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Jeremy Clarkson
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The UK's Telegraph is telling us today James May and Richard Hammond, two of Top Gear's threesome of hosts, have yet to sign new contracts recently presented to them by the BBC. According to the UK daily, they're holding out for the same multi-million pound deal received last month by Clarkson in his new contract. The Telegraph even goes so far as to say the two "may leave" the show if their contract demands aren't met. However, the only source they've been able to get a quote from on the record is none other than James May, who very clearly states
Telegraph: James May, Richard Hammond "May Leave" Top Gear Unless BBC Meets Salary Demands
The UK's Telegraph is telling us today James May and Richard Hammond, two of Top Gear's threesome of hosts, have yet to sign new contracts recently presented to them by the BBC. According to the UK daily, they're holding out for the same multi-million pound deal received last month by Clarkson in his new contract. The Telegraph even goes so far as to say the two "may leave" the show if their contract demands aren't met. However, the only source they've been able to get a quote from on the record is none other than James May, who very clearly states "The only reason I haven't signed my contract yet is because it has not yet been finalized. The current one doesn't expire until the end of July. I'm sure a new one will be sorted out soon. I'm not stomping around about Jeremy's contract with BBC Worldwide. Quite frankly, I couldn't give a **** about it."But, the Telegraph's sources say different. More »
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The Beeb's facing some criticism today from road safety activists over comments made by the very lovable, huggable and downright loud, Jeremy Clarkson. Actually, it's not just criticism — it's an outright call for his firing from the venerable Brits who broadcast. Apparently, during an interview by Daily Mail columnist Rosie Boycott, the 48-year-old host of the world's bestest motoring show was asked what was the fastest he had ever driven. Mr Clarkson replied: "On the public roads...186." Jeez. Didn't they know he was obviously talking about public roads with unlimited speed limits — like the Autobahn? Oh, wait, what's that? He was talking about the the Limehouse Link tunnel between Central London and Docklands in a Bugatti Veyron? Oh. Well, then he's a silly twit, isn't he for making mention of it? This isn't the first time he's had run-ins over road-going incidents, despite his proud claim of having "never been pulled over for speeding."
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BBC Facing Calls To Sack Clarkson Over Boasts Of Speeding 186 MPH On British Public Roads
The Beeb's facing some criticism today from road safety activists over comments made by the very lovable, huggable and downright loud, Jeremy Clarkson. Actually, it's not just criticism — it's an outright call for his firing from the venerable Brits who broadcast. Apparently, during an interview by Daily Mail columnist Rosie Boycott, the 48-year-old host of the world's bestest motoring show was asked what was the fastest he had ever driven. Mr Clarkson replied: "On the public roads...186." Jeez. Didn't they know he was obviously talking about public roads with unlimited speed limits — like the Autobahn? Oh, wait, what's that? He was talking about the the Limehouse Link tunnel between Central London and Docklands in a Bugatti Veyron? Oh. Well, then he's a silly twit, isn't he for making mention of it? This isn't the first time he's had run-ins over road-going incidents, despite his proud claim of having "never been pulled over for speeding."
