Masterchef - my one concession into the 'reality' genre - despite the fact that I'd find almost all the offerings therein, uneatable. We do like a good comedy....

And we did sit through the Wolf Hall series. Mrs P decided we needed a bit of educational stuff - after all I was always bottom in History at school. A few 'chop's later, I feel I know a bit more....

It is incredible that they have got away with the same program for so long; any other series would have been axed after the third series. Americans seem to like continuous reanactment of the previous show in different clothes and get it with Top Gear; it's a shame the BBC feels the need to show the program over here, rather than just taking the mony from America and keeping quiet of it's shame.

I have never seen anything in the media questioning whether Clarkson was actually responsible for any of the news-grabbing events. It seems far more lokely to me that they were dreampt up by a child in BBc publicity to get cheap publicity for a weak programme format. The issue with the car in Argentina seemed particularly unlikely to have generated any notice at all by Argentinians and I find it highly improbable that Clarkson actually has any influence on what cars he is paid to sit in; I expect the car was bought by a props buyer and the story concocted to gain publicity. Similarly this latest non-event.

Mick F wrote:................. and I don't wear jeans...........

That's ok Mick, as long as Jean doesn't wear yours.

goatwarden wrote:It is incredible that they have got away with the same program for so long; any other series would have been axed after the third series. Americans seem to like continuous reanactment of the previous show in different clothes and get it with Top Gear; it's a shame the BBC feels the need to show the program over here, rather than just taking the mony from America and keeping quiet of it's shame.

Top Gear sells the world over, there's practically no country it doesn't get exported to. Why? Because it's a 'lads' show, there are lots of 'lads' and lad humour is universal the world over. There's a good reason the like/dislike demographic has an age bias...

I've often really enjoyed TG although these days I feel it's had its day and it's time to find something new (haven't watched any of it for years now).
Worry not though if it goes there'll be a lad's mag hole in the schedules and someone else will be along to fill it sharpish.

kwackers wrote:Top Gear sells the world over, there's practically no country it doesn't get exported to. Why? Because it's a 'lads' show, there are lots of 'lads' and lad humour is universal the world over. There's a good reason the like/dislike demographic has an age bias...

The deomgraphics might have other biases as well.

Clarkson has already signalled a potential move in his Sun column. Just as his BBC contract expires in two weeks time, and May and the little fellas expire next month. I can't help think he's strategically organized the entire 'fracas' to fit

kwackers wrote:Top Gear sells the world over, there's practically no country it doesn't get exported to. Why? Because it's a 'lads' show, there are lots of 'lads' and lad humour is universal the world over. There's a good reason the like/dislike demographic has an age bias...

I presume by 'lads show' you imply that the age bias is in favour of the under-25s, the boy-racer demographic. This bothers me for the very reason I've used the label 'boy-racer'. These guys are natural mimics, they are up for copy-cat stunts of anything they may see on the box. And it cannot be denied that there have been a lot of well-publicised fatal RTAs involving very young male drivers. Including some in my local area....

This is main reason for my antipathy towards TG. Trouble is, were it to be re-launched in an entirely different format more appealing to the older motorist such as myself, it would no doubt be dismissed as boring. BORING!!

I don't know the solution.

I'm pretty certain you'll see the three of them pop up on Sky anytime soon. The rumour mill has it that Netflix are interested in rebranded format with the lads as presenters, which would give them a truly global appeal and audience. The BBC are narked at Clarkson because of his share of the gross profit. On £18 million gross profit in 2013, Clarkson took a £5 million chunk. That's unheard of in BBC history, a presenter with such a huge piece of the pie. The man is a shrewd business operator and I'm certain he's got this all planned out three moves ahead

661-Pete wrote:I presume by 'lads show' you imply that the age bias is in favour of the under-25s, the boy-racer demographic. This bothers me for the very reason I've used the label 'boy-racer'.

Possibly, but then I'm in my 50's and until it become repetitive found TG quite entertaining. Yet I drive within the speed limit, stop at red lights etc...

Mind you I've watched violent films, read violent books and played violent computer games but have a generally pacifistic attitude. I was bombarded with religious crap from the year dot and am an atheist and am bombarded with meat adverts but am a vegetarian.
Perhaps the world isn't quite as simplistic as threads like this would have you believe.

Incidentally as a cyclist I have very little problems with 'boy racers'. Middle aged men in Audi's - that's another story.

[quote="661-Pete..........I don't know the solution.[/quote]

I think I do..........to change the ethos of motoring to recognise the private car as a utility tool for use and convenience and for the easing of difficulties for the disabled, and to stop publicising and marketing the car as a macho toy for the exhibition of how brave, mighty (and downright stupid) the driver is.

It would be a ground-moving shift in society's attitudes to put road safety, and the lives and safety of others, and the respect for other people to the top of the agenda, but until that happens the likes of Clarkson and the boy-racer brigade (how ever old the "boy" may be) will continue to prevail. It doesn't help, of course, when governments and councils try to reduce speed limits for the sake of safety, and then the motoring organisations protest. They see genuine safety as pure heresy.

There'd still be genuine accidents, and old gimmers that are past being capable of driving (like the one who hit me and broke my leg just after Christmas).