Top Gear controversies: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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==Clarkson's criticism==

One of the programme's presenters, [[Jeremy Clarkson]], has been critical of the [[BBC]] regarding the handling of the programme.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Akwagyiram |first=Alexis |date=12 April 2005 |title='Petrolheads' under attack |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4432279.stm |url-status=live |access-date=28 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123122708/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4432279.stm |archive-date=23 November 2008}}</ref> In the February 2006 issue of ''[[Top Gear Magazine]]'', Clarkson revealed that he thought that the BBC did not take ''Top Gear'' seriously, making the length of the series far too long, and often replacing the show with live [[snooker]] coverage, despite ''Top Gear'' having considerably higher viewing figures.<ref name="clarkson-topgearmagazine200602">{{Cite web |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |author-link=Jeremy Clarkson |date=1 February 2006 |title=Clarkson's right on cue |url=http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2006/02/stories/01/1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610104419/http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2006/02/stories/01/1.html |archive-date=10 June 2008 |access-date=12 July 2008 |publisher=[[Top Gear Magazine]]}}</ref>

In July 2006, the BBC rejected a variety of complaints regarding the criticism, claiming the producers and presenters choose the way they are covered, and that the BBC do not have any control over it. They argued that the presenters' provocative comments are "an integral part of the programme and are not intended to be taken seriously." Regarding offensive remarks traded between presenters and members of the audience, the BBC said "this is part of the appeal of the show, and we trust most viewers are familiar enough with the style and tone of the show not to take offence." The BBC pointed out that they would act if such statements and actions were carried out with any degree of seriousness or if the programme breached legal and safety requirements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top Gear – General approach taken by the programme |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/news/2006/07/26/34349.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221140918/http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/news/2006/07/26/34349.shtml |archive-date=21 February 2007 |access-date=11 August 2006 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

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=== Wales ===

The show received backlash in 2002 when Clarkson suggested that everybody should test drive their cars in Wales because "no-one wants to live there" in the second episode of season one.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-10-31 |title=Biker banned days after TV gaffe |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/2383275.stm |url-status=live |access-date=2021-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213707/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/2383275.stm |archive-date=2 June 2021}}</ref> The comments were the subject of a complaint to the BBC by Labour AM [[Alun Pugh]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Misstear |first1=Rachel |title=Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear and Wales: Five moments that sparked controversy |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/jeremy-clarkson-top-gear-wales-8918230 |access-date=24 August 2024 |agency=Wales Online |date=25 March 2015}}</ref>

Presenter James May would later claim that following this comment, and years of offending Welsh viewers<ref>{{cite news |title=James May receives death threats |url=https://www.news24.com/life/top-gear-receives-death-threats-20110216 |access-date=24 August 2024 |agency=News24 |date=16 February 2011}}</ref> the presenters had received "threats on our lives", adding that the Welsh "really took offence" and referencing the Mexico controversy by stating "It isn’t the Mexicans we have to worry about - it is the Welsh". May criticised the response saying "People shouldn’t take what we say seriously".<ref>{{cite web |last1=McLennan |first1=Patrick |title=Top Gear hosts targeted after Welsh jibes |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/news/top-gear-hosts-targeted-after-welsh-jibes-239931 |website=WhattoWatch |access-date=24 August 2024 |date=13 February 2011}}</ref>

=== USA ===

The show frequently mocks American culture~~, cars and people on the show~~. During the [[Top Gear: US Special|first American road trip]], as part of a challenge, they painted slogans on their cars such as "[[NASCAR]] sucks", "[[Hillary]] for president" and "[[Gay men|Man love]] rules OK" while driving through Alabama. During a fuel stop, they were confronted by "[[redneck]]s",  who were offended by the slogans, causing the crew and presenters to flee, concerned for their safety.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top Gear crew visits U.S.A., will never return again |url=https://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/12/top-gear-crew-visits-u-s-a-will-never-return-again/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602220347/https://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/12/top-gear-crew-visits-u-s-a-will-never-return-again/ |archive-date=2 June 2021 |access-date=2021-06-02 |website=Autoblog |language=en}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=This is some poorly typed blog entry.|date=July 2024}}