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Jeremy Clarkson To Race Car Against Bullet Train
In a recent interview focusing mainly on how he admits he would be a "rubbish" Prime Minister, Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson revealed some details about what promises to be a highlight of the upcoming 11th season of Top Gear. We've known that there is supposed to be a big race in Japan, but we weren't exactly sure what mode of transportation would be pitted against the car until now. More »
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Clarkson Still Thinks America Sucks, We Still Love Him
You ship your typical automotive journalist to Southern California and hand him the keys to a blown Callaway Corvette packing 616 horsepower, you figure you're going to get a review that could be summarized in one word: "AIIIIIEEEE!" You send Jeremy Clarkson, however, and you get a review that starts off with ten paragraphs loaded with jabs like "They can get our immediate help in the Gulf, but we had to beg for assistance against the Nazis and the Argies. With America, the world is a one-way street" before you even hear about the car (which, though Clarkson describes it as "nailed together by apes," he does allow that he "absolutely bloody loved it.") Now, as the author of a novel targeted at the tepid BDSM proclivities of the Brits, I have the ammunition to come back with some bashing of Mr. Clarkson's benighted, caned-by-stern-headmistress, forever-tainted-by-British-Leyland island... but we take the high road here at El Jalop! [Times of London]
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Top Gear Ground Gear Force: Top Gear Gone Bizarro For UK Charity
Some say he's nothing but a short, funny-looking decorative garden accessory. Others say his best friend is a little bunny rabbit who hops on by. All we know is, he's not the Stig — he's a garden gnome. That's right, the Brit-boy threesome of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May stepped back from their adventures in high horsepower for a bit of charity work on the Beeb last month. The hosts of the world's greatest motoring show in all the world took a run at resurrecting the greatest gardening show we've all probably never seen — Ground Force — for the charity telethon Sport Relief. The one-off mashup, called Top Gear Ground Gear Force, took the "Punk'd"-like ethos of the original pruning show and added a dose of the hilarious by completely demolishing the backyard of Sir Steve Redgrave, their target. We're surprised we hadn't seen it yet — especially as the three co-hosts managed to show off the most impressive jet-powered backyard chicken rotisserie we've ever seen. But after a late night torrent session, we've now rectified that issue. It's high time you did the same, so we've dropped the full episode below the jump, so get to it. More »
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Jay Leno On Top Gear America: I Hope We Don't Ruin It
It looks like Jay Leno has some apprehensions about Top Gear America, and we're guessing he hasn't even seen the poorest imitation yet. In his column for The Sunday Times, he lists the reasons why he thinks the program is doomed (and he doesn't even mention Adam Corolla as host). Most importantly, he thinks the show is going to lose the edge it has because it'll bow to sponsors who don't like having their cars criticized. In addition, he feels as though the show is going to be produced by people not interested in cars. Don't believe us. Check out his conversation with producers below the jump. More »
Read yesterday's Achewood yet? No? You should. Pay particular attention to the mouseover on Clarkson. (Hat tip to Chris!) [Achewood]
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Clarkson Settles Down, Purchases Sensible Family Sedan
Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has finally acknowledged that his Lamborghini Gallardo and TVR-engined Land Rover may not be the most practical way to transport his family of five. So he's purchased a 38-year old Grosser Mercedes 600, noting that it's quite a bit less boring than cars like the BMW 5-series or Lexus LS600h. More »
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Top Gear LIVE: World Tour
Yes, not only will the US be getting our own version of the BBC's hit motoring television program, but the BBC is now saying there will be 'Top Gear Live' world tour stopping at 15 countries. No word on which countries those will be, but its possible that the US will actually be a stop; a managing director of Top Gear, BBC Worldwide, saying: "Taking Top Gear Live on tour is tremendously exciting and ties in perfectly with our plans to reach out to audiences around the globe." BBC Worldwide says the live shows will "incorporate the drama of film and theatre with the thrills and spills of stunts and special effects" whatever that means. Let's just hope they keep The Stig's identity a secret.[via BBC]
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Jeremy Clarkson Under Investigation For Talking On Cell While Driving, Rants Sure To Follow
We're guessing none of this would have happened if Jeremy Clarkson was Prime Minister, but everyone's favorite Top Gear host is in trouble with the law... again. Seems he was driving his 6.3-Liter Mercedes when a man driving with his girlfriend spied him allegedly chatting on his cell phone. They took a picture of the incident with, ironically, a camera phone and sent that to the authorities. If convicted (look at the pic), The Jezza could get three points off of his license and be out 60 pounds (which is like $5,000, right?). Full photo below the jump. More »
