Top Gear now facing potential legal action thanks to insane equality laws

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...onds-jibe.html

Mexican takes legal action against Top Gear after Hammond calls her nation 'lazy, feckless and flatulent'

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/...10_468x286.jpg
Top Gear: James May (left), Richard Hammond (centre) & Jeremy Clarkson (right) discuss Mexican cars

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Originally Posted by Daily Mail

A Mexican has instructed lawyers to bring a test case against Top Gear after her countrymen were branded 'lazy, feckless and flatulent' on the hit show. Iris de la Torre, a jewellery design student in London, is bringing the claim under a new equality law. Her lawyers claim it could cost the BBC £1million in damages. They have demanded the hit BBC1 motoring show is taken off the air and an investigation made into the comments. The lawyers, Equal Justice, have previously taken action against Channel 4 over comments about Indian actor Shilpa Shetty, made on Celebrity Big Brother.

MPs have also now demanded that the BBC apologises over the 'ignorant, derogatory and racist remarks'. In a Commons motion, a cross-party group of six MPs said the comments were 'unacceptable and untimely'.

They said: 'This level of ignorance is far below anything expected from anyone in the public eye and illustrates a serious lack of judgment by the programme-makers.' The group wants the BBC to apologise as a 'matter of urgency' before Nick Clegg visits Mexico this month in case the row upsets diplomatic relations. On Sunday night's show, Richard Hammond was discussing a Mexican sports car and suggested that vehicles reflect the national characteristics of the country they are from. He added: 'Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat.’

He also referred to Mexican food as 'refried sick' while fellow presenter James May said it was 'like sick with cheese on it'. Host Jeremy Clarkson then claimed the ambassador to the UK wouldn't complain because he would be snoring in front of the television at his embassy. But the ambassador Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza did make a formal complaint to the BBC and called on the presenters to make a public apology for stirring 'bigoted feelings against the Mexican people'.

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Oh here we go again, can't say anything nowadays without having the word-Nazis (the ones who spout on about tolerance, yet are intolerant of other views including jokes and humour) clamping down on us all. All I can say is thank god for Jeremy Clarkson and co, the man who famously wound the PC crowd up by describing Gordon Brown as "a one-eyed scottish idiot" - the below comments sum this up perfectly;

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Originally Posted by Mail, comments

I am English and England is full of fatties. Oh I appear to of offended myself !! Or shall I grow up??- Jason, Poole Dorset, 3/2/2011 21:49

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Indeed, its time people grew up and learnt to take it on the chin.

Thoughts?

Jeremy Clarkson is a legend. I love the way he's so outspoken. I think it's ridiculous a bit of good humour can't go by without someone getting offended.

It was blatantly a joke, I don't know how anyone could see it otherwise? It's ridiculous how people can sue for things like this.

There's no such thing as a joke which doesn't offend someone. Mexicans need to learn to man up and take the abooose.

I think too many people take the jokes on Top Gear seriously and just watch it for the sake of having to send in a complaint to the BBC or ofcom. I doubt many of them are actually insulted by what is said on the show? I don't find an issue with what was said last week but meh, it's stupid if any action does happen over this.

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Originally Posted by xxMATTGxx

I think too many people take the jokes on Top Gear seriously and just watch it for the sake of having to send in a complaint to the BBC or ofcom. I doubt many of them are actually insulted by what is said on the show? I don't find an issue with what was said last week but meh, it's stupid if any action does happen over this.

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I think there's a load of green peace organiser who sit in their little eco-friendly sheds every Sunday watching Top Gear to complain about everything potentially offensive to try and shut down the show because it's "bad for the environment" and "encouraging misuse of precious resources and unnecessary pollution" lol.

I disagree with the legal action, Top Gear have done nothing wrong and PC has gone OTT.

However I question why Top Gear did this in the first place? They said at the time they were expecting complaints from the Mexican Ambassador for what was said. What's the need to say it then? I'm beginning to think Jeremy Clarkson just said it to cause controvercy rather than because it was funny, he seemed to know the consequences of what he's going to say before he does. It's meant to be a motoring show, not Jeremy Clarkson increasing his presence or going to war with the PC-Police. So to conclude before someone savagely attacks me. Yes he's totally within his right to say it and I disagree with the equality act and any legal action taken over this. But I do question Top Gear and Jeremy Clarkson's intentions, which were bad from the beginning and not relevant.

Edit: I'm just going to get lynched by Top Gear fans anyway but there's my view.