=== Germany ===

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The ''Romanian Times'' also reported that Clarkson called Romania a "[[gypsy (term)|gypsy]] land".<ref>{{Cite web |title=romaniantimes.at - |url=http://www.romaniantimes.at/image/7552/news/Panorama/2009-11-16/4289/Top_Gear_praises_road_in__gypsy_country |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706094732/http://www.romaniantimes.at/image/7552/news/Panorama/2009-11-16/4289/Top_Gear_praises_road_in__gypsy_country |archive-date=6 July 2011}}</ref> Complaints were also rife regarding Clarkson's actions to don a [[pork pie hat]] which he called a "gypsy" hat, while commenting: "I'm wearing this hat so the gypsies think I am [another gypsy]." The Romanian ambassador later sent a letter to the producers of ''Top Gear'', in which he showed his appreciation for the show, highlighted the press's [[freedom of expression]], the non-discriminatory spirit, and the fact that [[Minorities in Romania|89.5% of the country's population is Romanian, 6.5% is ethnic Hungarians, 2.5% are ethnic Roma and 1.5% are other ethnic groups]]. He also asked for the show to be re-edited for future showings to exclude the offensive material.<ref>[http://www.mediafax.ro/english/romanian-ambassador-in-london-asks-top-gear-to-reedit-episode-shot-in-romania-5123663 "Romanian Ambassador in London Asks Top Gear to Re-edit Episode Shot in Romania"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104054428/http://www.mediafax.ro/english/romanian-ambassador-in-london-asks-top-gear-to-reedit-episode-shot-in-romania-5123663 |date=4 November 2014 }}, ''MediaFax''</ref>

''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' was hacked by a group of Romanians, who stated, "We are sick of being ~~mis-represented~~misrepresented as Gypsies, and thanks to ''Top Gear'', have been publicly insulted". The group took over two pages of the website, covering them in Romanian flags and playing "Lonely Shepherd" by [[Gheorghe Zamfir]] (featured on the soundtrack from the film ''[[Kill Bill]]'').<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arthur |first=Charles |date=15 April 2010 |title=Daily Telegraph website hacked |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/apr/15/daily-telegraph-hacking |url-status=live |access-date=30 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910103855/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/apr/15/daily-telegraph-hacking |archive-date=10 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=James |first=Martin |date=16 April 2010 |title=Hackers deface Telegraph sites over 'gypsies' slight |work=ITPro |publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |url=https://www.itpro.co.uk/622438/hackers-deface-telegraph-sites-over-gypsies-slight |url-status=live |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112091835/https://www.itpro.co.uk/622438/hackers-deface-telegraph-sites-over-gypsies-slight |archive-date=12 January 2021}}</ref>

=== Mexico ===

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In September and October 2014, the three presenters and a crew of 29 people were recording the ''[[Patagonia Special]]'' in [[Argentina]], featuring three cars—a [[Porsche 928|Porsche 928 GT]], a [[Lotus Esprit]] and a [[Ford Mustang|Ford Mustang Mach I]]. They had started in [[Bariloche]] on 19 September<ref name="Autoblog">{{Cite news |date=16 September 2014 |title=Primicia: Top Gear grabará un episodio en la Patagonia argentina |language=es |work=Autoblog |url=http://autoblog.com.ar/2014/09/top-gear-argentina/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920104622/http://autoblog.com.ar/2014/09/top-gear-argentina/ |archive-date=20 September 2014}}</ref> and travelled southward on the trans-Patagonian [[National Route 40 (Argentina)|Route 40]], about {{convert|1000|mi|km}}. On 2 October they had arrived in [[Ushuaia]], at the southern end of [[Tierra del Fuego]]. The plan was to film for three more days, and then to continue in [[Chile]].

