poliphilo: (Default)
poliphilo ([personal profile] poliphilo) wrote2011-12-01 02:48 pm

Clarkson Is A Knob, But...

If you like Jeremy Clarkson then he's the sort of thing you like. He has a constituency and it's welcome to him. Personally, I switch over hastily at the first glimpse of his sulky face. And that's my point. I can censor my own viewing, thank you very much. I don't want him- or anybody else- sacked. In a world that ran according to my principles he wouldn't have a job in the first place because there'd be no appetite for his schtick- but there is and he flourishes- and I hope I'm grown-up enough not to repine because views other than my own are given air-time. 

[identity profile] veronica-milvus.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
I think he is fine while he sticks to cars. He's quite funny in a petulant "Just William" kind of way. But what he did last night was a giant humour failure; if that's what he thinks his funny he's so against the zeitgeist that the Ross / Brand solution might be appropriate.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 03:24 pm (UTC)(link)
He has talent or he wouldn't be where he is. I remember a programme he did about his father-in-law and how he won the VC that was quite riveting.

[identity profile] steepholm.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I saw that too, and it was an interesting programme - though I felt a bit sorry for said FIL having such a prat marry his daughter...

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
I dunno, perhaps FIL was also a prat. I think it's quite possible for a prat to be a hero.

[identity profile] steepholm.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
True. It may even help in some circumstances.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Case in point: Field Marshal Montgomery.

[identity profile] loxian.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Hate him. Used to just despise him, but after that 'other people have to work for a living' business, I've stepped up the loathing. Can't say any more for fear of swearing in your journal.
Edited 2011-12-01 15:39 (UTC)

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Please don't be afraid to swear....

I think Clarkson has a bad case of persona-inflation. The richer he gets the more cartoony he becomes. I suspect he may be hiding great gulfs of fear and loathing- as is often the case with obnoxiously right-wing men.

[identity profile] ibid.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)
he's basically Alan Partridge!

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Got him!

[identity profile] jfs.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I can't remember if I've said this to you before, but I take great joy in something that a friend once said - "Top Gear is basically a remake of Last of The Summer Wine".

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2011-12-01 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
And so it is! :)

[identity profile] michaleen.livejournal.com 2011-12-02 11:54 am (UTC)(link)
What a vile man.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2011-12-02 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
He represents a whole collection of things I instinctively dislike.

[identity profile] rosamicula.livejournal.com 2011-12-04 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
As I hardly ever watch TV, I'd only ever really paid attention to him on the radio. He's rather good - i.e. sincere and interesting - especially when he talks about childhood - on radio.
One friend, who is a motoring journalist who know him quite well, said something that absolutely chimes with what you said above, about him having this increasingly fatuous and cartoony persona about which he is actually quite ashamed around people who know him privately.

The fact that the idiotic comments were actually scripted and okayed by the producer, suggest to me the production team need a kick up the jacsi, frankly.