Because they know that nothing will actually happen and that the media will ('Have' now) blow it out of proportion.

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Originally Posted by Chippiewill

Because they know that nothing will actually happen and that the media will ('Have' now) blow it out of proportion.

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Therefore they are just attention-seeking in the media and trying to boost their profile, which is what I'm trying to say.

Clarkson is known to be outspoken against political correctness, and i'm on his side in that battle - if he can show it up for what it is (ridiculous, over-reactionary nonsense) then good for him and good for the rest of us before we all end up in court for being 'offensive'.

It seems the BBC have issued a formal apology, not sure if this is correct or if the source is valid.

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“The Executive Producer for Top Gear has written to the Mexican Ambassador and apologised for the comments made about him during the show. On the broader issue of comments about Mexicans as people, the show has explained they were making comic use of a stereotype; a practice with which regular viewers of Top Gear will be familiar.

“We are sorry if we have offended some people, but jokes centred on national stereotyping are a part of Top Gear’s humour, and indeed a robust part of our national humour. Our own comedians make jokes about the British being terrible cooks and terrible romantics, and we in turn make jokes about the Italians being disorganised and over dramatic; the French being arrogant and the Germans being over organised. When we do it, we are being rude, yes, and mischievous, but there is no vindictiveness behind the comments.

“This stereotyping humour is in itself a factor in the tolerance which the ambassador states is so prevalent in Britain.

“In line with that tradition, stereotype based comedy is allowed within BBC guidelines in programmes where the audience has clear expectations of that being the case, as indeed it is with Top Gear. Whilst it may appear offensive to those who have not watched the programme or who are unfamiliar with its humour, the Executive Producer has made it clear to the Ambassador that that was absolutely not the show’s intention.”

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

Clarkson is known to be outspoken against political correctness, and i'm on his side in that battle - if he can show it up for what it is (ridiculous, over-reactionary nonsense) then good for him and good for the rest of us before we all end up in court for being 'offensive'.

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By all means have this battle I support him. However I'm beginning to think he's just desperate for attention and there's no need to give Top Gear a bad reputation or risk it's future by constantly being controversial. It's risking becoming political by taking stances on issues and it'll just be dropped by the BBC if it continues to get bad press, I'm a massive TG fan and I'd hate to see it go due to Jeremy Clarkson wanting the limelight or trying to prove a point. He needs to make his point elsewhere.

If I remember correctly, didn't Richard Hammond say the main comments in regards to all of this? Then Clarkson joined in then commented that they don't expect any complaints from the ambassador.

If any of the current hosts leave Top Gear or get fired then Top Gear won't be the same.

You think top gear would be half as funny if it wasn't so in-your-face controversial? Dream on.

I agree whole heartedly with Clarkson and more surprisingly Undertaker. Political correctness is ******* stupid, and this is coming from an irishman, the butt of alot of english jokes!

No one will get fired.

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Originally Posted by xxMATTGxx

If I remember correctly, didn't Richard Hammond say the main comments in regards to all of this? Then Clarkson joined in then commented that they don't expect any complaints from the ambassador.

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I think they probably preprepared the gag anyway so they're all to blame for 'racism'.

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Originally Posted by xxMATTGxx

If I remember correctly, didn't Richard Hammond say the main comments in regards to all of this? Then Clarkson joined in then commented that they don't expect any complaints from the ambassador.

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Yes pretty much. Hammond said that the car represents the country, so the car would be "lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat." Then Clarkson said their food was basically "refried sick" and that he wouldn't get complaints from the ambassador because "they'll be sleeping". lol.

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Originally Posted by Niall!

You think top gear would be half as funny if it wasn't so in-your-face controversial? Dream on.

I agree whole heartedly with Clarkson and more surprisingly Undertaker. Political correctness is ******* stupid, and this is coming from an irishman, the butt of alot of english jokes!

No one will get fired.

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Most of Top Gear is pretty darn funny, most of it's funny without needing to be controversial.

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Originally Posted by xxMATTGxx

If I remember correctly, didn't Richard Hammond say the main comments in regards to all of this? Then Clarkson joined in then commented that they don't expect any complaints from the ambassador.

If any of the current hosts leave Top Gear or get fired then Top Gear won't be the same.

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I believe Jeremy Clarkson writes the scripts for what is said on the show, whilst all three of them come across as presenters, it's essentially JC's show, he does most the writing.

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Originally Posted by Jordy

Most of Top Gear is pretty darn funny, most of it's funny without needing to be controversial.