During filming, Twitter comments began to appear alleging the [[number plate]] "H982 FKL" on the [[Porsche]] was a reference to the [[~~Falklands War|1982~~ Falklands War]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2014 |title=Top Gear crew 'chased by thousands and ordered out of country' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29488770 |url-status=live |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308151142/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29488770 |archive-date=8 March 2021}}</ref> [[Andy Wilman]], executive producer for the show, said on 2 October: "''Top Gear'' production purchased three cars for a forthcoming programme; to suggest that this car was either chosen for its number plate, or that an alternative number plate was substituted for the original is completely untrue"; Clarkson tweeted: "For once, we did nothing wrong".<ref name="BBC3Oct" /> "H982 FKL" has been registered to the Porsche since its manufacture in May 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Details of the vehicle being checked – Government of the United Kingdom |url=https://www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230094724/https://www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/ |archive-date=30 December 2014 |access-date=28 December 2014}}</ref><ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/top-gear/11152019/Top-Gear-did-have-details-of-Falklands-Porsche-number-plate-before-buying-it.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216090338/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/top-gear/11152019/Top-Gear-did-have-details-of-Falklands-Porsche-number-plate-before-buying-it.html|date=16 February 2018}} Top Gear did have details of Falklands Porsche number plate before buying it</ref><ref>[http://gavindrake.co.uk/2014/11/11/argie-bargie-foi-act-request-discloses-truth-behind-top-gears-h982-fkl-car/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107102251/http://gavindrake.co.uk/2014/11/11/argie-bargie-foi-act-request-discloses-truth-behind-top-gears-h982-fkl-car/|date=7 January 2017}} argie bargie foi act request discloses truth behind top gears h982 fkl car/</ref>

In the evening, Falklands veterans and other Argentinians entered the hotel lobby to confront the team. Clarkson later wrote he "had to hide under a bed for a mob howling for his blood".<ref name="SundayTimes" /> Local police then told the team they could not and would not give them any assistance, and in the hostile atmosphere the team decided to leave Argentina. Believing that the presenters were the main targets of the controversy, the crew decided to send Clarkson, May, Hammond and the women from the crew to [[Buenos Aires]], while the rest would drive the cars and their equipment to the border into Chile. May later stated that, prior to flying back to ~~[[UK|~~Britain]], he and the other presenters had assisted in planning possible [[airlift]]s if the journey to the border became too dangerous. The main Route 3 by which they had arrived in [[Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego|Rio Grande]] a day earlier, was closed to them because the ringway was filled with people, with "the mayor in front".<ref name="CronFueg-TopGearApredados" /><ref name="Guardian">{{Cite news |last=Plunkett |first=John |date=3 October 2014 |title=Top Gear driven from Argentina after Jeremy Clarkson number plate row |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/oct/03/top-gear-argentina-jeremy-clarkson-bbc |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008053607/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/oct/03/top-gear-argentina-jeremy-clarkson-bbc |archive-date=8 October 2014}}</ref> They drove to the border at Radman by tertiary roads, about {{convert|250|km|mi|order=flip|abbr=on}}. In [[Tolhuin]], after {{convert|100|km|mi|order=flip|abbr=on}}, the convoy was stopped by an intimidating crowd, who threw eggs, rocks, and sticks. The team decided to abandon the three show cars, and reached the border with Chile later that night. At 2 a.m., they had to find a tractor to ford the camera cars through the river border. Pictures show that the abandoned cars had been attacked and damaged with stones. The Porsche now ~~with~~bears the number plate "H1 VAE".<ref name="BBC3Oct">{{Cite news |date=3 October 2014 |title=Protests cut short Top Gear shoot |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29474422 |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231131523/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29474422 |archive-date=31 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="SundayTimes">{{Cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |author-link=Jeremy Clarkson |date=5 October 2014 |title=Make no mistake, lives were at risk |work=The Sunday Times |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/focus/article1467360.ece |url-status=dead |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013064338/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/focus/article1467360.ece |archive-date=13 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="CronFueg-TopGearApredados">{{Cite web |date=3 October 2014 |title=Top Gear apedreados escapan a Chile por Radman y abandono los autos en la ruta 3 |url=http://cronicasfueguinas.blogspot.com/2014/10/top-gear-apedreados-escaparon-y-abandonaro-los-autos.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005183408/http://cronicasfueguinas.blogspot.com/2014/10/top-gear-apedreados-escaparon-y-abandonaro-los-autos.html |archive-date=5 October 2014 |access-date=9 October 2014 |language=es}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=June 2023|reason=no info found about changed plates}} However, over the years various humorous number plate changes had been made, for example referring to James May's age. Alternative number plates with the letters BE11 END for 'Bell End' were reportedly also discovered in the abandoned Porsche<ref>{{Cite web |last=Couzens |first=Gerard |date=2014-10-08 |title=Jeremy Clarkson's Top Gear Falklands row Porsche had 'BE11 END' number plate inside |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/jeremy-clarksons-top-gear-falklands-4399408 |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=mirror |language=en}}</ref> by the Argentinian authorities. Additionally the original dealer has stated that the production team were aware of the registration plate history before purchase.

