Pericles, I largely agree with you.Clarkson is a victim of his own lack of self-discipline, nothing more nor less.

Still, it's worth considering what might have been the response if the parties involved had both been female. Would the reaction from other media have been the same? I doubt it. What if a female presenter slugged a male producer with a similar effect? Storm in a teacup? Lots of stories about how stressed and depressed she had been: tea and sympathy all round?

What if the producer had belted Clarkson back?

So many intriguing ways that our society differentiates between largely identical actions based entirely on the actors.

Well said, Craig, entirely agree.

First up declarations of interest.
I like Top Gear, went to the live show when it was in Brisbane but don't seek the TV show out to watch often.

I don't support the view that my of anybody else's liking for the show or the role Clarkson played in it creates a case for excusing a workplace assault that would cost most people their jobs and possibly a jail term.

I do think though that given the scrutiny the BBC has been under over Jimmy Savile and what he appears to have been allowed to get away with they were not in a position to allow Clarkson to be excused regardless of the level of support from petitions, the revenue they were making from the show or any other factor.

I'm not close enough to what's going on in the UK currently to be sure of it but get the impression that the debate over what BBC management knew is not so old hat that it can be ignored. This one is from 2012https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpfuoU_Zu_U

From what I can tell the investigations into Jimmy Savile associates is still underway, the investigation against Cliff Richard is still active. BBC bosses were not a position to let Clarkson get away with the assault no matter how big the petition.

R0bert

R0bert, I don't think they were in a position to excuse Clarkson regardless of Savile or any other factors. There is no question that if I or you were to hit one of our work colleagues in similar circumstances we would be unlikely to retain our jobs.

It is fascinating to see the level of public support for such special dispensation in this case, however, especially given the massive focus on anti-violence campaigns.

Hasbeen,

"If those 3 talents were to start a production company, they would make a fortune, & they could sack incompetents who can't organise a simple meal."

...which is so much more civilised than smacking them in the mouth while delivering a prolonged torrent of abuse.

Clarkson is an entitled prat...who happens to possess a humorous delivery.

Ho hum....