Clarkson and Co. cause BBC more embarrassment

[AB Asks]

Jeremy Clarkson and James May openly breached the smoking ban on the popular motor show Top Gear. They were smoking Porsche branded pipes as part of a discussion about the brand's line pf products for sale online. Some anti-smoking campaigners were outraged and are demanding apologies, but regular followers of the show know that this stunt was something not out of the ordinary. What do you think? The pair clearly broke the law but the whole scene was done in jest?

[Reverandfunk]

Where were they smoking?

[ludwig]

If it's the bit I saw, they weren't smoking. They were just pretending to smoke with empty pipes.

[weecalf]

Interesting Top Gear is an angram of Portage which is transport of goods.As for the smoking this show seems to get in the news a lot .No publicity ect ect

[spaced]

they were smoking. They lit the pipes. People who complain about this should just get a life

[China Doll]

I think they should stick two fingers up at anyone with the time or the inclination to protest about this.

However I'm a smoker and I really like Top Gear so I may have a bias.

[horsestache1]

I found it funny, especially when Clarkson got ash in his mouth from putting the pipe in the wrong way round.

If people did'nt like it why did they not change cahnnel. Nothing better to moan about I guess.

[Sweep2k]

Ooh TOUGH GUYS!

They may look like middle aged estate agents but they're REBELS.

Look, they're wearing JEANS as well. And sporting SHAGGY HAIR. And making JIBES at each other expense. HA HA!

And they think that BIG cars that use loads of petrol and go DEAD FAST are COOL.

It reminds me of my dad and his mid-life crisis. I half expect them to get an electric guitar out and have a jamming session.

Cringe-worthy.

[China Doll]

My favourite so far has been driving to the North Pole. That was class.

[O'Reilly]

AB Ed,

Change your paper from the Daily Fail would you? Your questions are already answered on the flippin' paper's public comments.

[LeMarchand]

I hate Clarkson, with his "driving fast is cool" attitude. Shoot him.

[jno]

breaking the law is ok if it's in jest? That's ok then. When you mug me, smile.

[Panic Button]

It was obvious they were doing it to cause outrage. They were still smoking much later in the show.

They should have the law applied just like anybody else, particularly as it was a BBC programme..

The shows producer is probably more guilty than they are.

[Hellyon]

As Clarkson and Co are famously politically incorrect the stunt was in keeping with what they do. Personally I find them very funnyand wouldn't miss TG for the world, just naughty 'boys' having a laugh, the grown up equivalent of smoking behind the bike sheds.
As I know many similar men myself you should be aware that behind them stands a wife rolling her eyes!
Why people take them seriously when they don't themselves amazes me.

[brionon]

Horse says 'If you don't like it---''. So lets have an Answer Bank where we ALL agree. won't that be nice?

[Reverandfunk]

I must admit I dont mind top gear, but watched it last week and i think they are a bit "embarrassing dad" ish. Middle aged, middle class and looking like tw@ts

Jeans with a suit jacket?

When has that ever been acceptable lol

[hundreddolla]

REV - You stole my post!! I was just about to take the michael about the old blazer & jeans combo. The presenters are SOOOO "Dad at a wedding" They make me cringe!

[Reverandfunk]

"HEY" whats this song? it's got a good beat!!......

[hundreddolla]

I'll bet Clarkson et al stand around recanting Monty Python sketches to each other during the breaks!

......we are the knights that say "Knee"

"Knee!"

ha, ha, ha, ha!

[Reverandfunk]

I just dont get Monty Python or the Goons

They are mildly funny but none if it is spontaneous

[sandbach99]

This part of the show was recorded in front of a live audience.

If you had a chest disease like Asthma and had gone to watch the recording expecting that the BBC would obey the law regarding no smoking, would you still find it funny that some idiot thought that it was 'clever' to smoke and had made you ill?