On 31 October 2014, it was announced that ~~the~~ Argentine ambassador [[Alicia Castro]] met BBC Director of Television [[Danny Cohen (television executive)|Danny Cohen]] to demand a formal apology, but the [[BBC]] refused to do so, making it clear that they intended to broadcast the special as a fair representation of the events that occurred.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 October 2014 |title=BBC refuses Top Gear apology over Argentina row |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29852603 |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201021016/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29852603 |archive-date=1 February 2017}}</ref> The Christmas Special, split into two parts, aired on 27 and 28 December 2014.

==Tesla Roadster review==

During episode seven of [[Top Gear (series 12)|series 12]], Clarkson presented a segment featuring the [[Tesla Roadster (2008)|Tesla Roadster]], including a test drive. The segment showed the car's provided batteries running flat after {{convert|88.5|km|mi}}, with Clarkson claiming that the recharge would take 16 hours. Following this, he claimed that the car then broke down. A [[Tesla Motors]] spokesperson stated that the cars provided never reached less than 20% charge, none needed to be pushed off the track at any point, the recharge time was 3.5 hours, and the brake failure shown in the segment was actually a blown fuse.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2008 |title=Tesla clears up some of Clarkson's claims during Tesla Roadster test drive |url=http://www.egmcartech.com/2008/12/16/tesla-clears-up-some-of-clarksons-calims-during-tesla-roadster-test-drive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221124937/http://www.egmcartech.com/2008/12/16/tesla-clears-up-some-of-clarksons-calims-during-tesla-roadster-test-drive/ |archive-date=21 February 2009 |access-date=5 May 2009 |publisher=egmCarTech}}</ref><ref name="teslacriesfoul">{{Cite magazine |last=Squatriglia |first=Chuck |date=16 December 2008 |title=Tesla Cries Foul on Top Gear's Test |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2008/12/tesla-cries-fou/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504071450/http://www.wired.com/autopia/2008/12/tesla-cries-fou/ |archive-date=4 May 2009}}</ref> The BBC responded to these claims with a statement saying, "The tested Tesla was filmed being pushed into the shed in order to show what would happen if the Roadster had run out of charge. ''Top Gear'' stands by the findings in this film and is content that it offers a fair representation of the Tesla's performance on the day it was tested", without addressing the other concerns.<ref name="teslacriesfoul" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Alun |date=22 December 2008 |title=BBC: Top Gear Tesla didn't run out of juice • Register Hardware |url=http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/12/22/bbc_top_gear_tesla/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418025022/http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/12/22/bbc_top_gear_tesla/ |archive-date=18 April 2009 |access-date=5 May 2009 |publisher=Reghardware.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doggett |first=Scott |date=22 December 2008 |title=Tesla Roadster Reviewed by Jeremy Clarkson Didn't Run Out of Juice as He Claimed |url=http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2008/12/tesla-roadster-reviewed-by-jeremy-clarkson-didnt-run-out-of-juice-as-he-claimed.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326082224/http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2008/12/tesla-roadster-reviewed-by-jeremy-clarkson-didnt-run-out-of-juice-as-he-claimed.html |archive-date=26 March 2009 |access-date=23 November 2011 |website=Auto Observer}}</ref>

