Richard Hammond - Top Gear

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Wed, 2006-09-20 22:59

To me, Top Gear has, over the last few years been the most consistantly entertaining programme on television. Even if you don't like cars, you would have to be the most miserable son of a bitch not to laugh with it.

I know many people hate Clarkson but hey, guess what, he feeds on your pettiness and becomes even more anti-green/right-wing/you-name-it-he-hates-it/just-to-wind-up.

And, of course, everyone loves TopGearDog and the marvellous Captain Slow.

Richard Hammond is perhaps best loved of all.

And now this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5365792.stm(link is external)

I hope he lives for the sake of his family if nothing else.

And, puhlease, no sanctimonious posts about the dangers of fast driving.

Wed, 2006-09-20 23:03

stormy_petrel

Forgot to say that the link doesn't explain that he crashed at 280mph whilst trying to break the land speed record. Rumour has it that he did it successfully but crashed during a re-run for extra shots or the camera crew.

Wed, 2006-09-20 23:08

Jack Cade

Oh no! Sounds like he's got a good chance though - even the worst reports suggest he's begun to regain consciousness. ~ I'll Show You Tyrants(link is external) * Fuselit(link is external) * The Prowl Log(link is external) * Woe's Woe(link is external)

Wed, 2006-09-20 23:16

styx

I've always said that Top Gear is a comedy programme but with cars as the central interest. And it is funny. Or rather I find it funny. Jeremy Clarkson must hug himself with oleaginous self-regard when he's criticised in the media. He's just 'avin' a larf and getting paid millions for it. But speed does kill. If you have an accident at 5mph you'll probably be OK. Have the same accident at 90mph and you're in deep doggy-doo. I hope Richard Hammond pulls through.

Wed, 2006-09-20 23:18

cath_carr

Oh no.. that IS bad, bugger.

Wed, 2006-09-20 23:30

alan_benefit

What's Top Gear?

Wed, 2006-09-20 23:32

stormy_petrel

Styx, it isn't only you that finds it funny .... it IS fucking funny in the way that well written comedy IS and The league of Gentlemen ISN'T.

Wed, 2006-09-20 23:34

stormy_petrel

*shoots Benefit with clarkson's AK47*

Wed, 2006-09-20 23:35

styx

Hi Alan _ Benefit I can see a career as a Judge stretching out before you.

Wed, 2006-09-20 23:41

#10

cath_carr

No tv? Its a car programme. Its very, very funny, terribly incorrect but in a non offensive way. Its just about the only thing I can watch with my dad that we both find hilarious.

Thu, 2006-09-21 00:33

#11

2Lou

Jees yes. My heart sank when I read that. I love Top Gear. The three of them are hilarious together and he's just so sweet. My daughter Ellie is a fan of his because of Brainiacs. Fingers crossed. Poor sod. ~ www.fabulousmother.com(link is external)

~
www.fabulousmother.co.uk(link is external)

Thu, 2006-09-21 00:47

#12

ivoryfishbone

oh i love him hope he is ok

Thu, 2006-09-21 10:28

#13

styx

I find Top Gear AND The League Of Gentlemen funny. Mmm, I feel another thread coming along.

Thu, 2006-09-21 15:38

#14

Radio Denver

We get Top Gear over here and it is one of the few television shows I ever watch, along with American Chopper. Visit me http://www.radiodenver.org/(link is external)

Share your state secrets at...
http://www.amerileaks.org(link is external)

Thu, 2006-09-21 21:02

#15

stormy_petrel

http://www.koopress.co.uk/speaking.htm(link is external) Latest press releases say he has "significant" brain damage. I remember them saying the same about Rik Mayall after he rolled his quadbike and he went on to make a full recovery, so it's not all doom and gloom. Although, come to think of it, i haven't seen Rik on tv much over the last few years.

Thu, 2006-09-21 22:56

#16

brooosh

For me Top Gear and folk like Jeremy Clarkson are dinosaurs stuck in the 1960s. It's a different world now and it's time we moved on. I love my car as much as anyone, but we cannot continue to burn gas the way we do. We need to switch to horses, bicycles and/or wind-solar-electricity-powered hybrid cars with a max speed of 40 mph. Alternatively, I know this is a bit radical, but why don't we just walk. Racing at these ridiculous speeds is environmentally unfriendly and dangerous. It's also stressful and spiritually unbalancing. Where are we all racing to anyway? Our destination will still be there tomorrow. Our grandchildren will look back on this era with disbelief at the irresponsible way we used our resources. Having said all that I wish Richard a speedy recovery. There is some suggestion that he could recover, which is amazing given the speed at which he was travelling and also a tribute to his fighting spirit and the good solid doctoring in Leeds.

