Clarksongate: The saga continues

Will this really be the end for Clarkson on the Beeb?

It has only been public knowledge for just over 24 hours but already the latest scandal involving the Top Gear host, Jeremy Clarkson has managed to worm its way under every nook and cranny of the social media circuit.So just what on earth has the notoriously controversial presenter done this time?

Well after a lot beating around the bush done by BBC execs, we finally learned that he had been suspended after an alleged 'fracas' with a producer. This meant tragedy for Top Gear lovers nationwide as due to Clarkson's suspension, the last few episodes of the motoring show have been cancelled.

Now this isn't the only time Clarkson has been in trouble, he has managed to piss of quite a few people along his turbulent hosting stint on Top Gear since 2002 but the question has always boiled down to this:

Is this the last chance for Clarkson?

And the answer thus far has been, quite frankly, a no. He's been given chance after chance and yet still he has bounced back to our screens. And if you ask me, I'm not entirely surprised, I do like the man. Strangely.

Now yes, he is an irritant and a bit of an ass but he is a funny and somewhat strangely likeable ass. He knows this, the world knows this, so why are we so surprised when he goes off the rails?

What is a controversial figure? Well there are common factors they all share; they regularly over step the mark, get shunned by a seemingly 'proper' society, get allowed back into said society due to high demand, and they often don't care what people think of them.

source:labourlist.org

This is why Clarkson's career hasn't completely nosedived. He's annoying, he knows it and he couldn't give a shit. All this and like his controversial counterparts, he is popular because of this. Shortly after the suspension was announced, his fans across social media started to rally support for him by signing a virtual petition for his triumphant return to the show. A Petition has been set up on the website Change.org under the hastag #bringbackclarkson and it has raged through the social media sphere after gaining over 100,000 supporters just hours after he was suspended.

Despite however much people may hate him, he will always bounce back because like it or not, he is ratings gold and a PR dream. He is arguably the fundamental back bone for one of the BBC's most successful shows to date; and that's not just for the motoring sector. The programme is worth millions across the world and has been one of the most pirated shows on the net.

As I said earlier, Jeremy isn't the first controversial figure, and he isn't the first multiple offender either. Think of how many controversial people there are entwined in the social media world today, they are still hanging around, being irritating because a significant amount of people want them around and they prove to be a ratings wonder. Katie Hopkins is an example of this very principle.

Also, take the events of the 2014 World Cup and that of the biting scandal that led to the suspension of Spanish player Luis Suarez. He had bitten players before and had been the pain in FIFA's neck for a while, then low and behold, he bites again (cue a four month ban). Now he's back and under Barcelona's wing. Now I don't understand much about football and I understand even less about the significance of certain players, but I do understand that Suarez is a very sought after player, being the keen choice for clubs due to his performance.

So I now ask, if this can happen to a major football player, why can't it happen to Clarkson? Suarez is a key player, so is Clarkson. He's a ratings magnet and besides, James May, Richard Hammond and Clarkson come as a Top Gear trio; much akin to a pyramid of playing cards, without one, the whole lot would fall. It would spell the end of a worldwide phenomenon.

source: bbc.co.uk

As time goes on and media add further fuel to the fire of speculation around the subject, the people involved have slowly started to emerge from the woodwork with their say on the matter. While the big top bosses are remaining tight lipped, James May, Richard Hammond and even Jeremy himself have seemed very relaxed about it, trying to brush the 'fracas' off. Clarkson, while on his 'day off' even joked about going to the job centre, a joke than no doubt comes amongst talk of his possible sacking from the BBC.

With allegations and speculations flying left right and centre, one thing is for certain and that is the BBC have one hell of a choice (and potential headache) on their hands; sack Clarkson and face a dramatic ratings and financial dip, or reinstate him and the show and keep the fans tuned in. An obvious choice for some, but for the big bosses it will prove somewhat of a catch 22 situation.

Jeremy has definitely proved to be one of the many marmite characters in the media spotlight; you either love him or hate him. For me, he is a great character that brings his own set of cards to the table and for that reason, I hope he stays.