I believe Jeremy Clarkson writes the scripts for what is said on the show, whilst all three of them come across as presenters, it's essentially JC's show, he does most the writing.

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Even so they still have their own part within the show and if it wasn't for them three Top Gear wouldn't be what it is today, any changes to the cast could ruin the show more like.

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Originally Posted by xxMATTGxx

Even so they still have their own part within the show and if it wasn't for them three Top Gear wouldn't be what it is today. Any changes to the cast could ruin the show more like.

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When did I suggest a presenter should leave the show..?

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Originally Posted by Jordy

When did I suggest a presenter should leave the show..?

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I never said you did, I brought up the following: If any of the current hosts leave Top Gear or get fired then Top Gear won't be the same.

You then told me how it's JC's show and then I decided to reply even if that is the case, all three of them still make what Top Gear is and any changes made to the presenters could ruin it.

It was a joke... What more can you possibly say about this? Some people need a damn good slap.

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Originally Posted by xxMATTGxx

I never said you did, I brought up the following: If any of the current hosts leave Top Gear or get fired then Top Gear won't be the same.

You then told me how it's JC's show and then I decided to reply even if that is the case, all three of them still maker what Top Gear is.

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Good. It's the way in which you quoted me and then made the remark about hosts leaving which implied I said something about hosts leaving. Well he does write the content and do more things behind the scenes, hence why I called it JC's show. But yes I do agree all three make Top Gear what it is.

Surprised they could be bothered to file a complaint, darn mexicans

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Originally Posted by NaughtyNemo

Surprised they could be bothered to file a complaint, darn mexicans

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haha

I'm sure top gear has insulted pretty much every country including us? I don't get why they're taking this to heart. I might just try and find some mexican TV (if there is any) which insults us and send it to the ambassador.

It's stupid how Family Guy is allowed to make fun of Britain and Mexico and others place I cannot be bothered to list, but Top Gear isn't!

If anybody is idiotic enough to take what is said on top gear as serious it really worries me, they are barely factual about the cars nowadays and it's much more of a comedy kind of show than a factual show as it started out, not that I'm complaining I love Top Gear.

If these comments had been made on a show not known for it's somewhat sadistic humour, for instance the news then yeh they would be out of place and perhaps inappropriate, however like someone else in this thread there isn't anything that Top Gear hasn't taken the piss out of and if anyone is weak enough to be offended by what they say then it's the persons problem, not Top Gears.

I think big corporations such as the BBC are too quick to jump and apologise in these instances too, the same with SkySports the other week with those off-air sexist comments.

BBC1 is called BBC One and Top Gear is shown on BBC Two. Brilliant journalism there.

I agree that taking legal action is overreacting. However why they felt they needed to make those comments, which would obviously create a controversy, i don't know.

If people don't like something on TV then don't watch it. Top Gear are so true to their words.

What do you expect when you watch Top Gear? They're taking the piss out of everybody. So either they're hypocritical, watching it knowing other countries get ragged or they just watched it to make some sort of complain.

The most annoying thing is that the BBC is funded by the TV Licence, so if somebody in the UK makes a complaint and they have to pay a fine, it's tax payers money that's getting wasted. idiots.

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

Clarkson is known to be outspoken against political correctness, and i'm on his side in that battle - if he can show it up for what it is (ridiculous, over-reactionary nonsense) then good for him and good for the rest of us before we all end up in court for being 'offensive'.

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i thought the whole of the BBC was part of the PC-Brigade and hated normal british mail readers!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by alexxxxx

i thought the whole of the BBC was part of the PC-Brigade and hated normal british mail readers!!!!!!

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The BBC is biased, now confirmed by a number of sources, see mainly;

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...r-Sissons.html

(also);
http://www.globalbritain.org/
http://biased-bbc.blogspot.com/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...r-Sissons.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-BBC-show.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ers-death.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ght-reply.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-Thompson.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...-Thompson.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...tian-bias.html
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/ja...bbc-stitch-up/

Indeed it is amazing that Top Gear is even run by the BBC, but of course it does need its token shows to keep the masses happy so people such as yourself can turn around and say 'how on earth could the BBC be a politically correct left wing organisation when it allows Top Gear to run?' - very much like the Tory Party needs itself to have a few token eurosceptics in order to convince conservative-minded people that its a conservative party. I've heard in the past also that Top Gear also is one of the only BBC shows which makes a profit, so a pretty useful show. I mean if the BBC wants to be biased as it is then thats fine by me, but don't impose a tax on the public in order to fund it. Time for the BBC to compete in the real world and be privatised/broken up.