The comments were made following Clarkson showing a limp windmill, and complaining that it would take countless hours to recharge the car, using such a source of electricity. A BBC spokeswoman said several times in an interview that ''Top Gear'' was "an entertainment programme, and should not be taken seriously."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chang |first=Richard S |date=30 December 2008 |title=Was 'Top Gear' Test of the Tesla Misleading? |publisher=New York Times Wheels Blog |url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/was-top-gears-test-of-tesla-roadster-misleading |url-status=live |access-date=10 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409141010/http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/was-top-gears-test-of-tesla-roadster-misleading/ |archive-date=9 April 2010}}</ref> After several weeks, Clarkson wrote a blog for ''The Times'', acknowledging that "the film we had shot was a bit of a mess", but defending the film's claims.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=11 January 2009 |title=Tesla Roadster |work=The Times |location=London |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article5483422.ece?token=null&offset=12&page=1 |url-status=~~live~~dead |access-date=30 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604201316/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article5483422.ece?token=null&offset=12&page=1 |archive-date=4 June 2011}}</ref> [[Elon Musk]], CEO of Tesla, wrote in a blog on 13 February 2013 that while delivering the vehicle the Tesla team found on a table a prepared script for the segment, demonstrating this was never a fair test.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Musk |first=Elon |date=13 February 2013 |title=A Most Peculiar Test Drive |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/most-peculiar-test-drive |url-status=live |access-date=1 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719072646/http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/most-peculiar-test-drive |archive-date=19 July 2014}}</ref> In March 2011 Tesla Motors filed a suit accusing the BBC of libel.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Squatriglia |first=Chuck |date=30 March 2011 |title=Tesla Sues Top Gear for Libel |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/03/tesla-sues-top-gear-for-libel/ |url-status=live |access-date=23 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903231355/http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/03/tesla-sues-top-gear-for-libel |archive-date=3 September 2011}}</ref>

In court Tesla Motors lost a major part of its high court libel claim on 19 October 2011. Justice Tugendhat said that no ''Top Gear'' viewer would have reasonably compared the car's performance on the show's airfield track to its likely performance on a public road.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=19 October 2011 |title=Top Gear did not libel carmaker Tesla, high court rules |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/19/top-gear-not-libel-tesla |url-status=live |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202100612/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/19/top-gear-not-libel-tesla |archive-date=2 February 2017}}</ref> On 28 October 2011 the carmaker looked set to lose the remaining malicious falsehood claim, Justice Tugendhat saying "I shall strike out the claim in this action unless the plea of damage is amended by agreement between the parties, or with the permission of the court."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=28 October 2011 |title=Top Gear case: Tesla to lose malicious falsehood claim if it can't show damage |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/28/top-gear-tesla-malicious-falsehood |url-status=live |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202100110/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/28/top-gear-tesla-malicious-falsehood |archive-date=2 February 2017}}</ref> Tesla's court action was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=2013-03-05 |title=Top Gear row: Tesla loses appeal over Jeremy Clarkson review |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/mar/05/top-gear-tesla-jeremy-clarkson |url-status=live |access-date=2019-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130053142/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/mar/05/top-gear-tesla-jeremy-clarkson |archive-date=30 January 2019 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==Suspension and Dismissal of Jeremy Clarkson from ''Top Gear''==

In March 2015, the BBC announced [[Jeremy Clarkson]] had been suspended for allegedly punching a producer over a confrontation regarding cold food and long filming hours, and that the remaining episodes of the series would not be broadcast.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson 'punch': Top Gear episodes to be dropped |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31828184 |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705131605/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31828184 |archive-date=5 July 2018}}</ref> In response to this, over 1,000,000 people signed an online petition to try to get the BBC to reinstate Clarkson.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 March 2015 |title=Petition backing Jeremy Clarkson hits one million signatures |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11485289/The-Stig-delivers-Jeremy-Clarkson-petition-to-BBC.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320133720/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11485289/The-Stig-delivers-Jeremy-Clarkson-petition-to-BBC.html |archive-date=20 March 2015}}</ref> [[Perry McCarthy]], a former [[The Stig|Stig]], criticised the BBC's decision to pull the next episode from the schedule.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson: BBC reaction 'ridiculous', says former Stig |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31828943 |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117195348/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31828943 |archive-date=17 November 2016}}</ref> On 25 March, the BBC announced that they would not renew Clarkson's contract which finished at the end of March 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson 'could make Top Gear comeback in Australia' |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11502355/Jeremy-Clarkson-could-make-Top-Gear-comeback-in-Australia.html |url-status=live |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103451/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11502355/Jeremy-Clarkson-could-make-Top-Gear-comeback-in-Australia.html |archive-date=16 May 2018}}</ref> Following the official decision, James May and Richard Hammond presented their resignation to the BBC in solidarity with their partner and in order to pursue further ventures together. This would lead to the creation of ''[[The Grand Tour]]''.