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BBC America Bribes Us To Talk Up Top Gear, We Accept
While we don't do the whole "junket" thing like most auto pubs (we pay our own way), we do accept swag (at least under like $25 or something). And if there's one thing you can be sure of — if we get something Top Gear related, we're sure as hell gonna talk about it especially since Top Gear is so amazingly epic. Like today when BBC America sent us DVD's of the first three episodes of Top Gear's Season Ten, which begins to air on the Beeb's colonial brand starting tonight at 8:00 PM EST/ PST. Despite already having
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World's First RHD Ford GT
The Ford GT is unquestionably a great car for hooning. But hey, what to do if you're an Aussie hoon wanting to get some GT goodness legalized for road use Down Under? Well, Ford never offered a right-hand-drive version for such markets, so you're going to have to have it converted over to RHD yourself. Which hadn't been done at all until now. Even though the GT came out a while ago as a 2005 model, this is the world's first RHD conversion. Surely you'd think some plucky British GT owner like Jeremy Clarkson would've demanded RHD, but since the UK is so close to continental Europe, it's not illegal to drive a LHD car on British roads. However, for most Aussies, unless you've find some legal loophole, you operate your vehicle on the right. Which again raises the question: Why hasn't there been a RHD conversion before? Well... More »
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Clarkson Hoisted By Own Petard, Bank Account Raided
In a move that will certainly hinder his chances at becoming the British Prime Minister, Jeremy Clarkson set himself up for a major prank in his last column for The Sun. Apparently, some 25 million people's personal details were lost after two computer discs were misplaced. To prove that it wasn't a big deal, the Jezza published his bank account info claiming that "All you'll be able to do with them is put money into my account. Not take it out. Honestly, I've never known such a palaver about nothing." We think you can guess what happened next. More »
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Jeremy Clarkson For British Prime Minister?
We're big fans of Top gear as most readers already know, but we're not sure if we'd put host Jeremy Clarkson in the driver's seat out of our country. A petition on the web site of the current PM Gordon Brown is calling for Brown to step down and make Clarkson the new chief. The petition is gaining steam, with more than 30,000 signatures, outshining a petition to, for instance, build more skating rinks in local areas, which we all know could be a make-or-break issue for the current administration. More »
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Jezza Hates the Mini Cooper S Clubman
Dang. We know Jeremy is a bit of a crank and prone to bouts of overwrought, under-accurate vitriol, but he actually goes on record saying he would prefer a goat to the new Mini Clubman. Not a GTO mind you, but a can-eating goat. Why? Well, one reason is England-only (and Japan, and OZ) — the 3rd half-door is on the driver's side over in Old Blighty (snicker). His other reasons — massive torque steer, no rear-visibility, a natural predilection to cruise at 110 mph — well, Clarkson doesn't like any of that. As always, we're reserving judgment until we drive theMore »
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Commenter of the Day: Limey Trailer Park Edition
For you North Americans not familiar with the British phenom of Chavs, you can think of 'em as rednecks crossed with gangstas, but with pinches of Russian mobsterism and soccer hooliganism sprinkled in for flava. Lots of Burberry, too. And pregnant 15-year-olds in half shirts that twaddle about with bottles of vodka. While smoking. We mention this because if you watch Top Gear — and we know you watch — you're probably thinking that most Britons are like Jezza and May. Always, constantly dreaming about wingback leather chairs and a proper cup of tea. Ha! Ha, we say! Not that comfy leather chairs and appropriate libations aren't sufficiently English but, well old chap, time for you to jump. More »
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Clarkson on the Dodge Grand Caravan
Some of you may remember Dan Neil's rather glowing review of the new Chrysler Town & Country Limited. You know, the one where he proclaims that a smart, sensible baby haulin' minivan makes him a total DILF. Well, Jeremy Clarkson is having none of it. Clarkson hauls his wife and three daughters to the great city of Ottawa where he rents a Dodge Grand Caravan. We should pause right here and explain that Jezza may very well have borrowed a 2004 Grand Caravan. We doubt he knows the difference. Truth is, we don't really care about Jeremy's take on a minivan. No, we're posting this because of his take on Canada:But by the same token no one in Canada ever wins on the horses, or escapes from a knife fight with their life, or has an orgasm. It is Switzerland with wheat.Damn skippy. [Times Online]