Thu, 2006-09-21 23:05

#17

alan_benefit

Sorry, folks - wind-up. I like Richard Hammond. Didn't realise how bad he was. I hope he gets through, too. I think I saw one episode - sending a MIni down a ski run - which was a giggle. Not LOL, but okay. Wouldn't dream of being sanctimonious, Stormy - even though I lost someone close thanks to a fucking twat driving like one. Happy to be a miserable son of a bitch, though (if that ain't a contradiction). PS Rik Mayall's still about. Made a full recovery.

Thu, 2006-09-21 23:35

#18

stormy_petrel

http://www.koopress.co.uk/speaking.htm(link is external) Alan, the only reason I mentioned 'sanctimonious posts about speeding' is that, usually, whenever Top Gear or Clarkson is mentioned someone will turn up and blather on about how Clarkson is a dinosaur; how he is so rude; how the world's oil resources are running out; how a friend of a friend was killed by some-one speeding. Glad to see that hasn't happened this time.

Fri, 2006-09-22 00:29

#19

2Lou

Caught a glimpse of tomorrow's newspaper headlines on tv. Apparently, Clarkson's words to Hammond in hospital were, 'You're an awful fucking driver' - or something like that - and it made Hammond smile, so that's a good sign! ~ www.fabulousmother.com(link is external)

~
www.fabulousmother.co.uk(link is external)

Fri, 2006-09-22 09:11

#20

alan_benefit

Yeah, I see that - though I can't really make a connection between sanctimony about speeding and Clarkson. Calling him a dinosaur is pointless since, for very many people, he's more like a superhero. Very much the modern man, then. Perhaps because he's become a poster boy for the 'inalienable right to drive' set. Many people also see his views and behaviour as some kind of act, deliberately tailored to wind people up. I don't know. I think he believes what he says wholeheartedly. Is it petty to disagree with him? Well, as all he really does is host a popular car programme, I suppose so. In that sense, his views don't carry much weight. Though celebrity status carries a huge amount of influence these days - particularly, though not exclusively, with the young.

Fri, 2006-09-22 09:37

#21

pepsoid

"oleaginous"? *looks up definition, so as not to look like a mook* Oh that. (Never watched TG... JC was undeniably amusing in "Grumpy Old Men," tho'...) (PS. Ditto Bruce) ~PEPS~ [ insert pithy and poignant quote ]

The All New Pepsoid the Umpteenth!

Sat, 2006-09-23 01:02

#22

stormy_petrel

Alan, Clarksons' views do probably count for nowt. The people who watch the show are either already committed petrolheads (not petrelheads - sadly) or simply lovers of good TV - it is well scripted and well acted and superbly filmed (ignore the cars and look at what the cameraman is doing and the graininess or otherwise of the shots). But I doubt it carries much influence with the young... most of the 'young' are too busy watching Youtube to care about TopGear. It's a show designed for the over 30s. I take your point about sanctimony but would suggest you are sounding rather pompous in your picking me up on it - touche, perhaps, mon brave. Anyway, the main point is this: Hamster is doing well and Clarkson told him its is own fault for being a crap driver. Captain Slow said he hoped the "irritating little shit" got better soon (or something like that). And THAT is what I like about these people and their programme. As for celebrity status: I'd rather my kids modelled themselves on Clarkson than Chantelle.

Sat, 2006-09-23 08:44

#23

camus

My 15 year old son was really upset about Hammond's accident, motorsport and programmes like Top Gear have been his favourite tv programmes since the age of two!

Sat, 2006-09-23 08:49

#24

justyn_thyme

I watch Top Gear all the time. Of course, there's almost no English language TV here in Poland, but I would watch it anyway. For me it's a comedy and much funnier than most shows which claim to be comedy shows. I find League of Gentlemen disgusting and completely unfunny. "You don't need the light of the Lord to read the handwriting on the wall." Copies of Warsaw Tales available through www.new-ink.org(link is external)

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