The show received widespread criticism after Jeremy Clarkson's contract was not renewed, addressing the importance of the confrontation but remarking the severity of the decision. ~~Subsequently, after the new Series 23 was released and hosted by~~ [[Chris Evans (presenter)|Chris Evans]], ~~the~~a motorhead with prior TV-presenter ~~was~~experience, ~~widely~~alongside ~~deemed~~a ~~sub-standard~~host of new presenters, took over as the lead for Series 23 before resigning after widespread criticism.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2016 |title=Top Gear branded 'Flop Gear' after losing a million viewers and being slammed by fans |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/it-actually-hurts-watching-the-new-top-gear-show-branded-flop-gear-after-losing-a-million-viewers-a3259496.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613164856/https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/it-actually-hurts-watching-the-new-top-gear-show-branded-flop-gear-after-losing-a-million-viewers-a3259496.html |archive-date=13 June 2018 |access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenwood |first=Carl |date=29 May 2016 |title=More FlopGear than Top Gear say viewers |website=[[Daily Mirror]] |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/flopgear-new-top-gear-slammed-8078618 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613162724/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/flopgear-new-top-gear-slammed-8078618 |archive-date=13 June 2018 |access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2016 |title=Top Gear verdict: 'A feeble Jeremy Clarkson impression' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36411427 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223204144/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36411427 |archive-date=23 December 2016 |access-date=20 June 2018 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

==Specific criticism ==

===Series 2===

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=== Series 20 ===

The show was criticised by [[Māori people]]s for the filming of a car driving on [[Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand|Ninety Mile Beach]], which although it is a public road is considered sacred by Māori tribes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=90 Mile Beach action with BBC's Top Gear sparks apology |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/90-mile-beach-action-with-bbcs-top-gear-sparks-apology/LZHMZ3RAOIN5IE47Q3WIHDNKKU/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213908/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/90-mile-beach-action-with-bbcs-top-gear-sparks-apology/LZHMZ3RAOIN5IE47Q3WIHDNKKU/ |archive-date=2 June 2021 |access-date=2021-06-01 |website=NZ Herald |date=7 March 2013 |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

===Series 21===

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During the first series after Clarkson, May and Hammond's departure, the BBC came under criticism for filming [[Ken Block]] speeding and performing [[Doughnut (driving)|doughnuts]] near [[The Cenotaph, Whitehall|the London Cenotaph]] but defended the decision to film there by saying "The filming took place a respectful distance away from the Cenotaph and it was all agreed with Westminster council in advance."<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Press Association |date=13 March 2016 |title=Top Gear bosses defend filming near Cenotaph memorial |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/mar/14/top-gear-bosses-defend-filming-near-cenotaph-memorial |url-status=live |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231034601/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/mar/14/top-gear-bosses-defend-filming-near-cenotaph-memorial |archive-date=31 December 2016}}</ref>

=== Borneo Special ===

The show received some criticism when a rare [[Matra Bagheera]] was significantly damaged during the Borneo Special in 2019 . At the time of filming there were only 5 road worthy examples of this model in existence.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://carobsession.co.uk/single-post/2019/07/07/top-gear-series-27-episode-4-review-not-appreciating-classics/ | title=Top Gear Series 27 Episode 4 review: Not appreciating classics | date=7 July 2019 }}</ref>

==References==

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[[Category:Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Controversies]]

[[Category:2015 controversies|Jeremy Clarkson's 2015 firing from Top Gear]]

[[Category:21st-century controversies]]