But of course, this is all another issue.

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

The BBC is biased, now confirmed by a number of sources, see mainly;

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...r-Sissons.html

(also);
http://www.globalbritain.org/
http://biased-bbc.blogspot.com/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...r-Sissons.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-BBC-show.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ers-death.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ght-reply.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-Thompson.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...-Thompson.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...tian-bias.html
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/ja...bbc-stitch-up/

Indeed it is amazing that Top Gear is even run by the BBC, but of course it does need its token shows to keep the masses happy so people such as yourself can turn around and say 'how on earth could the BBC be a politically correct left wing organisation when it allows Top Gear to run?' - very much like the Tory Party needs itself to have a few token eurosceptics in order to convince conservative-minded people that its a conservative party. I've heard in the past also that Top Gear also is one of the only BBC shows which makes a profit, so a pretty useful show. I mean if the BBC wants to be biased as it is then thats fine by me, but don't impose a tax on the public in order to fund it. Time for the BBC to compete in the real world and be privatised/broken up.

But of course, this is all another issue.

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You got a point there. JC is very right-wing, I love it when he talks about politics because it all makes sense to me lol.

Anyway, I'm not surprised really, as you said the BBC need a few token shows to try and make it seem unbiased, and this is ideal because of JC's views - he makes it seem "balanced" as it were.

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

but don't impose a tax on the public in order to fund it. Time for the BBC to compete in the real world and be privatised/broken up.

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I can agree to disagree with you on certain subjects but this is not one of them, you're just plain wrong.

I'm not going to comment on bias because we've had this argument several times and as I have said the BBC always balances out Political panel shows with opposing parties and actually considering how irrelevant parties like UKIP are in non election times (since they do not have MP's, quite wrongly may I add) they are represented quite well in my opinion.

The BBC. British Broadcasting Corporation. You talk about how great Britain is and yet you want to cut the BBC? It's the largest broadcasting corporation in the world, just think about that for a minute and then think about what you are saying. The BBC is quite possibly the most internationally renowned and respected media company in the world and you want to cut it? Just think about how much revenue it generates in the UK through investment, tourism and the like. Programs like Doctor Who and Little Britain are popular not just in Britain but worldwide which is why the BBC generates £0.8 Billion a year from its commercial arm. Sure the BBC is funded by the taxpayer but no one has to purchase a TV licence do they? The reason the TV Licence is so cheap is purely because, unlike if it were private, it doesn't need to make a profit. You privatise it and costs to the end user increase and the consumer base shrinks. Talk about making it profitable through advertising, not about privatising it. But you know what? I think you like it nationalised, it gives you and your UKIP cronies something to whine about. I've had enough. Please for the love of god just shut the **** up.

Who cares about them being biased when you don't have to watch adverts?

I don't.

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Originally Posted by Chippiewill

Who cares about them being biased when you don't have to watch adverts?

I don't.

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Me, because then the ridiculous amount of people who watch the BBC on a regular basis...whatever the percentage is (I'd estimate probably 70%+ of the adult population) are being influenced by their scam. I'd be happier with a right-wing TV company with adverts than a left-wing one without. It's not the fact that it's left wing though. It's the fact they lie about it and hide behind the pretence of being "mutual". They're not, and it's completely immoral to lie to the public when trying to gain whatever they seek to gain, I don't know what that would be. Recognition for the top dog's favourite party? Who knows, who cares. I just want them to admit they're left-wing ;l

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Originally Posted by Conservative,

Me, because then the ridiculous amount of people who watch the BBC on a regular basis...whatever the percentage is (I'd estimate probably 70%+ of the adult population) are being influenced by their scam. I'd be happier with a right-wing TV company with adverts than a left-wing one without. It's not the fact that it's left wing though. It's the fact they lie about it and hide behind the pretence of being "mutual". They're not, and it's completely immoral to lie to the public when trying to gain whatever they seek to gain, I don't know what that would be. Recognition for the top dog's favourite party? Who knows, who cares. I just want them to admit they're left-wing ;l

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But I'd argue it's just not true. It all depends on your own political viewpoint, if you believe that the 3 main political parties are all left wing then of course you're going to believe the BBC has a left wing bias because it's mandate is to provide content to the 90% of people who voted for those 3 main parties. The vast majority of BBC programs have no political content at all. The only ones that do are the News and Political programs such as Question Time and Daily Politics. Now the News is...well...the News, not much goes on there. They report whats going on which is what people are most interested in which is OBVIOUSLY going to be disproportionately about the Government, the cuts etc. Now for political programs such as the 2 mentioned ones, they are driven by the politicians themselves. I mean I've seen Dan post videos of Farage on panel shows many many times. So please if I am so misinformed, name some programs which are bias?

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Originally Posted by MrPinkPanther

But I'd argue it's just not true. It all depends on your own political viewpoint, if you believe that the 3 main political parties are all left wing then of course you're going to believe the BBC has a left wing bias because it's mandate is to provide content to the 90% of people who voted for those 3 main parties. The vast majority of BBC programs have no political content at all. The only ones that do are the News and Political programs such as Question Time and Daily Politics. Now the News is...well...the News, not much goes on there. They report whats going on which is what people are most interested in which is OBVIOUSLY going to be disproportionately about the Government, the cuts etc. Now for political programs such as the 2 mentioned ones, they are driven by the politicians themselves. I mean I've seen Dan post videos of Farage on panel shows many many times. So please if I am so misinformed, name some programs which are bias?

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The News mainly. I never, EVER saw once during Labour's catastrophic reign of finanical horror the news mention ONCE..."horrendous debt" or "Government loans spiralling out of control". And considering I watch the news every day, and have done since I had the capacity to listen and understand it properly, I I'd have noticed if they did. But now EVERYTHING is about the cuts in some way.

I believe Labour are left wing, Lib dems slightly left wing but pretty much central, and Conservative right wing, all be it Labour & Conservative only mildly compared to previous eras. However, from how I have seen reports change in the last year during the transition from Labour to Conservative/Lib Dem, I've also seen a change of emphasis in the news from the Government doing well, and everything is fine and dandy, to the Government making "disastrous cuts" or "ruining the economy"...

The panel shows are often fair, although the one with Nick Griffin was heavily weighted against him - not that I support him in any way, but it was very unfair on him.

But I think just in general the shows, most except Top Gear, have a left-wing edge on them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

The BBC is biased, now confirmed by a number of sources, see mainly;

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...r-Sissons.html

(also);
http://www.globalbritain.org/
http://biased-bbc.blogspot.com/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...r-Sissons.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-BBC-show.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ers-death.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ght-reply.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-Thompson.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...-Thompson.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...tian-bias.html
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/ja...bbc-stitch-up/

Indeed it is amazing that Top Gear is even run by the BBC, but of course it does need its token shows to keep the masses happy so people such as yourself can turn around and say 'how on earth could the BBC be a politically correct left wing organisation when it allows Top Gear to run?' - very much like the Tory Party needs itself to have a few token eurosceptics in order to convince conservative-minded people that its a conservative party. I've heard in the past also that Top Gear also is one of the only BBC shows which makes a profit, so a pretty useful show. I mean if the BBC wants to be biased as it is then thats fine by me, but don't impose a tax on the public in order to fund it. Time for the BBC to compete in the real world and be privatised/broken up.

But of course, this is all another issue.

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I love Top Gear, and support Tories, but please, dear god, stop reading the Daily Mail.

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Originally Posted by alexxxxx

i thought the whole of the BBC was part of the PC-Brigade and hated normal british mail readers!!!!!!

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LOL. It has had a viral effect around the world and the citizens of Mexico are not so enamoured with GB now but it will all blow over. Clarkson is good at what he does although I don't think he uses a car to get to work he just rides his ego.

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Originally Posted by Conservative,

Me, because then the ridiculous amount of people who watch the BBC on a regular basis...whatever the percentage is (I'd estimate probably 70%+ of the adult population) are being influenced by their scam. I'd be happier with a right-wing TV company with adverts than a left-wing one without. It's not the fact that it's left wing though. It's the fact they lie about it and hide behind the pretence of being "mutual". They're not, and it's completely immoral to lie to the public when trying to gain whatever they seek to gain, I don't know what that would be. Recognition for the top dog's favourite party? Who knows, who cares. I just want them to admit they're left-wing ;l

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When I'm watching TV shows like EastEnders, Top Gear, Come Fly with me etc etc. I don't start thinking about the BBC so called "scam" and them being biased, I enjoy their content because they produce some of the best TV shows on a yearly basis.

Maybe I'm the only one who actually just watches their TV and don't think about politics all the time.